One good elevator story and a tip.

[ppony]

As many or everyone knows, it can be a LONG wait (20 minutes once for us at dinner time) if you have a stroller or wheelchair and need an elevator.
One afternoon, I had been waiting for about 10 minutes only to have elevator after elevator come by full of people. Some of course may actually need it but lets me real, most don't. Finally one came by and had a early 30s couple in it. They saw us and immediately got out of the elevator for us to have it. Then they walked down the stairs. How NICE was that?!?!?!?!?! I thanked them profusely! I was actually mostly disappointed w/other cruisers on our trip as I guess is normal. I was SO happy w/ the CMs. This couple was just so wonderful!

The tip: as I'm sure many have said before, but it bears repeating. The Forward and Aft elevators are generally far less busy. USE THEM! We were much happier when we did.

 

[rngrblu9]

that was super nice! i actually had an older couple (probably in their 60's) elbow me & pretty much give me hell for trying to get on the mid-ship elevator during dinner...there were 7 people in there all of average size (one was a toddler) so my mom & me (both of average size too) got on after letting 3 elevators pass...there was plenty of room in the back so i just made my way back there...their actions really stunned me...it's something i'll never forget so it's refreshing to see the complete opposite happen to someone!!!

 

[delo4]

We have a rule that we take the elevators only if we have to go up or down more than 2 decks. We are in our 50's and our parents are 70 ish. Our kids, who are in their 20's take the stairs almost exclusively. They laugh at us when we take the elevators, but I tell them they will understand one day.

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

I'd exit the elevator for a wheelchair but not for a stroller. I would, however, wedge myself against the glass to fit a couple more people.

We always stay on deck 2 and walk unless we are going up to 9.

 

[Carol G]

It's wonderful to hear the couple got off and let you on. Kudos to them.
We're a "young" 60's couple and found it much easier to use the stairs going down. After dinner we waited after elevator crowd reached their destinations so we could take it upstairs. There' was no rush to go anywhere :

 

[kcashner]

When cruising with a friend in a wheelchair, we frequently resorted to "ride down to go up" or the opposite when all the elevators were appearing on our floor full. It was somewhat frustrating, even though we used the aft elevators almost exclusively. The really irritating thing was when we had been there waiting while 2 or 3 elevators passed--maybe not full, but too full to handle the wheelchair--and when one we could use finally arrived, others rushed in front of us while I tried to maneuver the chair.

As above, thank you to everyone who moved over or exited an elevator to allow us to use it!

 

[inkkognito]

Here is my tip for getting an elevator at peak times: If everyone is going down, get one going up and stay on (or visa versa, depending on the traffic pattern). You'll ride the elevator a bit longer but wait a LOT less.

I injured my leg and was in a wheelchair for part of one cruise many years ago. I was actually quite surprised at how courteous people were at the elevators. Sounds like they've gotten more self-centered over the years. We do find plenty who will 'smoosh' to let more bodies on, and we have done so ourselves when possible.

 

[Anal Annie]

I'd exit the elevator for a wheelchair but not for a stroller. I would, however, wedge myself against the glass to fit a couple more people.

We always stay on deck 2 and walk unless we are going up to 9.

The difference on that reasoning being what exactly???????

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

The difference on that reasoning being what exactly???????

A stroller isn't necessary and a wheelchair is.

 

[Anal Annie]

A stroller isn't necessary and a wheelchair is.

Not even if it's a single parent (i.e. alone, by themselves) with 4 mo. old twins and a 2 yr old toddler and all of the ensuing CRAP that goes with them? Sorry, but I do believe there are instances when a stroller is necessary.

 

[jbm02]

Not even if it's a single parent (i.e. alone, by themselves) with 4 mo. old twins and a 2 yr old toddler and all of the ensuing CRAP that goes with them? Sorry, but I do believe there are instances when a stroller is necessary.

I have to agree. Although we are out of the "stroller age" right now, I remember how exhausting it was to gather up the kids and various "stuff" you have to have with you at all times. Trying to go up/own stairs carrying little ones or toddlers, plus trying to balance all their stuff, plus the stroller is not only tiring but downright dangerous. At some points in our lives, using a stroller really is a necessity.

 

[ppony]

A stroller isn't necessary and a wheelchair is.

I have to adamantly disagree for our case. As AA said, all the stuff we had to bring w/ us for one. Most of the time it was just me toting all that stuff around with my toddler. And my toddler does NOT walk well independently. We have a therapist coming to our house and a teacher coming as well weekly to work w/ him. Also, as it turned out, keeping him in his stroller at dinner was the ONLY way I was actually able to stay for the whole dinner. He needed a familiar zone to keep from flipping out.

I wish people wouldn't make sweeping blanket judgements on people as to what they do and do not need. (example) Just because someone looks perfectly healthy but uses a wheelchair doesn't mean they may not have a condition that requires them to use one. It seems to happen all the time though. Not just on this board but everywhere.

I'm not saying people have to step off for a stroller. I didn't expect it and was pleasantly surprised when someone did for us. I know I looked defeated and tired so I think that made a difference. Gosh knows they are eveywhere. But passing judgement on their needs or even caring isn't cool IMO. You cannot judge a book by it's cover.

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

We can disagree, right?

I promise that if I ever see a single parent with 3 kids under the age of 2, I'll step off (after I track down the missing parent to beat him for leaving the other parent alone ) Otherwise, I think it is fair to everyone around you to fold up your stroller while you move through the extremely narrow corridors and the tiny elevators. There's not much you need to tote around with you on a cruise ship.

I will admit that I was a baby wearer and used a stroller only when going for walks at home. By the time my son was too large for a pack he wanted nothing to do with the stroller.

 

[mmouse37]

People, people, people.....everyone has a right to their own opinions so please just agree to disagree on the stroller/wheelchair issue and not turn this nice thread into something else.

Thank you!!!

MJ

 

[ppony]

We can disagree, right?

I promise that if I ever see a single parent with 3 kids under the age of 2, I'll step off (after I track down the missing parent to beat him for leaving the other parent alone ) Otherwise, I think it is fair to everyone around you to fold up your stroller while you move through the extremely narrow corridors and the tiny elevators. There's not much you need to tote around with you on a cruise ship.

I will admit that I was a baby wearer and used a stroller only when going for walks at home. By the time my son was too large for a pack he wanted nothing to do with the stroller.

Absolutely. I just ask that you or anyone consider that how it was for "them" may not be how it is for everyone else. My ex-boss did that all the time. SHE didn't have troubles in her pregnancy so automatically I was some kind of fibber or whatever in her eyes because I did. Never mind my Dr's bed rest orders. We did need to tote a lot of stuff around w/ us. But most of the toting was actually my DS. My DH and oldest DS were off doing their own stuff a LOT so it was just me most of the time and I simply cannot carry him and all that stuff. Some pay be able to. I can't. I have tendon injuries in both of my arms which prohibit carrying heavy loads very often. I was kind and courteous to everyone as we rolled down the corridors and always pulled off to the side to let others pass as need be.

I didn't expect anyone to step off for me, but I do think especially in elevators going down, stairs are far elss used than they should and could be. ANY time I was w/o the kids and I was going down, any number of flights (even from deck 8 to 1), I used the stairs. That was how I was sure I wasn't a hypocrite.

 

[HiddenMickeys]

Wow, that was very nice of them. Things like that just make your day. I agree about the midship elevators, yikes. But our room was midship, so most of the time we just waited. We didn't need them going down (with us being on deck 6, that worked in our favor). My brother Tom has degenerative rhuematoid arthritis and has very very bad knees. Walking down steps isn;t as bad and he uses a cane, but going up steps? Forget it. And it was a bit of a chore for him to head to the forward or aft elevators when our rooms were literally right at the midship elevators . So, when we had to go down to deck 4 or 3, we took the stairs most times. Going up to 9 or 10, or back to 6 after dinner, we needed the elevator for him. A lot of times we'd take the stairs and meet him as we didnt want to tie up a whole elevator (since there were 8 of us).

We didn't really see too many elevator issues, other than 2 moms with double strollers and then all 4 kids standing in the elevator. We saw these people and this situation a good 5-6 times during the trip. My first thoughts? "Fold up the strollers or put the kids in them". But hey, it was one elevator, and he was able to take the next one, not a big deal. And no, I am NOT saying strollers arent needed. Hey my 2 are teens now, I get the whole need for a stroller. My issue was with the stroller taking up space and the kids taking up more. If they want to walk right now, great, just fold the stroller for a bit and make more room for others. Anyway, like I said, my brother caught the next one, not a huge deal.

The elevators, at times, did seem to have a mind of their own though lol. We caught an elevator going up on deck 6, got in and deck 9 was already lit (it was the only one). One other person gets in on deck 6 with us and hits deck 3. Guess where the elevator went next? Yup, deck 3 lol. The 2 people who were already in the elevator (and going to deck 9 also) were just as surprised as we were lol. My brother made a joke about "One of the wires in the pixie dust regulator must be crossed causing us to be repelled from our chosen destination." and everyone just laughed. lol

 

[love2driveinct]

I think using the stairs was the only thing that kept me from coming back with an extra 10 lbs!

 

[HiddenMickeys]

I think using the stairs was the only thing that kept me from coming back with an extra 10 lbs!

No extra pounds? Jeez I used the stairs and well..... (note to self, use the stairs MORE next time)

 

[EJ'sMom]

Thanks for posting that. I will be more aware and sensitive to those who actually need the elevator (be it stroller or wheelchair) to make their traveling distance easier.

 

[rahrah]

The elevators are why I like deck 2. We have had the veranda, but it was not enough of a plus to make up for the ease of getting the elevator on decks 1 and 2. My wife has arthritis and has trouble walking up stairs. So from deck 2 we never have a problem getting a ride up.

She can handle walking down a couple of flights so we never have any problems at dinner or show times.