Note: This post is part of our new “Mouse Hacking Musings” series. These are short, informal posts about whatever topic floats my boat the morning I decide to write it. The musings originally appear in our weekly(ish) newsletter, which also highlights recent news, updates from the blog, and discounts/deals I’ve got my eyes on.
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I'm a professional at avoiding lines. Despite being a frequent traveler to theme parks, it's very rare that Zoe has actually had to wait in anything resembling a long standby wait. When we do find ourselves in lines, we try not to look at them as a nuisance.
Everyone wants to "make the best" of the long waits. Some families play games–Heads Up is a popular one–something I've always thought looked fun but not yet fully embraced. Disney queues are also known for their immersive nature, though in many cases this is overblown. Sure, you can spot some fun details of Andy’s plans for Slinky Dog Dash while waiting in that queue (why did he abandon the "dodge" feature?!?), but look to the left in most of the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster queue and you’ll see…concrete. And to the right? Concrete! And overhead? Well at least there are fans in that hot box.
But the other thing we do is remember that waiting in line is a chance to practice patience. Patience is a skill that we have to practice and hone like any other. It's harder to be patient when we're hot. Or when we have other things we'd like to do. But practice makes progress. And (as I've written before) it's a lot easier to practice patience when you've got something awesome at the end of the line–like a ride on Rise of the Resistance–than when you're waiting in line at the DMV.
Patience isn't just a virtue, it's an important life tool. In one famous study, young children who were better at delaying gratification turned into adolescents who were rated as more "academically and socially competent, verbally fluent, rational, attentive, planful, and able to deal well with frustration and stress."
For those parents among us, practicing patience as an adult better enables us to model that behavior–and yes, I have been told by my four year old on occasion that I "need to try being patient."
All Your Other Disney World Planning Questions Answered
Don't be overwhelmed by Disney World planning! Take a second to check out our most important content and you'll not only be an expert, but you'll save big $$$ along the way.
Just starting out? Check out our Walt Disney World planning guide! If you're still picking dates, we've got everything you need to know about Disney World crowd calendars. For picking your hotel, check out our Walt Disney World hotels guide.
When it comes time to book we’ll help you find discount Disney World tickets. Decide whether you need a dining plan in our Complete Guide to Disney World Dining Plans! And don't forget to book those Disney World Advance Dining Reservations!
Don't forget to master your Disney World Lightning Lane Guide and Strategy a few months in advance. We'll keep you out of long lines so you can maximize the magical time in the parks! We've got park-specific guides as well: Magic Kingdom Lightning Lane Strategy, Epcot Lightning Lane Strategy, Animal Kingdom Lightning Lane Strategy, and Hollywood Studios Lightning Lane Strategy.
Know what to ride with our guides to: Magic Kingdom rides, Hollywood Studios rides, Epcot rides, and Animal Kingdom rides! Plus learn about the water parks with our guide to Blizzard Beach and our guide to Typhoon Lagoon! And for some some fun prep, check out our Ranking of Every Ride at Walt Disney World.
Finally, before you head out, be sure to check out our to-the-point packing list, 10 essentials you forget to pack for every Disney trip. And if you're interested in saving, there's no better list than our 53 Ways to Save on your Disney trip from start to finish.