My ECV disney experience

[watkinsme]

This was my first ECV experience at WDW. I am pooh sized and have knee and feet problems. I have had these problems WAY before I became pooh sized (thanks to sports in high school). I have been 4 prior to this - most recently 2009 while I was 18 weeks pregnant. MY trip in 2009 I.was.miserable. By 11am every single day my feet were swollen to the point they hurt to walk, and we usually returned to the room - after only spending a few hours in the park. Hubby convinced me to rent a ECV this time. I was incredibly nervous about what people would think, running people over, getting on/off buses etc but I am glad to say other than one or two events it was great. I ended up renting from Apple scooter - and it was there on time - great customer service - now for the rest -

First bus drivers (save one or two) were wonderful... very helpful - I was extremely polite - thanked every single one of them, both when loading, assisting and unloading me.

I did have a few times we had to wait for a second bus, not a big deal I understood completely.

Had one Empty bus pull up at WL look at me, I nodded yes - then he stopped at the stop for 30 seconds then closed his doors and took off without loading us

had one rude driver - may have been having a bad day - either way not too important

I was EXTRA cautious to not clip people - I did manage to run into my own son - he wasn't injured - he was pointing one way - looking another and stepped right in front of me - I was scared to death though

However when we were leaving AK I had a slight problem - we were in the middle of the pack of people leaving - I was following right behind DH pushing a stroller (I figured if I clipped someone it'd be better to clip him) I had the stroller on the slowest setting when out of nowhere a lady to my right cuts in between me and him followed by her husband pushing a stroller - I ran up on the wheel of the stroller before I could stop- I was mortified - I was trying to figure out how to get off of it - when he reaches over starts screaming at me and tried to flip the ECV over on its side with me still on it - which prompts his wife to turn around and scream at me - fat Bi*** you need to get your fat A** up and walk like the rest of us - you can't run over people - you need to stop cutting people off you fat B****. I had no idea what to say I was floored. in the meantime my 5 year old is standing there listening to everything - the ECV rolls backward and her stroller is freed ( the stroller was empty - she was carrying the kid the whole time - I was scared I might have hurt or scared the kid but he wasn't riding) and she still gets in my face yelling obscenities then leaves with her husband - two people standing behind me approach and tell me they saw the whole thing and they didn't even look when they turned in front of me and it wasn't my fault - I was still mortified -

After that incident the rest of the trip went smoothly - we were even able to stay for MNSSHP because I was able to rest my knee and feet.

 

[Checkers]

Thank you for this report. I was just going to post a question asking for experiences with ECV's. I broke my ankle at the end of August and will have my cast taken off next week. We will arrive at WDW on 10/23. I know that I will not be able to walk long distances and was scared to death to rent a scooter until I read your report. Since we will be staying at the BWVs I figure I will just motor over to HS and Epcot and then take the monorail to the MK (think we will skip the AK this trip). Which scooter did you rent from Apple (that is the company I have chosen, too)? What distance did you get? Does it charge overnight? Were you there when they delivered it and were you given instructions or is it so easy to use that no instruction is really needed? Any detailed information you can give me will be appreciated.

Glad you are having a good time and can't wait to get there! Thanks in advance for your assistance!

 

[watkinsme]

I got the pride victory 10

It was really simple to drive - we asked for it to be left at bell services at 10am - but we got there before 10 - so as we were walking up at 10 - he was unloading it - he explained adjusting the seat, etc and told me if I had any problems call - he said they had disabled the horn on it because we were expecting rain and when it got wet it beeped the whole time - but that I was ok to drive in the rain now...lol

We did charge it every night - but even after being used all day at MK and till midnight at the halloween party it still had plenty of charge to get me back to our room that night.

 

[disney david]

Glad you had fun mybe the bus got called to another stop and had nothing to do having to load an ecv but mybe he was having a bad day. Sorry to hear about the ak some people are *** people make mistakes you should of turned it to full power and ran him over. You should of notify securty he would of proberly be escorted back to his car and made to leave. The only problem is where you guys was it would be easy to notify them unless someone from your party goes back to the entrance or gets attetion of another cm to call for securty. That why i think they should install securty call box through out property they could theme them to match the area but it make everyone feel more safe. Their no reason to get that mad you didnt do it on purpose you tried your best to stop all it called for was a sorry which you did and that it. To call you names in front of their own kids is reckless she teaching her kids the wrong way to handle problems. They was in the wrong you was riding behind your family member so if you hit them by accident it your family then they cut you off giving you no chance to slow down. I hope that this didn't ruin your trip it sounded like you had a great time which is great.

 

[cm8]

This was my first ECV experience at WDW. I am pooh sized and have knee and feet problems. I have had these problems WAY before I became pooh sized (thanks to sports in high school). I have been 4 prior to this - most recently 2009 while I was 18 weeks pregnant. MY trip in 2009 I.was.miserable. By 11am every single day my feet were swollen to the point they hurt to walk, and we usually returned to the room - after only spending a few hours in the park. Hubby convinced me to rent a ECV this time. I was incredibly nervous about what people would think, running people over, getting on/off buses etc but I am glad to say other than one or two events it was great. I ended up renting from Apple scooter - and it was there on time - great customer service - now for the rest -

First bus drivers (save one or two) were wonderful... very helpful - I was extremely polite - thanked every single one of them, both when loading, assisting and unloading me.

I did have a few times we had to wait for a second bus, not a big deal I understood completely.

Had one Empty bus pull up at WL look at me, I nodded yes - then he stopped at the stop for 30 seconds then closed his doors and took off without loading us

had one rude driver - may have been having a bad day - either way not too important

I was EXTRA cautious to not clip people - I did manage to run into my own son - he wasn't injured - he was pointing one way - looking another and stepped right in front of me - I was scared to death though

However when we were leaving AK I had a slight problem - we were in the middle of the pack of people leaving - I was following right behind DH pushing a stroller (I figured if I clipped someone it'd be better to clip him) I had the stroller on the slowest setting when out of nowhere a lady to my right cuts in between me and him followed by her husband pushing a stroller - I ran up on the wheel of the stroller before I could stop- I was mortified - I was trying to figure out how to get off of it - when he reaches over starts screaming at me and tried to flip the ECV over on its side with me still on it - which prompts his wife to turn around and scream at me - fat Bi*** you need to get your fat A** up and walk like the rest of us - you can't run over people - you need to stop cutting people off you fat B****. I had no idea what to say I was floored. in the meantime my 5 year old is standing there listening to everything - the ECV rolls backward and her stroller is freed ( the stroller was empty - she was carrying the kid the whole time - I was scared I might have hurt or scared the kid but he wasn't riding) and she still gets in my face yelling obscenities then leaves with her husband - two people standing behind me approach and tell me they saw the whole thing and they didn't even look when they turned in front of me and it wasn't my fault - I was still mortified -

After that incident the rest of the trip went smoothly - we were even able to stay for MNSSHP because I was able to rest my knee and feet.

WOW, some people are just so rude! Glad to see that you had a great time outside of that

 

[needtogomore]

when we were leaving AK I had a slight problem - we were in the middle of the pack of people leaving - I was following right behind DH pushing a stroller (I figured if I clipped someone it'd be better to clip him) I had the stroller on the slowest setting when out of nowhere a lady to my right cuts in between me and him followed by her husband pushing a stroller - I ran up on the wheel of the stroller before I could stop- I was mortified - I was trying to figure out how to get off of it - when he reaches over starts screaming at me and tried to flip the ECV over on its side with me still on it - which prompts his wife to turn around and scream at me - fat Bi*** you need to get your fat A** up and walk like the rest of us - you can't run over people - you need to stop cutting people off you fat B****. I had no idea what to say I was floored. in the meantime my 5 year old is standing there listening to everything - the ECV rolls backward and her stroller is freed ( the stroller was empty - she was carrying the kid the whole time - I was scared I might have hurt or scared the kid but he wasn't riding) and she still gets in my face yelling obscenities then leaves with her husband - two people standing behind me approach and tell me they saw the whole thing and they didn't even look when they turned in front of me and it wasn't my fault - I was still mortified -

After that incident the rest of the trip went smoothly - we were even able to stay for MNSSHP because I was able to rest my knee and feet.

Sorry but they should have said something while it was happening, I would have.

 

[Debbie Jean]

I'm so sorry to hear about your experience with the Rude Family at AK.

Although I have never had an interaction quite as bad as yours, I do often wonder whether I am invisible the way people jump in front of me or maybe it's that people who don't know how to operate a scooter really don't understand that it can't be stopped or turned on a dime...

I make every effort to be as careful as possible... I go slowly, I wait for the crowds to pass, I hang over to the side, etc.... but golly gosh darn it, there comes a point where really there ain't nothing I can do! Kids I can at least understand... they are excited, etc. It's the adults that really try my patience...

Sorry I know I'm preaching to the choir

I'm glad the rest of your trip went relatively smoothly

 

[toocherie]

I have had the same issue with people cutting in front of me. The other thing that happens a lot is that if there is a small space to go through, I will wait and let people pass--and they just keep coming and keep coming--I have sometimes had to wait five minutes just to get across an area! People are so "me" oriented sometimes . . . .

 

[pampam]

I appreciate your posting here. One bad experience compared to all the wonderful memories you made is a pretty good balance. It's too bad it happened though.

 

[Disneygranny1973]

What I love are the ones that see you coming, then dart across in front of you trying to beat you..you can't stop on a dime, but you try, and then the people walking behind you don't realize you have stopped and walk right into you cause they were looking another way...LOL. I've been a scooter user for the last 5 years now..and oh the stories I could tell. I do try to be considerate, I try to watch those in front of me. And usually if it's me or someone else wanting to go to the same place, I stop and let them go first...but I declare, there are some people that have no manners at all..and that goes for scooter users too..one funny incident tho...a woman was trying to get a good pic at MK..she kept backing up, backing up..and I see her coming, so I stop. I don't think she realized that she was backing up against the traffic...and she kept on coming til she backed right into my scooter and fell into my lap! I tried to put my hand out to catch her, and even said "uh..ma'am"..but her momemtum was too much and in my lap she went..I could have gotten madder n' a wet hen, and do to her like i've had done to me and give her dirty and rude looks,...but I chose to treat her like I WANT to be treated..I lightened the situation and just said.."Hello there!"...she was so hacked out and apologetic...she didn't mean to do it, and i've never meant to do anything to hurt anyone either..but I have run over a few toes in the 5 years i've been scootering...sometimes it's been my fault, but sometimes it hasn't....I wish everyone could just get over themselves and the need for "me and mine", and just have a great time!

 

[Ashtyn]

We just got back from Disney and I wanted to say, we too have encountered all the people cutting and stopping and all the rudeness. I just wanted to tell you about a good instance. We were going thru the park, on the slowest speed, and a group of about 5 younger guys (early 20's) were walking toward us and one hit the front of the ECV. He quickly turned, put his hand on my moms shoulder and sincerely apologized. I was shocked. We both commented on how he was genuine in his apology.

There are a few good people out there who understand!

 

[wendylovesdisney]

Did you get the 3 wheeled or 4? I am trying to decide...

 

[pbrim]

3 wheel or 4 wheel depends on what your concerns are: 3 wheel are more manuverable, 4 wheel are more stable. I prefer a 3 wheel, I feel it has more leg room and corners better. My friend has balance and vision problems and prefers a 4 wheel since she has tipping problems sometimes on a 3 wheel

 

[watkinsme]

Mine was 3 wheeled - I did not have any tipping over problems and it was super easy to maneuver

 

[Oleeka]

It's not just ECVs or wheelchairs that have these self-absorbed encounters. I work at a large university that has a major thorough fare running through it. When class lets out, it's probably as busy as Disney World is at its peak. Students will literally step out in front of a moving vehicle without even looking! I even had one young woman who stood in the middle of the street talking to her friends on the sidewalk who yelled at me for pulling up to her in my car (actually, I've had more than one student do this). My car's brakes are squeaky, so they hear me coming from a mile away and it still doesn't stop them. It is so bad here that, if there's an accident, the police assume that the pedestrian was at fault unless there is clear evidence that they weren't. How would people suggest someone handle a situation like the one that occurred with the family in Animal Kingdom?

 

[cove61]

thank you for posting, i go next month and i am soo excited but also a bit nervous. due to my ms i decided a scooter was best as i just dont think i would make it around the parks, and enjoy myself. I am a bit nervous and i hope it goes ok, thinking of making my kids walk in front of me so that if i am goignt o run anyone over it is only them (wont tell them that though lol) anyway thanks again for your post hope i dont meet any mean people although i am sure my son and hubby would stick up for me if i do. x

 

[POOHsie]

thank you for posting, i go next month and i am soo excited but also a bit nervous. due to my ms i decided a scooter was best as i just dont think i would make it around the parks, and enjoy myself. I am a bit nervous and i hope it goes ok, thinking of making my kids walk in front of me so that if i am goignt o run anyone over it is only them (wont tell them that though lol) anyway thanks again for your post hope i dont meet any mean people although i am sure my son and hubby would stick up for me if i do. x

Going back to the PP who was following her DH with her scooter, and collided with people going perpendicular to her, who went between her and her DH. Just imagine traveling on a busy highway in your car. If you leave a safe distance to the car in front of you, everyone and his brother will get into that space to try to get an advantage. You will lose every time. Now think about hanging close to the car in front of you so other cars can't enter the gap. Possible collision with the car in front because you can't see or react to a sudden stop ahead.

My point is, instead of just following a family member with your scooter, for the reason explained above, have the family member to your side, but in front of the scooter's "handlebars." Almost as if the family member could touch the front corner of your scooter basket with his/her hand. This position would benefit you as you wished it would, it would give you more vision of what's ahead, but will not create a gap. Plus you two could converse, which is something not possible if you are following strictly behind. And you will get very lonely if not able to converse with your family on your trip. Just my opinion.

Best advice, when WDW is crowded to the max, like closing time, hang back 15 min-30 min. Then go when the crowds have thinned.

 

[bjkjoy]

I agree. For the last few times we have gone I have always gotten a scooter from Randys. Always satisfied. In busy times my daughter always walks in front of me and makes a path for me to follow. Works much better than walking behind me or next to me. When it's not busy it doesn't matter. I can't stand for long periods of time and love to be able to move to the shade in my scooter because usually all the benches in the shade are full.

 

[mrmischief]

I wonder if any of you guys could help shed some light on a question I have. We are headed to Disney next year and my mum is travelling with us and will be needing to hire an ECV, as impossible for her to stand for long periods of time and would be unable to share a great deal of the vacation with us without one.
What is the protocol for the ride queues and the rest of the family?
I would hate to think that we would be treding on someone's toes (pardon the pun) by jumping line. Briefly, where does the rest of the family go? or are we all able to stay together in one party?

Thank you in advance

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi and to disABILITIES!

The majority of attraction lines in WDW are "mainstreamed". This means that a wheelchair or ECV will use the regular entrance and line all the way to either a show seating or ride load area. If a line is not mainstreamed there will be signs and/or Cast Members to direct you where to go.

If a show, normally there will be spaces to park a chair or ECV and there will be seats next to the space for other members of the group.

If a ride, usually you will have to transfer to a ride vehicle, although some rides will allow a person in a wheelchair to remain in their chair. If you have to transfer to a ride, and unload is not at the same location as load, your chair or ECV will magically appear at the unload area.

If you click on where it says "disABILTIES" at the top of this page it will take you to the Index. One of the top items is the "disABILTIES FAQ" which will gives lots of useful information. Note that Post #2 discusses mobility and equipment. Post #3 had a wide variety of information and links; it might be a good idea to look at the various park "Guidebook For Persons With Disabilities" for more detailed information.

Or, if you want an easier route to the FAQs, click on the link in my signature.