Today is a quick tip for those of you who like to save time or enjoy walking past others stuck in line. This trick can save you minutes which add up to an extra ride or two per day, and it's just three words. 

Look and listen.

What? Listening can get you on rides faster?

Yep!

Let me explain. When a group of people gets onto a ride, let's say for example, Winnie the Pooh, there is a split seat, meaning two can ride in the front, and two can ride in the back. On The Great Movie Ride (Sadly, now closed) Or DINOSAUR where there is a bench style seating, 6 or more can go at once. Attractions like Star Tours have individual seats, but each person is directed to a row. The Cast Member who is sending people though is counting heads, trying to make sure that if possible,  every single spot is filled.

If you have a family of two getting onto a ride that has a split seat, or a group of 3 getting onto a bench style seat there are going to be open spaces or seats. That vacancy means it takes longer for the line to move, because the attraction was sent through the seats without them all being filled.

If you keep your eyes on the Cast Member letting people though and listen carefully, you will very often hear this:

“Any groups of 3 or less? 3 or less?”

“Any parties of 4? Parties of 4?”

“Any 2 riders? 1 or 2 riders?”

That's them, trying to fill up those extra spaces. The smart Disney go-er who was paying attention will get to go through ahead, if he or she is listening. A few examples from our trips of how listening can pay off.

When just one of my kids and I ride Winnie the Pooh, as we get closer and have maybe 6-8 groups in front of me, I stick two fingers up in the air. Almost every time, I hear “2 in the back! This way!” I've just walked past those groups, and saved myself several minutes. Do that a few times a day, and that's an extra ride or two.

It also happens frequently on Star Tours at Hollywood Studios, so again, as we get closer, my fingers will go up and I try and make eye contact with the Cast Member letting people through. Two, three, whatever, number of riders we are, I hold up those fingers and usually, we get sent through ahead of other riders because the Cast Member is saved from shouting out repeatedly over the noise of everyone talking and jostling and snapping photos. On longer rides like Star Tours, that can be 10 minutes or more, saved!

On our last trip, we were in one of the queues for The Great Movie Ride, and we were at least 4 vehicles away from getting on. The kids were tired and wanted to sit (and that switchback was very narrow!) and it looked like it could be another fifteen or twenty minutes before we got to ride, when I looked over to my far right near the wall. There was a manager, his mouth moving, and hardly any sound coming out because it was so loud. I thought I heard him say “...4 or less?” so I raised up four fingers and looked at him, making that eye contact. He waved us over, (I grabbed Mr. Disney and the boys who had been watching the video screen and didn't notice) and opened up the queue rope on the side so we could get out of the maze and we climbed aboard and took off, seated next to a party of two. 

Next time you are in line and are getting closer you might be able to save some time too!

LOOK around.

Does the Cast Member look like he or she is scanning the crowd?

LISTEN or WATCH their mouth

Does it seem like they are calling for people to fill the ride?

FINGERS UP in the air

Raise those fingers! Most people won't have heard the Cast Member, and even if they were a party of three that could have gone on, it's going to be YOUR party of three that gets to go, because YOU were paying attention. The worst that could happen is someone else does the same and you have to wait for your actual ride time, but it sure doesn’t hurt to try!

Do you already do this? Any other ideas for getting through the line a little faster? (And honestly!)  

I love how patriotic Disney is. Every day, at 5pm at the Magic Kingdom, a special flag ceremony is held, the national anthem is played, and guests are invited to sing God Bless America. A veteran, is handed the flag to carry down Main Street U. S. A while musicians follow behind paying U.S. Military songs. It's a beautiful experience, and make's me feel proud that Disney recognizes our great Service Men and Women. 

A screen shot from Disney's website is below, with their description. Click on the picture, it will take you right to the information page. 
​

Have you ever watched the flag retreat? We've only ever caught the tail end, but one day, we hope to see the whole thing. 

Last week Disey released an amazing line of Disney merchendise! You'll find it all there, home, beauty, clothes, kitchen, camping, food, just everything! 

Items are scattered throughout the store, and this is a ONE SHIPMENT thing. Once it's gone, it's gone! 

Here are a few of our favorites, though it by no means a complete collection. There are hundreds of items, and they are all incredibly priced. Remember...if you like it, buy it. My store has already sold out at least a third of what they got in last week! Some of this IS available on Target.com, so you can always browse on there, too! Sorry for some of the pictures being darker. The camera on my phone isn't nearly as good as on Mr Disney Magic's phone!

3 lidded containers for just $10! Matching serving bowl too! Borrowed the online pic, since mine is in the dishwasher currently! I bought them both!
​

These cups come in 2 different sizes. Our store didn't have enough, so had to order more on Target.com
​

Patches and pins, from $5 to $8! 

Popcorn buckets and Mickey suckers! 
​

​Lots of great stuff!! Happy shopping! 

It's been a year since we started the blog to share our Disney tips and tricks. Hopefully you all have been enjoying reading them, as much as we have been writing them! To celebrate, here are a few helpful posts,  just in time for summer vacation! Just click the links below to go right to the articles!

When Your Perfect Vacation Isn't Perfect

The Number One Way to Put a Stop to Summer Fun

Getting Started With Disney Pin Trading

​Disney Bus Know How

Disney FOMO: Yes, it's a Thing

You'll find loads more articles like this one, including dining plan tips, FREE touring plans and more, just by clicking on the categories to the right. Happy planning! 

Flame Tree Barbecue

With loads of covered outdoor seating situated near the water, this is our favorite stop for lunch. We like to relax as we watch the birds flying, and often landing and walking up to you to see if there's anything you have they want. Our favorite spot also gives you a great view of Expedition Everest, you can even hear the screams as they meet the Yeti! 
​
The picture at the header, is Flame Tree Barbecue's menu, you can see they have a great menu that's varied. There's a kids menu too, and lots of sides, I just didn't snap a photo of those.  You can see my plate above, (we got the to die for onion rings too!) and I just couldn't eat it all. The portions are large, the food always tastes great. We had the dining plan, or else I might have been splitting this! Desserts are lacking in choices, but with so many other places in the park to get those, you might want to explore your options. 

Satu'li Canteen

Over in Pandora, you will find this unique quick service. There's more to the menu, but the basics are a mix or match to your favorite combination. I think this is really neat, and definitely pretty unique to Quick Service. Disney boasts that the fish are sustainable as well. I didn't feel like the portions were overly generous, though they were filling. 

Unless you have adventurous kids, I  might skip this one, or grab them something elsewhere.  The kids menu is like a miniature version of the adult menu, though there is an offering of Cheeseburger Pods, cheese quesadilla, and dough wrapped hot dog. 

One more thing to note, Many of the menu items has the warning that it contains raw or undercooked ingredients, which can lead to foodborne illnesses. If you've got a cast iron stomach, like Mr. Disney Magic, I'm betting you won't care. I tend to go for the menu items without that warning! 

Restauntosarus
​
This is a great place for any family. Besides the really fun Dinosaur decor, there's going to be something that anyone will eat, from Battered Fish to burgers, grilled chicken sandwiches, salads and chicken nuggets. Seating is pretty good, it's not usually too difficult to find a place to sit and cool down in the air conditioning and portions sizes are pretty normal. There's also a toppings bar, which is going to be similar to the one at Cosmic Ray's so you can jazz up your sandwiches or burgers and customize them a bit. 
​

Pizzafari

While this isn't my favorite pizza, when you've got kids and want to make them happy at lunch, it's a good stop. Everyone gets a personal sized pizza and salad, and the prices are reasonable for what you get. There's loads of indoors seating so you can cool down, and the cast members are some of the more friendly we've met. We spent an entire meal once with the manager drawing us a map of hidden trails to take, and shortcuts to our next stop after asking us what we planned to do that day! 

The decor is actually among my favorite, even if the food isn't, just because it's all so bright and colorful and energetic! If you don't eat there, at least poke your head in to see what I mean! 

​Those are our favorite quick serves! As you can see, Quick Service isn't something like McDonalds, when you are at Disney. You still get the quality of a casual restaurant, with the convenience of a quick in and out so a meal doesn't take up half your day, or a ton of your budget!

Did we miss your favorite? Which place do you love to go to? 

Want to see our top quick service picks for Magic Kingdom? Click here!