Saving spots in line at Walt Disney World

by Larry
(Summerville, SC)

Hello Dad! Just 5 days until our week at Walt Disney World! I've been checking the wait times on my phone and I see they are well over 90 minutes for the popular rides. I'm wondering if it would be allowed and how much would I be hated by other ride enthusiasts if I stand in a 90 minute line while my party visits other attractions then joins me after 60 or so minutes?

I don't want to break Disney rules or aggravate other park visitors. But I would rather sacrifice my good time if it helps my family get the most out of their park time.

Hard Saving Spots in Line at Disney World

Photo by Express Monorail

Dad's it's not very easy Answer

Larry, While your plan for saving spots in line at Walt Disney World sounds doable and I've seen people try, it's not very practical. A lot of the lines at Disney World aren't where someone could join you later. For example, Space Mountain, the line for Space Mountain goes up into the building. If you were to save places for your family, they would have to crawl over everyone that was in line between you and the entrance. That's not good for making friends and influencing people.

There are a few rides, like Peter Pans Flight where you could do it, but I assure you that it would make a ton of people mad if you jumped into that line.

Instead of saving spots in lines at Walt Disney World, try Dad's crowd avoidance methods.

1. Get to the parks early
2. Use FASTPASS
3. Get to the Parks Early
4. Ride the big rides first
5. GET TO THE PARKS EARLY

Dad's Disney World Crowds page

It's funny, the average guest at the Magic Kingdom sees 9 attractions in a day (see the story here). They spend most of their time standing in line. That's why, if you are going in the summer time or some other busy time Dad is so adamant about Touringplans.com or building a plan. It's crucial to know how to avoid the crowds and get around the parks. Our family averages 18 or so attractions on every visit to the Magic Kingdom. We don't stand in line very often. (Did that once, everyone complained.) That's because Dad is a championship planner who knows when to get advice from the best.

Dad's Touringplans.com page

Dad's Bottom Line

For most rides this won't be a factor. You can't do it. For those you can, you will make other guest that stand in the same hot, long line for hours upset. Yes, you will. (Put me in that category.)