ECV- one adult and one toddler bus loading?

[Daydreamer64]

It looks like I will be alone with my 3 year old for our trip - May 6 through 10, 2009.

I use a ECV for the parks because of diabetic complications with my feet and circulation.

I am uncomfortable leaving an impulsive three yo to stand by the bus near the road and other passing vehicles while I load the ECV- advice?

Will the bus driver see him and allow him to enter the bus first and sit while I load the ECV?

I'm sure there is a common sense answer to this but I'm at a loss about it.

What is the bus policy for toddlers and ECV loading- is there one?

I mean, I don't want to ask a stranger to hold his hand, I can't load with him in my lap, and anything could happen to him if he decided to explore or investigate the bus area when I can't get to him.

I've been working with him on standing and following directions but he is very hyperactive- he was a pre-mie and his behavior is not age appropriate for following rules.

Advice?

 

[Roo'sMom]

How are you planning to keep him with you at the park? I know CM's will not allow you to ride with him on your lap.

 

[McCall]

The CM's will not allow you to ride one of THEIR scooters with him on your lap, the CM's don't have any control over if you have them on YOUR OWN scooter or in you lap in a wheel chair. Same way a child cannot use a rented ECV but they can use their own private one.

 

[mechurchlady]

You would explain to the CM that you need to get your toddler on the bus first. Maybe a bus dude will answer better. Harness and leash is an option in the parks for controlling the kid and I have seen them over at DLR.

 

[Daydreamer64]

Usually Dad and other family members are with us at the parks.

On our last few trips I put him in an umbrella stroller, buckled him up, and hooked my foot under the foot rest and he rolled along side of me for a week- no problems. It's very easy when you've seen how it works- it was perfect.

He is getting bigger now so more heavy and I noticed that my battery was wearing down faster on our November trip with his added weight.

I planned to do the same thing this trip however- I can't roll him up on the bus ramp - and I would never do the bus lift with him on my lap- that's just an accident waiting to happen

Disney has rules for not towing anything with the ECV but I have never had any problems so far about the side hooked foot way, we even had several CM's compliment the arrangements.

This trip is a different matter. I could go without the ECV but it would mean one day at the parks and not three and a shortened one at that, because I will have pain for days after walking too much.

I thought of renting an ECV on site but that is so much more expensive and I still have to hike to and from the bus and so on.

As far as controlling him beside me- I am able to walk and can control him when in lines and so on- we don't use the ECV in lines- just for moving through the parks.

I'm the oldest of 18 kids ( read that as well experienced with impulsive kids ) and have no problem with behavior control IF I am able to be with him physically-

It's just that at a bus stop, depending on where and when, there can be many buses pulling in and out and they may not see a darting child- especially at night leaving the parks.

I guess I could drive to the parks and leave before dark each day?? I wonder what the cost of a taxi would be and if they would transport the ECV for me to each park and back to the resort?

Oh, what to do?

I just thought that some of the more experienced parents who have mobility problems may have a solution for me.

 

[Carnator]

When my kids were a few year younger and my wife was not with us I would ask the bus driver if the kids could get on the bus and take a seat. Then I would get loaded with ECV. Never had a problem. Good luck.

 

[Schmeck]

For loading on buses, take your son onto the bus first, then load the ECV. When the bus driver comes to the back of the bus to help you, just explain that your son needs to be seated (near the ECV area) go in the back door with him, have him sit, then load the ECV.

You really can't take another adult along with you? You sound like a very well-prepared parent, but what if something happens to you due to your diabetes? You (and your pre-schooler) would really be at the mercy of complete strangers. What if your ECV breaks down, you get sick, etc?

And to note: the CMs can tell you not to have a child riding on your lap on an ECV, whether it is your own private one or not, as it is a safety issue, not an accessibility issue. The safety of all guests comes before anyone's rights under the ADA.

 

[Daydreamer64]

Thanks for all of the suggestions and information. I'm relieved to know that I should be able to sit my child on the bus, then load the ECV.

I agree that safety comes first. That's why I'm asking for ideas on how to handle the situation.

My DH will be with the performing child who is also diabetic, an insulin dependent diabetic, and a brittle one at that, so he has to be chaperoned for the trip. We'll be meeting up on and off each day, just not during the loading of the buses.

My MIL will not have the available time off to attend the trip with us, and my oldest son will be having high school EOC preparations and testing during that time frame.

That's all the people that I have that I can ask to go, for various reasons.

As far as my diabetes affecting my day, I live with it daily. I am not insulin dependent at this time, for a few years I was on insulin when pregnant and after due to uncontrolled sugar instability, so I'm unlikely to go low.

If the ECV breaks down- then we have to go back to the resort- that's it- no other choice. I wear a diabetic medic alert bracelet so if I'm unable to communicate then at least someone will know what's up with that situation, and Ben will have identifying information on his person should there be any problems. Of course there's always the cell phone and my DH will be there at the parks, just not at the same resort as I will be staying at.

I don't shy away from enjoying life just because I have diabetes, I only have to make some adjustments on occasion like using the ECV for prolonged walking. If I didn't go anywhere because I have no 'helper' then I'd never get out.

This is an unusual trip as I am usually never alone at places like the parks, our family enjoys each other's company. It's just not working out this trip to have another person along with us.

What I do is park the ECV in an area, like Fantasy Land, we do all the rides, then I use it to move to another area.

It's a long story but I will say that having black toes from poor circulation and infected blisters, and being hospitalized for enjoying my vacation without the hassle of having to keep up with an ECV, is NOT worth the price I paid a few years ago. The damage is already done, I will not allow it to happen again.

If we have to go back to the room, we will be swimming or something. Ben is young enough that he doesn't care about staying at the parks all day -

Again, thanks for the information and for caring enough to make me think out the situation thoroughly.

 

[Schmeck]

You'll be fine - you're not really going to be alone if your husband is on property! I thought that you and your 3 yr old were traveling there alone.

I agree that people should not stop living their lives just because of a diagnosis. I'm a 4 year melanoma survivor, and I still go to WDW in August, of all times (covered head to toe in sunblock, of course!)

 

[Belle1962]

We have only used the buses twice. My grandson was 4. They let him stand beside me on the lift as we went up and down together. On the bus he sat in a seat while I settled the ecv. HOWEVER--these were middle of the day trips without the push of crowds like at a park closing.

Taxis will load and unload the cv (but remember to add in the tip).

I agree the harness will be a help, if he doesn't need it during the day at the parks then just use at the bus lines.

Also--remember---a bus only holds two ecvs. At the end of the night it is not uncommon to have to wait through a few buses to be able to get on one. Maybe you could take the bus or drive to the park and then DH and the performing child can meet up with you later to drive back?

Whatever you work out--it will be OK--you'll be in Disney!!!

 

[Daydreamer64]

You guys are very encouraging. I am feeling better able to handle this trip with each new post!

Knowing that there are several ways to handle this situation makes me feel more assured with my decisions.

Thanks again for the suggestions.

 

[McCall]

For loading on buses, take your son onto the bus first, then load the ECV. When the bus driver comes to the back of the bus to help you, just explain that your son needs to be seated (near the ECV area) go in the back door with him, have him sit, then load the ECV.

You really can't take another adult along with you? You sound like a very well-prepared parent, but what if something happens to you due to your diabetes? You (and your pre-schooler) would really be at the mercy of complete strangers. What if your ECV breaks down, you get sick, etc?

And to note: the CMs can tell you not to have a child riding on your lap on an ECV, whether it is your own private one or not, as it is a safety issue, not an accessibility issue. The safety of all guests comes before anyone's rights under the ADA.

Sorry there is no where in the Disney rules that says that, only with regard to rented wheelchairs and scooters. There is also no saftey law that prevents it either.
I suppose they can tell you anything they like. Just for the record I do not personally advocate having a child riding with you on a scooter, in lap in wheelchair pushed by someone else is another matter.

 

[KPeveler]

Sorry there is no where in the Disney rules that says that, only with regard to rented wheelchairs and scooters. There is also no saftey law that prevents it either.
I suppose they can tell you anything they like. Just for the record I do not personally advocate having a child riding with you on a scooter, in lap in wheelchair pushed by someone else is another matter.

i think they may be able to (though they don't) because Disney has to allow a mobility device for the person who needs it. that is the law... they do NOT have to allow the mobility device to be used in a way other than its intended purpose. For example, if a family is using a wheelchair has a "bag carrier" and there is no one in it, they may not have to allow it into the line unless someone is using it as a mobility device (in line, not saying anything about the park). I am not sure Disney has to allow people to put more than one person on a device that was designed and approved by the FDA as a mobility device for one. but i think that would be their only grounds for asking someone to remove a child from their lap.

of course, no matter whether it is a personal chair or a rented one, if someone operates the vehicle in an unsafe manner, then a CM can step in....

 

[Schmeck]

Sorry there is no where in the Disney rules that says that, only with regard to rented wheelchairs and scooters. There is also no saftey law that prevents it either.
I suppose they can tell you anything they like. Just for the record I do not personally advocate having a child riding with you on a scooter, in lap in wheelchair pushed by someone else is another matter.

Could you post the link to Disney Rules and Safety Laws? They have the right to deal with any issue that involves safety and remove anyone from the park if it is a safety issue, so I guess they could give the person the option of removing the child from the lap, or removing the people from the park. There would be a huge liability for Disney if WDW did not deal with safety issues.

 

[disneymarie]

Could you post the link to Disney Rules and Safety Laws? They have the right to deal with any issue that involves safety and remove anyone from the park if it is a safety issue, so I guess they could give the person the option of removing the child from the lap, or removing the people from the park. There would be a huge liability for Disney if WDW did not deal with safety issues.

I think it is something you have to make a phone call for the information. I had an argument the first using as my dh was to push the stroller. So I tried to ride dd on my offsite scooter.

Well that did not happen. With in feet I was stopped. One time I was only trying to clean her up and pin up hair on my lap and was scorned about that.
In every trip, CM's have had something to say, even if it was dd now older resting her butt on my leg for a break in a line NOT Moving.

You know they don't even wait to see if you move the ECV, they jump you as soon as they see a lap sitter while not in motion at all, and no intent to ride them.

 

[SueM in MN]

Not allowing children to ride on an ECV and not allowing anyone under the age of 18 to drive it is part of the rental agreements. That is true both in the ones you can rent in the parks and also is the case for most of the off-site rental companies.
It is a liability concern as well as a safety concern. If someone is letting their child ride on a rented ECV and the child or anyone else is injured, the company that rented the ECV can point to the signed rental agreement as proof that the ECV was not being used according to the rental agreement. I have seen them stop people with children riding on WDW park rental ECVs. I have also seen them stop people with non-park ECVs when the ECV has been driven in an unsafe manner.
It is a safety issue to have a child on the lap of an ECV driver because it does limit the driver's ability to manouver. Most of us have seen accidents or near accidents that were related to a child being on the driver's lap. On our last trip I saw something I had never seen before when I saw an ECV that was being driven erratically ahead of us.
At first I just thought it was just because the driver kept turning to the side to talk to her companion while she kept driving.
As we got closer, I noticed a child of about 3 yrs sitting on the driver's lap. Then I realized that the adult was the one sitting there and the 3 yr old was the one driving The adult wasn't even paying attention to what was going on and had her hands kind of loosely in the child's lap.
Luckily, nothing happened.

For the OP, I'm not sure how to handle the situation.
I would not leave the child outside while you board. That is way too uncontrolled a situation. I think it would be much safer to get the child on first, seated and then get the ECV on.
Having gotten my heel caught in the lift as it went up with me and my DD in her wheelchair, I would suggest NOT having a child ride the lift with you. There are too many places small feet (or even big ones like mine) can get caught. Most of the buses are newer and have ramps, which are safer. I would suggest making sure your ECV is in the slowest (turtle) speed when getting on the bus so you have the most control and time to stop.
Another possibility is to have your child sit in the REAR of the bus while you get on (behind the back door). While you are getting on, the driver's body blocks the aisle to the back of the bus pretty well. With your child in the back part of the bus, you have less cause to worry about him getting out the front door if it's open or deciding to try to get into the driver's seat.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Any time I am in costume and see a person with a child on an ECV I will stop them and require that the child get off. I will advise the driver that if it is a rental it is against the rental agreement and if it is their own I would suggest they read the owner's manual and they will see that it is an unsafe action.

A couple of times I have had to warn people that I would call Security and if the ECV was a Disney Rental it would be confiscated and if it was not they would be escorted out of the park for safety violations.

On days that I am running around in the parks and not in costume I am on my ECV and I will nicely tell the people that it is unsafe and explain why.