Lets start a list of things to do in line for kids!

[AllyCatTapia]

I have:
cards
color
bubbles
small toy cars
I Spy
Find all the people with _____ on
Cloud watching




Let's help avoid meltdowns!

 

[welovedis]

Not trying to get flamed but IMO bubbles in line is not really the greatest idea. Our family isn't fond of this for 2 reasons, DS has a form of autism and getting bubbles "on him" really bugs him and can make a good day turn bad quickly. He can have meltdowns over something like this.

Secondly DH has a cochlear implant now but used to wear hearing aids and neither can get wet from water or bubbles. In 2004 he had to take them off because a family behind got them slick with bubbles they were blowing.

Anyway, just wanted to mention that since people wouldn't normally think of it as something that would bother others but it does. Two other things that bother us line are the "closers"-people who have to get right up on top of you every time the line moves an inch and people who use they mister spray bottles on everyone around them--see my paragraph above on why, lol!

To keep DS occupied we play rock, paper, scissors and also bring along our Hidden Mickey or WDW trivia books. Park maps can often entertain them for quite some time.

 

[Schmeck]

I'll chime in against the bubbles as well, as DD12 is allergic to them - some bubble solutions make her break out in a nasty rash! Those little ones from the dollar store seem to be the worst for her skin, although we've bought the big bottles at WalMart twice in the past (when we didn't know she was allergic) and she reacted to one solution and not the other. She also hasn't had a problem so far with the bubbles used in the attractions, but she tends to tuck her feet up under her T-shirt and pull her arms in as well.

 

[AllyCatTapia]

oh MAN!!!!!!!!!!

well, give me some other things!

 

[In Luv with Disney]

How about "I'm going to Disney World and I'm going to bring APPLES. I'm going to Disney World and I'm going to bring APPLES & BANDAIDS. I'm goin got WDW and I'm bringing APPLES, BANDAIDS & COMFY SHOES" continuing for each letter of the alphabet.

 

[Mom to Jordan]

Packs of Disney shaped fruit snacks to munch on.

 

[JCA1970]

I plan on bringing a small notebook and pen/pencil. Maybe her handheld Leapster game. Maybe small playdoh to squish and shape.Maybe a kids magazine? This will be our first time so we'll see how it works.JCA1970

 

[loopner67]

How about "I'm going to Disney World and I'm going to bring APPLES. I'm going to Disney World and I'm going to bring APPLES & BANDAIDS. I'm goin got WDW and I'm bringing APPLES, BANDAIDS & COMFY SHOES" continuing for each letter of the alphabet.

This reminds me of an ABC game we play in the car. You just start with "A" and try to find something that has that letter in it (usually you are looking at billboards, license plates, etc...). Maybe you could look around and find things that start with each letter? I actually play this game in my head while I'm driving when everyone goes asleep and I need to amuse myself. :smile:

 

[Schmeck]

Note that the lines for ride attractions are stop-and-go, meaning that it would be difficult to play cards, play with small toy cars on the ground, etc. because you are expected to keep moving with the line.

There would be time to play cards, or play on the floor with toy cars when waiting for a show to begin though.

The queues at WDW have so many interesting details that we spend a lot of time just pointing out the cool stuff to our kids. We also talk about what other rides we're planning on going on, or just talking with our kids about anything ! They love the attention, and it really gets us through the time in a fun way.

 

[Pixiedust34]

We do a similar ABC thing. We list all of the Disney characters or movies that begin with A, and then go down the rest of the alphabet. Sometimes other people will join in to our little game.

My kids also did the "rock, paper, scissors, SHOOT!" thing, but after a while they were driving us nuts with it.

 

[ShellyMouse]

how old are your kids?

we were just there this past december. i have a 6 yo dd, she is a little.... um..... er, spoiled, and can be quite the drama queen when she doesn't get her way. but we never had a problem in any line with her.

it was surprising to me, she, along with us, just took everything in around us. she looked over her autograph book, and we talked about who's autograph she still wanted/NEEDED...lol.
a few times i started a conversation with some kids in line by us, and within seconds the kids took it over......."where are you from?, when did you get here?, what hotel are you staying in?, did you go on ----- ride yet?, oh yeah that was my favorite ride too,".......
it was very cute to watch/listen to their conversations.

before you knew it, it was time to get on the ride.

my advice would be, relax, and don't assume there will be a problem,. believe me, i was feeling that way too, b/c of my little drama queen, but it was fine.

have a great time!!

 

[carmiedog]

darn. i was going to do bubbles, too. thank y'all for sharing your situations. i never would've known otherwise.

I'm planning on taking those cheap battery-operated water misting fans. The boys can definitely entertain themselves with those, and we can refill them at fountains. (They'll lose privileges if they spray anyone other than themselves, though!)

 

[KristiKelly]

We've never carried anything for our kids to do while in line since they were 2. We talk about what we've done that day, what's next, etc. Our kids do complain some but we point out that no one enjoys waiting in line and that it's a good time to work on patience.

 

[all4fun]

on Allearsnet.com: Two's in queues - Tips for Waiting in Line with a Little One although I have to warn you it does mention bringing bubbles. Maybe someone should write to Deb and explain their objections to this...

We usually entertained our two-year old with snacks, or by pointing out things in the queue, put the harness on him (not trying to start another debate here) and let him walk a bit - the harness keeps him from darting into another Lane in the queue where it would be hard for us to follow. Another great tip is to go when it's less busy which minimizes time in lines.

hth.