Am I the only one who thinks there are to many electric carts in the parks

[dennis99ss]

Granted, there are some people who need the transportation assistance, but, just a guess, some of the people using the carts just don't look like they need one. If you rent one at the gate, doesn't that mean you had to walk to get there?

Is there a medical necessity requirement, or are these things just rented out to anybody.

A couple of weeks ago, we were walking past towards the jungle cruise, past the Alladin ride, and I hear this scream. A lady in her cart had begun to run over a little girl, and just kept on going on over her foot/leg. Finally, some man lifted the entire front of her cart, her included, up in the air, and the lady still had the power on. This guy is holding up this cart on its rear wheels, and this lady, who, I would bet, was not well versed in the use of a cart, as she kept on holding down the forward motion lever.

I know, I will probably get flamed for being so un pc, but, does anybody else see more carts at disney than anywhere else, including vegas!

 

[athenna]

How can you tell by looking at someone if they need one?

 

[disneyfreakjackie]

How can you tell by looking at someone if they need one?

There isn't a way . . .

 

[athenna]

There isn't a way . . .

Exactly!

 

[DemonLlama]

There are a great many people who need one and live their lives with people assuming because they "look healthy" that they are just lazy.

Unfortunately, there are also a many other people who ARE lazy, rent an ECV, and trade off who "gets to ride."

If I am not mistaken, some of these abuses were due to the "front of the line" policies that are no longer in place, so perhaps that it cutting down on this group's abuses.

But to assume we can ever know how many people "deserve" one is overstepping our boundaries. Have compassion. And believe in karma.

 

[WaltD4Me]

There is no medical requirement for the carts and you definitelty cannot tell by looking at a person whether they need one.

My mother has bad knee problems, loss of cartiledge, she would NEVER have been able to enjoy Disney World without renting an ECV. She can walk short distances, but nothing like you do at Disney World. She is not wheelchair bound or anything, but it was rent the ECV or not go at all.

There are alot of people who can walk, but use ECV's because they can't do ALL the walking involved in going to Disney. Some people having breathing problems or back or knee issues...and lots of other things you can't "see."

I'm sure a few people looked at me funny too as I rode my Mom's ECV from
Frontierland back to the front of the park for her because she really wanted to ride the train and you can't bring an ECV on the train. So just by looking at someone on an ECV, does not tell you the whole story.

ECV's cost $30 a day to rent at WDW and the line to return them is often long, I can't see someone renting one just to "joy-ride."

 

[foxtrotter]

Last year at Epcot, in WS, there were 6 elderly people in scooters driving along all next to each other in a wide line. They looked like a motorcycle gang. But I wasn't annoyed at all because it was hilarious. They all looked really serious too, like they were concentrating to make sure they didn't hit anyone. It still cracks me up just thinking about it.

 

[senecabeach]

I'm sorry that incident took place and I hope the child was not hurt, but, I'm sure that is not the norm, though there are people.... just like driving a car...who shouldn't.

More the norm are the impolite and inconsiderate children and adults..in such a hurry...cutting off a travelling scooter causing a jolting stop for the driver!! Happens all the time..

Also..(though it is no ones business why someone uses a scooter) ..My sister has mild MS and is mobility challenged. YES...she can walk (barely) to the scooter rental desk..and that's it!

Oh..and..at times.. when she reaches an attraction..will get out of the scooter and walk in. Guess if you were in line ..you would stereotype her..right??
Until you have travelled with a disabled person you don't have a clue!

Lets all just be a little more patient and realize we all are there to enjoy the "Magic" and thankful we are blessed with good health!!

 

[Eeyore2003]

I don't look like I could use a "cart" and I DON"T use one either. I have very bad arthritis in my knees, bone on bone with no cartilege left and very young to have had this happen. When I go to Disney I take my arthritis medications of course, a pain medication and wear pain patches on my knees UNDER long pants. My DH sometimes begs me to use a cart, and it's because of people who give dirty looks or "think" mean things, that I refuse. So I LOVE DisneyWorld and would rather walk around in pain, sitting down frequently to take the edge off, than use a cart and have people thinking I don't need one.

So perhaps, for every person riding in those cars that don't need it, how many are like me, walking around in pain because of what people might think and how they might look at them. I don't know what happened in the incident you described, but I do know that most people that need the carts, probably don't look like they do.

And walking to the gate is one thing, being on your feet for even one hour gets painful and by the time I've been in the parks for 4 or 5, I'm sometimes almost in tears when I get back to the room. I guess in this case it might be literally better to walk in someone's shoes for a while before judging.

So I don't use a cart because of "comments" and things people might think, but still go, because I absolutely LOVE Disney and will not deny myself that, even if it hurts.

 

[Amy&Dan]

We have been to Disneyland several times with my Father-in-law who has very serious heart problems. He looks healthy but needs that chair no question about it. I cannot tell you how many dirty looks, and under the breath, hateful comments I have overheard from people who probably think he is lazy and could walk if he wanted. I know that if he lives and can travel to our WDW family trip this Christmas, we will get a lot of the same treatment from folks who think my husband's dad is a lazy bum. Yep, he's one of those annoying people who will take up room on the bus while everybody waits for his chair to be loaded, only to maybe get up and quite ably walk to a seat. Can't wait to feel the eyes of many burning holes right through us. Maybe I should make a sign that says: " I have a heart condition I was born with, don't hate me for my scooter!" Life can be ironic sometimes and some of you people who think there are "too many" carts in the parks might just end up in one yourself someday!

 

[Fla Gator]

Granted, there are some people who need the transportation assistance, but, just a guess, some of the people using the carts just don't look like they need one. If you rent one at the gate, doesn't that mean you had to walk to get there?

Is this post a joke? Can you "see" degenerative spinal disease? Can you "see" arthritis? Not unless you're carrying an x-ray machine around with you. And no, the CMs don't x-ray you to see if you need an ECV. As a previous poster said, the ECVs are quite expensive to rent. I know we didn't ever consider renting one until my MIL developed a painful spinal condition. She can walk short distances at a time -- such as from the bus stops to the gate -- but not all day. She would trade her good health back for that ECV anyday.

BTW, Disney leaves courtesy wheelchairs at the bus stops for those who *can't* walk to the gate to rent their ECV.

 

[athenna]

Is this post a joke? Can you "see" degenerative spinal disease? Can you "see" arthritis? Not unless you're carrying an x-ray machine around with you. And no, the CMs don't x-ray you to see if you need an ECV. As a previous poster said, the ECVs are quite expensive to rent. I know we didn't ever consider renting one until my MIL developed a painful spinal condition. She can walk short distances at a time -- such as from the bus stops to the gate -- but not all day. She would trade her good health back for that ECV anyday.

BTW, Disney leaves courtesy wheelchairs at the bus stops for those who *can't* walk to the gate to rent their ECV.

Well said.
You also can't see diabetes, heart disease, etc. If it wasn't for those ECV's my mother ( may she rest in peace) would never have been able to take vacations to her beloved WDW.
Anyone else think there are too many insensitive folks posting these things instead of being grateful for their good health???

 

[bobbiwoz]

My DM, 85, doesn't need one, doesn't use one, but her DBro 82, would need one and instead of doing that, he just doesn't go with us. He missed her great 85th birthday party last year, and he actually teared up a bit when he saw the pictures. We asked him if he wants to go this Dec. but no. I wish he would use one.

There are some threads on the Adults-Solo board about people who use them and have a great time. I'm going to print that thread out and send it to him, hopefully, we'll have the pleasure of his company and there'll be another ECV user this December!

Bobbi

 

[phorsenuf]

I am one of "those" with an invisible disability. After I was diagnosed we headed to Disney. I chose to walk, not wanting to give in to the fact I am disabled. Well, by the time we left Epcot on day one it took every ounce of strength I had to make it out. I left Epcot crying because I was in so much pain.
I gave in on the next trip and rented an ecv. Yes, I got alot of looks and remarks. When I would get up to stretch my legs or walk into an attraction because I knew it was a short wait (with the fastpass) you could see the stares. I was very self-concious and sometimes I questioned if I should be using it. I did not cave to the disapproving looks because if I had, I can tell you I would never go back to Disney because it is physically impossible.
I am a healthy-looking and young (41) year old woman. I do not look like I need an ecv, but why should I be denied enjoyment because to you I look fine.
Would it be more pleasing to you if I was missing a leg? Would it then be OK for me to be using an ecv?
I can walk short distances and I can stand for small amounts of time. I just cannot do it for hours on end.
The thing that really bothers me most about posts like these is that I am still trying to come to terms that I am disabled, that there are things out there I may never be able to do again. It is a very hard thing to wrap your mind about. When I see posts by people like this who complain it just makes me feel even worse that I am where I am. I pray you never end up here.

 

[Luv2Roam]

Oh dennis99ss -- you just KNEW you were going to get flamed, didn't you?
I think in most situations the truth lies in the middle of both extremes.

Yeah, there are obnoxious guests with electric carts, strollers, and even legs!
And I have seen some pretty pushy acts -- in carts, stroller, and on healthy legs.

I think many of us can see where some of your post is coming from. I have seen families switch between using carts and wheelchairs. Sometimes they are used more for a shopping cart or chair, rather than a mode of transportation.

Not all disabilities are obvious. My mother has been legally blind for years. (And in denial.) I think finally she started using her cane just to make those around her aware she had a serious vision problem.

EVERY TIME I have seen a bus have to board a handicapped person with a wheelchair or cart, but the guest walks or steps onto the bus, there is ALWAYS someone in line making a negative comment about the guest. THAT really bugs me and I say something.

I know people with disabilities who have no problem with daily, normal walk. But walking in WDW is far from daily, normal walk.

I do recall one instance in AK where luckily it was busy, but not packed. A husband and wife team driving separate carts were clipping through the crowd at a pretty good pace saying, "Beep, Beep" all the way.

Well, gotta give them credit. It was effective.
Effective enough I am tempted to say beep beep when I try walking through a crowd.

 

[ILoveDisney-Angie]

I've caught myself being judgemental at times, only to then remind myself that maybe the person who looks healthy may in fact really need one.

However, this is probably not the case (but then again, I didn't know them or their situation) but at the time I was a little annoyed.

DH and I were at Epcot last year and I was almost run over by a heavy-set woman on one of those carts. Now the reason I brought up that she was heavy-set is because (I think I'm correct in saying this) some of us tend to immediately ask ourselves if it's because she's too lazy to walk - which could actually be the case with anyone, any size. But here's the rest of the story... I had to jump out of the rest of her family's path. Her DH and DS almost plowed into me with their carts. So it was a family (all over-weight, but not so much that they couldn't walk) on electric carts. One has to wonder if they really had a medical problem that made them unable to walk the parks like the rest of us. Not to mention that they almost flattened me into a pancake. lol.

 

[WillCAD]

I don't look like I could use a "cart" and I DON"T use one either. I have very bad arthritis in my knees, bone on bone with no cartilege left and very young to have had this happen. When I go to Disney I take my arthritis medications of course, a pain medication and wear pain patches on my knees UNDER long pants. My DH sometimes begs me to use a cart, and it's because of people who give dirty looks or "think" mean things, that I refuse. So I LOVE DisneyWorld and would rather walk around in pain, sitting down frequently to take the edge off, than use a cart and have people thinking I don't need one.

So perhaps, for every person riding in those cars that don't need it, how many are like me, walking around in pain because of what people might think and how they might look at them. I don't know what happened in the incident you described, but I do know that most people that need the carts, probably don't look like they do.

And walking to the gate is one thing, being on your feet for even one hour gets painful and by the time I've been in the parks for 4 or 5, I'm sometimes almost in tears when I get back to the room. I guess in this case it might be literally better to walk in someone's shoes for a while before judging.

So I don't use a cart because of "comments" and things people might think, but still go, because I absolutely LOVE Disney and will not deny myself that, even if it hurts.

Eeyore, please reconsider and start using the ECV!

I speak as one of those heartless, cruel people who thinks that some of those in the park probably don't need ECVs, but I don't judge who does and who doesn't based on appearance, since there are many ailments that are not readily apparent. Rather, I base that judgement on my knowledge of human nature; some people always try to get over on the system.

But for someone who needs an ECV to forego use of one and suffer through agonizing pain in what is supposed to be a place of happiness and joy is unconcionable to me! No one should be made to suffer because of someone elses narrow-mindedness. Please, just ignore the imbiciles who may give you dirty looks and do what you must to make your vacation happy, healthy, and enjoyable for you and your family. Rent your ECV, ride around the parks in comfort, and have the pain-free vacation you so richly deserve.

 

[Luv2Roam]

I have to add that others I know who are disabled I have ALWAYS told them Disney is the BEST place for a disabled person go on vacation. I think Disney REALLY does all it can to make EVERYONE feel part of the crowd and have a magical visit.

 

[Schmeck]

Why are there so many people dependant on ECVs now? What did they do before ECVs were invented? I know, they were not able to go to WDW (and that's horrible, seriously!) but how did they get around? Why does it seem to me that there are just so many more disabled people than 20-30 years ago?

Please, this is not meant to demean any disabled person. I work with disabled students, I see the challenges they face in a very non-accessible world. Did we just hide the physically disabled away, or has there been a rapid increase of disabilities?

OTOH, if I was 'beeped' at by two speeding carts, I'd be tempted to tell them to slow down! One of the students at the school I work at has a nasty habit of speeding in his electric wheelchair, going twice as fast as the flow of student traffic. It's rude and dangerous, as students have to jump out of his way or get run over.

 

[Vivianne]

People who use these carts should operate them carefully. An inflicted injury on an able bodied person is not justified. I don't judge anyone who uses these carts. Just don't try to run over me with one. Take the time to understand how to operate it.