Line etiquette and strategy

[kll856]

Going to DLR for the first time with two little ones. Thinking about lines and strategies, wondering if it's generally acceptable to have one person save places in a long line. So if my husband waits in a line that's say 45 minutes, while the kids and I go get some ice cream and come back and meet him in line when there's only like 10 minutes left - is this typical, or is it annoying, or even disallowed?

 

[Satchmo128]

That is definitely something that I would frown upon (and I believe others would as well). You would essentially have to walk through the entire line to meet up with him.

 

[Girimama33]

Everyone has a different opinion, but I see most people will have no issue with it if it is for a child's potty break. Not standing in a long line simply because it will be long will be frowned upon and is not good etiquette in my opinion. If you want to go on the ride, you should wait like everyone else.

 

[figment_jii]

Going to DLR for the first time with two little ones. Thinking about lines and strategies, wondering if it's generally acceptable to have one person save places in a long line. So if my husband waits in a line that's say 45 minutes, while the kids and I go get some ice cream and come back and meet him in line when there's only like 10 minutes left - is this typical, or is it annoying, or even disallowed?

I agree with the PP that this is something that is typically frowned upon because in many/most cases you'd end up having to push your way through the entire line to catch up with your husband. In some of the Fantasyland lines, the cue isn't really all that wide, you'll definitely end up on someone's toes at some point. It's better to keep your party together and pick up the ice cream before you get in line.

 

[disney4cam]

We have only done this a couple times, potty breaks, snack, whatever, but we usually scope out the line, and only do it if there is a way to get back in line without disturbing anyone. Some rides it is nearly impossible to catch up to someone in line.

I agree it sucks to have the kids wait in a long line, but that's the way it goes. That is the reason we pull our kids from school and go in the off season.

 

[Ingrid0382]

Please don't do this.


As the parent of a little one (and two big kids) I can completely understand how long lines can be a frustrating. But I think you'll find yourself pushing past quite a few frustrated people that have sucked it up and waited patiently in line with their children.

There was a family that kept hitting the same rides were were in Fantasyland during our last trip and using the same method you described: Dad waits in line while kids and Mom get candy or meet a princess. Someone else must have been making the same ride "loop" as we were and got fed up and said something to a CM, or the CM saw what was happening, because the family was approached by two CMs that weren't ride operators when the mother was getting ready to join the line and quietly informed that the expectation is to have a party together before entering a que. Dad ended up leaving the line to come back and join the rest of his family.

People clapped, which I thought was a bit mean and unnecessary, but it does kind of give you an idea of how people in the parks feel about this.

 

[DisneyMomof2inSLC]

i think there have been a couple of threads about this and most agree if its 1 parent and 1 small child running to the restroom than its okay, but anything else is looked at as line jumping! I was just at DCA last week in line for Francis Lady Bug Bop and had a whole family, with older children, crowd to the front of the line which caused the rest of us to have to wait longer. It's annoying. To me, having a 2 and 4 year old, if they dont have the patience to wait in line, i skip the ride! Which is why we missed Cars Land!!

 

[xipotec]

This thread will blow up.

I do not find it acceptable at all to hold a space in line. Leaving a line for a short time for a potty break is fine.

Just imagine the chaos if everyone had only 1person in line for their whole party.

50 people in line , holding spaces for 4 people each really makes the line 200 people long.

No way WDW line wait time estimate would be correct.

 

[ccgirl]

Going to DLR for the first time with two little ones. Thinking about lines and strategies, wondering if it's generally acceptable to have one person save places in a long line. So if my husband waits in a line that's say 45 minutes, while the kids and I go get some ice cream and come back and meet him in line when there's only like 10 minutes left - is this typical, or is it annoying, or even disallowed?

No, it's not okay to cut the line ahead of others that have been standing in line waiting. My family all enters the line together and exits the line together. I usually make my children go to the bathroom before getting in line but, if there is a bathroom emergency, I exit the line and return. This is not cutting since we were already there. Keep in mind, it is not always easy to rejoin your party once you exit.

My general rule of thumb, if you were already in line and have to leave for potty break it is okay since you were already in line. If you were never in line to begin with, it is cutting. YMMV.

 

[elaw]

This thread will blow up...

Click here for previous heated discussion thread

 

[kll856]

Thanks all! I totally understand and get it, which is why I asked. I wasn't sure if that type of thing would be the norm - if it were, I would probably adopt a "if you can't beat them join them" type of response, but I understand and tend to agree. Just wanted to know what to plan on!

 

[Ingrid0382]

FWIW, I think it was considerate of you to take the time to ask

 

[pixiewings71]

Definitely not the "norm" or the "accepted" by most park guests but there will be someone who does it every trip. We do not do this, we always do a bathroom break prior to getting in line and then we wait, together, as a family. We've always done this. We started going when DD12 was 6, she waited with the rest of us.
I don't mind when little ones have to use the restroom but I definitely feel the family should wait together in line.

Thanks for asking

 

[guynhawaii]

Aloha,

Don't recommend someone standing in line for the rest of the family. Bad idea. Everybody spends a lot of $$, time and sweat (during the recent heat) and saving a spot in a line is definitely a non-starter.

 

[elaw]

FWIW, I think it was considerate of you to take the time to ask

I agree

 

[Mary09]

Most of the lines just aren't designed well for it. It's usually not the typical chains/switchbacks, where you can just discretely duck under when your hubs gets to a nice edge spot. A lot of the lines begin outdoors and then run a long ways indoors. It's hard to find your group, or even know when they're getting close to the end.

 

[lwilkison]

Going to DLR for the first time with two little ones. Thinking about lines and strategies, wondering if it's generally acceptable to have one person save places in a long line. So if my husband waits in a line that's say 45 minutes, while the kids and I go get some ice cream and come back and meet him in line when there's only like 10 minutes left - is this typical, or is it annoying, or even disallowed?

The only time I ever "held" a spot in line was when my DD was 2 yrs old and the sun was blazing and there was no shade or breeze for a meet-n-greet with Rapunzel. My husband and my DD waited close by in the shade and I was in the front of the line so they did not push past anyone...they just joined me at the front of the cue. I asked the few people behind me if it was okay (before my husband brought our daughter back) and if anyone would of had a problem I would of left the line but I normally do not do it.

It is part of the Disney experience and the lines are made to be amusing when you look around.

 

[xipotec]

Click here for previous heated discussion thread

Lol yeah i remember that thread too.

 

[HollyL]

To be honest, I don't like that at all, unless if was for some kind of emergency....child didn't feel well and had to throw up, etc. Can you imagine if everyone that had little kids (at least 50% of the people there) did this? It would be a major cluster. If I have to stand in line with my small children for the entire time, why would I be okay with other people going about their business and then coming back once the rest of their party is almost to the front of the line. Not cool.
I do respect that you came on here to ask about that though. People may not say anything, but they might give you the stink eye, and send nasty vibes your way.

 

[DisSarahK]

The only time I ever "held" a spot in line was when my DD was 2 yrs old and the sun was blazing and there was no shade or breeze for a meet-n-greet with Rapunzel. My husband and my DD waited close by in the shade and I was in the front of the line so they did not push past anyone...they just joined me at the front of the cue. I asked the few people behind me if it was okay (before my husband brought our daughter back) and if anyone would of had a problem I would of left the line but I normally do not do it.

It is part of the Disney experience and the lines are made to be amusing when you look around.

Yes, the Rapunzel line is the only line that we've ever done this in too--and the people around us agreed that it was a good idea and soon all the people behind us were doing the same thing. All the children were soon either off riding the carousel or they were siting in the shade if their only parent was in line in the hot sun.