Way back when, it was written in the guide books that it was ok for one parent to hold a place in line while the other stood in another line with the kids. The Disney cast members also agreed with this. The last few times we visited, this did not seem to be the case. Is this not a good idea now?

I don't know, but most people get a little bit annoyed when a bunch of people come and pile into line in front of them.

Some folks might even get hostile.

Agreed, not a good idea.

What is the difference between someone who is a parent holding a place in line for other family members, versus anybody else holding a place for whoever else happens to be in their party? It is still "cutting." There is a mechanism called the "baby swap," which, technically, does allow members of a family to get ahead in line. One parent goes on a ride with one child, while the other waits outside with the child who is too young and/or small to go on that ride. When they get off the ride, they switch, and the other parent is allowed to go right on the ride, basically like using a fastpass. The real advantage is to the older/larger child, who gets to ride twice. Perhaps you were thinking of this program, rather than just holding a spot in line.

I think it depends on whether you are holding a place in line for small children or not. I don't think people will have as much of a problem if someone is holding a place in line while the other parent takes a four year old for a walk to the bathroom or something, but if it is a fourteen year old...I can see the objection.

Agreed, Rashiz. I wouldn't be upset about a mom coming in front of me with a young child. But once the kid gets to a reasonable age, say 10 or so, I would expect that they can manage their bathroom needs a little more responsibly.

I often see this type of "cutting" behavior in the parks, but it is almost always large groups of teenagers telling everyone that they need to catch up with their friends.

They don't get past me.

We did this inadvertantly last summer on the Peter Pan ride. My son had to go to the bathroom so I took him and my daughter (ages 5 and 6) to the bathroom while my husband waited--we started out waiting on line and left. I got many many dirtly looks and under the breath comments when we returned that I don't recommend it.

Way back when, it was written in the guide books that it was ok for one parent to hold a place in line while the other stood in another line with the kids. The Disney cast members also agreed with this. The last few times we visited, this did not seem to be the case. Is this not a good idea now?

Years ago when our family had to ride Dumbo the Unofficial Guide had a "Dumbo or Die" touring guide and they recommend that one parent get in line with the child and the second parent get in the line after a certain amount of people got in line ahead of them so that when the first parent and child got off the second parent was now at the head of the line and the child could ride again with no wait. We never did this, but I remember other families doing it,mostly at early entry days and never more than one Dumbo being taken up.

I had read the same thing, but agree with the other posters that I wouldn't do it. People really get honked off.

I must admit, that it seems like people try to mosey in front if they can, especially on wide queues like POTC. I try to stand in the middle so that they can't get around. It irritates me that they think it's ok to elbow and push their way to....what? 90 seconds earlier than they would've if they were polite and waited their turn? It's a pet peeve. I know it's not the same as the OT, but it seemed like a natural progression of the topic.

I don't have an issue if you have to leave a line with a small child then return. Where do you draw the line? Having one person save a space, then having the whole group suddenly join? Imagine what would happen if all the groups would do the same thing, literally at the same time. What would appear to be a 10 min wait could easily turn into 60+ mins when all the groups suddenly decided to join the line. Unless you have a small child in tow, and we can see mom or dad waving for you, you won't get past me. Sorry, my time is just as valuable as yours.

I understand if you have a small child needing the bathroom, and I think most decent folks would understand this, but to hold a place for someone (anyone) whilst they are off doing something else is, in my book, jumping the que, and shouldnt be allowed. When I first started visiting WDW there used to be notices that que jumping wasnt tolerated, although I have seen in more recent years that CM's witness it and turn a blind eye to it. It really annoys me when other folks have waited patiently and others take advantage.

I understand if you have a small child needing the bathroom, and I think most decent folks would understand this, but to hold a place for someone (anyone) whilst they are off doing something else is, in my book, jumping the que, and shouldnt be allowed.
This is pretty much my take on this topic as well.
If we are going to be waiting in line, we take GusJr to the bathroom to help reduce the chance of this happening. Its not totally avoidable at times, though, and an "emergency" bathroom break is needed. I would like to think that people understand this, at least to a point.

However, when a group of people get ahead of you because one person is holding their place in line, that is just wrong.

We have two small children and we hold a place in line mostly for bathroom breaks but occasionally for double coverage i.e. one parent is on one ride with them while the other parent waits in a different line. When we do it, most of the time just the kids get in line but occasionally the other adult does also get in line but only if the ride fits the one car rule. Will our party of four take up one car of the ride or will it take up two. Since our kids are still small, one parent and both kids can fit in one car like say Dumbo or Buzz. If all four of us will fit in one car than the other parent will sometimes get in line as well like Aladdin where the CM will only put one party per car. If all four of us will take up a second car than the other parent will not get in line like Dumbo where we would spill over into a second car and take a spot away from someone in line behind us. I know many don’t like the saving space in line but with kids and bathroom breaks you have to and I think our philosophy is fair. Plus many CM’s have agreed that saving space in line for a reasonable number of people in your party is expected to a reasonable extent.

We have two small children and we hold a place in line mostly for bathroom breaks but occasionally for double coverage i.e. one parent is on one ride with them while the other parent waits in a different line.

I can understand emergency bathroom breaks, but I think it's completely unfair to save a space in line while another adult and child ride something else and then cut in line with you.

Yeah, yeah, I know, I'm a child-hater - I've heard it all before.

Plus many CM’s have agreed that saving space in line for a reasonable number of people in your party is expected to a reasonable extent.

I've never heard any CM express this sentiment.

I can understand emergency bathroom breaks, but I think it's completely unfair to save a space in line while another adult and child ride something else and then cut in line with you...I've never heard any CM express this sentiment.

123! I've never heard any CM say cutting is all right and I've had several help me put a stop to it when I see it (usually when people are trying to do it to me). Granted, I rarely wait in substantial lines because I try to time my attraction visits for good times (park opening, late at night, or fast passes) but I don't let people pass me when I am standing in a line (100% no...non-negotiable unless you passed me on your way out of line for a potty emergency--and even then I'll probably make a derisive comment for your lack of planning! :~D). The line is there for a reason, and you are no more special than anybody else. If your son/daughter/brother/sister or significant other didn't want to ride alone, then they shouldn't have gotten in to line alone.

While I'm no fan of line jumpers, I think people can get a little crazy on the other side of the fence, too. How many times do you see a group of people getting line, and one of them says "wait - gotta go find a bathroom. I'll catch up to you!"? It's pretty common. As long as it's not blatant misuse of queue ettiquette, like one person holding space for 10, I don't really have a problem with 1 or 2 people moving through the line to catch up to their party. It's not the most polite thing for them to do, but holding a hard line and shouting "NONE SHALL PASS!!!" is pretty rude, too.

How many times do you see a group of people getting line, and one of them says "wait - gotta go find a bathroom."

When that happens to us, we wait until the person is out of the bathroom and then we all get in line together.

When that happens to us, we wait until the person is out of the bathroom and then we all get in line together.

My usual group is pretty much on that same page. We eat regular meals, we take our time at the parks, and we all go to the bathroom in regular intervals... A lack of planning on your part doesn't make for an emergency on mine. I'm actually a little more lax than that in real life, but I'm also for treating people equally, so why should I just single out the group of 8 kids "joining the rest of their party" and not pay attention to the mom and kid who left dad as a place holder. Why can't dad friggen' wait five minutes before getting in line? Can he not stand being around his family so bad that he can't spend an extra 5 min out of his life with them? ...maybe they could spend the time in line talking, or maybe even bonding? The extra wait in line they're bypassing by leaving a place holder won't be substantial for most legit needs, and I don't see why you can't simply wait for junior to get done takin' a whiz before getting in line... WDW isn't a race (well, occaisionally...) and it's not about how many rides on Pirates you get in your visit. It's a park. It's a place to relax. It's a place to calm down. They even make the queues really pretty in a lot of attractions! There's all sorts of stuff to look at and notice and read...or you could always talk to your family in the queue, or even try talking to other families...

Ironically, this last trip was the first time I ever saw someone get kicked off of a line for jumping - a group literally jumped the railing between the single riders cue and the regular cue at RnR, and were promptly escorted out of the building. That being said, I tend to let a single person, or a parent with a child through, because I would want to be able to do the same, if necessary. A large group however, should not be allowed through.
Another aspect to this however is that there are many rides where it is possible to accidentally get separated from your party, especially during a pre-show (it tends to happen to me on ToT and Dinosaur especially). When rooms like that suddenly get released, it is often chaos as groups try to stay together, and I'm often afraid that someone will think that I am jumping when I'm just trying to catch up.

Chris

When that happens to us, we wait until the person is out of the bathroom and then we all get in line together.

I'm completely there with you, and would hope that most intelligent parties do the same. I'm just saying that I'm not willing to throw down over a dad and kid catching up with mom. Now, a group of 15 catching up with their lead line stander? Not gonna happen!

I'm completely there with you, and would hope that most intelligent parties do the same. I'm just saying that I'm not willing to throw down over a dad and kid catching up with mom. Now, a group of 15 catching up with their lead line stander? Not gonna happen!

True enough, but these people are crafty sometimes. I've more than once witnessed a single person work theri way through the line, to catch-up with the rest of their party. Seconds later, another does the same. And then another. How do I know they are all together? Sometimes I witness the final reunion. Other times the people were wearing matching shirts (maybe a camp, family reunion, religious gathering, etc.). Some of the worst offenses I've ever seen took place during the Night of Joy. You would expect that particular group to be a little more respectful.

When we were in line for Expedition Everest in 2006, the ride was still very much "new" and lines were very busy (probably still are, its a great ride). We had 2 girls working their way through the line telling people who blocked their way that they had been to the bathroom and were catching up with their party. We grew a little suspicious of this and although let them through watched them. They were in fact the only party and were simply pushing their way through the que and because of people's kind hearted ways managed to work their way through the line. They were with no one else just taking advantage. These people spoil it for children and sometimes grown ups who get caught out needing the bathroom.

I love this conversation every time it comes up but usually don’t jump in. I have read CM saying holding space in line for someone in your party that is catching up with you is reasonable as long as it is just a few people, but on top of that I have personal experience. In the Dumbo line, I was just about to go into the loading area with my one son and my wife came up with my other son from a bathroom break. My other son came through to me in line and the CM said to me "does your wife want to come." I said no it would spill us into a second car and the CM said "that is alright when your kids have to go they have to go." My wife did not come but that is what was directly said to us by a CM. Several CM’s have seen one or more of my kids get in line with me and I have never had anything said that that was unacceptable. I have seem CM’s watch others do this many times and not say it was unacceptable; however, I have can not recall ever being around the situation where a big group cuts which I think we all agree is not right.

I think reasonable person understand that bathroom breaks for kids are unexpected and can not be preplanned no matter how hard you try so I don’t think that is the hot button here. Rather the “jumping the queue” so to speak is the issue and I understand that some people are hostel to that but we feel comfortable with it since we use our one car rule and don’t do it all that often. By using this rule if I am in front of you in line, I will take up one car if I am alone or if my kids come meet me so them getting in line with me has absolutely no affect on the people in line behind me. I think most people understand this or can figure it out pretty quickly which I think is why no one has ever said anything to us about it. I have seen many other parties usually families doing the same and have never seen anyone say anything to them but again have not been around the situation where one or two people are holding space for a big group.

Since we have the small kids we are mostly on the attractions geared to them and most people going on those rides are families and know exactly what I am talking about. It seems like the grumping ones about this are folks without kids and just don’t understand and they typically are not on those rides or at least not on them very much which may also be why I have never seen an issue arise regarding it.

It seems like the grumping ones about this are folks without kids and just don’t understand and they typically are not on those rides or at least not on them very much which may also be why I have never seen an issue arise regarding it.

This is true enough, I suppose. It has been a while since I've been on Dumbo, but even when I do have kids eventually, I probably wouldn't be caught anywhere near such an obvious Republican symbol! :p

Rather the “jumping the queue” so to speak is the issue and I understand that some people are hostel to that but we feel comfortable with it since we use our one car rule and don’t do it all that often.
It seems like the grumping ones about this are folks without kids and just don’t understand and they typically are not on those rides or at least not on them very much which may also be why I have never seen an issue arise regarding it.

Bathroom breaks are unavoidable sometimes even by adults, though for me when this has happened I have simply left the line and rejoined because there are only 2 in our party. Its not about being grumpy, its about having respect for others and waiting your turn. If you are simply blagging your way to the front of the que this is unacceptable and bad manners. For a lot of folks a disney holiday in Florida is a once in a lifetime holiday and is no less important than that of the person pushing their way past them in line.