You've Got To be Kidding Me!

[SmithSmith]

Love the new seating pics, Smith! Much more convenient and efficient.

Thanks!

I also found a couple of pics of brand new areas of Disney Springs where they actually added benches, so they're not doing away with those entirely. But you will note they were added against storefronts and to outlook areas on the new causeway, so they're not in any walkways.

Also from Easy WDW:

 

[wisblue]

Disneyland must be immune to it as well since they are EVERYWHERE in that park.

If Disneyland and DHS have lots of benches, that seems to refute the idea that they are being systematically removed as part of a master plan by Disney to get people off their feet and spending more money.

Maybe decisions about where to place benches and other seating areas are made on a case by case basis depending on the physical layout of the area involved and the activities that take place in those areas.

 

[mom2rtk]

If Disneyland and DHS have lots of benches, that seems to refute the idea that they are being systematically removed as part of a master plan by Disney to get people off their feet and spending more money.

Maybe decisions about where to place benches and other seating areas are made on a case by case basis depending on the physical layout of the area involved and the activities that take place in those areas.

If Disney used the same decision making process on both coasts, WDW would have chosen a $1B park expansion over the $1B ride rationing system.

 

[Goofy_Disney_Dad]

"How to handle a person who always has to be right"

 

[RustManFan]

Think those tripod seats are no bigger than a large umbrella so I wouldn't think D would have any problems with you bringing it.

 

[Hokie2000]

Does anyone have a picture of the area the OP is speaking of? For the life of me I can't figure out exactly what they're talking about. But then I have never gotten fish & chips in the UK pavilion, even though I always plan to try them but usually get waylaid in France .

I think, like some pp pointed out, that they are moving more towards built-in seating. It does increase the possible seating area (to more of a butt-load, haha) without intruding on walkway space. It seems like a good design decision.

That being said, are there still benches on the out-of-the-way walkways around World Showcase? I can't remember exactly where they are, but I remember relaxing for a few minutes on some benches near the water, shaded by trees - maybe in front of the Germany train set? It was really nice and I'll be sad if they are missing.

 

[mom2rtk]

Does anyone have a picture of the area the OP is speaking of? For the life of me I can't figure out exactly what they're talking about. But then I have never gotten fish & chips in the UK pavilion, even though I always plan to try them but usually get waylaid in France .

I think, like some pp pointed out, that they are moving more towards built-in seating. It does increase the possible seating area (to more of a butt-load, haha) without intruding on walkway space. It seems like a good design decision.

That being said, are there still benches on the out-of-the-way walkways around World Showcase? I can't remember exactly where they are, but I remember relaxing for a few minutes on some benches near the water, shaded by trees - maybe in front of the Germany train set? It was really nice and I'll be sad if they are missing.

So do you think they are planning to add built-in seating to the World Showcase soon?

 

[wisblue]

Does anyone have a picture of the area the OP is speaking of? For the life of me I can't figure out exactly what they're talking about. But then I have never gotten fish & chips in the UK pavilion, even though I always plan to try them but usually get waylaid in France .

I think, like some pp pointed out, that they are moving more towards built-in seating. It does increase the possible seating area (to more of a butt-load, haha) without intruding on walkway space. It seems like a good design decision.

That being said, are there still benches on the out-of-the-way walkways around World Showcase? I can't remember exactly where they are, but I remember relaxing for a few minutes on some benches near the water, shaded by trees - maybe in front of the Germany train set? It was really nice and I'll be sad if they are missing.

There have been benches near the water in the areas to either side of the American Adventure, out of the way of the walkways. I have used them on occasion to just relax and enjoy a bottle of water or soda while I look out over the water. I think those are still there.

The area that started this discussion is the courtyard area behind the UK pavilion where the British Revolution performs a couple of times a day. I don't know how many benches were there in the first place, but apparently they are gone now.

 

[SmithSmith]

Does anyone have a picture of the area the OP is speaking of? For the life of me I can't figure out exactly what they're talking about. But then I have never gotten fish & chips in the UK pavilion, even though I always plan to try them but usually get waylaid in France .

I think, like some pp pointed out, that they are moving more towards built-in seating. It does increase the possible seating area (to more of a butt-load, haha) without intruding on walkway space. It seems like a good design decision.

That being said, are there still benches on the out-of-the-way walkways around World Showcase? I can't remember exactly where they are, but I remember relaxing for a few minutes on some benches near the water, shaded by trees - maybe in front of the Germany train set? It was really nice and I'll be sad if they are missing.

This is from All Ears (2012):

 

[cakebaker]

I don't really know where they're talking about either- France is my downfall as well.

I just find it puzzling because outside of a place to sit while waiting for fireworks or parades, I've never had an issue finding a nearby spot to sit when I feel the need. They've fixed that quite well with the new hub area though. I have not seen anything close to a campaign to reduce the number of seating areas in any park.

 

[lugnut33]

Also, here are some new planters at Animal Kingdom. Disney built seating into them as well.

From OTPN:

View attachment 89590 View attachment 89591

If my back hurts is it acceptable to lay down on those?

 

[wisblue]

You know, I'm not sure I can ever remember having to pass up a seat near a landscaped area because of bugs on the seat. It definitely isn't every time.

But, I do remember having to pass up seats because of messes left behind by two legged animals.

 

[cakebaker]

If my back hurts is it acceptable to lay down on those?

Apparently so...

 

[grimley1968]

Does anyone have a picture of the area the OP is speaking of? For the life of me I can't figure out exactly what they're talking about. But then I have never gotten fish & chips in the UK pavilion, even though I always plan to try them but usually get waylaid in France .

I think, like some pp pointed out, that they are moving more towards built-in seating. It does increase the possible seating area (to more of a butt-load, haha) without intruding on walkway space. It seems like a good design decision.

That being said, are there still benches on the out-of-the-way walkways around World Showcase? I can't remember exactly where they are, but I remember relaxing for a few minutes on some benches near the water, shaded by trees - maybe in front of the Germany train set? It was really nice and I'll be sad if they are missing.

With the photo posted above, and this one, you can see that these benches (the ones the OP is about) were out of the way in the UK courtyard, not in a busy walkway, posed no safety hazards, made no one jealous, and provided a few minutes peaceful rest in the middle of a heavy walking day, whether you were enjoying some Fish and Chips, watching the band, or both or none. Not shown in these photos were a few benches along the walls surrounding the courtyard. I have heard of no plans to replace this seating with built-in seating along a concrete wall, but such a thing would be pointless in such an area.

 

[lugnut33]

Apparently so...

LOL!!

 

[Hokie2000]

So do you think they are planning to add built-in seating to the World Showcase soon?

Ummmm, maybe? But not soon, as even if construction started today we wouldn't get the final result until at least 2018.

I've not spent a great deal of time in World Showcase in the last few trips. I haven't noticed a lack of seating cuz I haven't been looking too hard. The last time I actively looked for somewhere to sit in the World Showcase and came up short was right before Illuminations, during F&W, around 7 years ago.

 

[Hokie2000]

With the photo posted above, and this one, you can see that these benches (the ones the OP is about) were out of the way in the UK courtyard, not in a busy walkway, posed no safety hazards, made no one jealous, and provided a few minutes peaceful rest in the middle of a heavy walking day, whether you were enjoying some Fish and Chips, watching the band, or both or none. Not shown in these photos were a few benches along the walls surrounding the courtyard. I have heard of no plans to replace this seating with built-in seating along a concrete wall, but such a thing would be pointless in such an area.

Thanks for the pics you guys! Now I know what the OP is talking about. How long have the benches been missing?

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

If my back hurts is it acceptable to lay down on those?

I cannot think of any place where that would be acceptable except maybe first aid and your hotel room. I have taken advantage of both on recent trips.

 

[grimley1968]

How long have the benches been missing?

The OP noticed it a few days ago, and hadn't been to WDW since December. Assuming OP used the benches in December, then sometime between then and now. I don't think the OP thought it was a huge deal; just an inconvenience, as would I since I've come to expect to grab one while resting and enjoying some fish and chips and some quiet (when the band wasn't playing). Somehow this thread morphed into one about overall seating in all the parks, instead of just this one place in the UK courtyard. I think it's great that there is more built-in seating in some of the newer construction like at the Hub, etc. but that doesn't mean the sudden lack of benches in this one area isn't inconvenient to some people.

I'm hoping one poster way back in the thread was right: that the benches were temporarily removed for some kind of maintenance or maybe replacement.

 

[Hokie2000]

The OP noticed it a few days ago, and hadn't been to WDW since December. Assuming OP used the benches in December, then sometime between then and now. I don't think the OP thought it was a huge deal; just an inconvenience, as would I since I've come to expect to grab one while resting and enjoying some fish and chips and some quiet (when the band wasn't playing). Somehow this thread morphed into one about overall seating in all the parks, instead of just this one place in the UK courtyard. I think it's great that there is more built-in seating in some of the newer construction like at the Hub, etc. but that doesn't mean the sudden lack of benches in this one area isn't inconvenient to some people.

I'm hoping one poster way back in the thread was right: that the benches were temporarily removed for some kind of maintenance or maybe replacement.

I imagine it would be inconvenient if there's nowhere else to sit and enjoy your food. Maybe the benches will be refurbished/replaced.