Anyone else notice the Electric Wheelchair abuse at WDW?

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Perhaps it would be less "abused" if it was done similar to how IOA/US does it? Or atleast how they USED to do it... it's been since Christmas/NYE time of 2003 since I experienced it. By the end of our trip- and on our last day at IOA/US my back was killing me (injured from recent vehicle accident) -so I inquired about renting an ECV and it was EXPENSIVE- because I couldn't prove a disability or real "reason" for it and it cost a higher price unless you could prove it. I paid the higher rate, so that I was able to zip around keeping up with my family, but I didn't get out and ride rides with them. There you have to park it and walk/stand in the lines in order to ride things- or atleast the things my family wanted to ride. So I'd wait sitting there until they went through the line and rode the rides. (ie: I definitely didn't use it for any "advantage" by having it. I only rode the rides where I was able to drive it up in the line- which wasn't many of the rides).

I don't know how much they cost at Disney but I'm assuming it's one price for everyone... maybe if it cost more unless you could prove your need for it- it would deter those that don't really need it? Just a thought...

 

[Talking Hands]

I'm one that people sometimes think I am abusing the system using a electric wheelchair. I look healthy but overweight. What they don't see is the multiple medical problems I have (diabetic neuropathy, CHF, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, neurofibromatosis, and sciatica) I have good and bad days. On a good day I can walk around school or church just fine but on a bad day forget it. That wheelchair is my independence. I will get up and walk a bit but an entire day at Disney. No way I can handle that.
Just before Christmas I went on a field trip without the wheelchair. I paid for it with the following three days in bed. No worth it.

 

[minijeanie]

agreed, there are many people who do not look like they need a wheelchair but are in one...but my major pet peeves with wheelchairs is that ..........
on many occassions at WDW, when all strollers were rented out (I presume), people have bought wheelchairs and put their kids in them. Many times I have seen 2 kids in a wheelchair at one time,,,they got to front of line....and quite honestly nothing that I could see were visibly wrong with them

on one occassion, I seen kids and teens taking turns sitting in it.

many,many times I have seen parents rent wheelchairs for their kids rather than strollers. Is it cheaper?? or is it that you can fit 2 kids in a wheelchair (cheaper) than renting a double stroller

 

[Magickndm]

I do get a little frustrated when I am trying to walk through the park and someone in an ECV will cut me off and nearly run over my feet and not even stop to apologize. I have also bee there with my boyfriend and his children (5 and 6 at the time) and on a few different occasions they were literally ran into by people on ECVs and no one apologized. It made me mad because while I feel that they may need that ECV I do not think that it gives them license to be reckless and disregard the people walking around them. I wouldn't intentionally cut off someone in an ECV or walk into them and if I did I would most definitely apologize and let them know it was an accident. I may get flamed but I think that the same thing can be said for alot of people who push strollers through the parks

On the flip side of that, I have gone to the parks many times with my aunt who uses an EVC and I can never believe how rude people are to her. She gets cut off constantly, it was as if she isn't even there. In lines at the restaurants, gift shops, everywhere, and very seldom did anyone say sorry. And if she waits sweetly for people to let her through a crowd, forget about it! We'd be waiting all day.

 

[LuvN~Travel]

Agreeing with the others...you can't always tell who might have reasons for wanting a chair, electric or not. ( in our daughter's case, we use the manual, way cheaper to rent!). Here is a link to pictures we took back in '97 when she was eight. She had a sixty degree curve to her spine and had back surgery about six months later. You can't tell that from the pictures, though. I know many people were wondering while we were there, why an 'apparently' healthy child was in a wheel chair. Also, when we went this past November, we put her in one then, too. She has no stamina, and can get fatigued too easily. We were just thankful she was in the chair when she had a seizure one of those days, too.
Yes, many do abuse it, but I'd rather give the benefit of the doubt....
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Garden/9601/epcot3.html

Kim

 

[phillybeth]

Agreeing with the others...you can't always tell who might have reasons for wanting a chair, electric or not.

I agree. On our most recent trip my DH decided to get an ECV one day. I'm sure most people looked and thought that he was just a young fat lazy guy, when in actually he is recovering from knee surgery (and has permanent damage to the joint) and is a recently-diagnosed asthmatic still trying to get his condition under control with meds.

 

[dbanzai]

My usual Disney travel buddy is diabetic. He's in his early 40's and for the most part is healthy, yet partially becuase of the diabetes his feet become painful and blistery very quick.

He'll rent a regular wheelchair whenever we go to the parks. I think he's thought about using an electic one, but I like pushing him around... At least in this sense. Once or twice when he did feel like walking, he'd walk and for fun or for a break, one of the other people he was with would sit for a while and be pushed.

I'm not justifying people who abuse the scooters, but I wanted to add my support to those saying that sometimes there are relatively healthy(-looking) people who may not look like they need the help, but they do.

 

[disneygoof]

I was mostly frustrated with the drunken joy-riding thru Epcot. This past trip it was half a dozen kids near the International Gateway. But, we also encountered a very similar situation back in September near France & Morrocco in Epcot. A whole group of young adults (we know they were all drinking, as they were all carrying their drinks along with them) - they were probably going as fast as those ECV's would go & just zooming in & out of large crowds of guests...

I would add that this is EXTREMELY troubling. If this is the beginning of a trend, it's a dangerous one. Kids, I say kids because they sound like they weren't behaving like adults, renting ecv's to, what, drink around the world faster? I don't want to think about them losing control and hitting someone, child or adult. The results could be tragic.

I think making someone sign something that states what their disability is so that people don't make these Segway substitutes would be helpful. Also, Disney is not releasing themselves from liability if they rent out a 70 pound motorized machine to someone who wants to joyride in a public area that allows open containers. The innocent victim run down by the vehicles would have a case for a major lawsuit, lets just hope that would be the worst of it.

Just another reason why I don't think Epcot is for children...

 

[nanatink]

A cm should have been notified and contacted security for the reckless behavor of the kids.

 

[ladydancer]

I am another person who could be a person renting a chair but look and act healthy. I am 51 years old. I have a knee that needs to be replaced. I am trying to walk as much as possible but at times becomes very painful.

I didn't rent a chair on our last trip although I should have. I had to keep stopping and rest my knee just to walk a little farther and stop again. I was in alot of pain. If I were to ride in the chair I would be able to walk in a gift shop for a short time or walk into a resturant. I'm sure people would wonder why I was in the chair.

When I finally got home I was unable to walk with out crutches for about a week.

 

[WaltD4Me]

While I agree no one should be "joy riding" around on an ECV, please keep in mind you never know the whole story.

We went in December my mom got an ECV everyday, she never would have been able to make it without one because she has heel spurs (very painful)
She can walk, but not for long distances or long periods of time. So even though you may have seen her get off the ECV and walk, that doesn't mean she doesn't need an ECV. And at one point I rode the ECV for her through the park because she and my dad wanted to take the train back to the main enterance and you can't take ECV's on the train. I'm sure people wondered what I needed it for too.

My mom didn't need to show any kind of doctor's letter, the only requirement is that you are over 18...and honestly I don't think requiring a doctor's note would be fair, I'm sure my mom's doctor would have given her one, but there are other things that people might require an ECV to enjoy their vacation, but that a doctor might not want to give a note for. I tend to think if someone is willing to pay the daily rental fee, there must be some sort of reason for it, even if it isn't always apparent.


Lisa

 

[kathleena]

While I have no patience for someone who uses a wheelchair when they don't need it, I do want to relate a personal story of my illness a year ago.

I have Graves Disease, which causes hyperthyroidism. At the worst part of the disease, I would be exhausted after minimal walking around (i.e. at work) in 1-2 hours. When thinking about going to Disney, I realized I would need a schooter to get around all day, although I could still get out and walk some - to go in restaurants, to wait in line for rides. Basically - I would look very "normal" to everyone but I would tire out very quickly if I was walking.. To put in perspective - when I would go grocery shopping I had to park in the hcp space and could shop for no more than one maybe two bags and I would collapse in the car after I was so tired. There is no way I could be in the parks without a scooter.

Before you judge someone who can - say - get up and go get food for the family - remember that there is much more than meets the eye.

Which is NOT to defend anyone that purposely uses one when they dont' need it!

 

[sk!mom]

I posted something similar to this after our June trip and got flamed. When we were there in June, the gridlock caused by strollers, scooters, and wheelchairs was incredible. I don't begrudge anyone who needs it having it but I think that Disney is going to have to eventually deal with the situation. Maybe having pedestrian only paths would help. At crowded times, after shows, parades, or fireworks, you can hardly move with all the wheeled transportation causing a hazard.

We saw a man actually injured (cut on the back of his leg) by an empty stroller ramming into him as we left Epcot after Illuminations. I don't have a solution but I agree that it seems to be out of hand.

On our last trip we were traveling with a 5 year old who walked all week in the June heat without a problem. Granted this is an active child, in great shape, excited to be at Disney who probably hasn't been in a stroller since age 3. My sister was prepared to rent one if he had gotten overly tired but we wanted to try without it so that we wouldn't be fighting the crowds with a stroller.

 

[seashoreCM]

There is a solution --- more security.

Treat any incident where someone was injured like a traffic accident.

 

[senecabeach]

I think you have to be careful not to assume someone doesn't need a scooter or wheelchair simply because you see them utilizing a combination of walking and riding. Besides, it's not like scooter or wheelchair riders get front-of-line passes or anything. They have the ability to wait in a private, usually shaded, area, but they still have to wait. And, while they may get a bit of special viewing space during IllumiNations or something, it takes them a lot longer to maneuver their way out of the space and it can be a lot more difficult to get through the lines.

HOORAY!!!!!!!


Yes...people are rude and ignorant..everywhere.. even and especially some lucky, healthy walkers.

You know the old saying "people should walk in my shoes...etc""

My friend has mild MS and always uses an EVC @ WDW. Sometimes , after riding for a long time..she needs to get up and walk for a while..and yes..I drive the ECV.

Don't think its anyone's business to stereotype...period

 

[dreamscometrue47]

Not every 5 year old is the same, nor is every 40 year old, nor 70 year old, etc. etc. But I have also bumped into people, walking on my own two feet in a crowd of people, leaving a parade, fireworks, etc. I've always received a smile or an apology for the bumping, and have always offered one of my own when it's been MY bump, too. In about 20 trips, I've never had a problem with misuse of wheelchairs or ECV's. Either I'm REALLY living in Fantasyland, or I have had good luck, or I'm just an easy go lucky person when in WDW.

 

[gonga]

My question is why would anyone think that someone in a wheelchair/ECV is taking the easy way out or abusing Abusing what?? Do you really think that just because you are sitting and not walking it is more fun? Do you think getting around on wheels, having to struggle to get to the bathroom, find a place to sit in restaurants, even looking for the dip in the sidewalk to get to where you have to go, is wheelcahir abuse?

What do you expect a person in a wheelchair to look like? For example, someone could be dying of cancer, look perfectly normal to you, and it could be their last vacation with their famliy.

I would bet my last dollar that anyone in a wheelchair would do anything not to be there.

Instead of thinking someone is "abusing" a wheelchair, show some compassion. Why not be kind by not pushing, cutting off, or acting like people in wheelchairs are invisible. Why not instead think about what it may be like for that person sitting in a chair, being ignored and pushed around and most horrific of all having to look at butts all day.

I'm sorry to go off like this but we all need some tolerance and understanding of others, regardless of what it may appear like to you.

 

[alicenwonder99]

My question is why would anyone think that someone in a wheelchair/ECV is taking the easy way out or abusing Abusing what?? Do you really think that just because you are sitting and not walking it is more fun? Do you think getting around on wheels, having to struggle to get to the bathroom, find a place to sit in restaurants, even looking for the dip in the sidewalk to get to where you have to go, is wheelcahir abuse?

What do you expect a person in a wheelchair to look like? For example, someone could be dying of cancer, look perfectly normal to you, and it could be their last vacation with their famliy.

I would bet my last dollar that anyone in a wheelchair would do anything not to be there.

Instead of thinking someone is "abusing" a wheelchair, show some compassion. Why not be kind by not pushing, cutting off, or acting like people in wheelchairs are invisible. Why not instead think about what it may be like for that person sitting in a chair, being ignored and pushed around and most horrific of all having to look at butts all day.

I'm sorry to go off like this but we all need some tolerance and understanding of others, regardless of what it may appear like to you.

I couldn't have said it better myself!!

I'm shocked at the posts in this thread that mention how people just "know" others fake the wheelchair/evc need. How does someone know that? Just by looking at them? You had better pray right now that you never have a child born with a problem that would prevent him/her from walking on their own in WDW! Unlike some posters on this thread, when I see someone in a wheelchair who looks otherwise healthy, I always think to myself that this person probably has a heart condition, or a lung condition...I don't think they are a faker!

And suppose someone is faking it? So what...how does that affect your trip to WDW? Or maybe I'm just being too naive and give everyone the benefit of a doubt. But either way, my family has had their share of illnesses and health problems so I don't judge.

Mary

 

[LindsayDunn228]

I posted something similar to this after our June trip and got flamed. When we were there in June, the gridlock caused by strollers, scooters, and wheelchairs was incredible. I don't begrudge anyone who needs it having it but I think that Disney is going to have to eventually deal with the situation. Maybe having pedestrian only paths would help. At crowded times, after shows, parades, or fireworks, you can hardly move with all the wheeled transportation causing a hazard.

I have my own wheelchair, not a rented "director's seat" chair. I push it myself, no one is pushing me most of the time. I am very careful and considerate of others as far as wheelchair traffic goes. If I run into someone by my own fault, I will readily apologize. I will not degrade myself to a freaking "wheelchair path" just because some wheelchair/strollers/ECV users can be rude and inconsiderate. This is 2005 ma'am. I will not go to the back of the bus.

Sk!mom, I'm assuming you are a mother when I say this, I hope and pray you aren't teaching your children these archaic ideas.

 

[Toby]

My husband and I and friends were leaving Fantasmic one night recently and got caught in the crush leaving. In back of us were two people on ECV's who kept beeping, beeping their horn so everyone would get out of their way so they could leave faster!! Hello?? Sorry, but we're all in this together.....the incessant horn doesn't endear anyone to the masses who have to walk!! I just wish people would be considerate with strollers, wheelchairs, etc. Twice my friend got hit in the ankle with a wheelchair - person pushing it was looking off in the distance, and then by a stroller. Woman smiled, then went on her merry way...Disney should definately have a "pedestrian" walkway only...It's hard to be in the middle of a stroller "convoy" down Main Street, and not get run over. And PLEASE, PLEASE, don't stop suddenly to read the map in the middle of the walkway...