saving places in line

[TBY2225]

Is it the norm today to have people "save" places in line for others? DH and I observed in almost every line we were in during MLK weekend, where someone would bypass the line we were standing in and"walk up" to others already waiting. For example. One person would go get fast passes for the group and the group would go ahead and get in the stand-by line then the person would join them, sometimes after we had been standing in the line for quite sometime. I really didn't mind 1 person, but sometimes it would be a group of 5-6 and I would hear them saying things like I love not having to wait in line and things like that.
DH and I usually take both tickets and only one of us get the fast passes, but we wait and enter the stand-by line together. What is your take on this?

[Cinderelley]

It doesn't bother me any as long as someone was holding a place for them, and they're not just pushing their way forward in line - which I have seen.

[cfoshe]

It does bother me. If you want to ride a ride as a group, get into line as a group. Just because there are many people in a group, everyone should have to wait in line just like the rest of us. I understand if you have a small kid at needs to run to the restroom, but other than that, it should not be allowed.

[crazeedizneefinatic]

I agree that bothers me too. Now it's perfectly okay for 1 or 2 to join someone, maybe there was a bathroom break or something understandable. Or if children are concerned, that does not bother me either. But a group, that would bother me. We have had it happen to us too. I once got brave. There was a couple in front of us at Peter Pan. You know the line that never moves. Well, they spotted other members of their party. There were 8 of them! They called them over and invited them to join them. At first I bit my lip, after all why sweat the small stuff, but just had to say something. I politely explained how unfair it would be if 8 more people would just cut in line, and yes, I was nice, after all my son was with me, thank goodness. They looked at me as if to drop dead but did get out of line. I don't know if they got in the back of the line or just went somewhere else I did not take notice. People in back of us thanked us for doing so. Some people were so upset I thought thank goodness they went away otherwise their might have been a riot! LOL

[thrillme]

I don't mind 1 or 2 but I get a little annoyed if the whole clan joins.

Small kid needing a potty break. Fine. Big kid needing a potty break (me)...Fine...especially if it's a really LONG standby line. I don't mind and will even offer to "hold" the space if someone needs to run off but they need to get back in time of course.

I don't mind too if someone in front of me says "my family is waiting over there with Grandma because she can't stand long" or..."My son can't wait in line long so they're over there running energy out" do you mind. "No problemo". Just no BIG surprises just before the ride please.

[CleveSJM]

More than 2 joining would bother me. That "group" should go to the back of the line and wait like everyone else.

[prprincess]

I agree with the majority of the other comments here. Holding a place in line for one or two people doesn't bother me, but for a whole big group, aw heck no! When you're all ready to get in line together, then just wait and do that.

[jwildflower1981]

:ditto:

I agree also, 1 or 2 , potty breaks, tired childern, that I can understand, but 8?!?! Thats just pushing it.

[VRod RS]

Groups would bother me a little (small group of 5-6) a large group would be no way!..

1-2 people isn't an issue at all.. When we are there, wedo the fastpass wait in line thing on occation because both places have a line.. but that is generally just when the part first opens in the morning and all the mad dashers are running when they are supposed to be walking.. Later in the day, that isn't the case, we ride and wait together..

There have been times when we have gotten separated and had to get back together on rides with waiting areas like Test Track, Haunted Mansion, Tower of Terror, Rock & Roll, etc.. but this is just because we got separated in the room where the ride first starts..

[KylesMom]

It does bother me. If you want to ride a ride as a group, get into line as a group. Just because there are many people in a group, everyone should have to wait in line just like the rest of us. I understand if you have a small kid at needs to run to the restroom, but other than that, it should not be allowed.


Amen. This is one of DH and I's pet peeves when a group of folks tramples your feet to get with their linesavers. Bad form all around. Unfortunately we see this more and more each year! :(

[Altair]

Keep your group together and enter the line at the same time. It's pretty simple.:drill:

[SignguyTom]

Yeah, it bugs me. If there needs to be a restroom stop, then everyone in the party should wait and get in line at the same time. If somebody is already in line and needs to go, that's OK with me, I don't mind if they bail out of the line and return in a few minutes.

What REALLY gets me is people camping out & 'saving' places for a group to watch a parade or fireworks. The camping out issue is probably a discussion of its own, but in general, I don't mind it as long as everyone is waiting there together.

I was at Disneyland one time and I was on a bench in the center Plaza. I was waiting for DD & DW to do some shopping and we were heading home. Some CMs asked me if I'd mind standing up for a minute so they could rearrange the benches for the parade coming up in a little while. Sure, no sweat. Once they were finished, I went to sit back down and this guy said he was saving these seats (10-15 at least) for his family.

Ummm...Pardon?? I don't think so.

I told him I'd only be a few minutes but he insisted that I move right then. He was spreading blankets on the benches to stake his claim. I said that I had every bit as much right to be there as he and he would have to physically move me cuz I wasn't budging until I decided it was time to go. He didn't physically move me and I left about 10 minute later when DD & DW were done.


Sheesh...!! Some people....

[CaptainJessicaSparrow]

When I went to DHS in December with my friends from Boca, they went into the line and I went to get ice cream and came back. The line was supposed to be 45 minute wait...and they were almost at the doors when I finally found them. We had to eat our ice creams so fast to be able to ride we got brainfreeze.

I'm known for saying something to people who cut, usually the younger kids on tour groups who quickly learn their place (which was not in front of me).

[LudwigVonDrake]

Anything more than one person I have a problem with. If that person has food or drinks THEN I have a problem. Bathroom breaks are acceptable but if someone is hungry or thirsty then wait for your friends/family at the end of the ride.

[Marilyn Michetti]

When we get in line for CP, standby, I get there really early and sit in my scooter and read or talk. DH goes across the American Plaza and gets our dinner of burgers, which we eat in line. We don't disturb anyone because all he has to do when he gets back is step across the chain. Nobody minds, especially if the person I'm talking to is a dog lover.:dog:

[prttynpnk]

This is an age issue for me- I don't mind small children not standing in line and joining the group toward the end of their wait- kids can be difficult and antsy in a long line, thats ok, let them wander around. Adults, should act like adults and wait in line just like everyone else.

[crazypoohbear]

I don't have a problem with it as long as it's only 1 or 2 people. I don't care if they have a bathroom break or if they went to get FP or food. As long as their group is all in line and only 1 or 2 are joining in the be my guest. I would have an issue if it's 1 person in line and 8 or more people then "joined" in.
Years ago I was having issues with the heat and went to sit down in the shade while my sister and my kids stayed in line, when they got through most of the line (in the sun) I rejoined them in the shade, I didn't see anything wrong with that then or now.
I don't understand the "kids" potty break but not adults, do we know the capabilities of other people's bladder?
What if they had to go get food because of a health issue, do we really have the right to question them about their health for them to rejoin their group??
Like I said there is nothing wrong with the group waiting in line and 1 or 2 people joining in. I have done this and told the people behind me that I had another person coming along to join me. It's never been an issue.

[#1donaldfan]

I don't mind too terribly bad if it's a mom or dad catching up with others in the group towing a child obvioulsly just finishing up a bathroom break.....I do mind a gang of teens waltzing up to several others waiting, after obvioulsy getting FP's for everyone, for another ride....that's unfair, rude, and a definate way to get over on the rest of us who pay good money to have fun.......just my 2 pennies....

[ChrisF]

:ditto:

Love it when a CM catches them jumping line.:thedolls:

[IloveDisney71]

I don't mind one person joining a group. If it's any more than that, they should have waited and gotten in line at the same time.
As far as myself, I always feel uncomfortable skipping anywhere, so I rarely do it unless it's absolutely necessary. :mickey:

[MickeyChick]

Here's the issue I had with this last week...

I met up with an old college friend (a former CM), her husband, their son and a friend (a current CM). So all together, we were a party of 9 people.

Going in to some rides, all together, we'd still end up with people in between us. For example, Pirates... huge wide open entry area that funnels into a single-file line. Maybe it's my ankle issues, but I didn't walk as fast as my friend and two couples got between us. I politely tapped the other people on the shoulder and asked to rejoin my group. I got a couple nasty looks but I don't know how else to have handled it.

[DisFan01]

I do not really have a problem with people saving places in line.

However, I have a problem with people skipping in line. Now, if there is a family member ahead, that's fine. But if the line is moving and somehow they just "happen" to get in front of you...that I don't like. :thumbsup:

[CleveSJM]

... I got a couple nasty looks but I don't know how else to have handled it.

They should have been nice enough to stay back with you or waited for you allowing other people to pass them. That said, if it was just one or two people separated from 7 or 8, passing would be fine for me. If it was 3 catching up with 5... No, the 5 should wait back for the 3.:cop: Just my :twocents:

[Dopey's Girl]

I don't mind if it is one or two, or a mom/dad with kids that needed a potty break. I mind when people (especially tour groups or any people who are rude about it) come in herds to meet the one person they had stand in line in front of me for the last 40 mins. That bugs me!

When I was in Hollywood Studios last month, I got in the single rider line at Rock-n-Rollercoaster, there were 2 girls in front of me, a nice man behind me (we chatted for a while) then at least 10 mins later group of at least 10 other girls thought they were just going to come up and join their group. The CM managing the lines tried and tried to tell them that they weren't going to be riding together, so they needed to stay in their places, or exit, but they still didn't want to leave the line. She got another CM to talk to them, but by the time I got in the ride they were still fighting the CMs...

[2Epcot]

Going in to some rides, all together, we'd still end up with people in between us. For example, Pirates... huge wide open entry area that funnels into a single-file line. Maybe it's my ankle issues, but I didn't walk as fast as my friend and two couples got between us.

When you have a really large group that happens quite a bit. It happened to us a lot on the last trip. Even if the entire group is entering at once, there are people in your own group who walk faster then others ... Then you have people who run to attractions. So while all of your party is trying to get in line people are cutting in front of them. Granted, they may not realize all of the people are together.

[Buzz_Burbank]

It does bother me. If you want to ride a ride as a group, get into line as a group. Just because there are many people in a group, everyone should have to wait in line just like the rest of us.

Amen brother!!!! There is no excuse for folks doing this. EVER!!! NADA, ZIP, ZILCH. This has gotten to be such a prevelant problem at WDW that I would support having people caught doing this ejected from the park and maybe even having their ticket/pass revoked.

In "times past" if part of a group got into a line ahead of the rest of their party, those who were ahead in line would find a spot to wait for the rest of their party to catch up. I almost never see this happen today. Most of the people who do this do it deliberately to avoid having most of their party stand in line. This is line cutting pure and simple. It is rude at best and is just plain wrong.

BTW, I am not referring to the usual "jostling" that often occurs when a large group gets funneled into the beginning of a line. Many of the entrances of the attractions are very poorly designed and I realize that groups can be seperated in these cases. Still though, common courtesy would dictate that the front part of the group wait for the rear part catch up. I also don't have a problem with a person who gets out of line for a bathroom break, etc then returns. Unfortunately, in my personal experience this accounts for maybe 5% of what I've seen. Finally, I do have sympathy for older folks who have trouble standing for long periods and am willing to make concessions for them.

As for children who are too young to handle standing in line.....perhaps they are too young to properly enjoy and appreciate WDW and their parents might want to conside waiting until they are older to come to WDW....of course, that could be the subject of a whole other thread...... Here's something to consider: have the rest of you ever noticed how many crying children there are at the place that is billed as the "happiest place on earth"???

[BigRedDad]

The attitude around the world now is "my time is more important than yours!" It is a selfish attitude and it can only be altered by Disney themselves. The way they need to handle this is by revoking their admission for the day. The first time is a warning by a CM with the entrance ticket sent to Security. The second time, they are escorted out of the park and the pass terminated for the day. This gives them the option of using an additional day to get back in or stay out of the parks as a lesson.

[TBY2225]

Thanks for the great feedback everyone!

I guess I was getting upset because it seemed like no one really cared what the "rules" were. I wouldn't care either if it had been a kid needing a break. I might have to do the same with my kids sometime. The problem I had was with a group (sometimes 8-10) bypassing almost the entire line after we had been waiting 15-20 minutes and joining the rest of their group after I had overheard them on the phone telling the others not to worry about getting in line and just walk on up to them!

[ljv1975]

I agree that bothers me too. Now it's perfectly okay for 1 or 2 to join someone, maybe there was a bathroom break or something understandable. Or if children are concerned, that does not bother me either. But a group, that would bother me. We have had it happen to us too. I once got brave. There was a couple in front of us at Peter Pan. You know the line that never moves. Well, they spotted other members of their party. There were 8 of them! They called them over and invited them to join them. At first I bit my lip, after all why sweat the small stuff, but just had to say something. I politely explained how unfair it would be if 8 more people would just cut in line, and yes, I was nice, after all my son was with me, thank goodness. They looked at me as if to drop dead but did get out of line. I don't know if they got in the back of the line or just went somewhere else I did not take notice. People in back of us thanked us for doing so. Some people were so upset I thought thank goodness they went away otherwise their might have been a riot! LOL


I have to say that I would also probably speak up if a large group of people (more than 2-3) tried to move past me in line to join another group. Unless the people consisted of small children or an older person who has a legitimate reason for not being able to stand in the line. I'm not heartless, but I also won't be taken advantage of by a group of 8 people who are physically capable of standing in line like everyone else but are just too lazy to do so. Everyone pays good money to get into the parks and everyone should follow the same rules.

[Donald A]

I took a large group of people last month and at some points of the trip there were 8 of us. My father-in-law is 87 years old. It was tough but I just let people pass us and went at his pace. At the Tower of Terror (yes, he rode it at 87 years of age) after the library were it is a mad rush to get on the elevator, we just stayed together. I think it is rude to advance in line and if you are going on as a group, stay together. Therefore, I am real good at putting an arm out or something to keep my group together and keep people from going around me once in line. I guess it is just part of "doing Disney". You need lots of patience.

[Ian]

I'll preface my comments with all the typical disclaimers about kids already in line needing a potty break, those with some type of disability or issue with standing for long periods of time, etc. ... those are all okay ...

But I do take issue with people who send one person to go stand in line for them while others are off getting Fastpasses, eating, shopping, or whatever else. IMO, you want to ride a ride you wait in line like everyone else.

Unless it's for one of the aforementioned reasons, I don't even think it's okay if it's "only 1 or 2 people" ... if you're an adult, capable of waiting in line, you wait in line. Period.

What really steams my cheese is when I'm walking up to a line with my family ... slowly, so my DD5 can keep up with us ... and some joker dashes in front of me in line and then expects me to let his entire family through to stand with him! I think not ...

I've seen more times than I can count where the Mom/Dad goes off to park the strollers and pick up the grab the kids while the other parent dashes into line to hold a place for them.

No ... uh uh ... you all go in together. Whenever anyone tries that with me, I politely suggest that it would be more appropriate for them to go back and join their family, not vice versa. Mixed results, of course, but whatever ... politeness can only die of polite people let it. Maybe they'll think twice next time.

As far as the parade viewing goes, that I think is okay. You can't expect small children to sit in the same spot for 90 minutes. I've held places for DW and the kids on numerous occasions and that I think is completely fine.

It's certainly better than the people who wander up 5 minutes before the parade starts and expect to stand in front of me after I've been waiting there for an hour!

[ktflisa]

It does not bother me when it is 1 or 2. I have been with groups before, where one person needs to tinkle... not a big deal to me. I figure there are worse things going on in this world than to worry about one person rejoining her group.

MICKEY CHICK: my opinion on that - whenever we'd all get in line but someone would get in-between our group - the people in our group that were ahead would wait for the couple to pass - I mean would move back to rejoin the group in back, rather than the ones in back move up. It meant 15 more seconds of wait time and no misunderstandings.

On the other hand, when I see 4 people running up to join the one person at the front of Space Mountain I do get a little irritated.

[Altair]

The way they need to handle this is by revoking their admission for the day. The first time is a warning by a CM with the entrance ticket sent to Security. The second time, they are escorted out of the park and the pass terminated for the day. This gives them the option of using an additional day to get back in or stay out of the parks as a lesson.

If they did this, and made it clear this was the policy, I guarantee behavior would improve very quickly.:thumbsup:
It will never be done though.:(

[wedway76]

I'll preface my comments with all the typical disclaimers about kids already in line needing a potty break, those with some type of disability or issue with standing for long periods of time, etc. ... those are all okay ...

But I do take issue with people who send one person to go stand in line for them while others are off getting Fastpasses, eating, shopping, or whatever else. IMO, you want to ride a ride you wait in line like everyone else.

Unless it's for one of the aforementioned reasons, I don't even think it's okay if it's "only 1 or 2 people" ... if you're an adult, capable of waiting in line, you wait in line. Period.

What really steams my cheese is when I'm walking up to a line with my family ... slowly, so my DD5 can keep up with us ... and some joker dashes in front of me in line and then expects me to let his entire family through to stand with him! I think not ...

I've seen more times than I can count where the Mom/Dad goes off to park the strollers and pick up the grab the kids while the other parent dashes into line to hold a place for them.

No ... uh uh ... you all go in together. Whenever anyone tries that with me, I politely suggest that it would be more appropriate for them to go back and join their family, not vice versa. Mixed results, of course, but whatever ... politeness can only die of polite people let it. Maybe they'll think twice next time.

As far as the parade viewing goes, that I think is okay. You can't expect small children to sit in the same spot for 90 minutes. I've held places for DW and the kids on numerous occasions and that I think is completely fine.

It's certainly better than the people who wander up 5 minutes before the parade starts and expect to stand in front of me after I've been waiting there for an hour!

OH you hit a nerve with this question!!! :mad: There isn’t ANYTHING that makes my blood boil more than “saving places”. I was in the process of writing a long winded diatribe on my feelings on this topic and just before I posted it I read Ian’s response and realized that he said everything that I wanted to say but he is a LOT more diplomatic and eloquent. So ditto his remarks.

[mrsHerbie53]

It is a persistent problem and it all has to do with one's intentions. If the group is intending to get around waiting and "jumping line", it isn't OK regardless of the number. I know there are times here and there that happen that may make sense for this, but they should be the exception, not something we all see happening.

If my DH & DS and I get separated in line, the one ahead waits and lets others pass until we are together. This is much easier and a path of least resistance. It makes others "happy" that you left them ahead of you...

Some of these folks in such a hurry to get a few feet ahead of where they are, also are probably the people that just have to get around you in traffic just to find out there is nowhere else to go....

[Genie1953]

We were separated ahead of persons in our group a few times. This usually happened when a member or two of our group would change their mind and decide to go ahead and ride. When we noticed them back behind us we had the perfect solution. When we got to the boarding area of the ride we just motioned those behind us on ahead. Never caused a problem as the people behind us were pleasantly surprised to be able to get on sooner AND the rest of our party eventually caught up to us. Never had any complaints from other people or from the cast members by doing this either. In fact most people seemed grateful that we handled it this way. Just seemed like a win-win situation with us waiting in the shade where it was cooler. Guess we could have waded back through the crowd to get with the other members of our party, but never did...just waited for them to catch up.

[Cinderelley]

I'll preface my comments with all the typical disclaimers about kids already in line needing a potty break, those with some type of disability or issue with standing for long periods of time, etc. ... those are all okay ...


My question to everyone who feels as Ian does, how do you know when someone has a disability issue as opposed to "cutting line"? This goes along the same lines as people who use wheelchairs, which I know has been beaten to death, but it's the same problem - you don't always know by looking at someone that they have a disability.

Back in 2006, I attended an Intercot get-together to watch Illuminations. I was using a wheelchair, and a castmember showed me a better way to get to the area instead of going down the really steep steps where most Intercotees were coming into the area. The castmember walked me to the area, and I entered expecting to have a great time meeting other Intercotees. Instead, what happened was one person immediately jumped on my case, trying to shoo me out saying it was a "members only" event even though I had my Intercot hat on. Never once did she ask me why I came down the other way or if I was with Intercot. Thankfully, a second Intercotee was sitting with her, and she, noticing my hat, told her friend to lay off. It left a very bad taste in my mouth about Intercot for quite a while.

So, what I guess I'm trying to say is, don't judge someone too quickly before you know all the circumstances.

[mickey&missy]

I really don't mind if it's 1 or 2 people. We had a very nice family on lined in front of us for Pooh on our last day of our last trip. It was also their last day and the Dad and DD had just gone on Splash. Their DD got soaked and Dad took her to get a shirt. Mom took the younger child to stand in line for Pooh, they had limit time because they needed to leave and catch ME. I had no problem with the DD joining the line (Dad didn't ride) The mom explained the situation and apologized and said they would go to the back of the line if we minded. I told her no we didn't mind and so asked if I was sure.

What "steams my cheese" as Ian said ( :funny: ) is all the pushy people!! I'm terribly sorry but standing 1/2 inch off my butt isn't going to make the line go faster. It also isn't going to make me let you go in front of me. Relax! Pushing people out of the way when the doors open for something like PhilHarMagic is completely uncalled for! There's gonna be a seat for you, they only let as many people as there are seats into the theater genius! DD actually got pushed to the ground by a gaint man going into PhilHarMagic!!

My opinion, people need to relax and realize it's a vacation!! There's no sense in racing all over the park, be pushy and trying to cut the line!! What fun is that!?

[MNNHFLTX]

MICKEY CHICK: my opinion on that - whenever we'd all get in line but someone would get in-between our group - the people in our group that were ahead would wait for the couple to pass - I mean would move back to rejoin the group in back, rather than the ones in back move up. It meant 15 more seconds of wait time and no misunderstandings. That is the way we would handle it too. Just feels more comfortable to me.

[Seasonscraps]

I am anti-saving places in line. Everyone should get on line together and wait together. If there is some short term emergency that requires someone to leave the line, I don't have a problem letting people back in. But I think it's rude and selfish to send people on line with the intentions of joining them in a bit.

[MegaDisney]

I got a couple nasty looks but I don't know how else to have handled it.

Your friends should have allowed people to pass and fell back in line to join you IMHO.

[BelleLovesTheBeast]

It bothers me but....

I don't mind if it is small children or people with disabilities...at all. Disney is tiring and it's especially hard for kids and those with disabilities.

Whether I've been with a group or just my husband we've never even thought about holding a place in line while the other one gets a drink or uses the restroom. We just wait for each other and then get in line. I don't see why adults can't just do the same.

[MississippiDisneyFreak]

:( The last time we were at WDW we noticed people carrying these walkie-talkies around and when they got close to the front of the line, they would call and whole groups would come running up and get in line ahead of us...I'm like most, I wouldn't mind if it was a case where maybe grandma or a small child is sitting off to the side because they can't stand long, but this was large groups like 12-15 people, very physically fit.