Holding a place in line?

[jilld11]

I was quite annoyed after standing in line for 90 minutes to see Rapunzel (with my 6 & 8 yr olds) to find that they lady in front of us let someone else take her kids and do rides because "there was just no way they could stand in this line". Her kids were older than mine! My children did as was expected and stood in the insane line and the other kids went and had fun. Not only that but then they got to see Flynn and we didn't because he left right after them. That would not have been as annoying if they had all stood in line like we did.

I could see if a child had to leave a M&G line to go to the restroom, but these kids did not stand in the line ever!

Yes, I can see that. If the kids had to run to the bathroom, one thing, but not be there at all, I would be annoyed too. My kids will have to stay in line with me if they want to see those things. I think we will avoid them though.lol

 

[momrek06]

I was quite annoyed after standing in line for 90 minutes to see Rapunzel (with my 6 & 8 yr olds) to find that they lady in front of us let someone else take her kids and do rides because "there was just no way they could stand in this line". Her kids were older than mine! My children did as was expected and stood in the insane line and the other kids went and had fun. Not only that but then they got to see Flynn and we didn't because he left right after them. That would not have been as annoying if they had all stood in line like we did.

I could see if a child had to leave a M&G line to go to the restroom, but these kids did not stand in the line ever!

Exactly and as you should be annoyed.

And I will state as someone that is at the Parks all.of.the.time I see this OFTEN.

It is upsetting to those that do as they are suppose to; WAIT IN LINE.

Now maybe in YOUR case the CM told the people in front of you to go walk around and leave ONE person … you weren't aware of that exchange …

So much for CM's telling a select few. How does that make a M&G pleasant for all?

DL, please put it in the PARK MAPS where you state the M&G's TIMES and people will READ THAT AND KNOW THAT IT IS ALLOWABLE.

 

[starshine514]

I've been told (no, more like encouraged) by more than one CM at the PFF that only one parent had to stay in line and hold the place for the family. Most people (us included) only do picts of the kids, but if an adult or two stands in the line and wanted to get their pict taken, they could. It's not like a ride or show, where each person takes up a seat, it's a line where each group takes a picture.

The CMs tell us it's OK, therefore, it's OK. I doubt you would ever have a CM tell you the same about holding a place in a line for a ride (I know I certainly have not), but M&Gs are not rides and different rules apply.

OP, just ask the CM at the beginning of the line s/he will tell you whether it is acceptable or not.

 

[coaches24]

I have no issues with people holding spots for family/ friends. I saw it quite a bit last week and not once was it a big deal to me. I was happy to let the people through to get to their family. I didnt see any real big groups, it was always 1-3 people working through the line to get to their party. To me its not an issue at all.

 

[nannyz]

To digress just a bit...
When we go this summer, I know the lines for CarsLand will be very long.
We have 5 adults in our group and two kids who will be riding.
We are planning to take turns standing with the kids, but then only one adult will ride with them.
I am hoping no one will complain when we change out the adult; we plan to explain to the folks in line behind us what we are doing.

 

[jennabennabofenna]

We went back in march with our DDs, ages 3 and 12months. On two occasions i stepped out of line for a bit with my youngest and when i returned shortly after i got a lot of dirty looks.

I thought it was ridiculous. I could understand if it was a group of people that held spots for other adults who are perfectly capable of holding their own spot, but when its a parent who has to step away for one child for a quick moment, shouldnt have to feel bad about it or receive dirty looks.


Ill tell you both my experiences. Both were m&g's BTW

1st time:
DH, me, and both DDs were waiting in line to see Pooh and friends. We had been waiting about 15min and my 12month old was getting cranky. So i stepped out of line for a whole 2 minutes to walk to our stroller to get her water. When i joined my DH and oldest DD, i got a few dirty looks. It bothered me because its not like me joining back with them was holding anyone else up anymore then if it was just DH and oldest DD. I was pretty much there to witness her m&g. Thats it.

2nd time: same situation. In line for princess fantasy faire. Obviously this was for my oldest DD. This was what she wanted to do most, meet the princesses. The wait was 90minutes. about half way through our wait, youngest DD got cranky, i dont blame her. She didnt want to stand in line... so i took her to run around on the side of PFF and let her eat a snack. I returned in line with DH and oldest DD. I am sure i got dirty looks but this time i chose not to look at anyone.

I can see people would get upset if mabye if i was leaving the line with youngest DD to go ride other rides.... And why should my DH and oldest DD have to exit the line with me just so youngest DD could get a drink of water?? and have to wait in line all over again. Thats just silly.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

i saw many ppl line hold, but i had no problem letting them back in to get to there family. Id say ask the CM, even in long ride lines we heard and saw CM's telling some members to have another member hold there place if needed. It didnt seem to be all the time to me but when it happened it didnt seem to slow us all down.

On the other hand would 5 or more be moving to jump in line i may have a problem with it. Like a bunch of teens have done before but the young ones i never question.

I even let a lady go first when her son had to go to the bathroom, and in front of other ppl who were standing there not paying attention and taljking on the phone. So i told her go ahead if they got mad they could yell at me. I got a dirty look but when the women exited with her son. I said hay its better then having a small one wet him self. She laughed and thanked me.

I know its not line holding but its one of those stories. it really matters on the situation.

To the one who got dirty looks from some, id ignore them and be happy you got your kid water and calmed her down. Your hubby or kid were there in line holding your spot. You shouldn't have got any looks.

 

[rmom]

We went back in march with our DDs, ages 3 and 12months. On two occasions i stepped out of line for a bit with my youngest and when i returned shortly after i got a lot of dirty looks

Ignore it and do what you need to do for your child. You should see the looks we get when we use the pass for my Sp needs daughter.

OP: if the little one can't wait that long without a melt down, do what you need to do. If others have a problem with it, that's their problem not yours. You can't worry about what everyone else thinks. Now if it is just that they don't want to stand in line, that is different.

have a great trip!

 

[dzny12]

I think the princesses should stand in line to see us

 

[cyclenut]

Information like this by the CM should be in the PARK MAPS … or like I stated above there should be SIGNS stating that "only one person need wait at an M&G" … then everyone IN THE LINE will know that this is acceptable.

But if MOST standing in line are not aware of DL or CM stating only one need wait … well it does upset people.

Your passion on this issue is obvious, and this is a very hot button issue for a lot of people. Personally, I see no issue with folks doing their best to manage their visit and line wait times, as long as it is within reason. Like many Disney policies, there is a sort of unwritten rule about line saving (not to be confused with line jumping). If a couple of people in your party come later to the line, they can join you as long as it is not more than half of the total party, or if it involves a parent and very young child joining later.

I have written about this several times and there are always a number of people who seem to get upset about it, but it is how Disney CMs generally operate.

I really don't understand why some folks find such a problem with line saving, much like those same people don't understand why I don't have a problem with it. This is one of those issues where people just don't agree on what is OK.

 

[Isatricia]

Now maybe in YOUR case the CM told the people in front of you to go walk around and leave ONE person … you weren't aware of that exchange …

Perhaps, but when we got to the front of the line and that lady told the CM, "I'll be right back. I have to get my kids there was just no way they could stand in this line." The CM looked at me and rolled her eyes. I made a comment to her that I thought it was all about expectations of the kids and she agreed with me. Now this was probably not the same CM that was there when we first got in line, so really there is no way of knowing what may have transpired.

In the end I was irritated but quickly got over it. My girls got to see Rapunzel and were disappointed they didn't get to see Flynn. They both immediately recognized the actress that was dressed as Rapunzel was the same actress that was Tinkerbell a couple days before.

 

[busymom232]

i agree if it was a bunch of adults hoping into the line or if it was for a ride that would be diffrent but if a family needs to give there little ones a bit of time to run around then its understandable.... i personally would rather have a mom or dad take there kid away for half an hour, then me having to be standing in line for 2 hours listening to that toddler screaming and complaining about being bored/hungry/ect.... that being said i think you should wait atleast some of the time.... As much as people will hate me and give me nasty looks i will be doing this very thing.... i have 4 children and only one of them is a girl... i dont think my 2 older boys are gonna want to stand in line for 2 hours too see a princess and i dont feel like they should have to, but if im there for 2 hours waiting with my daughter you can be sure they will come to check in with me or who ever is waiting to see our progress in line, plus i doubt my oldest would even take a pic with a princess since thats not kewl for a 9 year old, but i know how close he is to his lil sister and how much its gonna mean to him to see his sister once she makes it to the princesses and people shouldnt be mad about that as hes not taking anytime people behind us have been waiting for hes just enjoying watching/sharing in his sisters happiness... and i will also have a new born with me... so i dont think people should be giving me nasty looks if my mom stands in line while i go to feed the baby, change the baby, or whatever else he might need and come back... 2 hours is a really long wait, and when you dont have a long time at disneyland and cant go a few times a year, time really is money so if theres something quick they can do (ie run and get a quick snack to bring back or take a walk to a grassy area for some quite time) while some waits i think they should take the opportunity aslong as the child/children getting the pictures actually spends some time inline waiting.... that being said for me i think it also depends on the age of the child, meet and greets mean the world to the mini munchkins but 2 hours also seems like forever to them. i think that once the kids are old enough to have a rough understanding of time they should be given the choice wait in line the whole time or dont see the character, but a 2,3,4 year old doesnt really understand how long 2 hours is to make that choice.

 

[jilld11]

busymom232:
What you are describing is a different story though. You will wait with DD for a while, then grandma will wait with DD for a while. You are not going to see the princesses, you DD is, so she is waiting the whole time and just switching out adults to stay with her. Your boys aren't going to see them, so they aren't taking up time with the princesses, just coming back to check on you. I think the thing that bothers people is when the kids themselves don't wait in line and get to go enjoy the park while other parents made their kids do the right thing and wait if they wanted to see the princess. However, if your son wants to go in with your daughter, he should wait as well.
I went back and forth on this one, but I will make my DD wait because where do you draw the line, only one kids is OK, just my husband and one son to come back??? Just better to wait, that being said, I don't think if you're in line for 2 hours that anyone should have a problem with a small child having to use the bathroom.
I think those are two very different scenarios.

 

[xsuki000]

Anyone else think Fast Passes would solve all this debate?

 

[JadeDarkstar]

fp to m&gs that would be an awesome idea but they would have to be disconnected from other fps or one per park at same time period something like that would be good idea

 

[larina]

To digress just a bit...
When we go this summer, I know the lines for CarsLand will be very long.
We have 5 adults in our group and two kids who will be riding.
We are planning to take turns standing with the kids, but then only one adult will ride with them.
I am hoping no one will complain when we change out the adult; we plan to explain to the folks in line behind us what we are doing.

I think this could be hard with the crowds. How will the adult get through the line? It is really irritating when people push through the cue lines to catch up with their party. I know sometimes you have to take a kid to the bathroom, but otherwise it is just rude and really encroaches on what little personal space you have while waiting in lines at DL and CA.

 

[bakerudall]

Anyone else think Fast Passes would solve all this debate?

or two skillfully placed Rapunzels.

 

[dnamertz]

My personal feeling is that everyone should wait in line together. It's really annoying when you think there's only so many people in front of you and then next thing you know 10 people jump in line. So my view is that it's perfectly fine to take a kid out of a line for a potty break, but not really good form to save spots while others are having fun.

Actually, I don't see how that comparison applies in this case. If people jump in front of you in line for a ride, then it's that many more people you have to wait to ride the ride before you. But in a M&G like this, if the dad is just holding the line for the daughter then it doesn't make the line any longer for those behind them. There is still just one person doing the M&G represented by the dad holding the place in line. I would not have a problem with it if they were in front of me.

 

[dnamertz]

Anyone else think Fast Passes would solve all this debate?

That would be perfect. I could have someone go get the FP's while I hold their place in the FP return line (just kidding).

 

[navywifetill2002]

When we were in DL last year DD2 "had" to see "Tangled" so my mom and I waited in line with her for almost 2 hours while my dad and DH sat in some chairs outside as my dad was having trouble with his feet. When we got to the front of the line we texted them to come see DD with Rapunzel and Flynn (only DD was having her pic taken and "seeing" them) but several people got very upset that they were "cutting" when all they did was watch the interaction happening at the M&G. I didn't think it was a big deal since DD waited in the line the whole time but it seemed to upset some people.