Line Etiquette

[madsdadus]

Is it considered rude to hold a place in line for others? And isn't it difficult to catch up to someone who may be holding a place in line for you?

 

[mbcary]

I think it depends on the situation. I completely understand if you are holding a place for someone to go to the bathroom!
I personally don't mind if someone holds a place in line at WDW. We are all going to get on the ride at some point. But don't get in my way when I am hungry and cranky!!

 

[Doc Goofy]

I've wondered about this too. For instance, for shows. It seems like one parent could hold the place in line - which is sometimes a 45 min. or so wait - while the other parent walks around with the child/children (or sits with them somewhere); but I alway worry about appearing rude or offending others. I sure don't mind when others do this.

 

[KathADisneyFan]

Holding a spot for a small child may be ok...especially on rides that are really designed for them. I have a problem when a group of 5 adults of teens push past you on a long line because one person has been holding their spot.

 

[GoodFairies]

Disney queue designs, imo, make it very difficult to "catch up" to the rest of your party.

 

[Buzz Litebeer]

Is it considered rude to hold a place in line for others? And isn't it difficult to catch up to someone who may be holding a place in line for you?

Yes, very. Might even get you removed from the queue.

And it can be, yes.

 

[Twende]

I think common sense is the best guide.

If there is a little one and the wait is long like for a show, what harm is there in allowing the child, and one parent, to go some place that makes normal childhood behaviors more comfortable for those who would otherwise have to stand there and listen to a upset or crying child?

Who wants to stand in for 45 minutes with a crying child or with a parent who is screaming every few seconds for the child to get down or come back?

I also think it is perfectly acceptable for people to get in line and then one or two at a time go to the restroom. I did this in AK recently while we waited for the Nemo Musical Show. The wait was quite long and the show is what over 45 minutes? DH stood in line for me while I made a quick trip to the potty.

I do not think it is right for one person to get in a line and then near the front have 20 people cut in and join them.

I have also stepped out of a long line to refill a water bottle when I have run out of water. All other members of our party stay in line and I am normally only gone for a few short minutes.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . I think common sense is the best guide . . .

1) I think it IS common sense.
2) Everyone waits the same.
3) Potty breaks are OK, but kids still should go before getting into line.
4) Other than that, wait in line like everyone else.
5) Fair is fair.

NOTE: Yes, it seems harsh. But, I can visualize a line of 12 people, then as I get close to the entrance, 147 people show up, because the kids were cranky. If the kids are crying, then they need a nap or should go back to the resort until they behave.

 

[disndatworld]

I wouldn't do it. I also prefer if others don't. I have 3 kids (9, 6 & 2) and we just decide before the line if it's going to work out waiting or not.

I bet everybody in line wishes we would let our kids wait somewhere else instead of right next to them!!!

 

[Schmeck]

Most attraction queues make it very difficult to rejoin your party if you need to leave the line for a bathroom break, etc. Most of the queue is narrow and winds in and about the ride building itself. There is no guarantee that you will be able to catch up to your party. People do not have to let you pass - and I've witnessed a few nasty confrontations.

For the larger shows (not the 3D ones, or VOTLM) people line up very early, and it can be tricky getting back to your party once a large crowd develops.

 

[IATink]

I have two little girls, and our family always waits in line together. However, there are times when one of them has to go to the bathroom. And, yes they did go before they got in line, but if they have been waiting in line for 45 minutes, sometimes they have to go again! My DH will wait while I take them to the bathroom.

People have always been pretty good about letting me back in line. It seems like it almost always happens while we are waiting for Dumbo. Luckily, there is a bathroom close by!

I agree you need to use common sense, and it doesn't hurt to be polite.

 

[DanMedix]

I had a bad experience with this back in '04.

We (me, DW, DD, and DS) were standing in line for Philharmagic. A lady was in front of us, who appeared to be by herself. A man approached her, and coldly "excused himself" into the line with her, talking to her. Seems he was her DH. I didn't have too much problem with him. But, all of a sudden, the rest of their family showed up, and expected to be at the same spot in line. In total, there were 7 people in their family.

a GROUP can hold a spot for a single person, and I won't have much problem with it. But when a single person holds a spot for an entire group???

That's when WDW should be glad they don't sell chainsaws. heeheehee

 

[TiggerandBelleFanMom]

I do agree that it is common sense. In general, people should try to use the facilities before they get on line, but if a child (or adult) in front of me has to go to the restroom and then return to the line, fine by me.

If the attraction is Ariel's Grotto, I think there is an expectation that kids will frolic in the fountain area while their parents wait, and then rejoin them at some point prior to entering the area behind the chain. The queue arrangement seems to have been designed with this in mind. I don't think it holds up the line because, generally speaking, parents aren't getting their photos taken with Ariel! (True, families with four children who insist on taking shots of each child individually could slow things up more than you expected, but that's kind of a separate issue.)

Becky

 

[savannahjean85]

I totally understand if a child has to use the restroom. But I have a problem if teens and adults leave the line to better enjoy their time ( i.e. other rides, eat, shop, etc.) instead have having to wait. If you don't feel like waiting then get a fastpass, if the line does not have a fastpass then wait just like everyone else.

 

[Brian Noble]

I consider it rude unless something unavoidable comes up---a child discovering he has need of an emergency potty stop while in line, etc. If other people can wait in line, then presumably your family members and friends can do so as well. If you want someone to hold your spot in line while you do something else, well, that's what FASTPASS is for.

That said, I'm pretty tolerant of one parent with a very young child or two, etc. I'm not at all tolerant of older kids, or for that matter adults, who just as easily could have joined the line with the rest of their party.

I also take a rather dim view of the chuck bubba relay, etc. But, I'm sort of a grump.

 

[Jrabbit910]

Line Etiquette-to me is something that differs from person to person. If an emergency break is needed and they didnt go before hand, when NATURE CALLS, it calls... I also wouldnt mind holding the spot for someone else in line that doesnt belong to my family. I have seen single riders in desperate need of breaks and if asked I wouldnt say no....

I was there last year pregnant and plenty of times I had to get off a line and my DH stood there for us....
I also feel if a child is acting up on a line and the parents want to take that child off the line to scold them or calm them down, I wouldnt mind either.

You do what is right for your family while respecting others.

 

[my3disneygirls]

Last year waiting in line for POTC we were behind a couple with 2 year old twins. Well one pooped in her diaper so mom went and changed the baby and came back into the line. The pirates queue is nice and wide, so it was not at all intrusive, plus I find her leaving and coming back with the child preferable to he changing the stinky right in front of us.

 

[darlak]

I have allowed, and will continue to allow people to pass me to rejoin their party after they've taken a child for a potty break. I have also refused to allow 2 or more people to pass me in line when they've told me they are rejoining their group. I was polite, but firm.

I have 4 children. Not one single time did I ever leave a line to take them to the restroom and then try to rejoin my group later. We entered the line as a family and if needed, left the line as a family. I will allow a parent to do so, but I do believe it’s rude.

 

[MrsJ Henry]

I don't have much of a problem with it. I know that there are older people who can't wait in lines that long and may need to sit, also some children, pregnant woman etc...
I've seen it many times and I just don't care too much and actually expect it.

 

[my3disneygirls]

I have allowed, and will continue to allow people to pass me to rejoin their party after they've taken a child for a potty break. I have also refused to allow 2 or more people to pass me in line when they've told me they are rejoining their group. I was polite, but firm.

I have 4 children. Not one single time did I ever leave a line to take them to the restroom and then try to rejoin my group later. We entered the line as a family and if needed, left the line as a family. I will allow a parent to do so, but I do believe it’s rude.

Out of curiosity how do you decline letting someone go in front of you? I have yet to encounter this problem and I just would like to know how you handle the situation.