Standing in line

[eel_lozano]

hello its me again,
i was just wondering what do you guys do to let the time pass by while waiting in line, i mean you figure that on some rides the wait time is well over a hour... so what is there to do to pass the time?

 

[msbegin]

Rock paper scissors, blow bubbles (keep them in the backpack), tic tac toe

 

[Stitchfans]

talk... I talk to my family..... talk to the people around me.... I just love to talk....

 

[Karnak]

I would never schedule myself into a situation where there would be a chance of an hours wait in the first place. Traveling solo sure has its advantages, I guess.

When I do sometimes wait in a short line, I enjoy people watching. If there's a CM close at hand I usually strike up a conversation with him or her.

It is possible to plan an itinerary in such a way that one visits the most popular attractions with a minimum of waiting time.

Enjoy.

 

[Epcot242]

I study the park map, day dream, maybe talk to a person nearby, if you're by yourself though, that's a good time to get in some reading. If you have a paperback on you for "just in case" purposes you can read that. Sometimes it's nice to just take it all in though.

 

[hezreck]

I would never even consider getting into a line that was an hour wait!
Grab a fastpass and come back later. I have never waited longer than 20 minutes at the most. If it's longer than that and there are no fastpasses I just skip it.

 

[mouselover75]

When do you plan to go? We usually go in the fall and the longest wait we has last year for DUMBO, of all things! and we waited like 45 minutes. but the 5 year old JUST HAD TO RIDE...like this vacation was for her or something!!! ; )

We always get fastpasses, too.

 

[KimmLynn]

If I'm in a long line, I strike up conversations with the people around me. As a little kid my parents used to bring books for us to look at so my sister and I wouldn't complain so much. We also had this stupid game where we would each say one word and go around and around until we had come us with some ridiculous story.

 

[disneyjunkie]

Get to the parks early and use FP.

 

[bcvgal]

travel magna doodles or paper to pay games (hangman,tic tac toe, etc)

 

[daisyduck123]

Oh my goodness! We've never waited in a line more than 10-15 minutes. We always go for 9 days in the "off" season & the more & more I read about long lines...I think we always will. My DD & DS have been spoiled by the "little" or "no" waits in line & I don't know what they would do if they ever saw the long lines. Hmmm...

 

[kimberh]

I refuse to wait in a hour line, I will come back later in the day if it doesn't have a fast pass. It kills my legs to wait in a long line.

 

[stitch&ariel]

We go in September and there isn't ever really that many long queues if a queue was that long we would most probably leave it and come back later or not bother depending on the ride! I find that most queues are contant moving ones anyway so you aren't stood that still for long!

 

[Lilo312]

one advice: USE FAST PASS
That is why they have them, so why not take advantage of it.
Would never make my little ones (7 & 3) stand and wait for an hour long.
And if its a ride that has no fast pass, I would suggest to them to come back later or the next day. And if we missed on this trip, hey we'll ride it next year. (dvc owners) Both my kids are very laid back and understanding if you explain to them the situation and other options (even the 3 year old)

 

[bettyann29]

I have been to WDW 3 times so far and the 4th will be a week from Tuesday and I have only stood in line for an hour on one ride in all that time.. Test Track and that was with Fastpass.. I have been on Springbreak, over fourth of July and over Labor Day which are busy times and I have never stood in line more than 15 minutes.. Using Fastpass really helps..

 

[penguin087]

In line for an hour?!?!?!?!?!?!?! I just wouldn't. The longest wait we had was maybe 40 mins for Soarin' and that was the week in opened.

 

[Tinky Winks]

We also have not encountered really long lines because we went on an off time.

But one thing I found helped my DD5 with her patience during the moderate waits was to bring something to the parks that we could give to other people. When we went to Magic Kingdom on Valentine's Day we brought a bag of Hershey Kisses with us. Every time we waited in a line, my daughter would ask for a couple of them and pass them out to the children waiting in line with us (with the parent's permission, of course). It was a great ice breaker for the children and then they would start chatting and playing and the adults would start, too. It was great! We met people from all over and had some great times in line.

You could bring in some cheap glowsticks or some wrapped candies. You will be surprise about the good will in seems to generate!

A few times we saw a child in tears over something (we've all been there) and my daughter would hand them a Kiss and they would stop!

Have a great time on your trip!

 

[U Guys Made Me Ink]

WOW Tinky Winks! That is the most awesome idea I have read on this site (and there are some awesome ideas, after all) What a great way to share the Disney magic, not to mention teaching your DD5 to do the same! I will definitely do this on our next trip!

Although many experienced DISers balk at waiting more that 10-20 mins in line, I find it more common than not to find yourself in one if you go at peak times or you're with kids who really have their hearts set on something. In fact, to some kids, 20 mins. can seem like FORRREVVER!

I would recommend searching for Hidden Mickeys (my DD9 and DD6 got really into it!) talking about favorite thing so far, what's next, your favorite Disney memories from trips past - these will often strike up conversations with friendlies nearby, too. Also, for 10 yrs+ packing a GameBoy or such as it is small enough to pocket in fanny pack or bag can easily kill some time and give "adult time," if needed.