Things to do and play while waiting in those long lines...

[Disney Mystic]

I was curious about getting suggestions from others as to things they do in line to kill time. As a father of four with kids ranging from 6 to 16, we always have at least one family member unhappy with the ride selection and the long wait ahead.

Disney is the one place I can go to where our kids are with us without the video game systems, without the televisions, without the friends knocking at the door, its time I cherish because my older two are approaching college.

I know some people hate the long waits, but its actually a time I cherish. We're all together, no distractions, with the excitement of the ride ahead. It's a time to talk, mingle, goof off and just enjoy being together.

I didn't look at lines like this when my oldest kid was only 5. Back then the long lines irritated me and was just a speed bump to rush to the next ride. Wow how age changes all of us...

So here are some things we do. If you have ideas to share, please do so. I'd prefer to keep the cell phones, nintendos, leapfrogs and PSP's out of the activities if possible.

1) We play a game of paper rock scissors in which everyone plays for themselves, and the only way to score a point is to beat everyone else, which requires a lot of luck since that means someones rock would have to be lucky enough to have everyone else choose scissors, sometimes 3 of us play, sometimes all 6. The more that play, the harder to score a point...and we usually play to like 5 to 10 points. It is amazing how you can burn 10 minutes by just playing this little game.

2) My son used to like to look for people who had listening bluetooth devices and send them random messages..kinda funny but gets old fast.

3) Rework #1 to "elimination mode". Everyone plays and the goal is to not get beat by everyone else. For example, if you choose paper and everyone else is scissors, you're out. You play until there's two people left and then its a head-to-head game to 5.

4) 20 questions. It's better for the drive but still can be something I fall back on when its late in the day and we're paper-rock-scissored out.


Any ideas would be welcomed. Have a magical day!

 

[PinkBudgie]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2736067

There are some suggestions that people have been giving in this thread.

 

[amamax2]

We do rock, paper scissors, too, but add in things (got this idea from The Big Bang Theory show who added Spock & lizard). Depending on where we are, we could add in Disney or Star War characters, etc. We have to agree ahead of time what would beat what, and what the symbol is.

No matter where we go, we also ALWAYS carry a pack of playing cards - quick games of 21, 5-card stud, or simply high card (each person cuts the deck to see who has the highest card), keeping track of who wins. Usually my DH set a pre-determined point goal, and whoever gets it first gets a gummy worm or something like that.

 

[PirateFish989]

Before each trip, I always compile a huge list of Disney fun facts, print it out and stick it in our backpack. When we're in line we quiz each other. You could certainly make a game out of it...winner gets a Mickey head ice cream?

My mom has an app on her iPod touch that does the same thing - asks you questions about Disney/Disneyland and for each question you get right, you get points.

 

[bubbamomma]

My DD is younger so we always bring some of those little bottles of bubbles like they have at weddings. We also like to play the "bad shoe" game and look for people wearing the most uncomfortable pair of shoes! LOL!!

 

[frijolefrito]

I play a game:

You put your hand s out palm up. The other puts their hands palm down and the trick is to smack the hand. You go from the to outside to smack the top of the hand. It's fun.