Is it me or are is Disney taking out benches and seating?

[Davey Jones II]

It's a lousy, mean-spirited manipulation. We've seen it happen at our local amusement parks and DID notice it over the last few years at Disney. Honestly it feels pretty insulting that the 'crowd managers' that implement these changes think we won't notice it or don't care if we do. We bring a small blanket to sit on, yet how long before a no blanket on the grass policy might pop up?

Mr. Disney would be dissappointed, in my opinion. I know I am.

They do the same thing in casinos; offer no seating except in front of a slot machine or at a table game. So it's nice to know that theme/amusement parks are emulating casinos now...

Those are the SB benches. FP+ benches will probably be coming soon.

Sounds like benches will be tier one soon.

 

[*disgal*]

Sounds like benches will be tier one soon.

 

[Iowajes]

Removing benches only leads to people sitting on the ground. I think that all of us sitting around in corners would make a Hoover-ville type appearance in the parks. Not classy.

Pretty much. I know there are some people who are not mobile enough to sit on the ground- but I personally have no shame. If you do not offer a seat, then on the ground I go. And I spend a lot of time sitting around at theme parks, since I can't go on a lot of rides, so I sit outside the ride and wait for my group (unless they let me go through the ride line and exit early- but at least with regular FP, that wasn't generally possible.)

 

[disnut8]

Benches on park maps is extreme, as is suggesting someone is better off not going to a theme park if they need a bench. Just saying.

I was suggesting a complete bench and a map versus going back to the resort or not going to the park. I hope I didn't suggest that the person should not go to a park because they couldn't do anything but only have a complete bench to sit on during the time they needed. I thought I suggested there are other opportunities and maybe those needed to be considered as well. Just saying.

 

[Minniekins]

Well Disney is the scooter/stroller capital of the World so maybe they just got in the way?

I have no problem with scooter use, have to use myself, but people often say there are so many more scooters in use these days at WDW. Sort of coincides with the removal of benches maybe? Meaning, as others suggested, with the benches gone and people needing a place to sit and rest because they can't do the parks w/o some rest spots, more people may be renting scooters to be able to have a spot to sit and rest as needed since Disney took away any convenient or extra places to sit.

It would be nice if Disney seemed to care about their guests happiness more than just only their money, greed is very unbecoming! Sometimes they seem to guess wrong in what will bring in more spending I think! And, as someone else said, if people get too wiped out and tired, no longer able to stay on their feet, they may leave the parks and go back to their resorts. Whereas, if they had spots to rest up a bit, they actually might stay and shop awhile or stay and then need to grab a bite in a restaurant, putting off their exit of the parks. A little rest they might be able to push on to get that last thing they wanted, but guests who are too tired and wiped out, don't even care about grabbing those last min souvies when all they need is to get to sit and rest!

 

[Tink575]

The benches have been disappearing more and more. I can't drive an ECV and it is getting harder to get around. The COP, Hall of the Presidents. and Country Bears are my friends, and if they FP+ those I don't know what I'll do.

I hope they don't take away the benches by the restrooms where you come in MK. That is my first rest stop, then the bench by First Aid and so on.

 

[GillianP1301]

Removal of seating is a bit of a bummer for me. This summer is first trip stroller free and I think to make that work, I'll need frequent rest stops for the LO. I know we can just plunk down on some grass or a curb somewhere, but having a more comfortable place to sit would be nice.

I have to think that Disney is doing this for a good reason. Hard to imagine them sitting around a meeting room coming up with ways to make their guests less comfortable. This has to be a crowd flow issue, no?

 

[mdsouth]

Removing benches only leads to people sitting on the ground. I think that all of us sitting around in corners would make a Hoover-ville type appearance in the parks. Not classy.

Totally agree! Not classy at all. I too saw a decline in benches on my trip this Feb. all the counter service places are extremely busy and no place to sit and eat your food. Makes me not want to buy any food at Disney if I can't find a decent place to sit.

I also know lots of people old and young alike just need a chance to sit and rest, or decide what they plan to do next

Bring back the benches Disney!

 

[Kate and Family]

Removal of seating is a bit of a bummer for me. This summer is first trip stroller free and I think to make that work, I'll need frequent rest stops for the LO. I know we can just plunk down on some grass or a curb somewhere, but having a more comfortable place to sit would be nice.

I have to think that Disney is doing this for a good reason. Hard to imagine them sitting around a meeting room coming up with ways to make their guests less comfortable. This has to be a crowd flow issue, no?

Only thing that makes sense to me, but really, really bad idea. Benches could be added to more out of the way places, I would hope. Not enough benches just will mean more ECVs and strollers - and worse traffic flow.

 

[clsteve]

Removal of seating is a bit of a bummer for me. This summer is first trip stroller free and I think to make that work, I'll need frequent rest stops for the LO. I know we can just plunk down on some grass or a curb somewhere, but having a more comfortable place to sit would be nice.

I have to think that Disney is doing this for a good reason. Hard to imagine them sitting around a meeting room coming up with ways to make their guests less comfortable. This has to be a crowd flow issue, no?

One of 2 things:

1.Liability- because of an issue or to preempt an issue. I.e., when it is crowded during fireworks, parades, etc., someone fell over a bench, was accidentally pushed over and had an injury. Or, their insurance inspection highlighted it as a potential future issue.

2. Sitters Aren't Doers (or spenders) A more cynical look, but someone already stated that others, such as Casinos, have already followed this pattern. I read an interesting study of how much higher the bar revenue climbed after a popular upscale restaurant chain got rid of seating in the waiting area around the hostess desk for people awaiting tables......

 

[Dan Murphy]

People sitting on benches are not spending money. It's all about the bottom line. I think it is ridiculous at how few they have and how they are constantly reducing the number.

 

[Kate and Family]

People sitting on benches are not spending money. It's all about the bottom line. I think it is ridiculous at how few they have and how they are constantly reducing the number.

If they are basing taking out benches on restaurants and casino's, they might be picking the wrong models. If people can not rest at WDW, they will not be in the bars and shopping - they will leave for the day.

 

[clsteve]

If they are basing taking out benches on restaurants and casino's, they might be picking the wrong models. If people can not rest at WDW, they will not be in the bars and shopping - they will leave for the day.

Or go to a TS/QS and buy a nice cold drink and some food while they sit down and relax......

 

[cnetbuild]

I noticed the new Fantasy Land lacks benches. But the flower garden walls along the walkways are the perfect height (for the most part) and there are miles of those so I assumed that was done with the intention of providing seating.

 

[pampam]

We should all just carry these things around:

Then we can sit whenever/wherever we want, plus use the backpack part to store food to have a little picnic.

I have one of these, that I take with us on every trip to WDW. The CMs at security have admired it for some time. They like the fact that the backpack stands alone, while they search through it. That being said, I have been asked not to use it while watching a parade, so of course I do not. However, I use it occasionally when in lines that are very slow and always when waiting for a bus, and nobody has ever chastized me for using it. I sometimes use it in a pre-show area too. Usually it is folded up as part of the backpack, so it is not in anyones way. I feel it is worth it's weight in gold. Actually, I wore out the first backpack, but the stool was in great shape, so I bought another backpack and fastened the camp stool to it. I got it at a camping goods store.

 

[joshsmom]

I have also noticed a decline in the number of benches, mostly because my mom has trouble with her knees. Last year she was having a particularly difficult time and needed to just sit awhile. We chose to sit on the train and took several trips around the Magic Kingdom. Luckily there was not a time that the train could not accommodate those waiting to get on, or we would have gotten off to make room. But that was a lifesaver for her.

 

[Yellowstonetim]

One of 2 things:

1.Liability- because of an issue or to preempt an issue. I.e., when it is crowded during fireworks, parades, etc., someone fell over a bench, was accidentally pushed over and had an injury. Or, their insurance inspection highlighted it as a potential future issue.

2. Sitters Aren't Doers (or spenders) A more cynical look, but someone already stated that others, such as Casinos, have already followed this pattern. I read an interesting study of how much higher the bar revenue climbed after a popular upscale restaurant chain got rid of seating in the waiting area around the hostess desk for people awaiting tables......

The first may very well be part of the reason.

I think it may be also that Disney is always considering the totality of guests and what the majority wants and needs. When I am in a particular minority, I may not like what Disney does, but many others may love it.

It might be that since that cannot provide enough seating in certain areas that it is better to have little or none. If they make it easier for 10,000 people to walk by, but make 100 not able to sit down, it might be worth it from their perspective. They will have 100 aggravated guests instead of 1,000 or more. And if 500 want to sit down but only 100 can, then 400 sitters are already unhappy.

They look at numbers about everything and consider what will make guests the happiest paying and spending customers.

There is still seating, so maybe the idea is that if you want to sit for a break you will just need to go farther and get to an out of the way spot.

The comment about being asked not to use the backpack seat at a parade confirms what I thought about the no chairs rule. They just don't want thousands of folding chairs plopped down for parades. A small stool in an out of the way place or in line isn't a problem.

 

[kittyab]

I noticed that on our trip in Nov. We were sitting on the concrete a lot. I said to my DH they want you to stay in the gift shops LOL!

 

[crostorfer]

I agree with this. I think they don't want people sitting around and resting. They'd prefer you go back to your resort to rest.

I think this goes right along with you and I's fantabulous theory that they want you in the park for no longer than to ride your three FP rides, eat, buy mouse ears, and then leave. They don't want you to loiter, they want you to get in and get out to make room for the next guests, wash, rinse, repeat.

 

[disneyfantotheend]

They either want guests to move along,

Pretty sad that they don't understand that not everyone can just go, go go.