Holding places in line

[CaryHaven]

I saw sometime back a thread about holding a child's place in line for A&E. Can anyone direct me to it? Or - please no drama - telling me what the official stance is? I just want to know if my husband can do the bulk of waiting for my two year old. We have a FP+, but I don't think it's going to work out, and I've had no success yet getting another. Thank you!

 

[Missyrose]

I saw sometime back a thread about holding a child's place in line for A&E. Can anyone direct me to it? Or - please no drama - telling me what the official stance is? I just want to know if my husband can do the bulk of waiting for my two year old. We have a FP+, but I don't think it's going to work out, and I've had no success yet getting another. Thank you!

You cannot hold a place in line at Princess Fairytale Hall, CMs will not allow it. Now, if you're in line and your child has to go to the restroom, a brief trip out of line is permitted. But having one person hold the family's place and then the rest of the family catching up with them later isn't allowed.

 

[glohoffman]

I just want to add to this...is that just at fairy tale hall that they won't allow it? Or any character meets? I'm asking for Jack and Sally at next year's Halloween party..I planned on getting in line at 530 (or whenever recommended) while my husband got the girls food and what not. Is that not allowed at all?

 

[CaryHaven]

On the one hand, I can see how it might contribute to people sneaking/cutting in line, but I thought maybe they might allow it because I'd heard it was so congested at times that the line wrapped round and round. Thanks for the info!

 

[Missyrose]

I just want to add to this...is that just at fairy tale hall that they won't allow it? Or any character meets? I'm asking for Jack and Sally at next year's Halloween party..I planned on getting in line at 530 (or whenever recommended) while my husband got the girls food and what not. Is that not allowed at all?

The party character meets that are outside are a bit easier to have people meet up with you. You're still at the mercy of all the fellow guests you have to push through to get to your family member though.

 

[glohoffman]

Ok thank you! I guess I could get in line and they could come back with food and we could just park there for dinner...that wouldn't be too bad...And I think other people waiting in line would be more understanding of that.

 

[cakebaker]

Ok thank you! I guess I could get in line and they could come back with food and we could just park there for dinner...that wouldn't be too bad...And I think other people waiting in line would be more understanding of that.

I think most are. In all the trips I've made to WDW, I've seen a lot of people hold spots for one reason or another and in all those trips, I've never seen any kind of uproar, complaint or anything close to a confrontation between those in line and those who had someone join them in line. For any reason- so I'm sure going to get food and coming back isn't going to be a problem.

That's for the more open air- standing in line sort of thing. When it's in an enclosed space like the princesses or Buzz/Woody over at HS- then it becomes a logistical issue of working your way back thru the line.

 

[HopperFan]

With Jack & Sally the entire line is outside in a roped queue and even the queue that enters closer to the characters is open to the sides. The CMs will start watching it closely once you enter the ramp area. One thing we did was take a small towel for us to sit on while we waited for them. SO glad we did.

A&E line is much different. You may have a roped queue at the beginning of the day when it first starts. Then you enter a zig zag queue with chains for ropes under the cover of the overhang. Then you enter the queue with iron fencing that is still outside under the cover. Then you enter a room with iron queue line and then you enter the "big hall" - neither with any way to enter the line other than pushing forward past everyone in line, that is if the CMs even let you do it.

 

[iheartbuffy]

Ok thank you! I guess I could get in line and they could come back with food and we could just park there for dinner...that wouldn't be too bad...And I think other people waiting in line would be more understanding of that.

This is exactly what we did, and a few other families did as well.

 

[jaz0308]

Ok thank you! I guess I could get in line and they could come back with food and we could just park there for dinner...that wouldn't be too bad...And I think other people waiting in line would be more understanding of that.

yep we did just that! All 4 of us got in line at 5:30. After about 20 mins DD and I walked down to Casey's and brought back dinner which we had a picnic while waiting. Only other logistics was getting rid of trash and tray but we happened to be right next to side door of city hall so just cut right through! Also note that jack/Sally surprised us by coming out at 6:15 so beware of breaks too late! Lol!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . I just want to know if my husband can do the bulk of waiting for my two year old . . .

Why not wait in line together, like everyone else?

 

[BroganMc]

Why not wait in line together, like everyone else?

Have you tried to wait anywhere for over an hour with a 2 yr old?

I feel for the OP but line holding is a no-go for A&E. Anywhere you have to wait inside a building with a snaking layout will earn you the ire of the folks inside.

 

[Asnell]

I saw sometime back a thread about holding a child's place in line for A&E. Can anyone direct me to it? Or - please no drama - telling me what the official stance is? I just want to know if my husband can do the bulk of waiting for my two year old. We have a FP+, but I don't think it's going to work out, and I've had no success yet getting another. Thank you!

You mention that you have only one FP+... Is the problem that you really want your whole family to be there together to see the princesses, or that it's at a bad time, or did you think that she needs her own FP+? Kids under 3 don't need a FP, so one of the adults can go with her in that short line if the other adult doesn't mind missing it.

 

[Baptist]

You mention that you have only one FP+... Is the problem that you really want your whole family to be there together to see the princesses, or that it's at a bad time, or did you think that she needs her own FP+? Kids under 3 don't need a FP, so one of the adults can go with her in that short line if the other adult doesn't mind missing it.

I think the OP means she has a FP, but can't use it because the time won't work. So, they have to go standby.

Charging through the line at A&E in inadvisable.

 

[CaryHaven]

You mention that you have only one FP+... Is the problem that you really want your whole family to be there together to see the princesses, or that it's at a bad time, or did you think that she needs her own FP+? Kids under 3 don't need a FP, so one of the adults can go with her in that short line if the other adult doesn't mind missing it.

Sorry, I meant one day we have a FP+ for the family, but I believe due to some work issues, my husband will have to cut our vacation one day short. I'd like for us all to see A&E together, but it's most important for my five year old. Of course like most five year old girls, it was her one must-do this trip. I honestly forgot part of the line was in the "castle." For some reason I was just thinking ropes.

Rusty, I can't tell if this is an honest question or you're trying to start some debate, but I don't want to wait with a just-turned two-year-old if I don't have to. I would think it would be obvious that after an hour in line, she would be a mess and in no mood to meet anyone. And please no stories about the good old days when kids could wait hours in line. Not going to happen.

 

[Schmeck]

Sorry, I meant one day we have a FP+ for the family, but I believe due to some work issues, my husband will have to cut our vacation one day short. I'd like for us all to see A&E together, but it's most important for my five year old. Of course like most five year old girls, it was her one must-do this trip. I honestly forgot part of the line was in the "castle." For some reason I was just thinking ropes.

Rusty, I can't tell if this is an honest question or you're trying to start some debate, but I don't want to wait with a just-turned two-year-old if I don't have to. I would think it would be obvious that after an hour in line, she would be a mess and in no mood to meet anyone. And please no stories about the good old days when kids could wait hours in line. Not going to happen.

Since the policy at WDW is that the entire party must enter the queue together, you'll have to decide to either skip A&E, try it with the 2 year old (we have had success with that, but it takes planning and effort) or hire a babysitter that day and leave the 2 year old out of the equation.

People used to be able to leave the queue when the A&E meet was at EPCOT, because the queue was outside.