Just got back...line etiquette questions

[em-n-mia's-mommy]

I just got back a few hours ago and was pondering something. We were standing in line in the Magic Kingdom for the Tommorrowland Speedway.

As we were standing in line for several minutes we had 6 people pass us in line to get in front of us to be with two people who were standing right in front of us. Then to top, as I am giving this lady a look like "what in the heck are you doing?", she says to me "I am not passing you because we are with this party of two people in front of you!". I was like ummm yeah that is line jumping. So I was a bit annoyed at this point.

Then we get up to get onto the ride and I tell the CM that they jumped us in line. He thought it was because he let two other people that were with them ahead of us to keep their party together. I said no they passed us wayyy back there. He says oh okay but i am trying to keep the partys together. Well he assigns us our cars, and our party of 4 people got separated.

This is not the first time during the trip that we had people passing us in line going i am with so and so up there. This was just the most extreme. Had it been one person I do not think I would have minded, but 6! It was my thought that this was line jumping, but who knows I could be wrong. So what in your opinion is line etiquette?

[CaptainJessicaSparrow]

Sadly, we are taught not to interfere or say anything.

Why?

Because the cutting guests will go to Guest Relations and complain about how rude the CM's are and you know what will happen? They'll get attraction re-entry passes for their entire party and probably extra.

Yeah, it stinks. Yes, it's unfair. The best thing you can do is go to Guest Relations yourself and tell them how ridiculous the whole thing is. At Universal, you cut in line and you get kicked out of the park.

[ojeilatan]

I'm sorry to hear that! Unfortunately, there are always some willing to ruin the magic of Disney just to make their trip a tiny bit quicker.
I have to agree with the above post - it's most likely what would have happened. Just know you are better then those people, and didn't ruin someone's day!

[CleveSJM]

Disney must learn to deal with this. The CM can yell back to the line, "Did these people cut?" and when 50 irrate "good" guests yell "YES!" it should be documented and that CM rewarded. Yes, rewarded for making 50 guests happy and the bad guests disciplined.

How does Universal do it?

We had the same thing happen at TSM. About 10 people joined up with 4. Not cool. The rule should be 1 adult or 1 adult and 2 under 10 year olds at most allowed to "catch up" to others in line. And I say rule specifically. Not a guideline, a hard rule.

Until this happens, everyone go to Guest Relations an complain. Get the re-entry passes and extra. Then they'll realize the problem...

PS - Line cutting and smoking in the public areas are the biggest reasons "I'm grumpy because "you're" dopey." :-)

[WeLuvBuzz]

Just a thought, but what if the people in line just said to the would be line jumpers I am sorry, but I will not allow you to pass me as I have waited in line to be at this point and you have not. Perhaps in the future you should wait to get in line for an attraction when your whole party is ready.

As a side note, we travel to the world quite frequently as a party of 8 to 10. As I have the world's smallest bladder I make quite a few pit stops. We either all get in line together or meet up at the end. One time we were in line for pirates and this couple in bride and groom ears worked their way ahead of about 50 people. With those ears on it was really obvious and the whole line was talking about how rude they were. It was really obnoxious.

[BigRedDad]

Busch Gardens in Virginia has a cutting policy when I was there last Summer. They escorted you out of the park. They didn't throw you out, but you had to go back and re-enter. It is a nice waste of about 30 minutes and to the back of any line when you get to a ride.

In this situation, the two people should have let others pass until the rest of the party caught up. Unfortunately, our society no longer expects, teaches, or represents RESPECT. We are in a ME generation. It is going to get drastically worse until it gets better. I think this recession or depression we are headed towards will hopefully change this social injustice.

One other thing, this is a perfect opportunity to provide your children and other children around you with a life lesson. In a voice loud enough for everyone around you to hear and the violators to hear, teach them that it is disrespectful to cut in line. Tell them the proper thing to do is wait for the entire party before entering or have the people ahead wait until the rest of the party reaches them. The public embarrassment to the violators will be funny and the others around you that agree will applaud you for it.

[Hazmat]

Just a thought, but what if the people in line just said to the would be line jumpers I am sorry, but I will not allow you to pass me as I have waited in line to be at this point and you have not. Perhaps in the future you should wait to get in line for an attraction when your whole party is ready.

I did this with my family last time we were at animal kingdom queuing in a 90 min queue for kilimanjaro safaris. The Guy who was trying to get past shoved me out of the way so he could get past, (and I mean shoved) and asked me why I wasn't letting him past. His party followed him, family of 5 if I remember correctly... Shame really, even in the happiest place on earth people have to resort to physically pushing people to get there way.

On the other hand, at seaworld two lads tried to get past to get on manta, and this ex Us forces veteran, in his late 60's I would say, was waiting with his two granddaughters till they got on the ride. He stopped the two lads and told them to turn around and face the walk of shame past everyone else to the back of the line. they did walk aswell as he wasn't letting them by!

[TheRustyScupper]

Sadly, we are taught not to interfere or say anything . . . Because the cutting guests will go to Guest Relations and complain about how rude the CM's are and you know what will happen? . . .

1) I personally know a CM that got in trouble for something close to this.
2) In fact, the CM was fired.
3) It was only through luck and the union that the CM got back.
4) The fact is, a CM is supposed to do his/her job, and that is all.
5) And, the "job" typically does not include disciplining guests.
6) In some respects, WDW is like the Old West, where guests rule supreme.

[lawgirl]

I agree with Marker's comments. Stupid people are everywhere!!!! I have learned over years of going to WDW that its best most of the time just to let it go (I'm an attorney, so you know its hard for me to let things go)...it usually ends up ruining my day if I get aggressive and go after the "line jumpers". My parents raised me right, and I would never intentionally jump in line. However, our society does not value respect anymore...getting ahead of everyone is valued now.

I tend to just let it go. It really doesn't slow me down much; the idiots who are doing it are just that- idiots, and they are very unlikely to change just because I call them out.

There is a point to where I do call people out...one example is a family with a child who is kicking people, or swinging obects around so as to be in people's way, or actually hitting people (and yes this has happened to me several times). I will usually say something to the parent, and perhaps even a CM. Also, if someone is harassing me or anyone else, I will report that.

[Auroring Good Time]

I didn't realize this situation bothered people so much. I have been to Disneyworld many many times and I can only recall one instance where I felt like someone was "cutting" and that was a group of about 6 teenagers who claimed they were with a group up ahead. As other people describe it, I guess I get "cut" in front of all the time, if you consider a mom with a child catching up to the dad with the other children "cutting". I personally don't. This is a family park and by that it means that there may be small children or elderly people or just family members in general who need to sit for a moment or step out of line for a moment. As a previous poster said, we don't know exactly why someone is "cutting" and we shouldn't pass judgement without knowing the facts.

[glenpreece]

At Canada's wonderland here in Toronto they have implemented a no line jumping policy, if you leave the line for any reson too bad. But alas it is no enforced either. On both trips this summer we saw teens cutting in and parents carrying their kids over their heads trying to catch up to so and so. I figure who cares let it pass/ I'm not going to cause a scene over something like this. Now if you step on me or shove me LOOK OUT!

[eandrsmom]

We were there last Feb., and there were tons of Brazilian teenagers on vacation. We found that they frequently wanted to catch up with their friends. After several days of this, we just refused to move out of their way.

[KT1234]

We were there last Feb., and there were tons of Brazilian teenagers on vacation. We found that they frequently wanted to catch up with their friends. After several days of this, we just refused to move out of their way.

Unfortunately, those groups were the ones that were the biggest trouble makers for me too. They got really pushy but most tended to back down when you refused to move or acted upset.

I find that those groups tend to go to Disney in Orlando rather than Disneyland in CA. MY family and I always go to WDW but were in the anaheim area a month or two ago and decided to try Disneyland. I was SHOCKED at the difference of visitors there. I'm sure they MUST have their handfuls of difficult people and groups but we never once encountered groups like the huge Brazilian groups at WDW or loud/obnoxious behavior. I'm assuming it's because WDW is larger so they would go there over a smaller set of parks/resorts.

[teambricker04]

We were there last Feb., and there were tons of Brazilian teenagers on vacation. We found that they frequently wanted to catch up with their friends. After several days of this, we just refused to move out of their way.

Funny... when we where down in June or July there were a lot of Brazilian teenagers as well. I thought they were all for the most part polite and didn't see much line cutting.

Line cutting generally doesn't bother me, but I would be more apt to stand back and wait for my party members vs. making them jump through the line.

It really gets my goat when people are pushing us to get us to go faster. Especially in lines like POC where the walk is usually long for 3 yo legs. We generally tell those people to go around us and then there they are right infront of us when we get to the part that it stands still.

I am more apt to say something to rude people in line than my DH. Whether it is line cutting, inappropriate language, pushing, walking all over my kids, smoking in line and blowing it in myor my kids faces, I will ask to cool it or back off wit the behavior or language. People are generally shocked to hear someone saying something about it. I never try to be rude to them, but sometimes it is hard

[MelXThree]

I have been reading these posts for a few days now and I have to say that I am kind of shocked at some of the answers. I think that it is kind of sad that we have no understanding for people with special curcumstances. Honestly some people have medical issues or illnesses that we can not see. It doesn't mean they have to be stuck in a wheel chair all day.

Walt build disney parks for families, that includes, kids, grandparents and people who are ill. If somebody has to take their child out of line for a second to change a diaper (or what ever) and come back or a gandmother can't wait in a long line up....I don't think that is cutting.

What the OP said was cutting and that is not right. This is the Happiest Place on Earth, if a grandmother waits on a bench and then comes in line with the rest of her group..who cares...she's at Disney World and you shouldn't care either. Just enjoy your vacation and remeber that one day you may be in the same situation with a sick realive and you would want them to be comfortable too!

[irish1967]

We tend to use "line cutting" as a teaching moment for our children.

We simply point out:

1) Hopefully there is a good reason why someone is cutting in line and if that is the case, we should be glad that the person is physically/mentally capable of enjoying the ride.

2) If that is not the case, we point out that the person/people cutting in line haven't had the opportunity to learn how to behave so that it is fair for everyone. In this case, rather than make a stink, it is better to feel sorry for them because obviously, they don't know how to behave properly and it is probably impacting them negatively in other areas of their lives.

What goes around, comes around and I truly believe that just letting something like this go allows us to enjoy our vacation more.

P.S. I do feel strongly about smoking in line and offensive language and will say something about that.

[minnie1956]

Line cutters: Those who trample through the line to get ahead "just because" they want to be there 1st with their group. Doesn't matter to me if they speak Spanish, English, German, Brazilian or Martian! Many cultures feel that if they just "wait in line" they will not get their chance. Get over it ! Here, in America, we feel that EVERYONE deserves their turn, and we really hope that you have as much fun as we do getting there!!
NOT cutters: Children with special needs that have been given "head of the line" status
( If THAT upsets you: Go HOME you need more time to prepare for YOUR magical experience) MAW children (Thank GOD, or WHOEVER you pray to that it's not YOUR child, let them pass! and Bless them and say prayers for them while you do!) Seniors that need to rest: let them pass too! Good grief, they've paid their dues!
Most who are in wheel chairs get a special entrance with family to accompany them ( However, that doesn't mean 30 of them!!) You folks can get in line with the rest of us, you'll still get a "quality" Disney experience with us very nice family oriented people waiting our turn.
Mom ( or Dad) who got out of line because Johnnie or Susie couldn't hold it, we've all been there, give them a break! How many of us have done the "toilet tour" with our kids!! If the kids are that young, it's tough enough on them anyway. Those who haven't gone through the parenting experience: You will find it much easier to endure the hard times when you see you get support and understanding from those of us who have been there, or if we haven't gone through it with you, the grace of understanding it's not easy.
I think that's all I wanted to say. Sorry if I offend anyone, "step on any toes" but more importantly, I hope I gave everyone food for thought. It's a Small World after all, we have to share it!!

[lawgirl]

We've seen this happen a few times, and yes, its maddening as heck! But I always try to remember that the type of person who jumps in a group of 6 to the front of the line to meet up with someone, is probably the same type of person who cheated on tests in school, lie about everything, dodges child support payments, etc...etc.... they lack moral fortitude and character, and/or they are just plain stupid!

All in all, I feel sorry for that type of person who goes through life like that. And I say a prayer of thanfulness that my parents raised me right!

You should triumph in your moral fortitude and have pity on those poor fools who think they are "getting ahead" by jumping line...

[jaredkari]

Sorry I got confused and put the wrong title on the post.

I am with you though, line cutting is getting out of control. I understand that some will say that they had to go to the bathroom or their 4 year old had to go to the bathroom. Well guess what, you get out of the line and start over. Sorry I am a little cold hearted when it comes to line cutters.

[Terra]

Sorry I got confused and put the wrong title on the post.

I am with you though, line cutting is getting out of control. I understand that some will say that they had to go to the bathroom or their 4 year old had to go to the bathroom. Well guess what, you get out of the line and start over. Sorry I am a little cold hearted when it comes to line cutters.

Just curious. Do you have children or children with special needs? If you do, do you always just "start over" if they have to go to the bathroom?