Back from WDW. I've got a few questions and comments.

[ogreenlee]

First of all, we had a good time overall. My DD3 loved meeting all the characters, and both Crystal Palace and Chef Mickey's were worth the money. The food was good at both places. Shades Of Green left me wanting a little more, but overall was very nice especially for the price. We only had two days in the parks, and ended up in Magic Kingdom both days b/c we barely got out of Fantasyland on the first day.


Ok, here's my first question: Why did so many rides shut down while we were on them? It must have happened on every other ride we got on... halfway thru, the ride just stopped, and then started back after a minute. I assumed it was to let the ECV users onto the rides that have moving conveyor belts.

And for my comments: I saw three sets of families using the ECVs. I know I'm about to get flamed, and I don't care. This was just flat out ridiculous. When you have a mom, pop & their kid all on ECV's, and the only visible problem they have is being morbidly obese, then it's not a genetic problem, but an overeating problem. I even saw an entire family on ECV's in the smoking section hanging out smoking their cigs.

I understand and sympathize with those who have medical problems, but the majority of the folks using these vehicles do not have any medical problems except for bad knees and ankles. Should they be denied a vacation because of their weight? Of course not, but WDW is so wonderfully accomodating to folks with special needs that they are taken advantage of by people who have nowhere else to go, b/c of the lack of accomodations in most vacation spots. It warms my heart that there is a wonderful place on earth for people who have special needs to vacation comfortably, but the buck stops there. Do I know who has medical problems or not? No, and I'm not pointing fingers at any particular ECV user. I just know that statistics would say that the majority of the extremely overweight are not that way because of thyroid problems or what have you, and the majority of the people using these ECVs are overweight.

WDW has become a playground for the morbidly obese. I've never in my life seen so many extremely overweight people in one place at one time, and I've never seen so many ECV users at WDW. I guess it's a sign of the times.

Now go ahead and call me ignorant and insensitive, but know that there are MANY people here and outside of this board who agree with me. They may not say it due to the high sensitivity level on this board regarding this issue, but they exist. I love Disney just as much as the next person around here, so I should be allowed to give my opinion as I see it.

 

[kamehameha]

No, I won't flame you. I, too, noticed this regarding the ECVs. I live close to Six Flags and go almost everyday in the summer and do not see anyone using the ECVs unless they are handicapped; however, I was surprised by the number of people who used the ECVs at WDW.

I got a massage while at WDW and asked the girl giving me the massage about it. She said that if you have an ECV that you get priviledges--like getting at the front of the line at busy rides--maybe that is why they are so popular?? But I don't know if this is true or not?

 

[motofox4]

ogreenlee, i just want to comment on your post.. my b/f and i were there in september for about a week and in that time we visited the MK the most, just something about it kept drawing me (and led him to follow,LOL) back. i love it there. we didn't have the same experience with rides shutting down, just a few times on splash mountain it stopped for a minute or 2 and then started up again. other than that, we didn't have any problems.

now on to the comment on people using the ECVs. i have to agree with you 100% - we saw way more ECVs then normal and noticed too that 99% of the people we saw on them didn't appear to have any medical problem other than just being extremely overweight and could easily lose their breath walking around the parks. while the ECVs do make it easier for people with medical problems and overweight people to get around, i think they should be limited to being used only by people with "real" medical problems, not just because they're overweight. ECVs shouldn't be used as an alternative to walking - if you're so overweight (And not because of thyroid problems either), then do something about the weight issue to lose the weight and don't use the ECV as an excuse to keep eating unhealthy and gaining more and more weight. ECVs, in my opinion, are just making it easier for obese people to get around and not do something about losing the weight they need to lose and it's not fair to the people who really need to use them - people are just getting lazier and lazier and seeing someone who is obviously at least 100 lbs. overweight riding around on their ECV smoking cigarettes and steering with one hand and a mickey ice cream bar in the other really shows it. of course, this is just my opinion.. i'm sure others will disagree but it certainly is the way it appears.

 

[happybratpack]

This was just flat out ridiculous. When you have a mom, pop & their kid all on ECV's, and the only visible problem they have is being morbidly obese, then it's not a genetic problem, but an overeating problem. I even saw an entire family on ECV's in the smoking section hanging out smoking their cigs.

I understand and sympathize with those who have medical problems, but the majority of the folks using these vehicles do not have any medical problems except for bad knees and ankles.

Wow. Just wow. I hope to God you or yours never have an "invisible" medical issue, I don't know how you'll stand yourself.

 

[CheshireVal]

I agree with you in that I wish there were a way to regulate ECV use so that only people with legitimate medical problems could use them.

However, there's not a way to do that. And, I'm sure numerous people are going to come along very shortly to let you know (in no uncertain terms) that legitimate medical problems aren't always visible and that obese people do often suffer from medical conditions. (Though that, to me, begs the question-- which came first?)

So, with that being said, I will sit back and watch.

 

[disneygal33]

I won't flame you. I think you make some very valid points. There is a major weight problem in this country and most of the time it's not from medical reasons. I think it's sickening and unfair to the rest of us when people use their obesity as a handicap. I am all for making ECV's available for those who are handicapped. I also have no problem with the special entrances for the ECV's but I have a major problem with taking advantage of something meant for those who really need it.

 

[laceemouse]

I agree with you in that I wish there were a way to regulate ECV use so that only people with legitimate medical problems could use them.

However, there's not a way to do that. And, I'm sure numerous people are going to come along very shortly to let you know (in no uncertain terms) that legitimate medical problems aren't always visible and that obese people do often suffer from medical conditions. (Though that, to me, begs the question-- which came first?)

So, with that being said, I will sit back and watch.

Well, I used to work for the government making determinations for people applying to get Social Security Disability. There is an entire section on obesity, but a person can NOT get disability payments just for being obese. They have to also have at least 2 related health issues caused by the weight problem (HBP, diabetes, knee, back and/or ankle problems, etc.) It is no surprise that these people do indeed have real health problems. I have to say it is just a sad sign of the times that they either don't realize what is causing the problems or don't care. But, I also know how hard it is to lose weight and keep it off having struggled myself for years to do so !

 

[babslittleones]

All I can is "OH MY"...
I'm not going to post my opinion on this one...

I'm also going to just get out the popcorn and watch the drama unfold regarding these issues...

 

[laceemouse]

I have to add I am no where NEAR needing an ECV. I think it would bug me big time to move that slowly! I was thrilled when we got to the point where we could ditch the strollers!!!

 

[ogreenlee]

Wow. Just wow. I hope to God you or yours never have an "invisible" medical issue, I don't know how you'll stand yourself.

How do you know that me or mine don't?


And most of the folks using these ECVs had VERY visible problems, and I'm sure that a small handful of those folks had an invisible problem which attributed to their need for an ECV. However, I doubt seriously that most of the morbidly obese people had invisible problems at all. The medical problems most likely came after the obesity, not before.


And yes, anyone using the ECVs get special priveleges like being ushered to the front of the lines.

I guarantee you that the folks who really deserve and need the ECVs want anything to do with them, and would give their left arm to be able to walk thru the parks.

 

[Crankyshank]

Ever consider many of these people might be obese because the same medical condition that prevents them from walking long distances also prevents them from exercising?

 

[laceemouse]

All I can is "OH MY"...
I'm not going to post my opinion on this one...

I'm also going to just get out the popcorn and watch the drama unfold regarding these issues...

Soooo, you don't believe there are people in this world who would say "Hey, if we use those wheel chair thingy's we can get to the front of every line and who wants to do all of that walking anyway!"
Of course there are people at WDW with legitimate health issues, it just seems to be more than any of us have ever seen anywhere else.
YMMV!!

 

[TomB'sWidow]

Well on the last trip I had with my husband, he was in an ECV and his stomach was really huge and it wasn't due to weight he had lung cancer
and his tumor took up not just his lung but other organs in his chest he died one month to the day after that trip. I'm sure your perception of him would be as you stated before and you are right to your opinion but sometimes things are not as they seem.

 

[laceemouse]

Ever consider many of these people might be obese because the same medical condition that prevents them from walking long distances also prevents them from exercising?

Or maybe a vicious cycle??

 

[DawnMarie]

I agree that the ECV's should be reserved for persons with medical related problems. I am an obese person and I don't consider my wieght a handicap. I'm sure some people with weight problems do have serious issues which may or may not be weight related, not for me to judge. An entire family though is questionable and probably should have been walking. The park provides benches for anyone that needs to sit for a breather and I've seen people of all sizes at the end of the day exhusted. I personally enjoy walking around the parks as it is good exercise for everyone.

In my opinion I don't see Disney being a playground for overweight people, kinda of expensive for that. People just love Disney and want to spend sometime living in the magic.

 

[Parkers_girl]

I don't have a problem with people wanting to rent ECV's, whether they are truly handicap or just too obese to walk( if you ask me I think they are the ones who need to be walking..dont flame me, its what I believe). I however have a problem with those who think they need to cut the line because they are in a ECV. If your condition requires you to sit and not wait in line, then that's just fine, wait in your wheelchair! It really peeves me to see this. My mom is in a wheelchair, and in no way do we expect special treatment. We wait in line, park in regular spaces..everything. People just love cheating the system.


Glad you had a good trip!!

 

[CheshireVal]

An entire family though is questionable and probably should have been walking.

I also agree that if it's a whole family (which I've personally seen as well), then it would be statistically pretty safe to say that they probably don't all have invisible medical problems.

 

[jonestavern]

DH & I just came back & we were discussing this.
I am morbidly obese & it's odd--not that I didn't notice the number of overweight--but I noticed a number of strapping guys on the ECVs. One group I got stuck near in the smoking area & I overheard a few of them actually chatting how the ECVs saved their feet enabling them to 'go all day & night'. And just as I was thinking how wonderful this group of young men were able to get out & enjoy some commaraderie & WDW!
While walking around the WS one bright, sunny day, there was a family group of 4 & the young girl--around age 12--said to the 'dad', "I'm glad you rented these, It's fun to drive & my feet don't hurt" 'mom' & the boy (about 7 or 8 y.o.) agreed. Only the dad seemed a tad--maybe 20 lbs? overweight, the others were slim as reeds~
Yes, I think we can all know that there are many hidden health conditions or nasty sprains & such--some require total mobility aid, some which partially restrict standing or walking for extended periods, I don't think anyone here has a question of use of ECVs for those situations.
I do know, from personal experience, that obesity can exacerbate or lead to joint problems. I kind of look at the walking at WDW as the only fun exercise I enjoy! There are many situations/places that are not fat-friendly (or downright hostile ) & at WDW more folks tend to be tolerant of the obese, I know I don't feel as awkward & mentally uncomfortable in the World, so perhaps other fat folks share the same feeling & attend WDW rather than other vaca spots.

Jean

 

[Laralyn]

... riding around on their ECV smoking cigarettes and steering with one hand and a mickey ice cream bar in the other ...

I laughed when I read that because we saw almost that exact thing at Disneyland last month! She wasn't smoking, but she was driving really quickly down the crowded park paths while eating ice cream. She startled us, and we laughed... and then she almost hit a kid!

She wasn't overweight and I have no idea whether she has a medical condition that requires the ECV, but she was driving like Evil Knievel building speed for a Grand Canyon jump!

 

[Mom2Em]

I was not there at the same time you were but if I were, you would speaking of me and my mother... We are both obese but that is not why we use the scooters...

My Mother has a crooked spine and now arthritis of the hip... Neither of these were "created" by being overweight... Heck, if you could have seen my mother 20 years ago, you would never believe how debilitated her illnesses have made her...

I have always been heavy but have never had a problem walking Disney, Six Flags, etc until last year when I was diagnosed with Lupus... My mobility has become more limited based on the fact that it attacks my feet and ankles...

I do not deny that some people may be abusing the use of the ECV but I can tell you that a) I got no special treatment using one and b) I would much rather be walking...