Does line jumping/saving bother anyone else?

[meandtheguys2]

Wow! I can't believe the number of people who would rather a little one stand in line than rest quietly or go potty! I just don't get the "if I am miserable/uncomfortable, everyone else should be too, or it isn't fair!" Of course, I would never ask anyone to stand in line for 2 hours to ride a ride! My children wait in line because we go when the lines are reasonable. Frankly, 20 mins is pushing it.

I would never have a problem with a young child being taken to a toilet, or handed through the ropes. There are waaay too many real worries in this world! As for older kids, that is a whole other story. If they are old enough to be running around on their own, they are old enough to wait in line.

 

[jckdisneybound]

I have no problem waiting in line while my DH lets my toddler sit on a bench, go potty run around etc. Some lines are bearable for her (ie Playhouse disney that has the TV's) but for example, Ariels Grotto that the spurting water, I'm going to let her play with her Dad while I wait in line, and then she can wait the last 20 minutes with me. Then again, I won't wait in line for 2 hours so I won't make my child, we will just go on to something else.

Now one family holding place for another family. Or hey Bob, you don't need to wait in line come up here with your buddies would bother me.

But then again, we specifically go during a time of year that isn't that busy, so lines aren't an issue.

 

[dreamscometrue47]

My kids are now 15 and 11, have been going since the oldest was 18 months old, and they have always waited in line with us. They were never aware that there was an option.

and I have no problem with people with young ones leaving the line if the kids get cranky and then coming back in, or going to the bathroom (any age!) and this just doesn't seem to happen to us very often. We've also never been bothered by large groups trying to cut in line. Must be lucky.

 

[kirbsam]

I dont think anybody cares if kids have to be taken to the bathroom, if they are in line. If you go back and read the threads most people find it ok. They just raise the bar of responsibility for their own kids. I find that admirable. No one is denying anybody a bathroom break.

 

[m&m's mom]

I admit it does irritate me when people hold spots in line.
My DD's from infancy through 8 YO have always waited in line. We hit the restroom before we get in line and have always been fine.
I am sure if you were in line and then your child expressed needing to use the restroom and you got out of line, that people would not mind. It's the- "we're going to see characters, ride other rides, stay in the shade" while everyone else waits in line that gets me.

 

[meandtheguys2]

I admit it does irritate me when people hold spots in line.
My DD's from infancy through 8 YO have always waited in line. We hit the restroom before we get in line and have always been fine.
I am sure if you were in line and then your child expressed needing to use the restroom and you got out of line, that people would not mind. It's the- "we're going to see characters, ride other rides, stay in the shade" while everyone else waits in line that gets me.

Why would you care, though? I mean, if it doesn't hold you personally back, what does it matter if a small child is kept comfortable rather than waiting in a crowded line? Or an older person, or anyone else for that matter? Your wait is no longer.

 

[eeyore0062]

we just returned from a great trip last week. The parks seemed crowded but what we experienced at Disney Quest ruined my whole day. Waiting in a very slow moving line for Pirate , I began to notice that parents were saving a space in line for their children. Once they got near the front of the line they would call out to them to "jump in". this happened several times as I told my children waiting endlessly that no they had to wait and not run and play while my DH and I waited. What are the thoughts out there on this practice.??? We didnt notice this at the Parks as much.
Am I just an old fuddy-duddy

A parent waiting in line and the letting the kids in doesn't bother me so much, as I know that young kids have a hard time waiting. What bothers me more is teenagers who just barge in front of us in line for no reason.

 

[crl]

We have always taught our children to wait in line. We explained about lines and having to wait. From the time my daughter was 2 she was in line waiting for rides no matter how long it took, and there was no FP then. I remember my DH standing in line, out in the sun, for almost an hour waiting to meet Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, and Eyeore. The character greeting was at the old 20,000 Leagues place. My daughter stood with him-wearing her sun hat of course. My son, who does not have the patience of his sister, also has learned to wait. Same explanations to him about waiting and long lines. We tell them if they can't wait in line and be good, they don't get to ride. It is just that simple. We choose not to reward bad behavior. If my kids are too tired to wait in line, then that tells me to take a break and do something else like go back to the room and swim or take a nap. I am not saying that this works for everyone. This is just our own personal practice. So yes, it does bother me a bit to see children jump in line at the last minute. Of course potty emergencies are another story.

We do this with our DD. She was 17 months and very squirmy last trip. And we'll do this now that she's 21 months.

 

[Turner5]

I don't have any problem with a parent waiting for small children. It did irritate me one day though when my 11, 9, and 7 year old were waiting patiently in line with my husband and me. We thought we were getting close and then a group of people jumped in front of us. There was only one man there before, and then suddenly we have several adults and several older kids in front of us. My kids were younger than their children! That just didn't seem quite right! Actually I felt it was really rude. I agree that bathroom breaks are necessary at times and little children can't take the wait, but I think people should still be considerate of the others behind them. You aren't getting as close to the front of the line as you think!!! What a disappointment for the children waiting. Sorry, I guess I am a fuddy-duddy, too. Maybe I should just decide that "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em!" What a mess that will be if we all do this!

 

[cmonroe]

We have always taught our children to wait in line. We explained about lines and having to wait. From the time my daughter was 2 she was in line waiting for rides no matter how long it took, and there was no FP then. I remember my DH standing in line, out in the sun, for almost an hour waiting to meet Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, and Eyeore. The character greeting was at the old 20,000 Leagues place. My daughter stood with him-wearing her sun hat of course. My son, who does not have the patience of his sister, also has learned to wait. Same explanations to him about waiting and long lines. We tell them if they can't wait in line and be good, they don't get to ride. It is just that simple. We choose not to reward bad behavior. If my kids are too tired to wait in line, then that tells me to take a break and do something else like go back to the room and swim or take a nap. I am not saying that this works for everyone. This is just our own personal practice. So yes, it does bother me a bit to see children jump in line at the last minute. Of course potty emergencies are another story. I have those myself.

We have two young ones and I am in agreement. It actually surprises me how many people are for this practice of saving the place in line. I understand the child waiting in a long line not wanting to be patient. However my wife and I believe in teaching patience. And my daughter will question why the other children get to leave the line, etc. I explain to her that their parents said it was ok for them to do and her mom and dad do not think it is ok, so she needs to wait. She usually grunts and frowns, but, "thems the breaks".

Understand, if a child needs to go to the potty, I don't think there is any parent that would complain about this, but for regular playing, etc. Where does it end? What excuse is the line in the sand for when it is not ok? What age is it ok? Who determines this?

I would say unless there are something like cm's posted to alert people that once they leave the line they cannot return, this practice will continue and get worse.

Last trip, waiting in long line for "listen to the land" (it was thunder and lightening out), I saw about 6-8 adults join two more in the line. They did this literally by climbing over a wooden bench. It doesn't ruin my trip (not much can do that at WDW) but I'm sorry this bother's me.
Now in this case, it was thundering and lightening so it might be fair to say no one was in a rush, but regardless, if everyone took this attitude suddenly the number of people in front of you could increase by 10%. Perhaps you got in the line early. Now you will be moved back x number of minutes because people jumped in front? I don't know, it just doesn't seem right.

I imagine if this becomes a bigger problem something will be implemented to curb the practice.

My 2 cents

 

[sanctus]

I don't have a problem with one parent in line while the kids and other parent wait elsewhere. My children, 9,7, and 5 wait with me, but as I always tell the kids, different houses have different rules.

What drives me NUTS is adult only groups who do this. You think you're almost there and then....BAM. You're not. Frustrating.

 

[luvthatduke]

Uh-Oh. Should have put on my flame-retardant suit!

Now, to clarify:
Until recently it's only been DH & I, (our DS just turned 2).
DS has been to numerous amusement parks in his young life,
and we teach him each time that if he's going to scream
or throw a tantrum in line he will NOT ride that ride, AT ALL.
We also do not take him onto rides w/lines that we know
are too long for him to wait for.
We simply wait for a shorter line or go later, etc.

I do NOT tell the person behind me my life story,
but the few times I've had to step out & change DS
(you do NOT want to stand in line w/us if I let it go...),
I've just smiled & said, "Hope you don't mind
if I have to sneak back in here in a minute?"
And other times travelling with my DM, same kind of scenario
if she or I needed to use the restroom unexpectedly.
I was attempting to be diplomatic in my previous post
- I guess it back-fired.

I just think it's common courtesy to simply acknowledge
that you're leaving for a moment & will return,
& of course you don't do the "whisper down the lane" theory.
I'm not even going to enter that debate!

I whole-heartedly agree about the mob saving, BTW.
I was simply addressing the family that decides to
save everyone's sanity by entertaining their youngest
outside of the line for a while.
And, no, I don't think it's very nice for families to have
one person hold for the rest while they shop or rest in the shade,
but when it comes to young children, special needs, etc.,
I certainly think there's room for space holding.

But, like the rest, that's JMHO.

 

[cmonroe]

Why would you care, though? I mean, if it doesn't hold you personally back, what does it matter if a small child is kept comfortable rather than waiting in a crowded line? Or an older person, or anyone else for that matter? Your wait is no longer.

With all due respect meandtheguys2 I believe it does make the wait longer.
If the people were not originally in the line, then a single person becomes 6, it does make your wait longer. If more than one family/group is doing this then your wait time increases by that factor.

 

[meandtheguys2]

With all due respect meandtheguys2 I believe it does make the wait longer.
If the people were not originally in the line, then a single person becomes 6, it does make your wait longer. If more than one family/group is doing this then your wait time increases by that factor.

My point was when it does not make a difference. Dad saving place for daughter, riding in same boat kind of thing. Not 1 adult saving room for 10 others kind of thing. I guess I see a big difference in these two scenarios when some others don't.

I guess that I saw several people doing the big "sigh", eye rolling kind of thing for various reasons on our last trip, and I could only think "why let other's behavior cause you so much anxiety." And this was when the parks were empty and calm!

Also with all due respect!

 

[Turner5]

With all due respect meandtheguys2 I believe it does make the wait longer.
If the people were not originally in the line, then a single person becomes 6, it does make your wait longer. If more than one family/group is doing this then your wait time increases by that factor.

I agree. It does. That's what happened to us. A whole group jumped in front. The wait was definitely longer. How many others had done this while we were waiting in the back?

 

[disneyandme]

I am surprised by all of the posts that say children can't stand in line because they don't have the patience or have too much energy ( I am excluding the arguement of special needs kids as they have their own needs and tolerences)-- so, what do these parents do on a car trip--especially for those who have children in car seat- (the law is 8yrs old where we live). I can understand the potty breaks, but other than that-- would you stop the car and get out every five minutes beause your child doesn't want to wait. At least in line they can move around. I have 2 children and there is plenty to do in line to keep a child busy-- small coloring books, read a small book, blow bubbles, counting games, rhyming games, small hand held games, etc.

 

[Turner5]

My point was when it does not make a difference. Dad saving place for daughter, riding in same boat kind of thing. Not 1 adult saving room for 10 others kind of thing. I guess I see a big difference in these two scenarios when some others don't.

I guess that I saw several people doing the big "sigh", eye rolling kind of thing for various reasons on our last trip, and I could only think "why let other's behavior cause you so much anxiety." And this was when the parks were empty and calm!

Also with all due respect!

I agree that there is no point in letting it ruin the ride for you and your family. I tried to not make a big deal out of it for the sake of my children, but when you are hot, things get a little more irritating especially if you are trying to teach your children how to behave in crowds and lines. So, inside I was irritated, outside I behaved myself and said nothing. What can you really do about it? Not a whole lot obviously. Also with due respect.

 

[Turner5]

I am surprised by all of the posts that say children can't stand in line because they don't have the patience or have too much energy ( I am excluding the arguement of special needs kids as they have their own needs and tolerences)-- so, what do these parents do on a car trip--especially for those who have children in car seat- (the law is 8yrs old where we live). I can understand the potty breaks, but other than that-- would you stop the car and get out every five minutes beause your child doesn't want to wait. At least in line they can move around. I have 2 children and there is plenty to do in line to keep a child busy-- small coloring books, read a small book, blow bubbles, counting games, rhyming games, small hand held games, etc.

I agree. Many children have enough patience and energy. They have more energy than most adults! Again, this does not address kids with special needs, etc.

 

[missypie]

I admit that at DL, when there were multiple princesses around the castle, I waited in line for one princess while Dh and my 2 girls were in line to see another princess. It didn't make anyone else's wait any longer....I didn't have a separate picture of myself taken with the princess...one group....one picture...one wait.

 

[cmonroe]

My point was when it does not make a difference. Dad saving place for daughter, riding in same boat kind of thing. Not 1 adult saving room for 10 others kind of thing. I guess I see a big difference in these two scenarios when some others don't.

I guess that I saw several people doing the big "sigh", eye rolling kind of thing for various reasons on our last trip, and I could only think "why let other's behavior cause you so much anxiety." And this was when the parks were empty and calm!

Also with all due respect!

Michelle,

Point taken. I don't think a single person coming in bothers too many people, but my original response was who decides on how many is ok and not ok?
I'm basing my position on that alone.

You and I may think it's ok for a single person to join another in the line. Everyone else on this post probably wouldn't be truly bothered by it. But some wouldn't mind 2 or 3 or 4.

How many people and what age is not ok to butt in line? I don't think there can be an agreement on one number. Therefore, It would seem that it needs to be an all or nothing policy IMHO.

Also, I am in violent agreement with you on your second point. You'd hope that everyone is in the happiest place on earth and that it wouldn't bother them. I have to make a concious effort arrive there to make that promise to myself. I've had some crazy things happen to myself and my family. Luckily it's worked so far.