One week in WDW with ECV - the good and the bad

[Chickenlady]

Just got back from a mostly great trip to the world. We had my Dad and Stepmom with us, so our pace was a bit slower than usual. I rent my ECV from Randy's, love the service! The good - aside from barely marked handicap entrances at the bus stations, the buses were great. We had a car, but split up often, so I rode the bus many times. Every time the bus driver either directed me on parking or just had me get off and they parked it themselves! I have a scooter at home, so I do know how to park, but the drivers just automatically helped! Didn't notice anyone giving me the evil eye, but I really didn't look. The bad - check-in was horrible. Had done on-line check-in and had told reservations that I was in an ECV. They had assigned us to a second floor room at POR alligator bayou (no elevators). Should have been easy to fix, right? CM at check-in kept hemming and hawing about the fact that she really couldn't think of any way to fix the situation. I of course, asked for a different room, but she acted like it was impossible. Just for the record, we were checking in early and the resort was not filled. CM even asked if we could somehow get the ECV up the stairs! She finally went and spoke with someone and was able to reassign us a 1st floor room. Second bad item - on the Pangon. trail in AK, at the large glass window with the gorillas. Huge pile of people at the far end of the window, CM talking about the mom, dad, and baby gorilla playing in the corner. Several wheelchairs and scooters were slowly working their way from the right to the left to get a glimpse of the animals. After 10 min. or so the line stopped moving and people were squeezing into the corner from all sides, leaving the wheelies stuck off to the right. After another 10 min. I politely asked the CM if she could ask people to move, once they had seen the animals, so that the scooters and wheelchairs could get in to see. Unbelievably, the CM said "No! The people will move eventually. And this is not a line." Well, it may not have been an official line but there was no way we wheelies could have even gotten within 10 feet of the window! I was so frustrated I almost ran people over just trying to get out! I did leave a comment at Guest services, but I didn't even get an apology. Otherwise, a great trip.

 

[bidnow5]

Managing everything with an disability can be difficult. For different reasons we have to stay on the first floor I call the reservations line repeatedly to check on my reservation then the day we leave for the resort I call the resort itself ( We have stayed off site for the last 5 years so I don't know if you can still call the resort). Over the years several times our reservation got changed so If I didn't call we would have had an issue.
As far as seeing the animals I am very aggressive I pull my scooter behind the group of people in the viewing area and slowly pull forward as people move. If someone cuts in front of me a let them know and for the most part they let me in. Only had a problem once and when my front basket started pushing the guy he moved

 

[maroo]

I can't believe the CM asked you to carry your ECV upstairs??

I think I might have laughed in her face???

Or asked her to come help.

In all seriousness - so glad you had a good trip with good bus drivers! And sorry for the bad junk!

We had a hard time getting Rachel up to see the gorillas in December. I think I was more upset that she could not get up the stairs that they had on part of the trail?