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

[marivigi]

I love to sit and people watch, and I have also been known to sit and wait for baby to wake up while others are riding. Last 2 trips I had to sit on the floor most of the time

 

[seus-mouse]

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.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

IMO, there is more seating in some places and less in others. I have not noticed a significant drop in total seating - but there has never been enough. And don't even get me started on the fact that almost all of the bench seating is in the direct sunlight. You melt on the benches during the hotter months. They sit virtually unused until it gets dark.

 

[2Tiggies]

Lack of benches doesn't stop me; I don't hesitate to take a break on the sidewalk and/or lawn. At least Disney still keeps the place pretty clean.

It's ok for me and my DD, but for anyone elderly, with mobility issues, or back problems or anything that prevents them from getting down on the ground and/or getting back up again, this is not an option.

As for benches mostly being in the direct sunlight, that's probably part of their strategy. It's there for a quick stop but not comfortable enough to camp on.

 

[Ravenne]

As for benches mostly being in the direct sunlight, that's probably part of their strategy. It's there for a quick stop but not comfortable enough to camp on.

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

Seriously though, I don't think that's a very smart strategy...at least not for people like me. If I'm too tired, I'll go back to the resort and nap, not continue to shop. However, if I have a chance to rest and rejuvenate myself, I'm more likely to go shop afterward, especially if I'm already there. I guess I never paid attention to the lack of benches and seating, but now that you guys have mentioned it, I do remember sitting on a curb outside Star Tours with my youngest who wasn't tall enough to ride it yet. That curb was filled with people sitting there, exhausted, legs stretched, easily tripping people. I would think that's more of a safety hazard. Tired, exhausted people are going to do something to remedy that and further walking around a store to shop is not one of them. It's so silly to remove benches.

 

[gamerlovesdisney]

I'm so glad someone brought this subject up. I've been going to DW for decades now, and now that I'm older and need a place to sit for a bit, I can't find one. I'm seriously looking at one of those canes with a seat on it just so I can have a place to sit. Or maybe I'll just rent a scooter - that way I'll always have a place to sit.

Pretty crappy on Disney's part. Everyone needs to relax at some point. Just another one of their stupid decisions of late.

 

[Kate and Family]

I should also say - IMHO the relative scarcity of benches has contributed GREATLY to the number of electric scooters all over the place. I suspect there are a number of people who would walk some distances if they could sit for awhile when they get there - but there's hardly anyplace to sit, so bringing your own portable/drivable chair is seen by some as the only alternative.

I agree

 

[Twende]

There are far fewer benches in any of the parks right now. It is a big mistake in my opinion.

We were there for 8 days just a few weeks ago and we left the parks several days because of a lack of a place to sit, rest, and relax.

Years ago we brought in a small folding chair by placing it on the back of a wheel chair and then covering it with a bag full of rain ponchos. My father used it to sit and watch a parade. It was later when I was sharing the photo that I was told folding chairs are not allowed.

It is sad but are considering sneaking on it with us next time!

Disney needs to wake up on this one!

 

[Redarrow5150]

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

 

[wannabatwdw]

Thanks for all the replies! I will definitely be writing Disney and questioning why all the benches are disappearing. Maybe if some others do the same, we can get some benches back or at least have them post bench locations on a map for our next trip.

 

[maxiesmom]

Thanks for all the replies! I will definitely be writing Disney and questioning why all the benches are disappearing. Maybe if some others do the same, we can get some benches back or at least have them post bench locations on a map for our next trip.

Please post their reply. I'm very curious as to what they would say.

 

[wannabatwdw]

Will do!

 

[disnut8]

Thanks for all the replies! I will definitely be writing Disney and questioning why all the benches are disappearing. Maybe if some others do the same, we can get some benches back or at least have them post bench locations on a map for our next trip.

I think that would be asking for something extreme. If benches are replaced, they can be removed. So you would have to ask for park maps for that specific day. Which can change based on expected and real park attendance. "Hey, Jimmy, we thought there would be X amount of people here today bu there's only X - 1,000 so we don't need this bench! Let's remove it and replace all the maps that are not only at the park entrances but also in everyone's hands!"

I'm 52 years of age, have some issues with walking, have some back issues and a broken neck. The only time I've ever had a problem with finding some place to sit myself down at Disney World is on a Saturday night at Epcot during the Food and Wine Festival. But, I found sharing a standing table with others was a good choice.

If you need a complete bench in order to relax, maybe you are better off going back to your resort or just not going to a theme park.

 

[Pumpkin meme]

Crazy. I'm not going back to my resort to sit.

well said

 

[Twende]

It took some searching but here is the photo of my dad in a folding chair. It was Robo who saw the pic and then quoted the Rules. we really had no idea we had done anything wrong!

here is the link from Robo: http://www.wdwinfo.com/tips_for_touring/dress-code.htm


The following are not allowed to be brought into the Disney Theme Parks:

Items with wheels, such as wagons, skateboards, scooters, inline skates, shoes with built-in wheels, two-wheeled or three-wheeled conveyances, strollers larger than 36" x 52", suitcases, coolers, or backpacks with or without wheels larger than 24" long x 15" wide x 18" high (coolers required for medication may be stored in a locker or at Guest Relations), and any trailer-like object that is pushed or towed by an ECV wheelchair or stroller
Alcoholic beverages
Weapons of any kind
Folding chairs
Glass containers (excluding baby food jars and perfume bottles)
Pets (unless they are service animals)
In Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park (for the safety of the wildlife), balloons, straws and drink lids are not permitted. Note: they now have biodegradable paper straws.

 

[morethananyonex]

I think that would be asking for something extreme. If benches are replaced, they can be removed. So you would have to ask for park maps for that specific day. Which can change based on expected and real park attendance. "Hey, Jimmy, we thought there would be X amount of people here today bu there's only X - 1,000 so we don't need this bench! Let's remove it and replace all the maps that are not only at the park entrances but also in everyone's hands!" I'm 52 years of age, have some issues with walking, have some back issues and a broken neck. The only time I've ever had a problem with finding some place to sit myself down at Disney World is on a Saturday night at Epcot during the Food and Wine Festival. But, I found sharing a standing table with others was a good choice. If you need a complete bench in order to relax, maybe you are better off going back to your resort or just not going to a theme park.

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.

 

[Carrie772]

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.

 

[Yellowstonetim]

It took some searching but here is the photo of my dad in a folding chair. It was Robo who saw the pic and then quoted the Rules. we really had no idea we had done anything wrong!

here is the link from Robo: http://www.wdwinfo.com/tips_for_touring/dress-code.htm


The following are not allowed to be brought into the Disney Theme Parks:

Items with wheels, such as wagons, skateboards, scooters, inline skates, shoes with built-in wheels, two-wheeled or three-wheeled conveyances, strollers larger than 36" x 52", suitcases, coolers, or backpacks with or without wheels larger than 24" long x 15" wide x 18" high (coolers required for medication may be stored in a locker or at Guest Relations), and any trailer-like object that is pushed or towed by an ECV wheelchair or stroller
Alcoholic beverages
Weapons of any kind
Folding chairs
Glass containers (excluding baby food jars and perfume bottles)
Pets (unless they are service animals)
In Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park (for the safety of the wildlife), balloons, straws and drink lids are not permitted. Note: they now have biodegradable paper straws.

To be technical about it, it says folding chairs. Their are very small lightweight 3 and 4 leg stools that will fit in a day pack, are very lightweight. They do not break the rules and will do in a pinch to get your weight off your legs, although they are not as comfortable as bigger chairs or a bench. I have seen these used, and taken one myself, without a problem.

I think it is a matter of reasonableness. You cannot carry in a lawn chair and stake out a spot for a parade for hours from now. But a tiny stool you use while in line, nobody bothers with.

 

[wannabatwdw]

I should have clarified what I meant about a map of benches. There used to be benches along path in out of the way locations. I would like to know if any of these still exist and if they do where they are. I have written Disney asking why the benches have been removed. I will let you know how they respond.

 

[xie]

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.

Have you LOOKED at the Norway and France pavilions in the last couple of years? LOL they always look like a hobo village with people sprawled all over every single curb and flower bed edge.