Imagine waiting patiently for over an hour in the sweltering Florida heat at Disney World in line for your favorite ride. The line inches forward as your excitement for Space Mountain builds—until a group of five suddenly squeezes ahead, claiming a single family member “saved” their spot. The tension? Palpable. The frustration? Universal. But now, Disney has finally decided enough is enough.
So, what exactly did Disney say—and how could this new rule change the future of your theme park experience?
A Longtime Problem Finally Addressed at Disney World
“Line holding”—when one guest waits in line for a group, only to have several people join them much later—has been an unspoken pain point for years across both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Though common, it has often sparked in-queue disputes, especially when space is tight and patience is thinner than a Dole Whip cone on a hot day.
I’m cool with a parent taking a child to the bathroom and catching up, it’s when groups of 5 or 6 people wander up the queue through everyone that drives me nuts! One time on Rise, the whole queue started booing a large group that was walking past everyone! – @disneytipsguy
I'm cool with a parent taking a child to the bathroom and catching up, it's when groups of 5 or 6 people wander up the queue through everyone that drives me nuts!
One time on Rise, the whole queue started booing a large group that was walking past everyone! pic.twitter.com/WImc5GnEOp
— Disney Clips Guy (@disneytipsguy) June 13, 2025
In a recent online statement, Disney clarified that this behavior is now considered “line skipping”—a violation of park rules. The company made it clear: If you’re caught holding a spot in line, you could be removed or even banned from the parks. This crackdown marks a dramatic shift in how Disney handles crowd etiquette.
Twitter Meltdown: Fans Are Split
News of the updated policy spread quickly across Disney social media communities—especially Twitter (or “X”), where the divide was immediate and intense.
We counted 14 people “catching up” to their party the last time we rode Rise.
We counted 14 people "catching up" to their party the last time we rode Rise.
— Park Journey (@Park_Journey) June 13, 2025
Supporters praised the move, sharing horror stories of massive groups disrupting lines, causing congestion, and making wait times even longer than posted. “Finally! This needed to happen,” one fan wrote. “I’m tired of watching six people jump ahead because one person stood there for 40 minutes.”
im torn with the subject. Me and my son got off tron and my daughter and her friend were just in line at the haunted mansion entrance when we met up with them. I dont see how that could be an issue with anybody.
– @dagreatist4
im torn with the subject. Me and my son got off tron and my daughter and her friend were just in line at the haunted mansion entrance when we met up with them. I dont see how that could be an issue with anybody.
— CKFIRE/ (@dagreatist4) June 13, 2025
Others, however, aren’t as thrilled. Some guests argue there are exceptions—like a child needing a bathroom break or a parent grabbing water. “What if someone gets sick? Or has an emergency? This feels extreme,” one user posted.
Why This Actually Matters
While it may seem like a minor policy tweak, Disney’s new stance signals something much deeper: a renewed commitment to fairness, order, and guest experience. With rising ticket prices and ever-growing crowds, guests expect not just magic—but equality in their experience.
By eliminating loopholes and enforcing consistent rules, Disney may be attempting to level the playing field for everyone. This change also comes at a time when guest satisfaction has become a more vocal part of the online conversation—and when the parks are continuously trying to improve both in-person logistics and online sentiment.
What This Means for You
Here’s what you need to know heading into your next Disney visit:
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Don’t hold spots: If your group isn’t together when you get in line, they’ll need to wait with you or miss the ride.
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Plan ahead: Bathroom breaks, snack runs, and side errands should be handled before entering any major queue.
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Cast Members are watching: Enforcing this rule means Disney will likely rely on both guest reports and employee monitoring to catch violators.
And remember—violating this policy could result in being asked to leave the line, or worse, getting kicked out of the park entirely.
The Bigger Picture for Disney World Guests
This move isn’t just about saving space in line—it’s about saving the magic for everyone. Disney’s updated policy places courtesy and accountability at the forefront, aiming to prevent tensions between guests and ensure fairer access to rides and attractions.
It’s a new era at Disney Parks—one where the rules are clearer, the stakes are higher, and the message is simple: if you want to ride, wait with the rest of us.
So next time you’re tempted to let your group grab coffee while you wait for Rise of the Resistance—think twice. Because now, the rules are written in pixie dust—and they come with consequences.
I just got back from there. I witnessed it more times than I cared too. I witnessed it at Epcot at Frozen, then at Mission Space. It was the SAME family. The parents got in line and then their two teen daughters would join them. Then I witnessed it at Hollywood Studios by 1 person holding the spot for a family of about 6 to join him. They were rude as they somewhat pushed people out of their way to get up front. Then over at Alien Swirling Saucers. Once again 1 person was holding the line for about 4 others.
We are at the parks all the time, people leave the line to go get food, etc………The other day at the pirates, some guy got out of line , made his way about 6 rows ahead,( this was in the outside part of the Q , then was on his phone pretending to look for his family, he then got in line way ahead and his family joined him from way back in line……….I guess it was a trickerier way pretnding your family is ahead of you and will come back to join you, but its the opposite and they come up to join you………..Its discusting, I hope they start at least kicking them off the ride line they are in.
I really hope that this isn’t going to include people who stop to use the washroom while waiting in line and then catch up with their group that they’ve been in line with the whole time. Sometimes those lines are very long and nature calls!
So you need to hit the restroom before you get in line.
It is about time that this butting in line STOPS
It is rude and unfair and disrespectful
It happens far to many time by people thinking they are SO SPECIAL OR PRIVILEGED well guess not you are a paying customer just like everyone else
If you try to jump in line in front of me after I have been waiting for so long then TUFF go to the restroom first get a drink first then get in line like everyone else you are NOT SPECIAL TO ME
This should have happened a long time ago! Nobody wants to wait in line but we all do it! To have people shove past you is wrong!