Long Line Memories and Line Etiquette, Your Worst Line Experiences

[clarabellej]

So, while discussing line etiquette and what is allowed and what is just plain annoying, some “line memories” came flooding back to me. I know you all have them, so feel free to vent and share.

Are you one of those awkward people/families who hold a place in line. I don’t mean, while someone works their way out to use the facilities and then works their way back. More like, one parent rides a ride with the kid while the other waits in the super long line.

Or I actually stood in a probably 4 hour line at Epcot for Anna & Elsa while I sent the kids to Test Track. Yes, the line took that long. In the broad sun! Long enough for them to ride Test Track & come back. Then they saved our place and I went in search of cold beverages.

Are y’all fine with that strategy? It seemed everyone was going the same.

I am not cool with blatant cutting, which I witnessed while in the old line for Ariel (where Nautilus used to be). The line seemed like it was never ending and we saw kids squeezing between the fake boulders. I had to tattle to a CM. Where were the parents??

So kind of a “What’s Your Worst Line Memory” or “What Have You Done or Put Up With In Line/What Is Acceptable?” question.

The Anna & Elsa line experience is ingrained in my mind. What are some of yours.

And BTW, shame on Disney for any sort of line that goes on that long. Couldn’t they have had more than one Anna & Elsa to speed it along??!

 

[HolleBolleGijs]

Very circumstantial for me. If it's one person joining a group, fine. Or a parent having to take their child to the bathroom--again, no problem. On my last trip, though, we had a few issues in DHS. The most egregious was this (apologies in advance, I kind of just want to rant about it):

While waiting in line for MFSR, there were two people in front of us. This was during the portion of the queue along the back of the Falcon. There's a barrier on the right side, but on the other side of the barrier is open park space. So first, the two people in front of us open a gate to let two additional people in. The line moves a bit, and then they open the rope to let another person in. So now a group of two turned into a group of five. These were all grown humans. Some were wearing passholder gear, the others decked head to toe in matching Rose gold--Disneyland spirit jersey, ears, Loungefly backpack. I said something after the second instance, and of course they got all defensive, saying things like:

• "They had to go to the bathroom! What would you have done?" I responded that I would wait for them to use the bathroom before getting in line. "Well, that's not how we do things."
• "This happens all the time. You must never go to Disney parks."

They proceeded to be super obnoxious the rest of the queue, audibly talking about my group, bragging about things that they've done in the parks, joking about cutting in line. I was SO relieved when we got split up at merge.

At the end of the day, after typing this out, it probably wasn't a huge deal. I was more bothered by their entitled attitude. Like, if you're going to split up, at least do the walk of shame and go through the regular queue. And apologize when someone calls you out.

Later, we had another issue at TSMM, where people kept joining the group in front of us, turning a group of 3 into a group of 10+. At one point, the people around us in line physically stopped letting them through, and it became kind of a thing. My mom complained to the CM at merge and got us a FP for our troubles.

 

[Think Tink]

Or I actually stood in a probably 4 hour line at Epcot for Anna & Elsa while I sent the kids to Test Track. Yes, the line took that long. In the broad sun! Long enough for them to ride Test Track & come back. Then they saved our place and I went in search of cold beverages.

Are y’all fine with that strategy? It seemed everyone was going the same.

Not that my opinion really matters, But I’m not really fine with that strategy. I get 4 hours is a RIDICULOUS line, but when I took my nephews, we all waited together. If everyone sends placeholders then the cast members can’t tell how long a line will actually be. I have complained to CMs about line jumping which seems similar to what you did for your children. The whole party should be in line unless someone needs to go to the restroom or has a medical issue that needs tending to.

 

[danyoung56]

I was in the single rider line for Test Track about a year ago. There was a guy behind me, and then a lady behind him who was slowly working her way up the line. She was about to pass me, forcing me to do something about it, when the guy behind me said "wait a minute - you were behind ME!" She blustered a bit and tried to say that it was more of a holding pen than a strict line, when he said again "but you were BEHIND me!" She got the message, moved back behind the guy, and didn't try anything for the rest of the queue.

Another time (also at Test Track) a father and son waited in the single rider line, then told the CM at the head of the line that they needed to ride together. She patiently explained "no, this is the single rider line - everybody gets split up." Well, this tool continued to get louder and louder, insisting that he and his son needed to ride together, and the CM kept saying "one on row 1 and and one on row 5, or else exit the line." She stayed pleasant while this guy was freaking out. She finally told him "OK, I can let you two ride in the same car - one on row 3, and one on row 4." He took his place on row 4, and then proceeded to convince a guy on row 3 to change places with him so he could sit next to his son. Just incredibly bad form, and if I were the CM he would have been kicked off the ride (and I probably would have been fired for not keeping the guests happy!).

 

[Parker in NYC]

I was in the single rider line for Test Track about a year ago. There was a guy behind me, and then a lady behind him who was slowly working her way up the line. She was about to pass me, forcing me to do something about it, when the guy behind me said "wait a minute - you were behind ME!" She blustered a bit and tried to say that it was more of a holding pen than a strict line, when he said again "but you were BEHIND me!" She got the message, moved back behind the guy, and didn't try anything for the rest of the queue.

And this is why I'm always nervous to heed cast member's requests to fill in all empty spaces.

 

[Club Cooloholic]

So, while discussing line etiquette and what is allowed and what is just plain annoying, some “line memories” came flooding back to me. I know you all have them, so feel free to vent and share.

Are you one of those awkward people/families who hold a place in line. I don’t mean, while someone works their way out to use the facilities and then works their way back. More like, one parent rides a ride with the kid while the other waits in the super long line.

Or I actually stood in a probably 4 hour line at Epcot for Anna & Elsa while I sent the kids to Test Track. Yes, the line took that long. In the broad sun! Long enough for them to ride Test Track & come back. Then they saved our place and I went in search of cold beverages.

Are y’all fine with that strategy? It seemed everyone was going the same.

I am not cool with blatant cutting, which I witnessed while in the old line for Ariel (where Nautilus used to be). The line seemed like it was never ending and we saw kids squeezing between the fake boulders. I had to tattle to a CM. Where were the parents??

So kind of a “What’s Your Worst Line Memory” or “What Have You Done or Put Up With In Line/What Is Acceptable?” question.

The Anna & Elsa line experience is ingrained in my mind. What are some of yours.

And BTW, shame on Disney for any sort of line that goes on that long. Couldn’t they have had more than one Anna & Elsa to speed it along??!

Once while waiting for Winnie the Pooh we waited for what was easily an hour or more, with the occasional people pushing through to catch up to guests(sorry, you don't hop in while the rest of the family is in the bathroom to hold down the fort, wait for them, I understand if while waiting a little kid needs to hit the restroom and a parent takes them, but I have seen 3 people trying to catch up with one or two people, sorry not cool) anyway, we were literally 2 cars away from riding when it broke down. We got a fastpass to come back for our trouble.

 

[twall0415]

Not that my opinion really matters, But I’m not really fine with that strategy. I get 4 hours is a RIDICULOUS line, but when I took my nephews, we all waited together. If everyone sends placeholders then the cast members can’t tell how long a line will actually be. I have complained to CMs about line jumping which seems similar to what you did for your children. The whole party should be in line unless someone needs to go to the restroom or has a medical issue that needs tending to.

I couldn't agree with you more! Young children are going to have to go to the bathroom that is inevitable and completely understandable and the same for medical issues. But having one person wait in line and having your group show up later is disrespectful of everyone else who was in line before you and waited their fair share. You are basically saying to all those people your time is more important than theirs which is not right.

 

[Zé_Carioca]

And this is why I'm always nervous to heed cast member's requests to fill in all empty spaces.

But they are not the same scenario?

In this case it was clearly a line and she just used the holding pen line as an excuse for cutting.

When CMs ask to fill all the available space, there is no line but I do agree that people get upset and think others are cutting in those instances and Im always cautious.

 

[Club Cooloholic]

Not that my opinion really matters, But I’m not really fine with that strategy. I get 4 hours is a RIDICULOUS line, but when I took my nephews, we all waited together. If everyone sends placeholders then the cast members can’t tell how long a line will actually be. I have complained to CMs about line jumping which seems similar to what you did for your children. The whole party should be in line unless someone needs to go to the restroom or has a medical issue that needs tending to.

I agree with you not cool. OP is not using a strategy, that is blatant cutting. If that was considered allowable there would be people willing to be "hired family" for the day just to stand in lines while you ride something else.

 

[Parker in NYC]

But they are not the same scenario?

In this case it was clearly a line and she just used the holding pen line as an excuse for cutting.

When CMs ask to fill all the available space, there is no line but I do agree that people get upset and think others are cutting in those instances and Im always cautious.

I don't know, I've been in legitimate holding pen lines where folks have accused others of cutting in line (myself included). There's a Pret by me with five registers, no matter how often they ask to form separate lines, there's inevitably one long line behind one of them. Whenever I've broken to go to one of the other four, I'm admonished.

 

[Zé_Carioca]

I don't know, I've been in legitimate holding pen lines where folks have accused others of cutting in line (myself included). There's a Pret by me with five registers, no matter how often they ask to form separate lines, there's inevitably one long line behind one of them. Whenever I've broken to go to one of the other four, I'm admonished.

I'm really sorry you experienced that. You did nothing wrong, those people just didn't know better and sadly it happens all the time. Because of that I am also always afraid when filling all the available space or moving to other registers and do it slowly to allow others to also move there if they so wish.

Sadly, the case above is not like the instances we've experienced. The single rider line at Test Track is a single file line and the woman was just trying to jump people in line which also sadly happens all the time at Disney as this thread shows.

 

[Lilofan]

I've been in a situation that standing in line waiting at Toy Story Ride and guests went behind the curtain of Mr Potato Head with empty soda bottles. After a few minutes they came back on line. Had to relieve themselves.

 

[utterlunacy]

I dont hugely mind a person or two coming in to meet up with the rest of their group. When it gets to me is when one person is holding the spot for ALOT of others. I had a situation a few years ago at River Cruise where one guy was holding a spot for 15 people in a 60+ minute line. The line got a little "restless" to say the least.

 

[Parker in NYC]

I dont hugely mind a person or two coming in to meet up with the rest of their group. When it gets to me is when one person is holding the spot for ALOT of others. I had a situation a few years ago at River Cruise where one guy was holding a spot for 15 people in a 60+ minute line. The line got a little "restless" to say the least.

That happened to me on opening day of RoTR. I was one person away from the tapstiles when five people joined just a few minutes before opening. Yeah, not a huge issue but we'd been up since 3 am. Bastards.

 

[NickMaio]

And this is why I'm always nervous to heed cast member's requests to fill in all empty spaces.

Yes - - - Haunted mansion is the absolute worst.

 

[JIMINYCR]

I've been one who resists the line jumpers. Why should I stand in line for lengthy times, patiently, inching slowly up to the front and here comes a line jumper who thinks they are privileged to skip ahead of countless others. When they reach me I stand firm, dont let them pass. Let them cry, let them use the "my friends are up there" line, I dont care. I refuse to let them pass and have even called a nearby CM and most times theyve backed me up. The most egregious one was several years ago in the line for Space Mtn. KId runs up to where the FP+ line ended, jumps over the railing, and tried to get further, actually pushing people out of his way to get ahead. I held him back, and this time others around me who saw him jump the railing also joined in and refused him passage. It was bad enough that a CM heard the commotion and showed up and escorted him out.

 

[clarabellej]

Very circumstantial for me. If it's one person joining a group, fine. Or a parent having to take their child to the bathroom--again, no problem. On my last trip, though, we had a few issues in DHS. The most egregious was this (apologies in advance, I kind of just want to rant about it):

While waiting in line for MFSR, there were two people in front of us. This was during the portion of the queue along the back of the Falcon. There's a barrier on the right side, but on the other side of the barrier is open park space. So first, the two people in front of us open a gate to let two additional people in. The line moves a bit, and then they open the rope to let another person in. So now a group of two turned into a group of five. These were all grown humans. Some were wearing passholder gear, the others decked head to toe in matching Rose gold--Disneyland spirit jersey, ears, Loungefly backpack. I said something after the second instance, and of course they got all defensive, saying things like:

• "They had to go to the bathroom! What would you have done?" I responded that I would wait for them to use the bathroom before getting in line. "Well, that's not how we do things."
• "This happens all the time. You must never go to Disney parks."

They proceeded to be super obnoxious the rest of the queue, audibly talking about my group, bragging about things that they've done in the parks, joking about cutting in line. I was SO relieved when we got split up at merge.

At the end of the day, after typing this out, it probably wasn't a huge deal. I was more bothered by their entitled attitude. Like, if you're going to split up, at least do the walk of shame and go through the regular queue. And apologize when someone calls you out.

Later, we had another issue at TSMM, where people kept joining the group in front of us, turning a group of 3 into a group of 10+. At one point, the people around us in line physically stopped letting them through, and it became kind of a thing. My mom complained to the CM at merge and got us a FP for our troubles.

HolleBolleGijs I hear you & it is okay to vent. Hence the thread bc I am sure we have all been there. I would have been bothered by that too!

I just remembered one of the most sadly awkward moments we had at MK. We were in line for Fairy Godmother/who is really good BTW/we’ve seen the same lady a few times. This was by the Castle Wall in New Fantasyland. We’ve seen Evil Stepmother there with the stepsisters & even mice. Anyway, a CM approached me and politely asked if a Make A Wish child could come in line ahead of us. Of course I said yes! The lady behind me/yes an adult/cannot even recall if a kid was with her threw the biggest fit! Not kidding. I don’t know if she did not understand what Make A Wish was? It was extremely awkward for everyone.

Unfortunately I think we can all easily blow a fuse when we are at that point of Disney exhaustion. Unfortunately it is usually the grownups.

Fairy Godmother was super sweet to my daughter as compensation.

I agree though, there is going to the restroom legit & there are folks who might just use that as an excuse.

If it is something to do with little kids I am more forgiving.

Then there are the adults in the meet n greet lines who apparently are Besties with for example, Snow White. The line is trudging along. Four adults ahead of us take sooo long & their sweet time getting shots with Snow White. Then your turn comes with your kid (who was ready to abandon ship long ago) and you feel rushed along! I swear!!

I want to hear everyone’s rants!!!! Vent away!!!!!

 

[HolleBolleGijs]

You are basically saying to all those people your time is more important than theirs which is not right.

That’s my biggest thing. I’m sure the actual difference in wait time is negligible in most cases (obviously depending on group size and vehicle capacity), but it’s disrespectful to the rest of the line.

 

[clarabellej]

That’s my biggest thing. I’m sure the actual difference in wait time is negligible in most cases (obviously depending on group size and vehicle capacity), but it’s disrespectful to the rest of the line.

Sometimes they have to be stopped. Imagine if there was no control.

Other incidents are coming back to me.

The old FP Wishes viewing area in front of Casey’s.

People just climbing on over the fence.

In that case I said nothing bc it was no skin off my back.

Feel sorry for the CMs that have to deal with those sort of people.

It is actually pretty amazing, with all the hoards that more doesn’t happen.

I once watched a CM handle the extra long line waiting for the Pop bus after MK was closing for the evening. Awesome the way he moved the people. Maybe everyone was too dazed and tired to put up a fuss.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

And this is why I'm always nervous to heed cast member's requests to fill in all empty spaces.

Indeed.

Last autumn I entered the fastpass line for the animation academy in DAK. Beyond the fp entrance there is a holding pen. But the participants had formed a line. Fine in itself, in fact, rather polite. Unfortunately though this had resulted in a line stretching to outside the fp entrance, even blocking the standby entrance too. While the pen was otherwise empty. So the CM kept deploring everybody to please fill in all available space. Getting ever more desperate. Finally the people in the back at last obeyed and spread out, so other people could enter. I entered too. Walked further down to make space. And then this elephant thought fit to use her massive bulk to block me from filling the space.

In her mind she probably did a fantastic job of Disney queue policing. Wearing fifty thousand pins and all Disney apparel too. In reality, she had been obstructing people from entering the queue and utterly refused to relent even when the CM was all but begging and pleading her. Well done.