Experience at FW in December (kids on motor scooters)

[Belle5]

On two different days one of my boys was nearly hit by a kid (different kid each time) on a motor scooter. One of the kids on a scooter had a little sister riding a big purple big wheel. This took place in front of Trail's End both times. Is this allowed? I can see it happening on some "off the beaten path" sidewalks--but right on the main area in front of Trail's End and over toward the General Store? One of the kids who almost hit my little boy had a parent who made him get off and apologize. The other was unsupervised! I can honestly say that if my little guy had been injured I would have been furious at Disney for allowing these motor scooters on FW property. I have the feeling they might not be allowed but it just isn't enforced? Does anyone know? Oh, yeah... it also didn't look very Disney to have the big wheel and scooter in front of Trail's End. Bikes are one thing but it just looked funny seeing it...just a personal preference, I guess!

 

[dtum]

Just my opinion, but I don't think moterized vehicles of any type (except golf carts) should be aloud. I know I've been to several campground recently where motor bikes are not permitted. Not only is it unsafe it's very noisy and we don't want to stay at a campground that's supposed to be quiet and peaceful and have it sounding like NASCAR! My opinion.

 

[MrKTI]

Disney has some troubs upholding the rules.

We see bunches of stuff that should not be allowed ... little kids driving golf carts, motorized scooters (gas), etc.

Almost got run over by some moron letting his tiny granddaughter drive his golfcart recently.

Oh well ... just keep your eyes open. Stilll the best CG on earth ... just some pitfalls every so often.

John

 

[ftwildernessguy]

Last November we almost got run down by a couple of little kids on electric scooters. I was going to complain, but thought I would look at the Gazette just to be sure they weren't allowed. I couldn't believe it - FW allowed them! And unlike golf carts, there were no age restrictions! I think if FW is going to allow them, they should at the very least have the same restrictions as the golf carts as far as who is allowed to operate them. And then, the real key, enforce the rules!

 

[FredS]

I think that allowing these scooters is a BIG mistake. If they are allowed, they should be very highly regulated (age restrictions, safety gear, etc.) Unfortunately it seems more the rule than the exception that kids are recklessly riding these things everywhere.

I am really disappointed that FW is allowing these. If someone would like to get some organized opposition to voice our opinion to Disney then I would be more than happy to participate.

 

[clkelley]

There was a little girl on a big wheel that scared the bejeezus out of me in early December. We were down at the dock watching the Electrical Water Pageant and she just rode that thing right under the rope nearly up to the edge of the dock. Several of us were just inhaling watching her. Her dad finally snatched her up back on the right side of the rope and explained that they were around water all the time and he wasn't too worried about her, but yes even that silly big wheel was really noisy on the paths.

If I ever get to start doing some long term camping, I think my preferred mode of campground transportation will be one of those two-wheeled electric scooters.

I agree gas powered, motorized vehicles of any kind should not be allowed around Ft. Wilderness, but I don't see where electric ones should be banned.

I saw a family that had one of those John Deere vehicles, almost like a 4x4 with a flat bed on the back. They were using that instead of a golf cart. Rather noisy in my opinion.

Carol

 

[FredS]

clkelley -

I would have zero problem with an adult using it. The problem is that there seems to be a zillion kids out there riding them with no protective equipment, no supervision and no common sense. Those things can go really fast and I think the reason that so man campgrounds have banned them is due to unsupervised kids darting around everywhere on them.

 

[thewiz49]

One problem is that the electric and the very small gas engine scooters are under the minimum engine size to fall under state regulations for operation. You see unlicensed (and very underage) drivers operating them on roads and on sidewalks all over. The machines and drivers are completly unregulated. There are actually more regulations for bicycles.

 

[mixsap]

I am afraid that WDW doesn't want to offend any guests and isn't likely to do much about the kids zipping around on the ( mainly gas ) scooters until someone gets hit. My 13 yr old has an electric scooter that is very quiet, she wears a helmet and can only ride under adult supervsion.

On the times that we have stayed at FW, when the weekends roll arouind and the "locals" come in, it is the worst. Little kids on foot, bikes and scooters are all over unsupervised. I am trying to come and go in my full sized conversion van and really have to WATCH where I go.

The key is lack of parental supervision, kids nowadays are left to raise themselves and of course don't have the maturity and restraint that an adult has. Wait til one gets waffled by a motorhome or that another kid gets run over. Unfortunatley that is what it apparently will take for this to change.