Tips and Tricks to Waiting in Lines at Disneyland/DCA
Unfortunately, waiting in lines is part of the Disneyland and Disney California Adventure experience, so how can you make waiting in lines manageable with kids?
Kids are surprisingly good at waiting in lines due to the stimulation all around but there are tips and tricks to make the experience easier. If you are going with kids solo, with a partner, extended family or with Mouse House Nanny, waiting in lines are all do able when you follow the suggestions below.
Tip 1: Bring or buy snacks for waiting in line!!
Alice in Wonderland queue
Snacks are great for kids and can pass the time effectively but they are not just for the kids. Protein packed snacks such as nuts, power bars, peanut/almond butter filled pretzels, honey-roasted sunflower seeds, granola, etc. can keep everyones energy up. Healthy snacks such as whole or sliced fruits and veggies brings a cool refreshing crunch to ones palate, introduces vitamins and minerals that actually make you and your kids even happier. Fun snacks such as crackers, freeze dried fruit/veggies, fruit and vegetable pouches (think apple sauces) and raisins, etc. keep little hands and sometimes big fingers and mouthes busy. Junk food snacks such as chips, fruit snacks (yes, you can get 100% fruit juice snacks or make it yourself) and candies, etc. can definitely be used very sparingly and when/if absolutely needed. And, of course, we cannot forget munching on those irresistible Disneyland treats while waiting in line! Disney treats bring even more magic to the day and just about any snack can be purchased in the parks from churros, to popcorn buckets, Dole whips, large pickles, fruit, corn dogs, etc.
Tip 2: Play games while waiting in line!!
Clapping and hand games such as Patty Cake and Miss Mary Mack for the younger kids to Slide and Seven for the older kids are a fun repetitive way to move forward in the lines. Other hand games include but by no means are limited to Thumb-War and Massively Multiplayer Thumb-Wrestling, Rock-Paper-Scissors, Hot Hands, Concentration, A Sailor Went to See See See, Ninja, Finger spelling using Sign Language, etc. Other games that can be played while waiting in line is I-Spy, Simon Says, Going on a Picnic (an ABC Game), Charades, 20 Questions, etc. Have fun!
Tip 3: Bring activities to pass the time!!
Space Mountain Queue
Waiting at Alien Pizza
A bottle of bubbles is so much more fun for kids although no where as cool as the bubble wands sold by Disney. Open a bottle of bubbles and watch the magic happen as kids blow, chase, catch and pop those bubbles. Activity packs that include a small coloring book, crayons, and stickers are great way to pass the time in line but also during meals while waiting for their meal or while waiting for the adults to finish up their meals.
Trick 1: Split the wait times if you have more than one adult
Splitting the wait times between your party works only if you have adults willing to not go on all the rides together. So how does it work? First of all please do not take advantage of this trick if you have a large party. One adult, Adult A, waits in a long line while the other family/group members take advantage of a ride with a shorter line. When Adult A is approaching the front of the line or the rest of the party has completed the shorter line they will join the line. At that point Adult B can go wait in another line while Adult A gets to ride with the kids. Again, please do not take advantage of this by trying to squeeze in large groups; this is meant more for the small family of 2-4 kids.
Trick 2: Allow for down-time!
Waiting for the Disneyland Train
If the lines are really long, allow young kids to go with one of the adults to sit down at a table and color, have a snack, play with little figurines, etc. If one or more of the kiddos fall asleep in a stroller have the other kid(s) take a breather and play at a table in the shade while the other kid sleeps. If you are with more than one adult, have them take the other kid on additional rides without interfering the resting child. Allow kids to rest or older kids to sit in the stroller to the next ride. Disneyland is very stimulating, a new unfamiliar location, and kids are taking double the steps adults are taking just to keep up! There is no shame for kids (and adults) to take a break. This can also be a good time for the adults to take advantage of the single-rider options. If you have hired me (Mouse House Nanny) this is a great time to take a ride as a couple and meet back afterwards.
Do you have a tip or trick that you like to use? Add it in the comments below!
Magically yours,
Nanny Caren
*All images used with permission by the family