Rolling backpacks seen in parks

[robinb]

So I should probably put all my small children on my back too, since you have your head and eyes up looking at the sights. That way you won't trip over them and hurt yourself. So what if they get hurt as long as you are happy in the park I guess that is all that matters.

Sheesh.

I'm really not trying to be a jerk, I'm just trying to understand.

Well, you're doing a very good job of it.

 

[marciemi]

Sorry, I didn't think Tiggerific was being a jerk about it - she was simply pointing out that there are a lot of things (wheelchairs, small children wandering, people on crutches, kids on leashes, stroller, double strollers) that take up more space than these do. You need to (obviously) watch where you're going in the parks, especially in crowds - if everyone did this we wouldn't have the stroller threads (people using them as battle rams) or similar wheelchair threads!

 

[jjarman]

I was a horribly mistreated child. My mother took the three of us, alone (Daddy hated amusement parks) and we made it just fine without a rolling backpack. We suffered through the trauma of no video games to play while waiting in lines. She forced us to eat park food and drink park drinks. We were deprived of any crackers, goldfish snacks, boxed drinks while waiting for rides. Our horrible mother never brought a change of clothes, extra shoes, jackets, coats, blankets, underwear, blowdryers, televisions, or the kitchen sink into the park to make us more comfortable. Yet somehow we managed to enjoy Disneyworld anyway.

 

[I_Know_You2!]

But most of those things mentioned are in front of the person responsible for them. A suitcase behind can be rolling willy-nilly around other people. Out of sight- out of mind.

 

[robinb]

Sorry, I didn't think Tiggerific was being a jerk about it

So what if they get hurt as long as you are happy in the park I guess that is all that matters.
Excuse me if I read this to be a wee bit snotty.

You need to (obviously) watch where you're going in the parks, especially in crowds - if everyone did this we wouldn't have the stroller threads (people using them as battle rams) or similar wheelchair threads!

Of course you have to look where you're going! But why in the world would you want to add to the chaos? I expect children, and wheelchairs and strollers and Walt Disney World. I walk and look accordingly. I expect rolling backpacks at the community college I attend. I walk and look accordingly. I expect wagons at the local farmer's market. I walk and look accordingly. I expect suitcases at the airport. I walk and look accordingly. I do not expect a rolling backpack or suitcase or wagon tagging behind someone at WDW. They are not in my WDW frame of reference.

I believe that rolling backpacks, suitcases and wagons are dangerous to the other guests no matter how careful the owner is. People get hurt tripping over something they do not expect or even know to look out for.

ETA: Arrg! Sometimes I hate the edit feature!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Tiggerific you are a fine person and definitely NOT a jerk. (hugs) Ever notice that to some people the only opinion that matters is theirs? Is sad but true. I am too slow and awkward and already have problems getting into and out of some rides so I would not probably use a rolling back pack (although it would make other parts of the trip much better) but because I would not do something is no reason why others should feel compelled or forced to do likewise.

For the Happiest Place on Earth we sure do have an awful lot of unhappy people. I take that back, a few, but they seem to get noticed. Ummmm, maybe that is the problem.

Would you believe that I once read a thread where people were complaining about how long it took to load and unload people in wheelchairs on the buses? Gosh, I am so darned grateful to be able to walk that it never occurred to me to be upset at people who need the extra accomadations. It is my pleasure in fact.

On any given stay there are often things that are not as magical as they might be. You can focus on those few moments or enjoy the many more that are more wonderful. You can even make your own magic. Too much trash in the parks, pick a few pieces up. Long lines, meet your neighbor, you learn the most interesting things and occasionally make a new friend. Changed a ride try it you might like it and if you don't chances are it will change again one day. Waiter a bit slow? Maybe he/she was up late with their sick child. You will live. Without irritation we cannot enjoy perfection.

Rolling backpacks do not hurt people, people hurt people and they can do that all by themselves without ammunition. I still have nightmares about hoards of orange shirted teens swarming at MK. LOL

Ever wonder what those around us think of us and our actions? We all do things that might inconvenience or annoy others, most of us do not intend such though. Not sure that a rolling backpack would be such a problem though, is all according to the circumstances. On a holiday weekend when people are packed wall to wall, maybe. The only problem I have ever had with one is envy when I see someone in the parks with one as it sure does look like a good idea. IMHO

I know I ramble. Unfortunately I was born with a complicated brain and can both sides of many things, even disagree with myself on occasion. A brain can be a painful thing. (laughing at myself)

Have a good day everyone, and I do every single one of you Disney loving people.

Slightly Goofy

 

[marciemi]

Robin - maybe they don't seem to affect me as much because in all the theme parks around here (and the zoo) they rent only wagons, not strollers. So imagine all the strollers at WDW replaced by wagons (huge ones, not little radio flyer ones) and suddenly the backpack issue seems insignificant. Add parents who let their 3 year olds push the wagons around (no not pull, that would be too easy) in circles in the main areas of the park. So I guess it is part of my "theme park" frame of mind. I don't think I'd ever realized WDW didn't allow them. We've always flown, so bringing a wagon never would have even crossed my mind, but didn't know they weren't allowed!

I agree Goofy, that it's people that cause the problems, those not paying attention with or without backpacks. Those who think they can walk ten abreast slowly. Those who stop in a huge group in the middle of a small pathway. One of my most annoying (fortunately not at Disney anymore thank goodness) is people who walk while swinging a lit cigarette right at the level of a child's face. To me, this was always the biggest danger of allowing smoking anywhere, especially in lines (where even in parks around us it isn't allowed, but frequently not enforced). If at Disney, someone is standing off to the side somewhere smoking (not in a "smoking area"), it wouldn't bother me. But doing it in a crowded area, especially full of kids - come on! Not trying to get this thread off on a tangent, but point out that there are other, annoying habits of people as well!

 

[robinb]

I guess it is part of my "theme park" frame of mind. I don't think I'd ever realized WDW didn't allow them.

Yes ... I understand and that makes perfect sense to me! You're used to seeing rolling things in crowds, so you don't think they are such a big deal. Our zoo also rents wagons, but it doesn't get crowded.

One of my most annoying (fortunately not at Disney anymore thank goodness) is people who walk while swinging a lit cigarette right at the level of a child's face.

I really hate that! I see this at WDW too. Why is it that people feel that they can break the rules at Disney when they are leaving in a big crowd? I just don't understand the compulsion to have a cigarette after the fireworks or parade when everyone is leaving. I know it's hard to believe ... but I tell those idiots to put their cigarettes out until they are out of the crowd. My other cigarette pet peeve is people who think the world is their ashtray ... especially those who just flick their still lit cigarettes. Some guy dropped his lit ciggie at the door of the YMCA last week as 3 kids were leaving. You better believe I said something to him as I stepped on it to put it our for him.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Ahhhh, now we are getting to one of my pet peeves, cigarette smokers. LOL With my asthma the smoke gets in more than my eyes and causes me much distress. I love Jelly Rolls but avoid it cause I just plain cannot breathe in there.

Hopefully no one will bring a rolling backpack full of cigarettes.

In my youth, way back in the 60's (NOT 1860's!!! LOL) I had a poster that said that your right to swing your arms ends where my nose begins. Is an apt rule for life IMHO.

Happy Disney Dreams to you all!

SG/Linda

 

[robinb]

Just bumping this with the email I received from Disney :.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=718126

 

[BraveMom3]

I have used a rolling backpack in the past when my children were smaller. I was the only adult on our trips (hubby had to stay home and work), and it was wonderful (I still have it). Security loved it because it was a plastic mesh material so very easy to check. I never had a problem with causing someone to trip. I think I was extra careful because I know how dangerous they can be. I'm constantly telling the children at the school where I teach to keep their bookbags pulled up close to them, not stretched way out behind. I am guilty of overplanning and trying to have everything we might need for the day. As soon as I got into the park, I would get a stroller and I would strap the backpack onto the stroller, so I wasn't actually rolling it all the time. It was nice when we were without the stroller to not have to carry one. Since they've gotten older, I've downsized considerably!!

 

[bytheblood]

Just bumping this with the email I received from Disney :.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=718126

Robin,
Thank you for posting this. Very cool for you to take the time to email Disney for a response to settle the back-and-forth about rolling back-pack rules.

 

[wdwoldtimer]

My DW can't do without her rolling backpack. Actually wearing the thing ON her back is a problem because the body heat causes the ice packs inside to melt quicker. When the ice packs melt, the raw meat tends to spoil long before our dinner time. Then I'm stuck pushing our gas grill around the parks without anything to cook on it.

 

[bytheblood]

Secondly, why would you say something like this? I registered for an account. I was not a coward and just post anonymously. I want to know why you think I'm a troll?
puritan

I think I can answer that for Robin. You have posted all of 7 times and all of your replies and comments have been, well, rude for the most part.
It seems that all of the people who just lash out about some comment are always people with less than 5 posts...referred to as a TROLL! For some reason I would be willing to bet you do not inhabit caves, however.

And you did post anonomously, we all do for the most part.

 

[Ted and Holly]

My DW can't do without her rolling backpack. Actually wearing the thing ON her back is a problem because the body heat causes the ice packs inside to melt quicker. When the ice packs melt, the raw meat tends to spoil long before our dinner time. Then I'm stuck pushing our gas grill around the parks without anything to cook on it.

The problem, wdwoldtimer is where ya carry the spatula.

Ted

 

[magicmouse2]

I personally could not stand towing a backpack/trolley/ whatever on wheels around WDW. When I am there I want to relax. I dont even take a bag and then DH and I argue over who carries the water bottle or camera!

 

[robinb]

My DW can't do without her rolling backpack. Actually wearing the thing ON her back is a problem because the body heat causes the ice packs inside to melt quicker. When the ice packs melt, the raw meat tends to spoil long before our dinner time. Then I'm stuck pushing our gas grill around the parks without anything to cook on it.

*SIGH*

I feel your pain. What you need is one of these:

The Char Broil Fire and Ice Combination Grill and Cooler. And, look Ted, there's a place for the spatula!

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

Holy Smokes!! This is some kind of thread! Please don't stop, I'm enjoying the Battle Royal between the 2 clans ! Seems based on robinb's email from WDW, they prefer you to not bring these rolling backpacks, but do not have a ban on them...so that leaves us where we started. 1/2 the posters don't like the backpacks and 1/2 do, and WDW isn't going to do anything about it one way or the other. Wow, talk about anticlimactic end to what seemed to be the battle to end all battles Now back to more important things...tell me again about this big green wall around Cinderella's Castle that I've been hearing so much about .

 

[wdwoldtimer]

*SIGH*

I feel your pain. What you need is one of these:

The Char Broil Fire and Ice Combination Grill and Cooler. And, look Ted, there's a place for the spatula!

YES!!!! I'm all over that baby. Before I order one...do you mind writing back to Disney with a couple more questions? Is there a specific policy against the Char Broil Fire and Ice Combination Grill and Cooler and can you fire it up while waiting in the Test Track queue? You never know when you'll feel the need for some BBQ.

 

[robinb]

Hmmm ... that's an interesting question. I bet they would prefer that you not use it indoors because of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning. But ... since there is no explicit policy, I don't see why not!