ECV judgement

[lanejudy]

I am SO happy to find this post! I have been agonizing over whether or not to rent a wheelchair for our trip in August. I too have a non-visible medical condition (waiting for more treatment and surgery in the fall) and I am in pain most of the time. I can't walk for more than a half hour or so, so I am so worried about holding my family back at the parks! But I am also selfish enough that I don't want to spend the whole trip alone in the room. I don't want to do an ECV because the pain pills I take can make me a bit spacy, so I'm thinking "driving" is not the best idea My family is on board with the idea and are happy to push me around, but I was so worried about restaurants and shops - I didn't want to feel like I "had" to stay in the chair 100% of the time just so I didn't make people angry. I'd like to walk when I can and only use the chair when I have to. I want to walk the lines, restaurants, shops etc., and just use the chair for getting around the park - but I didn't know if this would make people furious and cause my family grief. This post is making me feel a little better!

Absolutely, use the wheelchair! Do what you need to do for yourself. The chair makes a great way to push your bags and give everyone a break from carrying them when you want to walk a while Don't worry about what others' think. Most people won't pay any attention.

Good luck with your treatment and surgery this fall, and enjoy your vacation!

 

[Travelgrrl]

I am SO happy to find this post! I have been agonizing over whether or not to rent a wheelchair for our trip in August. I too have a non-visible medical condition (waiting for more treatment and surgery in the fall) and I am in pain most of the time. I can't walk for more than a half hour or so, so I am so worried about holding my family back at the parks! But I am also selfish enough that I don't want to spend the whole trip alone in the room. I don't want to do an ECV because the pain pills I take can make me a bit spacy, so I'm thinking "driving" is not the best idea My family is on board with the idea and are happy to push me around, but I was so worried about restaurants and shops - I didn't want to feel like I "had" to stay in the chair 100% of the time just so I didn't make people angry. I'd like to walk when I can and only use the chair when I have to. I want to walk the lines, restaurants, shops etc., and just use the chair for getting around the park - but I didn't know if this would make people furious and cause my family grief. This post is making me feel a little better!

We're going in Oct with 88 year old Mom / Grandma and bringing a folding, push wheelchair. We figure she could walk some mornings, have a long break and then we'll push her at night. Benefits: it folds like a stroller for the buses and airplane, she won't be running people over in an unfamiliar ECV (if her regular car driving is to be considered ) and yet she'll have that chair when she needs it, with her daughters and granddaughters pushing her.

If you ask around, plenty of people have a wheelchair like this hanging around, waiting to be borrowed!

 

[GeneralTso]

You should be just fine--in fact probably LESS judged than normal because you are young and something is "wrong" that you need one.

I have heard judgment about overweight people in scooters. Pretty nasty comments. That's where people get judgey.

 

[bumbershoot]

I know I can post this on the Disabilities board but I wanted a general opinion.

I am going to Disney with just myself and my daughter. I have a hip issue that makes walking long distances painful. I can do it but I will be miserable. I wanted to rent an ECV to make my trip more pleasant. My daughter is ALL for it as she thinks it will definitely make me less cranky than past trips and she wants it to not hurt.

The question is -- I am only 40 and I look fine. Am I going to get so much attitude that it won't be worth it? Am I going to just get dirty looks the entire time and regret it? I don't particularly care what others think but if people make comments my kid will care. I won't line jump. I won't need any assistance. What would you do?

The (missing) Cheshire_Figment had the following questions to ask of people wondering these questions.

Please ask the following questions. Here are the suggested answers to go with them.

1. Are you disabled (even temporarily)? Yes.

2. Do the people you are traveling with, such as your family, know you are disabled? Yes.

3. Do you expect to meet anyone you know during this trip who may not know you are disabled. Probably No!

4. Do you expect to meet a bunch of people who you will probably never meet again in your life? Probably yes!

5. Is there any reason at all that you should care what these people think about you? Absolutely No!!

6. Will using a wheelchair or ECV make for a better vacation for you and your family? Absolutely YES!

First let me say that I hate the ECVs.

Why? Why on earth?

However, I understand they are needed by some people and they should be allowed to use them.

Glad they "should be allowed".

You will be fine as long as you don't abuse its use. If you are able to walk short distances without the ECV (or pain) then park it outside and walk into a ride like Haunted Mansion.

How is using it when you need it "abuse"?

There is nothing more annoying then to be stopped multiple times on a ride for people to transition to/from ECVs when most of them could have walked through the regular queue with little difficulty.

And you know people could walk the queue without difficulty...how?

The continuous loading rides that have to stop aren't stopping for a basically able-bodied person to transfer. A basically OK person will get out of the scooter ahead of time and get right in, just in a different place. A person who truly truly needs it and requires a serious transfer is what you're looking at with the ride stopping. So the EXACT thing you're annoyed at is what you're saying is OK in your book...because it's only being stopped for people who truly cannot walk the queue.

They are also very annoying when their operators drive over top of people to get where they are going.

I have known a person who used their scooter as a battering ram. That person was also very very difficult to be around when on foot. Being on foot didn't make the person's behaviour ANY better.

ECVs don't have exclusive right of way or front of the line privileges.

They also do not have BRAKES. You stop accelerating, and then slow to a stop. This is hard for newbies to deal with, and can appear to be awful driving to others who don't realize it.

As long as you are courtesy and respectful of other guests, you should have no problems.

Actually, no. Your own post shows that there will be problems, even if you're courteous and respectful. Because there are many things that courteous and respectful people might do, in order to help their days in the parks, that you don't think should be happening, and that seriously irritate you.

And you are not alone out there.

OP- you get that ECV and ride it around like a CHAMP!

All those judging people need to take care of their OWN business and keep their judgement to themselves!

EXACTLY.

I for one would certainly respect you much more if you did this. Many people rent ECVs because they can't walk long distances or for long periods of time without pain. I understand this, but most of them are perfectly capable of parking their ECV and walking onto rides or into restaurants. Sure there are some who can't walk or move without the ECV, but that is the exception and not the rule. I would have tremendous respect for the person who parked their ECV out of the way and chose to walk through a queue so as not to bother others.

How on earth do you know all this? How? You don't.

Why would a person who is trying to make their days in the parks better for them in some sort of need of your respect?

It's always pointed out that Disney Guests with ECVs --

Enter a bus FIRST, for the safety of other riders.
Exit a bus LAST, for the safety of other riders.​

Exactly.




My husband had our February 2013 trip ruined physically because he refused to rent a scooter out of fear of people who would look at him and judge him. He nearly destroyed himself.

He's a big guy, partly because of a pituitary tumor (that was not caught for three YEARS of symptoms because fat-phobic doctors just blamed being fat for the problems, and they all refused to do the tests that needed to be done to find it. 3 years of him going to practitioners and begging for help.). Around Christmas '12 he was increasing his walking (he walks, very briskly, as part of his commute every working day) and trying to do the Couch to 5K program I had done. While doing this, while trying to increase his activity to help his weight and fitness level, he hurt his achilles. He saw a doctor who said he just had to "rest" it (despite knowing about his commute and the whole WDW trip in less than 2 months). No walking boot, no knee scooter, no nothing. DH spent the first two days of the trip in the room, in pain, not joining me and DS. Then it was time for our short cruise and so DH started taking large amounts of ibuprofen, which made him really out of it and sleepy. After the cruise we had the parks again, and he just continued with the huge amounts of drugs. But he still couldn't really walk properly.

His achilles is still messed up.

And this is because he wouldn't rent a scooter because he didn't want the judgment of "big guy in a scooter" that people do. Anyone who has ever thought something like that...your thoughts have contributed to my husband's continued pain.

 

[ks13]

I think a lot of the issue comes becuase some people with them think they own the place, and run over people, and just be bullies/jerks. I think some of the judgements about people who may not look like they need one I call the walmart effect, go to Walmart, and see a person who had no issue walking into the store then suddenly need one because they are too fat to walk around the store while buying horrible food. Not judging just saying.

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

There is nothing more annoying then to be stopped multiple times on a ride for people to transition to/from ECVs when most of them could have walked through the regular queue with little difficulty.

I'd say having a crippling, debilitating illness/injury is a tad bit more annoying.

 

[supergoofy]

I would rent an ECV if it makes your trip more enjoyable.


Don't stress what other think as its none of their business.

 

[Momofone92]

I think a lot of the issue comes becuase some people with them think they own the place, and run over people, and just be bullies/jerks. I think some of the judgements about people who may not look like they need one I call the walmart effect, go to Walmart, and see a person who had no issue walking into the store then suddenly need one because they are too fat to walk around the store while buying horrible food. Not judging just saying.

So since I am also fat it changed the entire scenario? Fat people should really lock themselves in their house.

 

[Elevationist]

(Typed this on my phone, apologies if auto-correct intervened and made any of the following nonsensical!)

OP, I have been dealing with this VERY same issue at WDW for 14 years. I have Lupus and Fibromyalgia, and simply cannot stand or walk for extended periods of time without being in chronic wide-spread pain.

In 2000, one of my first trips as an adult, I chose not to get an ECV. Why? Because I was a perky, bubbly and energetic (but chubby) 19-year-old, and was scared of what people would think or say. And it was one of the worst mistakes of my life. I overdid it so badly on that trip that I remember very little except constantly being in pain and looking for the next opportunity to rest. I became more and more physically ill as the days of the trip passed. A week after returning home, I was rushed to ICU, and remained in the hospital for three weeks.

Due to my own pride and worry for other people's judgements, I threw my Lupus out of remission, and spent the next two years recovering and getting well.

NEVER. AGAIN.

I've been back to WDW many times since then, and I always get an ECV. I am still a perky bubbly energetic person, though now 33 years old and a lot more than just a little chubby.

I won't sugar-coat it... If you are overweight and don't have a visible disability, some very sad unfortunate people WILL look at you and assume you're just too fat and lazy to walk. At times, I've been so self-conscious about it that when I've gotten off my ECV, I've limped a bit, just to appease the nosy jerks who need to visually see me have a reason for being on that scooter beyond my weight. I have encountered my share of dirty looks and even the occasional comment. I've read the ignorance and ugliness here on the DIS. It does exist.

So what?

Your health, happiness, and well-being are INFINITELY more important. There is absolutely zero reason for you to spend your trip cranky and hurting, to satisfy the very small number of people of miserable people out there who spent thousands of dollars to go to Walt Disney World, just to sit around and pass judgements on complete strangers.

And though it may feel daunting, the number really IS small. While I have encountered my share of ugliness, the kindness I have encountered from both cast members and guests far outweighs it. Truly.

One of my best moments came during the opening ceremony at Magic Kingdom. I had told my companion to find a good place to view the show (as he had never seen it and I didn't want him to miss out), while I went off to the far right to rent my ECV for the day (I prefer doing this over renting off-site and having to load on and off busses with it). Once I had my wheels, the crowd had become so thick, I could barely go forward an inch, and returning to my traveling companion was a lost cause. I didn't even realize that the frustration was showing on my face... But out of nowhere came a cast member, an older gentleman, who smiled and patted my back and said, "Princess, you look like you could use a little pixie dust!" And suddenly I was surrounded in a cloud of glitter and sparkles all around me! He was sprinkling shiny confetti over me... Pixie Dust. I could NOT stop smiling and giggling! It completely turned a frustrating ECV moment into an extremely magical one.

Another time, a cop on Main Street pulled me over and wrote me a ticket for "driving under magical influence" and "having too much fun." I have it in a frame, hanging in my apartment.

Another time, at Epcot, we ran into Pluto hanging out near Innoventions East. When I got off the ECV to go say hello... He ran over, jumped on it, and drove away! He did a few donuts, then came back to us. Funniest. Thing. Ever.

More times than I can count, guests have been wonderful about holding open swinging doors for me (like the ones on the walking trails in Animal Kingdom).

Anyhow... The point of my very long-winded post is this... Haters are gonna hate. It's not their trip, or their life... It's yours. You do whatever it takes to enjoy a safe, healthy, happy, pain-free vacation, and create magical memories for you and your daughter. Those memories will last you both FAR longer than the occasional rude person's sour face, and are far more important.

 

[Luckybee]

Pardon my rant but....UGH. What is it with people judging???

People judge because:

'healthy' person uses an ECV.
Kid who is 8 is still in a stroller
Kid who is 6 is still having their diaper changed in the bathrooms
Kid is having a total meltdown and is 10- therefore much too old to have meltdowns
**feel free to add in reasons that people judge.


REALLY FOLKS! That 'healthy' might not be as healthy as you think. That 8yo in a stroller may have a problem with their leg muscles that you know nothing about. That child who is 6 might have bladder control issues that ARE medical. That 10yo you see might look healthy to you but could perhaps be on the Autism spectrum and simply cannot always handle all the stimuli.


OP- you get that ECV and ride it around like a CHAMP!

All those judging people need to take care of their OWN business and keep their judgement to themselves!

A few years ago I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. I was in my mid 40's and in pretty good shape at the time since I worked out daily. I had finished surgery, and chemo and was in the middle of radiation when I had the following experience. The cancer hospital had parking spots for patients going through treatment right up front. I had to drive daily 1 hour for my radiation. Some days dh took me , other days I had to drive myself which was tiring but it had to be done. I was wearing a pretty good wig and had the roof down on my car. I guess I looked like I didn't have a care in the world. I pulled up and parked and the car behind me pulled up and blocked me in and the male driver started screaming at me about taking up a patients spot. When I told him I was a patient he proceeded to call BS until I pulled off my wig and embarrassed the s--- out of him.
It goes back to the old adage my mom taught me of not judging a book....
Why should you hurt yourself/be in pain because of anyone else. To h--- with what anyone else thinks . Do what is best for you !

 

[BudgieMama]

Please don't worry, OP.

There are lots of invisible medical issues that might result in someone needing an ECV. If it will make your trip more comfortable with your hip, go for it.

If people judge/have a problem, it's their issue, not yours.

I have a medical problem that flares up at times that makes me very dizzy and completely throws my balance off. If that happens when I am travelling on public transport, it is the only time I wouldn't offer my seat to someone who looks in need, because I know I need it or I'll end up on the floor. I get dirty looks sometimes (because I'm under 30 and look healthy) but you can't see the problem from the outside, and I know I need to look after myself when I can and when it flares.

 

[NY Pirate Princess]

OP, think of what you are teaching your daughter. It's okay to have needs. It's okay to ask for help. It's okay to take care of yourself. It's okay to put your daughters joy in front of everything else while on vacation. Rent that machine, have a wonderful time, and wallow in that joy!

 

[Cyrano]

OP nobody has any right to question whether you need to use an ECV or not.

Anyone who thinks otherwise needs to find an alternate place to hang out as their opinions matter not on these boards

 

[Disney Frenhines]

One more thing....PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE.

Go drive one at Walmart, weave in and out of the clothing displays. There are a lot of tight turns in the lines.

The people that get complained about are the ones that can't drive.

Practice turns, backing up turns and parallel parking. You may look goofy at Walmart but it is better to be confident while at Disney.

Great advice. A few years ago I was at a UK theme park and while queuing at a counter service cafe I was hit at speed and pinned up against the counter by an older lady in an ECV, she was panicking as she tried to get it into reverse, none of the staff helped me despite me yelling at them and the poor woman getting very distressed, finally two other visitors pulled her away from me, I was shaken and had cuts and bruises on my legs (thank goodness I was in jeans) I had to ask to speak to the manager as the staff members couldn't have cared less. It turned out this lady had hired the ECV from them, no had shown her what to do, they hadn't even asked if she had used one before, which she hadn't. All I got was a grudging apology, nothing else (imagine if this had been at Disney) not even a cup of tea or our meal for free. I wish now I had gone after some form of recompense as DD was also distressed by it all, but, heigh ho. It has left me with a dislike of the darn things when people whizz around the parks (or anywhere for that matter) in their own little bubble, sure, they are rare, but, please get used to one before taking one out where there are lots of people. BTW, how many times have we been stuck at a bus stop waiting for an inexperienced ECV driver to park their vehicle in the space, so learning how to reverse one into a space is a must. I think the only real issues with people in ECVs is that they get priority on buses (fair enough) but, when they are with a huge group who all turn up last minute and get on first while people with small children are waiting in the heat, that is wrong. I have never seen one of those groups split up, either voluntarily or by the driver and that gets my goat most of all. But, then again, trying to get on with a large stroller when they must know they have to fold it up, then struggling to get it down, holding up the queue. Hey, why take a large stroller to Disney with a toddler? Buy a cheap umbrella type that folds up and down easily then donate it to goodwill at the end of the trip, why make life difficult. Oops a bit of a rant there, sorry.

 

[quakechicago]

I know I can post this on the Disabilities board but I wanted a general opinion.

I am going to Disney with just myself and my daughter. I have a hip issue that makes walking long distances painful. I can do it but I will be miserable. I wanted to rent an ECV to make my trip more pleasant. My daughter is ALL for it as she thinks it will definitely make me less cranky than past trips and she wants it to not hurt.

The question is -- I am only 40 and I look fine. Am I going to get so much attitude that it won't be worth it? Am I going to just get dirty looks the entire time and regret it? I don't particularly care what others think but if people make comments my kid will care. I won't line jump. I won't need any assistance. What would you do?

I'm 44 and have AI conditions that could flare, but I found I was fine in Disney thankfully. I totally get where you're coming from though. Walking a bit at home is NOT like the over 15 miles a day I walked at Disney (pushing my kiddo's stroller no less!). DO get it if you think you might need it. I walk our dog on my best days easily 5-10 miles a day and it's still not up to the pace of Disney especially with crowds, fast passes and ADRs you need to get to, and walking on hard surfaces (and hello? Cobblestones are KILLER to walk on!).

My Mom refuses to rent one even though she has foot problems and I wish she would reconsider. Like I constantly tell her, who CARES what people you don't know might think? They're not paying for you and you'll NEVER see them again.

I hope you have a great trip!

 

[dawnhaze]

Threads like this are always fun when the Internet MDs who got their degrees on Wikipedia come out.

OP, I'm going to echo everyone else (or at least most of everyone else) - Use an ECV if you need one to enjoy your trip without pain and keep up with your family. Use it in queues if you need to, get up and walk if you need to. Most of the busybodies who throw around the dirty looks won't actually say anything, because we live in an era where a lot of horribly rude people are only willing to show their true colors outwardly when afforded anonymity by their internet handles.

If anything, I'd use any comments as a chance to reinforce in your daughter's mind that people should refrain from making assumptions about the health, lives, or circumstances of complete strangers. Teaching moments and all that. I hope the both of you enjoy your trip!

 

[lustergirl]

I think a lot of the issue comes becuase some people with them think they own the place, and run over people, and just be bullies/jerks. I think some of the judgements about people who may not look like they need one I call the walmart effect, go to Walmart, and see a person who had no issue walking into the store then suddenly need one because they are too fat to walk around the store while buying horrible food. Not judging just saying.

Coming from a person who just had knee surgery I can tell you about needing a electric cart to get around Walmart. I was able to walk to the store on my own but to walk around the huge Walmart was another story. Posts like yours drive a person to not wanting to use an ECV or other device when they clearly need to.

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

I'm 44 and have AI conditions that could flare, but I found I was fine in Disney thankfully. I totally get where you're coming from though. Walking a bit at home is NOT like the over 15 miles a day I walked at Disney (pushing my kiddo's stroller no less!). DO get it if you think you might need it. I walk our dog on my best days easily 5-10 miles a day and it's still not up to the pace of Disney especially with crowds, fast passes and ADRs you need to get to, and walking on hard surfaces (and hello? Cobblestones are KILLER to walk on!).

My Mom refuses to rent one even though she has foot problems and I wish she would reconsider. Like I constantly tell her, who CARES what people you don't know might think? They're not paying for you and you'll NEVER see them again.
[\B]
I hope you have a great trip!

I'm in the same boat (only breathing instead of foot) and know this will become an issue on our trip.

 

[Southern Bell]

I hurt my knee a few yrs ago before one of our trips and would not use one. A little pride, a little worried because I was healthy except for my one knee!I had a shot in my knee before I came and I could walk stiff legged ! LOL! So... I went and struggled to keep up with the family, sometimes in pain, sometimes slowing them down, and sometimes stopping because I couldn't go any further! I look back now and see I should have gotten one! I would have enjoyed my trip a lot more and so would have my family!

 

[hallie]

Yes, you will, but not from me.

My mom had surgery on her toe years ago just before her trip because of an injury. She had a metal bar that stuck out from the top of her toe and if hit it was very painful. It was going to removed in a few weeks, but would be in place for the trip. She decided to rent a scooter because it was really the only way she could still go on her trip. Well you wouldn't believe the stares, eyerolls etc... she got. It was sad.

At first I was so mad, but after the first day I realized the people that gave the looks just needed to get a life. I decided I felt bad for them that instead of having their own fun they were too busy starting at my poor mom and passing judgement. I decided to just to ignore them and have fun, we had a great visit!

I don't tell you this to discourage you, I just want you to be mentally prepared that's all. Go have fun and don't let the grumpy morons get you down, pity them instead. Have a great trip!!!!