Is this cutting the line or what!?

[Brian Noble]

I've seen it maybe once or twice. IIRC, it has only happened first thing in the morning, because that's the only time the folks who read the UG are there.

 

[misskrystal]

It still doesn't affect line length. If the scenario is that mom, dad and jr. are waiting to ride, that would be 2 elephants. Whether they are one in front of the other or not. Mom & Jr. would ride in one, Dad in the other. All that happens in the OP's scenario is that mom and dad are spaced out and Jr. gets to ride with both, it's the same two elephants. The other kids aren't waiting any longer and the ones between mom and dad are actually getting on before dad, which makes the line one shorter for them. It doesn't seem like it should cause that big of a deal or delay for mom to hand over Jr.

Even though I don't actually have a problem with people doing this, I don't think this is how a toddler would view it. They would just see another child getting to ride again without queueing.

 

[deekaypee]

So, at Disney, I don't personally do the chuck bubba relay, because for me it's not the right way to do things.[...]

So: I don't chuck my own bubbas, because according to my own world view, it's wrong---if my kids want to ride something, they wait in the line like most everyone else. If someone else wants to chuck their own bubba, well, I might roll my eyes, but I won't make a scene, because it really doesn't matter to me. I have no personal need for their kids to have my ethics, and Disney doesn't seem to forbid it.

Same is true if someone needs to leave a line to go to the bathroom. I've been there done that (at a park where my 3 year old and I had to start over at the end of the line) so I don't begrudge a parent facing the reality of "I have to go. NOW."

Well-said! I don't have children, so I can't comment on how I would feel about bubba chucking--although I love the term--if I were a parent. But I certainly understand the need to behave ethically in ways that strike a balance between the needs of individuals and of the community. I would imagine considerations of what constitutes line-cutting all the harder if one has children as learn by example, not only of how one should act but of how one's actions affect others.

And I try to be sensitive to the possible needs of guests whose groups are unlike my own (usually consisting of two, able-bodied adults) that might have more challenges in navigating the parks. For me, this means what I regard as acceptable behavior for me differs a lot from what I consider to be acceptable for other guests, particularly groups with small children, with older guests, in wheelchairs or scooters, and even large parties. (It it has always been my experience that decisions get exponentially more difficult as the group grows, even if you've entered the park with an agreed-upon game plan.)

And even if people don't follow what I consider acceptable, my attitude is pretty much, "C'est la vie." I can't control others' behaviors and don't want to, I only to monitor my behavior and attitude. Plus, I choose to believe most of us are pretty sensitive and thoughtful about others' needs and communal norms. It even seems to me that the Chuck Bubba is an attempt to mediate individual desires with community standard.

I often consider moments where individuals temporarily hold places in lines for other members of their party--family or friends--to also be a gift to me. When someone leaves the queue, whether to go to the bathroom, get a drink or snack, shop, whatever, I benefit in the following ways:
1) Sometimes I'll get a chance to talk to the individuals left standing in the queue, and meeting other guests is one of the things I really enjoy about Disney! It doesn't seem to happen as often if someone's full party is together. (Maybe it's me who's hesitant to "interrupt" someone's quality time with family or friends?)
2) The whole atmosphere of the queue can be brought down by people who are uncomfortable: mumblings, snipy comments, complaints, crying, etc. People get cranky, rightfully so, if they need to use the restroom or get a drink. (Whether someone "should" have done these things before they got in line is almost irrelevant in this regard, as the attitude changes.) A happier queue makes a happier me!
3) This might be weird, but I actually don't mind a longer queue in many of the attractions because of all the theming and attention to detail! And I'm always looking for hidden Mickeys!

One last thing: I have to admit that as laid-back as I tend to be about queues for attractions, or at least try to be, I'm still fighting with the food queues/saving tables element of visiting the parks! My DH and I, because there are only two of us and we're flexible, will both wait for food before looking for seating. I intellectually understand that families/larger groups will send out scouts to arrange for seating--we've done it ourselves when the extended family visits--but there is that initial reaction where I just think, "grrrrrr." It must be my stomach growling.

 

[mickeyfan2]

From an adult point of view I am ok if the other parent only uses one Dumbo, but I do see the problem from a kid's point of view.

 

[Yacht Club Family]

Even though I don't actually have a problem with people doing this, I don't think this is how a toddler would view it. They would just see another child getting to ride again without queueing.

But, I just don't think toddlers have any concept of who has queued up in line and ridden before or not. How do they know if the child had to take a potty break and is coming back into line or if they rode with another parent, unless the parent pointed it out. Most 2-3 year olds aren't memorizing whos in line ahead of them. Now, I think many parents are watching and really wig out if they see any kind of infringement.

I'm not trying to argue this or upset anyone, I guess I just don't see the problem. We've taken our kids every year for the past 13 years. My 12 year old was told over the years to relax, and it was pointed out that he didn't really know all the circumstances and not to worry about things like that. My DD3 was kept occupied last year in line and never cared what anyone else did. We're going in 3 more days, and I'll occupy her again and we won't have time to worry about how many times anyone has ridden anything. We've never chucked bubba either, but we did do an unofficial parent swap once. We had fp for Dinosaur. My DH took in DS while I held our daughter outside in the shade. When they were done, he took the kids in to look at the gift shop nearby while I used my FP to ride the ride. I didn't even know or think about DS riding again with me on my fp, it never crossed my mind. They enjoyed their ride, I enjoyed mine. We did the opposite on the Kali River Rapids with me riding with DS and then DH riding afterward.

Now, I did read someone make a point about a rowdy group just butting in so no one had to wait. I totally agree that's another issue altogether.

I think I'll let this subject go and just agree to disagree with some opinions. I don't necessarily think there is a "right" or "wrong" in the original post. Just food for thought, I guess.

Hope everyone enjoys upcoming trips or had a great time on your last trip!

 

[va32h]

Wow...so the short version is...people who do child swap have several members of their family that get to ride twice, but only have to wait in line once? Alrighty then...

Yep. And yet this is lauded as a great idea, while the Bubba Relay is bad, evil, immoral, etc.

I personally will not do the child swap because for me, it is not the right way to do things. I think part of being a parent is accepting that sometimes your kids will make it inconvenient for you to do things, such as ride a roller coaster with your spouse and friends. So you can either 1) suck it up and ride by yourself or 2) not ride at all, if you really can't bear the thought of riding alone or 3) go somewhere for vacation where height and age restrictions are not a problem.

Our kids are 10, 6, and 2. My husband and I take turns riding the big rides with the 10 year old, while the other parent rides other rides with the younger two. Sometimes this means that one of us will miss a ride we really want to ride on. Oh well, that's life. If our 10yo wants to ride the same ride twice, the other parent can take her back, and get back at the end of the line.

But while I don't do the child swap myself, I don't begrudge others that do. I might roll my eyes at them in line (because yeah, I do think it's silly that adults need someone to ride with them in order to enjoy the ride) but Disney sets the policy not me.

The same is true of the Bubba Relay - it's Disney's call, not ours.

As for saving tables, I don't mind if families save tables while waiting for their food. We do the same thing. I do get annoyed when people who are clearly done eating just sit around and chat when others are obviously looking for tables. They can go chat on a bench or something.

 

[Brian Noble]

I think part of being a parent is accepting that sometimes your kids will make it inconvenient for you to do things, such as ride a roller coaster with your spouse and friends.

This is close to my own thinking---I've never used a child swap at WDW/DL, and I almost never use it at Cedar Point, either. But, for me it is less about accepting inconvenience, and more about embracing the fact that doing things with younger kids is just *different*. All too soon, my kids will be old enough and "cool" enough that they won't want to ride with boring old mom and dad. Until then, I'm at a park to have fun with them, the rides just happen to be the way we have fun. In fact, I have a rule that I *almost* always follow: I don't ride anything without at least one kid. I've never been on Dinosaur. I've never been on Mission:Space. And it took me two trips to finally get on RnRC. For rides at my home park that they won't ride, I take one of my friends with me, and leave the kids at home. Otherwise, I don't ride 'em.

If this means I "have to" ride IASW over and over again (and I did do just that when my youngest was 3---he loved it), well, that's what I'll do. Surprisingly, I even liked it.

 

[TheDoctor]

This not line cutting in my opinion. This trick has been around for a long time. We used it many years ago when our kids were Dumbo age. Back then the dumbo had 18 or so seats and so you spaced your spouse and your self at 19 or so people.

 

[pospisil]

Well, then we must be real rebels, because I've occasionally even gotten in line without my entire family, and had the rest join me later. Or my dh has gotten in line while I take the kiddos for a bathroom break/diaper change. Or I've gotten in line with the kids while dh goes to get a snack/beverage for the rest of us.

Seriously, I don't see Disney kiboshing the "Chuck Bubba Relay," or even stopping people from letting one parent wait in a line while the other entertains the toddler(s) somewhere else, then hands the child(ren) off at the last minute. As long as we're talking a couple of small kids and not the entire high school football team, I don't see what the big deal is. If it saves everyone else from having to wait in line with squirming, screaming kids, doesn't it greatly increase everyone's enjoyment of the park?

Amen! I really don't see the big deal here. We had DS in our 30's, so we waited in lots and lots of lines back in our childfree days, and I NEVER minded a parent who took the little ones out of line to keep them occupied, while the other parent held their place. Why raise everyone's stress level by trying to make a young child stand in one place for an hour? That's just silly! In real life, I have more important things to worry about, and on vacation, I try not to worry at all!

 

[dpuck1998]

Your child swap example is wrong for 95% of the rides. Here's the correct version for a family with at least 2 kids who are able to ride. I'll put it in as close to the same format as your example:

Child swap is 3 people waiting in line. 1 parent, 2 kids who will ride twice. After parent and 2 kids ride, other parent who didn't wait in line takes same 2 kids on ride again, going through FP line (basically not waiting in line). Total number of people waiting is 3 and total number of rides ridden is 6.

I don't get the point of your example? If there are two kids going on the ride then your not going to use child swap. What is the other parent doing while you 3 are on the ride?? Taking a nap?? There needs to be a child that can not go on the ride for height reasons to use child swap.

 

[Harmony]

I don't get the point of your example? If there are two kids going on the ride then your not going to use child swap. What is the other parent doing while you 3 are on the ride?? Taking a nap?? There needs to be a child that can not go on the ride for height reasons to use child swap.

What mill4023 posted was correct. It's how we've used the child swap. (usually we only use it once or twice every trip...not alot but it's nice to know that the policy is in place)

I have three children, ages 17, 11 and 2. Since my kids are so spaced apart, it's difficult to do rides that everyone enjoys. I love that Disney has the child swap 'cause it allows both me and my DH to enjoy rides with our two oldest w/o tiring out our 2y/o by waiting in line after line.

This is how we do it. Usually my DH goes to stand in line with my two oldest first. At that point, I take my toddler either to a show or take him to the baby care center to relax a bit. Once my DH and my boys finish riding, it's my turn to ride with them. We go back thru the FP line. We still have a wait, just not as long. They get to ride again, which they love and I get to enjoy something with them, which I love.

It is also neat 'cause both my DH and I get one-on-one time with our toddler and let's face it, there's nothing better than seeing WDW thru a toddler's eyes.

 

[LIFERBABE]

I dont see an issue AT ALL with this.

It's DUMBO!! One of the ICONS of WDW!!

Dumbo does not have the capacity to accomodate a family of 3. If both parents want to experience Dumbo with their 1 child and maybe have photos/video/memories of that experience, and both parents wait in line, it has nothing to do with spoiling the child, but both parents sharing a magical experience with that 1 child.

My boys are older, but I would not have a problem with this at all. Ride with Daddy and Ride with Mommy. Both stood in line for their ride car.

Thats why single rider lines are always the shortest. People want to experience the parks as a family.

That parent is already waiting, why not wait in line?

We went to see the Power Rangers at MGM. They split up on corners of the back lot. Parents were splitting up, so their kids could take photos with 1 ranger and then be in line for the other.

 

[Kimberly815]

I am okay with this in a situation like Dumbo- because here is how I figure it: If they ride at the same time, they will take up 2 elephants (one with Mom and child, and one with Dad), if they ride 30-40 people apart they will still take up only 2 elephants (one with Mom and child for first ride, and one with Dad and child for second ride).

In other case, I don't know that I would feel the same, but something like dumbo, Barnstormer, magic carpets, etc, I would be cool with it!

 

[va32h]

This is how we do it. Usually my DH goes to stand in line with my two oldest first. At that point, I take my toddler either to a show or take him to the baby care center to relax a bit. Once my DH and my boys finish riding, it's my turn to ride with them. We go back thru the FP line. We still have a wait, just not as long. They get to ride again, which they love and I get to enjoy something with them, which I love.

Are you using the FP line because you got FP passes for the ride before they got in the standby line, or because the child-swap allows you to use the FP line, even though you and the younger child were enjoying another attraction while the rest of your party waited in line?

Because if you and one child are able to enjoy another attraction while others in your party wait, then I don't see how that should be considered more acceptable than the child relay. You didn't have to wait in line at all, but you get to ride, they waited once and rode twice.

 

[QueenGoblin]

It still doesn't affect line length. If the scenario is that mom, dad and jr. are waiting to ride, that would be 2 elephants. Whether they are one in front of the other or not. Mom & Jr. would ride in one, Dad in the other. All that happens in the OP's scenario is that mom and dad are spaced out and Jr. gets to ride with both, it's the same two elephants. The other kids aren't waiting any longer and the ones between mom and dad are actually getting on before dad, which makes the line one shorter for them. It doesn't seem like it should cause that big of a deal or delay for mom to hand over Jr.

This rationale assumes Mom or Dad would both have ridden Dumbo on their own, rather than one of them sitting it out. We will be visiting with our 3 year old in September and I plan on grabbing a treat from Mrs. Potts and sitting in the shade while I stick DH with standing in the Dumbo line with DD.
That being said, it wouldn't occur to me to give it a second thought if I saw another parent doing this. I can see both sides of this one, so I think if you are comfortable doing it, go for it. If not, come join me in the shade. I'll be the pregnant lady with the ice cream.

 

[Harmony]

Are you using the FP line because you got FP passes for the ride before they got in the standby line, or because the child-swap allows you to use the FP line, even though you and the younger child were enjoying another attraction while the rest of your party waited in line?

Because if you and one child are able to enjoy another attraction while others in your party wait, then I don't see how that should be considered more acceptable than the child relay. You didn't have to wait in line at all, but you get to ride, they waited once and rode twice.

Correct, we use the FP line b/c we get a child-swap ticket when my DH and sons get in line the first time. And yes, my toddler and I do enjoy another attraction, shop or go to the baby center while my DH and sons are in line. (trust me, you wouldn't want my toddler in line behind you for 40mins! )

Well, it is acceptable because *Disney* says it's acceptable. It's how the child-swap works. And again, I'm so very grateful that they do that for families with young toddlers.

I'm sure Diseny doesn't do it out of the kindness of their own hearts either... ...as often my toddler and I are out shopping at the gift shops while they are in line.

edited to add: I'm not saying that it's 'more acceptable than the relay thingy, I'm just sharing how we use the child-swap that Disney has in place for families with young toddlers. Oh, and one does have to show the CM the toddler in question before he/she will hand out the child-swap ticket.

 

[va32h]

Correct, we use the FP line b/c we get a child-swap ticket when my DH and sons get in line the first time. And yes, my toddler and I do enjoy another attraction, shop or go to the baby center while my DH and sons are in line. (trust me, you wouldn't want my toddler in line behind you for 40mins! )

I only brought it up because the attitude of the non-relay bunch seems to be that you "earn" your ride by waiting in line - doing nothing but wait in line. I was just pointing out that the child swap, a Disney sanctioned practice, allows you to go off and do a completely different attraction or shop or eat, thus not having to "just" wait, and yet still come back and ride.

Not any worse than the relay, IMO. Again, no flames from me, if Disney allows it, who cares what we think?

 

[Alicnwondrln]

isnt this called the child swap so parents can ride?
disney gives little ticket things for this?

 

[Harmony]

isnt this called the child swap so parents can ride?
disney gives little ticket things for this?

Yes, it is the child-swap and Disney does give colored tickets for this. Again, you must present the toddler to the CM. CM's will not hand over the tickets w/o seeing the child. We tried this once 'cause I had not yet gotten to the ride. My DH thought he would go grab the ticket for me but he couldn't get it till I got there with our son...makes sense to do that though.

 

[dpuck1998]

What mill4023 posted was correct. It's how we've used the child swap. (usually we only use it once or twice every trip...not alot but it's nice to know that the policy is in place)

I have three children, ages 17, 11 and 2. Since my kids are so spaced apart, it's difficult to do rides that everyone enjoys. I love that Disney has the child swap 'cause it allows both me and my DH to enjoy rides with our two oldest w/o tiring out our 2y/o by waiting in line after line.

This is how we do it. Usually my DH goes to stand in line with my two oldest first. At that point, I take my toddler either to a show or take him to the baby care center to relax a bit. Once my DH and my boys finish riding, it's my turn to ride with them. We go back thru the FP line. We still have a wait, just not as long. They get to ride again, which they love and I get to enjoy something with them, which I love.

It is also neat 'cause both my DH and I get one-on-one time with our toddler and let's face it, there's nothing better than seeing WDW thru a toddler's eyes.

Agree, it correct if there is a third child. I guess I misunderstood that there was a third child assumed in the description. I've used it many times...