Rolling Backbacks -- Disney's Email Response

[civileng68]

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.

Also everyone, just know something, before casting judgement on people, please always realize that sometimes you have things in life that are easier than others and due to some people's pride, just as you probably have your own, many have problems that require them to do things that you may not have to do, yet to try to hide their problems they may need things that you may not.

I know I did not state this earlier but now I think it goes to show that casting judgement can be done way too easily.

I was told that I am a "Piece of work" , yet here is my predicament.

I care for others to extremes and always am aware of my surroundings in regards to being polite with my items.

I have a chronic back condition at only 25 years old, having already had back surgery. I get extreme back pain by simply walking, not eveing carrying anything. My wife has Crohn's Disease

http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/crohns/

and has to have "personal" items on her at all times, as well as lots of fluids, of which cannot always be immediately obtained in cerain areas of the park, and with lines, many times would be too late. For this reason we have a bag on us at all times and due to my back conditions I roll it. when i get in an area where people are becoming crowded, regardless of my back condition and out of respect for others I carry it.

So, the next time you see someone pulling something and they dont VISIBLY have a condition that you can "sniff out", remember that you may be fortunate that you dont need to be pulling that pack around.

I know people here are nice to those that have health problems. All I'm saying is that sometimes you just dont know. That's actually the reason (likely) that Disney has never made a "policy" against it.

In defense of a healthy person though, I wasn't trying to "break" rules, and was simply saying that there was no policy against it and that most wouldn't know that Disney frowned upon it if they didnt ask, and if someone's bag was very small they wouldn't feel they were doing anything wrong, especially if they were picking up their bags to be considerate of others. They're much less dangerous than strollers in the park if you ask my opinion, many of which the parents use as a clearing path.

 

[QueenOfCelts]

You are really a piece of work.

Your remark is a personal attack.

AND to be perfectly honest, you are the real stand out in this thread.

 

[civileng68]

This seems like a personal attack.

Well I think they thought i was just being a jerk and purposely being anti rules. I was just trying to help. I was thinking they were wanting to take a rolling pack in and then they thought it was against the rules after talking to Disney. I guess not. I guess they were just emailing to prove a point.

 

[eeyore0062]

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:



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:





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.

That is definitely the official word, which is quite understandable. If the backpack gets that heavy, you can always rent a stroller for your backpack.

 

[civileng68]

Well you know, why is Robin making such a huge deal out of rolling packs? I agree that if it's like a SUITCASE then it's overboard! However, the pack I have is only big enough for a six pack of sodas. Let's list things more dangerous than that.

Children wandering and running all around their parents not looking for anyone walking near them.

Parents pushing strollers around.
+++ Some parents purposely using them as a path clearing device.

Huge Stuffed animals stretching out multiple feet either direction from the carrier.

People walking, talking on cell phones and not paying attention.

People making sudden stops in crowds.

people walking 10 wide in a crowded area.

People pulling out small umbrella's during a rain storm, even though they should be using poncho's.


My point is, you just have to deal with certain things but at the same token, most of the things in the parks are more dangerous than a small bag being pulled behind someone.

 

[robinb]

Well I think they thought i was just being a jerk and purposely being anti rules.
{snip}
I guess they were just emailing to prove a point.

Yes and Yes.

I know people here are nice to those that have health problems. All I'm saying is that sometimes you just dont know. That's actually the reason (likely) that Disney has never made a "policy" against it.

FWIW, I have no problem with people with disabilities using whatever they need to make their visit easier on them and more enjoyable.

 

[civileng68]

Yes and Yes.


FWIW, I have no problem with people with disabilities using whatever they need to make their visit easier on them and more enjoyable.

You know what? I think you are quite rude and really I have nothing to say to you. I've read your others posts in the other thread about this as well and can say I'm not the only one you are rude to. I appologize to bother you so badly. Sheez.

 

[Disney_Queen34]

I can understand how certain people may need to use rolling backpacks due to health issues. What I can't understand is when people who are perfectly healthy choose to bring rolling backpacks in just because they want to.

When you think about how easily a young child could trip over something on the ground I can understand what Disney's stance is on this subject. How often do you see excited kids running from attraction to attraction? Often! Are these kids really looking where they are going? No. I can just see some parent sueing Disney because their kid trips over a rolling backpack and breaks their jaw, arm, you name it.

With that being said I CAN understand why some people need them. However it is the ones who dont' have a medical condition that irk me.

 

[Tissa]

Robin, Thanks for the info People are going to do what they want anyway official word or not.

 

[WDSearcher]

With that being said I CAN understand why some people need them. However it is the ones who dont' have a medical condition that irk me.

Yes, but there are a TON of trip hazards at WDW that people bring without thinking. I've been clotheslined by toddler restraints, I've tripped over strollers, I've tripped over those "invisible dog" things that kids have, I've had strollers run over my feet, I've had wheelchairs slam into me ... if you're going to get mad a perfectly healthy people who bring rolling backpacks because they want to, and you're mad at that because of the hazards they could cause, then you have to also address the folks with toddler harnesses, strollers, those "light sabre" flashlights, balloons (tie a balloon to a kid's wrist and it's eye level for most adults), those twirly light things that spell out "epcot", and a host of other things that stick out in front or behind people or that have wheels that can roll over your feet. Even a backpack worn on the back can be a hazard if someone turns too quickly without checking to see if anyone is standing next to them in a queue line. Rolling backpacks aren't the only thing that people bring into WDW without thinking about how it's going to impact the personal space of other people. It's just the current "hot item."

 

[kirbsam]

Since this thread is about rolling backpacks and rolling backpacks have wheels and wheeled objects are used for transortation, shouldn't this thread be moved to the transportation board. or since college kids use backpacks maybe this thread should go to the college board. or since this has to do with a universal concern, maybe we should move this to the universal board. but snce this seems like a societal issue, maybe it should go to the community board.

 

[tjmw2727]

We saw many rolling backpacks during our Christmas visit.

I almost tripped over a wheeled backpack once and saw an older gentleman go down hard. Fortunately he was attended to immediately by several CM's, unfortunately the person who tripped him just kept on going....

I saw two people with wheeled backpacks in the same party who, while entering Epcot, were told that they must be worn not dragged. The bags had wheels and backpack type straps. They were told first by the bag searchers and then by the CM at the turnstyles.

Yes, you know it, as soon as they were past the turnstyles down they went!

I would not use them and I have seen Disney "enforce the rule" first hand. I also saw what good it did, which was unfortunately none.
TJ

 

[goofy4tink]

Just a few observations if I may....
Disney's 'official' word doesn't seem to be too definative. They would 'prefer' you not to use rolling bags. If Disney can't enforce the refillable mug rule, they sure as heck aren't going to worry about your rolling backpack!!!
Those that want to will, those who don't, won't. It's just that simple. There are inconsiderate folks in wheelchairs, pushing strollers (double and single), wearing backpacks, dragging backpacks or wearing fannypacks. I personally would never want to drag anything behind me. I don't even like a backpack. Heck...I'm trying to figure out how to do away with my fannypack and use one of those neck purses!!!!

I am really tired of getting banged, pushed and shoved. Please....if you choose to carry(or drag) something along, be aware of those around you!!! Please don't use them as battering rams. Yes...I have seen strollers and wheelchairs and electric thingies used that way...'cuse me, oops, sorry...coming thru...oh, ah..sorry.'

If you want to drag something around behind you, for whatever reason...Disney says basically it's okay. they would just prefer you not to. That sure as heck doesn't sound cut and dried to me.

 

[Luv2Roam]

'cuse me, oops, sorry...coming thru...oh, ah..sorry.'

I like the ones I encountered one day that looked like a husband and wife team that merely said, "Beep. Beep." (Guess they have been watching Bugs Bunny and the Roadrunner a lot.
So next time, as a pedestrian, and walking in a crowd, just say loudly, "Beep. Beep."

 

[bajanswife]

Like most things, rolling backpacks aren't inherently "bad", nor are they against Disney's rules (i.e. they are allowed in). So in my mind people can use them but please ... like with strollers and everything else that can cause a problem ... be considerate!! Now that we've all read the rolling backpack threads, we know the problems they can cause, and can plan accordingly - whether it be leaving the r.b. at home, or simply being careful where and when it is used. To be honest, I didn't realize that they were such a problem until now, and I think there are many in the parks who don't realize it either until they have tripped a few people.

If I needed to carry anything too heavy I might consider taking one (with straps that it could be worn too), but I'm the kind of person who would always be checking that it wasn't tripping people up (now that I'm aware), and I suspect I might get tired of looking out for it and just pick it up and wear it! So in the end what would be the point LOL!

 

[26555]

You are really a piece of work.

Rediculously rude comment.

 

[puritan]

Robin, you are one of the most inconsiderate and rude persons that I have come across on the internet.

"FWIW, I have no problem with people with disabilities using whatever they need to make their visit easier on them and more enjoyable."

Nobody could tell a person who "really really needs it because of a disability" from a person who "brought because they felt like it". What if I just wanted it, but my wife needed it for medical reasons? Where would that leave us?? And you would probably get all angry at anyone before you knew the difference, wouldn't you?

It is not fair to say that some people can bring them, and others cannot.

As Disney stated, it is their preference, not their rule. What if I bring my rolling backpack, and carry it the whole time? Is that still an issue because it "could" be used to carry things behind me? Would it make any difference to you if I PUSHED it instead? I'd do that to make your trip more enjoyable for you.



puritan

 

[puritan]

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?

I'm glad I'm not alone. I was called a Troll for not conforming to what others here believe. And it won't matter to them if you are the most considerate person on the planet, don't actually roll the pack, or if it is the size of a wallet. They just need to feel like they are all cool because they told some stranger on the internet that what they are doing is morally damaging.

puritan

 

[robinb]

Robin, you are one of the most inconsiderate and rude persons that I have come across on the internet.

 

[littlestix]

I take my stroller to the park so I say if you want to take a rolling backback......hey, go ahead.