Standing, standing, standing

[DakotaRose]

OK, Disney, I've had enough. We stand around waiting for parks to open, waiting in line for rides, waiting for QS food. We stand to watch street performers and to shop. We stand while waiting for our families to finish up in the store or in the bathroom. We stand for half an hour to see fireworks only to have a crappy view because someone taller moves in front of us. Same thing with Enchanted Tales, where we also had to stand to see. The final straw: after walking ten miles and standing for hours, we get to stand waiting for a bus or monorail back to the resort. Since the bus is full, yep, standing again.

I'm disgusted to see families sitting on the sidewalk eating, because there is no seat in the vicinity. Nothing like dropping $40 on Mickey bars so you can stand around Grandma's wheelchair and enjoy them, right?

Who else fed up with the lack of seating?

 

[abyrd86]

I did find it upsetting that when my kids wanted to sit down to eat or sit down to rest the only available option was a sidewalk. I would love to see more seating options!

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

I did find it upsetting that when my kids wanted to sit down to eat or sit down to rest the only available option was a sidewalk. I would love to see more seating options!

I totally agree. But as a poster mentioned on a previous thread, people who are sitting aren't spending money. Even at the table service restaurants I feel like they are subconsciously trying to get me out the door as quickly as possible so that they can get more people in.

 

[strangebutspecial]

There definitely need to be more benches! I'd spend longer in the parks if I could just sit once in a while.

 

[chelseabun76]

This is one reason we opted for at least one table service meal per day during our next trip. We need that time to sit and relax. Everyone does. Heck some of our really long days I booked 2!

 

[MakiraMarlena]

In some of the parks (I'm looking at you, Epcot) they have actually removed benches from some areas.

This is one reason we opted for at least one table service meal per day during our next trip. We need that time to sit and relax. Everyone does. Heck some of our really long days I booked 2!

In order to sit, you must purchase a meal. HA! You have fallen for the mouse's nefarious plan!

 

[summerskye]

I'm not going to STAND for it anymore...




I do agree that more benches would be nice.

 

[Sandy Fisher]

This has been a sore spot (no pun intended) with DH and myself for some years now. It seems that every year there are fewer and fewer options for seating outdoors.
When you are pushing 70 (and now past 70) it isn't much fun to try to find a place to sit just to take a break. We did lots of indoor attractions, rides where you can sit down, etc. And we certainly did our share of shopping.
There's no way I'm going to stand and eat. So we always ate lunch "early" in order to get a table and a couple chairs. When we wanted to get a drink and/or snack in Epcot or World Showcase and take a break, just try to find a place to sit.
We're no longer young enough or flexible enough to sit on the ground, the sidewalk, path, etc.
I understand Disney's thinking of the bottom line ---- but the lack of seating has gone too far. And believe me, we knew where the out of the way areas were that had benches (like World Showcase) but they were often full also.
It's gotten a little beyond reasonable.
And for what it's worth, we refuse to stand on buses after a full day at the parks. We'll move aside and let people behind us board the bus if there aren't any seats left.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Standing up is good for you.

http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-24532996

 

[AngiTN]

Hmmm... Maybe I opt to sit in places that are non-traditional but I have never lacked for a place to sit down and rub my feet for a few minutes. There are lots of places to put your butt down. Maybe they don't have a back rest but you can "take a load off" your feet easily. This was even during our trip in Aug with very high crowds. Maybe try to look for short walls to sit on. They are great make do benches

We always eat at non-traditional times so even seating for QS meals are not a problem. But I can sure witness how crowded they get at peak lunch hours.

 

[LBIJim]

Hmmm... Maybe I opt to sit in places that are non-traditional but I have never lacked for a place to sit down and rub my feet for a few minutes. There are lots of places to put your butt down. Maybe they don't have a back rest but you can "take a load off" your feet easily. This was even during our trip in Aug with very high crowds. Maybe try to look for short walls to sit on. They are great make do benches

We always eat at non-traditional times so even seating for QS meals are not a problem. But I can sure witness how crowded they get at peak lunch hours.

Same here. We always seem to find a place to sit. Might have walk and search a bit, but there's always somewhere to sit down.

 

[vetrik]

I said to my husband on this last trip that I wouldn't mind having those hover chairs from Wall-E to tour the parks...

 

[Alesia]

Hmmm... Maybe I opt to sit in places that are non-traditional but I have never lacked for a place to sit down and rub my feet for a few minutes. There are lots of places to put your butt down. Maybe they don't have a back rest but you can "take a load off" your feet easily. This was even during our trip in Aug with very high crowds. Maybe try to look for short walls to sit on. They are great make do benches

We always eat at non-traditional times so even seating for QS meals are not a problem. But I can sure witness how crowded they get at peak lunch hours.

Same here. We've always been able to find a seat when we needed one.

 

[ChicagoMom]

After a long day at MK, DH and I decided to try Philharmagic because I'd heard it had seats. We'd never done it before. The sign said no waiting so we thought "perfect!" They ushered into the lobby where, of course, we stood. And stood. And stood. After 20 minutes they dismissed all of us because of some technical problem.

I just kept thinking how much I wanted to sit down.

The standing is the worst. I can usually keep soldiering through if we're walking but it's when I have to stand that I really feel my feet.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

In some of the parks (I'm looking at you, Epcot) they have actually removed benches from some areas.



In order to sit, you must purchase a meal. HA! You have fallen for the mouse's nefarious plan!

A couple of years ago I got a beer in Germany and noticed some of the benches were gone. I had a picture from many years ago that had more benches.

I think it all depends on the time of year and how crowded the parks are whether there are any benches available.

 

[rock_doctor]

I noticed this a couple years back that there were very few places to sit down in the MK. I suspect it is their way to keep traffic moving. Just as well, when i am done walking i go back to the resort regardless of how many attractions i was able to visit. Although, that also means once i have gone back they can't sell me park food or store items. So that is lost opportunity. Most businesses try to make you comfortable so you hang around...the longer you stay the most likely you are to spend money. They are trying to move you around and out of the park...seems counter productive. Then so does taking away park and resort specific merchandise but they did that also..and what little they have brought back is...

 

[MrInfinity]

I thought MK had pretty good seating. I've never not found a spot at the Tomorrowland Terrace, Village Haus, or Pecos Bills. And there are lots of benches in Frontierland along where kids would do the pirate quests.

And you've got the Tiki Room, Philharmagic, Small World, Carousel of Progress, People Mover -- tons of "take a load off" type rides.

I'd say DHS is the worst for casual enjoyment period... that park seems devoid of most comfort / aura / shade / relaxing things. And Epcot WS is very busy and crowded, especially in the later afternoon. MK and AK I think are great for seating and general relaxed, comfortable feeling, even tho the MK can be quite crowded.

Parades and Fireworks excepted of course. If you want to do these you should prepare to be pushed and shoved cuz that's just the way people are.

 

[PeterPanic]

I totally agree. But as a poster mentioned on a previous thread, people who are sitting aren't spending money. Even at the table service restaurants I feel like they are subconsciously trying to get me out the door as quickly as possible so that they can get more people in.

When you get to the point where your feet and legs ache so bad that you have to leave, you aren't spending any money either. I don't know what the reason is for removing them, seems stupid to me, but, it isn't to get people to spend more money. The two are not connected in that way. Rested people take time out to shop. If you're hurting you just cannot wait to leave.

And for what it's worth, we refuse to stand on buses after a full day at the parks. We'll move aside and let people behind us board the bus if there aren't any seats left.

I don't understand. If you wait for another bus aren't you standing waiting for it? Wouldn't it be wiser to stand on the bus and in about the same amount of time you are back at the resort?

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Standing on the concrete is not the same as standing on a moving bus. I will stand on the bus but I'm used to public transportation.

I honestly don't know why they have been removing some of the benches. "So guests will spend more money" sounds like the usual catchall phrase used on the boards for why Disney does anything. Of course they want guests to spend money but does removing benches actually accomplish that to any great extent?

 

[maxiesmom]

Even though I have never had trouble finding a place to sit, I can see wanting more benches around the parks. I know as I get older getting up off of the curb is not as easy as it used to be. Neither is jumping up onto some of the walls.

However, the OP is complaining about standing waiting to order food. Standing at the bus stops. Standing waiting for the parks to open. There can't be seats everywhere, for Pete's sake. Who thinks going to a theme park means sitting down all of the time?

Btw, if you don't like standing on the buses, there are a few solutions: Wait for the next bus, take a taxi, or rent a car. No one is forced to stand on a bus. But yeah, going to a theme park means a lot of time on your feet. No way around it.