DL Etiquette

[aleighc1]

Is it alright to ask to take the next available stall (when there's a line) because your young child needs to use the bathroom, or risk having that accident? What do you think?

Personally, whenever I'm in line for a public restroom, as long as I don't have my own potty emergency with one of my little ones, I always let very young children, pregnant women, and elderly people go ahead of me. (I'm also the type that chooses a further back parking spot when I'm shopping alone or with my older kids; I would rather leave close spots for the moms with young children or elderly folks who need a closer spot since my legs work just fine) I just feel it's polite, and in general, I find good gestures tend to go full circle.

As to the original question, I have not been to DL since I was 6, but I can answer in the general sense. I have zero problem with a child under the age of 5 being brought into line later. Yes, children do need to learn to stand in line, but sometimes a three year old just has a mind of their own! I would get annoyed if it was a handful of teenagers that just didn't feel like standing in line though.

 

[xXtowerOFterrorXx]

You are kidding, right?

No, I know it may sound harsh but thats just the way I feel. If I were to be standing in line and someone, was to pass me to try and catch up to their family I honestly wouldnt mind as long as they did it politely. Yeah If they go pushing me aside with out excusing themselves then yes I will say something.

 

[motherhoodandmickey]

No, it is absolutely not okay to line jump in a restroom. Your 3 year old may well not be the only person with an urgent need and the lady with Crohn's you breeze past will be at LEAST as distressed by an accident and is no more capable of "holding it."

I certainly didn't mean to offend anyone with any form of distress of that nature. I apologize if it came across in that way.

What I meant was more along the lines of one of the other pp's, who stated that she would let those in obvious need of a restroom go first. I can remember being little (and I was born in 1983, so not terribly long ago) that people would allow the elderly and young children - and those with related disabilities - to go ahead in the restrooms. I can't imagine taking offense if someone asked if they could go first to avoid an accident.

Incidentally, I had a former 'MIL' (dated her son) who had a full-time catheter tube, and when she needed to empty the 'reservoir', it needed to happen, right away. So I understand the difficulties people with these types of bathroom-related problems would face, and would certainly let them go ahead of me.

 

[lisachrystine]

As to the bathroom with a LO question... I'm of the type that *usually* will let small children and pregnant women and the like go ahead of me, but asking makes all the difference between me being happy about it and seriously irritated. I had someone once run in front of me and my 2 year old (who HAD waited in line at the risk of having an accident) without any regard to the line. I spoke up and told them (politely, I hope, but maybe not...) that my daughter had waited and was next to use the restroom. Now, I'm not one to cause a fight, but I don't think you can just assume that because you have a small child you can ignore the rest of the line. Like someone else said, there are others in that line that may have just as urgent of a need.

 

[Escape2Disney]

I certainly didn't mean to offend anyone with any form of distress of that nature. I apologize if it came across in that way.

What I meant was more along the lines of one of the other pp's, who stated that she would let those in obvious need of a restroom go first. I can remember being little (and I was born in 1983, so not terribly long ago) that people would allow the elderly and young children - and those with related disabilities - to go ahead in the restrooms. I can't imagine taking offense if someone asked if they could go first to avoid an accident.

Incidentally, I had a former 'MIL' (dated her son) who had a full-time catheter tube, and when she needed to empty the 'reservoir', it needed to happen, right away. So I understand the difficulties people with these types of bathroom-related problems would face, and would certainly let them go ahead of me.

As someone with a disability, I can say it's a tough call. If I'm not in dire need, I'll let little ones (or someone in obvious distress) go ahead of me. Since I'm often in a wheelchair and it takes me a while to do what I need to do, I can't always do that. I feel bad, but sometimes it just isn't possible. This is especially true when the handicap stall is busy and I have to wait longer. I don't think it's a problem to ask, as long as you understand that people may say no for personal reasons without giving you an explanation.

 

[Breyean]

Please listen to the CM's instructions when entering a theater for a show. Sometimes they say fill the rows all the way, when it's crowded. Other times they say move 3/4 of the way down a row, when it's less crowded.

This doesn't apply to everyone EXCEPT YOU - the ones who insist on sitting in the center of a row, even in 3D shows! If you sit there, and hundreds of people are backed up trying to get into the show, you'll most likely get stepped on (by accident, of course) and just make for a less enjoyable experience for everyone trying to get around you.

 

[MickeyFan18]

I definitely think it's okay to take your younger ones out if they need some space, especially when waiting for rides like Star Tours that can get a bit warm and tight. This post made me think of my family who travels in large packs and when the group ranges from 8 to 82, it is inevitable that someone will have to go at some point. When we do need to leave the line we go in as small as group as possible and always try to be strategic when trying to reenter the line. Sometimes that means going to the exit and letting the cast members know you got split from your group. This leaves the least amount of people inconvenienced. But now I wonder, when the older kids split from the real young and the real old, sometimes we get halfway to the front and get thirsty so we will send a runner? Do people find this rude? I mean, they were in line before so it's not like they just appeared.

Also, when you have a group of ten or more 15+ year olds coming through the line, that was not a group that had to go to the bathroom at the same time, they had a place holder and I agree that's rude. However, in Disney spirit we never say anything and politely just move to the side of the line.

 

[CurlyGirlyGirl]

I think that cell phones are one of the world's worst inventions. They make people incredibly rude.

Texting and walking on a busy day at the park isn't a good combination. It drives me crazy when adults are playing on their phone while waiting in line with their kids. Isn't part of the point of going to amusement parks about spending time with loved ones? And yes, on rides, it is so rude! I think that you can wait until you get your family off of the Small World ride to call daddy and check in and have a visit about the meaning of life, etc.

It also drives me bonkers when 4 or 5 people cut in front of me to go looking for their family. Sometimes I wonder if they really have family at the front of the line.

 

[Corpsebride]

No cuts, no buts, no cocnuts. I learned this saying in elementary school.

ROFLMBO!!!! Haaaa hAAAAA!!!!! I just choked laughing!!

 

[Mugglemama]

I personally dont mind, If you've got the resources (meaning someone to hold your place in line.) use them. why sacrifice your time and your families in the park just all standing in line. You've come here to experience the park as a whole so do what you gotta do. I may sound cocky but thats the way it is. I didnt spend 200+ dollars to just stand in line.

There are rules against line jumping (which is what you are describing, btw), and that's just the way it is.

The situation the OP is asking about is different than what you are describing (ie: keeping a toddler out of line to minimize frustrating situations for him, and for those standing nearby VS. simply thinking you are entitled to skip the lines with several members of your family just because you think you're too good to stand there).

Don't go crying about it when you get ousted from the parks for doing it - people get thrown out for it all the time (call me crazy, but *that* would appear to be a far bigger waste of that $200+ then simply - gasp! brace yourself, this next concept may be shocking! - waiting your turn like everyone else ).

It astounds me...the mentality that somehow one's personal time is more valuable or worthy of consideration than another's.

 

[Corpsebride]

My list of DL Etiquette rules are:
1.When you buy your child a Light Saber, please, keep it in the bag or just buy it at the end of the night. I have been smacked in the leg, face, eye. 3 separate times. None of which were followed by an apology, an are you okay, or an admonishment from the parents.
2.No Flash Photography on rides. Seriously. It bugs people. It hurts peoples eyes. and nothing is fun about staring in the dark trying to get the white spots to go away before the ride ends.
3.If you suspect your kiddo has a loaded diaper, please change it before you force the rest of us to endure the smell. Way Gross.
4.Please don't change your baby's diaper on a food table.
5.Please don't leave your baby's loaded diaper rolled up and put in :the bushes,on top of a trash can(just put it in the can), on the ground, in the parking lot next to where your car was.
6.Please don't let your kid pee in the bushes.... yes, I have seen that more than once.
7.At the entrance or an exit, please, don't just stand there, you wouldn't just stop at the bottom of an off ramp....
8.When pulling out your stroller , just like a car, please look before you pull out. I had a lady nearly trip me ... I literally had to leap to keep from falling face first, I told her to watch out, and she proceeded to chew me out, and call me evil. Yes, it is my fault you almost hit me with your stroller.
9.Spitting..... way gross. Please, don't spit on the ground. Gross!!
10.If you bump into someone, just say excuse me.
Other than that... have a great time!!

 

[rowan1813]

Corpse Bride:

#3-5: EWWWW Just ew. Thank goodness I have never had the privilege of seeing that happen.
#2 & #7: Completely agree and take it a step further: please don't stop in the middle of the street/sidewalk/etc. If you have to stop and discuss where you are going to go next (we do this all the time), please move to the edge/side. I have no idea how many times I have tripped/stopped abruptly/basically ran into the back of someone who stopped in the middle of the street all of a sudden. What cracks me up is when they give me the dirty look or "watch where you're going!".

 

[Corpsebride]

Corpse Bride:

#3-5: EWWWW Just ew. Thank goodness I have never had the privilege of seeing that happen.
#2 & #7: Completely agree and take it a step further: please don't stop in the middle of the street/sidewalk/etc. If you have to stop and discuss where you are going to go next (we do this all the time), please move to the edge/side. I have no idea how many times I have tripped/stopped abruptly/basically ran into the back of someone who stopped in the middle of the street all of a sudden. What cracks me up is when they give me the dirty look or "watch where you're going!".

LOL!!! Yeah....We were just coming out of the line for Bengal BBQ WITH our food, and low and behold..... a table surrounded by a family and mom was changing a diaper.... gag. And even worse, another time coming out from the line in French Market, tray of food in hand.....diaper change....gaaaag!!!
And both times the Mom gives me the stink eye(pun intended) because of my clear disdain for holding $60- worth of food, and finding where she was doing it DISGUSTING..... lol!! yuck.

 

[MrsMears]

Well, I am of the mindset that if children can't wait in line at Disneyland perhaps Disneyland isn't for them. Things like waiting in line and holding bladders until it's their turn to go potty are good learning opportunities.

 

[xXtowerOFterrorXx]

There are rules against line jumping (which is what you are describing, btw), and that's just the way it is.

The situation the OP is asking about is different than what you are describing (ie: keeping a toddler out of line to minimize frustrating situations for him, and for those standing nearby VS. simply thinking you are entitled to skip the lines with several members of your family just because you think you're too good to stand there).

Don't go crying about it when you get ousted from the parks for doing it - people get thrown out for it all the time (call me crazy, but *that* would appear to be a far bigger waste of that $200+ then simply - gasp! brace yourself, this next concept may be shocking! - waiting your turn like everyone else ).

It astounds me...the mentality that somehow one's personal time is more valuable or worthy of consideration than another's.

I think you may have mis read my post, if youre implying by what I said that I use this "line jumping" you are mistaken. I dont have to worry about being ousted any more than you do when Im in the park. I simply said, that if someone were to do this, AS long as they did it politely I personally wouldnt mind it. It may have been my mistake to go into so much detail but thats the only point I was trying to reach. Nor that my time is more valuable than anyone elses in the park.

 

[kelmac284]

I agree pretty much with everything Queen Bee said and one of my BIGGEST peeves is the line thing. I have kids of my own and I understand that sometimes little ones HAVE to go and those that say take them before well it doesn't always work!

I agree use FP when possible but for Fantasyland rides and others without FP I would suggest getting there BEFORE the lines get bad or maybe skip those lines till later when it is not as bad but other than potty breaks I think taking them out just to "play" and then trying to climb over everyone later is not good.

On our last trip in Feb there was a WHOLE group who tried to squeeze in on Peter Pan and they were stepping on everyone and the lady literally had to try and climb over the railings. It was ridiculous. And this was more about the other part of their party got in line and then they were "meeting up". To me that is NEVER acceptable. The first people should have waited. If the others took too long and now there is a line oh well. It's a chance you take.

 

[ValpoCory]

Is running allowed in Disneyland? If so, in your opinion, when is it ok and when is it not ok?

 

[kelmac284]

That would be a no! Running is NEVER safe and they will yell at you if they see you doing it. Not only could YOU get hurt but you take the chance of running someone over.

 

[gis]

I guess I'm really laid back - when a little kid bumps me and I just turn around and say, "Oh that's okay." And then the parent proceeds to scream at the child for not watching where they're going. (I am probably scared just as much as the child is!)

Here's the things I don't enjoy:
1. Don't scream (unless you're on an attraction)
2. Don't swear loudly

I think the important thing to remember is that you should just be considerate to the people around you. Most people in life do not have this problem, but mid afternoon, it's hot, you're tired, getting cranky.. I'd say that's when people start getting rude.

 

[bakerudall]

I personally dont mind, If you've got the resources (meaning someone to hold your place in line.) use them. why sacrifice your time and your families in the park just all standing in line. You've come here to experience the park as a whole so do what you gotta do. I may sound cocky but thats the way it is. I didnt spend 200+ dollars to just stand in line.

You are kidding, right?

No, I know it may sound harsh but thats just the way I feel. If I were to be standing in line and someone, was to pass me to try and catch up to their family I honestly wouldnt mind as long as they did it politely. Yeah If they go pushing me aside with out excusing themselves then yes I will say something.

This reminds me of that Seinfeld episode where Jerry and George determine that it is okay to say anything you want as long as you preface it with the phrase, "With all due respect..."

As far is bathroom emergencies, we can tell when they are real and we understand. However, if I had to take a child out of line for any reason, I would return at the end of the line or do it again later. Them's the breaks, kid. As a PP explained about leaving shows and pacing the lobbies, parenthood requires sacrifices.

On a related note, I would never take any of my kids to an amusement park during or soon after the potty training stage without pull-ups. Emergencies? Problem solved. They can continue the potty training when we get home.

My other pet peeves have to do with anything that disrupts a ride: electronics, conversations, sing-alongs, quote-alongs, etc.

And as much as it pains me to admit it, I even agree that lightsabers should remain deactivated.