Line etiquette question

[chartle]

That doesn't matter.

Whether someone leaves teh line and returns to it in the first half hour that the park opens, doesn't affect anyone else's wait time, even those that ride the ride in the last half hour that the park is open.

When you get in a line you don't poll everyone in the line and ask them how many places they're holding. You look at the line and determine how long you are going to wait.

If you are second in line and the population of China catches up with the first person in line because they were getting some churros its going effect your perceived wait in line.

 

[JeffGoldblum]

If those 10 people ahead of you are waiting for their wife/child/friend, etc. and you decide to block all of them, whose going to ride in the vehicle with every one of those 10 individuals - you and your family? They are going to take up the same exact number of vehicles, all by themselves as they would have with the person you blocked from meeting them. Get it now?

There are plenty of rides where that is true (say, HM), but plenty of rides where that is not. (Space Mt for example. They won't let the whole ship of 6 go with just 1 person now, would they?)

And you know, if it happens once..twice..ok fine, but it happens so many times during the entire trip it just gets old. By mid week it's annoying.

 

[MNWDWMANIAC]

This seems like a good place to put this guy.

 

[Marshel]

For all of those who do their best to scare some of us poor Dis'ers from leaving the lines to let our kids use the bathroom, I'll let you know it worked!! Last time we went, we were waiting in a long line for Splash Mountain, when DS4 said he had to go. Well I was far too nervous about worrying the other people in line with our line cutting, and didn't want to wait another hour to ride the ride, so I had him hold it. So sure enough, as Splash Mountain splashed down, so did he. Hopefully those of you who are so worried about people leaving to use the bathroom weren't the next ones on our log - you never really know how that seat got wet. (only kidding, we told a CM about the mishap and they took care of it).

Of course you could have gotten out of the line, used the bathroom and then gotten back at the back of the line. Not trying to sound mean spirited, but some people never seem to consider that option. I do a lot of solo trips, there's no one to hold my place in line should the need to leave the line arise.

 

[Tinkerbelle's Mom]

Okay I have read this thread, and many others like it, and as a single mother who travels to WDW and DL alone with just my dd (yearly trips since she was in diapers) I find the bathroom excuse a bit weak except in the case of very young children.

There are signs clearly posted outside every line that tell you the wait time. You can look and see if there are a lot of people in line or not. These are all visual cues that can help you deteremine if it is going to be a long wait or not.

As a parent, you should know how much liquid intake your kids have had. Yes surprises do happen but not as often as they are claimed here on the dis. Young kids cannot control this but older kids can. Parents can also help by making kids "try" to go even when they may not feel like it. I mean come on - what kid whats to take the time to go potty when they are at DL or WDW?

Whenever dd has to go when we are in line - we leave the line and if we still want to ride we re-enter the ride at the end of the line no big deal. Everyone at WDW has to wait in line just like everyone at WDW has to use the bathroom one time or another.

Personally I do not let the line cutters on rides, anyone pushing past dd and I no matter their excuse is a line cutter in my book, ruin my vacation or my day or even the ride. It is annoying when it repeatedly happens.

I do mind it when people cut in character lines. I do mind it when mom and kids are over meeting Mickey and dad gets in line for Minnie. If I get in line behind dad with my dd I get annoyed when mom and kids join them. The CM character handlers often count the number of guests in line to estimate a cut off time. The possibility of being cut off before seeing Minnie increases greatly for the people behind the cutters. Your added family members throw off thier count and leave less time for those behind you to see the characters.

 

[ScarletFire]

The huge majority of people at WDW have kids and stand in line and do not cut. There are options for people who do not want to wait in line. The wait time is always posted. If you are not physically able to stand in line, go to Guest Relations and they will assist you.

If you cut line, you are line cutting. I would be totally uncomfortable excusing myself through the line to catch up with DH for any reason. I know it's inconsiderate; bad line ettiquette. I've never had to do it and yes, I went to WDW with toddlers. Many parents have been to WDW with toddlers and did not need to cut line.

And to the OP, it depends on your comfort level. As you can tell from this thread, there are a wide range of opinions on line ettiquette.

Anyways, have a great time. Take lots of pictures!

 

[maxiesmom]

Of course you could have gotten out of the line, used the bathroom and then gotten back at the back of the line. Not trying to sound mean spirited, but some people never seem to consider that option. I do a lot of solo trips, there's no one to hold my place in line should the need to leave the line arise.

Good point!

 

[disneywith4boys]

Of course you could have gotten out of the line, used the bathroom and then gotten back at the back of the line. Not trying to sound mean spirited, but some people never seem to consider that option. I do a lot of solo trips, there's no one to hold my place in line should the need to leave the line arise.

Well if you re read my post you will see that I did consider it, but really didn't want to wait another hour. Seeing as you are a frequent solo traveler, you mustn't wait often with 4 year olds in line. I'd have no problem returning to a line if it was just me. We're talking about a 4 year old, not you.

 

[maxiesmom]

As a parent, you should know how much liquid intake your kids have had. Yes surprises do happen but not as often as they are claimed here on the dis. Young kids cannot control this but older kids can.

But be careful if you try to limit how much your child has to drink. It is very easy to become dehydrated at Disney World. You don't want to keep your child from drinking, so that you don't have to leave the line to potty, only to end up in the care center because they became sick from dehydration.

 

[maxiesmom]

Well if you re read my post you will see that I did consider it, but really didn't want to wait another hour. Seeing as you are a frequent solo traveler, you mustn't wait often with 4 year olds in line. I'd have no problem returning to a line if it was just me. We're talking about a 4 year old, not you.

So why were you putting the blame on all of us Dis'ers for your sons accident? If anything, we share the blame.

Years ago, during our first trip to the World, my sister made the same bad choice. My then 4yr old nephew decided he had to go just as we went to get on our train at BTMRR. Fortunately for us, he made it thru the ride. But we learned our lesson! And we would try to make a child hold it again. It just ain't worth the risk! Sorry you had to learn that the hard way.

 

[imthatgirl]

for of those whose kids are in a long line and need to use the bathroom and just simply cant wait....find an attendant, let them know the situation and they will either give you a fast pass or instruct you what to do to get your child safely to the bathroom.
there is no need to make children suffer just because a couple of people on a message board dont know how to relax.

 

[DaveCN]

You people are ridiculous. I have three kids - and as I mentioned before, they have grown up going to WDW. My youngest never has been able to "hold it" like the other two, and we always took it into account.

As I also mentioned above, my now 16yo went when he was 3, between Christmas and New Years whne the parks were at capacity, pre-fastpass, and we had some awful lines. NOT ONCE did this little guy ever need to leave the line, even when it was 2 hours long. We made sure he went before we got into the lines. (EDIT: and btw, my wife was pregnanat at the time, too!)

Nor did he act up and cause problems.

I have been in long lines with a 3 yo, 4yo, 5 yo, etc . . . .

Just be a better parent.

 

[hkeller27]

You people are ridiculous. I have three kids - and as I mentioned before, they have grown up going to WDW. My youngest never has been able to "hold it" like the other two, and we always took it into account.

As I also mentioned above, my now 16yo went when he was 3, between Christmas and New Years whne the parks were at capacity, pre-fastpass, and we had some awful lines. NOT ONCE did this little guy ever need to leave the line, even when it was 2 hours long. We made sure he went before we got into the lines. (EDIT: and btw, my wife was pregnanat at the time, too!)

Nor did he act up and cause problems.

I have been in long lines with a 3 yo, 4yo, 5 yo, etc . . . .

Just be a better parent.

Sorry, but that seems a little harsh. You can offer the bathroom to a child but that does not mean that they will or will have to go. And it's completely possible and understandable that 20 minutes later they will have to. It's life with children, maybe not all, but it's reality. Children's bodies are not quite like ours, and neither is their capacity to understand long lines and needing to potty when a parent tells them to. "Just be a better parent?" That's not really friendly! The best parent in the world simply cannot avoid all accidents/meltdowns/tantrums. Again, sorry, but I just didn't think that comment was really in the Disney spirit!

 

[imthatgirl]

You people are ridiculous. I have three kids - and as I mentioned before, they have grown up going to WDW. My youngest never has been able to "hold it" like the other two, and we always took it into account.

As I also mentioned above, my now 16yo went when he was 3, between Christmas and New Years whne the parks were at capacity, pre-fastpass, and we had some awful lines. NOT ONCE did this little guy ever need to leave the line, even when it was 2 hours long. We made sure he went before we got into the lines. (EDIT: and btw, my wife was pregnanat at the time, too!)

Nor did he act up and cause problems.

I have been in long lines with a 3 yo, 4yo, 5 yo, etc . . . .

Just be a better parent.

i am honered to be in the presence of such perfection.

 

[Tinkerbelle's Mom]

But be careful if you try to limit how much your child has to drink. It is very easy to become dehydrated at Disney World. You don't want to keep your child from drinking, so that you don't have to leave the line to potty, only to end up in the care center because they became sick from dehydration.

I never said I limit what my dd has to drink. We normally go the last week in August -- which means hot and humid!!!! We literally pour water into us on a regular basis. My point is as a parent you should be aware of the amount of liquid your kid has had to drink. Also as a parent you should know the kids regular bathroom practices and not forget those simply because you are on vacation!

 

[BostonRob]

i am honered to be in the presence of such perfection.

Yeah, seriously, "Just be a better parent?" Thats not a very productive way to get people to see your side of the argument. I've read what's been written, I've considered it, and I've given thoughtful responses. This "be a better parent" remark doesn't lead me to believed that you've been considering things with an open mind.

 

[missj1975]

No one likes line cutting but I don't worry about it. I am too busy having a great time at WDW. Plus I think these boards make it seem like it is a major problem at Disney but I don't think it really is. I only noticed line cutting once during my last three trips.

On my last trip in January, we went on Space Mountain during EMH. The line was moving but then stopped. We had a group of teenagers in front of us and parents behind us. Three teenage boys came up the fast past line and then hopped the rail to join the teenage group in front of us. My DBF gave me the look and I just said don't worry about it. Well, a very angry father behind us just started yelling at the kids about line cutting, not fair, we've been waiting, blah, blah, blah. Well of course the kids just started yelling right back saying they just had to go to the restroom (but really they were just getting FP's for the group), blah, blah, blah so we were treated with 10 minutes of random yelling until finally both groups just shut up. The teenage group in front of us looked at us and said we are really sorry and I said "No problem and we weren't the ones yelling at you" and they smiled and said thanks.

My point is yes the boys were cutting but I didn't let it get to me and I actually didn't remember the incident until now. But I bet that angry father behind us remembers the incident and he let it spoil his trip. My DBF was about to let the cutting spoil his trip but after the angry father went on a yelling-fest, my DBF was very happy he kept his mouth shut and we both felt very sorry for the group of teenagers.

Yes cutting is annoying to me but I'm not letting it spoil my trip. It is all about perspective and what you choose to let bother you. My DBF was very happy that he didn't let his anger take over because now he just looks back at the trip without one bad memory.

 

[queenofhartz]

Is it considered rude for one person to stand in line, then be joined by others? Specifically, can I stand in line while DW and DD (17 months) wait somewhere else before joining me in line?

Definitely not a problem with me at all. Especially not with a small child. My husband and I plan on doing this as our son has just turned 2, and we're not sure he'll stand or wait in line for a long time. Of course, we will encourage him to be patient and wait his turn...it's a good time to start to teach that lesson in a fun environment (especially when the reward is something like a ride on Dumbo-you can't beat that for a 2 year old!!). But, if one of us needs to walk off for a few minutes and let him run around or get down to explore the rock over there or watch the other children playing on the sidewalk, we will.

I think the "do unto others...." rule is the best rule to follow. I certainly don't mind if people with small children (or a hurt ankle, or an elderly visitor, whatever) need to give their loved ones a break from the line for awhile, and I hope that others will extend that same compassion. Even if I don't personally see the reason for this person or that person to have to take a break from the line, it's not for me to sit in judgement. I just try to exercise some compassion and tolerance. I'm there to have a good time, and I want everyone else to have a pleasant time too.

I agree, some people will blatantly abuse the "line etiquette" sensibility. Oh well, what goes around comes around...I just let the universe take care of that one. I'll get on the ride eventually, and I'm going to have a great time.

I know if I'm in line behind you, I will definitely not mind at all. Have a great time!!

 

[sbell111]

Honestly, sbell111, it sounds like you have done a fine job of rationalizing this behavior to yourself.

When we go to WDW, we are anything but angry people.

So when you go and barge in the queues, and break the rules, the people who get upset about your bad behavior are to blame????? Nice one.

Keep telling yourself that.

Ummm, what rule did I break? Please show me this rule. Also, where did I state that there was any blame to be given to anyone? Also, I've never, ever seen anyone in the line get upset over this issue.

And even if, in theory, it did not delay my ride more than one second, why are my seconds less valuable?

You are misquoting me.

There is no delay, not even a one second delay. Therefore, the value of your personal seconds has no bearing on the issue.

You can hop inand out of line as you please, but I ahve to stand there and not be upset when you cut the line?

Puh-lease!!!!!!!!!????!!!!!

Please explain how I am cutting in line. It was my place in line.

 

[sbell111]

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.

It sure does, It is much worse. When someone leaves the line and returns with a drink, It doesn't add anyone to the line in front of you. 'Chuck a bubba' does add a new person. It is cutting in line.