And the torch is passed...I'm the Fastpass runner!

[HDJA]

My hubby has always been our FP runner, but he has a torn hamstring this year. So it's up to me to grab those FPs as soon as we enter the parks. So, I need some advice! While I'm running to get FPs for my family of 4, the rest of the family will be getting in line for another attraction. From your experience, do you feel as though you are breaking in line when you return to meet your family? I just don't look forward to working my way through the crowded lines. I have visions of expressing profuse apologies, scaling railings, and stepping on toes! Any bad experiences with this? Or, am I worrying for nothing? How do YOU handle this situation?

 

[Dizneydaz]

Personally I don't have a problem when 1 guest wants to go through the line to join up with their party. Others do though, so be prepared! (Watch out for flames) Technically it is line jumping.

What I do have a problem with is when a few people save line space for a lot. Yesterday we were at DCA waiting for Screaming and a group of 5-6 guests joined 2 others in line. That I hate! But one (or even one adult and small child) is fine with me.

 

[Wadecool]

My hubby has always been our FP runner, but he has a torn hamstring this year. So it's up to me to grab those FPs as soon as we enter the parks. So, I need some advice! While I'm running to get FPs for my family of 4, the rest of the family will be getting in line for another attraction. From your experience, do you feel as though you are breaking in line when you return to meet your family? I just don't look forward to working my way through the crowded lines. I have visions of expressing profuse apologies, scaling railings, and stepping on toes! Any bad experiences with this? Or, am I worrying for nothing? How do YOU handle this situation?

I'm the dedicated FP runner and I meet DW and DD at an attraction after I've collected the FP's. If they get to the entrance before me, then they will either ride without me or wait until I get there so we can all enter the line together. As someone who's not a fan of line jumping, I'm certainly not going to do it myself.

 

[sharona]

While I go on a FP run my family either waits for me at the entrance of our next ride, rides without me (usually something I don't want to go on like Tea Cups) or they take their time getting to our next ride - window shopping, making a pit stop, grabbing some refreshments or whatever. I catch up to them before we get on line...

While I won't try to pass others in line, I have no problem if one person from a group passes us to meet their family (except at Soarin or TSM during RD where I think you need to make a choice FP or standby but not both at once).

With our plan and the way we tour, we don't ever find it all that urgent or necessary for them to get in line w/out me for something we all want to do.

 

[wdw&sonny]

There's been many a thread like this before. The consensus is that your family should wait for you before entering the line. Otherwise it is line jumping.

 

[tink576]

The consensus is that your family should wait for you before entering the line. Otherwise it is line jumping.

Agree! I don't believe that line cutting should occur in order to get fastpasses. In our family one of two things will happen. Either A) the FP runner will book for the FP while the rest of the family leisurely makes their way to the first attraction and we meet up there or B) the runner goes for passes while the rest of the group rides the ride without the runner. Choice B happens a lot with the thrill rides that whoever doesn't want to do.

 

[Mama Who]

My hubby has always been our FP runner, but he has a torn hamstring this year. So it's up to me to grab those FPs as soon as we enter the parks. So, I need some advice! While I'm running to get FPs for my family of 4, the rest of the family will be getting in line for another attraction. From your experience, do you feel as though you are breaking in line when you return to meet your family? I just don't look forward to working my way through the crowded lines. I have visions of expressing profuse apologies, scaling railings, and stepping on toes! Any bad experiences with this? Or, am I worrying for nothing? How do YOU handle this situation?

I handle this by waiting my turn. Running for FPs is not a good reason for me to jump ahead of other people who have been waiting patiently. They waited, I went elsewhere. I'm certainly not entitled to FPs AND the front of the line. One has to choose.

 

[POOHsie]

It's line jumping. If it was acceptable practice, everyone would be doing, runners would be pushing people out of the way right and left, and the ride lines would be chaos.

I use a scooter full time. Fastpass runners zoom by me like I'm standing still. At Soarin' I have to take the world's slowest elevator to go downstairs just to get a fastpass. Do you think people would let me go through a mainstreamed line to get to my family already in line, while I'm operating a scooter? Don't think so.

I say, you can't take an advantage and not accept the drawback. There's no sense of fairness or balance in that. WDW is not a free-for-all.

 

[ZoZo]

OP: Be prepared for some strong reactions to your question. Most would consider what you're doing "line jumping," and will voice their opinions very strongly. This is an extremely hot topic on these boards!

For myself, I would not enter a queue without my whole party there. It's one thing for someone to leave the line with a small child for an emergency potty-break, but something totally different for an adult to join their party in line just for the purpose of getting fast passes. I wouldn't do it.

 

[whacked]

I am the fastpass runner for my family.

I have my family wait at the entrance to the queue and we do not enter without the entire party present.

That being said, we don't generally wait more than about 15 minutes in any line anyway, so it does not bother me.

I would agree with those who believe if you want to ride with someone, get in line with them. That's the point of a line. First come first served.

I would attempt to make you feel my displeasure and disdain in a semi polite way if you go around me. Why should I have to wait in line if you don't?

 

[agame2323]

It’s as close to “line-jumping” as you can get. I define “line-jumping or line cutting” as unjustifiably moving ahead of someone who was in front of you. The gray area in this situation that the OP is referring to, is that “technically” you have someone (your family) that is representing your place in line. So in all fairness, you have the right to be with your family or friends if they waited in line like everyone else.

I think the biggest issue is the way it looks if you’re the one being jumped. Someone comes out of no were claiming to have someone ahead of you holding their place. It’s frustrating but I don’t know if I would call foul on this one

 

[nessz79]

I am sometimes the FP runner at MK. It works out for us as my youngest Ds and I do not like to ride Space Mtn at MK. So DH and oldest DS go ride Space Mtn while younger DS and I get a FP to another ride such as Splash Mtn, BTMRR, or Peter Pan. We then ride some ride that the other 2 dont' care for (like the Carousel, for example...youngest DS likes calmer rides) and then meet up with them at the exit of Space Mtn.

Personally I would not be comfortable finding my party in a queue nor would I be appreciative of someone else doing this.

 

[HDJA]

OP: Be prepared for some strong reactions to your question. Most would consider what you're doing "line jumping," and will voice their opinions very strongly. This is an extremely hot topic on these boards!

For myself, I would not enter a queue without my whole party there. It's one thing for someone to leave the line with a small child for an emergency potty-break, but something totally different for an adult to join their party in line just for the purpose of getting fast passes. I wouldn't do it.

Thanks for the heads up! I didn't realize I was bringing up such a hot topic and hope to not stir up anything. Sorry! I certainly want to be courteous to everyone and don't want to do something that is taboo. I'll stick to everyone's suggestions and have the rest of my family wait for me outside the attraction.

 

[VickyJ]

Right, now for goodness sake dont mention reusing resort mugs or pool hopping ....

 

[SDSorority]

We 'run' (walk...) for fastpasses as a family. I wouldn't feel good about having the rest of the family go get in line without me. If the whole family didn't want to go to the fastpass machine, I'd have them walk with me halfway, or start walking towards the attraction that they want to ride, then wait for me outside the attraction (somewhere in the shade, depending on the time of year- maybe the attraction gift shop?) and then we would get in line as a family. I'm not one that likes to go "excuse me... excuse me... my family is up there... excuse me...pardon me..."

 

[YodaGirl]

There's been many a thread like this before. The consensus is that your family should wait for you before entering the line. Otherwise it is line jumping.

This.

I don't consider it linejumping, but it seems as though there are some who do. Whether it's the majority or a loud minority on DIS, the above statement does seem to be correct.

Some are so serious that they have said that they will physically prohibit you from passing.

It also seems to be that, in most cases, Disney doesn't do anything about blatant linejumping, so I guess it's up to you to chance whether or not someone is going to let you meet back up with your family.

 

[Max Rebo]

I think the group needs to wait for the FP runner before getting in line.

This is what our group did last summer. We did make an exception one time, however, and that was to join the line before a herd of about 100 Brazilians could get in ahead of us. Desperate times call for desperate measures.

 

[SDSorority]

I think the group needs to wait for the FP runner before getting in line.

This is what our group did last summer. We did make an exception one time, however, and that was to join the line before a herd of about 100 Brazilians could get in ahead of us. Desperate times call for desperate measures.

 

[Wadecool]

I think the group needs to wait for the FP runner before getting in line.

This is what our group did last summer. We did make an exception one time, however, and that was to join the line before a herd of about 100 Brazilians could get in ahead of us. Desperate times call for desperate measures.

You can say that again.

 

[mmay60046]

I run and get the Fastpasses when my family goes on something that I don't particularly care if I ride or not like It's A Small World. Or if we are at DHS I'll run and get Fastpasses for R&R Coaster when the family goes into the theater for Beauty and the Beast or the Disney Jr. show and I'll catch up with them inside the theater.