If there’s one thing that can catch families off guard at Walt Disney World, it’s the wait times. We do everything we can these days to avoid making our families wait for anything. Groceries, banking, shopping, it’s all at our fingertips. Waiting has become more of an inconvenience than a normal part of life. But when we were kids, you waited for everything. The supermarket, the bank, the post office. Without online services, everything was done in person, and it took forever. Fast forward to now, and we go out of our way to prevent our children from experiencing even a moment of boredom. Then comes Disney, where waiting is unavoidable. The good news? This is one inconvenience that can actually pay off, with some of the best moments coming from the time spent together in those queues. Here are six recommendations to keep in mind before you leave:
Set Expectations Before You Go
Start the conversation at home. Let your kids know that waiting will be part of the experience, and frame it in a positive way. When they know what’s coming, it’s much easier to manage those in-the-moment frustrations. Have a plan for handling things and come up with some fun pastimes together that interest everyone.
Practice Patience in Everyday Life
A quick stop at the store or waiting in line for a treat can become a low-stakes practice run. These small, real-world moments help build patience before you’re standing in a 60-minute queue for a favorite attraction. Instead of leaving your children at home or with another family member, bring them along for the ride. Even if it feels boring, learning to wait is golden when it comes to a Disney vacation.
Make Waiting Special
Think small, simple, and easy to carry. A few snacks, a portable game, or even a surprise item can go a long way. It doesn’t have to be elaborate, just enough to break up the time when attention starts to wander. I love grabbing the family a handful of churros as a nice way to wait in a queue with a treat in hand. Avoid electronics whenever possible and think outside the box with something like a Rubik’s Cube or a sticker book. I recently watched a beautiful little princess working on a sticker book as the line progressed through Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. It looked as though her parents had packed a perfectly themed one for each of the EPCOT attractions with longer lines, like Frozen, Remy’s, and Nemo & Friends.
Turn the Queue into a Game
Disney queues are often filled with details, hidden gems, and interactive elements. Challenge your kids to spot things, make up stories, or create little games together. It keeps them engaged and makes the wait feel shorter. One easy-to-carry game that keeps the connection going is Heads Up, using just a phone. Fun, practical, and easy to keep in your pocket.
Build in Breaks Throughout the Day
Waiting becomes much harder when everyone is tired. Plan downtime between attractions, whether it’s a snack break, a show, or a quiet moment away from the crowds. A well-timed reset and sit-down can make all the difference. Be sure to make sure of the longer, slower attractions throughout the day, as it will add to those rest breaks without feeling like you are missing out on the action.
Lead by Example
Kids pick up on everything. If you’re feeling impatient or frustrated, they will too. Keeping a calm, positive attitude shows them that waiting isn’t something to dread, it’s just part of the adventure.
At the end of the day, waiting at Disney isn’t just about standing in line. It’s about what you do with that time. In a place filled with constant movement and excitement, those slower moments can become some of the most meaningful. With a little preparation before your Disney vacation, you might find that the time spent waiting turns into something just as special as the ride at the end of it.
