Just back/observations

[dclfun]

We just returned from a week stay that began May 25th. Weather was gorgeous...miraculously not too hot as in years past/same week. I have a few general observations to share:

1. There were many, many more people on this trip using ECV's. I know others may disagree but I really had a problem with the ones having a canopy on top. I couldn't see around them- shorter people/children also wouldn't be able to see around them so to me they were a hazard. I saw a guest maneuvering one in a bus that almost knocked over a bus driver who kept having to duck. If someone needs shade, there should be a better solution than to block the view/safety of others.

2. There were many people using w/c's for children vs. strollers including one family at the resort checking in before us who asked for a comp one. We saw them later pushing two children in it at the parks- the same children who were running in the halls at night. We saw guests frequently, but not always, in line with multiple children in a rented w/c going through the w/c queue. This started to disturb me as some who really needed w/c seating were turned away at Nemo due to parties with multiple children using the w/c's vs. strollers. I know the cost of strollers has dramatically increased and don't blame parents for wanting to save some money...but then park the w/c's just like you would a stroller vs. using it to gain entry to w/c seating ( which isn't any better or faster). Please don't flame me- I know what I saw, and yes, I do realize that people including children have invisible disabilities and might *need* to use a w/c.

3. Rude people- why do they stand out in your mind? I can definitely counterbalance this with the many wonderful people we chatted with and enjoyed who were in the majority. Unfortunately I still feel the sting from one particular guest ... the horrible woman who ran after us down the trail as we were exiting AK to furiously tell me that "your dog is going to DIE from heat exhaustion!". I was waiting for her to punch me since she had so much venom. How dare she tell me that I don't take care of my SD ( who had been hydrated all day and had ice packs in her vest ) vs. offering her water if she was really so concerned. Then there are the people who clearly see and point out w/c seating areas and take them anyway or people who try and push their kids in front of others- what are we teaching our next generation? Maybe I'm getting older to even notice these things but always wonder why we can't be kind and considerate of one another. Off my soapbox...

4. Transportation- there were definitely longer wait times. It was strange to me that staying at AKLodge we had the longest wait times for the AK bus and it wasn't the one stopping at BB. We waited over 30 minutes each time, each way. A guest on one journey also staying at AKL told me that he drives a bus for WDW and planned to tell his supervisor about his experience which was one of long waits. Still with the price of gas I'm quite happy to wait and let WDW do the driving. We had no problems with drivers- woo hoo!

All in all it was a wonderful trip. People ask me why we go to WDW so often since we live nearby. Well, I rarely take day trips as they aren't relaxing. Going into a resort, particularly a DVC/deluxe resort I feel the weight of the world leave my shoulders, a sense of total relaxation coming over me, a knowledge that I won't have challenges in my w/c that I have out in the "real world". I guess that's what you call a "vacation".

That's it...any questions? Ask away.
Kathy

 

[KirstenB]

Hi Kathy, we were at AKV the same week!!! We'd never stayed there, and had a fabulous time!! I can't comment on the WDW parks, because we decided to try Universal for the first time. The one thing I noticed is it was less busy than I would have guessed for the week of Memorial Day. I'm sorry the woman was so rude about your dog!!

I can't get over how gorgeous AKL/AKV was!! We'd get dinner from Mara and bring it back to our rooms, and just eat on the verandah watching the animals!! What a view!!! If I lived close by, I'd be there all the time too!

 

[Belle1962]

We just returned from a week stay that began May 25th. Weather was gorgeous...miraculously not too hot as in years past/same week. I have a few general observations to share:

1. There were many, many more people on this trip using ECV's. I know others may disagree but I really had a problem with the ones having a canopy on top. I couldn't see around them- shorter people/children also wouldn't be able to see around them so to me they were a hazard. I saw a guest maneuvering one in a bus that almost knocked over a bus driver who kept having to duck. If someone needs shade, there should be a better solution than to block the view/safety of others.

2. There were many people using w/c's for children vs. strollers including one family at the resort checking in before us who asked for a comp one. We saw them later pushing two children in it at the parks- the same children who were running in the halls at night. We saw guests frequently, but not always, in line with multiple children in a rented w/c going through the w/c queue. This started to disturb me as some who really needed w/c seating were turned away at Nemo due to parties with multiple children using the w/c's vs. strollers. I know the cost of strollers has dramatically increased and don't blame parents for wanting to save some money...but then park the w/c's just like you would a stroller vs. using it to gain entry to w/c seating ( which isn't any better or faster). Please don't flame me- I know what I saw, and yes, I do realize that people including children have invisible disabilities and might *need* to use a w/c.
Kathy

1. I have sun sensitivities due to meds (and I have that Irish skin that NEVER tans but only burns) but using a hat, sunscreen, planning days carefully I manage. When I first saw those sun shades on ecv's I thought of blocking views at parades, getting through doors and onto buses, and just not being able to go everywhere. I don't get one for just those reasons and now I have yours to add to my list of reasons to "manage another way".
2. I think the rule should be one person per wheelchair--just as it is for ecv's. Make these parents pay for two wheelchairs, have to push two wheelchairs, etc and maybe some of these people will go away. I'm not sure if $$$ wise this will save them any money (since I don't keep up on stroller fees). However--once these people return and start posting to internet boards that not only was this cheaper than a stroller but they got to use the wc lines, used wc seating at shows so they don't have the "hassle" of finding their chair when they get out, more people will be inclined to do this.

I don't know what the answer to this is--I doubt Disney will lower their fees on strollers--maybe they should increase their wheelchair fees. And aren't Disney wc built for adult use? They don't have child size ones correct? So why not have a rule that only adults can rent one--and the same rules apply as for an ecv--if a CM sees a child on/in it--they stop you and tell you the child needs to get off/out. My thought on the "invisible disabilites" of the children (and I have one so this may be harsh sounding to some peple) is that if they have an invisible disability their parents should be researching their children's needs before getting to Disney. This would mean looking into rental options that would be more comfortable for the child (i.e. a wc that is designed for their size) not relying on an adult size one being available at Disney. Or bringing one from home. After all--they probably need it for the parking lots, etc. too.

I hope this is just a temporary situation and it resolves itself. I also have issues with crowds and anxiety and do not need to be stressing about changing my touring style due to this. For instance, at the Little Mermaid, I can not wait for long periods in the preshow area. Usually, I explain to the CM my issue and hang out at the umbrella with them, then when it's close to showtime I enter at the last minute possible. However--if the hc area fills quickly then I won't have a choice but to pass on this show or try to 'deal".

 

[angelbearmom]

Thanks for your observations. They help me understand what to expect. I know on my last trip to DW I was really frustrated with what you were; clearly ablebodied children using rental wheelchairs. I was also frustrated with a number of people I saw using ECVs that I'd see up and walking and then they'd take up space in shows reserved for wcs and then there wouldn't be room for the people (like my son and the child I was traveling with) who can't get out of their chairs. I also had a real problem with people not watching what they were doing or who was around or behind them and just stopping suddenly right in front of us. I've decided that this time I'm just going to expect such behaviour and try not to get upset about it.

 

[KPeveler]

We just returned from a week stay that began May 25th. Weather was gorgeous...miraculously not too hot as in years past/same week. I have a few general observations to share:

1. There were many, many more people on this trip using ECV's. I know others may disagree but I really had a problem with the ones having a canopy on top. I couldn't see around them- shorter people/children also wouldn't be able to see around them so to me they were a hazard. I saw a guest maneuvering one in a bus that almost knocked over a bus driver who kept having to duck. If someone needs shade, there should be a better solution than to block the view/safety of others.

2. There were many people using w/c's for children vs. strollers including one family at the resort checking in before us who asked for a comp one. We saw them later pushing two children in it at the parks- the same children who were running in the halls at night. We saw guests frequently, but not always, in line with multiple children in a rented w/c going through the w/c queue. This started to disturb me as some who really needed w/c seating were turned away at Nemo due to parties with multiple children using the w/c's vs. strollers. I know the cost of strollers has dramatically increased and don't blame parents for wanting to save some money...but then park the w/c's just like you would a stroller vs. using it to gain entry to w/c seating ( which isn't any better or faster). Please don't flame me- I know what I saw, and yes, I do realize that people including children have invisible disabilities and might *need* to use a w/c.

I am pretty sure there is a rule out there that says there can only be one person in a wheelchair, regardless of size. honestly, i think what disney may end up doing shortly is simply stop renting wheelchairs and scooters all together. or make the cost of a wheelchair as high as the double stroller.

i am also annoyed by people in scooters who stand for an entire 15 minute preshow, and then insist that they cannot transfer to a theatre seat (and i mean the ones in American Adventure, not a hard bench).

I admit I can stand and transfer for rides, and i can walk for 10 or 15 minutes without aid. you will see me in TL without my chair, since there isnt much i can do with it.

however, i do use the wheelchair spot for shows, because my particular disability makes it very hard for me to sit in anything other than my memory-foam padded seat. however, a rental scooter has about the same amount of padding as the american adventure seats, and people in WCs were turned away because the spots were full... i am not saying they shouldnt use scooters (after all, i dont look disabled, either), but PLEASE be considerate! if you can sit in a theatre seat without causing problems, PLEASE do so! especially for things like Candlelight processional, which is going to be VERY crowded.

if you require your wc/scooter for supportive or protective seating, then by all means, stay in it!

 

[dclfun]

I agree about ECV users and the possible need to stay in them. There could also be an instance of a child in a rented w/c that needs to stay in it for back support in some instances or even for security/safety of having personal space. Again, I'm not blaming parents for renting one to save money and I've never seen any CM at Disney telling folks with two or more kids that it's only for one person- very, very often there will be two children riding together in a w/c. Kids get tired and start whining- all of us with children have been there/done that but taking the disabled seating is what got on my nerves as the people turned away at Nemo were quite disappointed and probably couldn't reschedule their time or stamina- perhaps they didn't get to see the show at all and never will...that's sad.---Kathy