What *not* to do at the Anna & Elsa M&G

[GeneralTso]

We are just back from a wonderful vacation, part of it spent at Disneyland. Everything went very well, as usual, except for witnessing a couple of jaw-dropping incidents that were shocking even to me, a Disney vet.

First, the Frozen M&G is really organized well. As you enter Main Street, there are people holding/waving signs guiding you toward the Hub. It's actually hard to not figure out which direction to go.

Hint--if you can, have a "runner" in your group that can get up front as fast as they can. This translated into a lot of dads and brothers run walking as orderly as they could

You line up on the sidewalk, or "on the bricks" as the CM says. Up on the curb. UP. That is key. Do not be on the street. The CM walks everyone in through the castle in a very orderly fashion. You get to know the people before and after you in the line as you are standing together for about half an hour. Point being, you KNOW who you are standing with. I bring this up only because of what happened when we started walking.

A woman with a double wide stroller with 2 little ones inside was on the street, not up on the bricks. When we started walking, she literally SHOVED her stroller into the flow. The people behind me were basically "oh HELL no, not happening." She was so nasty and yelled "I was given the wrong instructions" which everyone just eyerolled and kept moving. It caused quite a scene. I'm really not sure what happened to her but I did not see her after the initial scuffle. I thought---nice try, but how idiotic.

At the actual line to enter the M&G, again all orderly and very easy to follow--I hear screaming. Literally screaming. A grown woman is YELLING at the CM about how unfair this is, how she did not understand the line and would not be waiting 2 hours. Would not. She got louder and louder. She was alone and we realized she left her child in a stroller across the walkway

It was kind of surreal. CM called for his supervisor because he could not placate or calm this woman down. At some point, her husband literally cuts into line and that causes quite the stir. It was a ways behind us so I did not see all that chaos. Supervisors arrive, more yelling and again, I did not see how this was resolved as we were the 5th family in to the M&G.

I could only wonder what that child's memory of this would be. Mom and dad causing such a furor in the line, so much negativity and nastiness.

I'll tell you what though--you do not mess with people in line for Anna and Elsa. They do not play. Disney magic or whatever, it gets real.

The actual time spent with Anna and Elsa was so wonderful. They really take time and engage. They are sweet, funny and you do not feel rushed.

I can't imagine waiting an hour for this, I really can't. If this is a must on your list, get there early, wait for the opening and be one of the first. It's worth it to wait on the front end of the day instead of losing all those hours while the park is open.

Those were my "even I was shocked" moments. Unless you include the awful boy who was spitting on the mirror in the waiting area of Blue Bayou. Yes, spitting. And then he accidentally spit on a woman waiting on the bench sitting in front of the mirror. That went well.

 

[jina]

We were there Sun 8/10 and had a similar experience.

When we were being led into FL prior to rope drop, two separate times folks tried to cut into line in front of me. Both times I alerted the cast member leading us in that "these people are not with me" and both times they acted completely surprised - "what? I thought this was the opening."

Then when DH was waiting in line while DD and I went on some rides apparently one of the dads who said he was at the gates at 7:30 for the 9am opening did not realize there was a pre line and literally started punching a CM because he was not going to stand in line for 2+ hours. I did not see this but I heard a supervisor was called and the dad was led away.

We waited an hour but DH and I swapped a few times to take DD4 on rides- we got 5 rides done in that hour and all in all it was a good experience. I agree A&E were so great with DD and us. I'm glad DD did not see the fight.

 

[Misskitty3]

Yikes!

Hope all these negative situations don't impact future m&g opportunities......punching a CM? Wow!

 

[mummabear]

We were there Sun 8/10 and had a similar experience.

When we were being led into FL prior to rope drop, two separate times folks tried to cut into line in front of me. Both times I alerted the cast member leading us in that "these people are not with me" and both times they acted completely surprised - "what? I thought this was the opening."

Then when DH was waiting in line while DD and I went on some rides apparently one of the dads who said he was at the gates at 7:30 for the 9am opening did not realize there was a pre line and literally started punching a CM because he was not going to stand in line for 2+ hours. I did not see this but I heard a supervisor was called and the dad was led away.

We waited an hour but DH and I swapped a few times to take DD4 on rides- we got 5 rides done in that hour and all in all it was a good experience. I agree A&E were so great with DD and us. I'm glad DD did not see the fight.

Banned for life I hope.

 

[modegard]

Sounds like a crazy line! Does no one get annoyed that there are 'runners' with the family joining them later? I know in a regular line that is not usually an acceptable practice. I understand if you are in line for 60 + minutes and the family wanders away for a while, that is encouraged by CM's for this particular line. But first thing in the morning, people are okay with 'runners'? I am not sure I am ready to start a DL day with the Frozen crowd if it gets ugly. I have no problem with confrontation if I see someone cutting in, but I am not too excited to get in screaming match with another mother - never mind seeing someone throw a punch about standing in line! Seems that some see their time as more valuable than anyone else's for some reason.

 

[larryz]

I wasn't going to, but if this is a daily occurrence, I'll bring my T2i and video encounters like this.

"Meltdown in Annaland." A YouTube viral hit, I'm sure!!!

Does no one get annoyed that there are 'runners' with the family joining them later? I know in a regular line that is not usually an acceptable practice. I understand if you are in line for 60 + minutes and the family wanders away for a while, that is encouraged by CM's for this particular line. But first thing in the morning, people are okay with 'runners'?

I get it. Unlike most lines, this line is not for individual seats in an attraction -- it's per party, so nobody should get their nose out of joint if a Dad or Mom is a "party placeholder" for a larger group.
(is there a T-shirt in there somewhere?)

 

[mom2rtk]

Thanks so much for the detailed report. I'm reading as many as I can so we can hopefully visit them again this December.

Sorry you had to witness so much craziness. I'm not surprised, but I am sorry you had to start your day with it.

 

[SMD]

Sounds like a crazy line! Does no one get annoyed that there are 'runners' with the family joining them later? I know in a regular line that is not usually an acceptable practice. I understand if you are in line for 60 + minutes and the family wanders away for a while, that is encouraged by CM's for this particular line. But first thing in the morning, people are okay with 'runners'? I am not sure I am ready to start a DL day with the Frozen crowd if it gets ugly. I have no problem with confrontation if I see someone cutting in, but I am not too excited to get in screaming match with another mother - never mind seeing someone throw a punch about standing in line! Seems that some see their time as more valuable than anyone else's for some reason.

I think it's better to designate 1-2 people to get in line than to have a whole family, with their double stroller, and full cooler backpacks, sweatshirts, etc try to get in the line. 100 fast moving people is a lot less chaotic than 400 people and all their stuff trying to stay together. Plus it's not like most rides where 5 people joining the line will bump you out of a vehicle, since the whole group goes in together.

 

[modegard]

I think it's better to designate 1-2 people to get in line than to have a whole family, with their double stroller, and full cooler backpacks, sweatshirts, etc try to get in the line. 100 fast moving people is a lot less chaotic than 400 people and all their stuff trying to stay together. Plus it's not like most rides where 5 people joining the line will bump you out of a vehicle, since the whole group goes in together.

This is true.

 

[deli8788]

So if we want to see Elsa and/or Ana first thing in the morning...could someone tell me step by step what to do? We will be there in September. Also the park opens at 10 one day and 8 the other....which day would be better and what time would we get to the turnstiles?

Thanks

 

[jina]

AFAIK no one was angry with folks leaving the line w/ little ones to do rides during the wait or runners who were in the pre-line and let their family in later. For us, DD and DH and I were all together for the pre-line but then took turns going on rides during the wait once we were led in. Pretty much all the familes around us were taking turns with the little ones to do rides during the wait. Who really wants 1-6 year olds standing in line for an hour or more? that would not be fun for anyone and as another posted, A&E greet per party so it's really not much extra time if there are 6 in a party versus 3.

All the craziness and rage was by folks who were either trying to cut into the pre-line while we were being led to FL or folks who did not know there was a pre-line and were doing the rope drop run only to find a 2+ hour wait.

There were also lots of folks who would walk right up to the front of the line to get in (either from FL or from the Pinocchio exit which crosses the front of the line) - all the folks in line would kindly chuckle and let them know where the end of the line is.

 

[jina]

I followed the advice of a poster who posted back in July. For me I recommend doing a regular rope drop time, not a MM as I have found MM is way more crowded than regular entry days. But in this case it was 9am regular or 8am MM - if your choices are 10am regular that may be super crowded so an 8am regular would be better than 10am regular and possibly 8am MM would be better than 10am regular. Maybe others have advice on that.

Get there early - probably 60-90 min before regular entry if you want to wait for a short period of time (say up to 30 min after rope drop) - we got to the gate around 20-30 minutes before rope drop and went to gate 14 (we found the line which was feeding into gate 14 as it tends to be the fastest). We were through the gates by 8:40 for the 9am regular opening.

Walk down main street and look for cast members holding small black circular signs w/ A&E on it who will lead you to the pre-line which is on the sidewalk around the walt statue at the end of main street. DD4 was wearing an Anna dress so the CM's were seeking us out telling us where to go.

We got to the pre-line by 8:45 - by 8:50 the line had doubled so it can grow very fast. We were told the wait would be about an hour from where we were and that turned out to be true. I was OK getting there w. an hour wait because I had read that sometimes there is only 1 sister there for the first 30-60 minutes but in our case both A&E were there from the beginning of the day.

The CM led the pre-line to FL to stand in the real line about 5 minutes before rope drop. Then as soon as I saw the first rope drop runner dashing to peter pan, DD4 and I headed over to Dumbo and made the first ride. Then Alice in Wonderland- then went back to the line to swap w/ DH and he took her on Snow White & the Carousel. Then we swapped again and I took DD4 to Pinocchio. Then we all stood together for the last 10 min until we were led in to meet A&E just a little past 10.

 

[deli8788]

I followed the advice of a poster who posted back in July. For me I recommend doing a regular rope drop time, not a MM as I have found MM is way more crowded than regular entry days. But in this case it was 9am regular or 8am MM - if your choices are 10am regular that may be super crowded so an 8am regular would be better than 10am regular and possibly 8am MM would be better than 10am regular. Maybe others have advice on that. Get there early - probably 60-90 min before regular entry if you want to wait for a short period of time (say up to 30 min after rope drop) - we got to the gate around 20-30 minutes before rope drop and went to gate 14 (we found the line which was feeding into gate 14 as it tends to be the fastest). We were through the gates by 8:40 for the 9am regular opening. Walk down main street and look for cast members holding small black circular signs w/ A&E on it who will lead you to the pre-line which is on the sidewalk around the walt statue at the end of main street. DD4 was wearing an Anna dress so the CM's were seeking us out telling us where to go. We got to the pre-line by 8:45 - by 8:50 the line had doubled so it can grow very fast. We were told the wait would be about an hour from where we were and that turned out to be true. I was OK getting there w. an hour wait because I had read that sometimes there is only 1 sister there for the first 30-60 minutes but in our case both A&E were there from the beginning of the day. The CM led the pre-line to FL to stand in the real line about 5 minutes before rope drop. Then as soon as I saw the first rope drop runner dashing to peter pan, DD4 and I headed over to Dumbo and made the first ride. Then Alice in Wonderland- then went back to the line to swap w/ DH and he took her on Snow White & the Carousel. Then we swapped again and I took DD4 to Pinocchio. Then we all stood together for the last 10 min until we were led in to meet A&E just a little past 10.

Thanks! It is a regular 8 am (I think to make up for the park closing early that day). So I was thinking the same...that 8 would be less crowded than 10. So my question is ....is there a pre line for A&E outside the gate at the turnstiles or not until you get on Main Street?

 

[Cheshirecatty]

WOW---GeneralTso!!!

We have no interest in the Anna and Elsa Meet and Greet, but after reading your review, I kind of just want to hang around(at a distance), to see all the fury.

I am floored at what you had to witness, and I can't help but think of any children, who were made to witness such gross behavior by adults!

Thanks for your report back.

 

[Princess_Nikki]

Good grief!!! *so glad I have two boys who could care less*

 

[deli8788]

I followed the advice of a poster who posted back in July. For me I recommend doing a regular rope drop time, not a MM as I have found MM is way more crowded than regular entry days. But in this case it was 9am regular or 8am MM - if your choices are 10am regular that may be super crowded so an 8am regular would be better than 10am regular and possibly 8am MM would be better than 10am regular. Maybe others have advice on that. Get there early - probably 60-90 min before regular entry if you want to wait for a short period of time (say up to 30 min after rope drop) - we got to the gate around 20-30 minutes before rope drop and went to gate 14 (we found the line which was feeding into gate 14 as it tends to be the fastest). We were through the gates by 8:40 for the 9am regular opening. Walk down main street and look for cast members holding small black circular signs w/ A&E on it who will lead you to the pre-line which is on the sidewalk around the walt statue at the end of main street. DD4 was wearing an Anna dress so the CM's were seeking us out telling us where to go. We got to the pre-line by 8:45 - by 8:50 the line had doubled so it can grow very fast. We were told the wait would be about an hour from where we were and that turned out to be true. I was OK getting there w. an hour wait because I had read that sometimes there is only 1 sister there for the first 30-60 minutes but in our case both A&E were there from the beginning of the day. The CM led the pre-line to FL to stand in the real line about 5 minutes before rope drop. Then as soon as I saw the first rope drop runner dashing to peter pan, DD4 and I headed over to Dumbo and made the first ride. Then Alice in Wonderland- then went back to the line to swap w/ DH and he took her on Snow White & the Carousel. Then we swapped again and I took DD4 to Pinocchio. Then we all stood together for the last 10 min until we were led in to meet A&E just a little past 10.

Thanks! It is a normal 8 am so I was thinking it would be less crowded than 10 am. (I think they are making up for closing early that day....in DCA anyway...it's sept 25th) so my next question is....is there a pre line for A&E outside the gate at the turnstiles or just inside once you get on Main Street?

 

[GeneralTso]

I don't know what I would have done if I saw someone punch a CM! That's just insane.

The pre-line is once you are inside the pearly gates. I was in line to enter the park about 30 minutes before park opened. I was really close to the front of the line. It was not an early morning Disneyland day. Regular opening time.

Be one of the first in, and one of the first down Main Street and to the Hub. Because the girls spend so much time with each family, the line does not move fast. The CM pointed to about 20-25 families back in the line and said "that right there is the 2 hour mark." Those were the families in the park, down Main St and on the bricks for the walk into Fantasyland.

 

[parismeow]

omg! that is insane! i can't believe this kind of behaviour goes on with the m&g.

i am very scared now! i really want to meet A&E but i think i will be able to do the whole pre line. do you think that the line will be shorter during september? since its not that busy at disneyland?
I am not very good at standing up to people so if someone were to cut in the line, what is the best way to go about it?

how much time to you get to spend with the girls?

 

[DharmaLou]

I'd like to be really shocked at these behaviors, but nothing surprises me much anymore. That's in no way condoning it, though!

Ugh. I really want to see A&E, but I don't know if I want to deal with the hassle.

 

[Butterfly123]

When I hear these things I am even more amazed that the CM's are as nice and pleasant as they are. They sure have a lot to deal with!