Two instances of blatant line cutting this week

[WonkaKid]

I've witnessed personally two instances of blatant line cutting at DL since Sunday.

The first was on Pirates. A woman with her (8-year-old?) son in tow ducked under the chain into the line while on her phone. She (seemingly) pretended to have a conversation with her husband who was well ahead of them in line and she was merely trying to find him. She continued passing other guests all the way to the front. Not surprisingly, she didn't find her husband. It didn't stop her from getting on the ride though. Why not? She was already there.

The second was this evening on Buzz Lightyear. A lone child (10?) was cutting his way through the line. I heard someone behind me ask him if he was looking for someone. I believe he said he was. He never found them. But his mother was close on his heels with two other kids in tow. They made it almost all the way to the front of the line without finding the other (presumably imaginary) sibling. I wouldn't let them pass when they got to me. At this point I was about fifth from the front. Clearly, the person they were looking for wasn't there. Had he/she been, they could have simply called to him/her. The mother made a big show of not knowing where her child had gotten to. You know: in a "I don't know *where* that kid got to. Kids: you can't turn your back on them for two seconds. Right, folks? Thanks for your patience and understanding. Since we're here, we're just gonna, you know, jump on the ride. Don't mind, do yah -- thanks!"

I made eye contact with several people who'd been cut. We all knew what was going on. They were almost laughing at the sheer effrontery.

I've only witnessed one other line cutter in the past. As many of you know, cast members can't take action unless they witness the cutting themselves. On most rides, this isn't likely to happen. Typically there are only CMs at the beginning and end of lines. Cutters capitalize on this.

I did raise the issue at the end of the ride with a CM. I knew there was nothing she could do but I couldn't let it pass without comment. They offered me another round of BL.

I later took up the issue with a CM at one of the information booths. She said that she could log the complaint but that there wasn't much she could do (I already knew that). She suggested that I file a complaint via the DL website. Sure I'll do that. But I wish they'd keep better tabs on lines. As a guest, I don't want to confront someone for cutting because, 1 -- They know it's wrong and cheaters typically don't respond well to being called out . 2 -- A CM can't back me on it. There doesn't seem to be much point. Do I want to get in a fight and risk being ejected myself? Not really.

Has anyone else had experience with line cutters at DL? Moreover, has anyone ever seen a CM confront a cutter? Come to think of it, since there seems to be few consequences, who would like to share some of their fav cutting techniques? Extra points for incorporating your child into the cheat ;-).

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Definitely send in a comment. Management needs to know that cutting is on the rise because it is rarely confronted. We had 2 teenagers cut in back of us in the Matterhorn line because the party behind us left a little space. When we got to the turnstile, we told the CM there. But he let the cutters go because when he asked the party behind us if the girls had cut, they couldn't answer (no English). I asked him if our word wasn't enough, and he said that he had to ask the guests who had been cut off, not us. Whatever. On the other hand, we were on the train when we saw a dad jump the gate (great example, dude) with his young son. They ran to the front car and boarded. Soon after, a CM approached them, confronted the dad about cutting, and escorted them off the train. I don't know where they went after that, but I hope the dad was penalized in some way.

 

[Darkbeer1]

Disney is pretty lenient on the issue, I presume to not create "issues", but many other Theme/Amusement parks are more aggressive with the issue, even getting cities to pass laws specifically to ban line cutting in the parks. Many of them will take someone who has been caught more than once off property and not allow them back in that day, and even cancel their Annual/Season Passes.

But even Disney has banned folks. They have a specific procedure that I can't describe in detail. But basically, once Disney catches someone they don't like, such as someone trying to sell tickets at a discount on property, Security approaches them and try and figure out why. If they determine that they are there to make a "profit", then they contact their leads and get approval to call the Anaheim PD. Then the police will come out, and read an legal document that basically states that you are on private property, and that the owners do not want you on their property, and this is an official notice of Trespassing, and if you come back on property, you are subject to arrest. They also do this with protesters and other issues. But I don't know if they ever have done it for line cutting.

But I know other parks have, Six Flags Magic Mountain has done it more than you think, as while they do focus on guest satisfaction, and don't want to ban someone just due to a single mistake/misunderstanding, they also have law enforcement on site with an office (Disney, Universal and Six Flags all help provide facilities on their property and even pay the government for police/sheriffs to be on property to help watch over the parks). Disney spent over $5 Million in Police costs in 2014 (a Disney spokesperson stated it officially). They have a facility that is next to Downtown Disney, basically north of the former House of Blues that you can see from the Monorail (a set of trailers).

As for cancelling the Annual Pass/Season Pass, the contract that you agree to when purchasing it states the park has the right to cancel, and will refund any amount that more than taking the days used and looking at the per day costs, so for the vast majority of people, there is no partial refund, and that person is blocked in the computer from buying a new one. Some parks will say, OK, wait a year or so, and ask for a new one, and we will make a decision, some say, we won't allow you on property again.

So Disney can be hardcore, but it seems like their main solution to line cutting is to design queues in a way that it is harder to cut into. And if you look at the newer attractions, and those who have been upgraded have made it harder to do so. A similar issue is Disney and ADA access, it was abused so much, that Disney had to change its policies, but there are legal issues that limit what they can do. But Disney is paying for more labor costs in the new system that require more Cast Members and new equipment to give return times.

Alas, some folks will always find ways to break the rules, and it seems like the percentage is increasing.

 

[NJlauren]

Not going to lie pretending to look for a family member is a pretty good plan..... The chances of me calling you out on that are slim.....however I have been known to block a walk way so people can't get around me.

Way back in the mid 90's I was at six flags great adventure with camp, and we were going on batman you got a piece of paper as you entered with a number, as you apprached boarding you handed it in, if your number was way out of order you were a cutter and not allowed on. I remember freakOne out that we had to stay in order! Everyone else laughed and said 10 numbered out of order is ok, 200 isn't...

I don't think they do this any more, but I could be wrong I haven't waited on a 2 hour line in a long time

 

[gottalovepluto]

Good for you not letting her pass!! If more guests were willing to stand up for themselves the line cutting would slow up. Some people just don't want a confrontation on vacation, fine, let them pass. But don't complain later.

As for Disney taking action against those who violate park rules? Lol. Guess if you're stealing ticket money they'll take action. Shoulda seen some of the threads we had a couple weeks ago, guests literally putting other guests in danger and that's not enough for Disney to kick them out (not even for 1 day) so why would this be?

 

[Butterfly123]

Wow. It just amazes me what people will do, and with their kids with them, too. How sad for those kids.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Wow. It just amazes me what people will do, and with their kids with them, too. How sad for those kids.

Liking your comment just didn't feel right but you really hit the nail on the head.

 

[Rubygoose]

Not going to lie pretending to look for a family member is a pretty good plan..... The chances of me calling you out on that are slim.....however o have been known to block an walk way so people can't get around me.

I always stand up to line cutters - even the "I'm looking for my family" type. Sure, you're looking for your family, but they should be looking for you! DH hates it when I stand up to people though, and just lets them go through and that drives me nuts! We were in line to Alice and a large lady came pushing her way through the line "excuse me, excuse me, they're just up ahead." Well, once she got to me, I was standing at the zig zaggy part of the line, so it really wasn't physically possible for her to get ahead of us, so I just said "nope, not gonna work." I think she was legitimately meeting up with her family, but I was feeling stubborn, and from my experience as a teacher, I have learned not to put up with "budging" (as the kindergartners call it!) Well, she looks at me with puppy dog eyes and treats me as if I'm the rude person. DH let her cut in front of the kids and himself, so now it's just me ahead of her and the line was moving, so I just said "wait until we get to a wider point, but next time your family needs to wait for you."

A few days later on that same trip, we were in the FP return line for GRR (this is on an extremely hot day last summer) and the return line must have had about a 20 minute wait. A really drunk (or high) lady managed to suddenly appear behind us in line, and I assumed she was with the family behind us, but they didn't seem to be having anything to do with her. Well, it turns out she was slowly and quietly slithering her way up the line. She stood so close to DH that he moved over and suddenly she was in front of him, and in between our family of 4. I motioned for him to come in front of her and he just shrugged. Then she quietly stood in my personal space as the line moved. We got up to the CM who was collecting the FP tickets and I was holding all 4, so I made sure to tell the CM "These are for me, the 2 kids and him... she's not with us." We looked back as we walked through the line, and turns out she didn't have a FP and she was pretty incoherent, so the CMs were dealing with her. Not sure what happened to her, since we didn't want to wait around and watch instead of getting on the ride! It really was the strangest form of line cutting I have ever seen.

ETA: I did have a "good" experience with line cutting once, though, and I made sure to tell the kids that they did the right thing. There was a group of teenagers in line for Screamin' and the group was shouting to one boy to jump the line and come join them. He said "I'm not going to do that!" So, one of the friends called "I'll wait right here!" and he let people go ahead of him until he was with his friend.

 

[Indiana Scott]

I have made a spectacle of cutters in the past. At least that way they have second thoughts next time about being humiliated in front of countless people.

 

[Turk February]

Good for you, I'd do the same thing. It's the people who just let this happen that encourage more and to do it.

 

[GatorChris]

It happens in real life, it happens at Disney. Some of us work to get "where we are in line". Others abuse the system and step on those around them to move forward. The problem is you hate to bring real life into Disneyland...until your sense of justice is trampled. Maybe we should begin labeling these folks "Magic Killers".

 

[disneyobsessed808]

I wish I were the type of person to stop line cutters. Usually I would just let them go or would be passive aggressive about it, saying something like "Are you kidding me?" or "This is ridiculous" within earshot of the line cutter. The only times I've stopped people is when they have 5 or 6 people and other groups have been cutting to the point that I'm so annoyed that I feel I need to do something about it.

A friend and I went to Soak City, and my friend stopped two girls from cutting in line and told them calmly that they needed to go to the end of the line like everyone else. After getting off the slide and returning to our lounger, their trashy mother came and threatened and cursed at him. He told security and they went over to warn her, though she should have been escorted off property. The gall of some people! Maybe teach your kids not to cut!

 

[JABRacingOne]

I rarely let cutting slide. I would have told the woman that the best way to find her child would be to go and wait by the exit. That way she would be sure not to miss him / her.....

 

[agamble]

Good for you not letting her pass!! If more guests were willing to stand up for themselves the line cutting would slow up. Some people just don't want a confrontation on vacation, fine, let them pass. But don't complain later.

When it's just one person (or an adult and small kid) I wouldn't say anything because chances are they really are catching up to a group. Things happen.

It happens in real life, it happens at Disney. Some of us work to get "where we are in line". Others abuse the system and step on those around them to move forward. The problem is you hate to bring real life into Disneyland...until your sense of justice is trampled. Maybe we should begin labeling these folks "Magic Killers".

It happens while driving in rush hour traffic. Must get in front of this car that is also going 5 MPH because it makes a really big difference...

 

[Nonsuch]

It happens in real life, it happens at Disney. Some of us work to get "where we are in line". Others abuse the system and step on those around them to move forward. The problem is you hate to bring real life into Disneyland...until your sense of justice is trampled. Maybe we should begin labeling these folks "Magic Killers".

Perhaps literally label them: stick a post-it on their back as they pass, marked "Magic Killer" (or "Kick Me")

 

[WonkaKid]

I did report it to Disney via their site. I'll let you all know what I hear .

As an aside, one of the main reasons it bothers me is because I go to DL to get away from nonsense like this. The overwhelming majority of people are well behaved. I don't like when someone brings bad behavior into the park.
I've spoken to a number of CMs who've told me stories of outrageous guest behavior. I guess we can never truly get away from it. But we can get close .

 

[Ratherbeatdisneyland]

This type of stuff happens to us every trip. And it's really really frustrating. Thankfully after getting on the ride I let it go...I'm a classic hang on to-er. LOL But I don't know. Maybe I am weird...but we have NEVER gotten in line for something until we are ALL ready to get in line. My son needs to go potty? We get out of line and go. Period. It really should just be this way. We are all paying to be there. We have all saved up! No one is more important then someone else. I really do feel sorry for the kids because this type of behavior displayed by the adult teaching them how to behave does not bode well.
I'm getting mad just thinking about it. hahaha. Good thing there is so much pixie dust at the parks that it really doesn't ruin the trip.

 

[LizzyS]

Back in April we were in line for TSMM and this group of teenagers in red shirts just KEPT sneaking more people into the line at the back, next to the building (where the chains are). A couple of people joining a group doesn't ruffle my feathers, but this must have been 10+ kids, who I think were legitimately joining their group, however, that's too many people to meet up with in line, you're cutting at that point. Everyone around us was making comments about them and glaring at them, too.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I don't like it but IMO it doesn't happen often enough to get into a confrontation over.

People line cut on the hiway all the time. The line for the exit is backed up and a bunch of cars are in the other lane but "cut in" right before the exit.
I hate that worse.

MG

 

[WonkaKid]

People line cut on the hiway all the time. The line for the exit is backed up and a bunch of cars are in the other lane but "cut in" right before the exit.
I hate that worse.

Agreed. But I expect that kind of nonsense on the freeway so it bothers me less.