Saving places in line at opening

[quest4dl]

Is it acceptable to save places in line for entry into the parks at opening? If we can get one of our party of 5 down in line early, the rest can take a bit more time getting ready and eating breakfast. However, I don't want to be seen as a linebreaker or create an unpleasant start to the day. I've read several threads about saving spots for Fantasmic, parades, etc. but not park entry.

 

[Disney Hot Mama]

Is it acceptable to save places in line for entry into the parks at opening? If we can get one of our party of 5 down in line early, the rest can take a bit more time getting ready and eating breakfast. However, I don't want to be seen as a linebreaker or create an unpleasant start to the day. I've read several threads about saving spots for Fantasmic, parades, etc. but not park entry.

I don't see an issue with it. It would not bother me if a family in front of me did this and I could understand it as well.

 

[DangerMouse]

I've done it and have seen many, many other families do it. I think it's generally accepted. Now ask that same question about ques for rides and you'll get a totally different answer. . .

 

[cmwade77]

I have seen people do this, but really, I wouldn't send one person ahead, it won't really give you that much of a head start, there are people that run the second the gates open, since they no longer let you on main street early, there is no rope drop anymore, when they did do that they would even occasionally open the Main Street Opera house early, then I would have said go and see that, then you can enjoy the rest of the park, but really it's not worth it, you will only gain about an extra 5-10 minutes and in some cases (such as what happened to me once, where a person in an ECV ran over my foot because I wasn't moving quickly enough for her because there were people in front of me) you may even loose time that could be spent on other rides.

For the record I have no problems with people in wheelchairs or ECVs and I go to great length to make sure that I am not in their way, even though my mobility may be more limited than some other peoples, I am able to get out of the way of a ECV or Wheel Chair much easier than the person in that wheelchair or ECV can move out of my way.

 

[cmwade77]

I've done it and have seen many, many other families do it. I think it's generally accepted. Now ask that same question about ques for rides and you'll get a totally different answer. . .

In the recent past City Hall would actually instruct guests that can't stand for long periods of time but do not want a wheel chair or ECV for whatever reasons to have a family member save place in line for them at rides and tell the first CM that you see, so that you can join them later on in line.

 

[janc]

It is done but we got in what we thought was a short line only to have probably 15 people jump in once the gates opened. They just kept coming!



I always pick lines like that!!

 

[quest4dl]

I have seen people do this, but really, I wouldn't send one person ahead, it won't really give you that much of a head start, .

My plan was to have the rest of the party join before the gates open (maybe 15 minutes early ) and one of us would get to the line at least 30 minutes before gates open.

 

[victorandbellasmom]

We've done this in the past and don't see an issue with it. In fact, often times we see other families doing it as well. I've gone to line up with the kids while dh runs to Mc Donald's for breakfast. We've also sent dh up ahead to line up while the kids and I finish up our brekfast at character meals.

 

[Disney Dider]

Doesn't bother me a bit! Everyone's been there. Plus, its DISNEYLAND!! Just be happy!!

 

[quest4dl]

Is there a curb or anywhere to sit? I might be able to bring the whole group earlier if they could sit and eat their breakfast in line. Early entry will be at 7 am when we visit - one thing better about DL than WDW is it's easier to get up in the morning in California than in Florida when you're from the Midwest. If we didn't have the time change advantage I don't think there's any way we could get there for early entry!

 

[DL4my2kids]

a problem for me.

Unfortunately and fortunately everyone in my family is a late sleeper. We stay on site and have yet to make an EE.

 

[disneychrista]

The biggest issue I see is that the rest of your group getting stuck behind a large crowd at the security check point. And then finding you in a mass of people. It might just be easier to all either get their at the same time. The enterance plaza is pretty large and can be overwhelliming when crowded.

If you choose to do this. Make sure that you bring your ticket and someone in the room has the rest of the tickets. And make a plan B to meet somewhere (ie train station) inside the park.

 

[avalon451]

Is there a curb or anywhere to sit? I might be able to bring the whole group earlier if they could sit and eat their breakfast in line. Early entry will be at 7 am when we visit - one thing better about DL than WDW is it's easier to get up in the morning in California than in Florida when you're from the Midwest. If we didn't have the time change advantage I don't think there's any way we could get there for early entry!

No curb. My kids plumped themselves right down on the bricks, sat crosslegged, and played their Nintendo DS's. Sometimes we brought along pop tarts or bananas for them to finish their hurried breakfasts.

 

[prncssmel]

Is there a curb or anywhere to sit? I might be able to bring the whole group earlier if they could sit and eat their breakfast in line. Early entry will be at 7 am when we visit - one thing better about DL than WDW is it's easier to get up in the morning in California than in Florida when you're from the Midwest. If we didn't have the time change advantage I don't think there's any way we could get there for early entry!

If others were waiting in line, I am pretty certain there are planters over by guest services you could sit on until they open the gates. But sitting on the ground is probably the easiest.

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

I've met both my DH and DS like that before. Wasn't so bad since it was just me, and really most of the time I don't think people mind that very much. It's a wide open area at the gates, so it's not like people have to step back and make room too much.

Now for ride lines though? No way! I can't stand it when people do that.

 

[SANDIEGOFAN]

I do it all the time. My wife and girls take so long getting ready so I leave and go stand in line. The gates are numbered so I call my wife and let her know which line I'm in. They do still have the rope drop on non-MM days (as of a week ago) - it's amazing to watch the people fast-walk (i.e. run) towards Nemo.
Would I hold a place in a queue for my entire family (one person, yes)? Nope! A family of six sent their 6-7 y/o son to hold a place in line for Nemo, right in front of us. I asked them if they thought it was rude to cut in front of a few hundred people. Response, 'no, everyone else does it'. Yeesh and sorry for the sidebar.

 

[mt mommy]

Doesn't bother me a bit! Everyone's been there. Plus, its DISNEYLAND!! Just be happy!!

DITTO!!!

 

[Vacation Dad]

I’ll buck the general trend here and say that I do have a problem (but not a big one) with this. If there is 1 person saving places for 9 others that show up at the last minute, I am not a big fan of that. If there are 3 people saving spots for a couple others that still get there 10 minutes early – no problem.

They often open up extra lines a little before opening, and I decide whether or not to try and move up a bit in one of those lines based on the line I am in. If I am 10th in line to start I am not going to worry about moving. If I think I am going to be 10th but end up being 30th because of folks getting there at the last minute and cutting in, then that does not start my day on the best note. I got there early darnit, so can the others!

 

[mshrm]

Im not with the crowd on this one either. I dont mind a dad saving places for mom to come with the todlers later or for a senior..etc. However 1 person in line so 5 more regular people could just come get in front of us would bug me. I figure we get up early and wait out there for an hour atleast usually, I dont think I should have to wait even longer because others got to sleep in or take their time getting ready.

I dont like it in ride lines either but again it depends on who it is. A large group, no way, but a senior or parent with a todler/baby im okay with. Im also okay when the main group gets in line but one person who went to get fastpasses joines them later.

I know alot of people said they wouldnt mind, but there are plenty who would and just dont say anything. I dont think its fair to take something away from others "happiest place on earth" experience just for your convience.

 

[oldenewguy]

I think a few people are ok and people will understand. But if you’re holding spots for 5 or more people it is a bit inconsiderate. When I went in November of last year Josh Groban was going to be there and his entire fan club showed up. One person got there early and was second in line at the gates, we were right behind them. As we got closer to opening more people started showing up and they cut right in front of us. Now a few people would have been fine but by the time DL opened they had about 30 people, all of which cut the hundred or so people behind us!!! We asked them politely if they would mind going to the back because they had just cut all of us and we only got dirty looks. To top it all off their tickets weren't working so they held up the entire line!! I kept hoping all day that Josh Groben wouldn't be able to perform, I know that’s a bit harsh but these were the rudest people I have ever met, I mean we're at DL! We should all be happy!