Tag Archives: Disney Ride Queues

No FastPass? I Must Pass!

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In line at DisneyRecently I gushed about some of my favorite queues at Walt Disney World.  You know the ones I’m talking about – The attractions where waiting is almost as much fun as riding!  Boy, I’m a huge fan of Disney’s efforts towards making the wait actually part of the attraction, the storyline, the amusement.  I seriously adore what they’re doing with queues these days.

There are a few attractions though…I hate to say it, but I avoid the standby lines like the plague.  Even after bragging, right here on this very blog, that I’m all Zen with the waiting when I’m in the Disney Bubble.  It’s not uncommon for me to see a 40 minute wait time and say, “Heck, yeah! Let’s do this!”  I have SO many must-do rides, but have found that I’m actually good at staying in the here and now…appreciating that I’m on vacation at my most beloved home away from home.  I don’t mind waiting…usually.

You may be asking – What’s the deal, Lisa?  You’re a pretty big Disney fan and yet you just My Feet Waiting for Winnie the Poohadmitted that you…YOU must have a FastPass for certain rides or what?  You won’t wait?  You’ll walk away?  Seriously?

It’s just that there are certain attractions with standby lines I find I try to avoid if at all possible.  I’ll rope drop, FastPass, late night, rainy day – take advantage of everything imaginable to avoid waiting there.  In those lines.  Tell me you don’t have a few of those on your own touring plans.

I’ll list my top three and explain what I find so…avoidable:

Waiting in Line for Soarin'1. Soarin’ – If I could just bring a snack or something.  I adore Soarin’, but pretty much need a FastPass to ride.  I’ll go early in the day, but if the wait is more than 30 minutes, I can’t bring myself to do it.  I’d rather go sit at Sunshine Seasons and nosh on a chocolate croissant while The Fam carries on without me.  Even with the queue upgrades to add some interactive elements, it’s industrial, cold, boring and causes me to drain my cell phone battery to kill the time by surfing the interwebs, tweeting, checking Facebook, etc.  The Soarin’ standby line kills my cell phone – that’s it in a nutshell.  The cell phone battery effect.

2. Toy Story Midway Mania – I’ll freely admit that I have classic ADD.  It’s okay.  I’m used to it.The Standby Line in Toy Story Midway Mania  But when I hit the standby line at TSMWM, it’s like stepping into my own brain.  I’ve always got a lot going on – in full, living Technicolor.  I’ve got a heck of an imagination, am constantly thinking about one topic after another – like a pinball bouncing around in an arcade machine.  I’m fine with waiting for TSMWM…at first.  The colors, the huge toys and games, Mr. Potato Head talking incessantly – all fun and exciting in the beginning, quickly become much too much.  No can do, ride queue.

It's a Small World Clock3. It’s a Small World – I actually love the “Happiest cruise that ever sailed”.  I don’t care that the song sticks with me for days, I don’t care that there are hundreds of dolls in there.  We’re the same age, remember?  1964 New York World’s Fair – my family visited the fair the summer before my arrival and experienced the original ride (technically, I suppose I did too)!  What kills me in this line is that awesome clock!  I wait for it to do its thing and in between “performances”, I start to notice stuff.  Things that make me twitch.  A man and woman having an argument, parents looking the other way while their little ones misbehave, some unfortunate tattoos – I can’t help it!  It’s best I avoid waiting here if at all possible.

What about you?  What standby lines to you avoid?  Which ones to you love the most?

 

10 Fun Things to Look For While Waiting in Line at Disney World

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DSCN2608No matter what time of year you go or how savvy you are with rope-drops and FastPass+, you will inevitably find yourself – at some point during your vacation at Walt Disney World – waiting in line.  It’s not like waiting in line at the grocery store or at your local movie theater’s concession stand.  Disney (as with everything else) adds a bit (and sometimes a LOT) of pixie-dusted details, even to queues.  That’s why I encourage friends that are planning their very first visit to Walt Disney World to embrace the line.  Become zen with the waiting, so to speak.  Folks with little ones may want to bring games and toys to make waiting easier.  Personally, when I’m waiting, I like to soak up all the tiny, but magical details.  Really try to be in the moment…I mean, even waiting in line, I’m still on vacation at Disney World, right?

Now that we’ve established that we’re going to wait, whether it’s a few minutes or several, those special Disney touches to the queue areas for rides and attractions can be a form of entertainment all on their own.  So, my dear blog-reading friends, I give you….IMG_5255

10 Fun Things to Look For While Waiting in Line:

In the Magic Kingdom

  • Haunted Mansion – Since HM was re-vamped in 2011 to add the super-cool interactive queue, I find I love it even more than I did before (which was a lot).  I’d heard about the bride’s ring that can be found in the cement along the queue and I just had to find it.  Locating the elusive piece of jewelry was excellent entertainment for a hot, crowded day.  Lots to see in this queue even if you can’t find the ring.  You’ve gotta find it now, though, dontcha.
  • It’s a Small World – No, the line’s not very exciting while you’re waiting for your turn to board the “Happiest cruise that ever sailed”, but if you stand there long enough, keep your eye on IMG_2547the clock.  Every 15 minutes, the clock opens up and displays the time.  No, I cannot explain what I find so special about this particular detail.  I just think it’s pretty neat – and getting little ones to watch for it as the time draws close for the clock to open, makes waiting a little more entertaining.
  • Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – This ride (to me) has particularly hilarious details that go with Big Thunder’s backstory.  There are genuine pieces of antique mining equipment and tools, but the best part is what’s printed on the crates.  They’re from the Lytum and Hyde Explosives Company!
  • Splash Mountain – The part of the queue inside the mountain is really neat – the walls andIMG_3313 rough wood beams are very realistic, but the best part to me is outside in the courtyard.  Look for the fancy and adorable bird houses…not sure if it’s the whimsy or the little special details, but I always imagine the kinds of birds that must live there to be like the one’s that help Cinderella.

In Epcot

  • Soarin’ – Right before you board (while you’re still in line), there’s a video that explains what to expect and what actions are necessary on your part.  The video is hosted by Patrick IMG_5054Warburton (Kronk!), who I adore.  During the video, as Patrick explains how to properly stow loose items – there’s this guy.  He’s wearing an Earhat that he must, sadly, place in a storage area for safekeeping.  That guy!  He just cracks me up.  A lot.  G’head…watch and see what I mean.  Every time I wait in the line for Soarin’, I look forward to that Earhat man and the dejected expression he has when he’s got to take off his hat.
  • Mission: SPACE – If you read my previous post on Mission: SPACE, you know how I feel about it, but there’s still some pretty awesome stuff to see if you decide you’ve got to ride it.  On loan from The Smithsonian (National Air and Space Museum), is an actual really real Lunar Roving Vehicle.  Take a minute or two to check it out – think about how tough it would have been to design a vehicle that would drive around in a place with no air and little gravity.  Not into that sort of thing?  Then spend your time reading the posted health warnings – there are enough of those to keep you entertained while you wait.IMG_3024

In Disney’s Hollywood Studios

  • Rock’n’ Roller Coaster – The queue for this isn’t that great to me until I actually make it into the garage to board the limo – then I love the details and most especially the Hidden Mickey’s and the very clever license plates on the limos.  So, once you step through the door, take the time to look all around.  It’s pretty exciting to see the limos shoot off into the tunnel – knowing you’ll soon be doing the same.
  • DSCN2558Star Tours – This queue is awesome.  You will wind your way through a spaceport terminal complete with flight information displays, droids (like C-3PO and R2-D2) working, and luggage being screened.  Pay particular attention to the luggage screening – it’s hilarious!
  • Twilight Zone Tower of Terror – There’s loads of cool stuff to see, but I’m particularly partial to one certain Hidden Mickey inside the hotel lobby.  Look for the desk – the glasses on the desk form a Hidden Mickey.  It’s subtle, the special effects that make everything look old, dusty, and run down add just the right amount of creepy-ness and in the midst of it all is that cleverly placed detail.  Love.  It.

In the Animal Kingdom

  • Expedition Everest – I love the stand-by line for EE almost as much as I love the ride.  It is myIMG_3405 favorite attraction at Walt Disney World.  Part of the queue will take you through a Yeti Museum – and this, to me, is the coolest part of all.  Take it all in!  Especially the plaster cast of the Yeti footprint and the remains of an expedition gone bad – clearly, by the evidence, they were attacked by some mysterious and destructive creature.  This is GREAT stuff, you guys, don’t miss it!
  • Kali River Rapids – Thousands of details and artifacts await the waiters (in line, that is) at this white-water attraction in Asia.  When you get to the Tiger Temple pavilion, please take the time to look up at the beautiful, extremely detailed artwork – it’s one of the amazing things that makes Walt Disney World so special.  While you’re waiting, there are tons of cool things to see, but I also want you to listen.  Disney’s focus on the evils of deforestation includes the sounds of chainsaws and falling trees!  Seriously.  Listen.

I limited myself to just 10 things to tell you about today – it was pretty hard.  I love riding rides and seeing shows, but I also love just being on a Disney vacation, soaking up the magic in all its forms.  Next time you find yourself at the World, take the time to enjoy the wait and tell me….

What do you do for fun while you’re waiting in line at Walt Disney World?