Of crowds and scooters

[loriandmatt]

i think the problem here is not people who need to use a stroller, wheel chair or scooter, but those who by mistake (which i am sure is the vast majority of the cases) or on purpose (which, lets admit it, does happen once in a while) give another guest a good crack and do not apologize.

if i or any of my family(as able bodied people) accidentally step on the back of someones heel or bump into a leg - we apologize. "Opps!" or "I'm so sorry!" or "Excuse me." or any combo of niceties is given to the person we connected with.

Isn't that just common courtesy? Do the rules of courtesy apply to any able minded human being reguardless of physical capability?

My next door neighbor has a son (whom i love fiercely) who is not only physically, but mentally disabled. He is the most polite child i have ever met. I praise him constanly for his manners.

- lori

 

[Kallison]

Both my Mom and MIL need a scooter while at WDW. My Mom is 73 and has necropathy (sp?) in her feet, she can't stand or walk for long periods of time. My MIL has been a lifelong smoker, she says her hip hurts but I believe because of her smoking she can't take more than a dozen steps without sitting down, she is 76. Both are moderately overweight because they can't really exercise.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

DepCor0311,
I agree with you that there is some abuse of the system, but I doubt that the abusers would spend the extra money to rent a scooter. I would think they would get a wheelchair. As Tigger&Belle said, the wheelchair abuse used to be much worse, but now WDW has changed most of the queues, so that the handicapped aren't really at that much of an advantage any longer. I don't think you meant to be harsh in your statement, but I do think you may have given the OP too much credit. It would never occur to me, that either the elderly or the overweight were abusing the system. It doesn't seem to me that the OP was complaining about the cheaters, but judging two groups of people.

ironz,
While you may be a physician, and I respect your opinion, I don't think anyone chooses to be heavy. For what it's worth, I am one of those with arthritis, and I was not overweight when I was young. My father had arthritis, so I was already at risk. I suffered several injuries playing sports, when I was younger, and those areas were the first areas targeted by the arthritis. When I was diagnosed with arthritis, I was actually a referee of high school basketball. You don't see too many obese referees. At least in my case, you couldn't have been more wrong. There is no way that you could know the situation of all those people the OP was referring to unless you had actually treated them yourself.

shellybaxter,
I applaud your attitude. If I would adopt the same attitude, my family and I would have much more fun at the parks, and we would definitely get more of our money's worth.

I think the bottom line here, is that we shouldn't judge others unless we have walked in their shoes. While I'm not the healthiest person, I am thankful that my health is not as bad as others. Perhaps we should all be thankful, not judgmental.

 

[ironz]

tarheel...
I didn't say anyone chooses to be heavy, but there are plenty out there who make choices that lead to worsening of their health. Also, I didn't say "every" person who's fat or uses a WC is wrong. And yes, esp. in your case, I have certainly seen bad cases of traumatic arthritis.

But I will also say that when some 400 pounder comes in with knee pain and the xray shows some normal size bones under 4 inches of fat on either side (yes, the soft tissue shows on xray)...I can tell you why that knee hurts. We are not made to carry all that.

Funny how the public sees health...heaven forbid there aren't enough flu shots, but do you see the same people putting down their beer, cigarettes and Krispy Kremes??

I'm out of this thread.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Originally posted by ironz

Funny how the public sees health...heaven forbid there aren't enough flu shots, but do you see the same people putting down their beer, cigarettes and Krispy Kremes??

I'm out of this thread.

OK, now you've gone too far!!!...you've brought us Krispy Kremes!!!

T&B

 

[AKASnowWhite]

Originally posted by loriandmatt
i think the problem here is not people who need to use a stroller, wheel chair or scooter, but those who by mistake (which i am sure is the vast majority of the cases) or on purpose (which, lets admit it, does happen once in a while) give another guest a good crack and do not apologize.

That's it exactly, IMO! Although the same should be said for people who simply aren't watching where they are WALKING and bump into someone. But while there are those *offenders*, I believe that the majority of people are considerate and responsible *drivers* of whatever *vehicles* that they are operating! (be it a wheel chair, stroller or ECV)

The biggest problem I have is when families CHOOSE to let children either 1) push the stroller or 2) sit on the lap of the ECV user and steer/drive. Most of these kids have little or no control over where they are going, they go at FULL SPEED ahead with complete disregard for folks around them...and why? Because it's easier for parents to indulge their child than it is to PARENT them and make unpopular rules

Of course, just like driving your car, you also get those folks who are just r-e-a-l-l-y bad (or maybe just inexperienced?) drivers! Honestly....I think if you choose/need to use a scooter at WDW, it's best to take one for a *test drive* first if at all possible! Imagine if your first time behind the wheel of a car was in New York City traffic!

 

[erinz]

tarheelmjfan: PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE don't stay off the scooter out of concern what other people think!!! You're missing out on so much fun for you and your family!!

All that matters is that you know that you need it. Don't even pay attention to other peoples reactions. Just get on that scooter and go for it!!

Last December, my husband was having intense pain in his foot and it really hurt to walk for long distances. We just grabbed a wheel chair and it made a HUGE difference! We would park the wheel chair and walk onto the ride. I am SURE there must have been a ton of dirty looks given to my husband as he got up and walked onto the ride, but who cares? We never noticed because we were enjoying ourselves too much. If it wasn't for the wheel chair, my husband would have had to quit walking after about 20 minutes. No one around us knew that. If they judged us, so what? We had a blast and you should too!!

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by DepCor0311
eternaldisneyfan, You are absolutely correct on all of your points, but is it so far fetched to believe that in the history of all the Disney parks, that nobody has ever abused the wheelchair / scooter privlege? That is who I am referring to in my post. To all who have genuine disabilities, or with loved ones with disabilities, I have no problem the use of wheel chairs / scooters, or other aids in the parks...and I am not at all put out by Disney making accomodations that make it fair for disabled individuals to enjoy the parks as much as we all do....I just wanted to make that clear....I am a nice guy...really...

When we were there in October there was a sign by the scooter and wheelchair rentals. It stated that only folks that really need the scooter can rent them and to please don't rent them for any other reason. I think it's pretty obvious that scooters and wheelchair use is abused at WDW.

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by maci
I am not even going to touch this thread!!

Other than to say this summer at Disneyland, we witnessed one elderly man in a scooter run over the foot of another elderly man, and let me tell you...I thought fists were going to fly!!
There were some very "un-disney" words flying!!

My DD had her foot broken by someone on a scooter. This guy backed over her, she screamed, and he told her to get out of the way! I wanted to knock him right off of it but it might have looked bad! LOL! My DD had 3 broken bones in her foot from that moron.

 

[maci]

Oh my gosh skiwee1, that is horrible! I bet you were angry! I would have been too!
The 2 old men I was talking about, were almost funny, they sounded like the 2 men on that movie grumpy old men!

 

[TinyToonThor]

I'll just say that all the people who use scooters at the parks seem to be angry.

 

[floridagirrl2]

Originally posted by TinyToonThor
I'll just say that all the people who use scooters at the parks seem to be angry.

Wow! You must spend all day, every day at all the parks simultaneously to be able to see ALL the people who use scooters. My hat is off to you!

I suspect you (and the original poster) are making a very large generalization based on a very small amount of observation. One word for this is "stereotyping."

 

[Tooneric]

Scooters are and should be welcome at WDW.

Whether it's a scooter, a stroller, a large group of people, or even a small group of people, please be considerate of those around you. There's plenty of magic to go around. If you need to stop and look at your map, try to leave room for those behind you to pass. And remember, accidents happen, so remember your Sunday School manners: Please, Thank you, I'm sorry! Sounds like I'm lecturing my kids!

We did the Family Magic Tour last year and our group stopped right where a couple of people on scooters were. They politely asked if THEY were in the way. I said no! As long as you don't mind us acting silly in front of you! Hey, we're in Disneyworld!

And by the way, never mind the scooters: what about those people who bring all those dang kids with them that get in the way!

 

[GoodFairies]

Originally posted by AKASnowWhite
We just returned tonight ...and I must say I had more of an *issue* with out-of-control STROLLER pushers than with anything else! Now THOSE people can be OBNOXIOUS!

Agree. I told my mom to watch out for these "crazy moms" when she and my dad joined us on a trip last month. She just laughed at me, thinking I was joking around. A couple hours later one rammed into both my parents nearly knocking them down and I just gave her the "I told you so." My parents didn't cut her off or anything, she wasn't watching where she was going, as is typical of so many stroller people.

 

[M. Eisner]

Actually, most people do choose to be overweight. Yes, there are a very few who have a true physical problem. But if one searches the history of human physiology or would look at European countries, the obesity problem is not as rampant as it is here. Doctors have come out often lately saying it is because of more food and less exercise. The more sedentary lifestyle people have chosen has led to this. Sorry if people take offense to this, but the majority of healthy people can control their weight. That's a fact.
But let's stay positive. The people in wheelchairs or strollers are not hurting anyone so just ignore them if they bother you!

 

[floridagirrl2]

Originally posted by M. Eisner
Actually, most people do choose to be overweight. Yes, there are a very few who have a true physical problem. But if one searches the history of human physiology or would look at European countries, the obesity problem is not as rampant as it is here. Doctors have come out often lately saying it is because of more food and less exercise. The more sedentary lifestyle people have chosen has led to this. Sorry if people take offense to this, but the majority of healthy people can control their weight. That's a fact.
But let's stay positive. The people in wheelchairs or strollers are not hurting anyone so just ignore them if they bother you!

Who in their right mind would choose to be overweight, considering all the stereotyping and prejudice against fat people?? No, people generally do not choose to be overweight.

There is much medical science does not understand about the brain, how it controls appetite, and why some people gain weight and others don't. I weigh 120 pounds, can eat all the Krispy Kremes I want, and have never been over 135 pounds (at 5' 4 1/2"). Who knows why I can eat anything I want and not get fat.

At the opposite extreme are people with Prader-Willi syndrome, whose brain appetite center is out of control. I can't repeat any specific anecdotes without compromising patient confidentiality, but you can Google the syndrome and probably find anecdotes about how out-of-control their brain appetite centers are.

Of course sedentary lifestyles, unlimited food, etc. can lead to obesity. But people do not CHOOSE to be obese.

 

[SueM in MN]

Originally posted by DepCor0311
That being said, I think she is referring to those people whos only disability appears to be being overweight...and using a scooter or wheelchair to gain front of the line privleges. I think it would be naive to say that type of abuse of the system does not occur.

Most of the rides/attractions at WDW have what is called Mainstream Access, which means that users of wheelchairs and scooters wait in the same line as everyone else. The ones that are not are basically ones that have lines that are not (and can't be made) wheelchair accessible.
The only people who get front of the line privilege are children on Make a WISH trips and some people who are on life support equipment with limited battery life (think people on ventilators to breathe for them).
Here's a list from the official Disney website of attractions that use Mainstream access :
Magic Kingdom® Park

* Ariel's Grotto
* Astro Orbiter
* Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
* Donald's Boat
* Judge's Tent
* Mickey's Country House
* Mickey's PhilharMagic
* Mike Fink Keelboats (seasonal)
* Minnie's Country House
* Pirates of the Caribbean
* Space Mountain®
* Splash Mountain®
* The Barnstormer at Goofy's Wiseacres Farm
* "The Enchanted Tiki Room Under New Management"
* The Hall of Presidents
* The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
* The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
* The Timekeeper (seasonal)
* Tomorrowland® Indy Speedway
* Toontown Hall of Fame
* Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress (seasonal)


Epcot®

FUTURE WORLD
* Imagination!: All Atractions
* Innoventions East
* Innoventions West
* Mission: SPACE
* Test Track
* The Living Seas: All Atractions
* Universe of Energy: "Ellen's Energy Adventure"
* Wonders of Life: All Attractions (seasonal)

WORLD SHOWCASE
* China: "Wonders of China"
* France: "Impressions de France"
* FriendShip Boats
* Norway: Maelstrom
* The American Adventure: "The American Adventure"


Disney-MGM Studios

* Disney-MGM Studios Backlot Tour
* Fantasmic!
* Jim Henson's Muppet*Vision 3D
* Playhouse Disney - Live On Stage!
* Rock 'n' Roller Coaster® Starring Aerosmith
* Sounds Dangerous - Starring Drew Carey
* Star Tours
* The Great Movie Ride
* The Magic of Disney Animation
* "The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™"
* _Voyage of the Little Mermaid
* Walt Disney: One Man's Dream
* Who Wants To Be A Millionaire - Play It!


Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park

* Caravan Stage: "Flights of Wonder"
* DINOSAUR
* Grandmother Willow's Grove: "Pocahontas and Her forest friends"
* It's Tough To Be A Bug
* Kali River Rapids
* Kilimanjaro Safaris
* Lion King Theater: "Festival of the Lion King"
* Maharajah Jungle Trek
* Primeval Whirl
* Theater in the Wild: "Tarzan Rocks!"
* The Boneyard
* TriceraTop Spin

 

[M. Eisner]

If you eat too much and don't exercise, you gain weight--that's a choice. If you eat in moderation and exercise, you lose or maintain weight--that's a choice. I said there are a very few condidtions that lead to obesity, you mentioned one. Any doctor will tell you the majority of obese people could lose weight IF THEY WOULD CHOOSE to change their lifestyle and poor eating habits.
This country has started to condone obiesity and it is now the second leading cause of preventable death in the U.S. The AMA calls it preventable, that would mean choice.

 

[TinyToonThor]

Originally posted by Tooneric
Scooters are and should be welcome at WDW.

And by the way, never mind the scooters: what about those people who bring all those dang kids with them that get in the way!

Hey, I'll be the first to admit that Disney would be a great place
if they would keep the kids out.

 

[jjarman]

Originally posted by tarheelmjfan
Because of this, I can only spend a couple hours in the parks at one time, which also means that my DH, and DS(12) have to spend alot of time sitting around, while on vacation.

Don't take this wrong but why can't your son and husband go to the parks by themselves while you rest?