Just back, some observations...

[leebee]

Disney policy is the wheeled person plus five others may load together. That is fair and considerate. Sometimes strangers attach themselves to the handicap group to get on early. The bus driver usually asks how many are in the handicap loading party.

Then once again, Disney needs to enforce its own policies. Empty bus pulled into POP, first thing in the morning, and I counted... two scooters, 27 people when I was the first regular line rider to get on the bus.

BAck to the topic....

We were at WDW from Tues Aug 17 through Thur Aug 26. Crowds were HUGE through Saturday, Aug 21. We felt there was a noticeable decrease in crowds and waiting time starting on SUnday, Aug 22. This was confirmed by a team member at WWHP who said this was the first time since opening that WWHP morning lines weren't over 2 hrs (we walked on when they let us in at 8:30 and by the time we were finished with FJ the line was 10 mins so we went in again). Florida schools started Mon Aug 23, which i think had an effect. It was interesting that we ran into so many New Jersey visitors during the second week of our trip. Apparently NJ goes back to school AFTER Labor Day (what a civilized custom!).

Wait lines the first week hovered around 120 mins for things like Space Mountain, TestTrak, Kali, Everest, and Soarin. During the second week, they were an hour or less. Heck, the single rider line at Expedition Everest was a good 20 minutes on THursday, August 19th! DD did it again on Monday Aug 23rd and rode 3 times in a half hour!

 

[going/again]

Flame retardent on!

The best way to deal with the scooters is to make them wait in line for the buses with everyone else. The problem is that they get first-in-line preferential treatment. If they waited like the rest of us, there would be no problem and no complaints.

they have to be loaded first its THE LAW. and for safety reasons, I notice no one says they should be let off first.

 

[going/again]

Couldn't agree with you more on this subject! It amazes me how defensive people automatically get when this is brought up. I think in many cases, it is just abusing the system. I too agree that there needs to be some sort of policy in place about having 10 people join one person on a scooter everytime a bus is loaded, it's not fair and certainly not considerate.

there is a policy its 5 or 6 plus rider.

 

[lustergirl]

Flame retardent on!

The best way to deal with the scooters is to make them wait in line for the buses with everyone else. The problem is that they get first-in-line preferential treatment. If they waited like the rest of us, there would be no problem and no complaints.

Again not seeing this happening. And yes there would be a complaint if the handicap would have to wait like others to board the bus because when little susie or johnnie would have to give up their seats that were meant for the handicap areas someone would gripe about that Gee if I was handicapped it would be my intention to get first in line for that preferential treatment and that would be my main reason for wishing a handicap upon myself- how selfish are you? I am quite sure that those who are inflicted with some type of handicap wish they werent.

 

[going/again]

Like so many, you don't know the law. Law is that medical equipment like scooters and wheelchairs get loaded on buses first. For safety reasons. If you knew that law, would you be so judgmental about scooter people?

Disney separates out the wheeled people and makes them wait at the back door so they can be seen when the bus pulls in. Otherwise, if the wheeled person loaded when they arrived at the front of the bus, it would be difficult and unsafe to load them with so many people already on board.

P.S. They do not receive preferential treatment. When the bus unloads at the final destination, the wheeled person gets unloaded AFTER everyone else has left the bus. That makes it even.


Disney policy is the wheeled person plus five others may load together. That is fair and considerate. Sometimes strangers attach themselves to the handicap group to get on early. The bus driver usually asks how many are in the handicap loading party.

Finally some one else who knows the law, I live in the UK and I know this is USA law, this concept people have of the disabled getting preferential treatment is laughable.

 

[POOHsie]

Finally some one else who knows the law, I live in the UK and I know this is USA law, this concept people have of the disabled getting preferential treatment is laughable.

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

 

[going/again]

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

Totally agree, let them spend one day in a wheelchair, then come back and say how they got preferential treatment.

 

[Evad]

Flame retardent on!

The best way to deal with the scooters is to make them wait in line for the buses with everyone else. The problem is that they get first-in-line preferential treatment. If they waited like the rest of us, there would be no problem and no complaints.

I agree a 100%. I hate when you stand there in the hot sun and when the bus pulls up some person in a scooter shows up and gets right on along with there entire family, friends, cousins etc.
I always call them fastpass's on wheels

 

[going/again]

I agree a 100%. I hate when you stand there in the hot sun and when the bus pulls up some person in a scooter shows up and gets right on along with there entire family, friends, cousins etc.
I always call them fastpass's on wheels

obviously not read the full thread or can you not read the bit where it says

ITS THE LAW

 

[going/again]

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

I dont think I have ever read a more insensitive comment than this. I hope your never in the position to need one as you will WISH then.

 

[luvthemouse71]

I agree that they need to figure out a more efficient way of moving scooters. I kind of get aggravated too seeing how the number of people on scooters has risen. Obviously, not everyone needs them- a look at some of the threads here will tell you that. People complaining about resorts because "they have to walk too much". We are in denial in this country about obesity...people hate that word, would rather call themselves "pooh sized". I say this as an overweight woman(size 14)...call it what it is. You and I aren't "pooh sized", we're fat.

But, you can't tell offhand who needs them, so I try to let it go. I just wish some people weren't so dangerous on those things.

 

[zgirls]

overweight or special needs...people still need the scooter/wheelchair/whatever.

I have been many times with and without someone who needs the scooter, whatever the reason, this is America, where you have the freedom to choose where you go. If you do not like riding the bus that is provided, but have to wait for the scooter, then drive.

Its the law whether we agree or not.

My mother, the last 2 trips, used a scooter, she has cancer, will be dying in next 2 months, she HATES being in scooter.

Think before you speak(type).

 

[twinboysmom]

Scooter talk is always a little sticky. I am not sure was Disney can do to make things "more fair" in the eyes of those who don't use scooters. The issue I have is that it seems to be very easy to manipulate this system. Just a short time ago I mentioned taking a family trip with my bill. First thing he mentioned, joking of course, is to rent a scooter so we wouldn't have to wait for buses and rides. Mentioned all the people that he knew, all well bodied individuals, that had done this. I was rather surprised as these are all people who are highly educated, good jobs, etc.
I do know that Disney does not enforce the 5 people boarding with scooter policy. I am with others who have seen a lot of people board and then had to wait for another bus. This is indeed frustrating but Disney has to follow the law.

 

[larryz]

they have to be loaded first its THE LAW.

Can anyone specify which law requires this (title of the USC, section and subsection), as I can't find it after several searches?

 

[Suellen]

well I certainly don't think anyone can qualify someone as needing or not needing a scooter.

You would look at my dad and not know WHY he needs a scooter. He is skinny and 'looks' perfectly healthy ~ yet he had a stroke less than one year ago and gets tired out really easy. Yet when he went to WDW with us for just one day he refused to use a scooter ~ because of people who judge. He said again and again that people would look at him and wonder 'why' and assume he was 'faking' (I don't remember his exact words) so he spent the afternoon and evening walking even though it physically exhausted him.

Oh well.... to each their own. I will not judge.

 

[goodferry]

I do think it's when a family of 17 pulls up with their one scooter to a line with enough people in it to fill two buses after something like Illuminations that people get annoyed. I DO know they need to be loaded first, however, they can say to the bus driver "My family and I will wait for the next bus, this crowd was here before us." I have seen people do that before, the drivers will go along with it.
I have no problem with scooters, but I did listen to an entire family talk about how much better their trip had been since they were using a scooter, shorter lines, no need to wait for buses, etc. Imagine my surprise the next morning when I ran into "Grandpa" from the scooter in the gym running about 9 mph next to me on the treadmills. People do abuse the scooters, but I don't know how Disney could stop it.
We were there from the 13th until the 22nd and found crowds MUCH larger then they were previous trips during the same time.

 

[peg2001]

It's been a few years since I've been to WDW but when I was last there, we sometimes loaded the bus with the people in line and left a scooter to wait for the next bus. Sometimes the scooter spots on the bus were already taken, sometimes the lift wasn't working, and sometimes the bus couldn't accommodate scooters. There was not a guarantee that they would be able to load the next bus either.

I also think the point already made about "load first, unload last" is frequently overlooked by the able-bodied.

We all just need to have more patience with one another.

Peg

 

[lee_d]

Can anyone specify which law requires this (title of the USC, section and subsection), as I can't find it after several searches?

The FMCSA 374.315, 49 CFR Parts 27,37, and 38 covers pretty much the ADA on transportation. I have enforced CMV Laws for almost 12 years in the State of MS and never seen where it states who loads first, just that an area on the bus meeting certain measurments be set aside for wheel chairs, crutches, ecv, etc and a sign pointing out disabled seating set aside for the disabled in the front of the bus.
Now on that note, the State of Fl. can make amendments to the laws and WDW can make a policy requiring them to load first.

In no way am I taking sides here, just posting from experience in the enforcement side of things.

 

[POOHsie]

The FMCSA 374.315, 49 CFR Parts 27,37, and 38 covers pretty much the ADA on transportation. I have enforced CMV Laws for almost 12 years in the State of MS and never seen where it states who loads first, just that an area on the bus meeting certain measurments be set aside for wheel chairs, crutches, ecv, etc and a sign pointing out disabled seating set aside for the disabled in the front of the bus.
Now on that note, the State of Fl. can make amendments to the laws and WDW can make a policy requiring them to load first.

In no way am I taking sides here, just posting from experience in the enforcement side of things.

Thanks for the information in your post.

 

[lee_d]

Thanks for the information in your post.

Your mighty welcome!