Fun Things to do While Waiting for Fireworks/Fantasmic/Etc?

[drew_ballz99]

This is my first thread and I apologize if it's been posted already.

My family and I always want great seats to the various shows, but it always comes with the "dreaded" wait. What are some things you and your families/friends do to pass the time?

We enjoy getting caramel apples sliced for us to help pass the time. We also find it funny to find people wearing funny things and number them. For example, I tell my wife there's number 10 and she has to identify the suspect! She then proceeds to find number 11...too funny and a little mean at the same time!!

[disneylover]

People watching is my favorite thing to do at the parks while waiting in line or walking around. Always see some interesting people! I've become really good at distracting my kids while in line. They are super impatient, so I'm always pointing out all the little details I see to them to help pass the time

[reggroyx9d9]

Have Disney Trivia competitions with other members of your party!

[crystaltink]

We usually send someone on a Dole Whip run while we wait. I'm usually with friends so I never have a hard time with keeping amused while waiting for for fireworks/WOC/Fantasmic!

[Horbigast]

Back in the late 90s/early 00s, to wait for Fantasmic!, we would grab a table on the edge of the River Belle Terrace in the late afternoon/early evening, get some dinner and a cup of coffee, and set about relaxing while watching the sunset over the Rivers of America. People watching was the primary activity, which is a level of entertainment all unto itself, but really all we were doing is absorbing the atmosphere. The distant screams of Splash & Big Thunder Mountain, plunks & clanks from Tarzan's Treehouse, the whistles of the Mark Twain as it finished its last runs before the show...

From that vantagepoint you could have a great seat for the show, and watch the people collect all along the walkway. It was also something to watch the cast members wrangle the masses. The patience & tolerance they have to show with people is borderline heroic.

[Capnsavvy]

I like to watch the ducks around Tom Sawyer Island. Especially during the spring when the new babies are out and about.

[1968 disney]

I love to people watch. I am always amazed to see how many kids are crying when they are at the park. The ones that really get me now are when you see kids at the park and they have there video games out playing them while they are there. You might as well stayed home and saved yourself $80. The last thing that you see are the mothers and fathers loose it when they are there with there kids. I guess some people just do not know how to come to the park and leave the out side world out side the gates, as well as there troubles. Just my observations.

Brian
1968 disney

[disneylover]

My kids cry at the park. They are 4 and 2. Usually because 1. they don't want to leave, 2. they aren't getting what they want (i.e., toys after the rides-Buzz is the worst-or sugary treats.) For the most part they are pretty good and super excited to be there. They are little still. I don't expect them to never cry. They get overwhelmed by everything at the parks. We try to take A LOT of breaks to help keep them (and us) sane!

[adrianne]

My favorite people-watching story: dad has 4-ish year old in a stroller, and the little one is having a complete meltdown. Dad: "Stop crying -- we're in the Happiest Place on Earth, for crying out loud!".