Holding a place in line?

[ttintagel]

You're addressing a different question -- that is, if someone cuts the line should you let it upset you for more than just a few moments? I think most of the people saying it's not okay to hold places in line wouldn't spend more than a few seconds thinking about it if someone did it. They might shake their head and think, "how rude/selfish/whatever,"
but they're not going to let it ruin their day.

The question posed by the OP, though, is this -- is it okay to hold a place in line? Many have said that it isn't. Even if it's okay to some, once the question has been asked, it becomes clear that many people do not think it's okay. After that, it's up to that individual to decide whether or not they will do something that they know a lot of people think is wrong.

The two questions can be likened to seeing someone blow through a stop sign. If I see someone do it, and unless I think they are driving so erratically that they pose a risk to others, I recognize it as foolish/reckless/irresponsible then forget about it and move on. But if someone asks me if it's okay to run a stop sign, I'm going to tell them it's not.

Absolutely. Just because I recognize that someone is doing something wrong doesn't mean I sit there obsessing over it instead of enjoying my vacation! That's a weird conclusion to draw!

 

[Kaz#289]

This is one of these age old questions. But I'm a dad and despite what you may think I have no desire to meet Ariel at her Grato. But waiting online with my kids for an hour + in the Florida sun is true torture for them and me. I was planning on waiting online as long as I could while my better half Kept them occupied and once the line became manageable call them over. I didn't really look at this as cutting. If I was holding a place for adults I'd see the argument. But at the same time I don't want to be that guy.

 

[Kathryn777]

We had to do it twice when were there (we have a potty training 2 year old) it was so ackward joining up with the rest of the group. I can't imagine doing it with 2 Adults . I felt bad as it was . And we were in the line to start with

 

[Raimiette]

This isn't something I generally think about but my last trip I left my spot/sister in line (for Pocahontas) briefly to buy a pastry at a shop across from the line and then returned to the same spot. In addition she went and stood in line for Chip & Dale while I got us new fastpasses and then I joined her in line. I remember not having any issue with getting the pastry and returning (I think because I had been waiting with her for a 1/2 hour at that point, Pocahontas wasn't out yet and we had been talking/friendly with the other 6 or 7 in line at that point) but remember feeling a bit bad for getting in line with her at Chip & Dale since I literally hadn't been in that line at all.

I do also get mildly annoyed when I see people cutting so I suppose I'm just a hypocrite.

 

[kaytieeldr]

This is one of these age old questions. But I'm a dad and despite what you may think I have no desire to meet Ariel at her Grato. But waiting online with my kids for an hour + in the Florida sun is true torture for them and me. I was planning on waiting online as long as I could while my better half Kept them occupied and once the line became manageable call them over. I didn't really look at this as cutting. If I was holding a place for adults I'd see the argument. But at the same time I don't want to be that guy.

Good. People are people regardless of age. You can use FP+, you can use the line wait app, you can remember that most lines are inside or covered/shaded (i.e. not in the Florida sun) and so, in addition to not waiting in the sun for an hour, the waiting party can't see the in-line party to connect...

 

[Aggieamy5]

This is one of these age old questions. But I'm a dad and despite what you may think I have no desire to meet Ariel at her Grato. But waiting online with my kids for an hour + in the Florida sun is true torture for them and me. I was planning on waiting online as long as I could while my better half Kept them occupied and once the line became manageable call them over. I didn't really look at this as cutting. If I was holding a place for adults I'd see the argument. But at the same time I don't want to be that guy.

I completely agree with you and would never in a million years considering a scenario such as this cutting. You are simply holding a place for your children and by them joining you later is not making the wait time any longer whatsoever since you, the father, isn't actually meeting the character too.

Now adults joining another adult in a line is a completely different story, in my opinion...

 

[maxiesmom]

I completely agree with you and would never in a million years considering a scenario such as this cutting. You are simply holding a place for your children and by them joining you later is not making the wait time any longer whatsoever since you, the father, isn't actually meeting the character too.

Now adults joining another adult in a line is a completely different story, in my opinion...

I think it does make the line longer. If one adult holds a spot for 2 children they are now taking double the time. Instead of one picture it is two. Instead of one autograph book out to be signed it is two. I would think a better idea is to have the little ones wait at least most of the time, with periodic breaks for the bathroom or to get a drink or to cool off. If they are really little they can wait in a stroller and be in the shade and have a stroller fan on them. Waiting for what you want is a skill that needs to be taught.

 

[Aggieamy5]

I think it does make the line longer. If one adult holds a spot for 2 children they are now taking double the time. Instead of one picture it is two. Instead of one autograph book out to be signed it is two. I would think a better idea is to have the little ones wait at least most of the time, with periodic breaks for the bathroom or to get a drink or to cool off. If they are really little they can wait in a stroller and be in the shade and have a stroller fan on them. Waiting for what you want is a skill that needs to be taught.

I would disagree, but I think it depends on the situation. If that family lets both children meet the character at the same time, I don't think they'd take any more photos than if just one child met the character. It takes all of about five seconds to sign an autograph book.

I only have one child who is 4 and our last visit he was three. We never held places in line while we were there, but I would never ever judge families with young children who do. Just because my child is capable of waiting for 30 minutes doesn't mean another child is. Also, some children absolutely refuse to sit in a stroller that's not moving so I think the theory of just strapping them in and expecting them to wait patiently for an hour or so is a little unrealistic. A lot of babies or toddlers like to be down and moving and would get antsy just sitting in a stroller.

I completely agree that waiting is a skill a child should be taught and we have been trying our best to help him learn this. It's definitely an ongoing process!

 

[maxiesmom]

I would disagree, but I think it depends on the situation. If that family lets both children meet the character at the same time, I don't think they'd take any more photos than if just one child met the character. It takes all of about five seconds to sign an autograph book.

That is a big if. Many times it is one photo with this child, another with that child, then a group photo. Then sign one book and chat a bit, sign the other book and chat a bit. If 30 parents are in line holding a spot for 2 children, there is an extra half an hour or so of wait time vs what the line looks like.

 

[Aggieamy5]

That is a big if. Many times it is one photo with this child, another with that child, then a group photo. Then sign one book and chat a bit, sign the other book and chat a bit. If 30 parents are in line holding a spot for 2 children, there is an extra half an hour or so of wait time vs what the line looks like.

I do see your point and I'm sure some families holding places in line do make the line take longer. I would just never let this bother me. I understand what it's like to have a young child so I go in trying to empathize with their situation even if what they are doing may make a line take longer. I honestly don't see it happening all that often. If 30 people in line did this, I'm sure it would frustrate many though so I definiteky get it. : )

 

[kittyab]

This was a big pet peeve for us on last trip. We had people would cut in between us (separating me from my husband in line) I had be a little crabby and asked them to let me join my group.

 

[Kaz#289]

I personally don't have an issue with someone's kids meeting a parent online l just think your trying to give your kid the best time possible. If I was online and looked around and there was 100 other dads on line holding a spot I would laugh.

 

[tjmw2727]

I think its line cutting and while I would never say anything or let it bother me I feel like if you can't wait the line then you can't do the attraction. If you would rather be doing something else like in the OP than you chose that over the show. So in the OP's case the folks that want to see the show go to the show and the others can try and join the end of the line when they are done with the attraction they chose.

And as a single mom of 2 if we left a line for an emergency potty break then obviously we re-joined at the end. Happened a few times over the years in addition to loosing some great parade spots. So IMHO even the youngest child can wait a line if they really want to do the attraction or meet the character.

 

[tjmw2727]

I personally don't have an issue with someone's kids meeting a parent online l just think your trying to give your kid the best time possible. If I was online and looked around and there was 100 other dads on line holding a spot I would laugh.

As a widow with two young kids I would not have laughed at this scenario while standing in line with my kids, I would have thought it unfair and a bit rude actually.

 

[no one]

I'm new to the boards, although have been lurking for a couple of months. Our first visit will be in April so I have no position on this issue but I find it interesting that nobody has tried to come up with a solution that could make both positions happy.
I think everybody would agree standing in line is not an efficient use of time or listening to kids whine for an hour to be fun.
How about a system where at the entrance to each ride there is a machine that you input how many are in your party, it prints out the number with a bar code and at least one person must stand in line. Get to the cm and they scan the slip all of your party must be there or you go to end of line. With this system it could display how many are actually in line and give much more accurate times.
Disney would make out with people shopping or eating rather than standing.
But maybe this is too rational.

 

[Robo]

I'm new to the boards, although have been lurking for a couple of months. Our first visit will be in April so I have no position on this issue but I find it interesting that nobody has tried to come up with a solution that could make both positions happy.
I think everybody would agree standing in line is not an efficient use of time or listening to kids whine for an hour to be fun.
How about a system where at the entrance to each ride there is a machine that you input how many are in your party, it prints out the number with a bar code and at least one person must stand in line. Get to the cm and they scan the slip all of your party must be there or you go to end of line. With this system it could display how many are actually in line and give much more accurate times.
Disney would make out with people shopping or eating rather than standing.
But maybe this is too rational.

A system very close to this already been tested on several attractions multiple times by Disney.
The biggest difference between the Disney system and your description above is that NOBODY has to wait in the line after "registering."
All guests in that party have a scheduled re-arrival time window in which to return and board.

 

[tjmw2727]

I'm new to the boards, although have been lurking for a couple of months. Our first visit will be in April so I have no position on this issue but I find it interesting that nobody has tried to come up with a solution that could make both positions happy.
I think everybody would agree standing in line is not an efficient use of time or listening to kids whine for an hour to be fun.
How about a system where at the entrance to each ride there is a machine that you input how many are in your party, it prints out the number with a bar code and at least one person must stand in line. Get to the cm and they scan the slip all of your party must be there or you go to end of line. With this system it could display how many are actually in line and give much more accurate times.
Disney would make out with people shopping or eating rather than standing.
But maybe this is too rational.

How is this much different from FP or FP + and how would it help with a single parent?
I still say if you want to ride/meet you stand in line or get a fp.

I learned pretty quickly which things my kids really wanted to do/wait for and which things I "thought" they wanted. As a result of this we had many amazing trips and my kids learned how to wait their turn. Oh and if with my kids there was whining - there was no riding/meeting at that point; instead of waiting, maybe it was time for a break instead.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

I completely agree with you and would never in a million years considering a scenario such as this cutting. You are simply holding a place for your children and by them joining you later is not making the wait time any longer whatsoever since you, the father, isn't actually meeting the character too.

Now adults joining another adult in a line is a completely different story, in my opinion...

I agree as well

I completely agree with you and would never in a million years considering a scenario such as this cutting. You are simply holding a place for your children and by them joining you later is not making the wait time any longer whatsoever since you, the father, isn't actually meeting the character too.

Now adults joining another adult in a line is a completely different story, in my opinion...

I agree as well. I waited in line for dumbo while my husband walked around with my 3 year old. Then I got out of line and let them ride. I don't think the line was any longer because I doubt anyone was planning on rising dumbo with me. "Single rider dumbo" lol.

 

[tjmw2727]

I agree as well

I agree as well. I waited in line for dumbo while my husband walked around with my 3 year old. Then I got out of line and let them ride. I don't think the line was any longer because I doubt anyone was planning on rising dumbo with me. "Single rider dumbo" lol.

Except that you still used the option of holding a place for others as an advantage over guests that don't have this option. My kids at 3 had to wait or not ride.

 

[Baklava]

I personally don't have an issue with someone's kids meeting a parent online l just think your trying to give your kid the best time possible. If I was online and looked around and there was 100 other dads on line holding a spot I would laugh.

But where does that stop? I mean, to give my kid the best time, she should stand in front of you at the parade and really, letting her just go ahead of you in lines is the best time for her... At which point does me giving her the best time go from understandable to rude?