Rolling Backbacks -- Disney's Email Response

[robinb]

Here is the email exhange I had with Disney. I changed the order of the email and added quotes and fonts, etc to make it more readable.


My Original Message:

Original Message Follows:
-------------------------

Message:
Are backpacks and luggage with wheels allowed in the parks?

Robin B

Walt Disney World Guest Mail <guest.mail@wdw.disneyonline.com>
wrote: Dear Robin,

Thank you for contacting the Walt Disney World® Resort.

Sorry for that long delay! We have been swamped with excited guest
emails!

Small backpacks, ones that can fit into a locker, are allowed. Luggage with wheels are not due to their size and that they cause a trip hazard in crowds.

Also, please note that Walt Disney World® Resort has implemented heightened security procedures throughout our property. All guests are being asked to allow inspection of any backpacks, purses, fanny packs, diaper bags and camera bags brought into our theme parks and water parks.

If you have additional questions or need further assistance, please
feel free to contact us.

Please include your full name, E-Mail address, and reservation number
if applicable on all correspondence.

Thank you!

Sincerely,

Steve Davitt

WDW Online Communications


Hmmm. Not what I expected. So, I followed up with this question:

Original Message Follows:
-------------------------

Thanks for getting back to me . So backpacks with wheels are OK?

Dear Robin,

Thank you for writing back!

We actually prefer nothing with wheels. The safety concern comes in with that items with wheels are generally dragged behind and are low to the ground. When in busy areas, especially where people are looking all around and not at the ground, people do not see these wheeled items and trip over them.

A small backpack, one that you carry and that will fit into a locker,
will be accepted.

Locations and dimensions of our lockers are as follows:
Theme Park Locker Locations & Sizes
(Please note that locker dimensions reflect the size of the door. The
inside dimensions are slightly
larger.)

Disney-MGM Studios:
Inside the park next to Oscar's Super Service.
Small - 11"h x 9"w x 16" deep
Outside the park by Bus Information
Extra-large - 17"h x 12"w x 22" deep

Disney's Animal Kingdom:
Inside near Guest Relations
Small - 11"h x 9"w x 16" deep
Large - 17"h x 9"w x 16" deep
Outside near the Kennel
Small - 11"h x 9"w x 16" deep
Large - 17"h x 9"w x 16" deep
Extra-large - 17"h x 12"w x 16" deep

Epcot:
Inside at the base of Spaceship Earth, on the right side as you enter
the park.
Small - 11"h x 9"w x 16" deep
Extra-large - 17"h x 12"w x 22" deep
Outside at the Epcot Bus Stop, behind the bus information booth.
Luggage lockers - 23"h x 16"w x 29" deep
International Gateway
(luggage lockers are coin-operated and coins ($1) must be inserted each
time the locker is opened).


Magic Kingdom:
Inside the park under the train station.
Small - 11'h x 9"w x 16" deep
Extra-large - 17"h x 12"w x 22" deep

Outside at the Transportation and Ticket Center
Location: These are large coin-operated luggage lockers, located next
to the Bus Information Booth.
Cost & Size
4 quarters ($1)
Coins must be inserted each time locker is opened.
23"h x 16"w x 29" deep

Robin, if you have more questions or need further assistance, please
feel free to contact us.

Please include your full name, E-Mail address, and reservation number
if applicable on all
correspondence.

Thank you!

Sincerely,

Steve Davitt

WDW Online Communications


The Mouse Has Spoken.

 

[disneyag]

Thanks for posting your response!

 

[kilee]

Interesting response.

 

[gingermommy94]

Finally, an answer direct from the source.

Thanks for posting!

 

[Mom2Ashli]

But you know what, they do not stop people from entering the park with them because I have seen them every time I have been there. So if it is a safety issue and you are not supposed to have them than someone needs to tell the people at the gates.

 

[civileng68]

But you know what, they do not stop people from entering the park with them because I have seen them every time I have been there. So if it is a safety issue and you are not supposed to have them than someone needs to tell the people at the gates.

They just say that. They do not have a policy against it. She never said it was against policy just that they rather you not have one with wheels.

I of course take mine in , no problem and yes, if it is very busy in an area it's not safe for others to roll it behind you, but not only that, you dont want to because your bag gets kicked around alot accidentally.

In those cases I just shoulder it. However, I do take mine in and roll it around alot. It's a small bag, no bigger than a normal school backpack, and i can just drop and roll it if I want.

If you really want to take one, you're good to go. I won't go without mine as it really saves me a sore shoulder and sore legs and back.

 

[Luv2Roam]

Disney is good about making rules. Enforcing rules is another thing.

Whether they roll or not, huge backpacks are a pain. (And literally I would think for the pack mule carrying it. )
I don't know how often I have been smacked with a large backpack loaded on men's backs. The backpacks are so large and deep they are like an additional person. The pack handler swings around and stikes anyone nearby and do not realize it. (or act as they don't)

 

[robinb]

They just say that. They do not have a policy against it. She never said it was against policy just that they rather you not have one with wheels.

You are really a piece of work.

 

[DisDarling]

Thanks for posting this!!
D.D.

 

[WDSearcher]

Sorry, Robin, but civileng68 is right in this case.

There is no written stated rule or policy that prohibits guests from bringing rolling backpacks or luggage into the parks. Depending on the size, Security may request that you take it back to your car and find something smaller or they may require you to explain why it is you need such a large bag at a theme park. But if it's a small bag -- rolling included -- it will likely be allowed in. Disney does not prohibit rolling backpacks, they simply prefer that you not bring in anything on wheels. The e-mails you have from Disney confirm this. Their words are chosen very carefully. You were not told that you could not bring in a rolling backpack, only that Disney prefers there be nothing with wheels.

 

[robinb]

WDSearcher, you and civileng68 are splitting hairs on this issue. There is a safety concern with rolling backpacks. Disney would prefer that other guests not trip over someone's backpack.

 

[kirbsam]

Although it is true that there is no stated rule prohibitting them, why would someone bring it in anyway when they know they are considered a hazard and Disney frowns upon them. Common courtesy should rule the day and disney can not possibly pass rules prohibitting everything that may be a hazard as they would be implementing new policies everyday. Nobody ever thinks their things are in the way. The fact that they don't want you to do it is enough for me.

 

[civileng68]

WDSearcher, you and civileng68 are splitting hairs on this issue. There is a safety concern with rolling backpacks. Disney would prefer that other guests not trip over someone's backpack.

I dont mean to cause any frustration. Im sorry if I did. Im not trying to skirt rules or anything. I just thought you were wanting to know for your own good.

Really there is no rule against taking a rolling pack. If Im in a crowd I pick it up and shoulder it. I just roll it if we're going from one area to another and there's a clear walking area. Also it's nice to roll when standing in a long que.

I'm not talking about BIG bags. I just got another for christmas. It's no bigger than your normal pack. It's pretty small. In fact, just for example> mine is a waterproof cooler pack and it's only big enough to fit a six pack of drinks in. Pretty small. In a que you can actually just put it right beside of you. I think the times when the bags seem heaviest is when you are just standing in line and not moving and this offers a relief.

I only say all of this because if you were not to ask Disney via email, nobody would ever tell you not to bring a bag like that. They chose their wording carefully because there is no policy against it. Sorry if I seemed to be going against you. I wasn't. I was just trying to help you, by letting you know that there is no rule against it and in fact, nobody will even say anything to you.

 

[civileng68]

Although it is true that there is no stated rule prohibitting them, why would someone bring it in anyway when they know they are considered a hazard and Disney frowns upon them. Common courtesy should rule the day and disney can not possibly pass rules prohibitting everything that may be a hazard as they would be implementing new policies everyday. Nobody ever thinks their things are in the way. The fact that they don't want you to do it is enough for me.

This was my point though. If you don't ask them on email, which I never did, you would never know that Disney may frown upon it because nobody will tell you or say anything to you about it. They really don't care.

The only time it is a safety hazzard is if you roll it in crowded areas. There's no hazzard by rolling it beside of you in a slow moving que. It doesn't bother anyone either, and I am conscious of others.

LIke I also said, mine is also a backpack and can be carried.

If you dont want to take one then don't, but I was simply stating, as well as someone else, that there's nothing wrong with it. If I asked Disney if I should wear flip flops or tennis shoes, they would urge that I wear tennis shoes, but there is no rule against flip flops and if you didnt ask you'd never hear anything about it.

 

[jerbroni]

This seems pretty cut and dried to me - unless you're a rude person that likes to test the 'rules' and trip people, why would you bring a rolling bag into the parks?

 

[CinderellaIam]

Although it is true that there is no stated rule prohibitting them, why would someone bring it in anyway when they know they are considered a hazard and Disney frowns upon them. Common courtesy should rule the day and disney can not possibly pass rules prohibitting everything that may be a hazard as they would be implementing new policies everyday. Nobody ever thinks their things are in the way. The fact that they don't want you to do it is enough for me.

Bravo! ITA!

Why insist on doing something that you know, and if you didn't know before you know after reading this thread, is a hazard to others and upsets others around you?

As I stated in a previous thread on this topic, during my trip last month someone rolled over my foot with their pack and my foot was bruised for weeks! Not to mention the pain when it first happened. The owner of the pack never realized/acknowledged that they ran someone over.

If your bag is too heavy, leave some stuff in a locker. We do it all the time, and its just not that big of a hassle.

 

[civileng68]

I honestly think some just try to make big issues out of nothing.

It's not a big deal and I was just trying to help. Sorry for insulting those for simply stating that I have a bag the size of a six pack of soda that has the ability to be rolled beside of me when the area is not crowded. Is that really a big deal?

 

[goofyernmost]

Common Sense tells you that rolling backpacks in a large crowd environment is a safety hazard to the people around. Todays, I'm the only one that counts, society makes it pretty likely that we will be tripping over someones rolling backpack.

A person would just have to NOT CARE what happens to others to use them under that condition. Self involvement and entitlement to the max. As time goes on we are becoming a more and more classless society. Sad but true commentary on todays world.

 

[WDSearcher]

Yes, I know ... I get that. But there are a lot of things that Disney would prefer we do that we do not do because there is not stated written policy. Now, granted, rolling backpacks are a safety issue where other things may not be, but there are a lot of things that people -- DISers as well as others -- do under the guise of "there's no official policy against it."

Disney would prefer that people not save places in line for other family members or stake out large amounts of real estate for parades. They would prefer that guests not video tape certain shows or set up elaborate tri-pods in popular viewing areas. They would prefer that no one use double strollers. They would prefer that people move in an orderly fashion and not run in a mad dash from rope drop to Space Mountain in the morning. And they would prefer that people not linger in the parks well past closing time just to see "how late we can stay before someone kicks us out." But all of these things happen. Disney does, however, prohibit certain things, like bringing wagons into the parks or bringing alcohol into the parks or saving seats at events like Candlelight. And it's likely that Disney will eventually ban rolling luggage or backpacks if the safety issue becomes a real problem. For now, however, Disney's answer is to simply encourage guests to not bring them. There is not yet a stated policy requiring that you leave your rolling backpack at home.

Yes, it's getting into technicalities, but it's not fair to call someone "a piece of work" for simply stating that yes, you can, bring a rolling backpack if you want. Hopefully, whoever is thinking they'd like to bring one will also take heed of Disney's concerns and be exceptionally careful when in crowded areas.

 

[kirbsam]

Anyway, Robin, thanks for taking the time to email disney and clarify their response. We are all able to now do what we feel is the right thing to do in this case, and that is the way it should be.