ECV Mini Report

[inkkognito]

Just thought I'd post a mini report on my experience traveling with my neighbor, who uses her own ECV, yesterday. I read so many misconceptions that people try to clear up here, and I experienced the truth firsthand. First, I can confirm that you do indeed wait longer for some rides. For example, Spaceship Earth was walk-on in the regular boarding, but we (and two wheelchair users) had to wait for quite a while in the alternate boarding area. Second, for the people who complain that ECV and wheelchair users get to board the buses first, check out the boats someday. We traveled back and forth between Epcot and DHS, and everyone waits in the same line. But the ECV users must park in a certain area, and people tend to sit there first even if there are seats elsewhere. Thus my friend's husband and I were never able to sit anywhere near her on the boats. Third, it's amazing how people do not respect personal property. We ate at Garden Grill, and when we came out a child was standing on the ECV basket as he pulled himself up the rail that borders the restaurant! His parents were right there and never said a word. The basket could easily have broken and he could have been badly hurt. No apology from them, just a dirty look as my friend took away their darling Jr.'s "toy."

But with all the hassles, ECVs are definitely a godsend for many people. My neighbor has heart problems and could never have done several hours in the park without hers. You don't think about all the walking you do at Disney in a day when you are healthy, but having a medical condition puts a whole new spin on things.

 

[peemagg]

It is a whole new world when traveling with someone who needs different accomodations isn't it?

 

[lovetoscrap]

Everyone always thinks that it seems like such a great thing until they actually have to experience it.

I know that you are an avid cruiser. For an even more eye opening experience travel on a cruise ship with someone on an ECV. Just trying to get in an elevator at almost any time of day is a lesson in futility. The cruise ships do a great job but by their very nature, they are limited in space so just getting around and trying to maneuver in some of the spaces like the room corridors, buffets and even dining rooms can be difficult. And of course ADA doesn't extend to other countries. But that said. .. . Throw me in that briarpatch! A bad ECV day on a cruise is still better than most good days at home!

 

[inkkognito]

The cruise is indeed a challenge! I actually learned that the hard way; popped off my knee cap on the Magic and was in a wheelchair for the remainder of the trip, with a bulky immobilizing cast. I was very, very lucky that people were courteous with the elevators but it's a whole new world having to wheel around. But as you said, it's still great to be on the ship...my husband even wheeled me onto Castaway Cay in a sand wheelchair.

I've never understood while DCL puts the accessible staterooms at the back of the ship, forcing the people who need them to run a gauntlet down the hall of service carts, strollers, room service trays, etc. And those rooms have whitewall verandahs, which are fine if you can stand but not so much for people confinced to a wheelchair.