What games do you play in line?

[figmentgirl]

You may have read my previous post about my going to WDW with two boys that get uncomfortable in big crowds. They are ages 9 and 12. One thing I've heard is for them to have a Nintendo DS or Ipod touch to play in line if they start feeling overwhelmed. ANother good one is line games.

What line games do you play? Tell me exactly how to play so we can do them in Disney.

 

[Metsoskil]

We don't play any games in line, because we never wait in a line longer than 20-25 minutes, even when we've gone during NYE week, or in the busy part of August. Get there at rope drop and use your Fastpasses wisely and you won't have to worry about it.

 

[Hannathy]

we just talk about what we are going to do next, what we just did, where we are going to eat, look at the park maps, you get the idea.

 

[disney4us2002]

We don't play games either but we enjoy people watching. With all the people that visit Disney, there is plenty to see!

 

[SafetyPinndSally]

Usually we go during the times of the year when there aren't very long lines, but the few we have been in we bring along this little 20 Questions game that is really small and we play it to keep busy. It's fun because usually families will play a long with us and it keeps the kids around us calm and occupied.

 

[Marshay]

We take along Disney "Trivia Pursuit" cards from the board games (and some non-Disney ones) and do them in line.

 

[mommyofthreeboys]

Rock, PAPER and Scissors of course!!!

"I spy" a color game.

Waiting for the parks to open is where we usually have to play games. But I play games where I don't have to carry around something.

or.....Just take the time to talk and enjoy each others company.

 

[jmkjr72]

when in line at space mountain we play the new games that they have installed there

 

[kschafer]

My boys enjoyed playing I spy in line but we also just talked a lot about what he have done/are going to do. They also liked looking at pictures on my camera or getting to take pictures with the camera. Sometimes it's fun to see things from their perspective (even if it is often of their shoes or the ceiling )

 

[avgeek81]

I agree that that little 20 questions game is really good and small enough to probably carry in your pocket. I usually bring a book to read in line (or if im waiting for someone to use the restroom)i dont know how much room you have in your bag though

 

[mrs_noopie]

We always bring along several bottles of party-favor sized bubbles... for outside line waits we've always had a good time giving away bubble bottles to other nearby waiting-in-line kids... makes for good time-killing entertainment and waiting-in-line bonding and happiness.

 

[Wall-E1]

We use an iphone for games and usually play Toy Story Mania, Trivial Pursuit, Skee Ball and Connect 4.

 

[bleeps]

Please -- no flames -- my comment is well-intended!

DS is 11, and we've been taking him to WDW every year since he was 5. As many others have suggested, we talk, plan, play "i Spy," play "name that WDW (attraction/park/resort)" (that is, our own 20 questions game based on our WDW trips). We pass the time together as a family.

I cannot tell you how many times, and in how many places, we have seen kids (and it does seem to be boys, especially) who are utterly glued to their hand-held electronic games. They are completely disconnected to their families, completely unaware of their surroundings, and often quite upset/disgusted when it's time to -- get on the attraction, take their seat in a restaurant, eat the food that's been delivered to the table, etc. -- because it is interrupting their game. Even DS has commented, "why did he even go on the vacation?" when seeing peers react this way.

Now I do appreciate that there are plenty of kids who can reasonably do both -- have an electronic game to pass the time (and who might have reasons they really need it to help manage stress relief or something) and still be present to the vacation they are on. But if you know your child is the sort who just gets totally absorbed (and maybe it has had a negative impact on other family activities?) you *might* want to consider leaving that stuff at home.

Again -- just my thoughts.

 

[figmentgirl]

Please -- no flames -- my comment is well-intended!

DS is 11, and we've been taking him to WDW every year since he was 5. As many others have suggested, we talk, plan, play "i Spy," play "name that WDW (attraction/park/resort)" (that is, our own 20 questions game based on our WDW trips). We pass the time together as a family.

I cannot tell you how many times, and in how many places, we have seen kids (and it does seem to be boys, especially) who are utterly glued to their hand-held electronic games. They are completely disconnected to their families, completely unaware of their surroundings, and often quite upset/disgusted when it's time to -- get on the attraction, take their seat in a restaurant, eat the food that's been delivered to the table, etc. -- because it is interrupting their game. Even DS has commented, "why did he even go on the vacation?" when seeing peers react this way.

Now I do appreciate that there are plenty of kids who can reasonably do both -- have an electronic game to pass the time (and who might have reasons they really need it to help manage stress relief or something) and still be present to the vacation they are on. But if you know your child is the sort who just gets totally absorbed (and maybe it has had a negative impact on other family activities?) you *might* want to consider leaving that stuff at home.

Again -- just my thoughts.

I sense the good natured spirit of your writing and wouldn't even think to flame this comment. I always frowned at kids glued to their electronic devices too. Then I met my wonderful stepsons. The get anxious in large crowds and having something that can "put them in their own little world" as you put it is EXACTLY what they need. Children with mild autism and other sensory disorders also benefit from the same techniques. We would be heading back to the room for a break every hour if it weren't for line games and portable electronics.

 

[Muppet_Girl]

We play guess the Disney character- one person picks at character and everyone else can only ask yes or no questions; the person who guesses correctly gets to pick next.

I have also heard of a similar game called "where in the world", which is similar but instead of picking a character, you pick a location in Disney.


I like playing Disney games in the park to keep the immersion in Disney going.

 

[mikamah]

We don't bring the ds because I'm afraid my son would be just what Bleeps said, and wouldn't want to end a game to get on a ride, etc.
We play guessing games, or a category game. We pick a category- disney rides, characters, fruits and vegies, etc, and start with A and go through the alphabet taking turns going naming something in that category. I-spy is also a good one.
Also do i'm thinking of someone, and others have to guess who.

 

[icesk8abc]

In longer lines or waiting for the park to open we like to play a word game. Our only rule is that the word has to have somethings to do with Disney. Someone starts with a word, let's say Space Mountain. The next person has to name something that starts with the last letter of that word, maybe Neverland. Keep going as long as you can. You can also limit the categories to rides, movies or characters. Usually about halfway through everyone around us starts calling out suggestions. Great way to meet others and pass the time.

 

[Rose DiVerona]

I don't remember ever playing games, even when I was little kid. We always talk about how excited we are to be where we are, people-watch, and decide what our plan is for the next few attractions.

 

[HarborBlvd]

We take along Disney "Trivia Pursuit" cards from the board games (and some non-Disney ones) and do them in line.

This is a great idea! I'll have to remember that for next time.

When I was in college and my girlfriends and I would all go to Disneyland for the weekend, we would take a deck of face cards and tell people's love fortunes in line. Just silly things, but people got a kick out of it.

 

[Glencora]

You might want to consider bringing a pair of earplugs for each kid. Noise is one of the biggest stressors in daily life, and Disney is not only loud, but constantly loud - there aren't that many places that are quiet. If the boys start to get anxious, putting in earplugs is the quickest way to relieve a large amount of the stress and overstimulation. I always carry them with me at Disney, and have averted a panic attack or two by using them. HTH