Where'd all the benches go?

[castlecake2.0]

I wonder if its almost a safety thing especially at MK. During the fireworks or parades i can see people getting pushed back, either because of crowds, someone needs to get through etc. Or since people do not watch where they are walking, and are usually looking at their phone or oblivious I wonder if people were being injured, in busier areas. It seems most of the benches now are way out of the way of the walk ways. But I could be totally wrong, I usually am.

A lot of the time benches are removed because of this, it creates traffic flow issues, especially with the amount of wheeled objects in the parks now. Tron are was really good at including ledges around most of the landscaping for people to sit on without needing a bench, they need more of this in the parks.

 

[jannerUK]

I am starting to casually panic about this one. We have two people 70+ that may struggle to walk around in the intense summer heat and would like to just relax and sit down while we ride occasionally. Is this neigh on impossible now?! It was something I just took for granted!

 

[dreday3]

We actually thought that there was easy to find seating in DHS, AK and Epcot.
MK was the park with the least seating.

World Showcase - you do kind of have to walk from one country to another sometimes to find seats. But there were always picnic benches in America and tables in Morocco. France and Germany were the worst for seating in our opinion.

 

[Club Cooloholic]

They now charge for them, but they are mobile!

 

[ppete1975]

I am starting to casually panic about this one. We have two people 70+ that may struggle to walk around in the intense summer heat and would like to just relax and sit down while we ride occasionally. Is this neigh on impossible now?! It was something I just took for granted!

i think you have to look for them more than before, where in the past they were right off of the sidewalk or in clear site, now due to safety concerns they are closer to walls, or buildings or places where the traffic flow isnt. I would look in shaded spots under roof lines and the like. There are probably plenty of them now, they just arent in your eye line as much as before.

 

[jaklgreen]

I am starting to casually panic about this one. We have two people 70+ that may struggle to walk around in the intense summer heat and would like to just relax and sit down while we ride occasionally. Is this neigh on impossible now?! It was something I just took for granted!

Please be very careful with them. I have seen way too many elderly get taking out of the parks by EMTs because of heat related issues. A lot of older people don't want to drink enough water because if they drink, then they have to use the bathroom, again. Maybe plan your sit down meal for mid day when it is hottest or go back to the resort to rest. Some grandparents won't tell you when they are flagging because they don't want to slow the group down. Unless it is peak meal times, lunch and dinner, you can usually order a drink from a counter service restaurant and sit and relax.

 

[JoeCamel]

I wonder if its almost a safety thing especially at MK. During the fireworks or parades i can see people getting pushed back, either because of crowds, someone needs to get through etc. Or since people do not watch where they are walking, and are usually looking at their phone or oblivious I wonder if people were being injured, in busier areas. It seems most of the benches now are way out of the way of the walk ways. But I could be totally wrong, I usually am.

No excuses we know why they took them out

Being all old, removing seating just seems masochistic.

I really start to hurt after 8 hours on my feet, and sitting to recharge is the only thing that keeps me going.

...so that would be my guess, they want people to head back to the resorts and reduce crowding,

Nope they want you in the park

A lot of the time benches are removed because of this, it creates traffic flow issues, especially with the amount of wheeled objects in the parks now. Tron are was really good at including ledges around most of the landscaping for people to sit on without needing a bench, they need more of this in the parks.

No excuses it was to drive traffic to sales locations. You are not buying anything sitting on a bench (unless at the disney store....)

 

[Goofyernmost]

I am starting to casually panic about this one. We have two people 70+ that may struggle to walk around in the intense summer heat and would like to just relax and sit down while we ride occasionally. Is this neigh on impossible now?! It was something I just took for granted!

Well, I'll start off with being 70 isn't necessarily the end. Many are quite able to tour the parks and also mature enough to know when they need to take a break. Just make sure you don't pressure them to do either, let them decide.

Second, one of the things that does happen is that we start to lose stamina and our muscles are not as strong as they once were. With that in mind I highly suggest renting a scooter. For an older person it allows them to keep up with the young muscles and makes them able to see a lot more things. Also with the lines it gives them time to recoup while sitting in the regular line. There used to be a stigma associated with scooter usage and the problems (i.e. being run into) are vastly exaggerated and usually caused by the people that are complaining. There is no price discount at Disney because you are older, so we pay the same rates. If someone makes a comment about them tell them where to file that useless opinion and move on. By the way, when I had to use one on my last trip no one even looked at me much less seemed to judge. I can tell you this though, my enjoyment and pain free days were vastly improved by the usage. Just don't rent one from in the parks. They will slow everyone in the party down and all the while watching snails past you by. They are also twice the cost in the parks and you cannot take them out of the parks. I refuse to let them profit off my age and lack of consideration just to make a buck or billions of them. With the construction that means a lot more walking even after you leave. Don't sell us older folks out, I can still handle any attraction in the parks and I have been on them all and still do the ones I enjoy. We have to because it is way to difficult to drag our rocking chair and shawl along with is to the park so we settle for just doing what everyone else is doing. Living the good life!

 

[ppete1975]

No excuses we know why they took them out

Nope they want you in the park

No excuses it was to drive traffic to sales locations. You are not buying anything sitting on a bench (unless at the disney store....)

I kind of disagree, most people once tired will leave. Either go home or back to their hotel. If grandma needs to sit down for a second to recover, the rest of the family is still shopping or on rides.
Many people that sit on the benches are also eating or drinking something, even if its popcorn so they dont lose money.
If grandma has trouble standing for extended times but wants to take the grandkids, sitting on the benches while watching the kids is a realistic thing, I dont see grandma going shopping while the little ones are on the carousel.
I dont think benches keep people from shopping. AC probably drives shopping, but I dont think there is the correlation between benches and lack of shopping.