Waiting in Line

[Beehn]

I have a 3 1/2 DD and soon we'll be on our way. Does anyone have any ideas for keeping a little one entertained while waiting in the sometimes never-ending lines? We play I-Spy but that gets a little old. Anything else small and light I can pack to keep her attention for a little while? Does anyone out there have any tricks?
Thanks for the help!

 

[arielsleepingbeauty]

I usually pack little PVC characters. I have 2 daughters 4 1/2 and 6 so they can play with the characters themsleves. I let them bring 2 each and they are small enough to fit into my fanny pack for when we board the ride. We also practice reading. I bring flashcards with character names on them and we also play the guess who game. We give simple clues about a character or a movie and then try to guess which one it is. Our wait time is usually not that long and usually we talk with the people in front or in back of us.

 

[GEM]

All good ideas, but, seriously, the best thing you can do is make sure you don't wait in line any more than is absolutely necessary! We just got back from a 8 day trip in June and we did absolutely everything and never waited in line more than 10 minutes! (Our rule is, if the wait is over 15 minutes, SKIP IT!)

Get to the parks very early, have a good touring plan, and make very good use of Fast Pass and you won't have to worry about what to do in line! A good touring plan that takes into consideration the best times to do each ride is worth everything during the busy times of year!

If you haven't yet, I'd really reccomend either checking out Tour Guide Mike's website or getting a copy of the The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World. Both have devoted fans. We've used them both and like different things about each.

 

[cleo]

Bubbles always go over well, as long as you don't disturb other guests when you use them. Get some of those little bubble bottles people use for weddings. They're small, light, and work wonders in line.

Is she able to play scissors/paper/rock yet? That got us through many a long wait, especially when DS was old enough to do the two-fisted version.

 

[LadyZolt]

We used to do rock/paper/scissors (youngest is now 16), and other "hand" games -- Itsy Bitsy Spider; Here is the church, here is the steeple; stuff like that. Many rides have stuff to look at in the lines. Waiting for Body Wars, my DS3 at the time was fascinated with the part that pretended to be sterilizing you. When we went back later, there was no line and I was trying to just walk right on, but he stopped to "sterilize" himself like he did the first time. LOL! It's still one of my most fond memories of taking them to Disney World when they were little. We went before there were Fast Passes and I found that there was so much to look at and talk about, the kids didn't find waiting in line to be too frustrating. Like others said, talk to those around you, or make up stories and enlist your child to help you think of what happens next. If they're familiar with the ride or the story behind the ride, ask them to think of what they might see. Like, for Peter Pan, they might see Captain Hook, Wendy, etc., or for Dumbo, ask them how he could fly, etc. I think one of the main things is that if you act calm and relaxed, that helps the child, too. Just treat it as matter-of-fact (and in the days before Fast Pass, it was! LOL!) that standing in line is just something you have to do sometimes. I even think sometimes the wait makes the ride more enjoyable when you finally get on it. I'm sure you will all have a fabulous time!

-Dorothy (LadyZolt)

 

[KarenCPA]

when mine were little, we played choo choo train. each time the line moved a little, we would hold on to the hips of the person in front of us (not the strangers, just our family!) and make choo choo noises as we shuffled forward.

 

[sameyeyam]

Make new friends in line. We stand by the entrance line and wait for a family to come along with a child about our son's age. It usually only takes about a minute or so! Then we get in line right behind them.

As soon as the line stops, I ask one of the adults "where they are from" and introduce ourselves. That usually gets the conversation started, then I say "oh, looks like our boys are about the same age". I introduce my son to the other boy and ask his name. That's all it takes. Then my son has someone to talk to and play with while we are in line.

We have met so many nice people that way, and sometimes by the time we get to the front of the line the boys are such good friends they want to ride together. We have even went on other rides afterwards with our new friends!

Don't worry about entertaining your kids, let the other kids around you entertain each other!

 

[nickeymouse]

What we do is go at off times. When everone is in school. There will still be a line though, about 15 min. or less. The best thing is to go to must see rides (splash mountain, test track & on) first. Go to the park when it just opens and then go to those rides first. Later on do the other rides.

 

[disnut8]

I did Disney trivia cards. PM me if you want the Word document I have. It's been a few years but I'm sure the questions and answers are still valid. It's really nice because the other people in line will try and figure out the answer too!

 

[TikiGoddess]

It's pricey, but Pal Mickey kept our boys occupied in lines. Yes, we got to hear Mickey's super cheesy jokes a hundred and one times, but I'd rather hear that than whining. We also used snacks. She may be too young for this, but we played the alphabet game where you have to come up w/a word that starts w/each letter of the alphabet in order. We take turns and we tried to use Disney words. I have to help them some, but they enjoy it. Oh, the autograph books kept them pretty occupied as well. I do agree w/the poster that said try to avoid long lines though. If you plan well, you can skip the long standing.

 

[MsLeFever]

We use the digital camera to entertain - take lots of photos of the kids making faces...most get immediately deleted after they review them.

 

[Sleeping Becca]

Another vote for Pal Mickey! He was great! We also play Who am I and the alphabet game with Disney words.