Emergency Potty Breaks in line

[StormyCA]

It's been ages, but I found that a grimace and an "Oh I'm so sorry, potty emergency!" to the people behind me as we scooted out of line then when we returned afterwards usually was sufficient to calm any ire. If you can, ask a CM to help you rejoin your party. I second not pushing your way back up the line but having a CM 'stage' you near the exit to be let through when the rest of your party (even if it's only your DH) reaches boarding if you can. I also second taking (not asking) your child potty before you get in any long line, even if they just 'went' 15 minutes ago.

Maybe they ought to issue 'potty passes'. LOL

 

[FlyingBelle]

My DD (9) has an issue that she can't tell until the very last minute that she has to go. At school they've made accommodations in her IEP that if she has to go, she puts a toy shoe on the sign out page - she doesn't have to write down that she's leaving to use the restroom.

I have a rule that when you see a potty, you use it - but often that doesn't solve the problem. At DL this past summer - we were in some lines that were 40+ minutes wait. When she had to go, one of us exited the line (not easy!) and told the castmember. When we returned, they had us wait at the front of the line for the rest of our party.

Having a group push their way up from the back of the line to meet up with someone in their party is annoying, but taking a child to the washroom is quite different, IMHO.

 

[DL_Forever]

We had this happen this spring with my 6 year old. We had just gone, and while in an extremely long line for Pirates of the Caribbean he had to go! The rest of the family hadn't made it inside the que yet when we returned so we were able to hop back in the roped line and no one batted an eye. Had they been inside the que we would have just waited for them to get off the ride.

 

[Janemall]

We had this problem at the storybook boats once. We told the cast member and once the rest of our party got to the front she just held them off and loaded those behind them until we got back and came through the exit. The CMs are pretty good at dealing with things like this.

That's so great to hear!

 

[Janemall]

It once took us three days to get on jungle cruise because ds kept having to go while well into the line. We aren't comfortable leaving and coming back. Didn't help that DH is a big guy and at the time I was a big lady so actually leaving lines and getting back wasn't easy. Especially not in fantasyland.

Happened during the Casey Jr line too. We left by getting to the seating area and letting the cm know we weren't going to sit. She did tell us that we were to come back to the exit and get her attention so we could get back to be seated, but we opted not to. We got on the rode later when the line was short.

Amazingly, ds realized that these "emergencies" we're interrupting his days and started complying with our "go before the ride" rules. (The kid hated public bathrooms and would resist) (and we were going to Disney often during this time)

Oh I think that was also the trip where we waited ages for Jedi then when it was time to be chosen he stood up and got *the look* on his face. All three of us were near tears as we left quickly to run to the autopia bathroom! (I'm so glad they sign up now for Jedi)

Ugh isnt it the worst when this happens! I'm hoping she'll realize that she's missing out on all the fun!

I really do not want to have to try and get out of those narrow lines!

 

[Janemall]

I have to say the Toy Story is an easy one to get back in line with your party at. I've hit the restroom while my men get in line then I meet them at the magnetic chain. (You regulars know what I'm talking about) And we noticed there is an exit gate before you go to the inside queue that would be easy to use as well.

My son left the line at Luigi's, went to the restroom at Flo's, and then came back to the backside of the queue to join us. I think there's a gate.

And Tower of Terror, when the ride is extending to the outside rope queue.

Those are the only rides that I can think of that are easy to split from your group and re-join.

This is great - thanks!

 

[mich311e]

Why can't your whole party wait to join the line together? People are talking about a bathroom emergency in the line. Not cutting the line because someone is saving a spot.

When the line is an 35 minutes to an hour and easy to exit and re-enter while I hit the bathroom I have no problem doing so. And I've not any negative feedback from the party behind me. And like I said, my son left the queue at Luigi's and was able to come back. So maybe I'm not having an emergency but I'm certainly avoiding one.

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

Like FlyingBelle, our family had a "don't pass a restroom without using it" rule. Despite using the facilities so frequently feeling somewhat restrictive, it resulted in only having to leave line once (that I recall) when my kids were younger. And that 'once' was a stomache ache with my then 3 year old that didn't have a happy ending .

I would get some complaints from my DDs ("But I don't have to go!"), but I was adamant and I feel like it saved us time in the long run. No backtracking to a restroom, no accidents because they were desperate and the line was too long, no having to start over in line, etc.

But, whatever you decide, have a fantastic time at Disneyland going for the first time as parents!!!

 

[SMD]

When the line is an 35 minutes to an hour and easy to exit and re-enter while I hit the bathroom I have no problem doing so. And I've not any negative feedback from the party behind me. And like I said, my son left the queue at Luigi's and was able to come back. So maybe I'm not having an emergency but I'm certainly avoiding one.

If you're not in line yet, you are also avoiding an emergency by having your whole party wait to join the line together. If the line is an hour long, the area you described getting back in is over 2/3 of the way through the line. Just because no one has called you out on line cutting doesn't mean it's not a negative experience for them.

 

[mich311e]

If you're not in line yet, you are also avoiding an emergency by having your whole party wait to join the line together. If the line is an hour long, the area you described getting back in is over 2/3 of the way through the line. Just because no one has called you out on line cutting doesn't mean it's not a negative experience for them.

I highly doubt anyone cares. I don't care when a family splits up and has to squeeze by me in a line to catch up to with someone ahead of them. We're talking about the Happiest Place on Earth and everyone knows there is line waiting involved. I see people split up or leave the line to get a drink or snack or use the potty or park a stroller or meet a character and it is the least of my concerns.

You just have an awful lot of time on your hands to be concerned with how I'm doing it. Have a great day.

 

[gary1955]

for Toy Story if they miss the magnet chain, the easiest thing to do is have them talk to the cast member at the point they assign the loading positions. there is a walkway there that I think is a last chance exit.

for Pirates of the Caribbean, one time I took my nephew to the restroom, I called the rest of the family to let me know when they were near the front of the line. when they were there, I took him to the unloading area and spoke with a cast member there.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

For shows, I don't think they allow readmission to Hyperion. For something like Mickey and the Magical Map, I'd try sitting in the back row. Standing up to exit is one thing, but going back to sit down ruins the view a second time for everyone behind you for a few rows. Plus they perform in the aisles, so I'm not even sure what's allowed in the front section.

I was with someone to see Frozen at the Hyperion, and right when we sat down she had to go to the restroom. They gave her a pass that she gave back to them when she returned to the theater, so it's doable.

 

[Butterfly123]

I don't understand why anyone would care if someone in front of them in line needs to take their kid on an emergency potty break. It doesn't add more time to my wait if they exit and come back. Is it that people don't like people squeezing by in a narrow line? Why not just move over and let them pass. Kids are kids, not adults. Sometimes they misjudge.

 

[sheetz]

I think it's not a big deal if I see someone ahead of me leave and then return later on. It's when people who were never ahead of me try to scoot by in order to "join their group" that's really annoying.

 

[minnieralyks]

I think it's not a big deal if I see someone ahead of me leave and then return later on. It's when people who were never ahead of me try to scoot by in order to "join their group" that's really annoying.

I agree with you, but in all the years that we've been going to Disneyland I don't think I've ever seen this situation happen. Not saying that it doesn't happen, but I always hear people say this and don't believe I've actually seen it. We're probably just really lucky (or really oblivious! lol).

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

I agree with you, but in all the years that we've been going to Disneyland I don't think I've ever seen this situation happen. Not saying that it doesn't happen, but I always hear people say this and don't believe I've actually seen it. We're probably just really lucky (or really oblivious! lol).

I was in line for TSMM today with my 4 kids, one in a wheelchair and I had a 300lbs+ man push past me and about 6 people in front of me. I'm highly doubtful he started in line since it was only about 7-10 mins long.

I'm not sure it happens often, but we've had it a few times on our trips. Honestly, it doesn't bother me a whole lot if they're polite. It's when they're rude, like today, and act like I'm somehow in their way.

 

[minnieralyks]

I was in line for TSMM today with my 4 kids, one in a wheelchair and I had a 300lbs+ man push past me and about 6 people in front of me. I'm highly doubtful he started in line since it was only about 7-10 mins long.

I'm not sure it happens often, but we've had it a few times on our trips. Honestly, it doesn't bother me a whole lot if they're polite. It's when they're rude, like today, and act like I'm somehow in their way.

That's crazy!

I'm going to "knock on wood" about never seeing this happen, because with my luck we'll have a whole bunch of people doing this on our trip in a couple weeks! (knock, knock... )

 

[dotfurio]

Stopping at every bathroom doesn't always help. Kids are unpredictable. I've never minded anyone having to get out of line and return for a bathroom visit and I've never seen anyone throw a fit about it.

 

[WonkaKid]

FWIW, I was in line for Mr. Toad a few months ago and really had to pee. I explained to one of the CMs tending the ride and they let me leave/return.

 

[disneychrista]

I have "issues" with urgency, so I make sure to use the restroom frequently during my trips. I also use poise pads "just in case." Maybe it would be a good idea to put your daughter in pull-ups during your trip "just in case." I found many times even when my kids had to go NOW they could wait an extra 10 - 15 minutes to ride the attraction.