You've Got To be Kidding Me!

[lugnut33]

Maybe in the future there are no chairs or benches?

 

[Robo]

Maybe in the future there are no chairs or benches?

Anywhere?

Ever?

 

[ArwenMarie]

I DO believe you're right, but this doesn't make sense to me. We (happily) pay inflated prices when we're a captive audience in the parks, but once you're pushed out (as many state is the goal of removing benches, FP+) then a whole world of off-site choices is open to you. What % of WDW guests is off-site? And, of the on-siters, what % also have cars? They know the numbers and the marketing, where I don't of course, but I would think keeping people IN the bubble would be more profitable than pushing them out

Yeah, I dunno. Maybe there is a point of diminishing returns in the parks where after a certain point people don't spend anymore, so they would rather just get people out. I know we eat a meal, shop once, and that's it. We don't keep spending the longer we are there, other than maybe a snack. I think this more about MK than the other parks since the overcrowding there is so much worse, literally, in the pathways etc.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Are you kidding me? (I don't think you are; I'm just using that expression.) What a serious rip off. I thought seating during the fireworks was the prime reason folks booked it.

Thanks for the info. I thought it was a rip off before, but knowing there's also no seating makes it even more silly.

What is wrong with Disney? When will they get their heads out of their clouds?

I know, isn't it nuts? At least at the Wishes Party you get a table and a seat while you eat your $50 cupcake.

 

[goodgodmrsmolly]

I know, isn't it nuts? At least at the Wishes Party you get a table and a seat while you eat your $50 cupcake.

For the eating part you have a seat, sure. When I went, I had the first row table and people started lining up in front of me at the rail 15 minutes before the show. If I had stayed sitting, I wouldn't have been able to see the castle during the show. Paying that much and still having to stand in a crowd of people to see the show was absolute horse hockey. the deserts were not very good and the coffee was horrible and cold. I am never doing that again and don't recommend it for anyone.

 

[cakebaker]

We did the illuminations buffet and knew up front there would be no seating. It was more hectic getting in than we expected, more crowded than we expected and we did not care for it. So, we won't do it again. There are people that really enjoy it as it regularly sells out. I don't think people who do it are being ripped off in any way. You can easily find out what the particular thing is and then make an informed decision as to whether it's for you or not.

These are all optional things, no one is forced to do them and no one is kept from enjoying the events these things are offered at.

We're doing the Wishes buffet. At the old price, we thought it was a good deal, especially considering the cost of illuminations. We know all the pitfalls up front, no surprises. I doubt we'd do it at the new price, but I'm sure others will.

 

[hakepb]

Anywhere?

Ever?

Why would you bother getting off your comfy, reclining Buy N Large hover chair to sit upright on a wooden bench?

 

[DebbieB]

You aren't even guaranteed a table to lean on at the Illuminations party. We did it last May, we were a couple minutes past opening time and got the last table in the back corner. When we did Wishes a few years ago, we had an assigned table.

 

[kymom99]

I'm not sure they want to keep people in the park longer than necessary. They would prefer that you go back to your WDW resort and relax there. Although World Showcase might be different especially during the festivals?...you would think they would want people to keep eating and drinking but apparently people will eat their snacks on top of garbage cans, so who knows.

I disagree with this. I think they make the room furnishings sparse to get you out and spending money. They want you in the parks, eating, buying souvenirs, etc.

 

[cakebaker]

For the eating part you have a seat, sure. When I went, I had the first row table and people started lining up in front of me at the rail 15 minutes before the show. If I had stayed sitting, I wouldn't have been able to see the castle during the show. Paying that much and still having to stand in a crowd of people to see the show was absolute horse hockey. the deserts were not very good and the coffee was horrible and cold. I am never doing that again and don't recommend it for anyone.

It's my understanding the CM's tell you when you enter to be prepared to stand at the railing for the show. Those in the back cannot see the fireworks from their seats. I think the only ones who complain about this are those lucky enough to get front row seats.

To be able to relax a little and sit before the show is something I'm very much looking forward to. I don't mind standing during the show. But, to each his own. That's the beauty of all the options- you can take them or not.

 

[sharadoc]

Wow, I hope the benches along the water are still there. I have terrible arthritis and can walk, but not for a long distance. I don't need to use a wheelchair or scooter, and when I have, I found that I get stiffer and more uncomfortable. All I need is a bench to stop and rest for a few minutes along the way. Does this mean I won't have that safety net any more and I'll have to bring something like a rollator? That would get in the way for sure.

Hopefully there's enough walls to use.

 

[kymom99]

Just a guess here, and I have no info on the matter, but this is 1 of the prime weeks where public schools, in America, have it off. The benches might be temporarily removed to accommodate the surge of people that will be down there. Allow more people to watch the shows without pushing back to block the walking area. It's not quite up to July 4th or Xmas/NYE week levels, but there is a marked increase in numbers.

Most schools are back at it by now.

 

[goodgodmrsmolly]

It's my understanding the CM's tell you when you enter to be prepared to stand at the railing for the show. Those in the back cannot see the fireworks from their seats. I think the only ones who complain about this are those lucky enough to get front row seats.

To be able to relax a little and sit before the show is something I'm very much looking forward to. I don't mind standing during the show. But, to each his own. That's the beauty of all the options- you can take them or not.

No CM told us at all about people standing in front of us during the show. If they are selling seats that people can't see from that is pretty bad. Also, it was 15 min before show time when they started lining up and I had to go stake a spot that early; meaning not much time to sit. One couple was at the rail before we even sat down. You have to stand in line for 30-40 minutes to get into the party at an early time, then stand in line to get the deserts, which in my opinion were not very good and were mostly gone and looked disgusting from people touching them by the time I got up to eat. then the coffee was mostly empty and cold and I was told they would not be bringing more out.

IMO it was asinine to pay that much to stand in a not very good spot in a crowd to see the fireworks and was not a very good experience for me. I have walked up at the last minute before and got a good spot to stand and watch the show without paying a premium. If that is what you want to do, great, they are not hurting for people to go, so some people must like it, but I don't see the relaxing part since you can't be sitting long or you will miss a spot and have to get there early to stand in line to get a set to relax in. Anyone that asks, I tell them my experience and let them make their own choice.

 

[cakebaker]

No CM told us at all about people standing in front of us during the show. If they are selling seats that people can't see from that is pretty bad. Also, it was 15 min before show time when they started lining up and I had to go stake a spot that early; meaning not much time to sit.

That's unfortunate. Almost everyone who posts their experience here says there were informed they could stand at the railing and 15 minutes before they start is the time I almost always see people saying. It's too bad you weren't fully informed as to how this particular event actually works.

Everyone's experiences are different and that's fine. We've had some nightmare experiences fighting the crowds for a good spot for the pre-show and fireworks- to the point that we won't watch again unless we can be in a reserved area. As I said, for $25, I'm willing to try it. For $50, not so much.

 

[RealBlast3]

Wow, I hope the benches along the water are still there. I have terrible arthritis and can walk, but not for a long distance. I don't need to use a wheelchair or scooter, and when I have, I found that I get stiffer and more uncomfortable. All I need is a bench to stop and rest for a few minutes along the way. Does this mean I won't have that safety net any more and I'll have to bring something like a rollator? That would get in the way for sure.

Hopefully there's enough walls to use.

When I went a few months ago in December, and bought my fish from Yorkshire, I was looking around for a bench as well, and I followed the path that was, I think, behind Yorkshire, that takes you to a secluded area where the railing is in front of the water, and there were, I think, 3 benches there. I sat in one, thankful, and though I was joined by those white birds with the very long beaks, who got very cozy with me, trying to intimidate me into giving them my "chips", I held firm, and adhered to the Disney's 'Do Not Feed the Animals' policy, of which there was a sign right there too.

I actually think I got lucky the benches were occupied and it might have had something to do with the intrusiveness of those large birds, but anyway, I ignored them, and had a lovely meal.

So, there aren't alot of benches there, but they were there as of Dec.

 

[W.E.D.]

If you are sitting on a bench, you aren't in a shop spending money.

And we have a winner!!

 

[ArwenMarie]

For the eating part you have a seat, sure. When I went, I had the first row table and people started lining up in front of me at the rail 15 minutes before the show. If I had stayed sitting, I wouldn't have been able to see the castle during the show. Paying that much and still having to stand in a crowd of people to see the show was absolute horse hockey. the deserts were not very good and the coffee was horrible and cold. I am never doing that again and don't recommend it for anyone.

Are you talking about the Wishes Party or the Illuminations Party?

For the Wishes Party I hear you on the standing for the show. I still enjoy that party (well not sure at the new price!), but at least you get to sit for an hour while you eat. The Illuminations Party makes no sense to me.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I disagree with this. I think they make the room furnishings sparse to get you out and spending money. They want you in the parks, eating, buying souvenirs, etc.

Could be! Or maybe they want everyone at Disney Springs when your park time is up

 

[goodgodmrsmolly]

Are you talking about the Wishes Party or the Illuminations Party?

For the Wishes Party I hear you on the standing for the show. I still enjoy that party (well not sure at the new price!), but at least you get to sit for an hour while you eat. The Illuminations Party makes no sense to me.

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.

 

[wisblue]

I know I've been walking along plenty of times and thought "this would be a great place for a bench. And here and here and..."

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.