Long lines arn't that bad, are they?

[Mike_M]

I've seen a few threads talking about how to avoid lines and it made me wonder. Am I alone in the thought that having long lines at DLR isn't that bad of a thing? For a good chunk of the attractions, the queue areas are so well done that they are part of the ride for me. It gives you a chance to get immersed into that particular ride's theme and helps build the excitement. Plus for me, I feel like I had more fun when I took my time and the park feels bigger too for some reason. Visiting the park off season one year, I only had 2 days (one of them, I was by myself) and I tried to get in as many rides as I could and it wasn't as fun to me. More days at a slower pace is the way for me.

My favorite queues are:
Big Thunder
Roger Rabbit
Indy
ToT (More so at DHS, but it's cool at DCA also)
Mr. Toad
Space Mountain
Star Tours

Not every ride has a great queue (Nemo, Alice, Soarin') and sometimes the lines are ridiculously out of control (Nemo last year, Space Mountain the year before, Splash Mountain on a really hot day) but overall I like having to stop to smell the roses and enjoy the scenery in between the actual rides.

Anyone else?

-Mike_M

 

[MommytoaSweetie]

I don't like waiting in lines in general, but I agree, Disney queues are TOTALLY different than other theme parks. We haven't yet been to DL, but when we've gone to WDW lately, it's been during low seasons, which we've totally loved because we were able to ride everything and go from place to place quickly (before we were parents of course, ha!), but we did notice that while we were walking quickly through the queue, we didn't get to pay attention to all of the detailing there. We did almost think we missed something. But I'd still prefer to miss the fun queues than wait in line.

 

[VegasMike21]

Ehhhh, most of the rides you still have to walk through the queues anyways even if there is no line so you have to pass through it anyways. i rather have short wait times then wait on long lines. especially when it's hot outside.

 

[jemilah]

Me too sorry hate to wait

 

[DangerMouse]

FastPass is my best friend at DLR (and sometimes a Ridemax itinerary).

Long lines = bad
Many FP's in hand = good

 

[Monkey Monkey]

You must not often go to DL alone with a toddler.

I know that lines are part of the experience, but it can be really hard to entertain an antsy child in a long, slow-moving line, or hold him for 30 minutes because he doesn't feel like standing.

 

[bumbershoot]

When I went on my solo trip, I *wanted* the line at Haunted Mansion to be on the longer side, so I could see all of the queue (it was the first day it opened after taking the holiday stuff down). Alas it was not that long.

I remember as a kid, waiting for AGES in the Space Mountain line, switchback after switchback, and just enjoying it. But I wasn't a toddler, and my brother and I were "good" kids who knew how to amuse ourselves (we were latchkey kids in a house with NO cable and NO videogame systems, LOL).

On the solo trip I drove the people behind me nutty while walking through Indy, b/c I refused to sprint. I wanted to see it all! With other rides, like Star Tours, I just let people go by me, but Indy was early in the day and I hadn't yet realized I could just tell people to pass me.

So I'm with you, to a certain extent, that I want to see the lines. But that's only when I'm alone. When I'm with my 3 year old, or even my hubby, and/or brother and sister in law, I want to move it alone faster to get to the good stuff.

Though, and this was fabulous, when my brother and I stood in line for Nemo one evening, we had a good time just standing in the line, chatting, people-watching, and so on. I guess our latchkey skills were still around. He and I haven't waited for Space Mountain together yet; maybe next time we go all together!

 

[spazzyjazzy]

I don't mind the lines at all. I have come to expect it now. As long as I get on the ride then I am happy. When I have a crabby husband with me then that's when I want a fastpass.

 

[lulubelle]

Sorry Mike, I don't like long lines. FP and short wait times are my friend

I do admit though, after doing EE one morning and doing almost all of FL (some twice) and a few TL rides, we rode 11 or 12 rides in 3 hours and by 11 am were pooped. We took a break for lunch at our hotel. I can only do rides "commando" for a few hours and then it is nice to slow the pace down, but not wait in long lines.

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

Nope, we can't stand long lines! The more time you spend in the line, the less rides you get on during the day!

Granted I do like the queues of many rides! But after a few minutes of admiring them, I'm ready to get on the ride!

 

[DLR29]

While I do enjoy some of the lines' details, I would much rather board in 10 minutes than 30. At DLR, I'm always looking to maximize my trips, so time spent standing in line (unless it's for a good cause such as I've already ridden the ride a couple times or the rides is just incredibly amazing) IMO is just standing around wasting time that I could be doing something else. That's why I FP so much

 

[VillianGeorge]

...but overall I like having to stop to smell the roses and enjoy the scenery in between the actual rides.

Anyone else?

I feel the same way. If I'm with people I like hanging out with, then I can totally dig a nice long line. It's fun to mosey along, take in the sights and chat with your buddies.

But Monkey's got a point. When my kids were really little, long lines were the worst. I can still remember a few particularly painful times waiting for Dumbo, or Peter Pan. ugg.

 

[Mike_M]

You must not often go to DL alone with a toddler.

I know that lines are part of the experience, but it can be really hard to entertain an antsy child in a long, slow-moving line, or hold him for 30 minutes because he doesn't feel like standing.

We have 2 kids and made the decision a while back to not start taking them until they turned 5 (My DS got to go last summer, DD not 5 yet). I was 4 my first time (1980) and to be honest, I don't specifically remember it (All my memory of trips in the 80s are kinda blurred together). I wanted my kids 1st times to be big events and since both of them have summer birthdays, I thought that this would be pretty good 5th b-day gifts.

That being said, DS did really well in the lines (and heat) last summer (August). He was in awe and really excited to be there. Never once did he complain about the lines or start acting out which is pretty good for an active 5 yr old . Here's hoping DD has just as wonderfull an experience for her 5th b-day.

-Mike_M

 

[mystic_path]

It depends on what time of year you go. Off season for most rides you can look at a 5-15 minute wait for rides. Peak season or holidays your looking at about 10-60 minute waits (With the exception of rides like Nemo)

Thats why its always nice to take advantage of fast passes no matter when you go to Disneyland, but also rides like Pirates, the dark rides, Indiana Jones, Jungle Cruise, the haunted mansion, splash, etc. all have carts that are coming in and leaving constantly, so the line ups move rather quickly.

 

[Jennifer03]

I don't mind waiting in long lines, as long as the wait isn't over an hour. I like to look around while I wait and it gets me excited for the ride.

 

[SnowWhite12]

To me it doesn't feel like Disney without waiting in a line! I don't want super long ones, but when we go to WDW in November, for instance, it is just too empty to give me that excited feeling.