Not your usual trip report -- new post 8-20, just a heads-up to the nice scooter folk

[LoraJ]

I loved your trip report!

I wish that WDW would re-do Space Mountain. The one at Disneyland is 100x's better. I haven't been on it since the rehab, but even before then it was better.

 

[mattnday]

I really liked your trip report. I think you were funny, honest and sarcastic. I for one agree and disagree with your stroller and scooter comments. We have a 4 year old who has been to Disneyland 10 times. He loves it every time we go and experiences different parts of the park each time we go as he gets older. I would never dream of depriving my son of one of the places that brings such great jot to both our son and my wife and I Because he couldn't walk an entire day. Disneyland/Walt Disney World was made for families.We use the stroller because it maximizes our enjoyment of the park. We are very concious of how we ise the stroller and always make sure we are careful with it even in crowds.

With that being said, It is all about common courtesy. We see the stroller maniacs running people over all the time. We agree it is totaly wrong. As with everything in life it is all about respect and it is obvious many tired parents pushing strollers dont have respect for those around them.

Oh those magical scooters. My first impression of scooters were a Mom and daughter a few years back trying ride their scooters in to the very small ice cream shop at Disneyland on Main Street during the 15 minutes leading up to fireworks. These 2 thought they owned the world and hit people, the walls, and were very rude to everyone around. In my opinion their medical condition was lazy. When they finally realized there was no way to maneuver the scooters through this packed store they parked them in the middle of the doorway and walked over to get their ice cream with no problem. Yes, they were morbidaly obese and yes we were appalled by their behavior.

This year my mother in law was recovering from back surgery and needed a scooter to help lessen the strain on her back. She desperately wanted to be with her grandchildren and this was the only way she could do it. There was no cutting in line. There was no running people over. Just a middle aged woman riding a scooter because she had a bad back.

I have no issue with strollers or scooters. My issue is the people that use these devices recklessly or use them to take advantage of disney policies. There have been several trip reports lately that have emphasized how important it is to share the magic. There random acts of kindness never cease to amaze me. This to me is what Disney is all about. We all like different parts of the experience and I appreciate trip reports like this one that give us something a little different.

 

[snels]

I loved your trip report! Thanks for taking the time to write down your thoughts.

 

[SnackyStacky]

AND NOW FOR SOMETHING THAT WILL PROBABLY GET US FLAMED: Strollers and scooters. Why does it have to be strollers and scooters?
There are reasons to take little kids to Disney World, but they are not usually good reasons. Maybe they have older siblings who are a better age to spend so much time at a theme park and, well, you feel it’s just not far to them that little Suzy is just 2. But we saw so many parents who had 2 or 3 kids, the oldest not more than 4 or 5. Most were in the 2-3-year-old area, sacked out by 2 p.m. or so. If a child is so young that they can’t stay awake an entire day, or can’t walk around on their own for more than 20 minutes, what are they doing at Disney World? What can they possibly be getting out of such a fantastic park that could not wait another 2 or 3 years, when they will be able to enjoy and appreciate such a marvel to the child in all of us? I suspect because the parents are the ones who really want to be here, using the kids as an excuse. And so every theme park is choked with strollers, leaving the rest of us with age-appropriate kids to dodge and hurtle and weave among the army of strollers. If you are wasting half the day in line for Dumbo or for character meet-and-greets, your kids are probably spending most of the day in a double-wide stroller tank just so you can switch off with a spouse at Test Track or Tower of Terror. Wait a few years. Disney World will still be there. Save up and do it really nice.
Having attended amusement parks more than 40 years now, can’t remember a time seeing so many people in those motorized scooters, which are like wheelchairs only with handlebars, electric motors and beeping sounds for when they back up. And most of the people riding scooters were morbidly obese. Now, we want to remain sensitive to those with genetic conditions, but when exactly did being way too fat qualify as a disability? The scooter people drove like maniacs, expecting people to get out of their way as they approached (and people did, no one wants to get hit by a fat guy on a scooter). We also saw many scooter people waiting at the front of the line in the area for (legitimately) disabled folks. When their turn came, they rose from their scooters and walked just fine without need of walker or even a cane, easing themselves into the seat. When the ride was over they plopped themselves back into their scooters and were off, while the rest of us waited like able-bodied suckers.
Let the flaming attacks commence, assuming anyone got this far in the trip report.

No flames, just a lot of disagreement.

My wife and I are expecting and will be taking our 2 year old in 2008. Is it because we want to go? Absolutely we want to go! Would we really be going if we didn't? Will the child remember? Probably not. But then again, my wife has memories from when she was two years old. But that's not why we're going. We're going to spend time together. And yes - she will be in a stroller. And while I'm not saying that Disney World is only for kids - they obviously were in the plan. Did you not expect to find strollers at a place where children are one of the key demographics?

And as for your comments regarding scooters - you're just flat out way off base. First of all - whether or not it's self inflicted, being obese DOES qualify as a disability. I lost 168 pounds, and before I did so? Walking around the parks was debilitating. So because I was overweight, I should have missed out? That's compassionate. Further - you don't know the circumstances behind each and every scooter bound guest. When I last visited in 2005, a friend with us stepped on her ankle the wrong way. She is, in fact, overweight. And after 4 days of walking with a cane to AVOID a scooter, could no longer take the pain. So yes, she rented a scooter. And yes, she appeared able-bodied when she had to switch to the ride vehicles.

No flames. I just really think you need to look beyond YOUR own world and see that other people are different - and that there's nothing wrong with that.

 

[Tortuga Joy]

Okay, I know I'll get flamed but here goes. I realize I'm new here but the more I read, the more it seems no one wants to hear the negative or slightly disappointing side of Disney. I get the impression that honesty is not allowed if it's at all negative. I for one want to hear all sides, not just the sugar coated ones. I realize this board is about Disney but does that not mean the good and the bad?

I enjoyed the OP's honesty and unique way of reporting...quite refreshing. I also enjoy reading other posts that include day by day, minute by minute reporting, too. I do not think for one minute he had a bad time, perhaps he's just not as enthusiastic as some.

However, is there a rule I'm not familiar with that indicates one's opinions need to be left at the door? It just seems that unless you post constant sugar coated words of praise, then you might as well expect to be flamed. Come on people, if we can't all post our opinions, good or bad, mind you without hurting feelings, than what's the point of this board?

I for one love reading all posts, good and bad...sometimes it makes for enjoyable reading when you know someone is being honest. Especially when that post starts getting flamed because they were not having a good time at Disney!

And before someone quotes this and accuses me of not being sensitive to strollers or scooters...back off! I've done strollers at Disney...always being curteous and polite and making sure I did not roll over or push someone out of my way. And as far as scooters go and those that need them, more power to you to go and have an enjoyable day and not let your problem or disability, keep you from having fun. However, you are not the only one on the path so use caution, and be polite...it runs both ways.

Okay, the flaming may now begin!

 

[declansdad]

I am glad you enjoyed your trip and I can respect your opinions but I respctfully disagree with some.

Yes there are many people with scooters and strollers who use them as battering rams but there are just as many people without that are just as rude. I can't tell you the number of times people looked down at my ds in the stroller and simply stepped over the end of it, not cut across the front, stepped over the end.

We have taken two trips and have stayed at All Star Movies and Pop Century. We certainly don't feel that we are cheaping out. We are using the room as a place to sleep. If we want to spend time using a resorts facilities, we will go somewhere like Cancun.

As for the age that you should take your children to WDW, I don't think there is a limit. I too once thought like you. We originally thought we would go when ds was around 7. We ended up going just before his 3rd birthday. That was 2 years ago and he can still give you a blow by blow account of what we did.

 

[mrsscooter]

Thanks for your trip report.........the good.......the bad........and the ugly...........LOL It was nice to get an honest, yet, somtimes offensive opinion, but it was nicer to recieve a "public appolagy" per say. When you know someone or live with someone in any of the situations that have been discussed your whole opinion changes. I just have to say, that we will be going in October for a week, and our party will be be four adults, and five kids ranging in age from five months to six years old and we will among the masses renting double strollers and charging through main street probably bumping into everyone else that will be charging right along with us. My opinion is that I would rather have my kids buckled up safely in a stroller and know where they are at all times than be like some who let the little ones roam like free range chickens. I know that I would rather make room for a stroller coming through than try to balance my camera or other items as I am being dodged by running children followed by running parents. So, to us any amount spent on a disney trip is well worth it when you see the look on their faces when the characters show up. Ok, enough for me ................ thanks again for your post.

 

[connorsmom911]

Just wanted to reply and say I did enjoy reading your report, some parts even had me laughing out loud! The part about the CMs guarding the border

I was a bit miffed like others about your comments on the strollers and scooters, however I do see your point too. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and while I might not agree with you, in fact I was a little perturbed, it is still your right to your opinion. I have been reminding myself of that right we so enjoy living in free, democratic society where others opinions are not forced on us, for the most part.

We took my ds on his first trip to Disney when he was only 20 months old. It wasn't planned that way, but the opportunity to go presented itself when my sister registered for a nursing convention at Coronado and my mom was going with her. At the time these were my only 2 babysitters, so I was caught between a rock and a hard place. Luckily both me and dh work in jobs where getting time off is fairly easily negotiated and the trip ended up being a wonderful family adventure. He got his first haircut on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom, met Buzz Lightyear and ate breakfast with Pooh and friends. While the memories from that trip were more mine and my husbands, surprisinly he will sometimes blurt something out that makes me sure he actually does have memories of that trip. Plus we added another trip this year when he was 3, thereby reinforcing his earlier memories. I pride myself on being a good parent, especially a good travelling parent. We took lots of breaks, every afternoon went for a swim and a nap and I rented a stroller on this trip for everyones comfort. He rode when he was tired, walked when he wasn't. I will miss the stroller for the baggage handler that it was!!!

As far as the scooter issue, I do not have a whole lot of familiarity with them, not knowing anyone personally that uses one, but I'm sure I will be soon. My father is fairly young (57) but has always been overweight. He is now type II diabetic and is struggling with it. He is caught in the vicious cycle of insulin injections that cause sugar cravings that create the need for more insulin etc. On this latest trip to Disney, my parents and sisters joined us for one day at Epcot. It was a nice day, but a hot one. We split up to cover what each wanted to do and my father chose to go with my dh, ds and me to do the rides in future world. Criss-crossing to make the best use of fast-passes and time restraints, my father was struggling to keep up with us, but he was a trooper and never complained. All he wanted to do was enjoy the look on his grandsons face. I later found out from my mom that this caused my father a lot of discomfort. He was sore and "chafed" for days afterwards. I'm sure on our next "family" trip in 2010, more than one of us will be suggesting that my father rent a scooter. It isn't always easy to see the disability either. Although my little sister didn't use an ECV on this trip, hers was a trying day at Epcot too. She's only 27, the thinnest in our family, and appears pretty healthy, but because of a car accident last fall that has left her with a herniated disk in her back, she had to wear a Tens machine (little electrodes that you stick on and send electrical pulses from a waist pack) the whole day and carry around a bag full of pretty heavy duty narcotics. Luckily in her case sitting was more of a problem than standing, but had it been the other way around and she had rented a scooter, I'm sure she would have gotten a lot of looks and even snarky remarks!!

I'm sure there are people that milk the system, there always will be. There will always be people who have a sense of "entitlement" when it comes to having access just because they are "disabled". Hey, I get peeved by this too, but more for the rudeness than anything. I was glad to read your later post about being humbled by your own situation with your neighbor. I was quite touched by your remarks. One of those "apostrophe" moments (from Hook, Smee says "Captain, I've just had an apostrophe". Hook "You mean an epiphany". Smee "Lightning has just struck my brain")

Thanks for your insight into Disneyland too. Hoping to visit there someday!!

 

[UtahMama]

Wow...Negative Nelly! We bring our stroller-bound kiddos JUST to piss you off!!! Just Kidding! Appreciate your honesty and only agree on about 25% of your many tips...BUT we (your fans) need you to like Soarin'.

 

[noseybuddy]

I am one of those parents who took their 5yr old and 3 yr old to Disney, and yes had two strollers. But I am also one of those parents who are VERY considerate of others while pushing the stroller. I agree with what you said about strollers and scooters. Can't tell you how many times I see rude people pushing their strollers into people and the scooter, well need I say more. And yes I am guilty of taking my kids, probably to young for my own selfish reasons. It was a lot of work and even though we did have fun, we came home very tired and they probably won't remember any of it now that they are 17 and 15.

Value Resorts --- I stayed in the WDW resorts from Deluxe down to Value and I have to agree that the value resorts do have the longest lines. That being said, it didn't ruin my trip but I have to say I prefer to stay deluxe, the location can't be beat.

Your trip report had me laughing, I really enjoyed reading it.

 

[WantToGoNow]

Very interesting trip report. My first response to your stroller/scooter comments were not pleasant. I do push a stroller -- I am also looking forward to the first trip that we don't need one -- won't be soon as my youngest is 2. So far I haver never ran over anyone outside of the family -- now my older dd and dh have a tendacy to stop with short notice right in front of me. If I bump you, I hope I have the common coutesy to apologize for it.

However, I had an experience 2 weeks ago at a local amusement park. My children - 5 and 2 were coming off of the bumper cars. My 2 y/o started to climb into her jogging stroller when an older man decided it would be quicker to step over this huge stroller instead of walking the 4 feet it would take to go around it. He knocked the stroller and my child to the ground -- jogging strollers aren't know for their stability. I said "excuse me" and he gave me the nastiest look that I have ever been given. At that point, I really wanted to take the stroller and run him over with it but instead I picked up my crying child and put her back into the stroller. I said all this to say this - it's not always the person with the stroller that's the problem.

It is possible that my young, healthy looking 22 y/o daughter may have to use a scooter for some of our trip this November due to a heart condition. The average person would not be able to tell that there's anything wrong with her. I never questioned why someone is in a chair -- I'm just glad I don't have to be.

 

[SueM in MN]

AND NOW FOR SOMETHING UNEXPECTED. After reading the responses to the trip report, particularly to one passage I knew would rankle, I have had second thoughts. And third, and fourth. By the fifth thought, my mind was changed. People in scooters, I apologize. There are ailments and maladies that are sure to go undetected by the masses, particularly those masses whose ankles have just been scraped by a scooter. To judge why people are in those scooters is very unDisney and unjustified. But the fifth and deciding thought was personal (the straw that persuaded the camel's back to give in and quit being insensitive). My neighbor, who suffers from MS, is leaving for Disneyland next week with her husband and two boys. She is 41 and looks incredibly fit, yet I have been trying to persuade her to rent a scooter because she can't be on her legs 10 hours a day. She can't handle standing 40 minutes in line. She can't keep up with a 7 and 9 year old who have never been to Disneyland. I've told her how Disney wants to make sure everyone has a great time, even if they may have bad hearts or bad circulation or bad legs. She has resisted all of my suggestions because of what people would think of her. People like me.

I am humbled.

I am glad you re-thought.
Many people who really need to use scooters won't use them because they are worried about just that............
what will people think.

My FIL had knees and hips bad enough that his doctor was suggesting replacement 15 years ago. His doctor had suggested a scooter 15 years ago. We had suggested a scooter 15 years ago because we could see the pain he was in after a day in the parks on our annual trips to WDW. He wouldn't do it - mostly because of what people might think. He had seen people being rude to my youngest DD, who uses a wheelchair (she is not able to walk). He also wanted to lose weight so people would not think he was using the scooter because he was overweight.
FIL had gotten to a point where he was walking into the park and only seeing a few attractions that were close to the front because he could not walk farther into the park. He missed a lot of fun times with his family because he was sitting on a bench.

Finally, 3 years ago, on the last day of our trip, FIL decided to rent a scooter at the Epcot. And, he said he had a pain free park day for the first time in almost 15 years. He was a very careful and slow driver, but driving a wheelchair or scooter at WDW is a pretty nerve-wracking thing. People jump out in front of you all the time, expecting you to stop on a dime (and not realizing that scooter, wheelchairs and power wheelchairs do not have any brakes). On our last trip, this March, FIL rented a scooter at Epcot and MGM; he would not rent one at MK - it's too hard to drive there with all the people and congestion. Our trip in March was the last trip we will take with FIL, since he died suddenly of a heart attack in mid June.
I am glad that he got a few good trips with us, where he actually got to spend time in the parks with his family after he decided to make the change to using a scooter. If he had not been worried about what people would think and might say, he would started using one sooner. I'm glad he did finally use one though.

 

[daisy_77]

Though we will likely never return to Disney World

That is good to hear

Thank you for sharing your trip report. I enjoyed the laughs

 

[cudcat41]

While you are entitled to your own opinion, although I find it offensive as the mother of 2 small children in strollers, you shouldn't assume that you know what's right for everyone. I have a 2 year old son and a 5 month old son, who will be 8 months when we go to DIsney in October. It will be the 2 year olds 3rd time. First time was when he was 8 months, second when he was 13 months. Those were the 2 best Disney vacations we ever had, and we have been many times without kids. He was extremely well behaved (much more so than the many obnoxious, loud, rude tweens and teens we saw) and had a great time on the rides and seeing the characters. Was he able to go on the few thrill rides that we wanted to do? Nope. So we did the parent swap and kept him occupied during those times. Will he remeber those trips? No, but he looks back at the pictures and we will always have those momories of his first trips there. We're going in October, and I'm not hesitating bringing the baby. I know my children and I know what they can handle. My older son is so excited about the trip that all he wants to talk about are rides and shows. So yes, I could wait a few more years until they're older and won't crowd the parks for people like you, but they deserve a fun, exciting family vacation just as much as your child and all the other older children who are there.

 

[thop529]

I read your trip report. I didn't think it was funny, informative, and in fact I wish I wouldn't have read it.

You see I am a person in a motorized wheelchair. To look at me you would think there was nothing wrong, other than seeing "I'm Fat". Not to morbidly obese. No, I can't walk. Haven't been able to walk for about 2 years (not because I'm fat), but because I have Muscular Dystrophy. I was diagnosed when I was 18, so I have done pretty well.

This is the comment that got to me:

please everyone post nicely...

Yes, I know it wasn't by you. Actually your whole post sorta upset me.

Now back to the "post nicely" comment. Pumba let me ask you something. Do you think it would have been fair for the OP to comment about an African-American, (would that have been nicely?) How about a person with a mental disability, or a person with Downs Syndrome?

It is no ones business who rides in a scooter or wheelchair, or even when a person chooses to take their childern to WDW or anyplace for that matter.

I thought the comment about the scooters was completely uncalled for!!! TOTALLY!!!!!

Do you know what types of discrimination we come up against on a daily basis? How many business don't follow the guidelines for the ADA and we are unable to even go in a store. How about the people that don't even look at us when speaking to us. Just because I'm in this chair does not mean I don't have a voice or can't make my own decesions.

How dare you post for people to post nicely when you didn't even say one thing to the OP for their comments.

Just like someone said early on. Honey you better be careful because what goes around comes around. I hope one day you or your kid don't have to be in a scooter or wheelchair and face what we face on a daily basis!

I will probably be banned for saying all this. No big deal it won't be like it was the first time.

So, I will tell the OP up front to kiss my ***!!!!!!

 

[jaycns]

No flames, just a lot of disagreement.

My wife and I are expecting and will be taking our 2 year old in 2008. Is it because we want to go? Absolutely we want to go! Would we really be going if we didn't? Will the child remember? Probably not. But then again, my wife has memories from when she was two years old. But that's not why we're going. We're going to spend time together. And yes - she will be in a stroller. And while I'm not saying that Disney World is only for kids - they obviously were in the plan. Did you not expect to find strollers at a place where children are one of the key demographics?

And as for your comments regarding scooters - you're just flat out way off base. First of all - whether or not it's self inflicted, being obese DOES qualify as a disability. I lost 168 pounds, and before I did so? Walking around the parks was debilitating. So because I was overweight, I should have missed out? That's compassionate. Further - you don't know the circumstances behind each and every scooter bound guest. When I last visited in 2005, a friend with us stepped on her ankle the wrong way. She is, in fact, overweight. And after 4 days of walking with a cane to AVOID a scooter, could no longer take the pain. So yes, she rented a scooter. And yes, she appeared able-bodied when she had to switch to the ride vehicles.

No flames. I just really think you need to look beyond YOUR own world and see that other people are different - and that there's nothing wrong with that.

After reading this post, I find almost no reason to post. It includes a lot of what I was thinking/wanting to say.

However, I would like to add: Who makes anyone gatekeeper of the Magic Kingdom? Who gives anyone the right to say that someone who is overweight has no right to ride on a scooter. Maybe that person is overweight because they have a mobility problem so exercise was hard to come by. Maybe they have an underlying medical condition. Maybe they even just plain over eat and don't ever work out. For whatever reason though, they have trouble getting around the park due to their size (or an underlying cause).

Does that fact that a person overeats and doesn't work out enough make them unworthy of a trip to WDW? For all of you who made remarks about overweight people, take a minute to think. When you look at an overweight person, you see their issues plain as day. But does that mean that their personal problems are any worse then yours? There are many ways to compromise your health. MANY conditions (but not all, I know that many people suffer without any "wrong doing", I am not judging anyone, just pointing something out) are at least in part caused by the actions or lifestyle choices of the afflicted person.

Would you say that someone suffering from AIDS should not use that scooter to make WDW accesible for them because they contracted the disease through unprotected sexual contact? Would you say that someone who suffers from late stage cancer that could have been cured if caught early (and would have been caught at a yearly exam) but skipped their physicals because they had "better things to do" should not use the scooter? How about the person who was a heavy drinker earlier in life and now suffers with liver problems that make it hard to sustain the pace at Disney. Maybe he/she should not be able to get a scooter either. Or what about the person who is now unable to move his legs after crashing into a tree one night because they drove even after they knew they were too tired to do so safely? The smoker who now has lung problems? The list could go on and on.

All of those people most surely regret in one form or another an unwise choice or series of them. It is a crazy to try and judge people. NOBODY is perfect. For those of you judging overweight people and thinking "If they would just get off the scooter and walk they wouldn't have the problem in the first place", I ask you to do this, take a look at your life. Is it perfect? If so, then congratulations. You are the only one in the world. But if not, if you can admit that you too have your faults (only people cannot see them by way of extra pounds hanging off of your body) then maybe you could take the time to rethink your stance and cut overweight people a little slack.

Just my feelings. I am not flaming anyone and most assuredly NOT judging anyone who has any ailment I mentioned. Also, to be clear, I don't mean tht anyone who is sick deserves it in one way or another...I just mean that nobody, able bodied or not is perfect so why is anyone casting stones just because the other person's faults may be easier to see with casual observation.

 

[MosMom]

Well, with any luck your trip was so poor that you choose not to return.

 

[Diznenut]

as one of the obese in the way fat people, i just want to say to this guy - thanks for the report. I take it to mean you wont be going back and so I'll get to enjoy my next trip even more.

 

[BigKidAtHeart]

I have been reading trip reports for months now in preparation for an upcoming trip in Sept. I've enjoyed them all including this one. It's concise and too the point on good, bad, etc. and for anyone who's never been there points out some really good and little spoken of issues (long bus rides from value resorts, etc.)

As to the bantering back and forth about strollers and scooters. I'm not going to give my opinion of whether they are good or bad, etc. The simple fact is anyone whose been to the World before has at least once been rammed in the ankle by a careless driver; many times with the driver not meaning to.

It's simple, you throw thousands of people on to a path narrower than a city street, mix a few hundred strollers and dozens of ECV's in.......well do the math ....SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET RUN INTO!! It's a fact of life.....

Why not make a passing lane for those without strollers/scooters or why not politely request that the stay to the center of the roads/pathways. It works for the highway systems.

I know that sounds extremely unfair and un-enforcable, but hey it's a thought.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I read your trip report. I didn't think it was funny, informative, and in fact I wish I wouldn't have read it.

You see I am a person in a motorized wheelchair. To look at me you would think there was nothing wrong, other than seeing "I'm Fat". Not to morbidly obese. No, I can't walk. Haven't been able to walk for about 2 years (not because I'm fat), but because I have Muscular Dystrophy. I was diagnosed when I was 18, so I have done pretty well.

This is the comment that got to me:



Yes, I know it wasn't by you. Actually your whole post sorta upset me.

Now back to the "post nicely" comment. Pumba let me ask you something. Do you think it would have been fair for the OP to comment about an African-American, (would that have been nicely?) How about a person with a mental disability, or a person with Downs Syndrome?

It is no ones business who rides in a scooter or wheelchair, or even when a person chooses to take their childern to WDW or anyplace for that matter.

I thought the comment about the scooters was completely uncalled for!!! TOTALLY!!!!!

Do you know what types of discrimination we come up against on a daily basis? How many business don't follow the guidelines for the ADA and we are unable to even go in a store. How about the people that don't even look at us when speaking to us. Just because I'm in this chair does not mean I don't have a voice or can't make my own decesions.

How dare you post for people to post nicely when you didn't even say one thing to the OP for their comments.

Just like someone said early on. Honey you better be careful because what goes around comes around. I hope one day you or your kid don't have to be in a scooter or wheelchair and face what we face on a daily basis!

I will probably be banned for saying all this. No big deal it won't be like it was the first time.

So, I will tell the OP up front to kiss my ***!!!!!!

Well, except for that last sentence, I totally agree with this post! A couple of years ago I became very sick and the aftermath was a disabling fatigue syndrome. I looked VERY able bodied, and I could certainly walk, but I couldn't have done the parks without the scooter, and I rented one for 2 trips until I was well enough to do without it. I actually didn't even like going into the handicapped entrance, and would sometimes park the scooter and go in line even though the standing was a difficult issue for me. Don't ASSUME why anyone is using a scooter. First of all, it can be an invisible issue, and secondly, IT'S NOBODIES BUSINESS!

Folks are VERY rude to guests in scooters as well as guests in wheelchairs and strollers. If you have never tried to ride a scooter through the crowds, you would never understand how difficult it is to avoid hitting some folks who just step in front of you without notice. If you don't believe that, just try using one yourself for half a day. Even the most mild mannered of you will want to run a few of the folks down. (No, I never did, but that didn't mean I didn't want to.)