A humble request to ECV users

[roadtripper]

I don't begrudge people the right to get around WDW any way they want to, but I humbly offer some suggestions as a mom who had to explain to her crying DS why he couldn't go to his favorite show--the Lion King-- last week. DS has severe CP, uses a wheelchair, and has developmental disabilities. We are WDW veterans, so we know the rules of the parks, and know to get to shows early, etc. We have noticed, as many on these boards have, that there has been an increase in ECV use at WDW. Still, we have had very few issues with access until our trip last week, which is why I am posting this note (and sending one to WDW, too).

ECV users--if you can walk a few feet, it would be helpful if you would do so at Disney shows due to limited wheelchair seating. If you park and sit in your ECV in a handicapped spot, you take a spot from a person who cannot get out of a wheelchair, and Disney will not let parents carry children into shows if they can't walk. Last week, we were denied entrance to the Lion King show, along with many other people in ECVs, because all the wheelchair spots were taken (it was a half hour before the show). All the people in ECVs parked them and walked to the long way to the theatre entrance, and were seated. No one asked permission to drive up to the entrance and park their ECV due to their health issues.

CMs--please ask people if they can walk a few feet so that a child or adult who cannot walk may attend the show.

Just my two cents as a mom of a child with disabilities.

 

[BillSears]

Yea, I hate being shut out of a show/ride because I'm a wheelchair user and the spaces are already full. It has gotten much worse over the years. No offense meant to those who use ECVs because I know you need them to enjoy the parks but I tend to think of it as the full-timers vs the part-timers.

I did write a letter to Disney in the past asking them to consider opening up more accessible seating in the shows. With our aging population the amount of accessible accommodations needed is skyrocketing.

The only solution that works for me that I've found is to not go during crowded times. The more people in the parks the less accessible seating is available. Since the seating is a fixed number during less crowded times you may divide those seats among 1,000 guests but during crowded times you have 2,000 guests wanting the same seating.

 

[roadtripper]

Bill, I dream of the day when we can go at low crowd times, but DH and I are teachers, so no luck with that!

I like the "full time" "part time" analogy! Maybe that could be a Disney-esque way for CMs to ask people about seating-- "Do you use your ECV full time?"

 

[peemagg]

I think the issue is not really the fact of whether the person can walk a few feet or not. It is exactly what Bill said. There are too few spots for those who in need. I find the same with the handicapped parking out in the general public.

You look at most parking lots they might have 1 or 2 handicapped parking spots, but a hundred regular spots in the lots. I think there should have to be a certain number of handicapped spots in relation to the amount of regular spots. As it is now, as long as they provide one or two spots they are adherring to the laws. I think Disney needs to look into this also. I bet that the ratio for seating is only 1 for every 25 or more regular seats. It should be more like 1 for every 10 spots.

I don't think that Disney can ask or require someone to move from their ECV. I think they might end up in a bit of trouble with the ADA with it if they did. I do see though the issue that you faced and I am sorry that that happened to you, but I don't understand why they wouldn't let you carry the child in if that was your decision? They don't stop others from carrying in the able bodied children. Is there a reason that your child couldn't sit on the benches without his stroller (like muscle tone or other issues)? I just don't see how they could not allow you to carry him in if he was able to sit on the benches safely like other children. Maybe I am missing something here.

 

[honugirl]

I'd gladly park the ECV if there was a way for me to drive it up to the door and then I'd transfer. Sometimes even though I can walk, the queue is a long way for me! Especially on a hot day or if I'm having a really bad day (these would be the days you wouldn't see me at home because I'm too exhausted to leave the house). The last time I went to Nemo, they let me drive up there and transfer and one of the CM's took my ECV outside. It would be nice if they did the same thing for the Lion King.

 

[MightyMom]

Disney does not let you carry a child who can not walk? huh? interesting? I would like to see that in writing. I mean... what about an infant?? Where do they draw the line??

That's besides the point really.... it just intrigued me that Disney has that policy. Up until last year we've "carried" our son everywhere his wheelchair wouldn't take him. He's too big now... but if someone told me I couldn't do it... well... let's just say it wouldn't be pretty.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

One reason why this may not work is that you exit the theater on the opposite side of where you entered. And it can be a long way from where you parked on entrance to where you exit.

 

[ckdsnynt]

I'd gladly park the ECV if there was a way for me to drive it up to the door and then I'd transfer. Sometimes even though I can walk, the queue is a long way for me! Especially on a hot day or if I'm having a really bad day (these would be the days you wouldn't see me at home because I'm too exhausted to leave the house). The last time I went to Nemo, they let me drive up there and transfer and one of the CM's took my ECV outside. It would be nice if they did the same thing for the Lion King.

This is my exact situation! I can stand, but not for long periods of time. Such as 5 minutes. I can walk, but not far. I do not have a problem giving up a handicapped spot and walking to a regular seat as long as I have access to my ecv without having to walk a long way once the program is over. I certainly don't want to spoil a child's visit so I can see a program.

 

[goofy4mykids]

I was just at the Lion King in Jan 2nd and I drove my ECV into the theater I transfered to the bench and my DH drove it to a CM who was parking hem under/behind the bleachers. my DH has caried my DD 5 and m DS 10 several times ad no-one said he couldnt. they do get tired. I agree their are not enough spots but when I was their they were asking everyone if they were able to transfer. I am so sorry you were unable to see thr show

 

[bidnow5]

I have parked mine off to the side and taken a seat a few times because they had seats but no spots for scooters left. I have also been told I had to sit in my scooter.
The last time we went I was about 5 spaces away from my family and had to sit on my scooter they had a few big groups with scooters so there were no seats available.
I think they do what they can but it's all depending on the number and size of the groups with scooters

 

[kaytieeldr]

All the people in ECVs parked them and walked to the long way to the theatre entrance, and were seated. No one asked permission to drive up to the entrance and park their ECV due to their health issues.

Respectfully, I haven't seen Festival of the Lion King since, let's see, 2006?

Granted, last year I didn't have time; in 2007, I spent SO long at Guest Services trying to straighten out a problem with an unused ticket that I missed three shows; in 2008 I wasn't allowed anywhere near the building - I was told I had to leave the ECV somewhere out in the middle of Camp Mickey-Minnie (sure, a bit of an exaggeration, but I couldn't SEE the theater entrance from where I was - so I couldn't walk to it).

 

[honugirl]

This is my exact situation! I can stand, but not for long periods of time. Such as 5 minutes. I can walk, but not far. I do not have a problem giving up a handicapped spot and walking to a regular seat as long as I have access to my ecv without having to walk a long way once the program is over. I certainly don't want to spoil a child's visit so I can see a program.

Maybe they could invent a peoplemover to take us from our ECV's and back again?

 

[KPeveler]

The problem with the FOTLK is that it is backless metal benches - many people with ECVs cannot sit up on a backless metal bench. I know i could not do it, even when I still could transfer easily.

I agree that in regular theatre seats, it may be polite to move to them if possible to a regular seat, but moving to metal benches are pretty much impossible.

to the OP, i understand your frustration, but it really is hard for lots of people to move, even if they have an ECV.

Bill is right - we need more spaces!

 

[roadtripper]

Disney does not let you carry a child who can not walk? huh? interesting? I would like to see that in writing. I mean... what about an infant?? Where do they draw the line??

That's besides the point really.... it just intrigued me that Disney has that policy. Up until last year we've "carried" our son everywhere his wheelchair wouldn't take him. He's too big now... but if someone told me I couldn't do it... well... let's just say it wouldn't be pretty.

This was the first time we had been told this, too. DS is 13 but only weighs 58 lbs, so we carry him a lot (more than we should). Anyway, it wasn't pretty. In the interest of full disclosure, DS wasn't the only one crying. I plan to write a letter to find out if this is in fact a WDW policy, or was just a stressed out CM on a busy day.

Thanks for all the insight and suggestions!

 

[KPeveler]

I think the issue is not really the fact of whether the person can walk a few feet or not. It is exactly what Bill said. There are too few spots for those who in need. I find the same with the handicapped parking out in the general public.

You look at most parking lots they might have 1 or 2 handicapped parking spots, but a hundred regular spots in the lots. I think there should have to be a certain number of handicapped spots in relation to the amount of regular spots. As it is now, as long as they provide one or two spots they are adherring to the laws. I think Disney needs to look into this also. I bet that the ratio for seating is only 1 for every 25 or more regular seats. It should be more like 1 for every 10 spots.

I don't think that Disney can ask or require someone to move from their ECV. I think they might end up in a bit of trouble with the ADA with it if they did. I do see though the issue that you faced and I am sorry that that happened to you, but I don't understand why they wouldn't let you carry the child in if that was your decision? They don't stop others from carrying in the able bodied children. Is there a reason that your child couldn't sit on the benches without his stroller (like muscle tone or other issues)? I just don't see how they could not allow you to carry him in if he was able to sit on the benches safely like other children. Maybe I am missing something here.

They can ask "can you transfer" - they do it with me all the time. What they cannot do is require that you transfer if there are any wheelchair/ECV spots left, or require you to prove that you really do need the ECV.

When I was at the FOTLK show in OCtober, I saw CMs parking ECVs for people - I guess it just depends on who is working at the time.

 

[bouncy54]

I'd gladly park the ECV if there was a way for me to drive it up to the door and then I'd transfer. Sometimes even though I can walk, the queue is a long way for me! Especially on a hot day or if I'm having a really bad day (these would be the days you wouldn't see me at home because I'm too exhausted to leave the house). The last time I went to Nemo, they let me drive up there and transfer and one of the CM's took my ECV outside. It would be nice if they did the same thing for the Lion King.

Took the words right out of my mouth. Personally, I prefer to leave the ECV and just walk to my seat. I've never been to the Lion King but is on my "must see" list. How long is their queue? I can walk about a half a block without pain.

 

[honugirl]

Took the words right out of my mouth. Personally, I prefer to leave the ECV and just walk to my seat. I've never been to the Lion King but is on my "must see" list. How long is their queue? I can walk about a half a block without pain.

I can't remember how long the queue is, but I think it was quite a ways just based on the queue for everything else...

Maybe it's just me, but it really seems like ECV users are getting hammered for everything lately on the boards. Sorry, I know that wasn't the OP's intent with this. I'm just really frustrated, it's like we can't do anything right.

 

[livndisney]

I can't remember how long the queue is, but I think it was quite a ways just based on the queue for everything else...

Maybe it's just me, but it really seems like ECV users are getting hammered for everything lately on the boards. Sorry, I know that wasn't the OP's intent with this. I'm just really frustrated, it's like we can't do anything right.

No, it is not just you.

The queue itself is rather long. And then you have to cross the theater(atleast I also do). The CM's always direct me to the opposite side of the theater. I have seen CM's drive the ECV's out the exit to the stroller parking area. But to my knowledge you have to return(walk) to the ECV after the show-the ECV is not brought back to you. It could be "challenging" to manage the crowds pushing to exit the doors after the show. The Cm's are always "rushing" people out of the theater to prepare for the next show. So I don't know that even "hanging" back until the crowd leaves would work.

Something else to consider is the seats are bleacher seats. So you will most likely have to manage atleast a few stairs.

I just don't know a solution that works for "everyone".

 

[BillSears]

Maybe a good litmus test for ECV users is to think what they would do if they were told all of the spaces were taken. Would they get up and walk in or would they come back for the next show?

Obviously if you need the spot then you should certainly use it. If you can reasonably not take up a "wheeled" spot then please leave it open for those who don't have the choice of walking to a seat.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

Kind of sort of related, just as a FYI. If you happen to encounter a service animal taking up a wheelchair spot, it's not just for comfort, it's because they're not allowed to be in the rows or seats or in some cases out in the aisles because it presents an evacution hazard. When my father goes with his guide dog, we're always seated in wheelie spots because of this, and just figured I'd mention it as some people might see it as them taking up a spot they don't need.