What are the rules for waiting in line?

[MandyLovesMulan]

I heard that disney has a strong waiting in line policy. I was just wondering how strict these rules are (esp. Given FOP can be 3 hours). I'd hate waiting 2 hours in line and then have mother nature call and have to have my whole party go to the back of a 3 hr line up.

I am not trying to get around rules... I am a rule follower by nature... I just wanted an explanation of them so I don't accidentally step on anyone's toes.

 

[Andyman33]

people may give you bad looks but i say forget them. its also one thing if you and your 20 friends have to use the restroom and thne move back to your spot or if 1-2 people leave to use the restroom and then get back to your party...

 

[StageTek]

Are you asking if you whole party can wait for 2 hours, leave to use the restroom and return to the same spot?

 

[ckelly14]

I don't think anyone would have an issue with a bathroom break in a 4 hour line. However, most would have an issue with one person saving a place in line for the rest of the family, or god forbid, an entire international tour group (happened to me once).

 

[BrianL]

Well, this is an always controversial topic. Disney almost never addresses line cutters and there are usually no consequences for it, something that rankles fellow rule-followers. Other people have varying degrees of tolerance. Usually, people are more understanding of a restroom visit, especially if it is a kid. It won't stop people from giving you the stink-eye, or worse. Someone may not let you pass on your return, as they see it as taking a stand.

Personally, I choose not to get bothered by it as it is not a widespread problem. If someone cut the line and I had to wait an additional 30 seconds to board a ride, then so be it. I'll not let it ruin my vacation.

 

[wilkeliza]

In cases like FOP speak with the CM at the entrance of the queue. If you are on the outside queue running the bathroom is no big deal but if you are inside it is much harder to come and go. If 1 person leaves the line because they have an emergency fine but if your whole group exits and then wants to come back nope not cool.

Also just try to go before you get in line. I get medical issues but unless you are chugging bottles of water if you go before you should make it through the 3 hour line.

 

[MandyLovesMulan]

I am only travelling with one person, but you never know how park food will effect one's stomach... sometimes you have to go with little notice.

 

[StageTek]

Understood. If that happens then I think following wilkeliza's advice and speak to the nearest CM. As Brian said, there aren't any established "rules". But your fellow guests may have a problem if they don't understand the reason you are "cutting" - even if you aren't.

 

[wilkeliza]

Understood. If that happens then I think following wilkeliza's advice and speak to the nearest CM. As Brian said, there aren't any established "rules". But your fellow guests may have a problem if they don't understand the reason you are "cutting" - even if you aren't.

Disney should really just have a bathroom pass. They use them at Disneyland for the Frozen stage show once it started. I guess they would have to employee a Cm for inside the queue though. Was just imagining a like step off area where your party would wait you could grab the pass form the CM and then exit and come back to that exact spot and the entire group rejoins the line at that spot.

 

[ShirikiUtundu]

Disney almost never addresses line cutters and there are usually no consequences for it

Very true. It still would be very bad form for an entire group to leave then expect to return to the same spot. This would also be nearly impossible, as how would you find your spot again? Disney queues are quite long and complicated and will be very difficult to navigate to leave the line as well as to cut the line upon returning. That may be something you didn't know.

 

[1GoldenSun]

i once got on the monorail needing to tinkle but thinking I could wait until I got to the Magic Kingdom. Of course it broke down for a LONG time and things got a bit tense for me.

Now I have a fear of getting on a ride with a full-ish bladder and the ride breaking down. A 3-hour line would make me nervous.

 

[Christy702]

I rode FOP just yesterday. Due to technical difficulties, it was only running at half capacity. Our one hour wait turned into a 3 hour wait. When we got to the part of the queue where to split you into the different link chambers, someone asked the CM stationed there if there was a place she could go to the restroom. She said yes and ushered them out of line. She told them there wasn't one inside the building but there was one next to the gift shop. She gave them these cards on a lanyard, not sure what they were, but she said to show that to the CM at the entrance and they would let them back in line. We were so close to getting on the ride, so not sure why you would go then unless it was an emergency. Other than that, I'm not sure where there would be CMs stationed in the queue.

 

[Micca]

I have no problem with a person stranded in a long line needing a break. I've encountered some groups who appeared to be line-cutting and that was not cool.

 

[flortlebap]

Just go to the bathroom before you get in line.

If someone was obviously popping out with a small child and then returned, it wouldn't bother me, but it's not always obvious when that happens. It does annoy me when entire families try to push past to meet their one family member at the front of the line, though. I've been known to block the path when that happens and not let them through...

 

[wilkeliza]

I rode FOP just yesterday. Due to technical difficulties, it was only running at half capacity. Our one hour wait turned into a 3 hour wait. When we got to the part of the queue where to split you into the different link chambers, someone asked the CM stationed there if there was a place she could go to the restroom. She said yes and ushered them out of line. She told them there wasn't one inside the building but there was one next to the gift shop. She gave them these cards on a lanyard, not sure what they were, but she said to show that to the CM at the entrance and they would let them back in line. We were so close to getting on the ride, so not sure why you would go then unless it was an emergency. Other than that, I'm not sure where there would be CMs stationed in the queue.

My other guess would be CMs at the entrance but with FOP that is a lot of switch backs inside and out to get back to but of course you would have to walk that way to get to the bathroom as well.

 

[LadyRayado]

Disney should really just have a bathroom pass. They use them at Disneyland for the Frozen stage show once it started. I guess they would have to employee a Cm for inside the queue though. Was just imagining a like step off area where your party would wait you could grab the pass form the CM and then exit and come back to that exact spot and the entire group rejoins the line at that spot.

As a parent who travels alone with a 4yo, I agree! Universal has them too.

 

[Spencer Wright]

One thing to keep in mind is that many of the lines are designed so it may be very difficult to line jump in that manner (which if done discreetly I believe to be acceptable).

For instance, there not like rope lines at an amusement park. It varies widely depending on the ride.

 

[StageTek]

I figured they would have this addressed. Nice to hear they do, Christy702.

Micca, I don't have a problem with it either; I bet no one does. The problem is not everyone in line understands why people are moving past them and it's not realistic to tell every single person you pass why you are "cutting" in front of them. I wonder if (maybe) one of those groups you encountered where just returning to their place after using the restroom.

 

[wilkeliza]

One thing to keep in mind is that many of the lines are designed so it may be very difficult to line jump in that manner (which if done discreetly I believe to be acceptable).

For instance, there not like rope lines at an amusement park. It varies widely depending on the ride.

Line jump in what matter is acceptable? Are you meaning going to the bathroom and coming back or a legit line jump like keeping yoru kids out of line until the very end and jumping in?

 

[wilkeliza]

As a parent who travels alone with a 4yo, I agree! Universal has them too.

What does Universal do? I thought they just had the rider swap rooms. Disney use to have those but it was creating some issues so they went to rider swap passes.