ECV Units in the Parks

[amybug]

I am removing this original post. Too many people get angry before actually reading the entire post.

 

[Tink888]

I predict major flaming on this post but - Yes, I have seen a HUGE increase in the use of scooters over the last few years. Yes, I have been slammed into by someone on a speeding scooter who was looking up at the sky instead of where she was driving. Yes, I sometimes get frustrated by the scooter/bus situation and yes, sometimes I wonder if ALL of the people using scooters really need them.

But,

I try to give everyone the benefit of the doubt - I really don't know anyone's story but my own. I also thank God that my legs still work, tired as they may get and I'm truly blessed that I don't suffer any disabilities. Waiting a little longer for the bus and maybe having to stand isn't going to kill me. Even though it really ticks me off when I get run into by someone who wasn't paying attention, I try to remember that I've also been run into by strollers and I'm sure that at one time or another I've been unintentionally inconsiderate of someone. And for those who do take advantage or misuse the scooters, I do believe the universe has a way of paying that back in one way or another.

It's not for me to judge because I think for the most part, the majority of scooter riders do need them and they've probably got a whole lot of complaints against oblivious walkers and stories of how thoughtless people are as well. We're all there to have a good time so I just try my best to be tolerant of everybody. JMHO

 

[carmie3377]

We too have been practically run over numerous times without an "I'm sorry" or "Excuse me". So many of these scooter riding Disney fans need to take a course in Scooter Etiquette.

However, as frustrated as I become, I know many people have disabilities that can not be seen. My MIL for one as Rheumatoid Arthritis. If she walks long distances, it can become almost impossible for her to walk. However, she is attempting WDW this fall w/o a scooter. She says she'll take frequent breaks. We also have a friend with Multiple Sclerosis. By appearance, she just appears to be a slightly overweight individual. However, she has a true disability that prevents her from walking long distances. But even though there are many with these types of unseen disabilities, I'm sure that there are so many people out there that are using the scooters for convenience or out of pure laziness.

I have noticed at many places other than WDW where there seems to be scooter abuse. For example, we were at Wal-mart picking up a few groceries earlier in the week. We were in there no more than 30 minutes and saw at least 10 people riding scooters. In fact, at one point we saw 5 people at one time on scooters, one including a young man who appeared to having nothing wrong with him (yes, I know, perhaps it was a disability I could not see).

 

[carmie3377]

In my opinion, if you can pick up and carry your scooter, you probably don't need one.

Forgot to add

 

[arielchickenofthesea]

Sorry to inconvenience you at WDW. But if it were not for scooters, I would never be able to go there. I am a very polite scooter user and keep up with the crowd. What happens when the people in front of me stop on a dime? I cannot do that. If I hit them, then it is my fault, no matter if they are the ones who stopped in front of me in a crowd leaving MK at the end of a day. What about all the people who have darted out in front of me, thinking that they can *beat the scooter*. Do you know how frustrating that gets?

How many times people think I am invisible, because they don't want to look at the gimp on the scooter and then they walk around me in line cutting cause they don't *think* I am in line. What do they think I am doing? Just sitting there blocking the line? But no, I get the rude looks and comments because I call them on their line cutting if they go around me. I cannot tell you how many rude looks I got and how many pity looks I got. It makes me want to go back to my room because I am somehow ruining everyone elses vacation if I am in their way. I do feel this way sometimes when some people are rude to me. You think I want to be on the dam thing?

I am so sorry that you have to wait an extra few minutes because my scooter or chair has to be loaded onto the bus. I need to get to MY resort too, you know. And then if you give me dirty looks all the way to my resort because I delayed the bus trip and now you are going to be late for a meal, then next time understand that you may have to leave a little earlier to catch the bus to get back.

Do you want me to tell you how many times I have had to wait for a bus because everyone that came by was full or already had 2 scooters or wheelchairs on it and could not fit me? Disney does it's best and I think it is a pretty good system, except for the few impatient non-compassionate folks who don't care about anyone but themselves and HATE to see that scooter or wheelchair rolling up to the bus stop. There are quite a few of those folks at the parks. Believe me, I have had to deal with them.

It is so awesome that Disney Parks are some of the MOST disabled accessible parks on earth. I LOVE going to WDW and DL because the transportation is so great.

If YOU have a problem with waiting the extra few minutes for a disabled person, I suggest that YOU have the problem and need to take a cab if it is that long of a wait for you.

Hey, I have an idea. YOU take my disability and I will take your health and you try it out for a week or month or the rest of your natural life, Okay?
Then come back here and post all you want about scooter rudeness! It may be from a very different POV! When you can walk (or ride in this case) many miles on my scooter then you can talk all you want about how it is.

I try to be a polite user and I know there are rude ones out there. They give us all a bad name. But I get very angry when I see yet ANOTHER thread from someone who has no idea that maybe we don't like riding the dam things as much as you don't like having them zoom around you.
Be compassionate and try to understand that we are not trying to make you late on the bus and that if it were not for the scooter, we may not be able to be there at all!
ariel

 

[iluvpluto27]

I do see a lot of scooters but I don't feel qualified to judge whether they are really needed or not, therefore I give everyone the benefit of the doubt. As for waiting for them to be loaded onto buses - I've seen the looks the scooter users receive and can't imagine they enjoy it, so I assume the scooter is a neccessity.

There were only 2 issues I witnessed that I would class as scooter abuse, both at Epcot after illuminations finished. One man whizzing past pedestrians, hooting his horn to get past if they blocked the way. I'm sorry but you should be going the same speed as walkers, it's dangerous in those sort of crowded situations to have a vehicle moving so much faster.

Second incident was 3 adults on scooters, chasing each other round and round in circles, while people were trying to walk past. Again dangerous but I put it down to the fact they were idiots who'd had a few to many to drink.

I guess what I'm saying is that although I'm sure there is abuse of scooters around, I haven't witnessed much, and although it may be inconvienient to have to wait for them to be loaded on the bus, I'm always just grateful I don't need one and am happy to wait a few extra minutes.

 

[Schmeck]

Just got back from WDW myself, and saw many scooters - most were having trouble getting through the crowds, but were patiently waiting like the people on foot. There were a few scooters that were going way too fast - one incident stands out - the kids were running to keep up with Scooter Granny, and it made me laugh so hard!

There was also a line of scooters inside Test Track, and the CMs were struggling to keep them out of the way and taking them up and down the access elevator (just the empty scooters, not the people!). I thought only a small number of people with a physical disability needing a scooter were allowed on an attraction at a time for safety/evacuation? There were 8-9 wheelchairs/scooters lined up between the two areas.

 

[PrincessAli]

Can't wait to see where this goes--!!

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

All the dirty looks when entering the bus first? Hmm, it either must be the fact that I'm using a powerchair instead of an ECV or that I am blind without knowing it? The only (very view) dirty looks I encountered were never on or even near the bus or monorail.

Getting run over, into, backed up in? Nop, no experience with ECV's on that department. But than again; I KNOW first hand how that type of vehicle works, know it's negative draws like not stopping right on the dime, know most renters will have not too great of a driverskill and act upon all of that. It's the same as being very aware when a 3-year old runs/walks freely over MainStreet. You KNOW they could just dash off and not be aware of you being there, so you take the responsibility of keeping your distance.

My experience with almost run into's? Oh, there was that CM at Epcot that actually did ran into me on his Segway. Not once, but twice. That being after I came to a stand still meters in front of him and shouted towards him to warn him he was going to fast and not looking where he was going. Perhaps he was racing to see his eyedoc?

And then all of those beloved people that are either "Mainstreet-struck" or simply not aware of the fact that no powerchair stops without needing at least an inch to do so. Thank god for great driverskills, a load voice, and anticipating what you know will happen because people are simply people.

My motto? Let's anticipate more on people being people. Both those driving and those walking.

 

[nooneshome]

Scooters have provided me with one of those "Disney moments" that I will never forget. Two elderly people were in their scooters in the queue for GMR and they got to a turn and the lead scooter din't quite make it. When she tried to back up she bumped into the second scooter whow had pulled up too close. For the next few minutes it was like Keystone cops. They were banging each other something good.

 

[kydisneyfans]

Can't wait to see where this goes--!!

I would bet the closed thread category.

 

[n2mm]

I too try to be open minded when encountering scooter users. I try to remember when my 25 yo son had an accident and could not walk and was in PT. He had to use a scooter at Walmart. I'm sure people thought unkind things about this wild kid using a scooter. I remember going to WDW 2 years ago 6 weeks after back surgery. My family wanting me to use a wheelchair, but I refused and walked when I could and sat on a bench when I couldn't. But I too have a scooter story from my May trip. There was a family in front of us that had parked the scooter to get on a ride and when they got off the ride (Buzz) they were all fighting over "who's turn it was" to use the scooter. So yes there is abuse, but I really don't think it's as widespread as some think. There nothing we can do about it, so we have to move on and all get along.

 

[PrincessAli]

Sorry to inconvenience you at WDW. But if it were not for scooters, I would never be able to go there. I am a very polite scooter user and keep up with the crowd. What happens when the people in front of me stop on a dime? I cannot do that. If I hit them, then it is my fault, no matter if they are the ones who stopped in front of me in a crowd leaving MK at the end of a day. What about all the people who have darted out in front of me, thinking that they can *beat the scooter*. Do you know how frustrating that gets?

How many times people think I am invisible, because they don't want to look at the gimp on the scooter and then they walk around me in line cutting cause they don't *think* I am in line. What do they think I am doing? Just sitting there blocking the line? But no, I get the rude looks and comments because I call them on their line cutting if they go around me. I cannot tell you how many rude looks I got and how many pity looks I got. It makes me want to go back to my room because I am somehow ruining everyone elses vacation if I am in their way. I do feel this way sometimes when some people are rude to me. You think I want to be on the dam thing?

I am so sorry that you have to wait an extra few minutes because my scooter or chair has to be loaded onto the bus. I need to get to MY resort too, you know. And then if you give me dirty looks all the way to my resort because I delayed the bus trip and now you are going to be late for a meal, then next time understand that you may have to leave a little earlier to catch the bus to get back.

Do you want me to tell you how many times I have had to wait for a bus because everyone that came by was full or already had 2 scooters or wheelchairs on it and could not fit me? Disney does it's best and I think it is a pretty good system, except for the few impatient non-compassionate folks who don't care about anyone but themselves and HATE to see that scooter or wheelchair rolling up to the bus stop. There are quite a few of those folks at the parks. Believe me, I have had to deal with them.

It is so awesome that Disney Parks are some of the MOST disabled accessible parks on earth. I LOVE going to WDW and DL because the transportation is so great.

If YOU have a problem with waiting the extra few minutes for a disabled person, I suggest that YOU have the problem and need to take a cab if it is that long of a wait for you.

Hey, I have an idea. YOU take my disability and I will take your health and you try it out for a week or month or the rest of your natural life, Okay?
Then come back here and post all you want about scooter rudeness! It may be from a very different POV! When you can walk (or ride in this case) many miles on my scooter then you can talk all you want about how it is.

I try to be a polite user and I know there are rude ones out there. They give us all a bad name. But I get very angry when I see yet ANOTHER thread from someone who has no idea that maybe we don't like riding the dam things as much as you don't like having them zoom around you.
Be compassionate and try to understand that we are not trying to make you late on the bus and that if it were not for the scooter, we may not be able to be there at all!
ariel

APPLAUSE--APPLAUSE--APPLAUSE!!!

Another note on the delay of waiting for the 'Scooter People' to be loaded on buses. IF these people didn't NEED the scooters they would beble to rent them at the front gate of each park. They are very expensive to buy and I'm sure that most can not afford them just to have the use at Disney World so they can annoy other people. I just am thankful that I have the use of my own legs, have a healthy heart and do not have a serious illness that could one day ( hopefully not) make me rely on these scooters to beable to enjoy a wonderful Disney vacation.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

When I am at work I stand a lot, but am basically in one place and usually have something to lean on. But when I am walking a lot, such as shopping in a major mall or running around any of the parks I need a scooter or I will be in pain after about an hour.

I do walk with a slightly visible limp. But if my scooter got stuck I could lift it up to move it a few inches.

If I took Disney buses, yes, I would be loaded first (if there were space) but I would be the last one off.

I have my own scooter. I have never accidentally run into anyone. However I have had many times when I have been stopped and people have walked into me.

I have also run over people's toes a few times. My scooter is three wheel. Think about where people would have to be for one of my rear tires to run over their foot, as the tires are fully inside of the frame.

Yes, there are people who abuse them. But for most users they would not be able to enjoy WDW without using one.

 

[jpeka65844]

Dirty looks at people with scooters? Who ARE these people?????? I can't even fathom the idea of being angry because a person with disabilities needs to be loaded onto a bus. That boggles my mind that people would be that small and petty.

In our time last week, we did notice a lot of scooters. No blatant misuse unless you count little Johnny hitching a ride with g'ma and g'pa who might've had it for whatever reason. Who am I to judge? Oh yeah, and the entire family where each family member (older mom and dad, younger daughter and son (or son in law?) had them; four people total. That made me suspicious.

The only time we waited for a scooter to be loaded onto a bus was for a woman with an artificial leg and an oxygen tank. What an $%^-hole I'd've been if THAT would've made me mad.

We did witness an older couple on scooters arguing. The lady got mad at the husband and snapped "You don't know where you're going..." and sped off, leaving him to putter behind. It was pretty funny, actually. What a way to make an exit!

I just can't believe the amount of time that people spend at WDW worrying about whether or not other people are playing by the rules. Oy. Your trip must be so stressful!!!!

 

[caroline1851]

Unfortunately, i'm sure there are a few people who do abuse the use of scooters, but i would bet the majority of people do need them to get around. I guess you just have to give them the benefit of the doubt.

 

[tobylars]

I have a hidden disability that can be a problem when I walk or stand too much, like at WDW. I had reserved a scooter from an off site company, but after reading all the "issues" of bus drivers treating users unfairly, people complaining about scooter drivers, and how some drivers are treated as 2nd class citizens, I decided to cancel my scooter and just deal with my problem by taking alot of breaks and pain relievers. I don't need my 7 yo GS to see people treat me as a problem. I ended up purchasing a special stool that is easy to carry and I will be able to sit wherever I am, to help relieve my pain.

I am not too proud to use a scooter, it just sounds like too much of a hassle to deal with. If my pain becomes too much to deal with, then I will rent one from the park for that day and explain to my GS about how people might treat me because of it. I won't have to deal with the bus issues.

 

[FLDW126]

However....I saw very blatant scooter misuse while in WDW. What bothers me is the fact that the many scooters are not only an inconvenience to non-scooter riders (who are have to constantly dodge scooter-riders, wait for scooters to be loaded onto buses, etc) but that it is dangerous to have lots of scooter riding people around lots of small children. The danger of getting a foot ran over seems to be great. I have no children, but I know that my own husband became what he referred to as "Disney roadkill" on a trip to WDW when his foot was ran over by a rather rude woman on a scooter who did not even bother to apologize for causing him obvious pain. The scooter, plus the woman on it, must have weighed around 450 pounds. That weight, going over a toe, is not pleasant. I would hate to think of the damage that could be caused to a small child if ran over by a scooter. What makes the situation worse is that many of the scooter riders seem to be riding a scooter because of convenience rather than need.


Also, because of the inconvenience caused by waiting for scooters to be loaded onto Disney buses to and from theme parks, non-scooter riders become impatient and hostile. This is unfair to people who truly need scooters to get around. They are subjected to hostility and anger from tired, hot people who are angry that the scooter-rider and their party get to board buses first and get to sit down. Most people are okay with this if the scooter is needed...but become angered if they feel that a person is simply being lazy. There seems to be no real way to solve this ...as determining scooter need is really out of Disney's domain. How do you all feel about this? Has anyone else noticed this problem?

You can become "disney roadkill" many ways not just from scooters.. let's talk about
1- strollers- the on a mission parents who use them as missles to launch thru a crowd
2- kids- (my nephew included) who will apparently trip over air just as likely as into or onto you
3- people on foot.. oh yes I have been stepped on, bumped into, and fell on.. the main culprits.. non scooter riding adults! OH MY! If you have the misfortune to be first in line for something the mad rush of the crazed people behind you pushing to get in is enough to wish you had a scooter to run them all over with!

As for inconvenience waiting for buses or other modes of transportation.. how often have I been on a tram listening to a CM announce No further boarding at this time, then do we see a family of 10 rush to board, and the father who you know does not still know how to work the stroller, try to fold it with everything in it, while the mother sits on the tram holding the child yelling at him how to do it, then amidst 3 more CM no boarding announcements he finally gives up and hauls the whole stroller on opened..
OH my wrath is saved for them! LOL


Let's remember please.. Everyone is on vacation at Disney, they paid just like you and I did, and we all have the right to enjoy the park however we chose, foot, scooter or stroller..
And if I get bumped into, or stepped on or I do it to someone else a simple excuse me or I am sorry, is all it takes.. and if they don't say anything then let it go.. your at Disney.. the "happiest place on earth"

 

[maxiesmom]

Can't wait to see where this goes--!!

I have an idea where it is going. Mind if I join you?

 

[eeyorethegreat]

My mom uses on our trips. SHe would rather not of course but die to two knee surgeries she is not able to walk the distances all day that is WDW. She parks it before going into an attraction and walks through the queque. She is able to do this and I see know reason why she shouldn't.

The only negative reactins we got from people when doing this were a few who felt that Mom should not be able to walk at all if she was on a scooter and that if she could walk through the queque she didn't need it and she was abusing scooter use. Keep in mind there were six in our party counting 4 kids none of whom rode the scooter.

As for the buses yes we encountered people who were hot in the August heat feeling that it was unfair they had to wait while the scooter loaded. Yes it it a time consuming process but then again even though we were in the waiting area with her we waited while the scooter was loaded too. Yes we are one of those big families that after the scooter was loaded got to board right after. May people are understanding and patient there are some however that complained loudly about my family getting on the bus first after my Mom. This is despite that my husband, my two older kids and I stand so as not to take a seat from someone-including the complainers who are all too ready to take one of the seats we left open. And as someone pointed out scooters may be the first ones on the bus but they are the last ones off seems to even out but those who feel a need to complain never see it that way.

And incidently, scooters do not necessarily get automatic first entry on a bus, as one said sometimes they are too full to load a scooter. In one instance it took 2 hours and bus after bus for one to load my mom's scooter. Two hours in which the drivers were notified that a scooter needed to be loaded and in which they loaded all the able bodied people first until there was no more room for the scooter and we were waiting at the bus stop for the very first one in the AM that day at CBR. So I have to say I don't have a lot of sympathy for those who complain that they have to wait a few minutes to get on a bus.

Mom is embarrassed to ride a scooter at WDW but she also knows that she wouldn't be able to go if she didn't. A thanks to those who don't judge as to why someone is on a scooter and for being aware and understanding of the limitations of scooters around you so that all in question can be safe. Most who are on scooter are on them for a valid reason (btw just because one can pick up a scooter and move it over a ledge it is hung up on doesn't mean that person's legs are strong enough to endure the walking involved at WDW.).

We did see a couple incidents of people who were trading turns on their rented scooter. It makes me sad to see these people who are essentially too lazy to realize how lucky they are to have health and mobility. I've also saw a couple incidents where the scooter driver obviously felt they had the right of way regardless of who was ahead of them. One woman actually drove her scooter into my mom's intentially all the while yelling for her to get out of the way (would have been easier to drive around my Mom) and once getting past us ran into the people walking ahead of us. So yes there are some who ride scooters who don't need to and those who do need to but are inconsiderate- I imagine those people are inconsiderate in and out of the scooter.

All I ask is for people to make the best of their vacations and be considerate to those in and out of scooters and we will (do) the same.