Abuse of Scooters

[jcf]

One thing that stood out on our trip the week after Christmas was the large number of scooters being used by pre-teens/teens. Even my 11 year old noticed that while some of these kids could be considered overweight, on one bus ride the kids from a family were arguing over whose turn it was to ride it. It was comical that the father of this group was on his own scooter too. It took 15 minutes for them to park their scooters on the bus.

I only bring this up because after several bus pick-ups, the delays by the excessive use of scooters by people with questionable needs started to wear on us...further what happens when Disney runs out of these and people in real need are left out in the cold...

 

[missy2217]

Annoying, yes. But how can you expect Disney to start questioning disabilities?

 

[jcf]

I would think Disney could simply require a note from a doctor stating the scooter is medically necessary...I can't imagine a doctor giving an overweight pre-teen/teen a note to ride one of these when walking would serve some of these kids better...

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

One thing that stood out on our trip the week after Christmas was the large number of scooters being used by pre-teens/teens. Even my 11 year old noticed that while some of these kids could be considered overweight, on one bus ride the kids from a family were arguing over whose turn it was to ride it. It was comical that the father of this group was on his own scooter too. It took 15 minutes for them to park their scooters on the bus.

I only bring this up because after several bus pick-ups, the delays by the excessive use of scooters by people with questionable needs started to wear on us...further what happens when Disney runs out of these and people in real need are left out in the cold...

I am continually amazed at the ablity of people to make medical diagnosis by "observation"

You know it's abuse because you can see nothing wrong??? Hmm....

 

[mditkof]

One thing that stood out on our trip the week after Christmas was the large number of scooters being used by pre-teens/teens. Even my 11 year old noticed that while some of these kids could be considered overweight, on one bus ride the kids from a family were arguing over whose turn it was to ride it. It was comical that the father of this group was on his own scooter too. It took 15 minutes for them to park their scooters on the bus.

I only bring this up because after several bus pick-ups, the delays by the excessive use of scooters by people with questionable needs started to wear on us...further what happens when Disney runs out of these and people in real need are left out in the cold...

Disney likely makes a lot of money off the scooter industry. I wouldn't be surprised if they track it as a profit center.

Marty

 

[CarolAnnC]

One thing that stood out on our trip the week after Christmas was the large number of scooters being used by pre-teens/teens. Even my 11 year old noticed that while some of these kids could be considered overweight, on one bus ride the kids from a family were arguing over whose turn it was to ride it. It was comical that the father of this group was on his own scooter too. It took 15 minutes for them to park their scooters on the bus.

I only bring this up because after several bus pick-ups, the delays by the excessive use of scooters by people with questionable needs started to wear on us...further what happens when Disney runs out of these and people in real need are left out in the cold...

I have to say that with my 40+ trips to WDW I have never seen large numbers of preteens on scooters. Particularly since it is far more often the case to have to wait longer for a bus when using a scooter or wheelchair, I do not see what advantage would be gained.

Most saavy folks are now using off site ECV rental companies since they are cheaper and resolve the issue of not having one available.

You might want to visit the DISabilities board where the topic is covered frequently.

 

[Chuck S]

I would think Disney could simply require a note from a doctor stating the scooter is medically necessary...I can't imagine a doctor giving an overweight pre-teen/teen a note to ride one of these when walking would serve some of these kids better...

This would be illegal under the Americans with Disabilities Act and privacy laws. Businesses are not allowed to require any "proof," nor can they ask the specific nature of the disabilty. While I agree that the majority of people that NEED a scooter or wheelchair would likely have no problem if the law were to be changed to require a doctor's note simply stating they need to use a mobility device, any other info would be an invasion of privacy. I mean, really, is it Disney's (or anyone's) business to know if someone has cancer, heart problems, bad hips, arthritis, HIV, or other conditions that require mobility aids?

All, basically, they can ask is "Are you disabled?" and of course, those that do abuse the system will be honest, no doubt.

As this is not a DVC Specific topic, I'm going to move this over to the disABILITIES! forum.

 

[HippieChickadee]

I'm torn on this.

My father (only 61 years old) broke his foot this past summer. Since he's had the cast off (came off in September) he's been having pain after periods of activity.

He went back to the docs who did some testing and diagnosed him with degenerative arthritis in the foot.

He would need a scooter for several long days at a theme park even though he could park and walk onto rides, into restaurants, etc. (so people would see this and sigh)

However, my last trip to Disney, I was swearing to myself about almost being mowed down by numerous oblivious scooter riders and the many many long waits for buses to load the scooters.

 

[jcf]

I am continually amazed at the ablity of people to make medical diagnosis by "observation"

You know it's abuse because you can see nothing wrong??? Hmm....

I don't need a medical license to see pre-teens/teens who get off the scooter to let their sibling ride to know their "need" is debatable...I am not taking about older adults.

 

[clanmcculloch]

The contracts with the rental companies state that they'll only be used by individuals 18 or older. This practice, if discovered by the company, would result in the loss of the prepaid cost of the rental as well as loss of the rental.

There are legitimate reasons for kids to need mobility aids part time. If a family has 2 children that both need part time mobility aids, it actually makes sense to rent a single wheelchair (assuming the kids are both similar sized and would need the same size chair) rather than deal with the hassle (and it is a hassle) of multiple wheelchairs. I'm hoping that my 12yo can continue to tour WDW without a mobility device for years to come and I'm agressively working with her doctors to keep up her strength and keep down her pain but just because she's young and looks healthy (there are no obvious visible signs of her health issues) you would assume that she's faking? I thank G-d that right now my 14yo isn't showing signs of needing aid with her medical issues. But, if she does end up needing aids (hopefully we can avoid any dislocations) then we'll do what's best for her. Hopefully we won't encounter people who would assume that they're faking based on age and outward appearance of health.

Disney isn't making an extra dime off the people you saw. If they were bringing the ECVs on the bus then they were rented from a 3rd party and not Disney.

You seem to believe a lot of your own mis-information. Try not to judge what you don't understand.

 

[lanejudy]

One thing that stood out on our trip the week after Christmas was the large number of scooters being used by pre-teens/teens. Even my 11 year old noticed that while some of these kids could be considered overweight, on one bus ride the kids from a family were arguing over whose turn it was to ride it. It was comical that the father of this group was on his own scooter too. It took 15 minutes for them to park their scooters on the bus.

I only bring this up because after several bus pick-ups, the delays by the excessive use of scooters by people with questionable needs started to wear on us...further what happens when Disney runs out of these and people in real need are left out in the cold...

I'm not going to judge your experience, as I wasn't there to see what you saw. However, I will point out some inaccuracies or misconceptions: As for pre-teens and teens - neither WDW nor off-site vendors will rent to a teenage user (with very few exceptions for those who use one at home). Therefore, there must have been an adult in the party - other than the dad on his scooter - who needed the ECV. Could be mom or grandpa or someone is the one who "needs" the scooter but didn't feel comfortable parking it on the bus so the kids took turns doing so. A person using an ECV is not required to sit on it at all times and may be found walking while another member of the party drives - that doesn't excuse underage drivers, though.

If they are taking the ECVs on the bus, then it's on off-site rental. WDW rentals are not allowed to leave the parks. Yes, WDW does run out of ECVs, which is partially why many who need one will rent from off-site.

While you may consider it to be "questionable need" to see a younger, healthy-looking person on an ECV, it is not only elderly people who need mobility devices. Perfectly healthy "appearing" people in their 20s or 30s may need assistance due to an invisible health issue and you have no way of knowing this. The ADA does not allow WDW or anyone else to require medical proof of disability for an equal accommodation.

 

[jcf]

The contracts with the rental companies state that they'll only be used by individuals 18 or older. This practice, if discovered by the company, would result in the loss of the prepaid cost of the rental as well as loss of the rental.

There are legitimate reasons for kids to need mobility aids part time. If a family has 3 children that both need part time mobility aids, it actually makes sense to rent a single wheelchair (assuming the kids are both similar sized and would need the same size chair) rather than deal with the hassle (and it is a hassle) of multiple wheelchairs. I'm hoping that my 12yo can continue to tour WDW without a mobility device for years to come and I'm agressively working with her doctors to keep up her strength and keep down her pain but just because she's young and looks healthy (there are no obvious visible signs of her health issues) you would assume that she's faking? I thank G-d that right now my 14yo isn't showing signs of needing aid with her medical issues. But, if she does end up needing aids (hopefully we can avoid any dislocations) then we'll do what's best for her. Hopefully we won't encounter people who would assume that they're faking based on age and outward appearance of health.

Disney isn't making an extra dime off the people you saw. If they were bringing the ECVs on the bus then they were rented from a 3rd party and not Disney.

You seem to believe a lot of your own mis-information. Try not to judge what you don't understand.

Draw your conclusion of kids arguing over "whose turn it is to ride"...genius

 

[clanmcculloch]

I'd like to add one thing about the need for ECVs. If I was ever able to convince my parents to join us at WDW, my mom would need an ECV. The thing is, she can't stay seated all day due to the nature of her back issues so she's have to alternate between riding the ECV and walking. When walking, my DH and I would alternate who would drive it for her because frankly it's not something either of us would want to do all that often (yay, riding faceing everybody's butts with people cutting us off and us having to focus on everybody walking near us rather than looking around; sure sounds fun to me). So, you could hear us discussing who "gets" to ride it next. I will add though that I would never let my kids drive because as I said before, that's in violation of the contract I would have to sign in order to rent it for her.

I'm not doubting that people rent then when not needed or that people violate their contracts. I'm just saying that you can't tell what's going on and the majority of cases there is nothing being done that's sneaky or wrong.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I am continually amazed at the ablity of people to make medical diagnosis by "observation"

You know it's abuse because you can see nothing wrong??? Hmm....

+1

Many people spend too much time worrying about what other people are doing. Why someone is using a scooter is no one else's business.

 

[HippieChickadee]

Can we all at least agree that people should have to pass some sort of mini driving test before being released into the parks?

I kid, I kid...

but seriously, I've almost lost ankles to these things during busy seasons because the person driving is oblivious or the don't stop instantly and they wait until they are on TOP of you to let go!

 

[ttintagel]

but seriously, I've almost lost ankles to these things during busy seasons because the person driving is oblivious or the don't stop instantly and they wait until they are on TOP of you to let go!

Probably the same number of times someone darted out in front of my ECV without looking (or pushed or pulled their small children in front of me), leaving either me no time to stop at all or no time to stop without giving myself whiplash that increased my need for the ECV.

 

[disneyfan'08]

I may have been one of those people see as "abusing" a scooter. I'm 22, but I look more like I'm 15 or 16. I have Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis among other autoimmune illnesses. There was no way I could walk the parks everyday for the 11 day trip we just had. I definitely don't look "sick" and I can walk short distances with no issues.

I absolutely dread using a scooter as I'm stuck looking at people's butts all day and I hate getting on the buses. I'm sure some people looked at me and thought just another one abusing the system when they saw me. It's not glorious at all and I have no idea why someone would waste their money to rent one if they didn't need one.

I guess what I'm trying to say that you never know what is truly going on with someone by looking at them. I have no idea what their situation was and there absolutely could have been abuse going on. I truly hate those that abuse the system and make it more difficult for people like me who actually need ECVs.