"Tag Teaming?"

[yorkieteacher]

On the MNSSHP thread I read it is acceptable to "tag team" while waiting to meet characters. I assume this means one adult can wait in line to meet the character and the other adult along with the kiddos can join them as the line nears the character. Is this acceptable at all character meet and greets outside of parties as well? Our littles want to meet some specific characters in MK like Aladdin and Buzz, but do not do lines well at all, but I don't want to be one of "those guests" everyone hates!

 

[charliebrown]

In Disney's official policy, they do not allow line cutting, or holding a place in line. Also, holding a place in line often isn't practical, as many lines (even character greets) don't have easy access to meet up. And if you did try to meet up near the front, a cast member would probably see it.
I also think its a lame thing to do.

Now, I have seen people "pass off" for rides, especially before FP+. Parent 1 would line up with the child, and parent 2 would let people go ahead of them, so when the next ride started, parent 1 would "pass" the child to parent 2, allowing the child to ride twice. It's similar to child swap, but only used for mild attractions.

Example-
Dad and Jimmy ride Dumbo, mom lets 24 people in front of her so she is inline for the next cycle.
Dad hands Jimmy to Mom, Mom and Jimmy Ride Dumbo.

However, this isn't as practical anymore, especially with Dumbo. I don't see how it's practical for character greets.
Regardless, I though it was genius, and whoever thought of it probably went to West Point.

 

[yulilin3]

On the MNSSHP thread I read it is acceptable to "tag team" while waiting to meet characters. I assume this means one adult can wait in line to meet the character and the other adult along with the kiddos can join them as the line nears the character. Is this acceptable at all character meet and greets outside of parties as well? Our littles want to meet some specific characters in MK like Aladdin and Buzz, but do not do lines well at all, but I don't want to be one of "those guests" everyone hates!

This is a tricky situation and it basically comes down to who is in line with you (line neighbors) For me personally I would rather a child wait somewhere close by if said child will be having a tantrum, or is unable to wait (constantly moving, jumping,screaming) I don't mind if one adult goes with child to wait outside the line and rejoins later
Now what is unacceptable is this done by more than one adult, say 2 or 3 adults wait outside the line and join at the end.
Now for specific characters this is hard to do, especially if they have indoor queues. For Aladdin and Buzz at MK the line is outside so it will be easy to rejoin the party
Just keep in mind you might get people giving you the nasty look or even saying something. As soon as you get in line you can explain that you have a little one joining you later who is unable to wait
Again, a personal choice and not a lot of people agree with my views

 

[DisneyOma]

On the MNSSHP thread I read it is acceptable to "tag team" while waiting to meet characters. I assume this means one adult can wait in line to meet the character and the other adult along with the kiddos can join them as the line nears the character. Is this acceptable at all character meet and greets outside of parties as well? Our littles want to meet some specific characters in MK like Aladdin and Buzz, but do not do lines well at all, but I don't want to be one of "those guests" everyone hates!

For some inside meet and greets, you can get FP+. Everyone would need to be together for that.

For meet and greets that are outside, get in the queue together. As needed, one adult takes a break with the kids, and comes back. It's pretty simple. The other guests see your group, and the kids get some practice being patient.

 

[SillySallySews]

Just my opinion, but I think this is only appropriate for meeting characters when the lines are astronomically long. Like Jack and Sally during MNSSHP, or back in the days when Anna & Elsa lines were hours long. I believe during the height of that A&E craziness people were actually encouraged by CMs to only have one person from their party wait so the line wasn’t so long. I would not personally do this with a regular character meet and greet that has a reasonable wait time.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Tag teaming is not looked on favorably. Don't do it.

 

[MomOTwins]

The issue we always run into is needing to leave a line for kids to use the bathroom (I always check with them before we go in a line, but you know kids...they never have to go until they have to go NOW). I try to be as conspicious as possible about the reason when exiting and re-entering the line--repeating over and over with each group of guests we walk past within earshot ("sorry, my son had to go potty so we got out of line before" "my husband is waiting ahead, we had a bathroom emergency!" "excuse me, we are just coming back from the restroom"). I feel awkward enough as it is but would at least I do see expressions soften a bit when they hear the reason so they know we weren't just trying to meet up with a "placeholder" person in line up ahead.

I have also seen LARGE groups of teenagers (school trips I think) try to connect up with a single person holding a spot in line, and seems to be more of strategy on their end than any legitimate need to be absent from the line. I don't think that's right.

 

[bumbershoot]

I wouldn’t do it. I didn’t do it.

If your child has actual special needs, look into the DAS pass.

If your child is simply acting like a child, well, Disney is where my kiddo learned about lines. If he wanted to wait for something, he waited. Misbehaving meant the end of a line for us. And the two rides we went on post-potty where he suddenly had to go right now this instant? We exited completely and came back up the full line the next time it was convenient. On a longer Disneyland trip we did that on jungle cruise three times (each time he had to go at the same spot in line). Took us three days to ride that one.

Now in our case it had a lot to do with it being impossible to rejoin. My now-ex is a big guy, and couldn’t squeeze past people. I was, for a few years, approaching that size, and even when small it’s not comfortable, especially if the people you’re passing aren’t small.

I only had the one experiment, er, I mean child, but I wouldn’t change it with another child. Want to ride or meet a character? Wait in line. Need to use the restroom all of a sudden? We’ll come back later. (Special needs aside, of course)

 

[gap2368]

The issue we always run into is needing to leave a line for kids to use the bathroom (I always check with them before we go in a line, but you know kids...they never have to go until they have to go NOW). I try to be as conspicious as possible about the reason when exiting and re-entering the line--repeating over and over with each group of guests we walk past within earshot ("sorry, my son had to go potty so we got out of line before" "my husband is waiting ahead, we had a bathroom emergency!" "excuse me, we are just coming back from the restroom"). I feel awkward enough as it is but would at least I do see expressions soften a bit when they hear the reason so they know we weren't just trying to meet up with a "placeholder" person in line up ahead.

I have also seen LARGE groups of teenagers (school trips I think) try to connect up with a single person holding a spot in line, and seems to be more of strategy on their end than any legitimate need to be absent from the line. I don't think that's right.

I agree with you on leaving the line to use the bathroom

OP I would all get in line together if your child needs to use the bathroom then do with the PP said if there is a bench close by where you could just walk to it ( like you can see it from the line) then I would think no one would have a big deal if he and a parent went to sit for a bit. Indoor lines are much harder to do this with

 

[gap2368]

I wouldn’t do it. I didn’t do it.

If your child has actual special needs, look into the DAS pass.

If your child is simply acting like a child, well, Disney is where my kiddo learned about lines. If he wanted to wait for something, he waited. Misbehaving meant the end of a line for us. And the two rides we went on post-potty where he suddenly had to go right now this instant? We exited completely and came back up the full line the next time it was convenient. On a longer Disneyland trip we did that on jungle cruise three times (each time he had to go at the same spot in line). Took us three days to ride that one.

Now in our case it had a lot to do with it being impossible to rejoin. My now-ex is a big guy, and couldn’t squeeze past people. I was, for a few years, approaching that size, and even when small it’s not comfortable, especially if the people you’re passing aren’t small.

I only had the one experiment, er, I mean child, but I wouldn’t change it with another child. Want to ride or meet a character? Wait in line. Need to use the restroom all of a sudden? We’ll come back later. (Special needs aside, of course)

The DAS dose nothing for meet and greet what do not have a FP ( so not meeting the seven dwarfs or Mike and Sally or really any other character at the MNSSHP or MVMCP

 

[Disneypro1]

All your personal choice. Some will agree some not. Just like everything else. Do what works best for your family. I have had the wife and one child meet up with me and the other child many times. Again, Some agree some not. Just do what works for your family.

 

[mesaboy2]

via Imgflip Meme Generator

 

[zoo2tycoon]

Think unless child needs to go to restroom or has DAS it’s rude. Why can other kids wait and then watch another kid come join mommy or daddy in line at the front.

 

[Spunky946]

The only time we did it was when we went to the Halloween party and stood in line early for the dwarfs. We all got in line together about 6:15 and they didn’t come out until 7. So the line wasn’t even moving. We were towards the beginning of the line and we all made friends with each other. Everyone was getting in and out of line and leaving part of their party behind. In that instance I think it was fine because the line wasn’t moving and everyone was in line and doing th same thing.

The buzz line is outside, but never very long and always moving. Not too bad to bad of a line. Now the jasmine/Aladdin line is a different story. They have a set schedule and come out every so many minutes and only stay out for so long and then they cut off the line. My daughter was desperate to meet them and the cast members encourage you to come early for the set as people line up prior to the start. Again you are not moving and standing outside. Now that wait was 10-15 minutes and not as long, but people would run their kids to the bathroom. I wouldn’t try it on inside waits or lines that constantly move.

 

[Love Tink]

The people on the Dis are far more interested in being citizen queue cops than the majority of Disney guests are. If it works for your family to keep the kids in the shade or where they can run around while you wait, do it. The CMs have no problem letting other family members join the line waiter(s) once you get to the character. (Ignore the comments about not wanting to push through the line...you don't have to make your way through the line when meeting a character, you just come through the exit.) The rules for character meets are not the same as for rides.

 

[TigerlilyAJ]

Just wanted to offer a counter-opinion that some of us don't really care that much at all. I understand what everyone has said, and I just don't care if someone's kids don't wait forever in line. I don't know their business, and I can imagine lots of reasons why someone needs to leave or why some but not all were available to get in line. With families, none of this really matters because whether one or five people IN ONE GROUP are in front of me doesn't really delay me getting to the front. Taking a photo of five visitors with a character doesn't take much more time than two. And I'm big on divide-and-conquer efficiency, so I get half the party is in line while another half grabs snacks or a bathroom break. So, while some will care, I can tell you there's one that will not.
Having said that, I definitely think it's best for everyone to get in line together first, let people near you in line see who your entire party is, and then split up to care for other needs. And sure, it's good for the kids to learn some queueing skills
My personal peeve is the young adults (college-aged/20-somethings, not high schoolers) that take forever with characters taking individual photos and/or getting a CM to take photos with each and everyone's phone. A threesome and a foursome like that has delayed us getting our turn far more than any one family.

 

[cgattis]

I guess I’d boil all this down by saying Disney isn’t going to say anything to you. Other guests might—or might not. Just do whatever works for you and be prepared to take any nasty looks or comments in stride IF that happens.

As an aside, we waited 1.5 hours to see Jack and Sally the first time they ever appeared, at DTD. DH and DS bailed on DD and I...but didn’t return! They were at WPE having sushi by the time we finished LOL.

 

[CT Disney]

We’ve always left it to our kids to make the decision. Do you want to wait for Donald; the line is 30 minutes? If they say no, we move on and do something else.

I wonder how many of those families in the really long character lines are there just because the parents want the cute picture.

If a kid wants to see a particular character badly enough they can decide if the wait time is worth it to them.

 

[Kimpossible1]

I think allowing a parent and child or two to wait and rejoin later is fine, especially for potty breaks. But I know problems arise when people have been waiting and suddenly 10 more people join the group. That can be frustrating, but you have to step back and just let it go. It happened to us at Easter w
when 15+ family members (all in the same shirts) joined the two people in front of us, and then they all wanted individual pictures. We could have gotten mad, but the lady behind us was stupid mad and we realized how dumb she looked being all upset and saying nasty things very loud. It was a good lesson, because we decided it just wasn't worth it, and just watched them take their pictures. We actually enjoyed how much fun their family was having with the characters. It's frustrating but the world should be kinder and we shouldn't sweat the small stuff.

 

[HopperFan]

I'll give two examples that include seasoned CMs working the line:

AK was in a "free standing" line for character. Mom had her kids tag teaming all the other characters around. When she was next and they hadn't showed up she told me to go ahead. CM asked her why and she said she was waiting on her kids to return. He told her to leave the line and go to the back ... and join in when your kids arrive. She got ugly. He told her multiple times you are not to enter the line until your entire party is together and you stay in line together. She got beyond ugly leaning in with awful words and stormed off. I had a feeling it wasn't going to end there so after we were done I went same direction. She was talking to a manager that had been called over as she was demanding he be fired. I then talked to the manager to relay the conversation and manager said "CM was correct, the entire party must be together in the line, she couldn't hold a spot".............

MVMCP DS1 really wanted to meet Sandy Claus. It was the end of the night and he was done. He is obviously disabled and we know that DAS doesn't work. I asked the seasoned CM if it was at all possible for my other two to stand in the line (which was "short" aka 45 minutes) for him and have him join on the last turn. He said he is not supposed to let anyone join the line later but given his disability ... if we sat right there where he could see us and not go off to do other things, he would allow him to join them. So we sat right there and waited.

Two CMs I would trust and a manager all said the same thing. Disney policy is no.

Also I noticed this last week more signs up that said all parties must be together when they enter a line. I don't remember seeing them before but I assume it's to address a problem. Imagine if you have been standing there a long time and every other group in front of you is suddenly double and triple the size. This is especially a problem at the specialty meets at the parties where time is limited already to enjoy. Pick what is important and get in line for it.