Ask a Disney Question: What do you do while waiting in line?

This question is from Jeffery, who asks “Are there things to do while you are waiting in line? Do they have tv or sumptin?”

Jeffery, thanks for your question and for reading the blog.  Ahh, the age-old question.  As someone who likes to move around a lot, I feel your pain.  Some lines have interesting queues with artifacts and games.  Others tell the story behind the ride and raise your anticipation of the fun to come.  This is particularly true of newer attractions.  A good example of this is Toy Story Midway Mania. Here, the queue is set up to resemble Andy’s room.  The toys are over-sized, so what you get is a toy’s eye view of the room.  You’ll then meet Mr. Potatohead and interact with him. There’s also an area in front of Mr. Potatohead where you can stop and take pictures.    Disney is always experimenting with ways to make waiting in lines easier.  The newest trend seems to be queue-less waiting area with games and activities, which is the focal point of the refurbishment of the Dumbo attraction.

Unfortunately, most queues can be rather boring, but there are ways to make them more tolerable and even to eliminate time waiting in line. First, go early in the day or visit the parks during a slower time of year.  Even better, get a touring plan.  Touring plans are basically itineraries that guide you around the park in a way that reduces time spent waiting in line. It may seem like a lot of trouble, but most people who try a touring plan can’t believe how much time they save.  I’ve used TouringPlans.com (from the folks behind the Unofficial Guide), which is based on years and years of scientific data.  They’re very user-friendly and economical. You can also try Tour Guide Mike.  Both plans have their followers and their advantages. 

Second, go high-tech while you’re in line.  Bring a hand-held game or play with a Disney phone application while you’re in line. There are now a dozen or so phone applications you can use while waiting in line that show you everything from wait times,  dining reviews,  and park trivia.  It can be a fun way to entertain yourself.  I like using Linesfrom Touring Plans (your subscription also gives you access to touring plans).  It has a pretty active chat area where you can get questions answered by fellow users or by the Touring Plans staff, shows you park hours and attraction wait times, and most important at all from the standpoint of keeping you entertained, allows you to input attraction wait times yourself.  Put in enough wait times and you’ll earn badges and compete with fellow users.   Another popular application (although it only works on iPhones) is E-Ticket from the DisUnplugged.  It doesn’t have wait times but it has tons of fun information that can help your trip.  Finally, if you have Verizon, you can get the official Disney phone application which also has wait times.

Finally,  you can just go old school and do what we’ve all done for years while waiting in line.  Bring a notebook and take notes about your trip, read a book, talk to a stranger, or just people watch.   I’ve actually met some very interesting people while waiting in line.

Wishing you short lines and a happy trip!

Our own Chip has a Touring Plans and Lines review here.  I also did one on my blog here and an update on recent changes here. 

Got a Disney question?  We’ve got answers!  Write us here.

Photo courtesy Newsweek/Mr. Kathika.

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