I would be upset too if more kids showed up with no notice and bumped my kid at the last minute. But it would be the "no notice" part that upset me - not the fact that the other kids hadn't waited in the line.
If I joined a line with what appeared to be only a handful of kids ahead of me, but then as I joined one of the adults in front of me turned to me and said "I am waiting for my 3 boys to arrive, so we are actually a party of 4" that would be perfectly fine with me.
But what about the 3 kids that joined the line way behind you... and suddenly those other 3 boys arrived in front of you... and suddenly the 3 kids in line way behind you were cut off because they were going to be the last three for that show?? Who get's to explain to them why there are 3 kids in the show that weren't in line before them??? I'm not in any way trying to start an argument, but the nice thing about this site is we can all have a friendly discussion, and agree to disagree to some things!!
I see no need for kids to prove their worthiness by standing in a hot shadeless area for an hour or more just for the brief chance to do something fun. I would far prefer for the adults to be able to hold spots while the kids got to stay in the air conditioned gift shop, or having lunch, or on a ride, until close to the start of the show.
I agree, except this is the cost of doing something fun sometimes!! And if the other kids are doing it, then every kid needs to do it if they want to participate!! Bring an umbrella and something to drink!!
I would only be annoyed if I'd waited a long time without that crucial piece of information - since it would of course be relevant to whether I was willing to put in the time waiting as well.
IMO what shows like this would benefit most from would be a number system, where kids would go to a check-in station and receive their number and show time. Then they could go walk the park at their leisure and show up right before the show they were going to participate in.
BRAVO!! Great idea!! Kinda like fast pass!!!