Just back, some observations...

[Planogirl]

I'd like to know that man's secret as well. Soarin'/Soarin' Over California is my second favorite attraction in the U.S. Disney parks (Kilimanjaro Safari is the first - I could ride that all day!). The only time I've EVER not waited in a line all the way to the boarding area is at DCA, where, once or twice they were looking for single riders. Yes, even on the ECV I was able to bypass PART of the line after I'd already waited in part of it, to fill a single available seat, ahead of perhaps a dozen or so Guests who didn't want to split up their parties. Those Guests had to wait for the next flight.

I don't consider that 'skipping' or going to the front of the line. A solo Guest on foot would have been afforded the same opportunity.

We sometimes pass other people by there just being two of us. There are often calls for parties of two to board and we've passed large groups several times.

 

[POOHsie]

thank you for the positive post! she has owned her own scooter for 2 years now and drives it very well. we are driving down but will be using the busses to get around. i just cannot believe all the negativity concerning those that use them. i have already told her to pay those with negative remarks/attitude no nevermind. we are going to enjoy our vacation and not let others ruin the magic for us!

The negativity is here on this forum. It's not what you will encounter at the parks. Most all of these negative people with all their blah, blah, blah here, wouldn't have the nerve to say the same thing to a handicap family to their face at WDW, because it would expose them as picking on the handicapped. They come here online and get their jollies by sniping.

As long as you have your car at Disney, it's much easier to park in the handicap lots than to use the buses. Except it's better to take the bus to MK, because the bus drops you off close to the front gate, whereas the parking lot is way across the lagoon.

 

[npcougar]

The negativity is here on this forum. It's not what you will encounter at the parks. Most all of these negative people with all their blah, blah, blah here, wouldn't have the nerve to say the same thing to a handicap family to their face at WDW, because it would expose them as picking on the handicapped. They come here online and get their jollies by sniping.

Is there really that much negativity in this thread? I'm just not seeing it. I see some criticism but not nearly what I see on other boards about much less serious topics. I actually heard a lot worse while in line at the parks. Go figure.

 

[kaytieeldr]

What I think is that Disney needs to look outside the current box to accommodate everyone better. Two spots on one bus just aren't going to be enough if the numbers continue to increase. I've been thinking about what does work currently--the monorail and the boat do. I didn't notice any inconvenience to anyone when mobility devices were used there.

Like I said before, I'm no engineer, but I'm thinking what about a double decker bus? One where the whole first level is filled with wheelchair hook-ups and a second level just for people on foot so they could go upstairs and wait in air-conditioned comfort while the multiple mobility devices are loaded below.

Transporting large numbers of mobility devices is something that needs improvement. Sixteen pages of discussion about topic demonstrate that.

But why aren't two (or three, on some buses) wheelchair spaces per bus enough? Why should all waiting Guests in wheelchairs/ECVs be accommodated with each arriving bus? Not every standing passenger can be accommodated on each bus - just look at the long lines for the larger resorts at park closing!!

 

[Looking4themouse]

???

I work at hotel which requires documentation for service dogs.. is this allowed?

No it's not allowed, people do it, but a person with a service dog may chose to train their own, therefore, they would not have any documentation and in such a case if the person with the disability pursued it, your company could be sued if the individual was not allowed to bring their service dog in.

 

[POOHsie]

Is there really that much negativity in this thread? I'm just not seeing it. I see some criticism but not nearly what I see on other boards about much less serious topics. I actually heard a lot worse while in line at the parks. Go figure.

No, not that much. Usually the thread gets locked before it gets out of hand. I just get sad at the number of posts from people who comment that they should rent a scooter for someone in the family for the parks, but they are afraid to get one because of possible exposure to negative remarks and death stares. They get this fear from what they read here. Once they are at the parks they would see it isn't like that at all. People might think certain things about scooters, but they would keep their thoughts private while face to face.

 

[kaytieeldr]

ETA: response to disney steve who asked "where do you practice if you don't use an ECV in everyday life?" but who I forgot to quote!:

Supermarket.
Walmart.
Target.
Pretty much any large store - and those are clunkier than the ones you rent at/near Walt Disney World, because they have the shopping basket on the front.

Aside from that? Once you get it at your resort, practice. If you're going to be using the buses, practice left-side parallel parking. Practice tight turns. Practice fast-release on the throttle (that's for EVERYWHERE).

 

[Looking4themouse]

was the(you may find it) aimed at me in particular, as you replied to my post if so why no reply to any of the points i made?, if not sorry.

It was semi pointed at you, but the only reason i really replied wasn't to say that I didn't agree with your post, but because I felt that I needed to say that people with disabilities are no different than people without disabilities. It's just sort of a hot button for me I guess because it leaves the abled bodied person, who may have no prior experience being around a person with a disability, with an incorrect impression of what a person with a disability may be like. In my experience, an able bodied person may not approach someone with a disability, because they feel like they don't know how to handle the situation, they consider the person different than themselves and sometimes unfortunately are so focused on feeling bad for that person they miss out on a great conversation, friendship, or maybe even romance. As more able bodied people begin to understand that people with disabilites are no different than people without disabilities, and they stop focusing on 'feeling bad" or whatever other reasons, they choose not to interact with a person because of their disability, imo we will have a more tolerant better balanced world.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I'm one of those, slender, healthly looking people, who needs a scooter at WDW. Sometimes, I can make it a couple hours a day, but I'm pretty much done after that.

then had to make a decsion did I want to just stay home the rest of my life or get out and go like my family was used to? so I use a scooter and I go to WDW and we still have a blast.

I admire your strength and courage. It's amazing (not in a good way), how many people take their health for granted. We never know what tomorrow will bring.

I have nothing against people using scooters if that's how they wish to enjoy Disney World.

Seriously?

Unfortunately it's a side effect of our society. We are a lazy over eating self destructive nation. And these scooter companies are playing on this to scam insurance companies out of money.

I wonder, how many gain weight as a result of their health problems? If your mobility is limited, you may gain extra pounds.

It would be laughable except it involves real people with real feelings. In reality it is ignorant and uncharitable.

Unfortunately, too many only care about themselves. The "ignorant and intolerant" make me appreciate the "kind and compassionate".. even more.

Be forwarned though; this might just end up being a learning experience.

Most can't begin to imagine. I think, I may have met some of the folks on this thread. Possibly, the man who slide in front of me during Wishes with the child on his shoulders. I'd found a good spot early, but alas...I only heard the fireworks. Or, maybe the family who was asked to move from the handicapped area, for the parade. They screamed, "we were here first, it's not fair"..although, no one in their party was disabled. Possibly, the people that were angry because of my sudden stop and they ran into the back of my scooter. I only braked because a woman turned into my path with a stroller. And, the list goes on and on...

.. but now a lot of people seem to be deciding to come to WDW because they know they can rent scooters. I don't doubt there are people who struggle through trips with bad backs and knees and such, but after seeing all the scooters at WDW decide to rent one themselves next time. I wouldn't call it the power of suggestion, but it is along the lines of monkey-see, monkey-do.

I guess, those people should just stay at home, where they belong, or struggle with pain and exhaustion? How dare they inconvenience others.

I think that if everyone was required to ride a scooter for three days in WDW all the scooter debate threads would go away.

Boohoo. Already 17 pages and not one single person taking me up on the irresistable offer of enjoying al off those enormous perks like boarding first. I'm starting to think there is something wrong with... could it be........ me?

Must be you!

 

[jekjones1558]

DH is very aware that some WDW guests are not happy about the scooter situation. Consequently we rent a minivan to transport the scooter so he won't have to ride buses and he just skips MK because it is such a pain in the neck to drive there. We try to go to WDW at less busy times so that he doesn't have to worry as much about people suddenly darting in front of him and he having to suddenly brake. It took me a few years to get him to even try a scooter and he only agreed when I ended up with blisters from pushing him around the parks for a week in a not-too-great wheelchair.
Just wanted folks to know that some scooter riders do try very hard not to be a problem for others. And thanks to those who give us the benefit of the doubt.

 

[BigGreen73]

That's so interesting because we were there Aug 25-31 and we walked on almost all the rides! Crowds were VERY low IMO and most times we ate at restaurants they were half empty, so what a difference just a few days makes.

I think it comes down to the individual, timing etc.... What some find crowded, some find not croweded and vise versa.

Anyway, I won't be surprised if this thread is locked soon. Again with the scooter debates etc. My quick 2 cents on this is:

1. I agree with some that families with scooters should have to wait in line for their turns for buses just to make things fair for everyone.

2. You cannot judge who truly needs to use a scooter and I don't think anyone can question that. BUT, this country gets lazier and lazier everyday and people abuse the system so that the don't have to make any effort at all (IE walk). Oh well, what can you do right?

 

[mickaholic4077]

You go girl! The ECV haters need to keep their noses out of other people's business. Judge not lest you be judged! I read that somewhere.

Matthew Ch 7, Verse 1.

 

[mickaholic4077]

How exactly does someone do that if they don't own a scooter at home?

Don't know if this has been answered yet,but go to Wal-Mart and use the scooters there.

 

[Donut23]

The negativity is here on this forum. It's not what you will encounter at the parks. Most all of these negative people with all their blah, blah, blah here, wouldn't have the nerve to say the same thing to a handicap family to their face at WDW, because it would expose them as picking on the handicapped. They come here online and get their jollies by sniping.

As long as you have your car at Disney, it's much easier to park in the handicap lots than to use the buses. Except it's better to take the bus to MK, because the bus drops you off close to the front gate, whereas the parking lot is way across the lagoon.

Pooh!

I have to agree with you - perhaps I am just having too much fun with my DH to notice. I always jingle my little bike bell at passing scooters and generally get a smile and a wave. We always hear the laughs at the end of the night from the castmembers waiting at International Gateway for the "lady with the bell".....and the crew of the Friendship Boats when I challenge them to a race. DH and I reinact the Seabiscuit-War Admiral race as we climb a hill or scoot on the sidewalk over to HS (of course I'm Seabiscuit!!).

We DO have a rental car and a handicap tag - makes life easier. We have actually found we prefer driving to MK now. I scoot on over to the ferry boat for our ride in and back from the MK. I really enjoy the ferry - especially magical at night. We stand in line with families....the children eventually find their way to my scooter to checkout the decorations or ring the bell.

Castmembers at the resorts are extremely helpful loading and unloading the scooter for my DH.

Basically, we just leave the "Grumpy Guests" behind in my dust.....with my jingling bell wafting in the background as we disappear from view.


Yehaa! Giddy-yap Seabiscuit! (Lemons into lemonaide, remember?)


Oh yes, and there was the time it was an ADVANTAGE to be in a scooter. We were staying at Boardwalk but visitng the Beach Club. The heavens opened up and it was POURING...and wasn't stopping. We had to leave....to make our assigned Fantasmic dinner reservatons. DH had an excellent raincoat....but his jeans and tennis shoes got soaked.

I, on the other hand, borrowed some of those REALLY BIG, clear garbage bags the mousekeepers use. One over the front steering assembly and another over ME and the seat....little hole for my face. I arrived at dinner completely dry - as did my scooter. DH was soaking from his legs down.

Advantage - scooter!

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Must be you!

I've never been hurt so bad on this board before. Moderator it's time to close this thread, folks are starting to become truthfull with me. This can not be tolerated, never mind the reasons for doing so. Throw them off the board, I say! That, or at least slash her tires at WDW when she doesn't look. We can always blame Hook for that one.

 

[Donut23]

ETA: response to disney steve who asked "where do you practice if you don't use an ECV in everyday life?" but who I forgot to quote!:

Supermarket.
Walmart.
Target.
Pretty much any large store - and those are clunkier than the ones you rent at/near Walt Disney World, because they have the shopping basket on the front.

Aside from that? Once you get it at your resort, practice. If you're going to be using the buses, practice left-side parallel parking. Practice tight turns. Practice fast-release on the throttle (that's for EVERYWHERE).

The BEST practice is on the scooter you will be operating while at WDW.

It's very easy....when you first arrive -- take it out into the resort parking lot. If you can drive, you will not need much time to become comfortable with the operation. Biggest thing.....learn to control the speed and you are more than half-way home.

First time for us....we arrived at Riverside (always our first night - to see Bob - then move over to an EPCOT resort). I found my little scooter.....told my DH I would meet him in the parking lot for the room. By the time he arrived in the rental car, I was driving my little scooter to and fro....in reverse.

One word of warning.....don't open up and go full speed......on the brick sidewalks! HAHAHA

Just remember, if you are nervous.....adjust the speed and go slower!

 

[luckyprincess]

I haven't read a single post from someone who was fit who used a scooter to bypass things. It's always a third party overhearing a supposed conversation. It's not to be believed. It's strictly soap opera stuff. Urban Legend territory.

I think perhaps your own feelings are clouding your reasoning in this particular discussion. Plenty of people, myself included, have already mentioned people that we know that do this. Now, if you just want to stick your fingers in your ears, close your eyes and yell 'nyah, nyah, nyah, not listening', well, then that's one thing. If YOU don't want to believe it because it shatters your view of people, then fine. But you are batty if you say that it's urban legend stuff when people are telling you that they touch, talk to and breathe the same air as people that do this. As another poster mentioned, simply surf the web to find people that will detail how to do this.

Whether or not you choose to believe it really isn't of any consequence. What is of consequence is that it does happen and by giving these people blanket coverage of ADA then it makes a mockery of the act itself. Not sure if that hasn't been explained well or not and maybe that's what you aren't getting? Now, not that I've really felt the need to qualify this yet, but my mom has cancer and uses a chair and a cane, depending on how she feels that day. I also have a sis that used a large stroller/wheelchair when we were young because of chronic bronchial asthma. She looks fine, so people may have assumed she was lazy. However, we could care less what others thought. She would have a problem with people getting protection under a law they don't qualify for though....

 

[Sammie]

Oh good grief these threads just kill me.

No one thinks someone that has a scooter on a daily basis at home needs to give it up while on vacation.

But seriously if a person can manage their daily life, without a scooter, do they truly "have" to have it on vacation or is it a convenience.

I need to lose some weight. I get tired at the parks, so what do I do. I sit my fat butt down and rest. I don't run out and rent a scooter so I can keep going nonstop.

There is a huge difference between disablity and convenience.

 

[luckyprincess]

I didnt put words in your mouth, you cant be made to produce anything, so no one has to provide any proof, but some chose to look at others and decide they are not truly needy, you came across to me as one of these people. If I am wrong please accept my apologies

Apology accepted - I was talking about someone I actually know that does this each time she goes anywhere that requires a lot of walking.

 

[npcougar]

I think it comes down to the individual, timing etc.... What some find crowded, some find not croweded and vise versa.

Anyway, I won't be surprised if this thread is locked soon. Again with the scooter debates etc. My quick 2 cents on this is:

1. I agree with some that families with scooters should have to wait in line for their turns for buses just to make things fair for everyone.

2. You cannot judge who truly needs to use a scooter and I don't think anyone can question that. BUT, this country gets lazier and lazier everyday and people abuse the system so that the don't have to make any effort at all (IE walk). Oh well, what can you do right?

Don't think it should be close to being locked. People are being very civil.

1. I agree but how much family is the question. A spouse/parent and kids? I'm definitely not in favor of more than the rule of 6. I'd prefer no more than 3 more but with Spouses and kids, it can get messy so lets just stay with 6.

2. I hate to generalize about laziness but obesity rates have climbed. If someone is too heavy to walk it, I don't mind them using a cart. There may be an underlying reason for their weight though. So don't assume laziness.