Any Perks Wheel Chair Guests Get are WELL DESERVED!

[Disney Debbie]

This might get moved - but I hope it doesn't. This is an issue that people NOT in wheelchairs need to be aware of. My mother had to use a wheelchair last Tuesday when we went to WDW because she's having problems with her knee. This is an eye opening experience for ANYONE who's ever begrudged wheelchairs special lines or access or gotten mad at them for "hitting" them! I can't tell you how many people walked right in front of us while we were pushing her and then turned and gave me a dirty look like it was my fault! I can honestly say that there was only one time that I clipped someone accidentally that was my fault - every other time they just walked right across our path or jumped in front of me before I could do anything. The worst was waiting for Fantasmic - the CM told us to go toward the left to get to the wheelchair lane - but we were jam packed in a crowd waiting to be let in for 30 minutes before we could get up to the lane. I'd try and leave some room in front of her so that I wouldn't bump anyone - and people would take that as an "invitation" to get in that space - and then glare at me when they'd get bumped! There was one teen age boy who literally STRADDLED my mother's leg - or he did for the 15 seconds it took me to tell him that was a PERSON there and to move it! When we FINALLY got to the wheelchair lane it was wonderful - and I'm sure there were plenty of people griping about it - but I sure do see why they're necessary. If I'd had to go through the whole Fantasmic line in that crowd - I would have just given up and turned around.

I know a lot of folks just plain don't see the wheelchair because they aren't looking - but some folks are just plain rude.

 

[TinkerGal]

My mom, being in her 70's, felt this was her last chance to see the World, but refused my offers of a wheelchair. In fact, she got along better than I most days We empathized with those in wheelchairs at WDW. My father spent many years in a wheelchair and they traveled frequently. Mom knew the difficulties involved going from point A to B and was flabergasted by the situations seen around WDW. Having to wait for hours for a bus that could accommodate them because they were using an ECV or the bus was already at standing room only. We were at guest services at our resort one morning behind a gentlemen in a personal ECV that was just trying to get to MK with his family! This was around 10am and his family had left on an earlier bus (after missing the park opening) because the bus driver assured him the next bus would be able to take him. Apparently busses came and went without him for hours
We were on a full bus one morning that was making its various stops around the resort when at the last stop the friver got off to tell the family w/a wheelchair that since the bus was already full, they would have to wait. I overheard them say they had been waiting for an unfull bus to come! I wish WDW would make arrangements for these situations... either wheelchair only special busses, or send another bus directly over that can handle them.
Another time, at the bus stop at MK after Wishes in the pouring rain, when a bus finally arrived a woman stopped the driver to ask her something or other. The CM stopped loading an elderly woman in a wheelchair to answer this other womans questions, thus leaving the poor soul sitting in her wheelchair on the loading ramp in the rain!!!
The blatant disregard by CM's and others for the wheelchair bound is quite sad

 

[TinkerGal]

Originally posted by Disney Debbie
This is an eye opening experience for ANYONE who's ever begrudged wheelchairs special lines or access or gotten mad at them for "hitting" them!

Forgot to add.... when my parents were in those types of situations, to get the pressure off my mom who might have accidently hit someone with the wheelchair after they crossed into their path.. my dad would stick his foot out and kick em!

 

[DonnaSue]

I have often thought the same thing!!! I cannot even imagine all of the special difficulties it puts on the person in the wheelchair or ECV and their fmilies. And people act like they are just a bother to be in the same vicinity as them!!! I agree that they deserve every little perk they could possibly get, knowing that doesn't even begin to make up for the overall inconvenience!!!

Donna

 

[Figaro]

I've been going to WDW with my wheelchair for quite a few years now. My spouse and I have a tradition. On our first morning after we are ready to head out of the room for our first day at the parks he asks me if I am ready to roll. I tell him that I am and say: "Let's go and rob a bank since no one can see us"(smile). We laugh and then head off to the magic knowing that most people are fine, quite a few are wonderful and that we tend to remember the very few that aren't very nice.

A dear friend calls it "vacation brain drain." And I think that is pretty much what happens. There is so much to see, hear, smell and feel that it gets overwhelming. People get tired and forget to pay attention to what is going on around them. The best way to handle it is to realize that with a wheelchair NOTHING is going to go very quickly and that we have to stop and smell the roses (well, I would if I could get close enough to them)(smile).

WDW is one of the best places I know to spend time at, wheelchair or not!

 

[Schmeck]

Don't forget though, that a wheelchair is much lower than the height of an average adult - sometimes you just don't see the wheelchair in a crowd, just a mistaken 'open space'. It's most often an honest mistake, I believe, when someone gets in someone else's way.

With the new GAC system, people in wheelchairs do not get too many perks these days, as most lines are wheelchair accessible, etc.

 

[HopperFan]

My child is multi-handicapped and will never be independent.....and I totally agree with you...............IF the person in the wheelchair is legitimate.

It is all to common (we see it every trip) for people to abuse the system since there is no required doctors notes or documentation that this person needs the wheelchair or gac. Our local amusement park requires medical documentation.

One visit we went there was a very large family (they stood out) and at each ride a different child was in the wheelchair. They would approach the line expecting special treatment. At times none of them were using it, it was holding packages.

Our last trip we were at EPCOT, crossing paths numerous times with an adult DD and her mother. They were again using the wheelchair to their advantage. We ended up at the bus stop with them to go home. It took her over 15 minutes to drive her ecv on and park, because she wasn't very good at it (first hint). Back at the hotel - AKL - a large hotel, she suddenly didn't need it. She was walking ALL OVER the place with her arms laden with refillable mug, food, book, towel......they obviously were abusing the system. Even with a hidden disability where she could walk with out it, she still would not have been walking such distances with so much in her arms, navigating around the pool etc.

AGAIN I TOTALLY agree there is NO excuse for rudeness and unkindness to those who need assistance. I know my child sticks out like a sore thumb and there are those people who continue to either ignore his existance or are rude and unkind. But as long as people are continuing to use wheelchairs or GAC passes to try to scam the system, others will continue negative behavior towards our family members who deserve a break in life.

I have to believe that MOST people would not want to offend or hurt my child or others with needs !

 

[HollyJoy]

People are just very disrespectful! My FIL uses a wheelchair often due to arthritis in his feet (he's always in pain), and we experience the same problems as you did at WDW, but just in regular stores! It's like the person in the wheelchair is invisible, or they feel like they can hurry around them. INSANE! FIL will be going to WDW with us in December, sad to know that it will happen there as well. Ugh.

 

[bairdbeth]

I just found out I have a herniated disc and I may have to use a scooter at WDW. I don't know how I will do with long distance walking. I am so afraid that I will run over someone if I do have to use one. I know the difficulties many of my friends with MDA have in crowds with their motorized chairs. I tried getting into my friends to park it out of the way when she was in bed and I ran myself into the wall. I would hate to do that to a person! I'm sure I will get looks as if I am abusing the system as I will get out and walk through the line as long as I am able. I also will have no idea how to park it on the bus. If I do use a scooter, I have prepared myself to be one of the "invisible". My friends in chairs talk of this often! Oh well, better to deal with a hurt back at WDW than at home anyday!

 

[Chuck S]

bairdbeth,

If I may make a suggestion...
prior to your trip perhaps you could go to a local grocery store or Wal-Mart that has ECV for customers to use while shopping and get a feel for the basic operation of a scooter. It will, of course, vary some from model to model, but you would be able to get used to genaral clearances and turning radius. As far as the busses, they are NOT extremely easy, even for experienced users, to board with an ECV, expect to "thud" in to things. I travel with my Mom, she travels with her own manual wheelchair, and we have found it easier to simply drive to and from the parks. The handicap parking is generally convenient, the exception being at MK, but fortunately Mom is fairly light weight and her chair rolls well to go under that bridge and up the ramps.

All the previous posters are correct, when I push her in the parks, I can not look at scenery or take in the overall "feel" of an area because I constantly have to "drive defensively". We generally avoid the parks during school vacation times, because kids just more naturally are "emersed" in the magic, and pay no attention to where they are walking, standing, or sitting. And for adults PLEASE, if you have to stop to look at a map or read a show schedule do NOT stop in the middle of the pathways, move yourself AND your party to the side so other guests can pass you safely. A little common courtesy goes a long way.

 

[DW Goofy]

My mom is 81 and needs to use a ECV because of a stroke she suffered a few years ago. Well we were in Vegas at NY NY late one night. As we were strolling along, out of a bar comes a young guy who never sees my mom and crashes right into the side of her cart. Tumbling over it and onto the ground. The three wheel vehicle of course rocked pretty good. I immediately rushed to my mom's side to see if she was ok. She had her head down and I was afraid she was hurt. I asked "are you ok?" at which she looked up at me, laughing like crazy and stated "I got one!". I couldn't believe it but as you all know we had put up with quite a bit all day long and this topped off the day. I can still hear the guy walking away crying as to how he hurt. Still don't think he knew what he ran into. But it made for a great laugh. And my mom "got one"!!! lol

 

[HunnyPots]

Disney Debbie, my 16 year old dd would totally agree with you. We spent the first week in June in WDW with dd in a wheelchair for the first part of the trip. Four days before we were scheduled to leave on our trip, she fell out of a treehouse and ruptured four tendons in her foot. Those wheelchair days were miserable for her. First, she was in pain. Second, she said all she could see was butts! Third, she absolutely HATED the feeling of being out of control from having someone else pushing her.

We also experienced the feeling of invisibility. We got the dirty looks from those who found out too late that we could not stop on a dime when they stepped in front of her chair. I had to tell two mothers that my daughter did not want their children leaning on her chair while waiting for Spectro.

Yes, there were a few perks, if you could call them that. We got to get right on Haunted Mansion, but it meant missing the stretching room since she couldn't stand that long. We were seated first in Philharmagic, but the wheelchair row is at the very back of the room and seeing over everyone in front of you is difficult. We were seated first in Hall of Presidents, but had to park at the end of the row where viewing isn't nearly as good as in the middle.

By the end of the week she could walk a little and was so happy, but she also came away with a whole new appreciation for her normally healthy legs and feet. She also had a deeper sympathy for those we saw in the parks that will never get out of their wheelchairs.

 

[bairdbeth]

Good idea Chuck S, Thanks! DW Goofy, that is priceless. Hopefully I won't have to use a scooter, but I better practice just in case!

 

[disneyholic family]

i don't think anyone is bothered by guests in wheelchairs getting special treatment....
what has always irritated me were the people who were obviously abusing the system to get special treatment....
2 years ago, we were (stupidly) at the MK on a saturday with my then 75 year old mom....
we were walking along on the bridge to tomorrowland, when my mom was suddenly knocked down by a rampaging wheelchair.....it was a group of people in their late teens/early 20's.....a kind of scruffy brunch who were racing along at full speed (despite the massive crowds of people) pushing an empty wheelchair......as they approached the first attraction, one of them hopped into the wheelchair...

meanwhile, they never stopped to help my mom, who they had knocked over in their haste....nor did they even slow down to say they're sorry...
my mom, needless to say, was seriously hurt by the fall.....she had a gash in her leg from where the wheelchair had hit it, and she was bruised from the fall itself...

as i said, it was stupid of us to go to the magic kingdom on a saturday afternoon.......but it would have been ok if not for that group of wheelchair abusers...

 

[Mymatisse]

Two quick things:

1. There are rude people everywhere you go. Wheelchair or not, it's not fun having someone walk into you as if you are not even there. Unfortunately, when you go to Disney World in a busy season you run the risk.

2. As far as making assumptions about people taking advantage of wheelchair use, I think you need to be careful. There are obvious situations, ie: when kids are racing a wheel chair and no one's sitting in it. However, just because you see someone using an ECV or wheelchair during the day and then see them at some point not using it doesn't mean they are abusing the system. There are some people who have conditions in flex and are at times very debilitating, and at other times they are perfectly fine. Don't be so quick to judge.

 

[BrianD]

I would like to add that getting a GAC is not as easy as getting a wheelchair. Anyone can go rent a wheelchair (or ECV) without any reason. But, in order to get a GAC, you have to go to Guest Relations and explain the situation as to why you need a GAC, and what kind of special considerations you need stamped on the GAC. Also, the CMs at Guest Relations are well trained when it comes to giving out GACs and they are probably pretty good at determining if someone has a legitimate need for one.

As for people bumping into wheelchairs, this same problem exists with strollers. In fact, the same problem exists, even if you're walking. I can't tell you how many times, every trip, that I end up running into someone or just barely miss running into someone, because some people have just determined to not ever yield to anyone and assume that everyone will just move right out of their way.

 

[TinkerGal]

Brian, I couldn't agree with you more. While Mom & I sympathized with the wheelchair users, I was able to identify too with the stroller users.... well most of them. There were the exceptions like the woman that insisted on standing in front of us with a stroller and child that refused to sit in the stroller (and wouldn't be able to see the parade if he had) for Wishes thus blocking the walkway even after numerous CM's told her that she couldn't stand there. It was my family's feet being stepped on as people passed, not hers. She finally did have to leave when a group of CM's came. Or after Wishes as the masses were exiting, I was unlucky enough to get in front of a stroller... or they behind me. In the crunch I was repeatedly ran into by the stroller and the mother was cursing me for not moving out of her way. Believe me, if I could I would which is exactly what I told her when she was able to push (yes, PUSH) past us.... I can only go as fast as the people in front of me, and oops, stroller return is on the left not right
Common Sense people, please.
My mom & I spent alot of time 'training' my DS's on the art of manners and to be aware of their surroundings, not just the scenery, while at WDW.

 

[Lora]

Originally posted by Mymatisse

2. As far as making assumptions about people taking advantage of wheelchair use, I think you need to be careful.

I have to agree here...

My mom used an ECV on our last visit. I certainly won't go into details about her reason, but it was legitimate. She felt so guilty for using some of the wheelchair entrances that sometimes she parked and walked. She had no reason to feel guilty since she really should have avoided the walking - or even standing at that point, but she couldn't help but worry what people were thinking.

It was amazing how people cut right in front of her when we were in line. She didn't want to get too close to people and risk hitting them with the ECV, so she left a space. People would just move right into the space and not realize she was there.

 

[SharonS]

I take my Mom down to WDW 4 times a year. She is unable to walk without assistance from me. We always get a 'push' wheelchair, because she is afraid of an ECV.

By the end of a week, I have really had it. We have met many wonderful kind people, but there are also many rude, inconsiderate folks. People continually trying to 'sneak' into the handicapped parade viewing areas and then attempting to stand for the parade, thus completely blocking the view of someone in a wheelchair. AK is also brutal with a wheelchair. My Mom really enjoys watching the gorillas. I am amazed at the number of adults who will look you in the face and not make room for the wheelchair so she can see. It also amazes me how many parents allow their children to crawl over the person in the wheelchair when you are in front of the glass near the gorillas.

I often wish that many of these people could spend 1 day either in the wheelchair or pushing one. Then they might understand and be a little more considerate.

 

[Figaro]

I think what happens with wheelchairs, ECV's and strollers is that the "footprint" is so different from when a person is walking. Normally human beings don't have much of a problem walking in crowds without smacking into each other(smile). With a person who is in a vehicle while in crowds, the head is centered over the torso, but the feet are out in front. When we move automatically, we tend to move where we see the head and that is part of what can cause the problems with bumping into people.