Why are there so many guests that feel they have to be "line police?'

[luvsJack]

You know, 13 years ago we were at Disney. Dd was 7 and finally tall enough to ride rock and roller coaster. She was so excited. Long line and then the inevitable bathroom emergency (it happened when she got nervous or excited). Out the line she and I went, ran to the bathroom and ran back. By the time we got back, her dad and brother were way up the line. She was so upset thinking she couldn’t get back. I was just not going to try for me but many nice people made way for her to get back to them. She was beaming!

FF 12 years. Ds took his girls, gf and gf’s son. Had to leave a line for his youngest Dd. Same thing, he just wanted to get his daughter back to his gf but several rude people didn’t like the idea that his Dd would be “line cutting”. He got her back in line and even went with her but had to bite his tongue and roll his eyes at several “line police”.

I would say there is a change in people. Whatever the reason. But honestly, to be obnoxious to a child is uncalled for. I am not sure it’s so much about crowd levels and line lengths though. People in general have changed.

 

[zoo2tycoon]

Line cutting is an issue when it’s several people trying to catch up to one person - that is one that I will say something to,

Parent and small child going to restroom not an issue.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Spin off was I in the wrong...
Last week at TT my sister and I were supposed to go to the first screen. That screen didn't work so a CM had us come to the LAST screen so behind everyone else.
Once we were done creating our car we walked back up to the first screen and everyone who had been in their own world when our screen wasn't working suddenly became so interested in the fact that we returned to our original spot.
Did we have no right to go back to where we had been?

 

[pooch]

Once they open that door & dump you in a space with no descernable line, its a mad scramble to get up the ramp anyway so not sure where you are in line in the design room makes much difference. Just like getting out of the stretching room in HM. Wish they would fix that.

 

[ClapYourHands]

Line cutting is an issue when it’s several people trying to catch up to one person - that is one that I will say something to,

Parent and small child going to restroom not an issue.

I agree. When a party gets split up from some of them going ahead, the appropriate thing to do is for the people in the front to wait for the people in the back to catch up, not for the people in the back to bypass all the people between them because someone in their party is "up ahead." We had that happen at RD for FOP. There was a group ahead of us that apparently rushed ahead of others in their group, and when they got to the start of the queue where the CM asked how many in their party, they were told to step aside and wait for the others to catch up.

On the other hand, an adult leaving with a child and then returning to the line does not phase me a bit. Those lines can be long, and I'd rather the kid take care of the call of nature than wet himself/herself on the ride and shut it down for everyone while the CMs clean it.

 

[mirak]

It’s not always easy to tell the difference between true line cutting and a potty break, so I let it slide if there’s a little one in tow. But I have made comments to staff when I see a group of teenagers (or adults) jostling their way up a line to meet up with friends. I wish Disney would crack down on this - it really wouldn’t be that hard to do with cameras watching nearly every square inch of the cue.

I experienced the opposite of a potty break reunion last time I was at Na’vi River Journey. It was nearing midnight (frankly waaaaaay past bedtime for young kids but that’s another peeve of mine at theme parks) and Pandora was in its first year so lines were still quite long for NRJ. A little boy was whining that he “had to go.” Whimpering is more like it. The kid had to pee!! And his parents kept shushing him, telling him how close they were to the front, and it would only be a little longer. I’m telling you, this kid was 5 or 6, tops.

I finally turned to the parents and said “look, it’s ok - if you don’t want to get out of line, just lift the kid over the fence and let him go in those bushes.” The NRJ cue has a loooot if landscaping. The parents acted like this was the most mortifying suggestion in the world, more embarrassing than letting their kid pee his pants to get on a ride, but they finally relented. I’m sure the Pandoran fern was fine.

 

[BrianL]

I wish Disney would crack down on this - it really wouldn’t be that hard to do with cameras watching nearly every square inch of the cue.

I understand the inclination toward this. We all want to see the rule-breakers brought to justice. However, if Disney were to crack down on this, what would be the result? The CM would have to make their way to the scofflaws and confront them, sometimes resulting in them peaceably moving to the back of the line but sometime no doubt resulting in an angry guest wanting to push the issue. Then we have an argument, possible shouting, foul language, all the way up to a physical altercation. Then security is called to remove the offender. Everyone will see this. Everyone - even the little kids. I can't think of anything less magical. And what is to be gained? The people who got skipped in line get on the ride a full 30 seconds faster than they would have had not the few people passed them in line? For me, this falls under the axiom "pick your battles." I totally get the inclination too - we all hate when we feel something has been unfair, especially to us, but I think Disney makes the right call with these minor infractions by letting them go. If something can be discretely addressed, then by all means, they should, but I would prefer not creating a scene.

 

[FCDub]

It’s not always easy to tell the difference between true line cutting and a potty break, so I let it slide if there’s a little one in tow. But I have made comments to staff when I see a group of teenagers (or adults) jostling their way up a line to meet up with friends. I wish Disney would crack down on this - it really wouldn’t be that hard to do with cameras watching nearly every square inch of the cue.

I experienced the opposite of a potty break reunion last time I was at Na’vi River Journey. It was nearing midnight (frankly waaaaaay past bedtime for young kids but that’s another peeve of mine at theme parks) and Pandora was in its first year so lines were still quite long for NRJ. A little boy was whining that he “had to go.” Whimpering is more like it. The kid had to pee!! And his parents kept shushing him, telling him how close they were to the front, and it would only be a little longer. I’m telling you, this kid was 5 or 6, tops.

I finally turned to the parents and said “look, it’s ok - if you don’t want to get out of line, just lift the kid over the fence and let him go in those bushes.” The NRJ cue has a loooot if landscaping. The parents acted like this was the most mortifying suggestion in the world, more embarrassing than letting their kid pee his pants to get on a ride, but they finally relented. I’m sure the Pandoran fern was fine.

Uh.... what in the world? Why would you encourage that? Tell them you'll hold their spot in line, but to suggest THAT?

 

[mirak]

Uh.... what in the world? Why would you encourage that? Tell them you'll hold their spot in line, but to suggest THAT?

I’m a parent of three little boys. We’re frequently in situations where they need to “water a tree” and it is no big deal. We’re talking about a 5yo kid - not an adult.

 

[mirak]

I understand the inclination toward this. We all want to see the rule-breakers brought to justice. However, if Disney were to crack down on this, what would be the result? The CM would have to make their way to the scofflaws and confront them, sometimes resulting in them peaceably moving to the back of the line but sometime no doubt resulting in an angry guest wanting to push the issue. Then we have an argument, possible shouting, foul language, all the way up to a physical altercation. Then security is called to remove the offender. Everyone will see this. Everyone - even the little kids. I can't think of anything less magical. And what is to be gained? The people who got skipped in line get on the ride a full 30 seconds faster than they would have had not the few people passed them in line? For me, this falls under the axiom "pick your battles." I totally get the inclination too - we all hate when we feel something has been unfair, especially to us, but I think Disney makes the right call with these minor infractions by letting them go. If something can be discretely addressed, then by all means, they should, but I would prefer not creating a scene.

So would this same logic apply to people who try to enter the park without paying? Or any number of other infractions? Of course not. That’s why Disney has security. And if security sees someone jumping a line, they could very easily be waiting for them at the front of the cue to escort them from the park.

 

[BrianL]

So would this same logic apply to people who try to enter the park without paying? Or any number of other infractions? Of course not. That’s why Disney has security. And if security sees someone jumping a line, they could very easily be waiting for them at the front of the cue to escort them from the park.

No, it would not. As I said I think it's okay to let the "little things" go. I suppose that depends on your definition of little, but as I said, consider what is to be gained. Getting on a ride a few seconds sooner, and that's what it would amount to, isn't worth it. Now, I'm sure that the price of a ticket is absolutely worth it to Disney, which is certainly understandable.

 

[Wubar]

Parent taking a young child for a bathroom break? No biggie.

10 people catching up to the lone person saving their spot? Outright line cutting? Yep, I'm that person that says something nice and loud, directed right at that person. If you have the gall to jump in line and cut in front of others, than you can certainly also handle some "constructive" criticism.

 

[FCDub]

I’m a parent of three little boys. We’re frequently in situations where they need to “water a tree” and it is no big deal. We’re talking about a 5yo kid - not an adult.

In the middle of a busy theme parks? Ridiculously gross and unsanitary.

 

[TangledHairDon'tCare]

It’s not always easy to tell the difference between true line cutting and a potty break, so I let it slide if there’s a little one in tow. But I have made comments to staff when I see a group of teenagers (or adults) jostling their way up a line to meet up with friends. I wish Disney would crack down on this - it really wouldn’t be that hard to do with cameras watching nearly every square inch of the cue.

I experienced the opposite of a potty break reunion last time I was at Na’vi River Journey. It was nearing midnight (frankly waaaaaay past bedtime for young kids but that’s another peeve of mine at theme parks) and Pandora was in its first year so lines were still quite long for NRJ. A little boy was whining that he “had to go.” Whimpering is more like it. The kid had to pee!! And his parents kept shushing him, telling him how close they were to the front, and it would only be a little longer. I’m telling you, this kid was 5 or 6, tops.

I finally turned to the parents and said “look, it’s ok - if you don’t want to get out of line, just lift the kid over the fence and let him go in those bushes.” The NRJ cue has a loooot if landscaping. The parents acted like this was the most mortifying suggestion in the world, more embarrassing than letting their kid pee his pants to get on a ride, but they finally relented. I’m sure the Pandoran fern was fine.

You don't think kids should stay up past their bedtime while on vacation, but its ok to urinate in public? Wha??

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

I’m a parent of three little boys. We’re frequently in situations where they need to “water a tree” and it is no big deal. We’re talking about a 5yo kid - not an adult.

And when it's a girl?
Listen its gross to take a pill in a theme park. It's different if you're on a long car ride with no bathrooms for miles but not cool at a theme park.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

OK, since we're talking about letting children water the bushes in a ride line which I'm going to assume is way outside of Disney policy.... this thread is closed.