What to do to pass line waiting time?

[masterslacker]

Not sure on what to search for so I just started a new thread....what are some suggestions to help a 4/5 yr old pass the time time while waiting in an attraction line?

Thanks.

 

[TheZeppo]

Tell him if he acts up your going to leave him in It's a Small World and he'll have to live there with all the other bad kids.

 

[BunsenH]

Award points for finding the following:

Loud cell phone talker
Line jumper
Inappropriate dress
Tantrum thrower (bonus points for poor parental response)
Stroller rage

When a specified score is reached, reward with a poor snack choice.

 

[Boncho]

One of our favorite games to play when my son was younger (he's 10 now) was eye-spy! It use to pass the time very quickly while standing in line.
Hope this helps.

 

[sameyeyam]

Look for hidden Mickey's.

Introduce yourself to people near you standing in line - just say "hello, where are you folks from". We have met more nice people and learned more things about faraway places! It's probably more educational than a Social Studies class.

But my favorite thing to do while standing in line - is not to stand in a line. Go look for a ride with a short or non-existent line. Just wander around until you find something that is 5-10 minute wait.

 

[familyfirsttimer]

Subscribe to TGM and you won't be waiting in lines!!!!

(at least that's what I'm hoping for our Aug trip) I agree with other posters to play I spy or the first one to find a "yellow" shirt, etc. I LOVE the idea of introduing yourself to others in line...

Have Fun!

 

[BUPhiSig1997]

When my DS (age 24 at the time) and I went down a few years ago, I kept her occupied with travel games that fit in my purse. Travel Yahtzee is pretty compact, along with Pass the Pigs. These are also good while waiting for parades and shows to start. I wouldn't take anything that can't stay in your hand the whole time though.

Have a great trip!

 

[lola4795]

Take along some bubbles to pass out to the kids when they get restless in line. They love it!

 

[pepe of ohio]

This is where patience is taught. Teaching a youngster how to stand, wait his turn and not crawl all over railings and other guests is the virtue of patience. If the parents gripe and complain, the kids grow up the same, waiting is a part of life and a definite at WDW.

 

[sameyeyam]

We also stand near the line entrance and wait for another family with kids about the same age as our son, then get right behind them. It doesn't take more than about 1 minute to find someone about the same age as your kids.

Then it takes about 10 seconds for my son to find his new playmate standing in line. Sometimes our kids hit it off so well, us parents will decide to take them on another ride together.

We are a pretty outgoing family, but we always make new Disney Friends in line, while waiting for resturant ressies, or at the pool. We usually ask where they are from, where they are staying and how do they like that resort, what is their favorite ride, etc... It is amazingly easy to talk to and make friends with people at Disney.

 

[PrincessJen09]

We look at our maps. Plan the next part of our day. We look at autograph books. When my sister and I were younger we would bring homework with us to do in line or a book to read. We have brought guide books that have fun facts about the attraction we are in line for. Of course, my family rarely waits in a really long line for any ride! Good luck!

 

[2infinityandbeyond]

Subscribe to TGM and you won't be waiting in lines!!!!

(at least that's what I'm hoping for our Aug trip) I agree with other posters to play I spy or the first one to find a "yellow" shirt, etc. I LOVE the idea of introduing yourself to others in line...

Have Fun!

You can definitely avoid lines by following TGM's suggestions. My kids have no idea what I endured as a kid, prior to the days of planning tools like TGM.

 

[Schmeck]

Take along some bubbles to pass out to the kids when they get restless in line. They love it!

My daughter has very sensitive skin, is very allergic to some bubble formulas, so she wouldn't love being in line with someone else blowing bubbles. Also, bubble solutions can stain clothing, sting when they pop in your face/eyes, and can cause kids to dart out of line as they chase a "rogue bubble". So please, save the bubbles for a more open place???

 

[TinyLolitaBunny]

I think to just talk to them enthusiastically about what youre going to do next or what youve done or what characters they want to meet etc- they love being there and theyll probably be less cranky or bored if theyre looking forward to something. also you might want to have a drink or snack on hand. my little sister is going to get a small stuffed animal to carry around so she can play with it on lines and it can protect her during scary parts

 

[TinyLolitaBunny]

My daughter has very sensitive skin, is very allergic to some bubble formulas, so she wouldn't love being in line with someone else blowing bubbles. Also, bubble solutions can stain clothing, sting when they pop in your face/eyes, and can cause kids to dart out of line as they chase a "rogue bubble". So please, save the bubbles for a more open place???

okay so how about those edible bubbles?

 

[Schmeck]

You know, we've never tried the edible bubbles. Someone gave us Catnip Bubbles for our two cats, but the cats never really liked them, so we threw it out. For us, we've found that the small 'wedding' bubbles seem to burn her skin the most - the rash is very pronounced. The bubbles they use in the attractions (Little Mermaid) haven't caused a reaction yet, but she tends to cover up bare skin while she's sitting there, tucking her knees into her shirt, and pulling her arms into the shirt, out of the sleeves. We used to buy bubbles at Walmart that were OK, but then, one day she got a rash from that too.

Now that she's older (12) she's not really 'into' bubbles, so we don't even have them at home. If someone was to be blowing bubbles near us in line, I'd have to do my best to cover her and we'd most likely have to leave the line to wash off her exposed skin.

 

[SnowWhite607]

We brought a travel Magna Doodle with us last year and my then 4 year old loved it. It was small enough to fit in the backpack and she could draw what she wanted, play tic tac toe, etc.

 

[masterslacker]

Thanks for the all the tips...I'm hoping we won't be waiting for one thing super long but a 15 minute wait here and 10 minute wait there, start to add up...although my DD is a major people watcher I'll probably be okay with Eye-spy but I definitely like having more suggestions so I'm prepared..

Thx again and keep the suggestions coming..

 

[GrandmaBarb]

Sign up for TourGuideMike and you won't be standing in lines.
I can guarantee it works. just returned from WDW. Did everything we wanted to do and more and never, never waited in lines.

 

[Kick Save]

When we're in line, we usually tell our children, "See those people there waiting? They didn't use fastpass like we did...hurry up, we're next!"