You've Got To be Kidding Me!

[Flamingeaux]

maybe removing benches and other seating pushes people towards TS meals?

Bingo!!!

 

[loves to dive]

I've always sat on the ground or a curb anyway, I'm not coordinated enough to balance my food and drink on my lap and eat at the same time. I almost always have a poncho or rain jacket with me so it doubles as a picnic cloth.

 

[Mikie]

The removal of benches in the parks has been happening over the last few years.

Disappointed all around, but I could halfway buy the excuse about crowded MK and not having benches where people would trip on them in heavy post-fireworks crowds. . . . But in spacious Epcot, especially out-of-the-way garden area, what the heck?! Come to think of it, though, maybe it's just a "British experience" as one PP said. On my 2 short trips to London, I don't recall seeing many benches in the parks there

Really, if spending is their goal, I truly think a way to rest and rejuvenate would keep people in the parks spending money, rather than wear them out and send them home!

 

[ArwenMarie]

Disappointed all around, but I could halfway buy the excuse about crowded MK and not having benches where people would trip on them in heavy post-fireworks crowds. . . . But in spacious Epcot, especially out-of-the-way garden area, what the heck?! Come to think of it, though, maybe it's just a "British experience" as one PP said. On my 2 short trips to London, I don't recall seeing many benches in the parks there

Really, if spending is their goal, I truly think a way to rest and rejuvenate would keep people in the parks spending money, rather than wear them out and send them home!

I'm not sure they want to keep people in the park longer than necessary. They would prefer that you go back to your WDW resort and relax there. Although World Showcase might be different especially during the festivals?...you would think they would want people to keep eating and drinking but apparently people will eat their snacks on top of garbage cans, so who knows.

 

[JanaDee]

Disappointed all around, but I could halfway buy the excuse about crowded MK and not having benches where people would trip on them in heavy post-fireworks crowds. . . . But in spacious Epcot, especially out-of-the-way garden area, what the heck?! Come to think of it, though, maybe it's just a "British experience" as one PP said. On my 2 short trips to London, I don't recall seeing many benches in the parks there

Really, if spending is their goal, I truly think a way to rest and rejuvenate would keep people in the parks spending money, rather than wear them out and send them home!

I could maybe buy that excuse if the benches that were removed were only in the Hub area, but they've been removed here and there all over MK.

 

[Kbee]

If you are sitting on a bench, you aren't in a shop spending money.

 

[Mikie]

I'm not sure they want to keep people in the park longer than necessary. They would prefer that you go back to your WDW resort and relax there. Although World Showcase might be different especially during the festivals?...you would think they would want people to keep eating and drinking but apparently people will eat their snacks on top of garbage cans, so who knows.

I DO believe you're right, but this doesn't make sense to me. We (happily) pay inflated prices when we're a captive audience in the parks, but once you're pushed out (as many state is the goal of removing benches, FP+) then a whole world of off-site choices is open to you. What % of WDW guests is off-site? And, of the on-siters, what % also have cars? They know the numbers and the marketing, where I don't of course, but I would think keeping people IN the bubble would be more profitable than pushing them out

 

[lugnut33]

I complained about it years ago to guest relations and somebody actually called me on it. Apparently it did no good.

 

[wisblue]

The best "explanation" I can think of for removing benches in remote areas is that it's better to have no benches at all than just enough to satisfy a very tiny fraction of the demand for them.

I'm not saying I necessarily agree with the reasoning, but maybe they get more complaints about the lack of benches when there are a couple around than when there are none at all. And, if it is not feasible to provide enough benches to meet demand without creating traffic flow problems or ruining the aesthetics with rows and rows of benches, the solution becomes to remove them entirely.

I am reminded of the local quick oil change places that used to vacuum the car as part of their service. When they stopped, they said it was because they got more complaints about the vacuuming not being thorough than they did about anything else. So, they just stopped offering it without changing their price.

In this case, if 100 people want to sit on benches in an area, but there is only bench space for 10, they might think it's better to eliminate the benches altogether rather than upsetting the 90 people who see a bench but are unhappy that they can't sit in one. If you don't see a bench at all, you don't think about it.

 

[grimley1968]

I'm glad I saw this thread. One of our favorite things to do at EPCOT the last several years was to get Fish and Chips, find a bench in that courtyard and watch the band. It was a nice break from the constant standing or walking all day. Now we'll know when we get there to check if the benches are even there before we buy the Fish and Chips. My back these days after a day of walking and standing won't tolerate sitting all the way down on a curb, and standing to eat a meal is not my idea of a pleasant meal. I can't speak for others, but mine is one family that would spend less money at WDW if those benches are permanently removed.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

The Illuminations Dessert Party doesn't even have seats and that costs $50 pp. You think they are going to give you a "free" bench

Are you kidding me? (I don't think you are; I'm just using that expression.) What a serious rip off. I thought seating during the fireworks was the prime reason folks booked it.

Thanks for the info. I thought it was a rip off before, but knowing there's also no seating makes it even more silly.

What is wrong with Disney? When will they get their heads out of their clouds?

 

[hsmamato2]

hmmm we just sit wherever we feel like it.... if there are no benches we sit on a curb or whatever is handy if we feel like it....heck I'll sit on the walkway (out of the way) if the benches are gone. But I've also been known to walk on the grass when I feel like it also....

 

[MakiraMarlena]

not to mention that most of the places that still have benches are designated smoking areas.

The Magic Kingdom Tomorrowland Fireworks Dessert Party has seats. The Epcot Illuminations Sparkling Dessert Party is standing only. Has been ever since it was first offered.

 

[Robo]

I often have a backpack with me and thought about keeping a picnic blanket in there. Would they yell at me if I brought it out and laid it on the ground when we were looking for a place to sit?

You can do that any time, including for parades and fireworks.

 

[JanaDee]

The best "explanation" I can think of for removing benches in remote areas is that it's better to have no benches at all than just enough to satisfy a very tiny fraction of the demand for them.

I'm not saying I necessarily agree with the reasoning, but maybe they get more complaints about the lack of benches when there are a couple around than when there are none at all. And, if it is not feasible to provide enough benches to meet demand without creating traffic flow problems or ruining the aesthetics with rows and rows of benches, the solution becomes to remove them entirely.

I am reminded of the local quick oil change places that used to vacuum the car as part of their service. When they stopped, they said it was because they got more complaints about the vacuuming not being thorough than they did about anything else. So, they just stopped offering it without changing their price.

In this case, if 100 people want to sit on benches in an area, but there is only bench space for 10, they might think it's better to eliminate the benches altogether rather than upsetting the 90 people who see a bench but are unhappy that they can't sit in one. If you don't see a bench at all, you don't think about it.

I know I've been walking along plenty of times and thought "this would be a great place for a bench. And here and here and..."

 

[Robo]

Illuminations Dessert Party doesn't even have seats...

Are you kidding me? (I don't think you are; I'm just using that expression.) What a serious rip off. I thought seating during the fireworks was the prime reason folks booked it.

I can't see ANY POSSIBLE REASON to book it, period.

 

[Magic Band Defender]

Illuminations Dessert Party doesn't even have seats...



I can't see ANY POSSIBLE REASON to book it, period.

That's an even poorer value than I thought! Making a note of that now.

 

[grimley1968]

Illuminations Dessert Party doesn't even have seats...



I can't see ANY POSSIBLE REASON to book it, period.

Make that TWO reasons I'm glad I saw this thread, not that I was exactly dying to go before.

 

[BDL]

Just a guess here, and I have no info on the matter, but this is 1 of the prime weeks where public schools, in America, have it off. The benches might be temporarily removed to accommodate the surge of people that will be down there. Allow more people to watch the shows without pushing back to block the walking area. It's not quite up to July 4th or Xmas/NYE week levels, but there is a marked increase in numbers.

 

[Robo]

Just a guess here, and I have no info on the matter, but this is 1 of the prime weeks where public schools, in America, have it off. The benches might be temporarily removed to accommodate the surge of people that will be down there. Allow more people to watch the shows without pushing back to block the walking area.

It's not quite up to July 4th or Xmas/NYE week levels, but there is a marked increase in numbers.

For which they DON'T remove the benches...