You've Got To be Kidding Me!

[JanaDee]

I hear what you're saying, but if there were benches "here and here and..." there would be 3 people sitting in each one and many more people who wish they could sit there and are upset that they can't.

I also wonder if the decisions of where to put benches, and how many, are affected by how people use them these days. 20-30 years ago you'd have a bench and someone might sit down for a few minutes for a brief rest or while they wait for a family member to come out of a restroom or shop, and then they would move on. Now, if you provide a comfortable place to sit, those spots will be taken more quickly by people, including younger people, who will use them as a parking place to use their phones to check email, text, etc. You see how long people hang out at tables at quick service eating places, even if there are people looking for tables so they can eat. The number of people who would be able to use the benches would be so minimal that it is hardly worth having any.

I would hazard a guess that with the number of scooters running around the parks these days, there are more people sitting down in the parks than there have ever been. And those scooters and the Cadillac sized strollers many people use also take up a lot of space.

I really don't envy the task of the people who have to come up with the plans to accommodate all of the foot and vehicular traffic (and parking spaces for the vehicles) in a lot of these fairly tight areas. I really don't think the evil motive of getting people on their feet to spend more money shopping has anything to do with it.

I don't think it is a coincidence benches started disappearing right when My Magic was rolled out.

 

[cakebaker]

The wishes party, you have a seat for a little bit. Look, maybe I just got a bum night, but for me, it took forever to get in, even getting there 10-15 minutes before the opening of the party, then not long after I sat down to eat some of what was left to grab, people started lining up in front of me and I had to stand otherwise not be able to see during the show. For me, it was a bad experience and I won't do it again.

I don't doubt that's the experience you had, but I've been reading everything I can on it and while not all the reviews are glowing, your particular bad experience seems to be an oddity and not the norm.

 

[maxiesmom]

I don't think it is a coincidence benches started disappearing right when My Magic was rolled out.

No. They started vanishing before that. It has been a good number of years that the benches seem to be going..going..going..away

 

[IBFW]

The best "explanation" I can think of for removing benches in remote areas is that it's better to have no benches at all than just enough to satisfy a very tiny fraction of the demand for them.

I'm not saying I necessarily agree with the reasoning, but maybe they get more complaints about the lack of benches when there are a couple around than when there are none at all. And, if it is not feasible to provide enough benches to meet demand without creating traffic flow problems or ruining the aesthetics with rows and rows of benches, the solution becomes to remove them entirely.....

There's a term for companies who respond to customer requests for more by providing less:

Bankrupt.

 

[IBFW]

Also please explain why many benches in Epcot remain but the shade umbrellas that were positioned in the metal holders behind them have been removed. Were people complaining about not being able to sunbath?

 

[maxiesmom]

Also please explain why many benches in Epcot remain but the shade umbrellas that were positioned in the metal holders behind them have been removed. Were people complaining about not being able to sunbath?

No. That was probably a blocking their view thing.

 

[cakebaker]

There's a term for companies who respond to customer requests for more by providing less:

Bankrupt.

Yeah, if it weren't for that pesky record setting year they had.....

 

[IBFW]

Yeah, if it weren't for that pesky record setting year they had.....

That's right. It's all about the money.

Until it isn't.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I hear what you're saying, but if there were benches "here and here and..." there would be 3 people sitting in each one and many more people who wish they could sit there and are upset that they can't.

I also wonder if the decisions of where to put benches, and how many, are affected by how people use them these days. 20-30 years ago you'd have a bench and someone might sit down for a few minutes for a brief rest or while they wait for a family member to come out of a restroom or shop, and then they would move on. Now, if you provide a comfortable place to sit, those spots will be taken more quickly by people, including younger people, who will use them as a parking place to use their phones to check email, text, etc. You see how long people hang out at tables at quick service eating places, even if there are people looking for tables so they can eat. The number of people who would be able to use the benches would be so minimal that it is hardly worth having any.

I would hazard a guess that with the number of scooters running around the parks these days, there are more people sitting down in the parks than there have ever been. And those scooters and the Cadillac sized strollers many people use also take up a lot of space.

I really don't envy the task of the people who have to come up with the plans to accommodate all of the foot and vehicular traffic (and parking spaces for the vehicles) in a lot of these fairly tight areas. I really don't think the evil motive of getting people on their feet to spend more money shopping has anything to do with it.

So, they are taking out the benches because people get jealous of people sitting on benches?

And the scooters are causing people to sit down anyway?

So maybe we should all rent scooters and we will all always have our own seats with us for a rest.

 

[cakebaker]

That's right. It's all about the money.

Until it isn't.

Ah yes, wait until....**fill in the blank**

 

[IBFW]

Ah yes, wait until....**fill in the blank**

Yes, fill in the blank. In the meantime, we should all keep your comment in mind. It should help us feel better the next time we would like to sit down but can't - because Disney is doing so well!

 

[maxiesmom]

Yes, fill in the blank. In the meantime, we should all keep your comment in mind. It should help us feel better the next time we would like to sit down but can't - because Disney is doing so well!

There may be a lack of benches, but there are definitely places to sit. There are plenty of planters and walls around that are the perfect height to sit down on.

 

[CookiesNcream]

I have such an awful time with my knees that I do need to sit down but it was getting harder to find a nice bench and if I were to plop down on the ground I wouldn't be able to get up. So I got myself one of these and I have had no problems at all bringing it into the park:

http://www.amplestuff.com/telescopingtripodstool.aspx

 

[RustManFan]

I am one of those that has no need for a scooter but I sometimes need a few minutes to get off my feet. We were just discussing how the seating at Epcot was better than at MK and I hear this. Do I still have chairs in my resort room?

 

[IBFW]

I have such an awful time with my knees that I do need to sit down but it was getting harder to find a nice bench and if I were to plop down on the ground I wouldn't be able to get up. So I got myself one of these and I have had no problems at all bringing it into the park:

http://www.amplestuff.com/telescopingtripodstool.aspx

Well there you go! We should all bring our own seats.

 

[cakebaker]

Yes, fill in the blank. In the meantime, we should all keep your comment in mind. It should help us feel better the next time we would like to sit down but can't - because Disney is doing so well!

There are plenty of places to sit as far as I'm concerned. I've never had an issue with not being able to sit when I needed to. You might not find one in a spot you think is perfect but they're there.

 

[cakebaker]

Well there you go! We should all bring our own seats.

Actually, I don't think Disney allows those.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Actually, I don't think Disney allows those.

True. Then those who want a seat will have to rent scooters.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Also please explain why many benches in Epcot remain but the shade umbrellas that were positioned in the metal holders behind them have been removed. Were people complaining about not being able to sunbath?

Wild guess...but maybe they removed a potential lightning magnet?

 

[CookiesNcream]

Actually, I don't think Disney allows those.

Are you sure? I know they won't allow folding chairs and that is why I got the little tripod seat and I've taken it in several times already and they've never told me I couldn't. Goodness, I hope I haven't been breaking any rules all these times.