Benches

[rrushford]

I don't know if this is the right place for this topic, but I couldn't find the subject anywhere else, and I think it's pretty important. Disney world parks need more places to sit. Mostly in the obvious parade route and firework watching areas, but also in those areas where you wait to see shows. I know they don't want you sitting as opposed to being up and spending money, but as someone who visits frequently with some seniors in the party, do they realize how many people are leaving the parks early just because their legs are tired. Put a concession stand nearby where they'll be tempted to have a snack or drink while they relax. And as far as parades and fireworks, I know they can't put benches on the edge of the sidewalks, but how about more near the back so that you only have to stand when the parade starts (not everyone can sit down on the curb). Illuminations is a different story. There's no reason to not have a lot more benches facing the lake with a nice view of World Showcase (again, tempt people with a nearby snack).

 

[alecshawn]

I always thought there were alot of places to sit...

 

[BonnieA]

I've complained to DisneyWorld many times about this exact subject. In Epcot there used to be benches all around the lake. Most of them are gone now. I don't understand why. Us older people need to rest. And no one wants to see us getting down and up from a curb (if that is even possible). It would be very ugly.

 

[Dream Finder]

Every trip it seems like another bench (or three) are gone. Speaking as someone who now knows the "joys" of osteo arthritis in her knees - sitting frequently is the only way to make it through the day. I think I know the location of every seating spot in the "World" and it's sad to see them disappear.

 

[Art 1]

I agree. And at food and wine they could have three times the amount of the small round tables out.

 

[WDSearcher]

It's unlikely that anything will be done about it by posting here. Even if you've complained before, you may want to simply cut and paste your post here and send it to WDW. That's the only way you can be sure they'll see it.

 

[disnut8]

I don't know if this is the right place for this topic, but I couldn't find the subject anywhere else, and I think it's pretty important. Disney world parks need more places to sit. Mostly in the obvious parade route and firework watching areas, but also in those areas where you wait to see shows. I know they don't want you sitting as opposed to being up and spending money, but as someone who visits frequently with some seniors in the party, do they realize how many people are leaving the parks early just because their legs are tired. Put a concession stand nearby where they'll be tempted to have a snack or drink while they relax. And as far as parades and fireworks, I know they can't put benches on the edge of the sidewalks, but how about more near the back so that you only have to stand when the parade starts (not everyone can sit down on the curb). Illuminations is a different story. There's no reason to not have a lot more benches facing the lake with a nice view of World Showcase (again, tempt people with a nearby snack).

I have to say I don't agree. I've toured with seniors in my party, both in and out of wheelchairs. We have always been able to find spots for rests.

Not sure I understand your point about parades, though. You want more benches towards the back of the viewing areas but then that space gets taken up with dozens of people to view the parade and you just want the bench people to stand up and be able to see the parade? With all those people in front of them?

And forget Illuminations - unless the benches are right up AT the railing, you will have people who will get in front of bench seated people, trust me. I once had ONE person who needed a bench sit on one at Illuminations while the other four of us spread out (just enough, not like we were taking up spaces for twenty people, just enough for four-and-a-half people) and within five minutes of the show, motioned for my father-in-law to come up. The people around us were livid. This was after we had been talking with my father-in-law the entire time.

 

[jworkkul]

The people will not be sitting on the benches, they will be STANDING on the benches. I have seen it before.

 

[Raenstoirm]

Benches are a crowd control liability. The less there is trip over the better.

I feel your pain, but I doubt they will change anything. Disney removes benches when they become an issue (like another poster said, people stand on them to watch the parades and fireworks). It is too much of a liability.

 

[Sandy Fisher]

Over the past 5 years (at least) benches have been doing a disappearing act. As someone "older" I can tell you that there often aren't sufficient places to sit -- particularly in very hot, humid weather, the shady spots are always full.
We used to sit on benches to wait for Illuminations and then stand to actually watch. The poster who said that people will stand ON the benches is exactly right. We've had people actually move in front of us -- between us and the fence -- and stand...........after we'd been sitting there for a half hour. Sometimes they even turned around to look at us as if we were somewhere we shouldn't be!!!
I was told that Disney doesn't want people sitting. They want you moving and spending your dollars. Could be. But not all of us older folks have scooters or wheelchairs. I think they took the bench removal too far, but I also know from hearing others complain that it's not likely to change.

 

[BonnieA]

Years ago when they actually had a lot of benches around the world showcase, it was a great place to wait for illuminations. The benches were fastened to the ground by a chain on one side. You could turn the benches and watch illuminations. I suppose that was more work for the CM's to put them all back the way they were. We would always turn the bench around after the show but I'm sure many did not. But then when they were turned, people could stand in back of us and see perfectly. The benches were up against the fence so no problems with people tripping over them. It was a great set up. But of course it didn't last because Disney doesn't want people to sit and not be spending money.

 

[M5ward]

I agree. And at food and wine they could have three times the amount of the small round tables out.

Too true! Using a trash can as a table is pretty yucky!

 

[smidgy]

I am no longer a smoker cool1 but, before we quit, hubby and I noticed how the benches in the DSA's were disappearing!

I agree that there are definitely less benches than there were before.

now if you choose to sit in a back bench for a show, you can't expect people in front of you to sit on the ground. bu tif your family is saving you a spot, that's different.

 

[SueM in MN]

The people will not be sitting on the benches, they will be STANDING on the benches. I have seen it before.

I think that as one of the biggest issues that led to benches disappearing.
We started coming to WDW in 1983 and there were lots of places to sit then. My FIL had bad knees and hips and could always find a place to sit after walking a while.

Not sure just when they started disappearing, but we noticed all of a sudden that there were less. We did notice quite a few kids climbing on them and jumping off them before they started disappearing, so injuries or potential for injury may have been a factor.

 

[smidgy]

I think that as one of the biggest issues that led to benches disappearing.
We started coming to WDW in 1983 and there were lots of places to sit then. My FIL had bad knees and hips and could always find a place to sit after walking a while.

Not sure just when they started disappearing, but we noticed all of a sudden that there were less. We did notice quite a few kids climbing on them and jumping off them before they started disappearing, so injuries or potential for injury may have been a factor.

hhmm. or maybe a ..(ok, going off on a knee jerk reaction thing),,, if you can't all agree on who gets the benches, we'll deal with it by giving you all less benches!.

I know thatSOUNDS crazy! but there used to be an area between canada and UK, that had some trees blocking, but was a great place to watch illuminations from .... it was a DSA!!!! not the BEST spot, BUT!!! a decent spot IF you were a smoker!


see where I am heading here? the next time hubby and I headed towards that area.. lo and behold!!! the benches were gone! and the next time,, holy cow! not a DSA at all!

now. at POFQ, there is a nice little outcropping , set apart from the "promenade". there is no purpose to this at all, except is WAS a DSA.

funny thing. one year, we booked a trip 5 nights at POFQ, and then5 nights, POR. weird, I know. while we were at french quarter, we enjoyed the DSA I am speaking of. later in the SAME trip , the benches had been REMOVED at the VERY SAME SPOT of which I speak. one day, there were benches, the next day.. no where to sit!!! not bothering anyone. so weird. so on the next leg of the trip, we watched whilst on the boat.. stopped to see. nope DSA removed.. now, why? set apart didn't bother anyone.

We have since quit smoking, and , to tell you the truth, I really DON'T like the smell. but be fair! and leave the benches!!! how does taking benches away help anyone????

 

[rlilly79]

I agree that there are very few places to sit in any of rhe parks and surprised to to some of the pp saying there were plenty? Not sure where they saw them but we were there for 2 weeks and saw very few, so I agree that based on the crowds, they could add more.

 

[LindaBabe]

Benches have been disappearing regulary since I started going 10+ years ago. Used to be plenty of them. Does anyone else see a possible corrolation between fewer benches and more people with ECVs?

 

[maxiesmom]

Not sure I understand your point about parades, though. You want more benches towards the back of the viewing areas but then that space gets taken up with dozens of people to view the parade and you just want the bench people to stand up and be able to see the parade? With all those people in front of them?

And forget Illuminations - unless the benches are right up AT the railing, you will have people who will get in front of bench seated people, trust me.

Those are the 2 things that I thought of too. Benches far back from anything won't work, the extra space would be filled in and the person sitting won't see anything. And then you would have all sorts of fighting about the view being blocked and if anyone should be standing there or not.

 

[rlilly79]

Those are the 2 things that I thought of too. Benches far back from anything won't work, the extra space would be filled in and the person sitting won't see anything. And then you would have all sorts of fighting about the view being blocked and if anyone should be standing there or not.

For me i dont care about benches for viewing, I just stand for those events...the benches would be useful for just having a rest, enjoying a drink or snack etc

 

[LaurenT]

If you ever tried to leave MK after the fireworks, you'll see why they can't put any benches on Main Street.