ECV's On Disney Buses.... mini rant, please no bashing.

[SamSam]

As always, the DIS is a great educator. I've been on the DIS a long time, so have been educated about ECV's, the bus system, etc., but every reminder is a good thing. This thread, as others like this one, is good for reminding those of us that don't have to deal with mobility issues just how fortunate we are.
I want to thank all of you for helping me to imagine (even more clearly) what it would be like to deal with mobility issues at WDW, or anywhere else.

 

[guynwdm]

I don't know about the ECV rider and the safety issue but I think it is terrible that no one offered you or your daughter their seat. If I have a seat on the bus and a child, person with a child, or older person is standing I offer my seat. Common courtesy, much like common sense, is far too uncommon.

Well said Frank, I do the same thing. It's just good manners and if I didn't I know my mom would jump out of her grave and give it to me good. I often think that WDW is a great chance to teach kids manners, waiting patiently, being kind to others, respecting property (other pet peeve is when people let their kids run around in the planters of flowers, I mean really, do you take your kids over to the neighbors house and let them run around in their flower beds?) Someone might have said this already, I was bad and did not read all the way through.
There is a reason why in the song "the wheels on the bus" kids used to sing, that the driver on the bus says, "move on back". When people get on and stop at the door they are leaving people who are waiting stuck for more standing and possibly standing on the bus when they get on.

Totally understand the EVCs needing to load first and the safety of transfering. Maybe what we could do to help others understand would be to maybe a notch louder than we need to be explain that to the people we are with to help others "overhear" why things are. Easy way to help people understand without having to confront them.
Rob

 

[ckdsnynt]

I used an ECV for the first time this past may when I was at WDW and I can address several of your complaints/comments:

I drove up as our bus was parking and getting ready to load all those people that had been only who knows how long. My DH and DD (an adult) were the only two I traveled with and when the bus driver saw me, he wanted to load me and my family first. I said no, that I would wait for the next bus as I could see that everyone would not get on that bus and we would be taking seats from people that had been waiting. The driver said no, that it was the policy for the ECV people to be loaded first if any were waiting.
Second, I also offered to stay on the ECV to leave at least one more seat available. I was told no again. It was a safety and liability issue. (even tho I was allowed to remain on the scooter by one other bus driver later in the week) The scooters do roll sometimes no matter how much they are strapped in and if there was an accident and the person on the ECV was injured or it rolled into someone with a person on it and the person fell off onto another passenger, Disney would be faced with a huge lawsuit. Trust me; I am a lawyer.
As for giving up seats, I did give up my seat to a young mother that was holding a young child (about a year of age or so) and had another (about 3 years old) hanging on to her while several men (of all ages, young adult through middle age and older) saw her standing trying to juggle her children. These same men also saw me get on with my ECV and knew I had some sort of disability. or perhaps they thought I didn't need the ECV and my getting up and giving up my seat "proved" this to them! However, no amount of glaring at them during the ride to the resort by either my DH or DD made any of the surrounding men (or women) give up their seats. By the way, my DH and DD never sat during the busride or several others that trip.

Now, as to my "disability" or need for an ECV: I would be the first to admit that I look perfectly capable of walking and in fact, struggled with the decision to rent an ECV because I do look fit as a fiddle. However, I take two different pain medications every day (one long acting and one short acting) as well as two types of muscle relaxers) just to get through each day due to back problems that surgery has failed to relieve. I also take a nerve medication to alleviate the pain in my legs and an anti depressant for the chronic pain from disc degeneration, scoliosis, and pars defect. I would love to not have to use an ECV but my condition is what it is and I refuse to give up my trips to Disney! Until I am flat on my back, I will make the trip.
Today, I am back at work with the use of a cane. Somedays, I don't have to use anything; some days I do. It just depends on the level of pain.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

I have great difficulty standing on moving buses. I have fallen twice while on a bus when I had to stand. It is frustrating, but I can only imagine how hard things are when using an ECV all day long.

 

[LMO429]

I agree with the poster who said the problem is that Disney needs to supply additional buses. The bus service on our last trip staying at the beach club/dolphin was DREADFUL, we found ourselves taking so many cabs that next time we go we will be renting a car.

another thing that may help is possibly having more benches by the bus stops. I know the last thing I want to do after a long day at the park is stay to wait for a bus a bench would be fantastic. I dont know how doable the benches would be considering the space by the buses but its just a thought.

 

[JenniBugInPink]

I have definitely seen ECV riders seated on their ECV's on buses, but maybe it depends on the type of ECV or the type of restraints on the bus? I know not all Disney buses are the same, maybe some allow the rider to stay on the ECV and some don't?

Disney does NOT ALLOW users of ECVs to stay ON the ECV on the bus. There are signs on the bus that state this in several places and the bus driver shouldn't be allowing it. I am very surprised and quite disappointed that you actually have seen adult ECV users sitting on their own ECV with the knowledge of the driver of the bus. It's dangerous for the ECV user (picture sitting on your lawn mower on an erratically moving bus with limbs that move only at 1/3 speed and 1/4 strength) and Disney puts themselves at risk by doing so legally. Thankfully, they have always been quite adamant in my experience about not allowing it, regardless of the size of the crowd.

 

[Mike2023]

wow, go to work and come back the this thing really took off eh.

I want to remind people this really was not an "ecv" problem. This was a "people not giving up there seats for people who need them more then them" problem. lol

So, I was not aware that Disney would rather the ECV riders to ride in seats. That being the case, then my anger was miss placed.

Disney should really be more consistent, and maybe should put some better signs on the bus to inform other guests that its safer for the ecv to be empty. I am sure its an uncomfortable feeling knowing that other guests resent you for doing what Disney tells you to do.


Next Rant

Has anyone ever sat behind a kid on a bus while he played with his "bubble blowing gun" and they all drifted back into your face? for the entire 20 min trip, while there parents watched.... I HAVE.

 

[WaltD4Me]

Disney does NOT ALLOW users of ECVs to stay ON the ECV on the bus. There are signs on the bus that state this in several places and the bus driver shouldn't be allowing it. I am very surprised and quite disappointed that you actually have seen adult ECV users sitting on their own ECV with the knowledge of the driver of the bus. It's dangerous for the ECV user (picture sitting on your lawn mower on an erratically moving bus with limbs that move only at 1/3 speed and 1/4 strength) and Disney puts themselves at risk by doing so legally. Thankfully, they have always been quite adamant in my experience about not allowing it, regardless of the size of the crowd.

If Disney has a rule about this I was not aware of it, but I am very certain there were people who remained on their ECV's on the bus. Two were very nice ladies who I chatted with just a few weeks ago. They were both sitting on their ECV's. And I remember seeing this at other times too. If there is a rule, Disney doesn't enforce it.

 

[AlexDurrani]

Hey guys I have used an ECV on the buses the last two trips to WDW including just recently in April. There is one thing everyone needs to know about the ECVs. Even with the belts around the guests, there is a serious safety issue regarding them. The ECVs can tilt sideways easily. Yes I know that they are heavy but the center of gravity of them are so low that when you put a person on them it throws things off wack.

I have ridden on them while the bus was in motion and several times had to litterally hold on to the bars to keep from tipping over. After several times of this happening I got off the machine every time there was room on the bus. I will say this, on the occasion that the bus is likely to fill up PDQ I stay on the scooter to save room for other guests.

I know you all are not being critical on the issue of an ECV riders in general but the tipping over issue is also an issue for fellow riders since if the ECV tips over it will more then likely hurt other guests also standing on the bus.

I have given up my seat for families getting on the bus many of times even though technically i am supposed to be sitting in the seats. Bus drivers are a bit lineant about that POV but I have seen all sorts of guests be rude like that throughout the 15 trips i have made to the world.

Well adios from the very HOT state of Texas (for our standards).

Alex

 

[CinderellasSister]

My mother in law has been given the option by some drivers of whether or not she wants to sit in a regular seat after parking her ECV or be strapped in. If the bus is not going to be crowded, she'll choose to sit in a regular seat. What I can't stand is the rude families who "pretend" they are with us, stand just close enough without being on top of us, and then try to hop on with the rest of the family after my MIL is on!! Actually had a dad do that to us. You should have heard the rest of the people in line!!! And I completely agreed with them and said something to him as well.

 

[Minnie Lor]

Also, come on people, be courteous. I know everyone gets tired, but its a lot easier for a person without a kid in there arms to stand then it is for a mom/dad with son/daughter in there arms to. I had no problems giving up my seat to people who needed it when I really did not.


/rant off

This is one of the things that realyy stands out and that I love about Shades of Green and their buses. Common courtesy and manners are the norm not the exception. I really was shocked when I got on a Disney bus that men were sitting while an older lady stood and again when a younger woman with a toddler stood.

 

[Tonya2426]

This is one of the things that realyy stands out and that I love about Shades of Green and their buses. Common courtesy and manners are the norm not the exception. I really was shocked when I got on a Disney bus that men were sitting while an older lady stood and again when a younger woman with a toddler stood.

The people on the Shades of Green buses are wonderful. Reminds you that the military does more than just drive tanks and shoot guns.

I had an experience on the monorail some time ago when I was with my then 80 year old grandmother. It was crowded and we were standing. I simply looked at the men who were seated and asked if they would mind if my grandmother sat down. One of the men stood up and gave my grandmother a seat. Sometimes people just need a little nudge on how to act like their mothers taught them. Saying it with a smile and a little southern accent doesn't hurt either.

 

[disneynutz]

To the folks that believe we should limit the number of people getting on the bus...

Imagine that one of the folks in your party needs an ECV or wheelchair.

Imagine...as the poster above this has mentioned...that you waited two hours to get to the park because every bus able to accommodate an ECV was filled.

Imagine you waited longer at every attraction for that one car that could accommodate you.

Imagine that you cant "get lost in the magic" because you have to be hyper aware of everyone around you so that you dont accidentally hurt someone with your "vehicle".

Imagine not being able to get on or off the monorail without assiistance from the driver.

Are you with me so far?

Now imagine getting to the bus and having someone make a comment about you getting on the bus first...and we know thats a necessity because you cant load an ECV on a crowded bus....and now the bus driver tells you the two of your party cant board the bus with the ECV or wheelchair because they dont want to annoy the rest of the folks in line. What do you do if the person in the ECV or chaor is the other adult and you have kids and the party in the ECV needs assistance? Do you leave your kids in line to take the next bus?

Where do we draw the line as to who gets on the bus? Is it one, two three people? Do we quiz the folks in the ECV or wheelchair about their level of need for assistance? Do we make them feel even more de-hgumanized in order to not annoy people waiting in line?

Again...as I asked earlier.....id this really that big a deal?

Until someone walks in someone else's shoes, all the talk in the world is just talk and most people don't want to understand.

I am a part time ECV user. I have my good and bad days. On good days I try to get around without the ECV, on bad days I don't really have much of a choice. Because of this I get the opportunity to see the world from two different vantage points. The ECV view I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy.

I have been pushed, shoved, cut off, made fun of and yelled at. I go out of my way not to draw attention to myself and to be considerate of others. I now rent a car on vacation so I don't upset the people on the busses.

My attitude is that I don't really care if you have a problem with me, unfortunately my DW isn't so thick skinned and seeing her get upset because of the actions and comments of ignorant people is sometimes too much for me to handle.

Disney is a place where we can remember the magic and thanks to Pete and his wonderful friends, Disney is available to us at home 24/7.

When you look at the big picture, getting upset over who sat where on a bus really should be at the bottom of our list.

 

[kpadalik]

My only beef is with the giant family that is with the person on the ECV who get to enter the bus before all the people waiting in line. I understand if a few people go on first (spouse, caretaker, etc.), but when there is a line full of people waiting for a bus and just before the bus pulls up, an ECV and their clan stroll up, and expect to get on before the rest of the group who has been waiting. That is not fair. You are perfectly able to wait in line like the rest of the people.

This same thing happened to me last December! I agree with you.

To the OP, I've seen people remain on their ECVs while on the bus. I've also had to stand while holding my youngest DD - and no one offered their seat to me. How rude! I don't believe you are alone in this situation...it happens more often than we think.

 

[uconn01001]

Ok all, first off, no bashing, I just have a mini rant, and I want to get some feedback. Am I wrong for feeling this way?

ok, first let me start by saying this is not an ECVs are bad, and they should be banned from Disney. I get why people use them, and no one should ever feel bad for using an ECV to get around the parks. Pete, John, Kevin, there all right when it comes to the fact that 99% of people in them if given the choice, would rather be walking around the parks.

I also have no beef with ECVs getting front of the line to get on the bus, they need to have a clear buss to be able to strap that sucker down, so I totally understand that.

The one thing that makes me super upset is when the rider of an ECV gets out of the ECV and uses a normal seat on the bus and leave the ECV empty during the ride.

At least 3 times this last trip I had to stand, with my 4 year old daughter asleep in my arms, while I fought to keep myself upright.

Is it really that big a deal to sit in the ECV when you have a loaded bus to give someone else a chance to get off there feet? If the bus is empty then whatever. Hell, let me sit in your ECV.

Keep in mind this only upsets me when there are kids asleep in parents arms, and the parents are standing while other people sit.

So am I wrong for being upset by this?

Also, come on people, be courteous. I know everyone gets tired, but its a lot easier for a person without a kid in there arms to stand then it is for a mom/dad with son/daughter in there arms to. I had no problems giving up my seat to people who needed it when I really did not.


/rant off

We that use ECV's are told directly by the bus driver not to stay in the ECV and to sit in a seat because of the off chance the ECV would tip over. Disney does not want people sitting on the ECV when the bus is in motion. There is also a sign on the buses that indicate this.

 

[DaveH]

My DW needs an ECV at Disney. If she walked one day the rest of the trip is lost. She walks part of every morning and I ride the ECV. Parking those things on a bus is not easy. I have tried and then stood up and lifted it to get set and get everyone going. Talk about looks. DW then will ride it off and they see her limp over and the looks change. One time we loaded on a partial filled bus. While she was trying to park it folks would not move their legs a couple of inches so she could. She is afraid of hurting anyone. I asked them if they could please move their leg for a second so she would not hurt them or break their leg. We always thank them afterward. We have always been told she had to sit in a regular seat. I have seen folks go right to the seats where ECV/wheelchairs go with every seat empty on the bus. There are signs saying you will need to leave these seats for one. They then get mad they have to leave them. I have driven the ECV in the parks while my DW walks some to enjoy the parks more. You haven't had this much fun as folks push strollers with kids Right in front of you and then stop. My favorite comment for some that keep cutting off an ECV is they want a broken ankle and how that heavy machines would do it nicely. I am more aware now that we need this at WDW and hope I am better to everyone for it.

 

[slapwhitey]

To the folks that believe we should limit the number of people getting on the bus...

Imagine that one of the folks in your party needs an ECV or wheelchair.

Imagine...as the poster above this has mentioned...that you waited two hours to get to the park because every bus able to accommodate an ECV was filled.

Imagine you waited longer at every attraction for that one car that could accommodate you.

Imagine that you cant "get lost in the magic" because you have to be hyper aware of everyone around you so that you dont accidentally hurt someone with your "vehicle".

Imagine not being able to get on or off the monorail without assiistance from the driver.

Are you with me so far?

Now imagine getting to the bus and having someone make a comment about you getting on the bus first...and we know thats a necessity because you cant load an ECV on a crowded bus....and now the bus driver tells you the two of your party cant board the bus with the ECV or wheelchair because they dont want to annoy the rest of the folks in line. What do you do if the person in the ECV or chaor is the other adult and you have kids and the party in the ECV needs assistance? Do you leave your kids in line to take the next bus?

Where do we draw the line as to who gets on the bus? Is it one, two three people? Do we quiz the folks in the ECV or wheelchair about their level of need for assistance? Do we make them feel even more de-hgumanized in order to not annoy people waiting in line?

Again...as I asked earlier.....id this really that big a deal?

I said earlier that I will wait in the regular line when we have an ECV in our party to allow those waiting longer to get on the bus. I may need to preface this by saying I have no problems with an entire party getting on at the same time. I think part of it is that we go so often that I don't mind if I get to the park 20 minutes after everyone else.

I agree though that people sometimes forget that you have to wait for a specific bus or ride vehicle before you can go anywhere. My favorite is when people complain that a ride stops (Spaceship Earth, Haunted Mansion, etc) when you know that 9 times out of 10 it's because it's accommodating a differently abled rider. Oh well, some things can't be changed I guess.

I also agree that the phrase "to walk in someone else's shoes" never rang so true to me then when I had to deal with one of us using a wheelchair or ECV in the parks. It's downright frustrating.

 

[DaParkers]

It can make you really angry if you are farther back in the line and do not end up even being able to get on the bus.
Or you can be thankful that it is not you in that ECV and spend the next few minutes (while waiting on the next bus) telling that to your child or whomever it is that you've traveled with.
To the OP, I am surprised no one got up and offered you the seat. I would have, and have done so before for someone carrying a child. I would be very upset by this....
Life is full of unfair situations. Don't let an inconsiderate person have control of your emotions. Instead of being upset, just be thankful that you can stand, even if it is uncomfortable or tiring.

 

[Disney Enabler]

I am an ECV user. There are many reasons we riders choose to use an ECV but recognize that for some of us this is the only way for us to be able to enjoy the Disney experience. Is it easy to get the stares or occasional comments that are inappropriate - no but I love my Disney trips with my family enough to put up with some of it. I have learned to be a good ECV driver. I try very hard to not run into anyone - even those who think are oblivious to others and just walk right in front of me. I think I am better than some of the stroller drivers who run those poor children right into others. Sure I complain when you stand right in front of me when I have staked out my place for a parade and can't see over you but be patient with me by the time the fireworks or parades start I am just as tired as most of us.

I make decisions to stay at more expensive hotels so that I don't have to always use the bus. That is not a fun situation for anyone involved from the busdriver, to my family, to those waiting to ride the bus, to the passangers, etc... I am very aware of the inconveniece it causes everyone. If I didn't have an ECV option I would limit the events of what I do. I appreciate the patience of all you.