waiting in line ettiquet....

[utahbelle]

We will be there in 5 days and I am wondering what is appropriate and whats not as far as line saving goes. Is it okay for me to wait in line while my husband and kids do something else and then they jump in with me? I really don't want to upset anyone, I just don't know if that's okay to do there. Is it the same thing to save spots for the parades? I sit there and wait and then have my family all come sit down by me?
Please let me know! Be honest!

Thanks!

 

[ScooterL]

Honestly? This is my opinion, but I say no, it's not ok for you to wait in line and then have your husband and kids jump in with you - especially if they have to push past other people to do it (which is what would have to happen in most of DL's queues). The exception might be Nemo, if it has a very long line - just because it is so long. And most of the queue is along walkways and accessible by ducking under the rope instead of having to push past people.

As far as saving spots for parades/fireworks - yeah, that's perfectly fine. For the fireworks or Fantasmic! I'd recommend that they try to get back with you at least 15 minutes before, especially if you're fairly close, because people get packed in so closely (especially for the fireworks, where they make EVERYONE stand up about 10 minutes before the show) that they would have a hard time getting to you if they wait until right before.

If you'll be there in 5 days you can expect this weekend to be quite busy (because Disney's HalloweenTime starts on Friday) but if you're still around next week it should be pretty quiet, so you won't have much in the way of lines.

 

[ShawnaF]

Well, we usually stay away from line saving in rides unless it's for potty break or to get water, but not to jump from ride to ride (remember to use your Fastpasses wisely and there shouldn't be a need to do that!) Try to avoid having to climb over people and wait if the line is short. I have personally not gotten into line when I had to make a bathroom break and my husband and child were in line - I just intended on not riding until they were done, until a really friendly family behind us told me to get back in line with my family!

For the parade, I think most families with kids have mom or dad sitting in the parade spot while the kids are kept active. Block Party Bash and High School Musical really don't require a long wait, so no worries there. Really that just keeps everyone happier and those waits can be pretty darn long for the DL Parade.

I'm sure even with that, there will be a few grumbly people but as long as you're making an effort, blow it off and don't even think about it. Lots of nice people and you're visiting the happiest place on earth - no worries!

 

[kelmac284]

As far as parades go a lot of people do this but if you do that I would definitely try to lay out some sweaters or bags or something to indicate that others are coming and not try to take up the whole block if you know what I mean. Make sure you just save enough room for them to actually sit and not "lay" out if you get my meaning so that others have room to sit down. And I will tell you, by doing this you will still get some people that will try and sit there so be prepared to defend the spots.

As far as saving spots in line though, other than saving spots for your dh and one child to go to the bathroom for a few minutes that doesn't go over too well. People REALLY don't like people "cutting". Especially if it is more than just 2. And if it is obvious that they have been gone a "long" time then it irriates people and although most won't say anything some will.

No one has a problem with little ones having to get out of line to use the potty but most won't tolerate people getting in and out of line or just "crashing" the line cuz they wanted to ride other rides or whatever and didn't want to wait.

Hope that helps.

 

[tink2dw]

If you want to do Fantasy Land with small wait times then be at the Park at opening and go straight thru the castle to the fantasy rides do Dumbo 1st, then Peter Pan, Then get your fastpass for the Pooh ride. And finish your favorite rides and by 11:00am go have lunch.

 

[ShawnaF]

I didn't remember Pooh having fastpass - is this a new one? THAT would be cool! Anyone know if Haunted Mansion will have a fastpass for the Holiday season.

As far as waiting in line - it CAN be fun and chatting with other nice families around you, singing songs together, playing I-spy - use your creativity, we all have to wait so make it fun and active!

 

[XTinabell]

This topic sometimes causes a heated debate but I agree with others. There are no problems with you saving spots for parade and fireworks as long as it's within reason. I've heard of people laying out kingsized blankets saving spots for people and being asked to roll up their blanket by cm's because that's excessive. But saving for a few ppl is very common.

As for saving spots in line this isn't a good idea. Like others said, for potty breaks or things like that it's alright but even then some people don't like it. One person catching up to others is often alright but anymore and it's an inconvience for everyone. Yourself included. To catch up with your party you have to move through those narrow lines and you'll end up getting squished between walls and people and having to dodge in and out of this and that and upsetting a lot of people on the way so it's best to avoid this if possible.

 

[drag n' fly]

The only time we ever save a spot in line was when ds4 had to go potty. We asked the people behind us if it was ok to quickly jump out then in just too be polite and that was it. There is nothing more annoying than one person holding the line. When we were in the line for small world in WDW in Feb a woman about 6 in front of us held the line for her ENTIRE extended family...yes folks 12 people showed up and the cm's said nothing. Well people in line said something. It was then she pretended to not be able to speak or understand english. A small area around you for family at the parade is fine but don't start setting up camp or the cm's will shut you down.

 

[disneyfansmandl]

We are only two of us, and rarely save a place in line for a ride but at the parade, we almost have to save a spot up front or someone will come 2 minutes before it starts and sit (or worse stand) in front of us. We have never had a problem and have met some very nice people while waiting.

 

[DizneyMommy]

If you want to do Fantasy Land with small wait times then be at the Park at opening and go straight thru the castle to the fantasy rides do Dumbo 1st, then Peter Pan, Then get your fastpass for the Pooh ride. And finish your favorite rides and by 11:00am go have lunch.

Pooh has never had fastpasses, it is a walk-on ride at pretty much any time of day...

 

[Hound 109]

If you want to do Fantasy Land with small wait times then be at the Park at opening and go straight thru the castle to the fantasy rides do Dumbo 1st, then Peter Pan, Then get your fastpass for the Pooh ride. And finish your favorite rides and by 11:00am go have lunch.

I think most people suggest the order should be PP first then Dumbo second. (then Alice & Matterhorn)

 

[kuusimo]

I didn't remember Pooh having fastpass - is this a new one? THAT would be cool! !

Pooh had a FP when it first opened, but I think after the first month it was no longer utilized simply because there was not a need for it. They have removed it since.

 

[ByTheHook]

A number of the rides at DL have a point-- usually near the loading area-- where someone in your party who's just slipped out for a BR break can slip back in under the rope or chain. Of course, the polite thing to do would be to let others behind you go ahead until your family member returns. This can be tough, though, as some of those lines (esp. this time of year) are very narrow and congested. Good luck!

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

IMO no I don't believe saving places in lines is right. The lines are narrow and it's not fun getting pushed up against the wall or ropes so that people can get by constantly. Nor do I believe it fair for those waiting the whole time to have the line keep getting longer on them. It's a real problem at DL that we've seen the last few years, and I highly disagree with it. We go and do everything as a family, including wait in line. Waiting is a part of DL, and I feel if my child (who has been going to DL since he was 1 yr. old) can wait his turn, then others can too. Just my honest opinion of course.

 

[kiwitravel]

A number of the rides at DL have a point-- usually near the loading area-- where someone in your party who's just slipped out for a BR break can slip back in under the rope or chain. Of course, the polite thing to do would be to let others behind you go ahead until your family member returns.

I agree exactly, this is what we did. I think its OK to hold someones place in the line as long as it was a family holding one persons place not the other way round. But I thinks it's very rude to push through a line to catch up with your party, when we got to the part of the line where that would have to occur we would wait at that point so our missing family member could just duck under the rope and we would let those behind us go through. For the most we always waited together, but there were times that due to toilet stops or FP getting that one of us was not in the line.

 

[Twinprincesses]

I personally will only leave a family member in line if one of my kids has to pee and it is an emergency. I am not a fan of people weaving back through the line to catch up with their party.

 

[eeyore3847]

oh please do not cut into line. I can not stand that! potty breaks are ok.
I always have hubby go to one ride wit hthe older one and me and the baby always just ride pooh over and over and over! fun but our last DL trip I rode it 10 + times!! ahh the wobbly hunny pot haunted me for days!
Lori

 

[talie95]

I agree that saving spots in line is a "no-no". I remember while waiting in line for Pirates a couple people scooted through all the way to the front and the person in front of us in line said "I guess they have the super fastpass" We all laughed about it and the people cutting in just looked at him (kind of embarrased) and continued through. My kids are 2 and 5 and always wait in line with us. I think in all the lines and times we've been to DL we've only got out of line once or twice for the potty break. They even braved the Nemo line for 1 1/2 hours without too much complaining. We just grabbed some popcorn and an ice cream and they were fine.

 

[heather6699]

I agree that cutting in line is not a good idea and just plain not polite. But I am confused about something...there are quite a few comments that say cutting in line isn't good "unless it's a potty break". Who in line is going to know that my DH and DD had to go to the potty, when they cut in line to catch back up to me????

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

I agree that cutting in line is not a good idea and just plain not polite. But I am confused about something...there are quite a few comments that say cutting in line isn't good "unless it's a potty break". Who in line is going to know that my DH and DD had to go to the potty, when they cut in line to catch back up to me????

That's true. Before getting in a long line we are known to ask around and make sure no one needs anything (potty, drink, snack whatever). That's always worked for us. But I guess if the sudden urge hit after we were in line (that absolutely couldn't wait until after the ride), I'd rather us all get out of line, take care of business, and get back in line. To me that just seems most fair to everyone. But making sure everyone is good before super long lines has been what works best for us!