What's up with cell phones on the rides?

[Aidensmom]

Not that I'm comparing his job to that of a doctor, but my husband works for a utility company. Gas flow is run by computers, as is all the rest of the business. I don't think I need to tell anyone here how buggy computer software can be... you probably don't want to know! Anyway, he's on call 24/7. I was like you and never realized how important his job is and why he needed to be in touch like he is. How would you feel if there were a gas leak in your neighborhood and -- too bad, so sad, the people who can fix it are in WDW having a good old time I'm just being a little facetious, but you get the point. It's not that my DH is indispensible, but he works as part of a team -- a vital part of that team -- and if something goes buggy, he needs to be on top of it.

Before cell phones & computers, I don't know how the gas was regulated so it doesn't really apply. It is what it is now and that's how it goes.

I'm understand you completely on this one. I work in the software industry, and our software is used by certain government entities. These days, unfortunately, everything is so dependent on computers, that if one goes down, it can cause all kinds of problems. Whereas I would either leave the attraction if possible, or let it go to voicemail and return the call when I have left the ride or attraction, if I get a work call, I need to tend to it as quickly as possible. My personal phone, on the other hand, much to DH's dismay, I tend to turn off or leave in the car many times when I am out somewhere.

 

[geetey]

Oh dear. I used my cell phone on a ride. I truly don't think I was disturbing anyone. My kids were at home with DH, while my sister & I was in WDW for the marathon and they made me promise to call them so they could ride Tower of Terror with me! I called - told them we were getting on - then held the phone up through the ride so they could hear all of the screaming! I can't believe my phone held the signal the entire time, but it did and I told them I would call them back when we were outside, after looking at the pics.

Now my sister wants US to call her, when we ride ToT next week. Would that be rude? I certainly don't want to bother anyone else riding, and we aren't talking to each other. We just scream our silly heads off.

What do you think?

 

[Aidensmom]

Oh dear. I used my cell phone on a ride. I truly don't think I was disturbing anyone. My kids were at home with DH, while my sister & I was in WDW for the marathon and they made me promise to call them so they could ride Tower of Terror with me! I called - told them we were getting on - then held the phone up through the ride so they could hear all of the screaming! I can't believe my phone held the signal the entire time, but it did and I told them I would call them back when we were outside, after looking at the pics.

Now my sister wants US to call her, when we ride ToT next week. Would that be rude? I certainly don't want to bother anyone else riding, and we aren't talking to each other. We just scream our silly heads off.

What do you think?

I think if someone noticed that you were on your cell phone while riding Tower of Terror, it wouldn't be much of a Tower of Terror

 

[bytheblood]

Are people really that important, that they have to have their phones going 24/7?

Perhaps the people that might call are. If there is an emergency, death in the family or something that my FAMILY needs me for, then my phone will be on 24x7 while I am on vacation.

If something happened to a family memeber while I am several thousand miles away, the people in WDW just have to get pissed because my phone is on.
I am respectful and do keep the ringer on vibrate, but you better bet that if I see Nana or Grandma's number show up, I am answering.

 

[MrsToad]

Based on the few times I've ridden TOT to humor my husband (it scares me to pieces), I can't imagine how anyone could ride it and safely hold a cell phone as both my hands are holding onto anything that will provide support!

I'm not trying to be critical but I was wondering the same thing when another poster commented that they had their cell phone transmitting while riding a wild type of ride...since I always hold on to the cars for dear life on those rides, I was imagining the phone flying out of their hands and knocking someone on the head.

 

[bytheblood]

I also don't understand why you would want to have your cell on in the parks unless you were expecting an important call or you needed to be "on call" for some reason. Wouldn't it ruin the "magic?"

No, it does not ruin the magic, but it sure helps us locate one another. We keep our Nextel phones on so that we can two way one another if we get split up or if we need to locate one another. Simple as that.

 

[DMRick]

Perhaps the people that might call are. If there is an emergency, death in the family or something that my FAMILY needs me for, then my phone will be on 24x7 while I am on vacation.

If something happened to a family memeber while I am several thousand miles away, the people in WDW just have to get pissed because my phone is on.
I am respectful and do keep the ringer on vibrate, but you better bet that if I see Nana or Grandma's number show up, I am answering.

What do you do when you are in the bathroom, or the shower, in the library, or at a McDonalds drive through? That's about the length of a Disney ride. I call back when I get off the ride..it's on vibrate and I can't even look at the number, unless I push a button to make it light up. I'm sorry, I can't think of one instance a call back couldn't wait 2-3 minutes if I was on a Disney ride. Chances are you coudn't even hear what they are telling you, and it sure would be hard to write down any note. I assume a lot of the calls are from family wanting to know how the trip is going that I heard last week..and if everyone answers those while on a ride, it does ruin it for others. If you are thousands of miles away, just what would you do in that 2-3 minutes , and would they even be able to hear you, or you them. I think it would just cause frustration. I'm sure that this was what we were hearing..people answering the phone when family calls. I doubt all those calls (expecially the toilet one) was on-call emergency business. It was so irritating and rude. I would have liked to have heard the Great Movie Ride spiel, instead of three phone calls (and I would have no problem with someone holding up a cell phone without talking).

 

[cruisnfamily]

I have an actual cell phone question. We'll have our phones with us to reach each other if we split up. If the phone is on vibrate in a pocket...are we likely to even notice that while on a ride or walking around the parks? It's DD that I'm concerned about, so often she doesn't hear her phone or notice the vibration even when it's in her pocket.

Anyway, we won't be talking on any attractions, won't be using the phone at all except to meet up with each other.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

I wish Disney would put a filter in the rides like some churches have, to stop cell phones from working. 3 of the 5 people in front of us during the Great Movie Ride last week were on cell phones. One person was on the entire ride, and was loud. He said a few times (shouted) "speak up..it's noisy here!". He was still on the phone as we exited. Why the heck did he even go on the ride?
Are people really that important, that they have to have their phones going 24/7?

I agree 100%.

I have a cheap-o junk cell phone I've had for years and even it has call id, voice mail and vibrate. I have these things so that in the event that some dreadful emergency comes up while I am sitting in a theater full of people, I can know I got a call without it ringing and irritating people, I can look quickly and see who called, and I can check my voicemail and call them back as soon as the ride is over, or if I need to, I'll leave the auditorium.

I would think someone who absolutely, positively can not survive (now that we have cell phones) without one, would have these functions and have the common courtesy to put it on silent, look at their caller id and exit the theater if it was an emergency call. Or call them back as soon as the ride ended.

Of course, I also expect people who are not on cel phones to keep their conversations to a minimum during shows and rides also. I understand the occasional "oooh and aahh and look at that" or "mommy/daddy what is that" "honey, that's Pooh's house" etc. but why bother with a ride or show if you are going to talk the whole way through it, or even part of the way through it.

But then, this is not limited to WDW. I went to see Star Wars last night and there was a guy behind me yapping on his phone during the whole movie about nothing pertaining to the movie and in front of me were several guys in a group who just carried on a conversation about baseball through the whole movie. Finally, I got the theater attendant to come in and tell the cell phone guy to either hang up or leave. (He hung up so it must not have been a dire emergency ) and I asked the group of guys myself to kindly stop talking. They did for like 15 minutes and then went back at it...

Common courtesy just doesn't exist anymore. I got royally flamed for my opinion on this subject on another thread fore merely suggesting phones be left on vibrate if someone is expecting an emergency call.

Whatever did people do before they had cell phones?

 

[EsmeraldaX]

I have an actual cell phone question. We'll have our phones with us to reach each other if we split up. If the phone is on vibrate in a pocket...are we likely to even notice that while on a ride or walking around the parks? It's DD that I'm concerned about, so often she doesn't hear her phone or notice the vibration even when it's in her pocket.

Anyway, we won't be talking on any attractions, won't be using the phone at all except to meet up with each other.

It depends on where she wears it and how strong the vibration is. Usually it's actually a slight buzzing sound and a shaking sensation.

Personally, I'm not complaining about a child having a phone to keep in touch with their parents. I think most people are referring to adults who just like to hear themselves talk, or feel that the world will stop turning if they call a client back 3 minutes after they leave a message.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

How would you feel if there were a gas leak in your neighborhood and -- too bad, so sad, the people who can fix it are in WDW having a good old time

Not to be disrespectful, but...I'm an insurance adjuster. I have a backup who can handle my claims when I am out of the office. Does your DH not have someone else at his place of work who can handle an emergency for 3 or 4 minutes until he can call them back? Just curious, since in the relative scheme of things, my job is kind of pointless compared to his and I have a backup, and also had one in my last job where I processed returns for a book publisher...

 

[geetey]

Based on the few times I've ridden TOT to humor my husband (it scares me to pieces), I can't imagine how anyone could ride it and safely hold a cell phone as both my hands are holding onto anything that will provide support!

I'm not trying to be critical but I was wondering the same thing when another poster commented that they had their cell phone transmitting while riding a wild type of ride...since I always hold on to the cars for dear life on those rides, I was imagining the phone flying out of their hands and knocking someone on the head.

No hands here! My entire family rides the entire ride with hands up! We like to 'grab some air' when we ride! We get some great ToT pics that way! We taught the kids early (by 6 yrs old) that it is more fun to slip slide around (before they would know any better! ).

 

[Meezers]

Marseeya,

Take some oatmeal for baths....don't bother buying that expensive only for the bathtub stuff....take some good old Quaker Oats and whirl em in the blender or food processor. Put some into a tepid bath and the itching will be much relieved...plus I think it helps them pox dry out faster.

Hhhmmm....I don't think holding an open line cell phone on ToT counts as being on a cell phone.

I keep my phone on when at WDW....mostly because it is easier to "keep" a signal than to "get" a signal. Next trip Mom will have hers on too....cause she couldn't get a signal when I lost her....that was scary...and I am 42!

I can only imagine the air rage if they allow cell phone calls on planes....we will need to divide the plane into cell phone sections and non-cell phone sections....and take tranquilizers!

I love my cell phone....but then...only 5 people have the number!

 

[Marseeya]

Not to be disrespectful, but...I'm an insurance adjuster. I have a backup who can handle my claims when I am out of the office. Does your DH not have someone else at his place of work who can handle an emergency for 3 or 4 minutes until he can call them back? Just curious, since in the relative scheme of things, my job is kind of pointless compared to his and I have a backup, and also had one in my last job where I processed returns for a book publisher...

Well, you kind of left out one important aspect of my quote where I said I was being facetious anyway

But regarding this particular case with my husband, it's only because he's taking a full two weeks that he can't be out of touch. If it were just one week, they'd all be okay, but two is pushing it. He's the boss of his department/group and with all the layoffs there's not much backup to be had.

And to answer your other question about the 3-4 minutes -- of course! I know this thread is getting kind of long and convoluted, but I'd mentioned at one point that he certainly would never answer his phone in a show or ride, but he'll be one of those guys at the pool or sitting on a bench taking care of business while people around him glare and mutter about him, thinking he must think he's soooo important. They can say whatever they want about him and I don't care. I know he's the guy who's going to walk right out of that park and give that same person his seat on the bus

 

[Marseeya]

Marseeya,

Take some oatmeal for baths....don't bother buying that expensive only for the bathtub stuff....take some good old Quaker Oats and whirl em in the blender or food processor. Put some into a tepid bath and the itching will be much relieved...plus I think it helps them pox dry out faster.

Thanks, I'd never thought of that. Come to think of it, the Aveeno bath stuff IS just oatmeal isn't it?

I'm actually through the worst of the itching and I'm still fighting the fever & fatigue. "Easy does it" is going to be the theme of our trip So much for all the walking I did to prepare for this trip.

 

[bytheblood]

What do you do when you are in the bathroom, or the shower, in the library, or at a McDonalds drive through? That's about the length of a Disney ride. I call back when I get off the ride..it's on vibrate and I can't even look at the number, unless I push a button to make it light up. I'm sorry, I can't think of one instance a call back couldn't wait 2-3 minutes if I was on a Disney ride. Chances are you coudn't even hear what they are telling you, and it sure would be hard to write down any note. I assume a lot of the calls are from family wanting to know how the trip is going that I heard last week..and if everyone answers those while on a ride, it does ruin it for others. If you are thousands of miles away, just what would you do in that 2-3 minutes , and would they even be able to hear you, or you them. I think it would just cause frustration. I'm sure that this was what we were hearing..people answering the phone when family calls. I doubt all those calls (expecially the toilet one) was on-call emergency business. It was so irritating and rude. I would have liked to have heard the Great Movie Ride spiel, instead of three phone calls (and I would have no problem with someone holding up a cell phone without talking).

You are stretching this way out of proportion. It is obvious that this is a huge pet peeve of yours, not everbody has the same passion or aggravation about it that you do.

If I was on Test Track or Splash Mountain, I could not answer. If I was sitting in the Beauty and the Beast show or in line to get a character picture, I would. Simple as that.

 

[disneyaggie]

You are stretching this way out of proportion. It is obvious that this is a huge pet peeve of yours, not everbody has the same passion or aggravation about it that you do.

If I was on Test Track or Splash Mountain, I could not answer. If I was sitting in the Beauty and the Beast show or in line to get a character picture, I would. Simple as that.

Hmmm -- I tend to side with DMRick on this one. I can assure you, there is NO ONE so important that they can't have a call wait for 2-3 minutes. If they "are that important" (or at least that's what their fantasies host), then they should not be in a theatre or on a ride at WDW.

No one cares about another's personal calls. That's what it is . . .personal. And if it is a business call, well, since we all don't work at the same company, then there really is no need for us to know about each other's business as well.

Call it a peeve, but I stand firm. And I feel comfortable in saying that most people feel the same way. If you can't put your cell phone on vibrate and answer it without sharing your conversation with everyone else, stay home. Simple as that.

Oops! Gotta scoot! That's my cell phone ringing!

 

[DMRick]

You are stretching this way out of proportion. It is obvious that this is a huge pet peeve of yours, not everbody has the same passion or aggravation about it that you do.

I know for sure the people talking over the spiel at the Great Movie ride didn't share my aggravation, since they were on the phones. Or maybe they would have, if they were trying to listen and I was talking above it.

You mentioned earlier you would answer no matter what if you saw those numbers (which is why I asked about the bathroom, etc)..now it sounds like you would wait...and that's all I'm asking of the others. Don't ruin my experience, for a couple minute jump on a call..just take it outside or call back.

 

[Pedler]

If I was on Test Track or Splash Mountain, I could not answer. If I was sitting in the Beauty and the Beast show or in line to get a character picture, I would. Simple as that.

You would answer a call during the Beauty and The Beast show? It might just be me but that would strike me as a bit rude to those around you.

FYI I am sensative to the need to keep in touch. I work for a small software development company and in some cases am the only one that can fix some problems. Having said that I have also "trained" our customers not to expect instant responses. We have a triage system and when they know I am on vacation the calls only get to me if it is a real emergency. And even then it goes to voice mail first so I can screen the message. I can concieve of almost no situation where someone on vacation in WDW absolutely needs to respond to a call immediately, that is they can't let it roll to voice mail and then answer the call discretely a few minutes later. Many of the people that I know that act that way on vacation are either workaholics, control freaks, or over estimate thier importance to the organization.

As for the example of the person that says they can only take two weeks off if they keep in touch with the office and work on vacation I would say don't take two weeks off in a row. I am in the same situation and I only take one week at a time. Part of that is becuase I grew up with a dad that used to bring the old thermal printer computer terminals on vacation and would spend time working on it each day. (We all acknowleded that Dad was and is a workaholic!) As a kid that signifigantly took away from the vacation. I would have rather had a Dad that was focused for a week than one that was off doing work by the pool for two week.

Just my .02.

 

[disneyaggie]

Many of the people that I know that act that way on vacation are either workaholics, control freaks, or over estimate thier importance to the organization.

Yep. Or all of the above!

And can you imagine being trapped on an airplane with a group of 'em? That is if the FCC follows through with their ding-a-ling idea to let people talk during flights.

I can see it now, headlines, "Passengers jump from plane to rid themselves of talk-a-holics".