Just back, some observations...

[mickaholic4077]

Hey Brunette -

I have been out of town for a couple of days.....away from the laptop.

Remember the tornado on the National Mall 2 years ago in June.....when the tents collapsed on the school group and the little boy was killed? Same tornado - me in National Harbor big tent.......I screamed like a cheep B movie star in my first horror movie ---- found my cell phone in my pocket......called 911......they put me ON HOLD!!!

If you ever see a little Pride Revo scooter decorated for the season (covered with daisy's for Flower and Garden.....obvious Christmas decor for our next trip).....jingling bike bell or little squeaky horn.......it's probably ME!

Without my little scooter.....we would have lost our trips to WDW and DL.

Make sure your scooter has a LGMH!!

 

[maxiesmom]

I criticize WDW and will continue to do so if I think it's warranted. I like going which is why I comment on those things that I find disturbing. I also comment on what I like.

I never understand the criticism of people who discuss the less positive aspects of WDW. WDW isn't perfect and personally I think it's fun to discuss both the good and bad things. In a reasonable way of course.

I think people like to hear both the good and the bad. It is when someone seems to want to be negative that there is bad feelings.

For example there is another post about oversized bags and how much airlines charge for them. The OP referred to the fees as "stupid". But when other people pointed out that the reason for those fees is to keep people from having huge bags, thereby making it safer for the luggage handlers, the OP started crabbing at the other posters. No "Ok, I get it. It sucks, but there is a reason behind it." Just insults for those who didn't blindly agree with her rage to begin with.

Posts like that seem to pop up more and more. People post because they are angry and upset, which is ok. But they seem to want to hold on to that anger, and belittle anyone who tries to reason or explain things.

 

[mickaholic4077]

I think people like to hear both the good and the bad. It is when someone seems to want to be negative that there is bad feelings.

For example there is another post about oversized bags and how much airlines charge for them. The OP referred to the fees as "stupid". But when other people pointed out that the reason for those fees is to keep people from having huge bags, thereby making it safer for the luggage handlers, the OP started crabbing at the other posters. No "Ok, I get it. It sucks, but there is a reason behind it." Just insults for those who didn't blindly agree with her rage to begin with.

Posts like that seem to pop up more and more. People post because they are angry and upset, which is ok. But they seem to want to hold on to that anger, and belittle anyone who tries to reason or explain things.

How dare you be so reasonable

 

[BigKid45]

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 agree...crowds seemed low to me...or maybe we were just lucky with which parks and restaurants we picked on certain days.

We were there 8/25-8/30 and almost everything was a walk on at every park. At AK we rode EE 4 times in less than an hour (FP X2, & walked on twice with each wait less than 15 minutes). We walked right into Nemo and sat in the front section after lunch! At HS, the wait for ToT stand by was listed as 20 min, but was probably 15min. The "biggest" crowds we saw were at TL and BB, but I think that is because the crowds are compressed into a smaller area on a hot day and some of the water rides cycle pretty slow.

We ate at Rose & Crown just before illuminations...a downpour sent us inside to an empty table and then back outside to our waterside table after it passed. All of our TS dinners took us right on time or before.

 

[readytogo]

How do you know if people really need them or not ?.

There is really no way of telling. This one was easy though.......

A couple of years ago we scooted over to Universal/IOA for the day and upon entering the first room of the Earthquake (Disaster now?) attraction, a quite large, extended family entered behind us. There must have been at least 20 of them from grandparents all the way down to young grandchildren and altogether they had 18 scooters!!! I have never seen anything like it. They filled the room and lined up in the handicap line. From simple outward appearances, not one family member seemed to need one. The grandparents were walking and the grandchildren were racing them and playing with them as if they were toys. If they had honked those horns one more time though, I was sure they would have been lynched by the increasingly angry mob around them, including us.

When we entered the sound stage part of the attraction, they all had to be parked in front of the rows of benches as that's the handicap section. That significantly delayed the start of the show while each of them backed up and manuvered their scooters into their spots, crashing into everything in the processs. Keep in mind that most were kids who could barely drive them to begin with never mind backing them up. It was quite a scene. The beeping of so many of them in reverse was quite comical too. This clearly angered the folks who were trying to start the show as well as many of the guests but it was so surreal that most were chuckling at the spectacle that it had become.

This caravan of apparently unnecessary scooters delayed the rest of the attraction as well. When the attraction ended, they all rode out of the building single-file like it was some sort of clown act at the circus. It was hysterical! Everyone was speechless including passers by and I got a video of them all riding out of the building. It took about 10 minutes for all of them to exit the building. Simply amazing!

I had 2 observations: 1) Seemingly not one member of the family really needed one but I could be wrong, & 2) Wow! Renting them must have cost them a small fortune!!

I didn't recognize the language they were speaking so it's possible they weren't from this country and maybe they thought the scooters were toys the their for entertainment? We went in the opposite direction as they did and couldn't help but feel for the rest of the guests and employees that had to deal with them the rest of their time there.

 

[canopynut66]

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.

I am just as amazed at you were on the insensitive and hurtful comments on the scooters. WHY would ANYONE think that riding a scooter and manuerving it around all the things is the "easy" way.. Some of us USED to walk fine until one day something was wrong with us. and my sister that travels with me/ they do not see her lift me in and out of the shower and bed and do my hair and help dress me so I can go to WDW and other places, she should be able to load when I do. If it gets to be many people maybe it is a Grand Gathering and WDW allows for that they promote those events. I am thankful every day that I can talk and see and still enjoy life best I can. If people want to wish upon that star of Tinkerbells they need to wish they NEVER are in the situation of the handicapped. EVER.

 

[canopynut66]

There is really no way of telling. This one was easy though.......

A couple of years ago we scooted over to Universal/IOA for the day and upon entering the first room of the Earthquake (Disaster now?) attraction, a quite large, extended family entered behind us. There must have been at least 20 of them from grandparents all the way down to young grandchildren and altogether they had 18 scooters!!! I have never seen anything like it. They filled the room and lined up in the handicap line. From simple outward appearances, not one family member seemed to need one. The grandparents were walking and the grandchildren were racing them and playing with them as if they were toys. If they had honked those horns one more time though, I was sure they would have been lynched by the increasingly angry mob around them, including us.

When we entered the sound stage part of the attraction, they all had to be parked in front of the rows of benches as that's the handicap section. That significantly delayed the start of the show while each of them backed up and manuvered their scooters into their spots, crashing into everything in the processs. Keep in mind that most were kids who could barely drive them to begin with never mind backing them up. It was quite a scene. The beeping of so many of them in reverse was quite comical too. This clearly angered the folks who were trying to start the show as well as many of the guests but it was so surreal that most were chuckling at the spectacle that it had become.

This caravan of apparently unnecessary scooters delayed the rest of the attraction as well. When the attraction ended, they all rode out of the building single-file like it was some sort of clown act at the circus. It was hysterical! Everyone was speechless including passers by and I got a video of them all riding out of the building. It took about 10 minutes for all of them to exit the building. Simply amazing!

I had 2 observations: 1) Seemingly not one member of the family really needed one but I could be wrong, & 2) Wow! Renting them must have cost them a small fortune!!

I didn't recognize the language they were speaking so it's possible they weren't from this country and maybe they thought the scooters were toys the their for entertainment? We went in the opposite direction as they did and couldn't help but feel for the rest of the guests and employees that had to deal with them the rest of their time there.

There is always going to be someone abuse things be it scooters or refilling mugs that were not bought this year or at the resort they staying in and refilling them where ever they want or taking stacks of paper plates and plastic ware have seen so many do that laughing they got it free????? is amazing to me.

and if they rented from the actual parks it would be very expensive as that is by the day. one who uses them all the time usually would get them from a company and have them delivered to resort from time they arrive to the time they check out. Then switching to their own chair to take ME back to airport or other transportation home. It is just as bad to deal with some like you did when your IN the position and cannot walk and have to be on the scooter.

 

[going/again]

There is really no way of telling. This one was easy though.......

This caravan of apparently unnecessary scooters

Seemingly not one member of the family really needed one

See this has just proved my point, first you say theres no way of telling, then you say it was easy.

then you add apparently unnecessary.

then you say seemingly.

so which was it easy, but your statements seem to say you are not 100% sure.
I would have possibly thought the same as you, but im not paid to judge nor am i a DOCTOR so i would of ignored it, and enjoyed my vacation.

this would have had no effect on the buses though. as they can only take 2/3 at a time so would have needed at least 6 differant buses, not fair is it they have to wait for 6 buses

 

[going/again]

I am just as amazed at you were on the insensitive and hurtful comments on the scooters. WHY would ANYONE think that riding a scooter and manuerving it around all the things is the "easy" way.. Some of us USED to walk fine until one day something was wrong with us. and my sister that travels with me/ they do not see her lift me in and out of the shower and bed and do my hair and help dress me so I can go to WDW and other places, she should be able to load when I do. If it gets to be many people maybe it is a Grand Gathering and WDW allows for that they promote those events. I am thankful every day that I can talk and see and still enjoy life best I can. If people want to wish upon that star of Tinkerbells they need to wish they NEVER are in the situation of the handicapped. EVER.

What a great sister you have, hope you have many more vacations.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

wow. it really sounds like no one is happy with the bus situation, whether you have an ECV or not. i do think there must be a better way.

Did I come across as such? Honestly I am very happy with the bus situation. Sure, it can be a bummer to have to wait for a bus, or 2 or 3 if the spots are already taking or there is a malfunction. But such is life. I'm just happy to be able to use them at my own timing, whenever and whereever I can. Most of the times the driver will do some nice small talks during the loading, securing, and vice versa. I have a great ability to not hear bad comments or see stares, and get a nice amount of unexpected chats with others on the bus mostly after somebody noticing the Animal antennatoper on my joystick.

Heck, the fact I can use accessible public transportation. One of the main things that makes me keep coming back to the US and WDW. I can do whatever I want, be so normal as to take public transportation whenever I want. In my neck of the woods? Let's just say they do not really 'incourage' folks to go out and about and do a lot to keep you at home. Accessible public transportation, that's a big nasty word here. So how in the world could I not love Disney transportation with all it's lovely small quirks?

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Ah the refillable mugs are here. Could somebody please get us the "sneaking into CL-lounge", "putting more folks in my room than WDW allows me to", "telling my kid is 2 when they are 3" and stroller debates in here also? Than we can simply call this the big old what-bugs-me-at-wdw-topic.

 

[tiki23]

Hey, I live in the Seattle area, and I carry a large Coach bag. I take offense to this comment. Flame, flame, flame to you madam.

Flame away! At least it will feel like summer, lol! The weather has been p-o-o-p this summer around here.

 

[larryz]

Funny how OP summarized her trip with paragraphs an paraghraphs of information and this thread goes on to page 11 and beyond of comments about the one and only (matter of opinion) negative thing that was said.



What happened to my beloved Disboards that gave great info and everyone loved Disney. Its turned into what can I complain about today?

Sorry, I DIS-agree ( )... this is one of those hot-button topics people love to talk about. I'm frankly surprised that, with the exception of a few people who don't think we should discuss this, everyone seems to be taking a very moderate stance here. for the civility on this thread today!

 

[npcougar]

It's unfortunate to read such ugliness on the DIS. As a mother of an adult disabled son, I am sorry to read of your inconvenience of having to wait to be loaded onto a bus, or heaven forbid you had to wait for another bus. Perhaps you'd like to be in my son's chair. We've had to wait for a third bus, to get on,because of wheelchairs and scooters, while those who were able to use there two feet walked right on. It never occurred to me to gripe about it.

Or perhaps you'd like the 24 hour a day convenience of being in a wheelchair or needing a scooter. Where you have to wait for someone to help you to the toilet, then wait for someone to wipe you. Or you have to wait for someone to put a DVD in the player so you can watch it. Or perhaps you would like the convenience of watching able bodied people get into taxi after taxi, while you wait for an accessible one to come for you. Or perhaps you like to wait 3 times longer to get on a ride, because there is only one accessible car. Or perhaps you would like the convenience of not being able to get out of bed until someone came to help you.

So again, I apologize for your inconvenience of having to wait for a bus.

Don't think I ever said you or your son would inconvenience me. I have no problem waiting for another bus because your son took the last seats. I have no problem waiting for them to get him into place. I have a problem with your 3rd cousin, your chiropractor's third wife's best friend and 7 other assorted distant relations/non-relation getting on the bus while the rest of us waited 30 minutes in extreme weather while they hung out inside. There are times many large family groups have to ride separate buses so why an exception here?

 

[Planogirl]

I think people like to hear both the good and the bad. It is when someone seems to want to be negative that there is bad feelings.

For example there is another post about oversized bags and how much airlines charge for them. The OP referred to the fees as "stupid". But when other people pointed out that the reason for those fees is to keep people from having huge bags, thereby making it safer for the luggage handlers, the OP started crabbing at the other posters. No "Ok, I get it. It sucks, but there is a reason behind it." Just insults for those who didn't blindly agree with her rage to begin with.

Posts like that seem to pop up more and more. People post because they are angry and upset, which is ok. But they seem to want to hold on to that anger, and belittle anyone who tries to reason or explain things.

I agree with you that there are those who get angry if others don't agree with them. In fairness, there are also those who will argue with you endlessly if you report something negative too. They will tell you the reasons why something happened and the reason why you are wrong and that you should be happy because of "____". That blank can hold a lot of excuses.

I see nothing wrong with pointing out why something might have happened but the rest of it seems pointless to me.

 

[luvthemouse71]

self-hatred. how sad.

Nope, no self hatred here. Just someone who isn't in denial about weight. I'm also someone who is active despite being overweight, and who refuses to use cutesy little terms because I think it'll somehow make it better. What makes it better is walking and eating right. Thankfully I have managed to shed about 10 pounds with about 30 more to go.

 

[WeRblam]

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.

Us too! We were there from Aug 23 - 30th and the crowds were EXTREMELY low! Of course, we know how to navigate thanks to the touring plans and disboards!

 

[lustergirl]

OP posted a very nice trip report about staying at the POP on the resort boards without mentioning this whole thing about the ECV's

 

[lustergirl]

Nope, no self hatred here. Just someone who isn't in denial about weight. I'm also someone who is active despite being overweight, and who refuses to use cutesy little terms because I think it'll somehow make it better. What makes it better is walking and eating right. Thankfully I have managed to shed about 10 pounds with about 30 more to go.

I hear ya mouse, I am overweight as well and dont deny it. I am working on it though

 

[nicki.momof3]

Thanks for your nice post.

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed Ellen's attraction. I'm not a big fan of hers, but I thought she was pretty cute in it and found it well-written. I went on it with my friends and their son while my husband and the other boys went on Mission Space. I can't imagine not loving it on a hot, sunny day. It's so cool and dark. Whether your kids will like it would depend on their personalities. It's not for thrill seekers, but I think school-aged kids would be thrilled by the dinosaurs in it.

Great to know thank - m boys really enjoy dinosours so we will have to try it out.