Why Does Disney have to comply with 21st century riders when doing refurbishments?

[DCAfanatic]

why can't it be the other way around! No offense to anyone and I really don't mean to disrespect any one here and let's keep this chat as peaceful as possible but I've noticed Disney has been widening rides this century, and that's what they call refurbishment, now what do the disneyland suits noticed when they see guests in rides, because I really don't think if it wasn't for the widening of the rides like it's a small world and BTTMR they would never refurbished these rides, what's your opinion on this, or is it just society thing?

[explodingboy]

Re: Why Does Disney have to comply with 21st century riders when doing refurbishments

It's the direction the USA has been going in for a while, and it doesn't look to be slowing down. At some point or another they need to comply with the ever changing needs of society.

[DCAfanatic]

Re: Why Does Disney have to comply with 21st century riders when doing refurbishments

It's the direction the USA has been going in for a while, and it doesn't look to be slowing down. At some point or another they need to comply with the ever changing needs of society.

Unfortunately you're probably right!

[Wren]

Re: Why Does Disney have to comply with 21st century riders when doing refurbishments

Unfortunate trend, that its easier to do this, than feild massive complaints at City Hall.

[Coolwowzer]

Re: Why Does Disney have to comply with 21st century riders when doing refurbishments

It's a society thing, I'm not oposed to the idea, the suits want to make Disneyland as open to everyone as possible if that means more space, they will work at it. As for the only reason for refurbs is not just the widening of rides, some rides like big thunder and small world needed other ajustments that needed to be looked at, the boulders in the last mine shaft for big thunder and small world the flume was rotting away at the bottom and needed to be replaced.

[frollofan]

Re: Why Does Disney have to comply with 21st century riders when doing refurbishments

well for IASW it was necessary to make modifications because the old boats were meant to handle the average size of guests at the time it opened and they just could not handle it today without failure. Anyways, the widening of paths I think can be a good thing because it will reduce bottlenecks and such. Especially for BTMRR it was always a pain trying to exit with the wheelchair people there and people ahead stopping when they got out of the train.

[ohmyjustin]

Re: Why Does Disney have to comply with 21st century riders when doing refurbishments

To be fair, Disney isn't doing a whole lot to help considering there are far more unhealthy options than healthy ones. I'd also go so far as to say the unhealthy snacks seem more of a bargain than the fruits that are offered.

[InsertCuteNameHere]

Re: Why Does Disney have to comply with 21st century riders when doing refurbishments

why can't it be the other way around! No offense to anyone and I really don't mean to disrespect any one here and let's keep this chat as peaceful as possible but I've noticed Disney has been widening rides this century, and that's what they call refurbishment, now what do the disneyland suits noticed when they see guests in rides, because I really don't think if it wasn't for the widening of the rides like it's a small world and BTTMR they would never refurbished these rides, what's your opinion on this, or is it just society thing?

because if people say the ride's seats are "too small" they'll stop going to disneyland, which means they'll lose a lot of money on food sales.

[BrodyDanger]

Re: Why Does Disney have to comply with 21st century riders when doing refurbishments

It's not really like they're making accommodations for a small segment of society. Over one-third of our society is considered obese. Just a sad reality Disney is addressing.

[bummerkit]

Re: Why Does Disney have to comply with 21st century riders when doing refurbishments

Maybe not being able to fit into the seats would give these people some motivation... leave it how it is.

[Roythe13th]

Re: Why Does Disney have to comply with 21st century riders when doing refurbishments

Maybe not being able to fit into the seats would give these people some motivation... leave it how it is.

Never understood this mentality. This "If It Doesn't Affect Me Then Why Do It" mentality.

Disney prides itself as being one of the most welcoming theme park chains to ALL people. Not just larger people but people with disabilities too. People ask often why DisneyLand and Disney World are always full of people in wheelchairs and scooters. Maybe it's because if you are in a wheelchair or need a scooter, there are few other options to go to. As a big person myself, I spend my money at Disney because they accommodate me. They want my business. Six Flags doesn't seem to care.

And don't just chalk up "21st Century Riders" as being overweight. Kids today are HUGE. And I don't mean obese but actually bigger. They seem taller, just overall bigger people. To me anyways.

And can't you "anti-21st century riders" people be happy that Disney pushed us big people out of riding the Matterhorn?

[Rex Dopey24]

Re: Why Does Disney have to comply with 21st century riders when doing refurbishments

life itself changes and so does society. that is reality

[iillini24]

Re: Why Does Disney have to comply with 21st century riders when doing refurbishments

As someone who lost weight working at Disney (WDW), I understand society is sedentary. I definately gained weight after college as I am no longer walking blocks between classes hourly, but sitting more often. As companies ask people to work longer to keep their jobs, society spends less time on healthy activities.
Disney is very inclusive and I notice that larger people in society tend to go there. I encourage them as at least they are walking around a park all day and getting exercise. I tend to base my own health on how long I can last/stand in the park. I actually tend to exercise/walk more before my Disney vacations to prepare myself as it is motivation.

[calsig31]

Re: Why Does Disney have to comply with 21st century riders when doing refurbishments

I posted this in the Thunder Mountain thread as well, but I am very disappointed by the negative comments toward overweight riders by some of the posters in this thread. Obesity is a real problem in this country at present. At least Disney is trying to combat it by offering healthier food/snack options and is also trying to accomodate riders as well.

Further, if Disney does not try to adjust their ride systems to accomodate there may be safety issues down the road, not just for overweight people, but for people who are smaller of stature as well. An example would be the Thunder Mountain restraint system. It is a single lap bar for both riders on the bench. This means that the bar can only be closed as tightly as the volume of the largest riders legs. If there is a larger rider holding the bar open to where it no longer protects a smaller one, there is more chance of slipping out of the restraints - either accidentally or voluntarily.

[ttintagel]

Re: Why Does Disney have to comply with 21st century riders when doing refurbishments

Because 21st century riders are going to be the ones riding the rides in the 21st century?

[LordVader]

Re: Why Does Disney have to comply with 21st century riders when doing refurbishments

Because the obesity rate is through the roof in our country.

[MRaymond]

Re: Why Does Disney have to comply with 21st century riders when doing refurbishments

Besides larger riders you must realize that ADA and OSHA compliance changes all the time. If you close a ride for refurb you use that time to fix compliance issues that have changed as well. It's not just overweight riders but safety issues, etc. The list goes on

[kayleigh83]

Re: Why Does Disney have to comply with 21st century riders when doing refurbishments

Further, if Disney does not try to adjust their ride systems to accomodate there may be safety issues down the road, not just for overweight people, but for people who are smaller of stature as well. An example would be the Thunder Mountain restraint system. It is a single lap bar for both riders on the bench. This means that the bar can only be closed as tightly as the volume of the largest riders legs. If there is a larger rider holding the bar open to where it no longer protects a smaller one, there is more chance of slipping out of the restraints - either accidentally or voluntarily.

I do have to agree with this... I am fairly petite and my boyfriend is a full foot taller and 100 lbs bigger than I am... when we rode BTMRR I felt like I was going to go flying out of the seat at some points because the lapbar didn't come down low enough for me. And my boyfriend isn't obese or even overweight - just physically a lot larger than me.

[jsmith11618]

Re: Why Does Disney have to comply with 21st century riders when doing refurbishments

Humans have been getting bigger and taller since humans first appeared on this planet, although I will admit we are growing larger weight wise a bit quicker these days. But there is no need to be harsh or otherwise put down anyone who is larger then what is deemed normal by society, you never know exactly why someone is heavy could be anything from eating junk food, to always being heavy since birth, to a medical disorder or medication.

Lots of medications can cause weight gain, and its hard to manage weight on some meds.

Point being, companies have to adapt as we evolve as a species, if clothing company A decided they were not going to adapt to people getting taller and wider, and clothing company B did, which company is likely to do better?

It just amazes me how harsh people can be towards anyone who is deemed different.

[Aladdin]

Re: Why Does Disney have to comply with 21st century riders when doing refurbishments

why can't it be the other way around! No offense to anyone and I really don't mean to disrespect any one here and let's keep this chat as peaceful as possible but I've noticed Disney has been widening rides this century, and that's what they call refurbishment, now what do the disneyland suits noticed when they see guests in rides, because I really don't think if it wasn't for the widening of the rides like it's a small world and BTTMR they would never refurbished these rides, what's your opinion on this, or is it just society thing?

Well, they didn't for the new Bobsleds on the Matterhorn :rant: