The World Has Changed

[BamaJenn]

This photo (from MouseSteps.com) shows just how much the world has changed since Walt's days.



Back when I was a kid visiting WDW, the characters and sites were the main attraction. Now, seeing a character do something other than stand in a shady area, with a line of people in front of them for an autograph, is a pretty unusual thing. Me, if I saw this, I'd have my camera out, I'd be laughing and smiling and just thinking this was the coolest thing since sliced bread. Instead, here we have a woman within arms reach of Stitch, yapping away on her phone.

I miss the old world we used to live in. Before technology went and screwed it up (and this is coming from a person whose career in technology affords her trips to WDW and whose iPhone and laptop are her connection to the outside world).

There should be a rule... when you walk through those gates, you leave the outside world behind.

/rant off

[TheH2s]

I nominate this photo for the next caption contest.

Seriously though I agree with you. By the way..there are two people in that picture talking on their phones.

[BamaJenn]

By the way..there are two people in that picture talking on their phones.

You're right!! Ugh!

[UBMICK35000]

There should be a rule... when you walk through those gates, you leave the outside world behind

I thought that was why they don't sell newspapers in the parks!

[NC_WDW_Daddy]

I spotted two on cellphones also and completely agree with you BamaJenn.

[N.J.boy@N.C.St.]

I'm sorry...that's just sad...if that were me, I'd run over and try to steal the ball (not literally for good) from Stitch and have fun with it in the moment

[BamaJenn]

I'm sorry...that's just sad...if that were me, I'd run over and try to steal the ball (not literally for good) from Stitch and have fun with it in the moment

Exactly my point! Let go and immerse yourself in the moment. Get the darn electronic twin off your ear! The most I do with a cell phone while at the park is use it for a clock or take pictures.

[eeyore1974]

I have a no phone rule when in WDW unless DH and I separate (each taking the kids to separate things) and use BBM just to locate each other. During our last trip, DH was checking his phone on day one from time to time answering email and it was put to a stop in a real hurry!! It's the happiest place on earth, a place where you leave work and "the outside world" behind to spend time with with the ones who matter most.

[DHI]

There was one time that my family and I were in line for Maelstrom and the ride stopped temporarily... Everyone in line was on their cell phone and I mean EVERYONE!!! It was and epic fail on our parts...

[doconeill]

Sometimes, the outside world seeps in, no matter how hard you try to block it out.

Back in mid 2006, I was that guy on the phone in the middle of the Animation Courtyard at then MGM. It was a particularly lousy year to that point - I lost my job, my mother passed away, DW's grandmother passed away, and I got screwed over by a recruiter within a 2 week span. We needed that vacation. Fortunately I had another job to pay for it by then.

The estate lawyers knew I was down there on a very necessary vacation, but they had to call me - I was trying to sell my mother's house, and the prospective buyer was being a - well, I'm not sure I'm allowed to say it here. HE knew I was on vacation, and was demanding things be signed within 24 hours or he was going to demand concessions or pull out, so I was out there, on the phone, wanting to scream my head off about things that would probably have gotten me at least a meeting with Security...I was about to tell the lawyers what they could tell him to do with his paperwork and cancel the deal, but the lawyers managed to calm me down. The CMs back at the Poly were incredibly helpful, helping me get and send faxes and everything, and get everything sorted out.

Beyond "Where are you?" calls, I only ever got called one other time in the parks...

[zippitydoodah]

I work at Starbucks and today a woman was talking on her phone while coming through the drive-thru... and she paid and drove off without her ($6) drink because she wasn`t paying attention. Twice. Seriously, the exact same women did it in the morning and then 5 hours later cause she was on her phone! It was funny but uggghh it is SO incredibly rude to me that people won`t even bother putting away their phone for 30 seconds of human interaction!

I`m glad I can`t have my phone on trips to Disney since I`m Canadian and the roaming charges are outrageous- I leave my phone back home which is where it belongs on vacation The only time I ever turned on a cell phone was when I got engaged, and it was two quick calls to my parents and my fiance`s.

[disneycrazy1956]

I agree with what everyone is saying, we leave the phones in the room safe unless we know we are splitting during the day. Only use them for getting picked up at the airport. Besides, I want to enjoy every second in the parks and forget about work and cell phones and the real world.
In summer 2008 people were even on their phones on attractions; thank goodness that at least has seemed to change the last couple of times we were in WDW.

[Evilduckqueen]

I'll be leaving my phone behind in the resort we are staying at. While we are out and about in the parks it will be a technology free honeymoon (except for taking photos with the camera, that is!)
I don't see why people go on vacation and spend most of the time on the phone. With the exception of Doconeill, of course.

[malt]

I'd only use mine if I managed to lose my wife (even then I might think twice )

Other than that, it's just if any of the restaraunts I've booked with need to call me about my reservations.

I work for a phone company and outside of hours avoid the things like the plague.

[firemedic]

My wife and I have our phones with us, but it's ONLY for coordinating meeting times with other family members in the park. Other than that, I don't answer ANY calls or texts.