What do you do When Waiting in Line for a Ride or Attraction

[Wendy]

If there aren't fastpasses available and you have to join the line to wait to go on a ride or attraction, what do you do to occupy the time. I have seen some parents playing games with their children whilst they wait.

Hopefully the new interative waiting areas will help to while away the time.

As for us, well, we just stand there getting bored :lol:

[Suebeattie]

When we've been before we would just stand getting bored.
Would love some tips on keeping an 18 month old entertained in the queues though if anyone has any :)

:wiggle:

[wdwgrandma]

I try to pay close attention to what's around me, and I take lots of photos. We chat, about the ride, where we are having dinner, what we may have, etc. We are seldom bored!

[Wendy]

When we've been before we would just stand getting bored.
Would love some tips on keeping an 18 month old entertained in the queues though if anyone has any :)

:wiggle:

Mari will probably be the one to answer that one for you :lol:


I try to pay close attention to what's around me, and I take lots of photos. We chat, about the ride, where we are having dinner, what we may have, etc. We are seldom bored!


Or reading text messages from loopy people getting excited because there are new things open at the Magic Kingdom :lol:

[wdwgrandma]

So true Wendy! Or sending excited texts with pictures to friends not so lucky as I am to be at my favorite place! LOL

[foreverducky]

We talk to others in line, as well as, talk about what's next, later, and tomorrow. What's for dinner? We do not, let me say that again, DO NOT talk about things outside of disney. No reality while at disney.

[Dawn]

I people watch. Every so often there's a doozy of a child meltdown happens which generally makes my day. :evil:

I make trip report notes too.

[Britchick]

We don't tend to queue any longer than about 30 mins so chat, plan what we're doing next, stuff like that:yes: oh and defend our position from queue jumpers :rotfl:

[Tink]

We use fast pass most often so have reduced our wait time quite a bit. When we chose to stand on line, I'll watch the people around me and listen to snippets of their conversation. I often write little short stories about them in my head. :D Yep, I'm weirder than heck.

I've often though that a fun book to write would be Vignettes from Disney Queues. :D :D :lol:

Not much chatter goes on between us. I have a hard time hearing with a lot of background noise so talking to me in that setting is rather like shouting down a well.

[Watchinherskip]

Kind of like Donna, we have a great time and make the most of it. We plan our next move to an attraction, think back and recall our previous trips, people watch, take photos, joke on my brother (easy target - yet he feels the same about me :shrug1:). I like what Billie said...stay focused on the moment and think only of our Disney visit. Let the world stay outside. The past few trips were after very sad events in our family's history - right after the passing of my parents so we tried to think only positive stuff about them and recall some of the reasons why our family is celebrating them in our visits.

[Esmeralda]

I look around at the buildings and even at the pavements... as they change... I just try and drink it all in. I'm never really focused on other people as I'm so not caring what they look like or what they're doing. I'm too busy in my own little world and hugging myself with sheer joy at being back.

I think I'm going to try and do what those lads on You Tube do... they go down the Utilidor steps and walk underneath Disneyworld... they don't get caught (go look) I want to see how far I can get without being stopped lol.

[Johnie]

I tend to talk and chat up my neighbors

[BUTTERHEAD1]

Words with Friends
Angry Birds
Internet browsing
Talking with family

[Kate]

We dont realy queue for that long to be honest, so we usually have time to talk about where we're going next, what time the next show is on we want to see and what we can do around that area! Oh and talk of food is always involved!

[Esmeralda]

Words with Friends
Angry Birds
Internet browsing
Talking with family

Internet browsing?

Angry birds? Why? You're at DisneyWorld? I can never understand this when I see people doing this.

[Wendy]

Internet browsing?

Angry birds? Why? You're at DisneyWorld? I can never understand this when I see people doing this.

I can see a reason for killing time using your phone to go on the internet. You must think I'm crazy then :lol: because on our last trip I was on my phone a lot, posting on Secrets from the parks, whats apping Keith. I really enjoyed being in contact and sharing what I was seeing :D

[Britchick]

I can see a reason for killing time using your phone to go on the internet. You must think I'm crazy then :lol: because on our last trip I was on my phone a lot, posting on Secrets from the parks, whats apping Keith. I really enjoyed being in contact and sharing what I was seeing :D

me too! i only went on the internet in 'down' time- waiting for rides..food, transport etc it was great fun taking people at home round with me if you see what i mean. I don't feel that it took away from Disney at all.

[Shellyamc]

When we've been before we would just stand getting bored.
Would love some tips on keeping an 18 month old entertained in the queues though if anyone has any :)

:wiggle:

The thing that SAVED us with our Son was the simple paint feature on my DH's phone. You can just color on a white screen and when you want a new one you shake the phone. It kept him busy in even the longest line! Katie was old enough that she was happy to chat and talk about the ride and everything going on. We also did well with a few small notepads ( like you get free in the mail when they want you to donate money) and a few pens. That kept them for a few minutes at least :yes:

[Suebeattie]

The thing that SAVED us with our Son was the simple paint feature on my DH's phone. You can just color on a white screen and when you want a new one you shake the phone. It kept him busy in even the longest line! Katie was old enough that she was happy to chat and talk about the ride and everything going on. We also did well with a few small notepads ( like you get free in the mail when they want you to donate money) and a few pens. That kept them for a few minutes at least :yes:

Ah brilliant thamks shelly. My husband never parts with his phone so we'll have that and probably my ipad.
Not something I had thought of before but hoping that in October it will be fairly quiet.:confused:

:wiggle:

[BUTTERHEAD1]

Waiting on line for 75 minutes for Soarin or Toy Story Mania without my phone would be torture for me. We are an IPhone family so we all play games while we are online, sometimes against each other sometimes not. It makes the wait seem shorter.

[Esmeralda]

Wow 75 minutes wait :( See I've never had to wait that long for a ride at DW. The only ride I waited in line for for three hours then left it was the Harry Potter park at Universal... I gave up when 3 hours in we were only half way around the line to get in :( So yep I can see your point. After three hours I'd seen every leaf on every tree we'd passed.

[Johnie]

I'm amazed that any phone batteries are lasting that long!

[BUTTERHEAD1]

I live on my phone at work and in my everyday life and often my phone battery dies so recently I bought a portable Duracell charger that I plug into my phone when it gets low and it gives me a couple hours extra on my phone. Before I had the IPhone I had the Droid incredible and I would keep an extra battery or two in my pocket. Last February I paid to have my phone recharged in Universal in one of their stores which I thought was a great idea by US. I have waited on lines for over an hour on both Soarin,Toy Story Mania and Harry Potter (no fast passes available) and the phone came in very handy. I hate waiting on lines and if playing on my phone makes the wait seem quicker then that's what I will do.

[Tink]

I'm with you Butterhead1. My problem with my smart phone at WDW is the signal. I have Verizon as a carrier and sometimes it just doesn't get a good signal.

When it does though, I'm using it to amuse myself when standing on line. Now, the other side of that statement is we rarely stand on line anymore. We'll simply not do the attraction, but we have the freedom to come back later.

If it's a special event and we don't have a choice, then out come the phones!

I see many children with their parents phones (at least I presume those iPhones belong to the parents!) waiting. it seems to be a great way to keep kids amused. :yes:

[Esmeralda]

The whole phone culture irritates me, I see Mums pushing prams with a tot in tow and they're busy texting, the tot is trying to get Mums attention and it's just not happening :( then I see endless people driving with a phone stuck to their ear or they are blatantly looking down and texting while driving :( What happened to talking to your kids?

[Isafari]

Last trip if the lines were say, under 20 mins we'd just soak it in and chat about our day.
Over 20 mins the mini ipad comes out and I go online to check out what's happening here or check the wait times for other attractions (which were way out last visit - Jungle Cruise said 30 mins but one minute later when we got there it was 50 mins)

[Tink]

The whole phone culture irritates me, I see Mums pushing prams with a tot in tow and they're busy texting, the tot is trying to get Mums attention and it's just not happening :( then I see endless people driving with a phone stuck to their ear or they are blatantly looking down and texting while driving :( What happened to talking to your kids?


Well, that's all a bit different then amusing oneself while standing on line, isn't it? :yes:

[Esmeralda]

Well not really. There is plenty to talk to your children about while standing in line. I think the art of conversing is dying out, I mean seriously dying out. people need to get their faces out of their phones and wake up. One day your child might not be there and then what?

It irritates the heck out of me that people don't have time to even look at their kids nowadays.

[Johnie]

I understand what you are saying Esmerelda. I've been out to dinner with people and they were completely engrossed in their phones. It's rude. I also think its a bit much when I see children with electronics at restaurants. Children need to learn how to behave and act accordingly in public.

That being said, I don't care if people use their phones in line.

[Esmeralda]

True, what they do is none my snout I suppose... just a bit grumpy because I nearly got run down by a cyclist who was texting on his phone instead of looking where he was going. Grrrrrr. I realise that some children need a distraction for whatever reason, but some people just use their phones as babysitters. It's that I have a problem with.

[BUTTERHEAD1]

Driving while texting is extremely dangerous and illegal.
Using your phone while out to dinner is rude in most cases.
Using your phone while waiting for a ride at Disney in my opinion is perfectly sensible. I have a 17 year old son and a soon to be 13 daughter who I have a great relationship with, they have no trepidations to speak to me about any topic. I spend almost all of my free time with my kids. To suggest that because I am playing games on my phone while on a line that I am somehow ignoring or neglecting my kids is very judgmental and wrong. Sorry but I had to get that off my chest.

[Esmeralda]

I just don't *get it*, It's Disney World why be playing games on your phone?

[Johnie]

To each their own :-)

[Wendy]

I just don't *get it*, It's Disney World why be playing games on your phone?

This wasn't meant to be a "get at people who use their phones to tect or play games" Esme it was a question of interest. I enjoy using my phone on holiday and at home, it was how I was able to post the photos of the New Fantasyland when the soft opening happened. I don't have children, but I do have the girls I look after and I have used my phone when we have been waiting to go into the cinema. I don't neglect them and I think it is very unfair to tar every parent or carer with the same brush.

It's a good job we aren't all the same and we should respect what other people say or do :D

[Mari]

Mari will probably be the one to answer that one for you :lol:


:lol:


hahahahaha.... maybe!

my answer to the original question is: I try to keep my girls from making a scene :rotfl:


So, some ideas:

*stickers... on themselves, and yes, some adults have been decorated in the past too!!... You can find Disney sticker sheet books for about 6.95, and DVC people are always giving them away, and you can also get some at any shop you buy stuff at.. so that usually keeps them busy for a while
*bubbles.... some lines are long, but people are not packed, so we blow bubbles, it keeps my kids and all the other kids nearby entertained, so other parents dont mind hahaha
*I see something.... we do it in Spanish so it rhymes, I think in English it goes like I spy?? We do simple stuff... something red, something blue, a hat
*snacks! wonderful time to give them some water, crakers, cereal, fruit, etc....
*naps! They both went as 18mo the first time, and at that age, we would pick them up and just cover them with a light blanket and they would nap... yes, they did ride ASLEEP some of "the best" rides :nono:, but it was worth it having happy kids the rest of the day :yes:
* question game... we do open questions for the whole family... what has been the favorite thing we have done today? (it is also great to check which rides are worth going back on) Which character did you like the most at breakfast? what did it feel like to go on the monoriel? Where do you want to go next? Which princess havent we met yet?, etc....

Last trip we ENJOYED the interactive line at the Pooh ride, Tatiana still remembers the line (the activities she did) whereas she has totally forgotten about the ride, so I think Disney is doing a good job in that department!

And some tips:

*When the park is busy, do try to take out fast passes and do a mix of things like: 1 long line, 1 no line ride (even if you dont think its the best ride), some rest time, going into a shop for a little while, 1 fastpass ride, 1 long line ride, etc.... that way they dont get tired or bored
*Take them to the toilet BEFORE you get in line, even if they say they dont want to go, they will usually go when they are there!
*find other kids in line!.. Last trip we had 4 kids so they kept each other busy... so we found out, when the line is 1 hour long, ANOTHER kid is THE BEST entertainment!! they played and played and played and never really got tired or bored, they were too busy being princesses and doctors and puppies and Buzz :)

[Esmeralda]

This wasn't meant to be a "get at people who use their phones to tect or play games" Esme it was a question of interest. I enjoy using my phone on holiday and at home, it was how I was able to post the photos of the New Fantasyland when the soft opening happened. I don't have children, but I do have the girls I look after and I have used my phone when we have been waiting to go into the cinema. I don't neglect them and I think it is very unfair to tar every parent or carer with the same brush.

It's a good job we aren't all the same and we should respect what other people say or do :D

I wasn't having a pop at anyone, I was just saying what I see. I never mentioned the word neglect. However I have the opinion, rightly or wrongly, but either way it is my opinion, that kids nowadays have it all on a plate and if they are bored while waiting in line, unless they have autism or aspergers etc, then maybe they shouldn't be going so often if it bores them to wait for a treat? What has to happen for them to leave their phones at home?

And yes it is a good job we aren't all the same and that's why we leave the phones behind and enjoy what is on offer there and then. I'm not disrespecting other peoples decisions but I will question them as is my right.

And without questioning I'm not learning why people use thier phones so this is good, I'm being given valid reasons for why so it's all good isn't it?

[Suebeattie]

Thank you sooo much marie!!! Zac loves bubbles so will definitely be getting some of those.
He'll have his cousins in the 2nd week to help keep him entertained.
Thank you for all the tips.

:wiggle:

[wdwgrandma]

I love looking for Hidden Mickeys!

[Tink]

I wasn't having a pop at anyone, I was just saying what I see. I never mentioned the word neglect. However I have the opinion, rightly or wrongly, but either way it is my opinion, that kids nowadays have it all on a plate and if they are bored while waiting in line, unless they have autism or aspergers etc, then maybe they shouldn't be going so often if it bores them to wait for a treat? What has to happen for them to leave their phones at home?

And yes it is a good job we aren't all the same and that's why we leave the phones behind and enjoy what is on offer there and then. I'm not disrespecting other peoples decisions but I will question them as is my right.

And without questioning I'm not learning why people use thier phones so this is good, I'm being given valid reasons for why so it's all good isn't it?

Unfortunately, it is not your right to question someone's personal decisions. Having a discussion about something is one thing, but presenting one's own point of view as preferable to another person's, even by implication is not anyone's right. You've made your position clear, and it works for you. Other positions are just as valid and should not be subjected to repeated challenge. Using phones for entertainment is not something you value. That is your right. Questioning those of us who do use our phones for entertainment, when those "questions" come across as judgmental and fault finding, is not your right. Everyone here has their own opinions and their own ways of doing and being. We respect all ways and to suggest otherwise (repeatedly) is not conducive to anything but giving the impression of arguing.

So, when we are exercising individual "rights" remember they also come with responsibilities. Responsibility to respect one another is the priority and something that we do here, regardless of one another's personal opinions.