Just back, some observations...

[brunette8706]

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?

Hey Big GREEN73!

Actually I totally concur with what you said in BOLD.

 

[brunette8706]

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!

Hey Donut! You always have a GREAT attitude!

 

[Donut23]

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.

Gosh - you walk up to 10 miles a day in your daily life......good for you, I'm jealous.

I can generally manage my daily life. A trip to the supermarket can sometimes just be too much, but I do more shopping online now. The yard looks more scruffy - but I try when I can. Holiday shopping nearly completed for me - all online. I manage.

Our daily lives change when we try to manage pain (whatever the reason).

I do not walk an average of 9 or 10 miles a day.....but on a regular Disney park day....that's the distance we cover.

This time I hope to be able to walk short distances and keep my scooter parked in the room....down to the lobby for dinner, for example.

Trust me....life in a scooter is FAR from convenient. How easy was it for YOU the last time you rented a scooter at WDW? As I have said earlier, I would give just about anything to walk hand in hand with my DH - strolling around World Showcase after Illuminations. I cannot.

I can walk to the car at home...does that now mean I do not qualify for a scooter in YOUR world?

 

[TLSnell1981]

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.

I guess, it would serve me right....being one of those scooter people and all. Just don't feed me to Tick-Tock the Croc.

I just want to know one thing. Where are all those lines scooters get to skip? Why am I the only one who waits? Where are my perks?

 

[bartleby1]

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.

You can't possibly really believe that? For example, a 75 year old woman with a bad leg that walks with a cane or severe arthritis and gets through daily life doesn't need a scooter to do the amount of walking required at disney? Or maybe a young man or woman who has a cancer or maybe has suffered from a stroke or heart disease doesn't need a scooter at disney because they don't use one in daily life? Really there are a gazillion reasons why someone might need one at a place with that much walking but not need one every day. Just walking the distance into the park to the first attraction may be too much for some people to handle but they can enjoy a full day with a scooter. Which would you opt for if you were in their position?

 

[POOHsie]

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....

There are people who scheme to beat the system no matter what system you might be discussing. I am not concerned about it "making a mockery of the ADA act itself." That is the kind of soap box, high falutin' dramatic statement a pundit on TV would make. All hat and no cattle.

The number of non-medical-need people on scooters is overall negligible. If it weren't, and these non-medical-need people were crowding out the disabled, the disabled would be making a lot of noise. And they just aren't, myself included. I don't listen to windbag TV pundits and I am done listening to you. Sorry.

 

[Donut23]

I guess, it would serve me right....being one of those scooter people and all. Just don't feed me to Tick-Tock the Croc.

I just want to know one thing. Where are all those lines scooters get to skip? Why am I the only one who waits? Where are my perks?

Hey, when you find all those perks...let ME know too!

It takes us so much longer to navigate crowded areas, we can be restricted by curbs in inconvenient places.....how about trying to drive down main street and your tire gets stuck in one of those ruts or what about the simple act of opening a door alone?

Front of the line.....great perks for the handicapped (ok, free valet is a good thing).....urban legend.

All I have to say to someone who invests $$$ for all the scooter perks......SUCKER !!! ......of course said with the utmost respect.

 

[luckyprincess]

There are people who scheme to beat the system no matter what system you might be discussing. I am not concerned about it "making a mockery of the ADA act itself." That is the kind of soap box, high falutin' dramatic statement a pundit on TV would make. All hat and no cattle.

The number of non-medical-need people on scooters is overall negligible. If it weren't, and these non-medical-need people were crowding out the disabled, the disabled would be making a lot of noise. And they just aren't, myself included. I don't listen to windbag TV pundits and I am done listening to you. Sorry.

Whateves - it is what it is - if you want to believe its negligible that's up to you. No skin off my back. However, I would not have a problem reminding a bus driver that the limit is 5 passengers with the scooter user - when often it seems that there is a large crew with them. I think many people are uncomfortable doing that but I don't treat my friends or family with disabilities like delicate little throw pillows and I sure don't shelter them from any type of honesty. To do so would be to treat them like they are a little child due to their disability - they aren't. They are normal, regular people and they follow rules and laws like everyone else.

I have no idea what a TV pundit talks about as I don't usually listen to that type of tv. If you don't understand the statement, that's one thing, but where I'm from - well, we just talk like that - not sure what makes it so high falutin' or dramatic for you - just words in the dictionary that are the best way to describe the situation.

If you give ADA status to everyone without qualifying if they are indeed meeting the requirements laid out - well, then - that would be a mockery of the ADA.....it's not difficult to understand and I'm not sure how to 'dumb down' what I'm trying to say....

 

[triplejen]

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.

. . . .

There is a huge difference between disablity and convenience.

You are mistaken. There are many people who are able to handle their daily lives without using a scooter, who would still not be able to manage WDW without one.

My mother has Stage 4 colon cancer, with multiple metastases to her lungs. She has had (among other things) a good chunk of one lung removed, and currently has an inoperable tumor located between her lung and heart. She is unable to breathe deeply, has very diminished lung capacity, and gets winded and needs to sit after only a few steps. She is also in a state of constant weakness, as she is essentially permanently on chemo based on her inoperable tumor making her cancer a "chronic" condition.

She spends most of her time in our house, with occasional excursions out (grocery shopping with a friend, a trip to the nail salon), all of which require walking from our house to the car (just a few steps) and being dropped off at the doorway of the destination.

She does not have a scooter, as she is able to manage her life perfectly nicely by staying close to home, or otherwise by traveling with friends and family and only walking short distances on short excursions. Although a scooter might make short "walks" a bit easier, it would also require a major renovation to our house as we would have no way to bring it in or out, no way to maneuver it inside, and no place to store it - in addition to providing whatever maintenance and upkeep a vehicle like a scooter would certainly require. Also, there are not many places that my mom likes to go close to home where a scooter could enter.

WDW, however, would be completely unmanageable for her without either a wheelchair or a scooter. And a wheelchair is only an option depending on her traveling companion. If she is going with me, I am able to handle the weight of pushing a person in a chair throughout all the walking on a typical trip to any of the 4 parks.

But if she were to travel simply with her best friend (something she is still able to do), the wheelchair would no longer be manageable. A chair that would allow my mom a little bit of self-mobility is too heavy for her friend to lug through areas that would require lifting it, and a transport chair, while lightweight enough for her friend to lift in any situation, is simply too heavy for her to push my mom in on the long walks necessary to get to any destination in the parks.

My mother's life (for however long it lasts) is perfectly manageable at home. But she would have to have a scooter at WDW.

It is insanely wrong for one person to think that their own experience (as in the case of the OR, who described merely being heavy enough to require occasional rests during a day of park visiting) gives them insight into everyone else's experience for time immemorial. And a cavalier statement regarding their assessment of the choices of "convenience" of perfect strangers just sounds a little mean to me.

There is a huge difference between unaware and unkind.

 

[Donut23]

I just don't get the level of anger related to scooters. I didn't BEFORE my accident either.....but now have a much greater understanding of the situation from both sides.

So occasionally someone scams the system. Trust me...they will do it just once because 1.) It's expensive 2.) more trouble than it's worth if you ca walk 3.) who would want to deal with the "intolerants" on the busses?

Do young people still say this??? CHILL

 

[disneysteve]

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.

Are you sure about that? What's to stop everyone from bringing their dog along and claiming it is a service dog?

 

[brunette8706]

I just don't get the level of anger related to scooters. I didn't BEFORE my accident either.....but now have a much greater understanding of the situation from both sides.

So occasionally someone scams the system. Trust me...they will do it just once because 1.) It's expensive 2.) more trouble than it's worth if you ca walk 3.) who would want to deal with the "intolerants" on the busses?

Do young people still say this??? CHILL

*
Hey Donut !

I read about your accident a few pages back! WOW! Unbelievable. You just seem to have a great attitude though! That's great! I love your personality!

How much does it cost to rent an ECV? does anyone know?

 

[disneysteve]

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.

Good idea. Hadn't thought of that. Thanks.

 

[bartleby1]

*
Hey Donut !

I read about your accident a few pages back! WOW! Unbelievable. You just seem to have a great attitude though! That's great! I love your personality!

How much does it cost to rent an ECV? does anyone know?

To rent inside the disney parks it is $50 per day plus a $20 deposit that you get back. Not sure how much the outside companies charge.

 

[luckyprincess]

I just don't get the level of anger related to scooters. I didn't BEFORE my accident either.....but now have a much greater understanding of the situation from both sides.

So occasionally someone scams the system. Trust me...they will do it just once because 1.) It's expensive 2.) more trouble than it's worth if you ca walk 3.) who would want to deal with the "intolerants" on the busses?

Do young people still say this??? CHILL

Hi Donut - I totally love you, which I think you know I was only mentioning someone I know very well that does this every time. She has no health problems at all - she just thinks its easier with a scooter as she doesn't have to walk and hates exercise. She has plenty of money, so that doesn't bother her and she really likes what she calls the 'perks' - her family gets to go with her to the front of a lot of things - and they do - at least, they did as the last time they went with her to WDW was a few years ago and I've said I don't know if they still let them go to the front of the line as a family. Also - she really could care less what anyone thinks of her and ignores any stares - something I actually like about her, lol.

It bothers me because people like my mom, who can really not afford a scooter or a trip to WDW anyway, gets her chair from her church 'free shop' and absolutely takes it as an insult when people do this. So for all of those saying 'who cares', well there ARE disabled people that do care about people faking and using scooters and chairs because they are easier than walking (to them). All disabled people don't think alike - it isn't like they are all clones of one another. I think it's ridiculous to assume that all disabled people are fine with how things work because they are being protected when not everyone is ok with the system. And for those that think all disabled and able bodied people should fall in line with that thinking or else they are 'mean', 'intolerant' or 'ungrateful' - well, sorry, your side isn't the only one and people do feel differently. I wish everyone would stop thinking they are being personally attacked or that they are a victim everytime a discussion comes up on this board, you know? It isn't always 'us against them' and I think people let emotions cloud their ability to have a civil discussion. Although, I do think you are able - that isn't aimed at you, I was just replying.

oh, and yes = they do still say CHILL, lol!

 

[disneysteve]

I do wonder how many folks are renting scooters whose sole "disability" is obesity. Doing Disney World is pretty physically demanding, as we all know. It is a lot of walking, long days, often hot, humid weather. If you aren't in decent physical condition, you might not be able to do it. That doesn't make you disabled in the legal sense. As our society gets more and more sedentary and obese, what does that do to the number of scooters in the parks? Might we reach a point where Disney (and other park operators) are forced to somehow limit the number of scooters admitted? I can't help but think of the crew of the spaceship in Wall-E.

 

[Donut23]

*
Hey Donut !

I read about your accident a few pages back! WOW! Unbelievable. You just seem to have a great attitude though! That's great! I love your personality!

How much does it cost to rent an ECV? does anyone know?

We always rent offsite because I need the scooter outside the parks too. They have prices based on the length of your rental. Our 10-day trip the cost is about $20 - $22 p/day. It's now a part of our disney budget....but I would certainly have better use for $200!

I believe it you rent one from Disney at the park entrance it's $40 p/day. As I said earlier..for those renting a scooter for all the perks....SUCKER!!!!

Lemons from lemonaid....at least our WDW trips continue and the accident could have been soooooo much worse. Heck....I should be able to walk more on this trip.

Never - EVER take walking for granted. I remember prior trips where we would walk around World Showcase 2 or 3 times in an evening, back and forth from Test Track to Sorin...then back again....then our stroll after Illuminations. In the blink of an eye, that was gone.

Can I tell you a secret? I know nobody is watching. When EPCOT is closed and people are rushing for the exit....World Showcase is empty....I HAVE been known to ......scoot to the music. DH said I'm figure skating....on my scooter. I'll do donuts around the plantings......circles in the walkways. Once a security guard came up to me....probably thought I had stopped at the margarita station a few too many times......I explained that this was the only time I actually felt FREE (explaining the accident). He laughed and told me to ..... go around another time! I jingled my bell....and was off!

 

[Donut23]

Hi Donut - I totally love you, which I think you know I was only mentioning someone I know very well that does this every time. She has no health problems at all - she just thinks its easier with a scooter as she doesn't have to walk and hates exercise. She has plenty of money, so that doesn't bother her and she really likes what she calls the 'perks' - her family gets to go with her to the front of a lot of things - and they do - at least, they did as the last time they went with her to WDW was a few years ago and I've said I don't know if they still let them go to the front of the line as a family. Also - she really could care less what anyone thinks of her and ignores any stares - something I actually like about her, lol.

It bothers me because people like my mom, who can really not afford a scooter or a trip to WDW anyway, gets her chair from her church 'free shop' and absolutely takes it as an insult when people do this. So for all of those saying 'who cares', well there ARE disabled people that do care about people faking and using scooters and chairs because they are easier than walking (to them). All disabled people don't think alike - it isn't like they are all clones of one another. I think it's ridiculous to assume that all disabled people are fine with how things work because they are being protected when not everyone is ok with the system. And for those that think all disabled and able bodied people should fall in line with that thinking or else they are 'mean', 'intolerant' or 'ungrateful' - well, sorry, your side isn't the only one and people do feel differently. I wish everyone would stop thinking they are being personally attacked or that they are a victim everytime a discussion comes up on this board, you know? It isn't always 'us against them' and I think people let emotions cloud their ability to have a civil discussion. Although, I do think you are able - that isn't aimed at you, I was just replying.

oh, and yes = they do still say CHILL, lol!

Ok, I understand now.....sorry.

This is a topic very close to my heart.....beause I soooooooo much want to go back to the days of hopping on and off rides, walking to HS from BC without a thought.

I know I look at everyone walking with tremendous envy....heartbreaking level of envy most of the time.


Oh - good thing about "chill". I recently turned 56 and WAY out of touch with the younger generation (children, neices, everyone all grown up now). I guess I'll eventually be back in touch when the little grand-people start arriving!

 

[twinboysmom]

Donut I do hope I get a chance to meet you on a trip one day. You seem like such a fun person. Kudos to you for having such a great outlook on life.

 

[disneysteve]

Donut23, I also love your attitude. You remind me of a now-departed friend who was also a big Disney fan. She had a simple slip and fall on the ice one day and never walked again. But she zipped around WDW on her scooter many, many times after that. She never let it stop her from enjoying life and enjoying Disney.