And so the truth is out...

[bumbershoot]

I realized last night that my kids are line-waiting snobs too. The Twirl n Hurl had a 10 minute wait last night and they passed. Their reason? "we don't mind waiting 10 minutes in line, but not for a ride that is less than two minutes long!" So we discussed their max wait time for ANY ride and found out:

ME ~ 15 minutes
DH ~ 30 minutes
DD(8) ~ 20 minutes
DD(6) ~ 0 minutes

*sigh*

Good thing we don't go to do rides much!

Fwiw, DH and DS told me that the line for T&H is funny and worth being there for a bit so you can hear all the jokes. I could only hear a few from outside the line, sitting on a bench chatting with others who didn't want to be twirled and hurled (nor did we want to stand in a line), but it did seem amusing.

I will gladly smell the roses, but not the dandelions

I really like that. And everyone's opinion of what a rose or dandelion is is different.

I stop and make my family wait *outside* the IOA gates if they are playing the music that I love. It's instrumental and I don't even know if dh and ds like it, but it sets me up for happiness so if its playing I can't just walk through it.

Others don't care about that. Others will do it in wdw when their favorite music plays. Our roses are different. And we all have different systems for evaluating what turns out to be worth it.

 

[Dreams0308]

I think what dh's comments brought me was a new perspective.

Of course I'd rather go and be able to walk onto every single ride whenever I want. Of course I'd rather have gotten the best deal out there (and know it!) and of course I'd rather not "waste" time "waiting." Of course I'd love to win a night in the castle and win the lottery and while we're at it, have enough in my bank account so that I can travel and do whatever I want and nobody in my family ever has to work a day in their life if they don't want to. So, where do you draw the line between being happy with reality or miserable? Wherever you CHOOSE to.

It's not like we can change the circumstances. We have CHOSEN to stay off-site during spring break and all that comes with it. So, we can go and be miserable. Or we can go and remember why we want to take time out for a vacation in the first place... to make memories with our children. What better gift to give them than to model the life lesson that you CAN have fun no matter where you are, what you're doing, who you're with or what the circumstances are... because it's all about attitude and perspective?

This is such a good perspective and awesome post! I completely agree with you!

 

[EMode]

HAHAHA I think we should just start calling it "The-Thing-That-Must-Not-Be-Named" from now on!!

"Guys, were 60 days out, time to make 'The-Thing-That-Must-Not-Be-Named' reservations!"

Also, a while ago I started a thread where I asked people "how long is too long to wait in a standby line?" There was a lot of different opinions but it was kind of shocking to me that a lot of people are just NOT willing to wait more than like 10 min for anything.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3235182

I just read through that thread and there were 6 people who mentioned 10 minutes. One of them said they used to only wait 10 minutes a long time ago before they had kids with them and the other 5 mentioned 10 minutes but it was only for certain rides. Its not like there are hoards of people not willing to wait 10 minutes for any ride

 

[EMode]

I guess I should seek therapy, my best memories are all about attractions, not the queues.

For us too. If I wanted a vacation where just standing around doing "nothing" with my family was what it was all about, I'd go to the beach for a week.

I think what dh's comments brought me was a new perspective.

Of course I'd rather go and be able to walk onto every single ride whenever I want. Of course I'd rather have gotten the best deal out there (and know it!) and of course I'd rather not "waste" time "waiting." Of course I'd love to win a night in the castle and win the lottery and while we're at it, have enough in my bank account so that I can travel and do whatever I want and nobody in my family ever has to work a day in their life if they don't want to. So, where do you draw the line between being happy with reality or miserable? Wherever you CHOOSE to.

It's not like we can change the circumstances. We have CHOSEN to stay off-site during spring break and all that comes with it. So, we can go and be miserable. Or we can go and remember why we want to take time out for a vacation in the first place... to make memories with our children. What better gift to give them than to model the life lesson that you CAN have fun no matter where you are, what you're doing, who you're with or what the circumstances are? It's all about attitude and perspective.

It definitely is, and if you know you and your family won't mind (potentially) more time waiting in lines then you will still have a great trip.

 

[minmate]

Hoping to! With the "announcement" that day guests will be able to book FP+ beforehand, even though we will only have just 1-2 days ahead to do so bc we still have to convert old ticket media... at least I'm hoping I can cut out the stress of dealing with the FP+ kiosks! Even more excited now!

 

[Iowajes]

have you seen the new commercials? sure make it seem like lines are a thing of the past!

I've never seen any theme park advertise their lines, and they all have them.
Six Flags, Universal, Sea World, every park with rides has lines- and many stretch over an hour. No reason to think Disney would be exempt.

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

I've been stressing out about our upcoming trip because we are going to USF/IOA and WDW - staying off-site for both, driving down... No FP+ or EP in hand. So many of the details haven't been obsessed over and I feel at such a disadvantage staying off-site for the first time (which seems like the worst year to ever do it!) I have been texting him with updates about how lines are at an hour-plus for the headliner rides at all parks as I vigilantly monitor wait time apps.

He has nicely pointed out that I am just a line-waiting snob... that whether I'm in line or on the ride or walking to the next ride, I'll still be spending time with my family and isn't that what the vacation is really supposed to accomplish?

He then asked me to recall the best and funniest memories we all have shared in recent days about our past trips and you know what... most of them really have nothing to do with being on an actual ride!

And that is why I love him!

~I see why you love him! He sounds like a genius to me. This year is going to be different for us but we always used to travel to Disney during one of the slowest weeks of the year -- it was always super hot, humid with hurricane systems abound but the parks were empty. And, we have always encountered lines even in the fastpass line or what may be considered walk on. The reality is you do have to wait for your turn to board to ride. They were short lines but lines none the less -- on things like Living w/the land and even Captain EO!

~I remember one time when we receive a bonus FP for Mickey's Philharmonic with our Winnie the Pooh FP. I immediately giggled at the thought of using FP for Mickey's Philharmgic. But, turns out the Winnie the Pooh ride was walk on and there was a huge line for Mickey's Philhamrgic, we were so happy to use our bonus FP!

~Anyway, do not stress! You're going to Disney! So, just have fun!

 

[Love Tink]

Sure, everyone's favorite memories of WDW don't occur on the rides. But they occur somewhere - and I'm guessing that somewhere is very rarely a ride queue.

Maybe it was sharing an ice cream cone or a great meal in a restaurant, or taking part in a show, or people watching or enjoying Devine or strolling the World Showcase.

Well, you have a lot less time for all of those things if you're stuck in longer lines all day.

 

[OtherScott]

I've been stressing out about our upcoming trip because we are going to USF/IOA and WDW - staying off-site for both, driving down... No FP+ or EP in hand. So many of the details haven't been obsessed over and I feel at such a disadvantage staying off-site for the first time (which seems like the worst year to ever do it!) I have been texting him with updates about how lines are at an hour-plus for the headliner rides at all parks as I vigilantly monitor wait time apps.

He has nicely pointed out that I am just a line-waiting snob... that whether I'm in line or on the ride or walking to the next ride, I'll still be spending time with my family and isn't that what the vacation is really supposed to accomplish?

He then asked me to recall the best and funniest memories we all have shared in recent days about our past trips and you know what... most of them really have nothing to do with being on an actual ride!

And that is why I love him!

Thanks for this

 

[pktbMouse]

I guess I should seek therapy, my best memories are all about attractions, not the queues.

I will come join you...

 

[minmate]

Sure, everyone's favorite memories of WDW don't occur on the rides. But they occur somewhere - and I'm guessing that somewhere is very rarely a ride queue.

Maybe it was sharing an ice cream cone or a great meal in a restaurant, or taking part in a show, or people watching or enjoying Devine or strolling the World Showcase.

Well, you have a lot less time for all of those things if you're stuck in longer lines all day.

Point taken.

Ultimately, we still have a CHOICE to enter the long lines or participate in the other things you mention. Sure, we bring back up meals and reactions to rides when we start playing, "Remember when..." but inevitably, the favorite memories that come up first often have nothing to do with rides and even little to do with the fact we were at WDW. That is just a fortunate coincidence. It is the mere fact that we are ALL together, something that our busy family rarely enjoys in large quantities during the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives.

For us, looking back on it, it is in the unplanned moments that we create our best memories. They often take us by surprise. Also, it could just be that we are a bit, well... "off." We had a great time on our trip to Boston last summer making lots of great memories but the one that gets the most laughs is recalling my dh's surprised and flustered reaction to getting "caught" in the automatic doors at the entrance to the subway terminal. (He wasn't hurt and it was downright hilarious! It helps that he has a good attitude about pretty much everything, because it provides the opportunity to make everything fun.)

 

[smbowtie]

I think what dh's comments brought me was a new perspective.

Of course I'd rather go and be able to walk onto every single ride whenever I want. Of course I'd rather have gotten the best deal out there (and know it!) and of course I'd rather not "waste" time "waiting." Of course I'd love to win a night in the castle and win the lottery and while we're at it, have enough in my bank account so that I can travel and do whatever I want and nobody in my family ever has to work a day in their life if they don't want to. So, where do you draw the line between being happy with reality or miserable? Wherever you CHOOSE to.

It's not like we can change the circumstances. We have CHOSEN to stay off-site during spring break and all that comes with it. So, we can go and be miserable. Or we can go and remember why we want to take time out for a vacation in the first place... to make memories with our children. What better gift to give them than to model the life lesson that you CAN have fun no matter where you are, what you're doing, who you're with or what the circumstances are? It's all about attitude and perspective.

This turned into a mostly positive thread. Refreshing.

 

[jm106]

OP I hope its a great trip. I had to laugh when I read your initial post as it sounds like us to a T. We are doing US/IOA, staying off site after a few on site trips and a long long drive to get there. I am still questioning myself a lot and worried about FP+ and lines. I breathed a sigh of relief today with the news of off site FP+ although I had high hopes all along. DH doesnt get the idea of how I needed to be strategic in the past not to stand in long lines and make our plans yet he adores that we do not need to. Funny, I planned a beach vacation this year with nothing to plan and it is killing me NOT to plan and analyze I love the planning part even with the stress.
I hope you come back to share your experiences later.

 

[minmate]

OP I hope its a great trip. I had to laugh when I read your initial post as it sounds like us to a T. We are doing US/IOA, staying off site after a few on site trips and a long long drive to get there. I am still questioning myself a lot and worried about FP+ and lines. I breathed a sigh of relief today with the news of off site FP+ although I had high hopes all along. DH doesnt get the idea of how I needed to be strategic in the past not to stand in long lines and make our plans yet he adores that we do not need to. Funny, I planned a beach vacation this year with nothing to plan and it is killing me NOT to plan and analyze I love the planning part even with the stress.
I hope you come back to share your experiences later.

We were supposed to be going on a relaxing, restful, do-nothing beach vacation too but it somehow morphed into an Orlando USF/WDW trip... Leaving tonight after work!

 

[jm106]

We were supposed to be going on a relaxing, restful, do-nothing beach vacation too but it somehow morphed into an Orlando USF/WDW trip... Leaving tonight after work!

Have a great trip. I would love details on how it all goes so Ill keep a watch for a TR if you are going to do one.

 

[minmate]

Have a great trip. I would love details on how it all goes so Ill keep a watch for a TR if you are going to do one.

Haven't done a trip report in a LONG time, but I will try, especially if I find I have anything to contribute in regards to off-site using FP+.

 

[Missymouse18]

LOVE IT!!!! This is SO true...we vacation at the parks/resorts for just about everything BUT the rides,so why worry? I like the family fun,the food, the atmosphere,the hotel grounds,the food....

Ditto! And something else... some of our best memories are silly conversations we have had or funny conversations we overheard while standing in line. We just LOVE being there. Would rather be standing in line at WDW than at home wishing I was at WDW!!!

 

[Patricia F]

Hands down, the best moments I've had at Disney World with my DD had nothing to do with the rides. Like when she lost her front tooth at CRT right when Snow White was coming over to her. I feared she was bleeding and I told Snow White to hold on for a moment because of the lost tooth, she said in the perfect Snow White voice "Oh my!"

Or the time at 1900 Park Fare where my DD danced with Cinderella and the Prince and, was so overwhelmed with happiness, she cried at the table. "These are happy tears!" she told us. Weren't my DH and I surprised when Cinderella and the Prince came looking specifially for her to thank her for visiting.

Yes, the FP+ is great - for once, we may actually ride Toy Story Mania - but the memories with the family - that's what it's all about!

 

[*disgal*]

I guess I should seek therapy, my best memories are all about attractions, not the queues.

Hoping to! With the "announcement" that day guests will be able to book FP+ beforehand, even though we will only have just 1-2 days ahead to do so bc we still have to convert old ticket media... at least I'm hoping I can cut out the stress of dealing with the FP+ kiosks! Even more excited now!

This is us too!! Soooooo thankful we can do this. OP, I don't think I caught when you will be going...can you not do it ahead of time to help you out? just wondering.

Our best memories are probably half rides and half other stuff. No queue lines though.

 

[minmate]

We are staying offsite for the first time and using old tix that need to be exchanged for RFID tix first before I can link them. We are driving down as I type. Will go to USF/IOA first. WDW part of our trip starts April 1.