Just back from Pop Century, aka "Scooter City"!

[dclfun]

Just back from a two-day stay at Pop Century. Fortunately I did not have to use the busses ( I was working), but I wanted to share that I have never, ever seen so many scooters in one place at one time. The food court looked like a bumper car attraction! One evening alone I counted 14 different guests on scooters, ( plus more parked outside)- and that was only during the short time I was in that area. As I left this morning I passed by the holding area and there were 21...yes, TWENTY ONE! scooters waiting to be picked up today and the Walker rental van was unloading more. Now I can see why there's a bus issue as I can only imagine the wait times- of course not everyone is using the Disney transportation system either. I'm not judging anyone who uses a scooter, but I just could not believe there were that many people in one place who need to use one. Oh...and there were no, zero, zilch handicapped parking spaces in the entire parking lot for these two days. I had to park sideways across two spaces and hope no one hit my lift van. Never again.----Kathy

 

[shinysparklybubbles]

I was at Pop Nov 14-19 and one morning there was 8 people on scooters waiting for the bus to MK. It was a shame to see the people have to wait for so many buses to come before they could get to the park. They were coming pretty quickly but it was still ashame to see how long people in scooters had to wait.

 

[Schmeck]

I was at Pop Nov 14-19 and one morning there was 8 people on scooters waiting for the bus to MK. It was a shame to see the people have to wait for so many buses to come before they could get to the park. They were coming pretty quickly but it was still ashame to see how long people in scooters had to wait.

When we were there in August, Pop Century was using the 3 and 4 spot buses. Are they not using them anymore?

 

[Bete]

Baby boomers are coming (I'm one of them). As we retire and have more time to travel and we are grandparents, too we will be doing more of Disney World and many of us will need scooters to do it. The price difference for scooters at the parks make it almost impossible not to rent from an outside source especially when you can have use of a scooter all over the resort. Add to all of this that POP Century is probably the most popular value resort and you have a lot of scooters. I don't think this is going away.

My husband probably triples his time in the parks using a scooter; so, there's no way we will be giving it up. His stamina just can't handle walking through the parks anymore. Waiting for a bus seems secondary to trying to walk the parks and resorts when you can't do it well anymore. We often use our car; so, we don't always have to bus it to the parks, but we will be at the reosrt with a scooter all the time.

With our overweight population (I'm one, but currently I don't scooter) there will be more use of scooters, too.

Disney has been very good to set up a place where you can scooter everywhere pretty easy. All vacation destinations are not as good this way; so, this destination will get more and more popular for vacation.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Wondering if the Open Mouse Passporter has any influence on this. Those that know it, know it has pretty......... clear opinions about which resorts are "better" for disabilities such and such which includes the "best for mobility disabilities". It's no secret that Pop gets most ravings on here for that also.

Actually I am not wondering. I am convinced there is a part in all of this for advicesources like Open Mouse Passporter, the DIS and others alike. I've seen it on each trip I've taken; a noticable difference in amount of mobility aid users per resort that fits the so called "this is a better resort for them in this resortlevel".

I'm pretty convinced such an influence will be bigger for those using ECV's. A high percentage of them would not use a ECV in daily life and thus go on a 'hunt' for info about all that is new and how to deal with the combo of ECV and a WDW-trip. Obviously it's definately not one of the few factors. But I am -and always have been- wary of the result of these types of info.

While 21 ECV's might not be that much at a peaktime for dinner in a foodcourt at a resort with Pop's capacity (and size), it does leave room with me for some questions. Peaktimes aren't just for foodcourts, they're also there for other stuff like transportation. How much of a Mission Impossible is this starting to become?


In a more egotistical; glad I decided not to book it. For about half a second played with the idea of booking a value for my stay after the WBTA but opted out knowing the set up and crowds hit my "wrong buttons" and I've seen the higher number of those with mobility aids before at the park busstops, so ended up renting points. You just confirmed I made a smart move.

 

[clanmcculloch]

I don't see this as any different than the number ofpeople with food allergies or the number of families with autistic kids increasing because of the always increasing positive reviews Disney gets on various websites and forums dedicated to these types of needs. When people find out that there's a place they can vacation and have a lot of fun without being hindered by their disabilities, they want to try it out. When they see for themselves how great it is, they not only return again and again, but also tell everybody they know including (or especially) those with similar disabilities. Disney has placed themselves as the leading vacation destination for those with special needs. I know that's why we keep returning and I know I also tell anybody I know who has similar types of issues about how great they are.

 

[POOHsie]

I agree with other posters. The aging Baby Boom generation, Disney's reputation as very accessible to special needs folks, return special needs visitors, Pop's 2880 room capacity, it all adds up to more scooters as time progresses.

Another thought, if a young family wished to take extended family members who used scooters to WDW, and needed two rooms instead of just one, it may have been a budget consideration to book a value resort.

I don't understand why OP finished her post with "Never again." If it would be of any help, our family always stays at POR and POFQ. I have my own scooter. There were not too many scooters there, only 2-3 at the food court that I observed in Sept., and plenty of open handicap parking spots.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

I don't understand why OP finished her post with "Never again."

I do. Or better put; think I do. (don't have magic powers to look into Kathy's mind ).

I'ld be saying the same thing. Never ever a stay for me at a resort with the vast amount of ECV's Kathy has experienced and the level of accessibility WDW offers at this moment. Not because of the persons using an ECV themselves but it has all to do with the facilities available. Come on; 21 ECV's would mean waiting for ever before getting on a bus at peaktimes. Or translated to my way of doing WDW; it would result in no park time at all. The amount of mobility aids at Pop obviously exceeded the resorts, transportations, and what not, options to properly allow access in a timely fashion for all.

I couldn't care about waiting for a second bus, that happens. I do care when I'm number 8 in said line at any other moment than parkclosing in busier times. Apart from it not being feasable for me personally, it simply is not doable to accomodate those guests in a timely fashion. It seriously drastically influences ones experience and trip.

Nothing personal at all but it is one of the main reasons for me in my resort picking. No resorts for me with hellish huge amounts of mobility aids running around as long as the set up is not able to deal with it. If I'ld ever had the same experience as Kathy at any resort; no way I'ld ever be back there again unless they seriously updated the accessibility factor in such a way it wouldn't cause total back ups. Heck, for me it's enough to stay away from certain resorts based on what I see happening at park bus stops for said resorts over and over again. It's simple; the accessibility system is overloaded. The number of mobility aids outweight the number of accessibility features to such an extend it is worrysome at some places, to say the least.


Reading the opening post, for me Kathy comes across as saying "once and never again this resort with this demand for the feature I need again". So Kathy, come on in and tell us if I'm right or wrong. What do I win if I'm right, by the way?

 

[Schmeck]

If you can handle the heat, Pop Century was pretty much scooter-free at the end of August, when we were there. Saw maybe 3-4 the whole 8 day trip. Only one in the food court area (in where the food is, that is) and I looked, because usually people in scooters need help reaching some stuff, and I like to help.

 

[dclfun]

I do. Or better put; think I do. (don't have magic powers to look into Kathy's mind ).

I'ld be saying the same thing. Never ever a stay for me at a resort with the vast amount of ECV's Kathy has experienced and the level of accessibility WDW offers at this moment. Not because of the persons using an ECV themselves but it has all to do with the facilities available. Come on; 21 ECV's would mean waiting for ever before getting on a bus at peaktimes. Or translated to my way of doing WDW; it would result in no park time at all. The amount of mobility aids at Pop obviously exceeded the resorts, transportations, and what not, options to properly allow access in a timely fashion for all.

I couldn't care about waiting for a second bus, that happens. I do care when I'm number 8 in said line at any other moment than parkclosing in busier times. Apart from it not being feasable for me personally, it simply is not doable to accomodate those guests in a timely fashion. It seriously drastically influences ones experience and trip.

Nothing personal at all but it is one of the main reasons for me in my resort picking. No resorts for me with hellish huge amounts of mobility aids running around as long as the set up is not able to deal with it. If I'ld ever had the same experience as Kathy at any resort; no way I'ld ever be back there again unless they seriously updated the accessibility factor in such a way it wouldn't cause total back ups. Heck, for me it's enough to stay away from certain resorts based on what I see happening at park bus stops for said resorts over and over again. It's simple; the accessibility system is overloaded. The number of mobility aids outweight the number of accessibility features to such an extend it is worrysome at some places, to say the least.


Reading the opening post, for me Kathy comes across as saying "once and never again this resort with this demand for the feature I need again". So Kathy, come on in and tell us if I'm right or wrong. What do I win if I'm right, by the way?

Yes, you win! I'll have to think of a good prize, lol! I mentioned the 21 scooters waiting to be picked up on a Wednesday. This does not include the many other guests already having them- possibly the 14 that I personally saw the night prior...and more ( if they weren't checking out on Wednesday) and many more being picked up in the days ahead. I'm not about to have my trip impacted by huge wait times for transportation. I am lucky to be a DVC owner and can use my points to stay in other resorts or I'll pay more money to stay in a non-value resort even if it means I can't go as often. I have limited stamina and I won't have it wasted by waiting in lines with so many other guests needing accessibility, especially if I need to get back to the resort to rest in the middle of the day. Coming/going more than once and having long wait times to/from would be unbearable and I'd not have much park time at all if I factor in all the time needed to wait for a bus with an accessible space.

I agree 100% with Goofieslonglostsis that the accessibility features are not adequate to deal with the population needing them. There have always been aging guests and people needing scooters and wheelchairs, but the number has skyrocketed exponentially in the past few years, and incredibly so this year to where WDW, a wonderful destination for all disabled guests, is bursting at the seams with guests who need accessible features. And please, please do not take my comments as being negatively directed toward anyone who needs to use a scooter as I'm only commenting on how this impacts all of us, not just myself. --Kathy

 

[RaySharpton]

I am at Pop Century Resort now.

I guess that I haven't seen that many scooters or wheelchairs the past four days at Pop Century food court or at the bus stops over the past four days and nights.

I have been to Epcot and Magic Kingdom the past four days, and I have not seen more than 3 extra wheelchairs or scooters when waiting for a bus at Pop Century Resort going to Epcot or Magic Kingdom or coming back to Pop Century Resort.

I also haven't seen more than four wheelchairs at the food court when I have been there for breakfast or lunch or dinner.

I have seen more scooters at Magic Kingdom and Epcot than I have seen
in awhile.

I guess I must have good timing or something.

And everyone has been very nice in the bus lines including the bus drivers.

 

[Bete]

and we have a scooter and a wheelchair in our party; so, I'm well aware of the situation on that count. Based on the original poster's comments I have to say I haven't seen it that bad ever, either.

The worse we have had it is maybe 4 waiting in the handicap line for a bus and that's once in a 10 day stay. I've seen about a dozen of scooters at the most waiting to be picked up from renters at POP. Usually, we pass that way each day heading to the food court for breakfast. We stay in the 50's section a lot.

Maybe, there was a bigger senior bus trip tour or something else similar going on to cause such a big jump in scooters, etc.

I do feel this situation is on the rise; so, it will get more time consuming, etc. if you have special needs. In our case, it's our favorite place to go; so, it won't change our minds. I will say we have our car most of the time; so, we do have alternate transportation if we want to the parks.

 

[dclfun]

I am at Pop Century Resort now.

I guess that I haven't seen that many scooters or wheelchairs the past four days at Pop Century food court or at the bus stops over the past four days and nights.

I have been to Epcot and Magic Kingdom the past four days, and I have not seen more than 3 extra wheelchairs or scooters when waiting for a bus at Pop Century Resort going to Epcot or Magic Kingdom or coming back to Pop Century Resort.

I also haven't seen more than four wheelchairs at the food court when I have been there for breakfast or lunch or dinner.

I have seen more scooters at Magic Kingdom and Epcot than I have seen
in awhile.

I guess I must have good timing or something.

And everyone has been very nice in the bus lines including the bus drivers.

Ray- I'm glad you haven't had long wait times and esp. that you are enjoying your vacation. As I mentioned, I was not using the busses during this trip so I had no personal challenges. I was at the food court around 5:30-6:00 pm on Monday then went up again to do some shopping around 8:30-9:00 pm. It was during the later time that I counted so many scooters. I'd truthfully not have noticed just a few but there were several with the canopies and the way they were being navigated, it really did look like a bumper car attraction in there! Then there were four empty ones parked outside the entrance and several more being occupied in the smoking area, plus the other guests using them in the food court area vs. shopping area as I passed through to use our refillable mugs. I encountered several helpful CM's, one who offered to take our dinner order for me and bring it out but I told him I was fine in the queue line with everyone else. I am looking forward to my actual vacation beginning Thursday which is a split stay at the Poly/AKL concierge and am hoping I don't have major issues at the parks with the busses as part of the time I'll be solo with my service dog and 3-year old grandson.I've stayed at Pop Century before, but I've now had my last visit there. I hope those who like this resort continue to have good times there but I'm not taking any chances with my precious time or energy. If there were 3-4 scooters or w/c's plus my own power chair each time I head to/from a park that means at least waiting through two busses each way...at a minimum.---Kathy

 

[icouldlivethere]

I agree 100% with Goofieslonglostsis that the accessibility features are not adequate to deal with the population needing them. There have always been aging guests and people needing scooters and wheelchairs, but the number has skyrocketed exponentially in the past few years, and incredibly so this year to where WDW, a wonderful destination for all disabled guests, is bursting at the seams with guests who need accessible features. And please, please do not take my comments as being negatively directed toward anyone who needs to use a scooter as I'm only commenting on how this impacts all of us, not just myself. --Kathy

We were at WDW in early November and when I came back I started a thread stating that it seemed like the number of people using scooters had proliferated like rabbits and I'm wondering how Disney is going to deal with it. I think it is a combination of using scooters becoming more acceptable along with the aging baby boomers.

I first started using a scooter about 10 years ago at the urging of my DS's who wanted me to go into the parks with the family. Prior to that I had stayed behind in my hotel room while my family went into the parks because I am unable to stand very long or walk very far. So I know first hand what a Godsend a scooter can be and what a difference it can make in your life.

A few years back we ended up purchasing a small DVC contract because Disney was the one place I could go on vacation, rent a scooter and actually participate in the vacation. Since then I have purchased my own scooter so I can enjoy going other places as well. When we were there in early November we spent our first night at PC before moving to the BW where we have our small DVC contract. We went to the MK the night of our arrival and there were no other ECV or WC users on the bus either on our way there or the way back to PC. We ate breakfast in the food court at PC in the morning and saw only a few other ECV users there. We took the bus from PC to DHS so we could take the path to the BW and check in and there were no other ECV or WC users on that bus either. So, I think it is the luck of the draw as to whether or not you will run into a lot of ECV users at PC. Maybe we just got incredibly lucky or maybe you got incredibly unlucky. Who knows?

Where I really saw a proliferation of ECV users was in the parks. We go down to WDW twice a year and I have NEVER seen so many ECV users as I did this last trip. Talk about bumper cars. I felt like I was playing bumper cars with all of the other ECV users in the parks this trip. Usually I have to be careful not to run into kids and adults who try and walk in front of me but this trip I felt like I had to dodge all of the ECV users coming at me from every angle and flying by me like I was standing still. Even though the parks were not full the ECV spots were all filling up fast.

My sister, who does not use or need an ECV had been to WDW the week before us and when she came back she had told me that she could not believe the huge increase in ECV users she saw this trip. I thought maybe she was exaggerating but I was shocked when we went, to see how many more of them there were. My sister also goes twice a year.

We have reservations to go back in March which is a much busier time of year and I'm concerned that there will be so many of us ECV users that it will be impossible to get a spot at any of the shows unless you arrive really early. With the aging baby boomers I only see the problem getting worse and I don't know what the solution is. I'm hoping they will be able to create more accessible spots for us all.

 

[clkelley]

We witnessed the same thing in September 2007. Every night the bus lines were huge and we had to wait several buses due to multiple scooters!!

Plain and simple 2880 rooms is just too many for 1 food court, 1 bus stop, and one registration area.

We won't stay there ever again.

 

[dclfun]

We were at WDW in early November and when I came back I started a thread stating that it seemed like the number of people using scooters had proliferated like rabbits and I'm wondering how Disney is going to deal with it. I think it is a combination of using scooters becoming more acceptable along with the aging baby boomers.

I first started using a scooter about 10 years ago at the urging of my DS's who wanted me to go into the parks with the family. Prior to that I had stayed behind in my hotel room while my family went into the parks because I am unable to stand very long or walk very far. So I know first hand what a Godsend a scooter can be and what a difference it can make in your life.

A few years back we ended up purchasing a small DVC contract because Disney was the one place I could go on vacation, rent a scooter and actually participate in the vacation. Since then I have purchased my own scooter so I can enjoy going other places as well. When we were there in early November we spent our first night at PC before moving to the BW where we have our small DVC contract. We went to the MK the night of our arrival and there were no other ECV or WC users on the bus either on our way there or the way back to PC. We ate breakfast in the food court at PC in the morning and saw only a few other ECV users there. We took the bus from PC to DHS so we could take the path to the BW and check in and there were no other ECV or WC users on that bus either. So, I think it is the luck of the draw as to whether or not you will run into a lot of ECV users at PC. Maybe we just got incredibly lucky or maybe you got incredibly unlucky. Who knows?

Where I really saw a proliferation of ECV users was in the parks. We go down to WDW twice a year and I have NEVER seen so many ECV users as I did this last trip. Talk about bumper cars. I felt like I was playing bumper cars with all of the other ECV users in the parks this trip. Usually I have to be careful not to run into kids and adults who try and walk in front of me but this trip I felt like I had to dodge all of the ECV users coming at me from every angle and flying by me like I was standing still. Even though the parks were not full the ECV spots were all filling up fast.

My sister, who does not use or need an ECV had been to WDW the week before us and when she came back she had told me that she could not believe the huge increase in ECV users she saw this trip. I thought maybe she was exaggerating but I was shocked when we went, to see how many more of them there were. My sister also goes twice a year.

We have reservations to go back in March which is a much busier time of year and I'm concerned that there will be so many of us ECV users that it will be impossible to get a spot at any of the shows unless you arrive really early. With the aging baby boomers I only see the problem getting worse and I don't know what the solution is. I'm hoping they will be able to create more accessible spots for us all.

I'm very concerned about the quality of our vacations with so many guests needing accommodations. I've already been turned away from shows and theaters because all the accessible spaces were gone and we've waited for long periods of time for accessible ride vehicles on the few attractions I can even access. My fear is that access and wait times will become more restrictive such as with the new changes with the bus queue in the theme parks, making it harder for disabled guests to have an equal experience. Disney is great at taking measurements and doing IE studies- I wonder if they've begun to think about addressing this issue, not just at the resorts but at the theme parks as well. On another note I wish they'd restrict the ECV's with the canopies. It's impossible to see over them if one is also seated or if one is a shorter statured guest or child, which IMO is a huge hazard at worst and at best is rude to others.----Kathy

 

[BillSears]

I just got back from Pop Century last night. I was there from 11/28-12/5.

I did notice a lot of ECV users and a few wheelchair users. It seems like everyone has learned that Pop Century is a great resort for wheeled access. Pretty soon it'll be like the old Yogi Berra quote..."Nobody goes there anymore; it's too crowded."

My next trip will be at POFQ and I'll be driving my own car down from Baltimore. I find myself getting more and more frustrated with the lmited accessible options(transportaion, rides and shows) combined with the huge increase in accessible needs of the guests.

I actually got so frustrated with the wait and the way things where handled at the Haunted Mansion that I left the ride queue after about 20 minutes. I just couldn't handle the anger growing inside me after watching people who were behind me in line walk out of the exit line and I was still waiting 10 minutes after they left. Then to top it all off the CM yelled at me to just "Move into the line of people exiting. They'll get out of your way." At that point I was either going to leave or get into an argument with him.

I'm very concerned about the quality of our vacations with so many guests needing accommodations. I've already been turned away from shows and theaters because all the accessible spaces were gone and we've waited for long periods of time for accessible ride vehicles on the few attractions I can even access. My fear is that access and wait times will become more restrictive such as with the new changes with the bus queue in the theme parks, making it harder for disabled guests to have an equal experience. Disney is great at taking measurements and doing IE studies- I wonder if they've begun to think about addressing this issue, not just at the resorts but at the theme parks as well. On another note I wish they'd restrict the ECV's with the canopies. It's impossible to see over them if one is also seated or if one is a shorter statured guest or child, which IMO is a huge hazard at worst and at best is rude to others.----Kathy

I agree 100%. For me WDW is starting to change from a wonderful vacation to a frustrating vacation. And those canopies have to go!

 

[Bete]

Is it the same there or is this just happening at POP?

I've not been bothered by this myself yet in the last three trips at POP, but I'm paying attention to what everyone is saying here. Our last trip was Dec. 2009 and I want to go back in Dec. 2011. We may go with the moderate resort option, too.

As far as the canopies on the scooter, I don't think that's going to change. Some are very bothered by sunlight and it's great relief to have this addition to a scooter.

I hope we continue to get reports, here.

 

[KPeveler]

Is it the same there or is this just happening at POP?

I've not been bothered by this myself yet in the last three trips at POP, but I'm paying attention to what everyone is saying here. Our last trip was Dec. 2009 and I want to go back in Dec. 2011. We may go with the moderate resort option, too.

As far as the canopies on the scooter, I don't think that's going to change. Some are very bothered by sunlight and it's great relief to have this addition to a scooter.

I hope we continue to get reports, here.

I don't think the canopies should be allowed in shows/theatres or in wheelchair-viewing areas for anything... Yes, when sitting in the sun, but in these other locations there are other wheelchair using guests seated BEHIND the canopy, thus blocking their view. I understand the need to avoid sun (I have a sun allergy too), but people also need to be considerate of others.

 

[peemagg]

I think that if you use a canopy in the parade viewing areas, then you go behind all others there, unless you take the canopy off.

I use a scooter on almost a daily basis and have yet to be anywhere that a poncho or hat and long sleeved shirt didn't fix. I think blocking the view like that of others is just rude.