Is This Disney’s Breaking Point? 14-Hour Line Fuels Growing Concerns

At Disney parks around the world, long lines are a fact of life. Guests know to expect them for fireworks, rides, character greetings—and increasingly, merchandise.

It’s not just about fandom. With some merchandise reselling for double or triple its retail value, the lines are also driven by speculation. Scarcity and resale culture have made product launches at Disney parks high-stakes events, where being early often means beating not just fellow fans, but full-time resellers armed with spreadsheets and sleeping bags.

Credit: Disneyland Paris

In recent years, the situation has gone from inconvenient to extreme. And this week, one park saw the tension reach a new boiling point—literally.

14-Hour Waits and Triple-Digit Temperatures

At Shanghai Disneyland, hundreds of guests began queuing as early as 5 p.m. on July 7—five hours earlier than usual—in the hope of scoring new Summer Ocean Party merchandise featuring Duffy and Friends characters. When gates opened the next morning, many had already spent 14 hours in line.

The products in question, including keychains priced at 179 yuan (about $28), were quickly resold online for nearly three times that amount. According to Chinese outlet Sina, guests were motivated less by personal desire and more by pressure to get ahead of resellers.

“On the afternoon of July 7, I skipped work and rushed to Disneyland an hour early,” one guest told Sina. “When I arrived at the nearby subway station at 5:30, there were already more than 50 people queuing along the railings… You need to draw lots to obtain the purchase qualification of the new dolls. The earlier you enter the park, the greater the probability of winning.”

Credit: Shanghai Disneyland

Some fans booked rooms at the Shanghai Disneyland Hotel and Toy Story Hotel to take advantage of early entry perks, hoping to improve their odds in the lottery-based system.

But demand wasn’t the only risk. Shanghai was under an excessive heat warning that same week, with temperatures topping 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Local officials warned of heat stroke and urged residents to avoid prolonged time outdoors.

A Familiar Problem, Amplified by Heat and Hype

This isn’t the first time Shanghai Disneyland has seen chaos over merchandise. Earlier in 2024, another Duffy and Friends release resulted in eight-hour lines and reports of guests fainting while waiting for CookieAnn backpacks. The park has since introduced ID requirements to deter ticket scalpers, though merchandise resellers remain a challenge.

The resort has also taken recent steps to protect guests and cast members from the heat. In June, Shanghai Disneyland confirmed it would adjust park operations based on real-time heat data, including cutting parade length, modifying choreography, and pausing outdoor shows during peak hours. New water stations, mobile coolers, and shaded viewing areas have been installed, while backstage areas now include 50 air-conditioned lounges for performers.

Credit: Shanghai Disneyland

Performers are also issued sun hats, fans, ice stickers, and hydration gear to stay cool. With 80% of attractions already indoors or semi-covered, Shanghai Disneyland is arguably better equipped than most parks to respond. Still, it may not be enough.

As long as resale markets drive demand and fans feel forced to compete just to participate, the lines will keep forming. And in parks like Shanghai, where temperature and tension continue to rise, the consequences may go well beyond frustration.

Would you wait in a 14-hour line for Disney merchandise?