Just back - a few observations

[HappyCamperToo]

We just returned. Thought I'd post a few things.

1. Typhoon Lagoon has free push wheelchairs. You just leave your driver's license as security. This was helpful, as I didn't want to take my scooter because of all the sand. The path around the park was very hilly and I couldn't push myself up, and was scared to "push" myself down all those hills, but I was able to use the chair as a walker to get around when the others in my party was off doing their thing.

2. Don't try to take a scooter into the restroom in tomorrowland (near the Merchant of Venus?). It's just too tight a space. If you can walk a little, it's better to leave it outside. And if you can't, I'd recommend using a different restroom.

3. On the subject of restrooms, I passed a companion restroom at Midway airport and the signage called it an "Assisted Care" restroom. I thought that was the best designation I'd seen to make its intended purpose most clear.

4. Wall-to-wall people during Christrmas week made it REALLY HARD to see where the curbs are on Main Street, especially near the hub. I am thankful that neither I nor my scooter, nor anyone around me, was damaged when I went off one. Be very careful!

5. Speaking of crowds, the more crowded it got, the more people of all ages constantly darted across my scooter, causing me to make quick stops so as not to hit them. My quick stops to save others caught my kids by surprise. It didn't take long for them to realize it wasn't safe for them to walk behind me.

6. Valet parking is indeed "free" with a hangtag (plates). Of course, tipping is in order. Even during Christmas week, it was very quick to use--at least during the times of day that we used it.

7. If you hop to another park, there might be a closer up spot from someone who has already left.

8. Body Wars was open. There was a 0 minute wait time when we went the week before Christmas. My medical condition prevents me from riding shaking rides, but they offered to run the ride for us in training mode (doors stay open, no shakes). I think that when it's not crowded they can do this at Star Tours, too.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Glad you had a nice trip. except for the people not paying attention.

For Star Tours it is called a "Test Flight". And they will close the doors so you get all the sounds and effects except again there is no motion.

What days were you at TL?

 

[HappyCamperToo]

We went to TL the second week. It was much more relaxing than being in the parks, when crowds got unbearable by about 10:30 a.m.!

I forgot to mention that this was my first time taking my scooter on an airplane. We flew SWA. It was so convenient to have the scooter in the airports that I'm sure I'll be taking it with me again on future flights.

Going down was no trouble at all. We took the basket and arms off, to minimize any potential damage. I was able to ride it down the jetway. We put it into freewheel and took the key. We waited to be last off the plane, because my walker was in a closet at the rear of the plane anyway. The scooter was waiting for us when we got off.

Returning home also worked out ok, but there were a few more steps. At MCO, a SWA employee wanted to know how much it weighed. Fortunately the owners manual was in my carryon and we looked it up. He also wanted me to disconnect the batteries. I mentioned that I didn't need to on the way down and he said ok then, don't bother. Then when we landed at MDW, it was a long time before the scooter was brought out. Mostly because there was also a power chair and a ton of strollers and car seats to be brought out--and the power chair was supposed to be checked straight through to Oakland, so they had to take care of that mix-up first. Good thing that the mom was on top of it, or else their chair might not have left Chicago. Also my scooter didn't work at first, but DH took it apart, checked that all the connections were firm and then, thankfully, it worked.

 

[MarieS]

3. On the subject of restrooms, I passed a companion restroom at Midway airport and the signage called it an "Assisted Care" restroom. I thought that was the best designation I'd seen to make its intended purpose most clear

_______________________________________________________________

Thanks for posting this. I am nervous about flyng with my boys. Both of my boys are in wheelchairs and I have been concerned about managing their care during our time at the airport. You didn't go in this one by any chance did you? I am wondering how big it is. Do you think MCO has something like this as well?

 

[Tigger22]

5. Speaking of crowds, the more crowded it got, the more people of all ages constantly darted across my scooter, causing me to make quick stops so as not to hit them. My quick stops to save others caught my kids by surprise. It didn't take long for them to realize it wasn't safe for them to walk behind me.

We rented a scooter a few years ago for my hubby, as he had ankle surgery a month and a half before our trip. That was one of the most frustrating part of the whole experience. We found that a lot of people don't pay attention of their surroundings while they walk or they use that space that the scooter creates in front of it as their opportunity to get thru the crowd easier. I learned to walk along side the scooter too, but found that I often got stuck in the crowd and almost lost my hubby!

 

[SueM in MN]

3. On the subject of restrooms, I passed a companion restroom at Midway airport and the signage called it an "Assisted Care" restroom. I thought that was the best designation I'd seen to make its intended purpose most clear

_______________________________________________________________

Thanks for posting this. I am nervous about flyng with my boys. Both of my boys are in wheelchairs and I have been concerned about managing their care during our time at the airport. You didn't go in this one by any chance did you? I am wondering how big it is. Do you think MCO has something like this as well?

The Orlando airport has them as well. We have not used all of them, but have used enough to say that they exist and are pretty large. You should be able to get 2 wheelchairs inside.
Here's a link to the Orlando airport page about services/features for people with disabilities, which includes the locations of those restrooms.

 

[tarkus]

We rented a scooter a few years ago for my hubby, as he had ankle surgery a month and a half before our trip. That was one of the most frustrating part of the whole experience. We found that a lot of people don't pay attention of their surroundings while they walk or they use that space that the scooter creates in front of it as their opportunity to get thru the crowd easier. I learned to walk along side the scooter too, but found that I often got stuck in the crowd and almost lost my hubby!

The bottom line is that to survive in very large crowds you need to yield to others.

It's sad, but many people get "vacation head" and just don't see or chose not to see you.

By the same token I've seen people in scooters give the "coming thru" or "beep beep".....not good manners either.

Be Big,
Alan

 

[HappyCamperToo]

By the same token I've seen people in scooters give the "coming thru" or "beep beep".....not good manners either.

One lady waiting next to me on a line asked me how it was going. She went on to say that when her mom used one on their last trip, they were unhappy that people "didn't get out of the way for her." I did my best to explain diplomatically that I didn't think people should "get out of the way" for me. Being in a scooter doesn't give someone the right of way!

 

[tarkus]

One lady waiting next to me on a line asked me how it was going. She went on to say that when her mom used one on their last trip, they were unhappy that people "didn't get out of the way for her." I did my best to explain diplomatically that I didn't think people should "get out of the way" for me. Being in a scooter doesn't give someone the right of way!

Yep, some folks just don't get it. We don't expect to be "yielded to" everywhere we go.

That would get on my nerves.

Be Big,
Alan

 

[Tigger22]

The bottom line is that to survive in very large crowds you need to yield to others. It's sad, but many people get "vacation head" and just don't see or chose not to see you.
By the same token I've seen people in scooters give the "coming thru" or "beep beep".....not good manners either.

I guess I didn't express myself right the first time. Everyone has their moments when they bump into people trying to get to where they are going, not meaing to - I've done it myself. We now have seen it from both sides.

I think what frustrated me the most are the people who look right at you and then plow into you or step in front of you. I remember at one point a person stopping to let DH with his scooter go through a break in the line of strollers parked by Pooh in MK. Another adult came along, looked at both of us, and proceeded down this little pathway in between the strollers and then lowered her shoulder and pushed me out of the way to get by. The person who stopped to let us through just shook her head like "I can't believe that". We try to say thank you when someone helps us, and we try to hold doors and help out others. But we seem to be to be in the minority these days. Sad, but true. In non vacation mode, it doesn't constantly happen, but being in WDW where there are a bazillon people, it can get me riled up quickly. At those points, I look at DH and say "GET ME OUT OF HERE" and we go back to the hotel or get into one of the less popular rides or shows to get away.

JMO

 

[shovan]

We just returned. Thought I'd post a few things.
Valet parking is indeed "free" with a hangtag (plates). Of course, tipping is in order. Even during Christmas week, it was very quick to use--at least during the times of day that we used it.

Thanks for all the tips! I know the resorts have valet parking that we can use for "free". Anywhere else?

 

[tarkus]

I guess I didn't express myself right the first time. Everyone has their moments when they bump into people trying to get to where they are going, not meaing to - I've done it myself. We now have seen it from both sides.

I think what frustrated me the most are the people who look right at you and then plow into you or step in front of you. I remember at one point a person stopping to let DH with his scooter go through a break in the line of strollers parked by Pooh in MK. Another adult came along, looked at both of us, and proceeded down this little pathway in between the strollers and then lowered her shoulder and pushed me out of the way to get by. The person who stopped to let us through just shook her head like "I can't believe that". We try to say thank you when someone helps us, and we try to hold doors and help out others. But we seem to be to be in the minority these days. Sad, but true. In non vacation mode, it doesn't constantly happen, but being in WDW where there are a bazillon people, it can get me riled up quickly. At those points, I look at DH and say "GET ME OUT OF HERE" and we go back to the hotel or get into one of the less popular rides or shows to get away.

JMO

Tigger,

No it was I that was not clear. I agree with you and did not mean to insinuate that you were the "run'm down type".

Your comment on the "shoulder down" fool is very important. It shows that a AB can be of danger to others on foot just as easily as a person using a mobility device.

It's all about caring about the other guy, and that's fading fast.

Be Big,
Alan

 

[Lachesis00]

I wish people would post valuable information like this about Disneyland.