What are the rules for waiting in line?

[maxiesmom]

The problem with getting back into most lines is that you have to push past everyone else in line to do so. I feel bad enough doing so when I leave a line, no way would I do it to get back into "my" spot.

 

[cruisingmom1977]

The height restriction for FoP is 44 inches. Think that leaves out many 5 year olds. Most of the rides with the really long lines are not meant for kids that young.

The longest lines (in my opinion) are FOP, NAVI, Mine Train, Soarin, Test Track and FEA. My just turned 5 year old son is 47 inches. He can easily ride all of these rides. There is no way in heck he can go over 2 hours without a potty break. That being said, we are going for 8 days and I am hoping to secure fast passes for all of those rides.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

The longest lines (in my opinion) are FOP, NAVI, Mine Train, Soarin, Test Track and FEA. My just turned 5 year old son is 47 inches. He can easily ride all of these rides. There is no way in heck he can go over 2 hours without a potty break. That being said, we are going for 8 days and I am hoping to secure fast passes for all of those rides.

This is what we did when we had kids this young. There is ZERO CHANCE that I would have ever taken a 5yo into a 2-5 hour line!! Actually, there is zero chance that I will wait in a 2-5 hour line. We top out at 45min... max.... in the summer. We use rope drop, FP, EMH and get done what we want to -- even in the summer.

I know that getting hands on FoP FP for shorter trips is a real issue. Truly, I would rd it or skip it if I couldn't get a FP and thought the bathroom would be an issue. One person joining his/her party, we don't let bug us. But I cannot imagine an entire group getting out of line to use the bathroom and thinking they could/should all walk back into their spot. Doesn't seem realistic with these queues. Or with surrounding people potentially cranky wit a 3hr wait! And imagine if MANY people did this... it would be hours of people pushing past you twice to use the bathroom... luckily most seem to plan around having to do that.

 

[keishashadow]

Just go to the bathroom before you get in line.

If someone was obviously popping out with a small child and then returned, it wouldn't bother me, but it's not always obvious when that happens. It does annoy me when entire families try to push past to meet their one family member at the front of the line, though. I've been known to block the path when that happens and not let them through...

Haven't blocked the line but have wondered in the past while multiple people snake past me, always on the popular rides.

Funny, how I never see the people walking past me down the line to use the facilities in the first place

&

Have rarely observed a small child & a parent doing the "excuse me's" (or, giving them automatic pass, it just didn't register with me). It's usually a few young adults or a parent & teen(s).

Not sure if they are really 'joining' their party or just doing their own version of go to the head of the class.

 

[Deanie1]

Note to self: Do not drink that morning coffee on the day you plan to ropedrop FOP!

 

[Jadyreen1282]

Note to self: Do not drink that morning coffee on the day you plan to ropedrop FOP!

Or wear Depends, huggies or somr such.

 

[pmaurer74]

I rode FOP just yesterday. Due to technical difficulties, it was only running at half capacity. Our one hour wait turned into a 3 hour wait. When we got to the part of the queue where to split you into the different link chambers, someone asked the CM stationed there if there was a place she could go to the restroom. She said yes and ushered them out of line. She told them there wasn't one inside the building but there was one next to the gift shop. She gave them these cards on a lanyard, not sure what they were, but she said to show that to the CM at the entrance and they would let them back in line. We were so close to getting on the ride, so not sure why you would go then unless it was an emergency. Other than that, I'm not sure where there would be CMs stationed in the queue.

Yes I saw something like this when I was there. We were about 60 minutes in and the little girl had to go badly. I felt sorry for them.

 

[Farro]

The problem with getting back into most lines is that you have to push past everyone else in line to do so. I feel bad enough doing so when I leave a line, no way would I do it to get back into "my" spot.

The only reason you feel bad is because everyone is giving you a dirty look for no real reason.

We are talking about one person or a parent/child leaving their spot with other members still moving along, using the washroom and then returning to the same place in line they had before. There is nothing wrong with that, it happens.

No one is talking about a family of 15 all leaving and then coming back or 8 people all of a sudden showing up from out of nowhere to join the one person in front of you, but this being the DIS, everyone will post on here how it happened to them.
Of course it happens, but I think we can all tell the difference between a person with a bathroom emergency and a group of people cutting the line.

And sorry, but everyone saying don't go on the ride if you can't hold it - anything can happen in 3 hours. Do you people not keep hydrated in the summer heat? I seriously doubt anyone heads in the line knowing they have to use the washroom.

 

[whiporee]

Why would anyone expect someone to wait two hours and then back get back into a line and wait another 3 hours on top? This is unreasonable.

Because they have been in the line just as long as you have, and they aren't leaving it. They don't know if you're really using the bathroom or are thirsty or just want to walk around a little bit or whatever. All they know is that they've been waiting in a long, long line for a long, long time, and you're sliding past them. If it's a 10 minute wait, no one probably minds. If it's a 40 minute wait, some people will get annoyed. But if they've been in line for an hour and still have an hour to go, and then someone -- anyone, no matter the reason -- wants to get past them, it's aggravating. It's expecting other people to be considerate when you aren't being considerate -- you're expecting them to put your needs above theirs.

But, you ask, how could anyone object when my child needs to use the potty? They could say if your kid can't handle a long wait, that's the risk you take. They could say you knew how long the line was when you got into it, and maybe you should have thought ahead in greater detail. They could say I'm hot and sweaty and bored and I made sure my kid went to the bathroom before we got in line, and if you had done that, then maybe I'd be that much closer to getting on the ride. I mean, you could easily flip the question, couldn't you? Why would anyone expect someone who has been waiting in a line two hours to let someone leave it and then come back the spot they left? Part of the WDW social contract is that you wait in lines -- why should you get to violate it?

And while I'm sure you're a nice person with a great avatar, all the people behind you who didn't see you leave know is that you're moving past them in a long, long line. They don't know if it was a bathroom break of Joey holding your spot while you did the Safari and watched the bug show -- all they know is you and your party are moving past them in a long line. Of course they're aggravated; most people would be.

All of that said, my experience has been that most people are perfectly fine letting someone use the bathroom and reclaim their spot. Most people -- sigh -- are even accepting of the "catching up with whoever" activity. But that's only because most people are being nice. When you leave the line for whatever reason, you're depending/expecting/demanding other people be nice to you. Most of the time they will be, but it's hard to really condemn those who choose otherwise.

Especially after a long, long wait in a long, long line.

 

[Farro]

Wow.

I've never had to do it, thank god, but if I am ever the unfortunate soul who has to leave a line for an emergency, I will be sure to grovel and beg a thousand pardons to all those who's day I have now ruined as I crawl back to my spot.

 

[whiporee]

Wow.

I've never had to do it, thank god, but if I am ever the unfortunate soul who has to leave a line for an emergency, I will be sure to grovel and beg a thousand pardons to all those who's day I have now ruined as I crawl back to my spot.

Or you could just say thank you, as opposed to thinking you're entitled to it and that anyone who thinks otherwise is, in your words, giving you a dirty look for no reason. That works, too.

 

[Farro]

Or you could just say thank you, as opposed to thinking you're entitled to it and that anyone who thinks otherwise is, in your words, giving you a dirty look for no reason. That works, too.

I'll keep that in mind, thanks for the suggestion. You shouldn't get so worked up though, it's going to be fine, I promise.

 

[whiporee]

Dude, you started that. I was just answering a questions about why someone might not love it when someone goes past them in line for any reason. I wasn't trying to be snarky, but it is a weird expectation that people have that they could leave a line and return to it, and that those who did not leave somehow have an obligation to allow it. I've never stopped anyone in a line; I've also never left one and expected to return to the spot i departed.

Because, in truth and in any other avenue in the world, the reasonable expectation is that if you leave a line, you've left the line. The fact that so many at WDW allow rejoins is a testament to the kindness people show, not the other way around.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I'll keep that in mind, thanks for the suggestion. You shouldn't get so worked up though, it's going to be fine, I promise.

FWIW you seem to be the person a bit more worked up when comparing you and the other poster based on your posts:

"Oh my god, I can't believe anyone would have issue with someone (one person) that had to leave the line to use the bathroom!"
"wow"
"unfortunate soul"
"grovel and beg a thousand pardons to all those who's day I have now ruined as I crawl back to my spot"
"giving you a dirty look for no real reason."
"....but this being the DIS, everyone will post on here how it happened to them."

Not to mention all the emojis.

You seem to be a bit more passionate I guess is the word on the subject.

 

[rwdavis2]

Why would anyone wait in a 2 hour line?

 

[Farro]

@whiporee @Mackenzie Click-Mickelson

Okay guys! goodnight!

(and I'm the "dude-ette" in the avatar, is that right? a female dude? or are we just all dudes? I think we are just all dudes )

 

[KrazeeK120]

Why would anyone wait in a 2 hour line?

Unfortunately, FPs run out rather quickly for some rides (like FOP), and rope drop may not be feasible for one reason or another.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

@whiporee @Mackenzie Click-Mickelson

Okay guys! goodnight!

(and I'm the "dude-ette" in the avatar, is that right? a female dude? or are we just all dudes? I think we are just all dudes )

No need to tag me in it I'm just pointing out something..I don't really need your snark.

 

[maxiesmom]

Why would anyone wait in a 2 hour line?

My nephew had to the year he went to WDW with his school. They wouldn't allow the kids to hang on to their park passes (this was with the old pull paper FP) so they couldn't get FPs. He did manage to convince them to go early on their Animal Kingdom day and pull FP for Everest. But he has some great pictures of the enormous Rock N Rollercoaster line he had to wait in. The school went over Spring Break, so it was a madhouse.

 

[Disney_Princess83]

Because they have been in the line just as long as you have, and they aren't leaving it. They don't know if you're really using the bathroom or are thirsty or just want to walk around a little bit or whatever. All they know is that they've been waiting in a long, long line for a long, long time, and you're sliding past them. If it's a 10 minute wait, no one probably minds. If it's a 40 minute wait, some people will get annoyed. But if they've been in line for an hour and still have an hour to go, and then someone -- anyone, no matter the reason -- wants to get past them, it's aggravating. It's expecting other people to be considerate when you aren't being considerate -- you're expecting them to put your needs above theirs.

I'm not sure how I'm expecting to put my needs above theirs? I'm hardly being inconsiderate by needing to go to the toilet, unfortunately we all have bodily functions that regularly need attending. This is especially true of children who, when they have to go to the toilet, they absolutely have to go now! More so the younger ones. While usually rides with longer lines aren't for the under fives, I can think of several (Frozen Ever After and Peter Pan which regular have long waits) If I've been waiting for two hours with an hour still to go and I'm in line with a child who has to go to the toilet, I'm not waiting another three hours plus the two I've already waited. It's unreasonable to expect a person, especially with young children to wait in a 5 hour line when the actual ride is only 2-3 hours. If this happened to me, I'd speak with a CM and explain the situation. I would be happy to return to the line and wait another hour if I had been in line 2 hours and the wait was 3. I'm NOT going to the back of the line. If another guest had an issue with that, I'm sorry but it wouldn't bother me. I'm not cutting the line, I'm attending the needs of a child and I've waited in the line as long as you. I assure you, I don't WANT to do the toilet dash with a toddler, it's life with a child.

But, you ask, how could anyone object when my child needs to use the potty? They could say if your kid can't handle a long wait, that's the risk you take. They could say you knew how long the line was when you got into it, and maybe you should have thought ahead in greater detail. They could say I'm hot and sweaty and bored and I made sure my kid went to the bathroom before we got in line, and if you had done that, then maybe I'd be that much closer to getting on the ride. I mean, you could easily flip the question, couldn't you? Why would anyone expect someone who has been waiting in a line two hours to let someone leave it and then come back the spot they left? Part of the WDW social contract is that you wait in lines -- why should you get to violate it?

In my experience, you can take a child to the bathroom and within ten minutes, they absolutely MUST go to the toilet again. Children don't have the same cognitive functions as an adult, nor do they have the physical control over their bladder. I would prefer to take my child to the toilet as opposed to having people step over a puddle. I personally would never have a problem with a parent/caregiver leaving the line with a child to use the bathroom. If someone does have a problem, I think that says something about them. Also, if I've been in line, leave the line and return, no one behind me has an additional wait. They will get on the ride exactly the same time they would have if I hadn't left the line.

And while I'm sure you're a nice person with a great avatar, all the people behind you who didn't see you leave know is that you're moving past them in a long, long line. They don't know if it was a bathroom break of Joey holding your spot while you did the Safari and watched the bug show -- all they know is you and your party are moving past them in a long line. Of course they're aggravated; most people would be.

I personally wouldn't be annoyed, especially if I could see it was a parent with a young child. Why would anyone be annoyed at a parent taking care of their child, especially for something like a toilet break. I would prefer they leave then having to step over the puddle or hear (or smell!) a very upset child who has soiled themselves. Most people aren't cutting lines. Yes, you will always get some but the majority of people are doing the right thing. I personally can't see the issue.

All of that said, my experience has been that most people are perfectly fine letting someone use the bathroom and reclaim their spot. Most people -- sigh -- are even accepting of the "catching up with whoever" activity. But that's only because most people are being nice. When you leave the line for whatever reason, you're depending/expecting/demanding other people be nice to you. Most of the time they will be, but it's hard to really condemn those who choose otherwise. Especially after a long, long wait in a long, long line.

I'm not really expecting people to be nice. I'm expecting people to be fair, which is exactly what I always am. I'm not going to stress about lines, or someone going to the toilet and even line cutting to be honest. I have a very stressful life at home and my job, I'm not going to stress out because someone has to leave the line and use the potty.

Also, I just want to point out that this is entirely hypothetical. I don't travel with children but I know what it's like to care for them so I would never begrudge a parent for doing what they have to do. I cannot begin to imagine the stress of doing WDW with children. It's hard enough for us with all adults. My hats off to anyone who brings children to the parks and if they've been in line to meet Cinderella for two hours and needs to use the toilet, I don't have an issue with them leaving and coming back. No one wants to meet a Princess with a stain on their pants!

And thank you for the compliment on my avatar. I love Giselle, I wish she met in the Parks!