Queue Tips: Nine Pieces of Advice for Waiting in Line at Disney World

Like them or not, lines (or queues) are a part of our everyday lives. We wait in lines at the grocery store, the bank, and the theater.

If you have to wait in a line, Walt Disney World is one of the best places to do it. Disney has put a lot of time, thought, and money into making their lines some of the best experiences available.

While you probably don’t need any special instructions on how to wait in a queue (you probably done it thousand times), there are some special considerations for waiting in queues at Walt Disney World.

Let’s take a look at nine special considerations for waiting in a queue at Walt Disney World:

Before getting into the queue

1 – Skip the Queues

Perhaps the best way to deal with a line at Walt Disney World is to never get into it. Disney has spent more than $1 billion on the FastPass+ system to allow you to reserve attraction times in advance so that you don’t have to wait in a line at all. Be sure to check out tips for the most effective use of your fast pass plus reservations for each of the Disney theme parks:

2 – Apply Sunscreen

The Florida sun is intense. Really intense. Even if your skin does not normally burn easily, the Florida sun can still burn you before you know it. One of the worst ways to ruin a Disney vacation is with a sunburn. Be sure to apply plenty of sunscreen since some Disney World queues are outdoors.

3 – Drink Plenty of Water

Just like the sun can burn your skin, it can also dry out your body. Be sure to drink plenty of water so that you do not become dehydrated.

Mr. Potato Head says - stay hydrated!
Mr. Potato Head says – stay hydrated!

4 – Go to the Bathroom

With all the water you will drink (see the point above), you will need to use the restroom. You don’t want to wait for a while in a queue and then realize you need to get out of the line to use the restroom. That will waste the time you already waited. Make a pit stop before you get into the line so that you won’t have to leave the line before you reach the attraction.

While in the queue

5 – Give up your Personal Space

Lines are crowded spaces. You will be up close and personal with not only your traveling companions but also plenty of strangers. Realize that Disney will pack you in like sardines. Be mentally prepared to give up your personal space – but just for a little while.

You are packed in, but you can still enjoy the time.
You are packed in, but you can still enjoy the time.

6 – Explain the Attraction to your Kids

Many children and even some adults can be surprise or upset by the features in certain attractions. Darkness, fast movement, and loud noises can be upsetting to some folks. If you think anyone in your traveling party might be surprised or upset by what is to come in the attraction you are waiting for, be sure to prepare them while you are waiting in the queue. Explain what is to come. It’s a good use of the time. It will also help make sure you don’t wait in a long line for an experience they really don’t want to participate in anyway.

You are packed in, but you can still enjoy the time.
You are packed in, but you can still enjoy the time.

7 – Keep your Party Together

Be sure to keep everyone in your party together. Wait in the line together so that you can enjoy and experience the attraction together. Also be honest about how many people are in your party. Do not tell the Cast Member in the loading area you have two people in your party when you really have four. Some people actually do that in a lame attempt to get an attraction car all to themselves. It often doesn’t work. If you do give a low ball number, you may end up sharing your attraction experience with some strangers.

8 – Be Patient

While people don’t pay big bucks to go on vacation for the purpose of waiting in line, it is part of the deal. The patient while you are waiting. Getting agitated about a wait that is longer than you expected doesn’t do anyone any good. It will make the wine move any faster. Chill out and remember that you are at Disney World!

This queue for the Adventures of Winnie the Pooh lets kids play while waiting.
This queue for the Adventures of Winnie the Pooh lets kids play while waiting.

9 – Enjoy the details

While few people would use the word “enjoy” and “line” in the same sentence, you can definitely do that at Disney World. You truly can enjoy the lines.  Disney Imagineers have put tremendous amounts of thought and detail into their queues. You may have games to play, interactive exhibits, we’re just fun and amazing things to look at in the attraction queue. Look around and enjoy all the details.

Do you like the details that Disney puts into its attraction cues?