Electric Scooter attacks Queen Elsa

[Torgue]

Just returned from a fantastic week long trip. On Friday 12/5/14 we entered the park to attend MVMCP. We had a 4:00 FP for Elsa and Anna. After waiting about 5-10 minutes we entered the room. The group in front of us had a lady in an electric scooter. As she turned around the first set of ropes she must have done something wrong. She gunned it and it went really fast and slammed into one of the gold poles holding the ropes. She seemed to panic and then proceeded to hit the gas again and bam! Straight into the pole at the end and very close to Elsa! Everyone in room "froze". The CM's started banging on the door to get help. Elsa was noticeably shaken. The CM's tried to escort the lady out after the poles were removed because she was stuck in between them but she would not leave. She really wanted to meet Elsa but from the look on Elsa's face she was not feeling the same way. While all this was going on my smart daughter went under the ropes and was spending the entire time chatting with Anna! Queen Elsa finished taking pics and signing books with the group that was with her when this all occurred but her eyes never left the scooter. When we approached Elsa her eyes followed the scooter until it left the room and I could hear let out a huge sigh of relief. Craziest thing we have ever seen in a line. Wondered if others might have some crazy stories about waiting in lines? With all the chaos my phone was set on black/white but I will still post some pics later! Stories anyone?

 

[minniemous]

Oh that is crazy. We had a woman in a scooter in front of us on our trip and she came close to running over Anna's foot. I wonder if this sort of thing happens a lot.

It would seem a lot of people who normally do not ride scooters tend to at disney world because they can not handle the long days on the feet whereas at home they might not need a scooter. So they are not very good at handling the scooters.

 

[Goddesstree]

We saw a person on a scooter crash into a person in a wheelchair! It was scary. Both people were ok, but the poor person in the wheelchair was upset - and I think they were together as a family/group, so not sure how that dynamic played out?

 

[Torgue]

Oh that is crazy. We had a woman in a scooter in front of us on our trip and she came close to running over Anna's foot. I wonder if this sort of thing happens a lot.

It would seem a lot of people who normally do not ride scooters tend to at disney world because they can not handle the long days on the feet whereas at home they might not need a scooter. So they are not very good at handling the scooters.

That was my thought exactly. My DW commented on this trip that there more people on electric scooters than there were strollers in the park. Not all but many of the people we saw getting on and off rides did not appear to be disabled but were a very heavy. We also saw lots and lots of camo! I had never seen that much camo hats/shirts and I am from Oklahoma. I thought maybe Bass Pro had opened a new store in DTD?

 

[mrsksomeday]

Not all but many of the people we saw getting on and off rides did not appear to be disabled but were a very heavy.

Just because you don't see an apparent disability doesn't mean there isn't one. Sometimes being "very heavy" has to do with medications being taken for various diseases and not just from overeating.

 

[lroger01]

I used a scooter for one day in Epcot a few months ago. I got it due to extremely sore feet and not wanting to waste an expensive Disney day sitting in a motel room. I chose Epcot because of it's size. I figured I could stay out of people's way better.

Here's what I learned about scooter driving:
It takes about an hour to get the hang of driving it - starting, stopping, maintaining a steady pace. The Disney ECV I used had a speed dial. I kept it slow at first. By the end I could have it up full and "feather" the accelerator to maintain pace without thinking about it.

It was very much like driving a car. I just kept at a walking pace with the "traffic" around me, looked before turning, pulled out of traffic before stopping, stopped on the other side of planters or trash cans - things people would need to walk around anyway, ect. If you can drive a car, you can drive a scooter. If you don't drive a car, don't even think about trying a scooter- unless you already ride one.

I drove it to areas of Epcot and got out and walked around. Even with the scooter I still did 8 miles! of walking. I spent the entire day open to close at the park. During that time I didn't run over anyone, ram anyone, use it to get my way, get dirty looks, or have any trouble at all. In fact it spoiled me a bit for future visits. I saw parts of Epcot I'd never would have taken the energy to see before.

I know some people ride scooters because they don't want family members pushing them in a wheel chair. I wish they'd make wheel chairs like lawnmowers - self propelled but steered by someone walking behind.

The purpose of this long post is the suggestion that scooters only be used by those that can drive, and then driven as if you were driving a car.

 

[kerplop]

Just because you don't see an apparent disability doesn't mean there isn't one. Sometimes being "very heavy" has to do with medications being taken for various diseases and not just from overeating.

Not to start the great scooter wars - again - but this is totally correct. And so what if they are heavy? What if they're too fat to walk around the parks for 5-12 hours a day? Does that mean they shouldn't be allowed to go at all or not allowed to go until they lose all the weight (if they even can)? I never have understood how offended other people get if someone is using a scooter. Unless they're unsafe with it - which I totally get - why does it matter unless you're just jealous you have to walk and they don't? I'm just thankful I can and I don't worry about what other people are doing.

 

[RubySue]

Just because you don't see an apparent disability doesn't mean there isn't one. Sometimes being "very heavy" has to do with medications being taken for various diseases and not just from overeating.

Exactly! Not only medications, but sometimes the medical issue itself causes weight gain. Add on the fact that if you have medical issues/disability, you are unable to do much in the way of physical activity. Hence, the need for a scooter or wheelchair.

One can't know the situation of a complete stranger. It's best not to assume.

And what does camo have to do with it?

I do agree with minniemous in that many people with mobility issues who can get by at home have to use a scooter or wheelchair at WDW because of the long distances to walk and the time spent standing. It IS the responsibility of the people who are unfamiliar with a scooter to practice in a clear area before driving into a crowded park. They are not as easy to control as they seem. That is common advice over on the disABILITIES board.

 

[whitney250]

I know on some of the scooters the "flippers" can make the scooter go both directions. My grandmother didn't know this, as we thought one side went forward, the other backwards. . . we later found out, (after she ran over my moms foot, lol!) that both sides could go both directions if you flipped it the wrong way! Then, of course when it started doing something she though it wasn't supposed to do, she panicked a bit and lost control for a second. We are just glad we figured it out at one of our expenses, instead of another guest!

 

[StirlingSilver83]

I think having a scooter to get around the world is a great option for some people if need be (me being 1 of them). Yes I am over weight but that has nothing to do with my balance issue. I physically look fine but can get these vertigo attacks and I would rather be sitting down when one comes on vs standing up. Yes it takes a little practice in steering but Disney is also not the easiest place to steer with how crowded it can get. I honestly feel bad for the lady that almost ran over Elsa. I would have been so embarrassed and upset at least no one was hurt thankfully. Truth be told I think everyone needs to be more respectful of people's space. Scooters can't be flying around places running into people like they own the road, and people walking need to be courteous of scooters if they see a scooter wanting to get by just take the 2 steps and move over instead of ignoring them. I've been in both scenarios and they are not fun

 

[Disney Von Drake]

You don't have to be disabled to use a power wheelchair. Anyone can use them. They're great for getting around the parks. What I like best is that you always have a seat when you're stuck in a long queue. You can easily carry food and cold beverages along with you. Also while waiting in queues you can chill out and relax.

 

[bumbershoot]

It's weird that Elsa's friend was so ungracious about a person having difficulties with the ECV. It's weird that a CM was banging on the door to get help. What help did they expect? Why would they try to escort the woman out? She was in line. It's the equivalent of falling or tripping while in line if you're on your feet...it was just clumsiness with the controls. The whole situation seems weird.

Not all but many of the people we saw getting on and off rides did not appear to be disabled but were a very heavy.

So what? So what if they are heavy? Are you thinking that there are vast numbers of people who rent them solely because they are heavy? Do you REALLY think people are doing that? You know even offsite rentals are expensive, right? People can be heavy AND disabled. They can be heavy BECAUSE they are disabled and can't go exercise. They can, as was mentioned, be taking medications that cause weight gain.

And so what if they are heavy? What if they're too fat to walk around the parks for 5-12 hours a day? Does that mean they shouldn't be allowed to go at all or not allowed to go until they lose all the weight (if they even can)? I never have understood how offended other people get if someone is using a scooter. Unless they're unsafe with it - which I totally get - why does it matter unless you're just jealous you have to walk and they don't? I'm just thankful I can and I don't worry about what other people are doing.

Exactly. To everything you said.

 

[CaliKT]

I have no problem with people using scooters if they need to, but I do agree that they can be a hazard when driven by people who don't normally use one and who aren't experienced at operating them. Today in line at Kilimanjaro Safari, I saw a woman in one getting chastised by a cast member. She was coming down the FP+ line at full speed, underestimated how long it would take to stop, and almost ran into someone had the CM not started yelling, "Stop! Stop!". It would have been a very nasty accident.

 

[Priory]

Wow. Elsa v. Scooter. I honestly can't decide who to root for in that scenario.

 

[mummabear]

Oh that is crazy. We had a woman in a scooter in front of us on our trip and she came close to running over Anna's foot. I wonder if this sort of thing happens a lot.

It would seem a lot of people who normally do not ride scooters tend to at disney world because they can not handle the long days on the feet whereas at home they might not need a scooter. So they are not very good at handling the scooters.

You should need a license to drive one of those things....(not an attack on those that need them, I also think you should pass a license to ride your bike on the road)

 

[RubySue]

You should need a license to drive one of those things....(not an attack on those that need them, I also think you should pass a license to ride your bike on the road)

Maybe not a license, but I wish the rental companies (whether WDW or outside vendors) would provide more instruction. In my experience, WDW gives ECV renters no instruction at all. I think some outside vendors will, if they are asked. But many people don't think about it while the company representative is there. People think ECVs are easy until they get in a crowd or a situation where they panic and push the wrong control.

 

[Callie]

Maybe an idea to help protect the characters would be to provide a wheelchair for scooter guests to transfer in? That way there is more control, and less chain of someone getting injured in such a tight space.

But I do agree, there needs to be more training for people to drive scooters. My sister suffered a broken foot at Disney after being run over, and then a lady was bound and determined to drive her scooter on the bus and rammed into 4 peoples knees!

 

[bryana]

On our family reunion trip in 2008, my mom was run over by a man in one. His son/grandson was playing with some sort of ball and it got away from him. Without even looking, the guy cut hard in that direction and completely took my mom out. She was okay but had some really nasty bruises for a while. The man didn't even apologize!

 

[maxiesmom]

Wow a scooter thread. Haven't had one of these for a while.

 

[Cyrano]

We'll let this thread die slowly