ECV'S causing Blindness

[PrincessSuzanne]

Please note that this is all in fun and please no uglies

Why is it when we go to WDW and use an ECV, we suddenly become invisible to the crowds. My mom especially remarked several time on our trip 2 weeks ago that she felt she was invisible as she rode through the park on her ECV. One afternoon she even contemplated staying at the resort to avoid this situation.

Are we causing blindness with our ECV's ? I am a rather large woman and I don't understand why you can't see me on it. I do stick out in the crowd, there is no way to hide me, so why don't you see me until you are in my lap? Come on I am tired of being stepped on. These people seem to see small children, but not big, fat me on an ECV, go figure

Not ranting, just trying to think of a way to be noticed before you walk into me and then yell at me, when I have been sitting here for 30 minutes waiting for the parade/10 minutes waiting to meet up with the rest of my family.

Suzanne

 

[Belle1962]

Please note that this is all in fun and please no uglies


just trying to think of a way to be noticed.

Suzanne

"light up a cigarette?"

People seem to notice people who are breaking the rules/smoking.

 

[Vijoge]

Please note that this is all in fun and please no uglies

Why is it when we go to WDW and use an ECV, we suddenly become invisible to the crowds. My mom especially remarked several time on our trip 2 weeks ago that she felt she was invisible as she rode through the park on her ECV. One afternoon she even contemplated staying at the resort to avoid this situation.

Are we causing blindness with our ECV's ? I am a rather large woman and I don't understand why you can't see me on it. I do stick out in the crowd, there is no way to hide me, so why don't you see me until you are in my lap? Come on I am tired of being stepped on. These people seem to see small children, but not big, fat me on an ECV, go figure

Not ranting, just trying to think of a way to be noticed before you walk into me and then yell at me, when I have been sitting here for 30 minutes waiting for the parade/10 minutes waiting to meet up with the rest of my family.

Suzanne

"light up a cigarette?"

People seem to notice people who are breaking the rules/smoking.

Finally! An answer to the #1 question that all ECV users have!
Thank you!

 

[Piper]

I have contemplated taking advantage of the invisibility and robbing a bank---no one would be able to describe me and I could afford to go to WDW more often. Win-win situation!

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

"light up a cigarette?"

People seem to notice people who are breaking the rules/smoking.

Then I might get thrown out of the park and I don't want that to happen, I would only be mad at myself. It would definitely get me noticed though, especially since I don't smoke. I would be having a serious asthma attack and that would get me some attention, too

Finally! An answer to the #1 question that all ECV users have!
Thank you!

I have contemplated taking advantage of the invisibility and robbing a bank---no one would be able to describe me and I could afford to go to WDW more often. Win-win situation!

Get me some money while you are at it , I'll drive the get away ECV

Suzanne

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Actually it is both ECVs and wheelchairs that the people become invisible or with an expectation of muteness.

Judy would always get very annoyed when people would ask her a question about my preferences. She got to a point where she would say, in an irritated tone, "He's in Mensa, why not ask him?!"

And why, when I'm at a turnstile and a person in either a wheelchair or ECV comes in to the park I will speak directly to them and remind them that racing is not permitted in the park. In about 99% of the cases the people will come back with a remark about how that rule disappoints them, and they, and their party, will have a good laugh.

And if they are in a wheelchair and apparently unable to drive themselves, I will also point out they they are responsible for their Chauffeur's actions; if in an ECV I will point out that drag racing or doing wheelies will get them ejected.

 

[AJKMOM]

So, no one has an answer?

Perhaps the user of the ECV should not wear the cloak of invisibility.

Maybe they need to become the "mad" driver that I have seen; the one who barrels on, just beeping the horn and trying to part the crowds on Main Street like Moses parted the Red Sea.

Those are the ones I can do without.

 

[I Love Pluto]

ECV drivers - PLEASE don't be so invisible so that you do not recognize me, and run me over!

Last year - a woman on an ECV crashed into my left ankle at Pop's drink station. She didn't even care that she smashed into my ankle very hard. I was unable to speak for a few seconds due to the pain, then I said loudly - "Excuse you!" The woman still did not apologize or react. She was too busy jumping out of her ECV to fill several mugs.

I just had 3 surgeries on my ankle in Dec, Jan, & March. I have an implant. I can never go back to Pop again. I fear the inconsiderate ECV drivers at their food court! OUCH!

 

[KPeveler]

i make myself less invisible with bright lights.. i have blue light up LEDs on my back wheels, and LED "headlights" mounted under my foot rests for night time!!

 

[mechurchlady]

I wonder it is being fat. I was in the Golden Horseshoe Revue and was going to get in line for drinks. This old man comes up my right side so I stop as I figure he would go around. He turns left and drives right into me.

I am fat but invisible.
I need transportaton to San Antonio and eveything else for the sweepstakes convention so while you ladies are getting money can you get me about 200,000 for the trip.

hugs to the invisisble bank robbers

 

[toocherie]

the thing I notice most are the people who think they are going to get some advantage by getting in front of me on an ECV--and who go out of their way to step in front. I tend to think they are the same people who will race like mad to get it front of someone and change lanes on a freeway so they get a one-car advantage. somehow they think they "win" because they beat the lady on the ECV while walking down the path. (go figure)

note that I am only slightly more annoyed by these people than the party of six that walks slowly side by side and block the entire path (when they know there are people behind them) or the people who are walking along and come to a dead stop in the middle of the path. and then get annoyed when someone (either walking, in a wheelchair/ECV or with a stroller) bumps into them. (hellooo-- you're the one who stopped suddenly).

 

[cmwade77]

DW's suggestion: Go naked, you would definitely get noticed!

I think that would get you kicked out for that too though, so I don't think that is the answer.

Her other suggestion, install something that sounds a lot like an air horn or other extremely large sound.

My suggestion: At night have flashing lights (not red or blue of course, so that you wouldn't be accused of impersonating a police officer).

We also have a hard time with this, especially if I am pushing DW in a wheelchair down hill, I once had to actually tell a lady once that I couldn't stop, and apparently she thought this was being rude, since when is protecting someone being rude? She was standing right in the path of the wheelchair and wasn't moving.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Then I might get thrown out of the park and I don't want that to happen,

And you could politely dispute that with, "But I'm NOT smoking, I'm merely carrying a lit cigarette - and there are no rules against that!"

if in an ECV I will point out that drag racing or doing wheelies will get them ejected.

Note to self: no more wheelies within view of Cheshire Figment... oh, wait - what's a wheelie? Not really tight circles really fast in a safe area, right? Whew!

 

[BroganMc]

DW's suggestion: Go naked, you would definitely get noticed!

Hey that was my idea! You could always say your skin is allergic to clothing and making you dress is an unreasonable violation of ADA.

Seriously though, I think all these reports of invisibility in some way reflect the inexperience of the drivers. It takes some time to learn pedestrian behavior and know how to drive around them. You learn to watch their eyes. What they're looking at usually dictates what they'll do. Also, watch those drinks and things they handle. Several pedestrians have been saved from accidents because I noticed the drink or souvenir slip from their hands and knew they'd instantly reach down to grab it.

 

[BroganMc]

And why, when I'm at a turnstile and a person in either a wheelchair or ECV comes in to the park I will speak directly to them and remind them that racing is not permitted in the park. In about 99% of the cases the people will come back with a remark about how that rule disappoints them, and they, and their party, will have a good laugh.

And if they are in a wheelchair and apparently unable to drive themselves, I will also point out they they are responsible for their Chauffeur's actions; if in an ECV I will point out that drag racing or doing wheelies will get them ejected.

No racing and no wheelies! They how am I supposed to play with the talking trashcans and palm tree, not to mention the Segway guys? You're not a fun ::cop:

 

[OneLittleSpark]

And why, when I'm at a turnstile and a person in either a wheelchair or ECV comes in to the park I will speak directly to them and remind them that racing is not permitted in the park. In about 99% of the cases the people will come back with a remark about how that rule disappoints them, and they, and their party, will have a good laugh.

Cheshire, I love it!! I've had so many smiles from wonderful CMs like yourself who can enjoy a joke with me, rather than cowering at the risk of offending some PC nut! I once had a great CM on a Segway in EPCOT race me and my fella (don't worry, it was really quiet, and there was no one who could have got run over). We won, btw

Last year - a woman on an ECV crashed into my left ankle at Pop's drink station. She didn't even care that she smashed into my ankle very hard. I was unable to speak for a few seconds due to the pain, then I said loudly - "Excuse you!" The woman still did not apologize or react. She was too busy jumping out of her ECV to fill several mugs.

I just had 3 surgeries on my ankle in Dec, Jan, & March. I have an implant. I can never go back to Pop again. I fear the inconsiderate ECV drivers at their food court! OUCH!

You poor thing! I am so sorry to hear that you met such a dreadful woman. Unfortunately there are nasty, selfish people like this in the world, I'm just so sorry that you had to encounter one at Disney; especially one who had a potentially dangerous tool, and was using it so unsafely.

DW's suggestion: Go naked, you would definitely get noticed!

Just make sure you wear plenty of sun cream so you don't burn!!

We also have a hard time with this, especially if I am pushing DW in a wheelchair down hill, I once had to actually tell a lady once that I couldn't stop, and apparently she thought this was being rude, since when is protecting someone being rude? She was standing right in the path of the wheelchair and wasn't moving.

Yeah, my guy and I have stopped caring if people think we're rude now; he just shouts "gang way" and hopes that people are quick to catch on! If they don't, we figure it's natural selection at work



Other ways to get yourself noticed:

Wave your arms madly in the air, preferably on a downhill slope, and preferably with vocal accompaniment (e.g. screaming)

Wear a novelty disguise kit (the ones with glasses, false nose and mustache are preferable): people will notice you, but won't recognise you if they see you again (also a good backup plan for aforementioned bank robbery)

Shout: "look out, cripple coming through!" (I only use this term to describe myself, not others, and even then only in jest)

Shout: "How do you drive this thing?!" whilst careening down a hill

Shout: "Is that bit meant to come off?"

Mob one of the Year of a Million Dreams' CMs for their uniform - you'll get a whole entourage of stalkers in no time

Rig up a stereo system on your chair / ECV and play loud music from it

Use aforementioned stereo to announce that a special surprise parade will be coming through soon, then just take to the road as everyone runs to grab a space on the curb.

Attend the MGM Jedi Knight Training School, then use the force to clear people out of your way

Steal the AT-AT walker from outside Star Tours, and use that to cruise around the park

If you can't get the AT-AT walker, steal a parade float instead

Don't pay too much attention to where you're going: once you've run over a couple of people, news of you will travel fairly fast.



WARNING: Trying to take this author seriously can lead to headaches, irritability and uncontrolled bouts of rage.

 

[Vijoge]

Well, I just returned from a jaunt to our local Wal-mart on my teal stealth bomber. It seems the latest pastime around here is to walk through the store or across the parking lot while looking backwards over one's shoulder.

Of course, hopping right in front of me so as to go through the exit door first, missing my basket by .03 seconds, is also fun!


I have lights, I have a loud horn (not the squeeky one this machine came with), and I am not, as someone suggested, inexperienced. I've had my ECV for several years and I use it a lot.

But still I remain invisible.

 

[Vijoge]

Don't pay too much attention to where you're going: once you've run over a couple of people, news of you will travel fairly fast.

After careful consideration I have decided that this is my best option.

 

[SueM in MN]

the thing I notice most are the people who think they are going to get some advantage by getting in front of me on an ECV--and who go out of their way to step in front. I tend to think they are the same people who will race like mad to get it front of someone and change lanes on a freeway so they get a one-car advantage. somehow they think they "win" because they beat the lady on the ECV while walking down the path. (go figure)

We've had 'hanger-on-ers' who tried to enter with us thru the 'handicapped entrance'. They just tried to follow us with a "we're with them" (pointing at my DD's wheelchair). The CM asked us (since we had said how many were in out party and he had already counted out that many) and we said they were not part of our group.
Actually, we should have said they were - it would have served them right since the attractions in question were the Safari (where we often have waited as much as 40 minutes more than the 'standby wait') and Haunted Mansion (where they would have had to board with us and miss the stretching room).

DW's suggestion: Go naked, you would definitely get noticed!

I think that would get you kicked out for that too though, so I don't think that is the answer.

You could always claim heat stroke

My suggestion: At night have flashing lights (not red or blue of course, so that you wouldn't be accused of impersonating a police officer).

One of the young ladies in my DD's dance class got a new wheelchair. I didn't see the lights on, so I don't know if they flash, but there certainly were a lot of them.

We also have a hard time with this, especially if I am pushing DW in a wheelchair down hill, I once had to actually tell a lady once that I couldn't stop, and apparently she thought this was being rude, since when is protecting someone being rude? She was standing right in the path of the wheelchair and wasn't moving.

It would have only been rude if you told her after hitting her.

Note to self: no more wheelies within view of Cheshire Figment... oh, wait - what's a wheelie? Not really tight circles really fast in a safe area, right? Whew!

No, you can make really tight circles really fast in a safe area.
At least as long as you keep all the wheels on the ground. When the front wheels are off the ground, that's a wheelie.

 

[freepixie]

When I used to push my grandma in her wheelchair and too many people would be cutting us off - I used to shout "make way, make way, VIP coming through, make way..." it used to embarass the you-know-what out of poor Granny but it made people notice us and move out of our way - we got a few looks, I think they thought she was supposed to be famous!!

The other thing I used to do was to sing M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E while pushing, it brings attention, and most times little kids would start singing along!!