Strategies to Kill Time in Standby Line with Kids

[godfather927]

What does everyone do to keep kids occupied while waiting in standby lines? I have two kids (9 and 5) so it won't be as painful as it was when they were younger but there's only so much waiting they can tolerate even at their ages now. I'll of course be looking to minimize any waiting as much as possible via LLs, but for when we do need to wait 30+ min, I'm looking for any and all ideas. Any good apps that don't use a lot of data or phone battery? I'm thinking of playing games like chess/checkers/ticket to ride/etc, but not sure how well that would work and how long before that becomes repetitive too.

 

[Doingitagain]

We are going to try PlayDisney app. Does anyone have experiences using i they can share?

 

[godfather927]

We are going to try PlayDisney app. Does anyone have experiences using i they can share?

I've heard this drains the phone battery pretty quick, but if it's a big hit with the kids, I might have to give it a shot too.

 

[Ladcassidy]

Heads Up! is a huge hit with my family (and you'll see lots of others playing it while waiting, too). The Disney Parks deck is especially fun to play in line.

 

[godfather927]

Heads Up! is a huge hit with my family (and you'll see lots of others playing it while waiting, too). The Disney Parks deck is especially fun to play in line.

Thanks for the recommendation, is it pretty thrifty on not draining the battery? Not sure I've played it before, does it require both kids to read the answer and shout out clues?

 

[sponica]

Endless rounds of I spy...speaking from experience in a car.

 

[Ladcassidy]

Thanks for the recommendation, is it pretty thrifty on not draining the battery? Not sure I've played it before, does it require both kids to read the answer and shout out clues?

I have not had any problems with it draining my battery, and my family plays frequently. The game does require reading the answer and giving clues, but you can easily include non-readers by letting them be the guessers while you and other readers give the clues, or whispering to them what the word is and having them help give clues.

 

[isabellea]

My kids like the duel mode of Spotter or Double Match. No internet require and never noticed them being a battery drain.

 

[ElenaRN]

We love looking for Hidden Mickeys, especially on the newer rides that are left out of my old book.
We also play Heads up. Disneyfied 20 questions.

 

[Prince John Robin Hood]

My kids love the queues that have interactive features like Pooh and SDMT. They complained when I got a genie+ for Pooh.

 

[FreeTime]

All of the games mentioned. When they were in primary school and we took them out of school line time meant homework time. Practicing multiplication tables, spelling, etc. Also, we loved to use the time and just talk. You learn a lot about friends, things you didn’t know they liked/disliked, etc.

 

[DodgerGirl]

If you're gonna be stuck in standby lines at the parks two good games your kids can play are Candy Crush which is my favorite game to play and they won't be bored with it at all. Another game is Royal Match and it's so cool. My mother started playing it a while ago and she is addicted to Royal Match. You could also try getting Nintendo DS's for each child to play while waiting in line too

 

[Gingerfun1]

Travel size poppers? I’m thinking something to keep their hands busy.

 

[Doingitagain]

Poppers worked great for little ones. Also the old fashioned no technology "I Spy".

 

[Boopuff]

My kids were huge hidden Mickey fans. They'd really try to find a Mickey in anything!

 

[Craig90day]

I plan on bringing a "Disney, would you rather" game with us thats printed on card stock, and probably hole punched onto a key ring. There are a few websites that have fun questions you can ask your kids while standing in line.

I'm not sure if links are allowed to be posted, but if you google "disney would you rather printable" it should come up.

 

[Edeyore]

I was actually in line for Big Thunder Mountain once and a gentleman in line was doing slight of hand tricks. Basic quarter disappearing and reappearing, but a number of kids in line
were really enjoying it. (Yeah me too.)

 

[Rory607]

We like to play “What’s your favorite?”, which is exactly what it sounds like. We take turns asking a “what’s your favorite” question and each person answers. But you have to be creative. No basic favorite color, food, etc. It can lead to some fun conversations.

 

[popy]

Sounds like a way, to waste your time, waste your money , standing in line.
go do something else with out waiting in lines.
chances are you will wait hours for a 5 minute wide. It is not worth it.
but there again nothing is, at Disney anymore. Don't Go, save your money , you won’t miss much, If ya done it before.

 

[prestoncaldwell]

We are going to try PlayDisney app. Does anyone have experiences using i they can share?

Bring a good recharger unit with you.