Electronic devices on rides :(

[BoarderPhreak]

Not that I condone any of it, but some things to consider... Most people don't use cameras anymore, or rarely (I'm one huge exception to that, LOL). They use their phones. People also use them for the Disney Experience (app) to manage their reservations, fastpasses, guide them around the park and check on wait times. Others use them to communicate with other family members or friends. If you're going to do all that, step to the side and stop blocking traffic, being ignorant of those around you and in general, missing the whole experience.

But yeah, if you're on a ride - turn it off. If you're that disinterested in the ride that you'd rather stare at your screen, I'd just as soon you not have taken up space and time in the queue.

I had one kid, part of a family, in front of me on PotC. He thought it was a good idea to "light up" the dark bend before the ship scene with his phone in flashlight mode. Thankfully his father quickly made him stop that nonsense (or I surely would have said something).

Honestly, I don't get it. I'm all about technology (professionally and personally) but when I'm in the parks, my phone is mostly forgotten except for the occasional glance at Disney Experience for rezzies and FPs. You can't even say "darn young kids today" because it's adults, too.

 

[75disney]

People holding their iPads and iPhones up in the air to record shows, parades, and fireworks detracts from the experience for me. I usually can't see anything since I am only 4'10". I always feel really bad for little kids who are even smaller than me. Thank goodness selfie sticks are banned!
When my husband took his first iPhone to Disney years ago, I got really frustrated with him. He responded to so many texts about work and personal stuff not to mention browsing the internet while in lines. After that trip, we set some family rules for electronics on our vacations (this applies to all of us, teenagers included). We use them as cameras (I still use a camera for better picture quality), texting each other our location when we separate, book fast passes and check wait times while waiting in lines for a ride), and at night back in the room to catch up on emails, texts, Internet searches, etc. A family vacation is meant to be time to catch up with each other and take a break from our crazy lives, not just bring the distractions with us to a different place.

 

[jimbojones]

People holding their iPads and iPhones up in the air to record shows, parades, and fireworks detracts from the experience for me. I usually can't see anything since I am only 4'10". I always feel really bad for little kids who are even smaller than me. Thank goodness selfie sticks are banned!
When my husband took his first iPhone to Disney years ago, I got really frustrated with him. He responded to so many texts about work and personal stuff not to mention browsing the internet while in lines. After that trip, we set some family rules for electronics on our vacations (this applies to all of us, teenagers included). We use them as cameras (I still use a camera for better picture quality), texting each other our location when we separate, book fast passes and check wait times while waiting in lines for a ride), and at night back in the room to catch up on emails, texts, Internet searches, etc. A family vacation is meant to be time to catch up with each other and take a break from our crazy lives, not just bring the distractions with us to a different place.

I had a really distinct moment where I decided never to video theme parks or public events It started when I was videoing a parade once and then looked around at the hundreds (thousands?) of others doing the exact same thing and then I was at a concert and every single person around me was holding up a phone to get video, the concert was being broadcast on tv and to youtube by actual professionals with much better equipment and views. I realized just how silly things have gotten we are all trying to be cinematographers and I'd rather just be present in the moment than try to replicate something that is widely available already. There are thousands of videos of every aspect of WDW available online that I can view at anytime on youtube, I don't need to film anything that is not deeply personal because its already been done.

 

[zero creativity]

I agree that having big, bright screens on a dark ride is distracting. But I also remember someone once that had a camcorder with a light on it, and that might have been more distracting.

 

[Alice a]

For those people who don't bring their phones into the park- do you not book extra fastpasses during the day, own a small business, or have anyone at home who is ill? I keep my phone on me to periodically check on my diabetic cat via a camera app and so my petsitter/vet can reach me if he crashes.

My cousin owns a small local family hardware store, and she has to have her phone on her in case the employees have an emergency. Last year their air conditioning fell through the roof while we were at WDW.

It's also nice when a ride I've had a fastpass for has gone down, and I've immediately received an email notification with an updated list of rides I can now use a replacement fastpass for. I'm glad I didn't walk clear across the park to make a fastpass for a closed ride.

I only go to WDW once or twice a year now, and I also like checking this and other websites to see if anything special is being offered last-minute. A few times I have returned to the hotel, checked a website, and had a 'd'oh' moment becasue I was at a park and missed something unique.

I think most people realize that this in not likely to change, and it will be interesting to see how Disney reacts and adapts.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

For those people who don't bring their phones into the park- do you not book extra fastpasses during the day, own a small business, or have anyone at home who is ill? I keep my phone on me to periodically check on my diabetic cat via a camera app and so my petsitter/vet can reach me if he crashes.

My cousin owns a small local family hardware store, and she has to have her phone on her in case the employees have an emergency. Last year their air conditioning fell through the roof while we were at WDW.

It's also nice when a ride I've had a fastpass for has gone down, and I've immediately received an email notification with an updated list of rides I can now use a replacement fastpass for. I'm glad I didn't walk clear across the park to make a fastpass for a closed ride.

I only go to WDW once or twice a year now, and I also like checking this and other websites to see if anything special is being offered last-minute. A few times I have returned to the hotel, checked a website, and had a 'd'oh' moment becasue I was at a park and missed something unique.

I think most people realize that this in not likely to change, and it will be interesting to see how Disney reacts and adapts.

Literally nobody here is talking about any of those things.

 

[NickMaio]

-It's a little silly to condemn people using their phones in the park when Disney actively encourages it.-

Use in the Park makes sense - Use on a ride or show does not.
Sure take some pictures, ok - - - but playing video games or reading your Facebook wall---- effecting other people with your bright screen or phone conversation- NOT COOL.
It is NOT ok - think of others for a small moment <1-3 mins>.
Or simply take a break and take in your surroundings- - - enjoy the trip you spend thousands on to take.
Then after the ride/show - plug back into the Matrix, if you must.

 

[NickMaio]

Honestly, its refreshing to hear that others feel as I do about tech and the ride experience.
Yes, society is changing, but ultimately we are the ones who usually control this change - not the technology.

Unplug your children, unplug yourselves - who knows you might even enjoy it!

 

[DisneyPrincess5]

I am no Luddite, and I admit I have been one of those people glued to a phone during a vacation with the in-laws. I didn't plan the trip and I was dealing with work stuff that could not be put off. That said, if my kids were playing games on their phones while at Disney it would be the last family trip to Disney. I am not spending 5 grand so they can play candy crush.

I was in the theater last week and a kid was playing her nintendo during the whole movie which was really distracting for me so I also sympathize with those who find the screens distracting.

Dang straight!

 

[Diesel Dan]

Disney does encourage the use of phones. It just is common courtesy to turn the devises off during a ride or show. They only last a few minutes to a half hour. People can check their messages or make their call out of the ride area. If they are tending to a problem at home or work then maybe they should not enter the attraction if they are dealing with something at that moment. This should be the case also for dining in both quick service or table service spots. People just need to be aware of their fellow man and to be considerate of maintaining a great experience for all.

 

[AmandaS.]

Another pet peeve, people in line waiting playing loud videos or music on their phones. I don't need to hear your crappy taste in music, thanks.

 

[John park hopper]

I have no problem with people bringing cell phones to WDW parks (I bring mine). Using them to make FP picks or dining reservations and having it on hand for family or work emergencies no problem. I don't think that is the issue being discussed. I guess you could call it lack of cell phone etiquette which IMO is every where not just WDW

 

[Phonedave]

True and honest question here. Outside of a dark ride where the light from the display can be a clear distraction to others, I'm unclear how someone else using a phone is causing me a distraction. For example, is someone catching up on emails or social media while cruising around on the PeopleMover a distraction? What I'm trying to separate is how much of this is an actual distraction to you (like light in a dark ride) vs someone who just wants to project their desire to personally disconnect from electronics on their trip onto others. Everyone has different standards of what's okay when it comes to electronics that works for them.

Since a large portion of folks visiting the parks are using their smartphones as their camera, it's impossible and unrealistic to expect them to not be in use it for that purpose, even on an attraction.

iPads however as cameras should be banned at all costs, both for the light they produce and the shear surface area they block for others.

I am of the same opinion as you. I think having your face in your phone or table all of the time is silly, and be problematic (one thing I have tried to teach my kids is to be aware of whats around you - for a vaiety of reasons, safety, opportunity, memories, etc) but if a person wants to do so, and it does not impact me by having their screen glow in a darkend attraction, or block my line of sight, or have annoying soung, that that is their call.

I am far from somebody that grew up with smartphones (I was in my 20's when i got my first cell phone - it came in a bag, because it had a 2 lb battery on it) and even I find myself looing at my phone sometimes, just because it is there.


-dave

 

[Matt_Black]

They encourage taking pictures, even with flash at Festival of the Lion King, but that doesn't mean you break out the flash on Pirates.

Time and place for everything. It's not silly to condemn people being rude and annoying.

On the walkways is one thing -- in a dark ride is something completely different.

So, people who really need to pee shouldn't check to see where the nearest restroom is so they can immediately head there with little delay after they get off the ride? Got it.

 

[righttrack]

Phone=camera, this is a given. The problem that also concerns me is a bump dislodging a phone or worse, an iPad and it hitting me or my family in the head. Disney giving us an app to manage our visit necessitates more of this. IMO, the best thing they can do is to redesign that app to be as lightweight and fast as possible.

 

[Chef Mickey]

So, people who really need to pee shouldn't check to see where the nearest restroom is so they can immediately head there with little delay after they get off the ride? Got it.

Nice specific scenario in an attempt justify annoying behavior, but yeah, pretty much.

• Don't go on the ride if you need to pee.
• Go before you get on the ride.
• Check for the restroom on the side after you exit the ride.
• Don't come to Disney at all if you are this bad at life.

Literally so many options!

You can always plan so that you're not annoying, including an adult needing to use the restroom or an adult with kids.

 

[Minnesota disney fan]

For those people who don't bring their phones into the park- do you not book extra fastpasses during the day, own a small business, or have anyone at home who is ill? I keep my phone on me to periodically check on my diabetic cat via a camera app and so my petsitter/vet can reach me if he crashes.

My cousin owns a small local family hardware store, and she has to have her phone on her in case the employees have an emergency. Last year their air conditioning fell through the roof while we were at WDW.

It's also nice when a ride I've had a fastpass for has gone down, and I've immediately received an email notification with an updated list of rides I can now use a replacement fastpass for. I'm glad I didn't walk clear across the park to make a fastpass for a closed ride.

I only go to WDW once or twice a year now, and I also like checking this and other websites to see if anything special is being offered last-minute. A few times I have returned to the hotel, checked a website, and had a 'd'oh' moment becasue I was at a park and missed something unique.

I think most people realize that this in not likely to change, and it will be interesting to see how Disney reacts and adapts.

Alice, I don't bring a phone with me while in the parks. I have instructed family to call in the pm as that is when I will have it on and will check it for the day. If I have a sick family member, I will call them before we leave and when we get back. If they are that sick, then we would not go to WDW. I don't miss the phone while at Disney. I take in all the sights and sounds and little details while in the parks.
I guess the big difference is that I never grew up with cell phones, and therefore, don't feel the need to have one with me at all times.
As for the fast passes. I make them before leaving home. If we are in the park and want to check on a fast pass, we go to a kiosk and check. I don't need updates about fp's, apparently, as it has always worked this way.
I like to visit with people while in line and have met some wonderful people from all over the US and world. I really think people miss a lot when they are stuck to their phones all the time. On an amusing note: While in the line for POC, we witnessed an adult man walk right into a wall while looking at his phone instead of the winding dark queues. He just hit, Wham! and bounced off.
I know it's a generational thing, and I am not a luddite. I have a tablet and PCat home, and leave them there.
So to your original statement, that is what I do while I leave my phone (flipphone, Gasp) in the room and go to the parks, don't miss it at all. Oh, I also use a camera!

 

[disneygeek90]

I'm at Disney pretty much every other day and I personally haven't seen this.

People absolutely turn on their phones in dark rides.

 

[Driver]

I had a really distinct moment where I decided never to video theme parks or public events It started when I was videoing a parade once and then looked around at the hundreds (thousands?) of others doing the exact same thing and then I was at a concert and every single person around me was holding up a phone to get video, the concert was being broadcast on tv and to youtube by actual professionals with much better equipment and views. I realized just how silly things have gotten we are all trying to be cinematographers and I'd rather just be present in the moment than try to replicate something that is widely available already. There are thousands of videos of every aspect of WDW available online that I can view at anytime on youtube, I don't need to film anything that is not deeply personal because its already been done.

My sentiments exactly, honestly I will video a short segment of some things just to send to friends or family as a tease but all in good fun.

 

[Matt_Black]

You can always plan so that you're not annoying

And yet you keep posting your pet peeves and grievances that no one cares about.