Is it OK to save a spot in line?

[Bertnie20]

Id say yes and no.. Just because they dont want to stand in a line like everyone else, no.. If A kid is melting down, or has to go potty (but started out in the line) then sure, but other than that, nope. well also maybe with someone elderly, if they need to sit down for a little.

 

[Cajun28]

I usually don't mind letting someone pass to meet his/her group, if it's 1 meeting up with 5. Not so much if it's 5 catching up to 1.

One time that bothered me was in line for the TOT. My wife and I were in the queue leading down to the elevators and a young boy came rushing pass us and his mother literally pushed my wife and I aside to keep up with her son. That didn't bother me much because I chalked up their behavior to his excitement and not really knowing any better and the mother not really noticing in an effort to keep up. What really bothered me was when the father came up. The line had tightened up by that time and he was behind us. Well, he made a very rude comment about my wife and I keeping him from being with his family. (We didn't even know he was with them until the comment) Well I let him by, but not before I very politely told him that if his wife and son wouldn't have been so rude and pushed pass us, he would already be with his family. I don't think he knew how to react to being told off in such a polite way, because he avoided any eye contact after that.

 

[patrickpiteo]

Ok so what do you do? Complain to a CM, tell them and risk getting into an argument?

 

[Bertnie20]

BTW: I dont mean meltdown as in your child isnt getting their way so you let them out of line, i meant more along the lines of, your child is dehydrated and freaking out cause they need water etc kinda meltdowns

 

[buffettgirl]

I agree with some PP that the only excuse for line cutting is for an emergency potty break, when the need only arose after the family were well into the line. If your kid has to go before getting in line, then the entire party should wait. If there are only 10 people behind you in line and your 3 year old has to go NOW, then also I think the entire party should remove themselves from the line.

I think its completely unacceptable to send a designated person to stand in line and have 20 people swoop in at the last minute. Some people here have said "whats a few more people in line?". True enough, if that happens once. However, if you start out with a 30 minute standby waitime, and the line in front of your doubles because of line cutters, then that pushes back your standby time even further. As one PP said, our time is just as valuable as theirs, and the people who actually stand in line the entire time should not have to miss and attraction that they otherwise could have done because more time than expected was eaten up in the lineups, thanks to line cutters.

As for other exceptions, like elderly people or sick people who can;t wait in the heat, all I have to say is, its Disneyworld. There are going to be lines, and its going to be hot. If you have some sort of condition whereby extreme heat or long periods of standing could aggravate, I understand that you can arrange assistance for this through Disney. I am not cold hearted, and I would never prevent an elderly couple from bypassing me to join their family because they needed a break in the shade, but I don't think it should be permitted because then where do you draw the line to who fits the exception? Standby times will eventually mean nothing if people can't rely on them to a certain extent.

Just my $0.02

So what happens is that more and more people ask for GAC for their needs and what happens then is that they're allowed to enter the alternate queue area if there is one, or the FP line or bypass the line entirely. How does it effect your wait? Well if the FP queue lines are filled people needing assistance who would have been in line BEHIND you, then you've just shot yourself in the foot simply because you were afraid of 2 or 3 people getting ahead of you. Now a lot more people are getting ahead of you.

And believe me, do a quick search of the forums and you'll see a whole lot of people not only bashing people who request the need for GAC and at the same time a whole lot of people who abuse the system by getting GAC.

So to simply say that Disney has a system in place if people need extra help is fine, but realize that what you're saying is also going to effect your wait time.
4 people get in line before you and 2 jump in. No change to your wait. Or 6 people get into the alternate queue line ahead of you and ride first. No change to your wait. Followed by 3 more groups of 6 people who then would have been behind you but now they have a GAC and now they get on ahead of you. You've just extended your wait.

Your pick.

 

[robinb]

The only time I would do this was on Dumbo and the line was super long. One of us would stand in line and the other would entertain our DD elsewhere until the final queue turn and she would be passed under the chain. I considered it 'no harm no foul' since we were not taking up an extra Dumbo so we were not making anyone's wait longer.

 

[mad madam mim78]

It's totally rude to save spots in line. Hopefully you are not the person in front of me saving a spot because I have no issues with cutting back in front of you and your cutting family. If you have a problem, take it up with my buttox.

 

[Bearybear]

Even emergency potty breaks aren't always considered ok, in my experience. We were at DL about 3 spins from the front of the Dumbo ride when my not yet potty trained son pooped in his diaper and we had to leave the line entirely. We asked the CM if my DH could change him and come back while I waited, and we were told no. So we got out of line and had to start again in the back.

 

[twojay]

A couple of times I held our place in line at the turnstiles to get in the park when DH's tummy was...unhappy. It seemed like a lot of people were popping in and out of line, so I didn't feel bad about it. Both times it was before the turnstiles at opened. At AK they opened the turnstiles when he was gone, so I got out of line.

 

[wdwcraz]

I do think it's rude for rides....however, I will say that the last two times we were in MK right at rope drop during EMH, either me or my husband high-tailed it to the Rapunzel meet and greet line and stood there while the rest of our party ran around and got fast passes (this was before the back end of the time window was enforced). I'd do it again, too. The CMs acted like it was pretty much par for that attraction...they asked each person in line how many were in their party. I guess I look at it differently in that case because the attraction wasn't open yet. Pretty tough to get a 5 year old to stand in line for an hour when the line isn't moving at all and all of Fantasyland is beckoning . No one had a problem with it, and most parents were operating the same way...one parent had the kid and the other parent was texting them to come back as soon as it was time to start. I told the CM my husband would be bringing my daughter back when it was time to let the first group in, he went on counting until he reached 30 kids (or however many they actually let in) and put the rope down. That particular meet and greet is unique, I think, just because of how long it takes to get in if you aren't in that first group...and they only count children but adults are allowed in on the sidelines.

The CM working the Tangled M&G actually suggested we do this. I believe his exact words were "it will be about an hour before you let in. If one of you waits the other can take the kids on the tea cups or something."

About the only time I do this is my wife will take the kids and get in line while I go park the stroller. I personally don't have a problem with it. Like one of the PP said, as long as it is one or two people not a problem. If you you are waiting and 10 people come and join you then I have a problem.

We have done it with M&G before where I take the kids in line for one and then my wife will go wait in another line. If she gets to the front of the line before I get back then she lets others go in front of her.

 

[raidermatt]

Do you consider it rude to have a few people wait in line, and have the remainder of your party join you later? Particularly if they are able to do so at a convenient point, where they can just duck under the rope, and do not have to shuffle and push their way through?

There are a number of reasons this situation could arise, just wondering what is generally considered to be acceptable.

I think with the scenario you gave, the vast majority are going to say no, this is not ok.

Where it gets squirrely is when a little one (or anyone really) needs to use the bathroom after they have been waiting in line. Some will say that's fine. Others will say they will physically block the parent/child from rejoining their party. To make matters worse, Disney isn't really consistent in their answers on this either.

The best thing to do is try your best to keep the group together. If something does come up, always talk to a CM first.

 

[ttintagel]

For one thing, if a lot of people were doing it, it would throw off the estimated wait time.

 

[photo_chick]

Do you consider it rude to have a few people wait in line, and have the remainder of your party join you later? Particularly if they are able to do so at a convenient point, where they can just duck under the rope, and do not have to shuffle and push their way through?

There are a number of reasons this situation could arise, just wondering what is generally considered to be acceptable.

Potty breaks for really young kids are about the only time I feel like it's ok to leave the line then rejoin your group. I can think of one or two other things that would be OK to me, like a pregnant woman who has morning sickness, since you never know when that's going to hit and you're often fine after you toss your cookies. But saving a place just so that everyone doesn't have to stand in line is beyond rude IMO.

If there is a medical reason you cannot wait in line that is different and you should explore the GAC option.

 

[jrtoastyman]

The general answer is that it is verboten, although that's based upon the general idea that you're doing something to the disadvantage of the people that are stuck waiting in line. With that in mind, I do believe there are a handful of circumstances where it's OK. The one that immediately springs to mind is the character greetings in WS @ EPCOT, where we will occasionally have my wife and DD3 step out of line but hang in the general area to give everyone more room to breathe without a fidgety preschooler underfoot while we're waiting to get close to the character. Important side note, though -- they are close enough that when we're getting close, I just wave them over rather than calling or texting them, and they start in line with me so everyone around knows what we're doing.

Similarly, I don't have a huge problem with people joining their group where there isn't a strict queue, like when everyone is jumbled up in a mass waiting for the doors to a show to open (e.g., O Canada), provided it can be done without inconveniencing the people in said crowd and everyone in the area is going to get in anyway.

The big question, for me, is whether by saving a spot in line, you're causing the people behind you to wait longer. If the answer is no and it can be done without great hassle, I'm OK with it. That's very much the exception to the rule, though, and the circumstances where this is applicable are quite limited.

 

[AJ1983]

So what happens is that more and more people ask for GAC for their needs and what happens then is that they're allowed to enter the alternate queue area if there is one, or the FP line or bypass the line entirely. How does it effect your wait? Well if the FP queue lines are filled people needing assistance who would have been in line BEHIND you, then you've just shot yourself in the foot simply because you were afraid of 2 or 3 people getting ahead of you. Now a lot more people are getting ahead of you.

And believe me, do a quick search of the forums and you'll see a whole lot of people not only bashing people who request the need for GAC and at the same time a whole lot of people who abuse the system by getting GAC.

So to simply say that Disney has a system in place if people need extra help is fine, but realize that what you're saying is also going to effect your wait time.
4 people get in line before you and 2 jump in. No change to your wait. Or 6 people get into the alternate queue line ahead of you and ride first. No change to your wait. Followed by 3 more groups of 6 people who then would have been behind you but now they have a GAC and now they get on ahead of you. You've just extended your wait.

Your pick.

First of all, I can't control what people say about those who use GAC, nor if people abuse the system.

My point is that people who genuinely need assistance to enjoy DisneyWorld can do so via the GAC, and thats great because everyone should have the chance to enjoy the Mouse's house

However, there may be others who, while they would not request a GAC, they would sit outside in the shade for an hour while a member of their party held a place in the unshaded lineup. Basically, they aren't so bad off that they need GAC, but they would take advantage of being able to walk to the front of the line. I just think you should be aware in advance whether you can handle the heat/crowds/walking without assistance (such as having someone else hold a place in line).

And frankly, I'd rather more people get GAC's than cut the line. As you said, its as broad as it is long, and perhaps the same number of people will end up ahead of me anyway, but at least I'll know its for a legitimate reason, and I won't be so ticked off when I see people strolling past me to the front of the line when I've been sweating in a slow moving line for an hour. haha

Last time I was at Disney was 6 years ago, and I honestly don't think I had anyone cut a line. One or two people per line wouldn't bother me, I understand someone needing to catch up with a group, but hopefully its not as bad as people say.

 

[buffettgirl]

First of all, I can't control what people say about those who use GAC, nor if people abuse the system.

My point is that people who genuinely need assistance to enjoy DisneyWorld can do so via the GAC, and thats great because everyone should have the chance to enjoy the Mouse's house

However, there may be others who, while they would not request a GAC, they would sit outside in the shade for an hour while a member of their party held a place in the unshaded lineup. Basically, they aren't so bad off that they need GAC, but they would take advantage of being able to walk to the front of the line. I just think you should be aware in advance whether you can handle the heat/crowds/walking without assistance (such as having someone else hold a place in line).

And frankly, I'd rather more people get GAC's than cut the line. As you said, its as broad as it is long, and perhaps the same number of people will end up ahead of me anyway, but at least I'll know its for a legitimate reason, and I won't be so ticked off when I see people strolling past me to the front of the line when I've been sweating in a slow moving line for an hour. haha

Last time I was at Disney was 6 years ago, and I honestly don't think I had anyone cut a line. One or two people per line wouldn't bother me, I understand someone needing to catch up with a group, but hopefully its not as bad as people say.

I'm going to just start with the end of your post (in red) and say I fully agree with you there. I can't really ever recall seeing hoards of people cutting in line (other than Brazilian tour groups and that's a whole different story and I don't even think relevant to this thread) One or two I see, during a whole trip. Not every line. Not every time.

Actually, I can agree with most of your post. I think GAC is a great thing. I was pointing out that there are plenty of people here who thinks simply using the GAC is taking advantage of the situation. And that using a GAC simply because someone can't stand in line is the wrong reason and an abuse of the system. I'm not getting into THAT debate. The legitimacy of why someone needs a GAC or why someone needs to leave the line is simply not my problem. LOL.

I just think far too many people worry about someone else "stealing their beautiful magic." Instead of just focusing on what's happening with them and their families, they spend a lot of time worrying about what all the other guests are doing - be it refillable cups, FP return times, pool hopping or whatever.

I guess people must feel that their own behavior is NEVER anything less than stellar and that nothing they do could ever possibly tick another guest off.

 

[Bob NC]

Do you consider it rude to have a few people wait in line, and have the remainder of your party join you later?

Actually, the rules for a line haven't changed at all since you learned them in Kindergarten.

You stand behind the person in front of you. No cuts. If you leave the line, just re-enter at the back.

 

[Cyrano]

This is a gentle reminder to restrict the topic of conversation to holding a space in the line.
Any other discussions will be removed or force the thread to be closed.

Thank you

 

[GreenCntryGirl]

Do you consider it rude to have a few people wait in line, and have the remainder of your party join you later? Particularly if they are able to do so at a convenient point, where they can just duck under the rope, and do not have to shuffle and push their way through?

There are a number of reasons this situation could arise, just wondering what is generally considered to be acceptable.

Yes, I consider it rude. Suck it up, stand in line, and find some common courtesy.

 

[LucyBC80]

Not only it's rude, it shows lack of consideration towards your fellow visitor. Why should your party be let through? Why didn't you wait for them outside the line?