Line etiquette question

[MelanieC]

Yeah and there are just as many of us who are bothered by cutting which is what people are doing. Kids are not learning anything by being taught it is ok to cut in line. Kids need to learn to go potty before getting in line, get a drink before getting in line, eat before getting in line. Yes, an occasional emergency might happen which is understandable when a child needs to go potty but all the time NOT having them stand in line is ridiculous. With the size of purses/backpacks people bring into the park there should be a little room for the kids to take something to keep them occupied. What is wrong with looking around/talking about what ride you are going on/talking about what you are doing next/looking at the things around you? Why should little Mikey and Susie be the special ones who get to be carted to the front of the line when mom or dad gets there and Johnny and Susie are being taught correct manners and wait in line. Why should I support this behavior and let my kids who learned to stand in line think it is ok.

I like the post a few above this where the person bluntly put it if you have to pee go before getting in line, if you are hungry and thirsty do it before you get in line, if the kids are tired and cranky take them back to nap or just sit on the bench for a time ---it will make them, you and everyone else have a happier day.

The kids who are being taught to cut aren't learning anything- when they hit school they won't know how to wait for anything. I substitute at my kids school and can see first hand the kids that think they are extra special and don't have to follow the rules. It is sad and hopefully people will rethink. My original comment was to the person who posted about one parent waiting in line with the kids while the other rode EE, then they swapped and then took the kids out of line since they are rambuctious. Well, they were fine waiting in line while mom and dad took turns riding EE and suddenly they can't wait in line anymore---that is an issue.

We can all have strong opinions on this. I disagree with you and you disagree with me. I am saying this from home...now maybe after a hot day of waiting in line at Disney and a screaming kid wants out of line I will happily let the family come back in front of me...you never know. I will respect your view

How can you know that you'll need a drink when you didn't know how long the line was going to take to move inside. Geez my husband stood in line WITH me for the entire time, except for the last 5-10 min to get in line to buy a drink.

What if a kid or an adult had a bladder problem (which I do and have a much smaller bladder capacity than normal people), which I would never get out of line for and I don't think I have ever - but what if it was an emergency? I can go from feeling fine to being in dire pain (and when that happens I hemorage slightly inside my bladder). You'd bet I'd get out of line if I had an episode, because it's very painful.

I'm with everyone - I think it's annoying when tons of people cut into line to meet up with their party and except for the Philharmagic example, I don't do it - but people need to relax, its a vacation and it isn't like it happens that much. I go to Disney yearly for over two weeks and honestly it's not that big of a problem. When it does - I give the person the benefit of the doubt. You can tell those that are truly cutting lines. For those people, yes it's rude. But for families with kids - geez cut people some slack. I guarantee you that for the rest of the world it's not a big deal. It only seems to be a big deal to those who visit boards like that.

My point is - There are exceptions and people shouldn't be so rigid. I especially hate when I hear that people block kids or parents for that matter from catching up with thier kids. It's not the end of the world, and had they not gotten out of line for whatever reason they would already be ahead of you in the first place.

 

[DaveCN]

I don't think there's anything honorable or decent about "chucka bubba" and as long as we're all getting on our soapboxes about what people should be teaching their kids, I think "chucka bubba" is a very poor lesson. I won't flip out about it, and its none of my business, but I don't agree with it.

I can see your point. I guess I was trying to point out that the only possibly justifiable way for someone ( a wee toddler ) to not wait the entire line was that.

If you see it as an all or nothing proposition, so be it.

 

[BostonRob]

I can see your point. I guess I was trying to point out that the only possibly justifiable way for someone ( a wee toddler ) to not wait the entire line was that.

If you see it as an all or nothing proposition, so be it.

I try not to look at anything as all or nothing. I just don't see a distinction between somebody holding a place in line for their kid for "chucka bubba" and somebody holding a place in line for their wife to go get a drink.

 

[DaveCN]

How can you know that you'll need a drink when you didn't know how long the line was going to take to move inside. Geez my husband stood in line WITH me for the entire time, except for the last 5-10 min to get in line to buy a drink.

The signs that post the wait time????

What if a kid or an adult had a bladder problem (which I do and have a much smaller bladder capacity than normal people), which I would never get out of line for and I don't think I have ever - but what if it was an emergency?

Then you deal with it. You get out of line and go back to the end. Sounds like you have dealt with it well if you have never had to use it as an excuse to leave and cut back in line. Keep it up!

My point is - There are exceptions and people shouldn't be so rigid. I especially hate when I hear that people block kids or parents for that matter from catching up with thier kids. It's not the end of the world, and had they not gotten out of line for whatever reason they would already be ahead of you in the first place.

But they did leave line. . . .

 

[DaveCN]

I try not to look at anything as all or nothing. I just don't see a disntiction between somebody holding a place in line for their kid for "chucka bubba" and somebody holding a place in line for their wife to go get a drink.

Hmm. I guess that is where we differ. Trying to get a little one on the feature ride an extra time seems a little different than an adult who thinks they can choose to hop in and out at their whim to get a drink.

 

[goodferry]

We always wait in line together, but I won't wait more than 20 minutes for anything, so we don't wait long.
That said, as long as it doesn't extend my wait time, a mom and her baby waiting on a bench is fine with me. Will I think she is a horrible, dishonorable or indecent? No, but I am not a judgemental person, I spend very little time worrying about what other people are doing.

 

[hkeller27]

I also wouldn't have a problem with a mother holding a baby meeting up with her husband. But I do hate when the 12 year old kids push through. at one theme park I was at kids pushed through claiming to need to meet up with their parents and just stopped a few people in front of us. Their parents weren't there, they were just being jerks. So now if it's more than one person getting by and it's not like a parent taking a young child to the bathroom, I refuse to let them by. They can wait just like I did.

I completely argree, partly because I have a 1 and 3 year old, but also because I would rather see one parent hold their plance while the other entertains an antsy child someplace else instead of having the entire queue endure a possible meltdown! I think everyone could be understanding for children/special needs, but for those who are just plain cutting? Just not cool, IMO.

 

[SLK1]

I would rather the mom wait outside with the bratty kid than have to stand NEXT to the bratty kid in the line. How many times have I been stepped on, bumped into, hands wiped on, etc...As long as it's not a huge party of people, really, it doesn't matter to me. The line should be fun - and Disney does a good job of theming their queue lines to be fun and entertaining - but fun for everyone. Having to deal with a rambuntious kid who is herded like cattle isn't fun for anyone.

I'm pretty sure being an "honorable" and "decent" person isn't decided by the line police apparently on this thread!

 

[dbriggsq]

Interesting discussion.

We were there for 2 periods in the last couple of weeks and didn't see any blatant line cutting. The only thing that annoyed me mildly was about 6 scallywags at RNRC who got in the single rider line and then tried to get into the normal line after the screening room.

I was thinking about the logistics of the most popular kiddy ride - Dumbo - if 100 people were in line - 25 families of 2+2 - it wouldn't make a difference to how long one would have to wait if 75 of them (mum + 2 children) got out of line (or didn't get in line in the first place). The next person in line would still have to wait for 25 Dumbos to go by until they could ride. Obviously this logic does not work for all rides.

Yes children should be taught rules, how to wait in line, how to be polite, etc but children are all different (one of mine was a terrible tantrum thrower and I couldn't contemplate making him wait in line for anything - which was probably why we didn't go to Disney till he was 8 and the youngest was 6) and perhaps Disney on a hot day when they are supposed to be having fun is not the best place.

Perhaps the next development after Fastpass could be something for the children's rides which involves taking a ticket for a 'vehicle' at the start of the stand-by line and various access areas thoughout the line where families could join the ticket holder.

Just a thought. I think the OP posed an innocent question - some people think it's OK, others don't - on some rides it makes no difference, on some rides it does - children are all different and we really shouldn't pre-judge.

The only thing that really annoys me is groups of teenagers trying to 'join their group' and I would happily tell them to wait in that case.

 

[Glampire31]

I would have to say that etiquette for lines is not too bad... Once I had a bunch of Brazilian teenagers cut in front of me and my neice so they could join their friends.... That made me mad but other than that it has not been that bad... Only people switching mothers will pass children on to the father or other relatives if they decide not to ride. That is all I have seen....

 

[ICF]

Your logic is faulty. Whether or not those fifty parents had the kid waiting in the line or not, you still get on the ride at exactly the same time.

how do you figure....?? To put it simply...

If I walked up to a line that had 10 people in it, I think great, a line w/only 10 people.

In reality those 10 are really 20-30 as each person "in line" also has 1-2 people standing outside or someplace else. My line's not so short now....

So if I get in a line as #10 and in reality I am # 31, how is my wait time exactly the same??

I suppose your saying if those 30 people were standing in line I would have been #31 either way, but that's not the point I was trying to make. Lines suck...they're boring, and not generally a fun way to spend time. If you go to Disney you have to wait in lines, it goes with the territory.

 

[WillCAD]

I think its crazy to get upset at something like that. If dad was waiting in line and mom/baby joined him, I would have no problem. You have to put yourself in someone else's shoes and think about it for a second. I have a 17 month old DD.....all she wants is down to run around! Waiting in a long line would work for all of about.....oh, 3 minutes.

Just as long as you are not cutting in front of me with 3 or 4 people, I'm fine with it. Anyways, they will all be getting into the same ride vehicle, so it does not make me wait any longer.

I think that people need to loosen up. If anyone has a problem with it, then well, I guess they will just have to walk around with their panties in a bunch for the rest of the day.

I don't think it's crazy to get upset if you've been following the rules, waiting patiently in the same hot sun for 30 or 40 minutes, and somebody else comes pushing their way past you to get on the ride without waiting in line. Why are they special? Why are they better than those who wait in line? Why are they more deserving of the up-front space than those who wait?

Sorry, folks, but in the USofA we are all created equal - and that means we should all wait in the same line, the same way.

Thanks for pointing this out.

I would much prefer that somebody reenters the line in front of me than if someone is blowing bubbles in the line near me.

Also, it should be noted that my waiting time in the line does not change at all whether the entire party is standing in front of me for the entire time I wait in line or not.

Imagine two hypothetical scenarios. In each, you get in a line that includes 50 people.
Everybody is a good little boy or girl and all wait patiently in line. 50 people get on the ride before you.
Of the 50 people, twelve people leave the line to sit on a bench across the way, get a soda, visit the restroom, whatever. They all return to the line prior to you getting on the ride. 50 people get on the ride before you.
Therefore, while true 'cutting' is rude and should be discouraged, someone leaving the line and returning to it a bit later truly affects no one.

Your scenario 2 is flawed in 2 ways:

1) Leaving and returning IS "true cutting".

2) If I get in the line and there are 38 people ahead of me, but 12 more come to join them AFTER I got into the line, then my wait just increased by 24%. It doesn't matter if they were in the line before I got there - if they were not in the line when I got there, then they get in front of me, they are cutting the line. And it truly does affect me - because my wait time just increased by 24%.

Are you serious?? Some adults have a hard time handling the rigors of WDW! And for you to think that small children shouldnt be at WDW because they might have a harder time waiting in line is just insane to me. WDW is for all ages, not just for people who can stand for 100 minutes to ride Space Mountain.

Do you have children? And no one stated that being a parent is the same thing as being handicapped. You are really reaching there.

If you let something as small as a mother with her 17 month old get in line with the father bother you, I would think you have a hard time going anywhere. Just my humble opinion.

I am serious. And don't call me Shirley.

I never said kids who have a "harder" time waiting in line shouldn't be at WDW. I said that if you don't wait in line, you shouldn't get to ride.

Having a hard time following the rules is no excuse for breaking them.

I also never said that anyone equated being a parent with being handicapped. In fact, I said that nobody would ever make that comparison - my point being that if having a kid is not the same as being handicapped, then why do so many parents think that having a kid entitles them to the same sort of special priviledges that are granted to handicapped people, i.e. not having to wait in the regular line like everybody else?

People who negatively impact other people because of their own impatience or lack of consideration, or outright violation of rules or even laws, yes, those people bother me. I don't go on tirades or yell at line cutters; in fact, I don't even blockade them. But yer darn tootin' it bugs me to get in a line with 38 people and have 12 barge their way past me, making my wait time increase significantly, just because they think they have a valid excuse for breaking the rules, or simply don't' care about the rules.

Yes, Walt made WDW for everybody, but if you asked him, somehow I doubt that he'd agree that it's okay to cut in line just because your kid is not yet capable of waiting in line.

If it was okay to barge your way forward without waiting, they wouldn't have built queue areas to begin with.

I'm sick of people that can't work up an ounce of compassion for others and insist on being angry on vacation.

Well, I'm sick of people who constantly break rules and justify it by saying, in effect, "But I should be allowed to break the rules because it's so hard for ME to follow them! MY situation is unique! I'm SPECIAL!"

-->ERRRR! Wrong answer Hans! Would you like to try for Double Jeopardy, where the scores can really change?!<--

"But it's hard!" is no excuse for not managing your kids' behavior and teaching them proper line etiquette.

Line etiquette is not just for theme parks - it also applies to stores, fast food restaurants, banks, schools, and just about every other place else in real life. "Wait your turn" is an important lesson, and a very simple and easy one, that kids can and should learn from a very early age. It is, in fact, one that used to be taught at the pre-school level, along with "sharing," "no biting," and "that's not yours." But parents teaching a kid that it's okay to get out of line and get back in again later undercuts that valuable lesson.

I hate waiting in lines, too. I get antsy, I get tired, I get thirsty, I even have pains in my feet and knees and back while waiting in a long line. But I follow the rules - I wait my turn and don't jump in front of other people, because I realize that I am no more deserving of special dispensation than anyone else.

I agree with all the others in this thread who say that if you don't teach your kids how to wait in line, they will never learn how to wait in line.

 

[DaveCN]

 

[imthatgirl]

heres a story for all the people that dont know what to do because their kid needs to use the bathroom, but dont want to be called "those people" by the chat room police.

i was in line at toystory mania last week. it was a 60 minute wait but i had already riden it 4 times through fast pass and was trying till kill time so i got in line. about 35 minutes into it the little boy, maybe 3, behind me needed to go potty. the mother was of course upset and didnt know what to do. i turned to her and said, just take him ill hold your place. she responded that she would be considered a linecutter(possible dis'er, hmmm...) so instead, i very nice young girl (my 13yo sil)told her she would go see what could be done. she made her way to the front of the line and told the CM that there was a boy in the line that needed to use the bathroom. the CM told my sil to wait there, he then returned with 2 fastpasses for the woman and her son.

so all was well she didnt have to cut the people she was already infront of AND she got to ride it before the people in front of her.

goes to show disney isnt as uptight about these things as some of the people on this forum.

 

[BostonRob]

I
Your scenario 2 is flawed in 2 ways:

1) Leaving and returning IS "true cutting".

2) If I get in the line and there are 38 people ahead of me, but 12 more come to join them AFTER I got into the line, then my wait just increased by 24%. It doesn't matter if they were in the line before I got there - if they were not in the line when I got there, then they get in front of me, they are cutting the line. And it truly does affect me - because my wait time just increased by 24%.

1) No, "true cutting" is when somebody just pushes their way to the front of the line. You might see that as the same thing as a family of four getting in line, dad leaves line to take kid to bathroom, then dad and kid return to join the family in the middle of the line - but many people see that as very different from a couple of teens just jumping the whole line.

2) If you get in line for small world and there are 38 single people ahead of you, then each of those people would get their own row in a boat, so you'll get in a boat after 38 rows are filled. If 12 people come and join up with other people in line, they're going to end up sitting in the same row as the people they joined up with, so you'll still get in a boat after 38 rows are filled. This logic doesn't work for every ride, but it certainly works for some of them.

Personally I'm not 100% sure about how I feel on this issue, but I don't agree with the people that are on the extreme end of either side of the argument.

 

[BostonRob]

so instead, i very nice young girl (my 13yo sil)told her she would go see what could be done. she made her way to the front of the line and told the CM that there was a boy in the line that needed to use the bathroom.

Some people on this board would define what that 13 yo did as cutting.

 

[JeffGoldblum]

I don't think it's crazy to get upset if you've been following the rules, waiting patiently in the same hot sun for 30 or 40 minutes, and somebody else comes pushing their way past you to get on the ride without waiting in line. Why are they special? Why are they better than those who wait in line? Why are they more deserving of the up-front space than those who wait?

Sorry, folks, but in the USofA we are all created equal - and that means we should all wait in the same line, the same way.

100% agree. Thank you. I wish everyone thought that way.

 

[imthatgirl]

Some people on this board would define what that 13 yo did as cutting.

maybe they would, but she returned to her place in line...so no cutting was involved.

 

[dbriggsq]

how do you figure....?? To put it simply...

If I walked up to a line that had 10 people in it, I think great, a line w/only 10 people.

In reality those 10 are really 20-30 as each person "in line" also has 1-2 people standing outside or someplace else. My line's not so short now....

So if I get in a line as #10 and in reality I am # 31, how is my wait time exactly the same??

I suppose your saying if those 30 people were standing in line I would have been #31 either way, but that's not the point I was trying to make. Lines suck...they're boring, and not generally a fun way to spend time. If you go to Disney you have to wait in lines, it goes with the territory.

As I said earlier it all depends on the ride - if you were number 10 in the Dumbo line would you ride with 4 other people - probably not - if it was RNRC then perhaps you would.

The OP was asking particularly about a small child - who would only go on the kiddies rides - in one 'Dumbo' with the rest of their family.

The nature of the ride makes the difference.

 

[BostonRob]

maybe they would, but she returned to her place in line...so no cutting was involved.

I agree. Further, I think what she did was wonderful. But I'm just showing ihow some of the line extremists think.