How do you keep your kids occupied in line?

[lgiltmier]

It's our first trip to WDW in June, so I'd love some advice about what to take to keep them busy in line for attractions!

Ages - 12, 6, 4.

Leanna

 

[TruBlu]

Give them bubbles to blow in other people's eyes. (Just kidding - that is where this question usually ends up. Sorry. )

We always have their Nintendo DS in our backpack, but we almost never use it in line. We usually just get out our water bottles and have a drink. We always go during the June heat, so they are holding their little fans and just trying to cool off. Mostly, we just talk about what we are going to do next.

 

[TexasTodds]

When we went in January with our 3 kids (then 8,5, and 3) we didn't plan special activities, usually the lines are moving, even if they are just creeping, so it is sort of difficult to get alot of stuff out of the bag. usually we would just plan to make sure everyone had something to drink, and if it was appropriate, let them choose one of their snacks (I packed each person a ziploc with 3 or 4 small snacks, like a pkg of fruit gummies, indiv. peanuts, granola bar), and would pass those out if I thought their energy levels were needing a boost.

Since the kids had never gone before, we would also talk about what we might see during the attraction, or talk about looking for hidden mickeys. I didn't buy the book, but your 12 year old might be interested in that, and enjoy telling you where they are.

I truly wouldn't stress about what to do in line, just pick up and plan for as many fast passes as you can to avoid the really long lines. I also think that kids pick up on your attitude. If you are complaining about the heat and the long line, then they will too, and it will seem twice as long. I know with my kids I sometimes have to go a little overboard with the cheerful attitude, but whatever whining that eliminates is a good thing!

 

[TruBlu]

We also play games we make-up. One of DS6s favorites is the "color game". We pick a color then take turns naming things that are that color. If you can't think of one, you are out. (I always drop "hints" for DS to make sure I am out before him. )

 

[pigltlvr]

My kids love the annoying game of I spy. I say annoying because I heard it again and again when we were in very long lines but it saved us from listening to complain. I also would pull out snacks and juice boxes for them if I knew it was going to be very long. One idea I saw from someone else that I hope to try next time is those books that only have 1 pen and it shows the words when you use it. It's like the crayola markers but it only has one pen.

 

[Caseydilla]

Mickey Mouse lolipops do the trick here. They come in a 5 pack.

 

[iheartdisney]

Last trip we ended up in the 90 minute (which turned into well over 2 hour) line for Soarin'
We started playing the alphabet game Disney style...naming characters, then movies starting with a, and on down the line. After about N, other families joined in.
For shorter lines, we break out the park map, an see where we are, where wr are going, etc.
Pin trading is good for this too...lines are a great for trading amoung your family, seeing who has the most Mickeys, the most, pirates, etc. Also a great time to restock the lanyards with fresh traders. Or rearrange them in different orders. (favorites, boys on one side, girls on the other, biggest to smallest)
Also, take out the digtital camera, and take a look at your pictures from the day so far.

 

[thunderbird1]

We usually end up playing a couple of rounds of "don't do that!" You know, "Don't climb on that!" "Don't hang on that!" "Don't step on that!"

But you were probably looking for something fun.

Pin trading/reviewing, drinks, snacks, hidden mickeys, reviewing the pictures on the digital camera, and making a quick phone call to grandma/grandpa (what did we do before cell phones?) are all things we've done. We've been to WDW/DL a lot, so we'll also talk about experiences we've had with this attraction on other trips.

But my favorite thing to do is people watch (and listen). You see and hear the most interesting things around the parks, and lines are one of the few places you're near the same people for a long time. Much to dh's chagrin, we usually end up talking to people, too. Make sure you're sporting the LGMHPC's--I was surprised by how many DIS'ers we encountered in lines and on busses and boats.

 

[crisi]

Manage lines well and you won't need to worry about it.

Use Fastpass.
Know traffic patterns.
Know when to stand in line and when not to.

If you don't know this, a lot of people swear by TourGuideMike. I'm not a TGM fan myself, but this IS what he is good at.

 

[stsomewhere]

We usually end up playing a couple of rounds of "don't do that!" You know, "Don't climb on that!" "Don't hang on that!" "Don't step on that!"

But you were probably looking for something fun.

Pin trading/reviewing, drinks, snacks, hidden mickeys, reviewing the pictures on the digital camera, and making a quick phone call to grandma/grandpa (what did we do before cell phones?) are all things we've done. We've been to WDW/DL a lot, so we'll also talk about experiences we've had with this attraction on other trips.

But my favorite thing to do is people watch (and listen). You see and hear the most interesting things around the parks, and lines are one of the few places you're near the same people for a long time. Much to dh's chagrin, we usually end up talking to people, too. Make sure you're sporting the LGMHPC's--I was surprised by how many DIS'ers we encountered in lines and on busses and boats.

We play that game, too

 

[teresajoy]

Three rules to managing the lines

FASTPASS
FASTPASS
FASTPASS

oh, and one more thing


FASTPASS

 

[RyJMom]

Our family motto on the last trip was "We don't do lines". Tour Guide Mike all the way !!!!!!! I say plan ahead and avoid lines as much as possible. Seems like a drag to have to plan but it was sooooo worth it.

 

[sk!mom]

I don't. We talk, people watch, spray each other with the mister- whatever.

They are at WDW, afterall.

 

[Steakgoddess]

You have to do something special to keep them entertained? We talked, drank water, looked at th e map, talked some more. Plus, use the fast pass!

 

[chessie2008]

Our family motto on the last trip was "We don't do lines". Tour Guide Mike all the way !!!!!!! I say plan ahead and avoid lines as much as possible. Seems like a drag to have to plan but it was sooooo worth it.

Is he really that good that he can tell where there will be no lines? Maybe I should invest in that. I am very, very, very (did I mention very) nervous about how my 2 year old is going to handle (or more likely not handle) lines. He doesn't do very good well pretty much anywhere with waiting his turn. He pulls the laying in one place on the ground trick - which earns him a time out at home but what do I do in the park? So basically if there is a line that is very long or not moving very fast we will just have to keep on walking. Any suggestions for little ones in line? If I could keep him in the stroller for the whole line he would be fine - bet they'd love that eh?

 

[Schmeck]

Strollers are not allowed in line.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

We just talk to each other. We don't have toys etc. We talk about our day, sing songs sometimes, look for hidden Mickeys, maybe make a new friend. I have never even seen anyone with a backpack full of toys on line. Our kids are young also but they learn patience and we have some nice chats. We also try to plan so we are not on line for hours.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Is he really that good that he can tell where there will be no lines? Maybe I should invest in that. I am very, very, very (did I mention very) nervous about how my 2 year old is going to handle (or more likely not handle) lines. He doesn't do very good well pretty much anywhere with waiting his turn. He pulls the laying in one place on the ground trick - which earns him a time out at home but what do I do in the park? So basically if there is a line that is very long or not moving very fast we will just have to keep on walking. Any suggestions for little ones in line? If I could keep him in the stroller for the whole line he would be fine - bet they'd love that eh?

This may stink but take him out of line and he misses that ride. Trust me- you won't have to do that more than once. Let your dh take the other kids.

ETA- we call the laying on the ground trick "The Protestor" like those people who protest fur at Macy.

 

[crisi]

Tour Guide Mike will not mean no lines - neither will Fastpasses. We've used Fastpasses and STILL stood in line 20 minutes (Rockin Rollercoaster). What Tour Guide Mike, Fastpasses, and an understanding of the parks will do is minimize the amount of time you spend standing in line. There should be no two hour Soarin or Splash lines if you are in the know.

The other thing to do is have realistic expectations. There have been years where we've completely skipped certain rides and attractions. If you only go to Disney once, the overwhelming urge is to do everything - but you CAN'T do everything unless you stay for a month - you have to choose. So face up to you won't do everything before you even get to the park. That way you can look at a 90 minute line for Jungle Cruise (one we are always missing because for us the ride generally isn't worth the wait) and say "you know, it isn't worth 90 minutes."

This encourages return trips to Disney to catch things you missed - but if you go with the attitude that this is unlikely to be your last trip, that will help as well.

 

[debsway]

we always take a deck of cards. We play go fish. Books go in back pocket-dealer holds deck. Our kids are 8, 9, and 15. we also took Uno cards to Universal while we waited For Gretchen Wilson.