Waiting in line?

[castleofmist]

I appreciate the OP asking the question. I do not appreciate people who think it is no one else's business but their own if they "have" to take their children out of line to entertain them while someone else holds their places. It is the business of everyone who is in line behind them.

OP, I do appreciate you asking the question and was not offended by it. That's why I put that part in. Obviously, you care what people think or you would not have asked.

I believe a lot of the so-called "negative" posts are people expressing their frustration, not at you, but at what seem to be a growing number of people who don't seem to give a darn about what others think. Unlike you, they wouldn't bother to ask, or at least think about it, in the first place.

 

[texasteacher35]

I have tried not respond to this thread as I have been hoping it would die, but since it continues to be bumped, I will take this opportunity to share my intention in posting and impression of the posts.

I am not quite sure how many of the negative comments made were directed at me versus the idea of people saving places. In either case, I feel the need to defend my question. I believed it was obvious that I was concerned about others in line or I would have never asked the etiquette of line waiting. However, it appears that some interpreted my question as disprespectful.

Just like most of you, I am trying to do an itenerary and plan what my family will do and approx. how much time to allot to each activity. Also like you, my goal is for my family to have the best time possible without negatively affecting the enjoyment of other guests.

This is the first time I have been to WDW with children and don't know what normally happens in line for shows. The only time I have even paid attention to what children were doing in line was when they were being obnoxious and ruining my ability to enjoy a conversation as I waited. I am trying to plan the best experience for my children. If they have to wait in line for a show, that's no big deal, they'll wait in line. I understand now that this is the policy and am more than happy to obey the rules. I did not know there were rules, or I would never have asked. I am not, by nature, a rule breaker. I am sure that I will see many families with young children in line and, regardless of this thread, would not have taken my children out of line once I learned that it is customary to wait. However, I am trying to plan ahead and didn't know what the etiquette, or rule as is the case, was. Hence, I turned to my fellow DISers for clarification.

I will say that I have been taken off-guard by the hostility of some posters. Perhaps I have taken your comments too personally, but I feel attacked by some of the posts. I am sorry if I offended you with my question.

I hope that you do not get the wrong idea about people in general from these posts! It is really "funny", for a lack of a better word, that people are so opinionated on the DIS boards...I have been really shocked by several posts on different threads where people are really, SADLY, angry about questions or topics that are obviously sensitive! I can't believe that a ? would affect so many people lives, for God's sake! WOW! That is scary that people get that CRAZY about simple Disney questions! SAD, SAD, SAD...try to have a great time on your trip and do not worry about what EVERYONE thinks...do what you think would be appropriate! You seem to be a really nice family!

 

[mrstomrice]

It wouldn't bother me as we just got back with a 10 month old and 3 year old...those lines can be long with no stroller to help. Besides that, consider that it is easy to lose the people in line, especially at Nemo because they keep moving it. We got separated at the turnstiles when my husband fell behind us on the way from Everest, so keep a cell phone with you if you decide to split up for a little. We saw a mom who could not find her 14 yo who was holding her spot in line as she went to the bathroom. For FOTLK, if you go later in the afternoon, you shouldn't have much trouble getting a seat. Most of the Pumba section was empty up until the show last week, and it is close to the door so there is not much problem scooting right in if needed. Consider doing the character shots before the show, not after when the crowds empty out to where the characters are and the lines get long for a while...especially Mickey. Have fun!

 

[DiszyDeanette]

I would agree that I don't want a poorly behaved child waiting in line by me, but if your child is too cranky to be in a line, maybe it's time to take a break. If you are going to be at Disney, then you need to prepare your child to wait in lines, like a previous poster has. Bring some special toys or treats that only come out when you are in the lines. Maybe let them buy a souvenier at the beginning of the day, but only let them have it in the line.

I think it boils down to if everyone was holding the place for three people, and there were 100 people in line, then when everyone shows up, the line suddenly triples in size.

Unfortunately, it is the rules of the game. If they are too young to understand, maybe a year or two wait for the vacation would be more practical.

Exactly. If I look at a line and think "Well, OK, I can wait in that line, it's not too long" and then people start making it longer? I get ticked off. If everybody in line was actually IN the line, I may have looked at it and thought "Nah... too long for me, I'll maybe try again later..."

 

[PrincessTiffany]

I have tried not respond to this thread as I have been hoping it would die, but since it continues to be bumped, I will take this opportunity to share my intention in posting and impression of the posts.

I am not quite sure how many of the negative comments made were directed at me versus the idea of people saving places. In either case, I feel the need to defend my question. I believed it was obvious that I was concerned about others in line or I would have never asked the etiquette of line waiting. However, it appears that some interpreted my question as disprespectful.

Just like most of you, I am trying to do an itenerary and plan what my family will do and approx. how much time to allot to each activity. Also like you, my goal is for my family to have the best time possible without negatively affecting the enjoyment of other guests.

This is the first time I have been to WDW with children and don't know what normally happens in line for shows. The only time I have even paid attention to what children were doing in line was when they were being obnoxious and ruining my ability to enjoy a conversation as I waited. I am trying to plan the best experience for my children. If they have to wait in line for a show, that's no big deal, they'll wait in line. I understand now that this is the policy and am more than happy to obey the rules. I did not know there were rules, or I would never have asked. I am not, by nature, a rule breaker. I am sure that I will see many families with young children in line and, regardless of this thread, would not have taken my children out of line once I learned that it is customary to wait. However, I am trying to plan ahead and didn't know what the etiquette, or rule as is the case, was. Hence, I turned to my fellow DISers for clarification.

I will say that I have been taken off-guard by the hostility of some posters. Perhaps I have taken your comments too personally, but I feel attacked by some of the posts. I am sorry if I offended you with my question.

You asked for peoples opinions. I guess that's what you got! Wow! lol Hope ya'll have a great trip.

 

[catherines_mama]

Wow, that's not the reaction I expected. I guess we'll be taking crayons. FWIW, I DO think there is a difference in trying to entertain toddlers than saving a space for 18 people? I have stood in line behind bored kids before and it's not fun, so I actually assumed that people would say, "everyone does it and it's perfectly acceptable". My kids are pretty well behaved, so hopefully it won't be a problem. Glad I asked.

I dont think its fair... this is basically why: Think about the families that don't have the luxury to have another adult go off and entertain the kids. THOSE kids waited in line and THOSE parents had to help that child behave in line. A lot of parents travel alone with their kids, due to DH schedule, travel, illness etc.

For me, I am a single parent whose gone to DISNEY (SOLO) with my DD since she was 2yr old. We've waited in every line there is.. even now since she's up to rollercoasters. But even when she was 2 and we'd wait for Dumbo or Lion King, she learned to keep herself busy (and behave).

To ease the wait, you just plan ahead. Play eyespy. Color. Pack snacks. Have them make up and tell you stories. Use that time as a time to bond with your kids, talk about their imaginations (isnt that what Disney is all about). When we saw FOTLK (our favorite) we simply arrive 10 min before show time at a slower part of the day (early or late) you pretty much can still get in. Same with Nemo.. they will say "Standing room only" but you still get a seat.

 

[smidgy]

on our recent trip, we staked out our illuminations spot. took turns going to the bathroom, etc. when the show was over, we high-tailed it... made it to the resort bus stop. long line.. ok... after a while, some people approach from the right (line starts on the left) and JOIN their family about to board the bus, there are about 8 of them "joining").
I say "talk about cutting in line!" a woman in the line, about to enter the bus with the interlopers says, 'they are our family, they are with us. they had to go to the washroom; you want them to go on the floor?" (It's hard to expain the whole scenario here, but it was very obvious that they were not in line, and THEN left for the bathroom)
I sheepishly apologize. we wait for another bus., then... I think... Hey, I could have stopped to go to the restroom myself. I am crabby cause I REALLY HAVE TO GO!.. and I'll bet 80% of the people in this line "have to go", just like them! this was not a case of someone LEAVING the line cause they had to go, and returning to their spot. It was 1 or 2 people holding places in line for 10
it's a choice. after the fireworks, stop for the bathroom or head straight for the bus line. if someone in your party has to go, you stop at "the facilities", then head for the bus stop. if you want to keep your party together, understandable.... the front runners can fall back with those that "had to go" and you can all be together.
(just like the front runners can wait for those buying ice cream, or souvenirs,) it's a CHOICE. some of my friends like to relax after the nighttime shows, let the "herds" out, eat a treat, etc. some head for the bus lines. those that head for the lines should not have to wait for those who had other things to do, and sent one person on ahead.

 

[toddler]

I'll tell you a tricked that worked with me. I went to Walmart and looked and bought some of the largest cloth table placemats I could find. Luckily they were bright colors, rectangle in shape. Those mats sit fold and I sit them on to of the stroller in a that little loose area of fabric that's always up there... wen we get to a ride, I get those out and hand one to each child. That gives them something to hold onto and to do. Then we get in line. The adults stand behind the kids to shield them from others coming, and we bacically have them sit down on those placemats all the way to the ride. If its one that barely moves, I crank out some of the McDonald Happimeal sized toys out of my backpack and let them entertain themselves but they have more entertainment on the challenge of picking up their mat and moving it quickly as the line moves and they really enjoy that. For them, it defocuses them on the fact that they're waiting in a line... and with the adults "bringin up the rear" it keeps other kids from mingling with ours and trampling them.