just back...too many scooters!

[go cowboys]

I understand that it's frustrating to be run over by a rude person, but you could just as easily be run over by a rude person who isn't watching where they are walking.

Mary Ellen

Not quite the same is it? The scooter doesn't have the ability to stop by itself, catch a child that might have been knocked over, or apologize. I suspect getting you foot caught between a wheel and the frame hurts more than having your toes stepped on. You not only get the weight of the person but add the weight of the machine too.

 

[boomhauer]

I understand that it's frustrating to be run over by a rude person, but you could just as easily be run over by a rude person who isn't watching where they are walking.

Yeah, but it doesn't hurt nearly as much.

In any event, I only hope that you're feeling well enough now that you don't need a wheelchair.

 

[SaratogaShan]

QUOTE :"I mean, the bottom line, as annoying as those who don't need them using them are, is that there are many who use them that do need them."




And there are also many who DO need them who won't use them because they are afraid they will be perceived as "lazy".

I think that many folks with disabilities may function just fine without scooters in their everyday lives. However, everyday life does not usually mean miles of walking and standing for extended periods of time. Under these circumstances, you may have many first time scooter users. Also, many people who use a personal scooter on a regular basis may find it easier to rent one at the park rather than arrange for transport of their own to WDW. I t may take them a little while to get adjusted to the way the new scooter drives. (Kind of like how it takes a while to get used to driving a rental car when yours is in the shop)

In any case, I think if we ALL try a little less judgement and a lot more courtesy (walkers and scooters users alike) we can have a magical day!

 

[go cowboys]

Damn those handicapped people. There ought to be some sort of law against them being out in public.

Obviously not really grasping the whole idea of this thread.

 

[boomhauer]

Damn those handicapped people. There ought to be some sort of law against them being out in public.

Is that necessary? Noone on here is saying that in the least bit.

 

[cmonroe]

As with many of us, we've all seen this for years. I think the thing is, that people don't have a problem with people who use scooters. Heck, I've been grazed before by one with a cute little old lady driving it. I think what makes us skeptical is the people you see blatantly abusing it.

For example, on many a' trip, I have seen famlies where a scooter was rented for the older family member (my guess was a grandparent). Multiple occasions I have witnessed a teenager-aged person in the family ask the "scooter user" to get up and the teenager then takes the scooter for a ride because it's fun.

The problem is not that the "scooter user" is walking for a bit, the problem is, that the scooter should not be used for a ride for the teenager. There are plenty of those throughout the parks.

There's no way for someone to tell whether a person riding in one truly needs it or not, but the above example is common, and pretty hard to defend. I think people see this type of behavior and have little patience as these items are not toys and should be soley for people who use them.

My two cents.

 

[PrincessAurora]

And now for a little funny in what can be a scary thread. There is my trip report in two parts when I rented a scooter at AK because I had sprained my ankle the week before.

http://www.geocities.com/dre_sargent/trip_02a_03.html
http://www.geocities.com/dre_sargent/trip_02b_03.html

I think it is another side the the whole scooter thing, they don't stop on a dime, i was mocked trying to back up and I couldn't, I ran over my boyfriends toes, well.... read for yourselves.

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

I sense that some people have their happy Disney Blinders on!

Anyone who has been to WDW sees more of a scooter problem there than they would at any other tourist attraction. My theory is that some people hear how big WDW is and rather than wear themselves out rent a scooter instead. Hey, whatever, just don't run me over. It's silly to pretend that everyone who rents a scooter at WDW has a real need for one. Some people do, sure...we all know about hidden disabilities. We also know that some people don't want to walk and want to be able to scoot when they get tired.

 

[padams]

We were at WDW during this past Thanksgiving week. We were amazed at the large number of scooters. There seemed to be many more than we remembered from our previous visits (last previous trip was 4 years ago).

We had at least 1 scooter driver come close to running us down each day. No, we didn't walk in front of them. In every case, the scooter driver was trying to pull around the crowd and made a sudden turn to do so. We tried to stay as far away from the scooters as we could.

Do renters sign liability waivers?

 

[jarestel]

Due to the total lack of any kind of logical traffic flow at WDW, walkers, stroller pushers, wheel chair users, and scooter users are thrown together to navigate in any or all directions at once if they choose. So it's no surprise that chaos ensues. It's not the fault of any of these groups who are just trying to get from point A to point B, more the layout of WDW which evidently never accounted for anything but foot traffic in the initial design.

It's become part of the experience now, getting rammed by impatient walkers, run over by wheelchairs, bumped by strollers, and nudged by scooters.

 

[raven69david]

I guess i'm gonna have to put a cow-catcher in front of the DD (13months) stroller.

 

[krismom]

my favorite are the scooter users family who pile on the darn thing WITH the person on the scooter. No joking, I saw an elderly person on the seat holding two grandkids on her lap and the basket in front had a cooler jammed sideways makin git almost impossible for the "driver" to see over! I actually stared in disbelief at this moving traffic hazzard!

 

[All Aboard]

My perspective: We spend at least 30-40 days a year at WDW parks, and have so for many years. I have never been run into, run over, nearly hit or inconvenienced in any way by a scooter driver. I am happy that they are there for people who would not otherwise be able to enjoy the parks without them. And, I am certain that there are many, many conditions that are not so readily visible that require the use of an ECV.

But, there are two things that are absolutely true. 1) there is a steadily increasing number of scooters in the parks and 2) there are plenty of instances of their use by people who take very seriously the term "convenience" in ECV.

Amongst the worst abuses I have seen include a young couple who had a pair and were playing a game of "chicken" with them by the exit of Ice Station Cool. He cut his so hard that it tipped over. He jumped off, never losing his balance and righted it before jumping back on and fleeing the area. She looked embarrassed.

And, I can't tell you how many times I've heard the phrase, "my turn, you've had it long enough", and seen different members of the family on them during the day.

I do believe that some people think they are "premium" items, there for the convenience if you are willing to pay extra to have them. I've just seen it too many times.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Due to the total lack of any kind of logical traffic flow at WDW, walkers, stroller pushers, wheel chair users, and scooter users are thrown together to navigate in any or all directions at once if they choose. So it's no surprise that chaos ensues. It's not the fault of any of these groups who are just trying to get from point A to point B, more the layout of WDW which evidently never accounted for anything but foot traffic in the initial design.

It's become part of the experience now, getting rammed by impatient walkers, run over by wheelchairs, bumped by strollers, and nudged by scooters.

This made me LOL! Maybe some of our vacation scrapbook room should be saved for pix of us getting rear-ended by scooters, or stepped on by hasty feet!

I have to say, I have a pinned ankle that swells like crazy when I spend more than a couple hours a day on it. All of these threads that accuse the majority (or even 50%) of not really needing the scooter/wheelchair causes me to avoid using them. I would be so self-conscious, I wouldn't enjoy myself. Therefore, I have to shorten my park touring to a few hours in the a.m. and a few hours in the evening, ice my ankle at night and take tons of anti-inflammatories to spend time with my family in WDW.

Even though I've had to wait for the next bus due to room taken up by scooters, I try to be glad that I'm as healthy as I am. I can't find any excuse for not apologizing when you hit someone, though, whether you think it's your fault or not!

 

[DGuiltinan]

Hmmm, my dad has a lot of trouble walking through the parks, I think a scooter might just be what he needs... Tell me, how much does it cost to rent a scooter for the day. And, if you rent one in the AM at the Magic Kingdom, can you get one at MGM that evening on the same charge, like park-hopping???

Thanks for your help...

Merry Christmas, Dave

 

[athenna]

Yeah - Like the 50% of people at Disney that rent them that don't need them.

Maybe the OP is new or hasn't seen this debate before. If we're to close every thread because it's been brought up before, might as well close down this whole forum.

I never said to close it, it just amazes me though that people would even bring this up. If the folks that needed the scooter's didn't go, they'd be denying themselves a great vacation. And how in the world would someone know that someone doesn't need a scooter. Crazy and a selfish thing to complain about.

 

[CheshireVal]

I used to be very vocal about my hatred of scooters in the parks, and, to a certain degree, I still think they're abused by a lot of people. For instance, like in the example someone gave earlier, when entire families are using them to tour the parks, that seems to be just unnecessary.

However, I'm going to Disney next week for a grand gathering with extended family. My Aunt is fighting what appears to be a losing battle with advanced breast cancer, and this is probably going to be her last trip to WDW with her kids (my cousins) and grandchildren. Because she's so weak from chemo, she has to rent a scooter to get around the parks, but she will be able to walk short distances in restaurants or queues.

I do hope some of you will be tolerant of her and us. She loves Disney as much as anyone here, and it would be cruel for her to not be able to enjoy this last trip because she isn't able to walk long distances.

 

[doombuggy]

I brought my grandma to Disney back in 2003, and without the scooter we rented from Walker, I could not have pulled it off. I was VERY alert as to what she was doing with the scooter - she was in her late 70s at the time and has Parkinsons. If she hit anyone, I was me. I found out about the rental place thanks to the good folks over on the DISabilities borad, and I am so glad, as the scooter we rented (at a weekly rate) was delivered right to the hotel (and left there for Walker to pick it up), and was 3 wheeled, instead of the 4 wheeled ones they have at the parks. Much easier to handle (I drove it from the car to the elevator of the hotel at Rieverside a few times). The best part is that it encouraged Grama to get her own scooter, and she moves around better in her day to day life.

There are plenty of people out there who need these to tour the parks, and I certainly do not begrudge anyone whoneeds them. I think everyone needs to be more concious (did I spell that right?) of their surroundings and try not to run each other over. I have experienced some of the tihings mentioned here myself and sometimes you wonder what people are thinking (sure, run me over, no problem). The hardest part is when you are in a crowded store. Yikes!

 

[lynn71092]

Damn those handicapped people. There ought to be some sort of law against them being out in public.

I really think they were just kidding.

 

[minnie61650]

I sense that some people have their happy Disney Blinders on!

Anyone who has been to WDW sees more of a scooter problem there than they would at any other tourist attraction. My theory is that some people hear how big WDW is and rather than wear themselves out rent a scooter instead. Hey, whatever, just don't run me over. It's silly to pretend that everyone who rents a scooter at WDW has a real need for one. Some people do, sure...we all know about hidden disabilities. We also know that some people don't want to walk and want to be able to scoot when they get tired.

Yes, and maybe its kinda silly to pretend that all people who use the hanicapped stalls in the restroom really need it. Many times when I enter the rest room there are many able stalls empty but the Handicapped
one (which is the only one I can use) is being used by a mom and 1 or 2 children. I could say she is abusing the use of the HA stall or I could think prehaps she has an invisible disabily or a special needs child. I always chose the benifit of the doubt.
Because it is a HA stall and it for people with special needs just as the scooters are.