Problems at Contemporary

[vhoffman]

Insofar as the scooters go, well, I have rheumatoid arthritis and both artificial knees and hips and both ankles fused. I consistenlty refuse to use a scooter because they're so difficult to manuever. I'd rather walk!

 

[AllisonG]

Here's another person who has been on both sides of the stroller.

When all traffic is clipping along at a nice speed and then the group of people stop dead in front of you. That happens atleast 20 times a day for a person pushing a stroller. I have taken the mentality that if you want to be rude, prepare for the backlash. By the time you finish a weeks WDW trip with a stroller you feel like everyone is out to make you crazy. Really! Am I right? You feel that people are purposely trying to get you to run them over. I know thats not the case ( I'm not that looney, I don't think!) but after a week of 150 different stroller episodes. You kind of question things. It's a very frustrating thing.
I am assuming people are stuck in their own 'wonderland' and just stop paying attention to what is going on around them. I have never had a physical altercation at WDW but I had a few teenagers try cutting me and my father in line at the TOT and boy were they surprised when I fought back. I'm a spitfire and you best beware LOL!
To the OP, I hope you were still able to enjoy yourself. My mother seems to injure herself EVERYTIME we go to WDW and the drama and trama are becoming the norm. Take it all in stride and as a learning experience.
Thanks for posting!

 

[Gaiusrex]

Can't we all just get along.

During crowded times, everyone seems to get edgy. Accidents happen; we all get dazed. It just seems like people are less forgiving, and it seems like people are less willing to admit mistakes.

 

[plutosmyfav]

Elevators: CMs should have been guiding people to the STAIRS regardless of the nature of the fire. If the restaurant had to be evacuated due to smoke, then the staff should be trained to evacuate people safely.

Strollers: I think strollers should be used to transport small children who otherwise could not visit the park. I've been on both sides, too. Since there will always be a large number of rude, careless people in large crowds, I wait out the crowds after parades and fireworks. I refuse to be in the human sea that leaves the minute the fireworks end. Its hard to push a stroller and its hard to walk near a stroller when your walking shoulder to shoulder, front to back. To the OP: I'm sorry you had an unusually bad experience with the "Rude and Careless". That would have ruined my day.

Scooters: I think scooters should only be used by people with medical disabilities verfied by a doctor. Our last trip was frought with near misses of people in scooters backing into myself or my 3 yr old. Twice we had waited patiently for a parade and the last minute we were expected to give up our space to someone driving up on a scooter. While it is important to give scooters access, being on a scooter should not bring special priveldges that the pedestrians don't have. I would never expect to walk up to the front line of a parade and bump other's out of the way!

That's just my 2 cents worth

 

[paulamom]

Sorry about the spelling in my original post. I'm using DH laptop and not familiar.
To explain more aout the "fire", they were saying it was just the hoods which happens all the time. This is usually fixed by engineering in 15 mins. It turned out to be more than that, they won't say what. All I can say is it was damage control right from the start. They were more worried about appearence than getting out. As far as the elevators go. I asked the hostess were the stair way was and she wouldn't tell me. I asked about five times and was getting upset, not mean but more like the adrenalline kind of upset. I was plain scared. She told me she didn't like my tone and wouldn't tell me. I've since been told she doesn't work up there anymore. There were several witnesses that told the manager at the front desk and he was mortified. Thats why I took a chance and took the elevator and believe me it was like survival of the fittest. In disneys behalf the workers thought it was the typical hood problem but you know it was very dangerous when they shut down the whole resturant on Easter evening.
I don't know if people understand this about the stoller incident. The lady hit my child from behind on purpose without any warning. When I asked her to be careful she said if she doesn't move out of her way she was going to do it again. My daughter was holding my husbands hand. I was behind and to the side with my DS. It happenned very quick. She was going to hit her again and I put my hand by instict on the bar infront the stroller. The next thing I knew I was on all fours. My legs are all bruised. I also took out a little eight year old so I went right up to her to make sure she was all right. That's when the "husband" attacked my husband. Ripped off his glasses and thru them and the lenses popped out.
I half to stress we are having a great time. People, complete strangers came to help us. This one elderly man helped my husband find his lenses and it was still pretty crowded. There are still more nice people than mean people. The hotel paid for our food last night (not drinks) and were just wonderful to us. They made us feel very special. I thought I would feel funny going there again but let me tell you they made us feel like the royal family. They gave us a beautiful table and you could tell the best waitress. The manager Lisa came to us twice and asked if everything was alright.
I never heard how the kids were on the water mice. I to hope they are all right I did hear that someone thought it was a three year old girl that died in the accident.
I have to say on the lighter side don't be afraid to use the hairdressers here at CR. I've used Jodi twice. Once for a cut and my hair hasn't looked this could for a long time and then yesterday had her color and blow it out for my special evening. I looked pretty good if I don't say myself.
Gotta go to the parks! Don't let these problems scare you. This is a magical place and most CM's are so sweet you'd think they were getting paid a fortune.

 

[Selket]

I assure you there are many folks who need a wheelchair, etc. and are able to walk through the line to get it. Perhaps folks who don't believe that is the case can educate themselves on the disabilities board by reading some of the posts. The wheelchair itself generally does not allow you to cut in front of the line. I will defer to Sue or someone else on the details. I used my stroller as a wheelchair on our last trip for my son who is walking delayed (he could not stand or walk) and I did not get into an attraction faster than anyone else. I used common sense, Fastpasses and the like to minimize wait times so we rarely had to take the stroller in line to begin with.

And actually I never had a second of trouble pushing either child with the stroller. We went in August, it was fairly crowded and hot, and we took our time and everyone was quite nice! It is very easy for someone walking to drift over (esp. if they are talking to someone and looking the other way) and accidentally step in front of a stroller....and accidentally get hit. If you have an emergency and need to leave the park or get through a crowd quickly talk to a CM. Otherwise don't plan to zip through!

I think the reference to 100lbs of stroller could refer to two young children - mine could have fit into a double stroller last summer and their combined weight was about 78lbs plus all the stuff we drag along We didn't rent a double however.

 

[johnvree]

Originally posted by paulamom
Lots of problems this week. We arrived on the 10th and saw emergency personel, firetrucks and medical people near the enterance to WDW. Come to find out a little girl died in a car accident. So much damage control no one seems to no how. The next day we had reservations at California Grill (Easter Sunday) at 7:30. We got the perfect table by the window with a lovely view when the resturant started filling with smoke. Mass caos as you can imagine trying to get on the elevator to leave after they anoused not to worry but you could only have cold food (as the smoke was increasing) . I got my children on an elevator but DH didn't get down for about an hour. I went to feed the kids in the food court and medics and fire people all headed up stairs. Talked to a manager and he apoligised(I was visible upset because my DH was stuck up there at the time) for the inconvienence of having to close it down for the night.
Today was cold but my daughter was scheduled for Pirate Cruise from Grand Floridian so I thought my 14 DS would like to ride the water mice. I asked about the family special because he would be using it for a couple of days. They told me that the rules are now changed. Yestrerday at the CR two children collided in the mice and were taken to the hospital. Sammy Duvals people hadn't heard how the kids were yet but now you have to be at least 16 and be a licensed driver due to this accident.
We have been managing the crowds really well until tonight.
Magic Kindom is open untils 12 and was packed. We were walking on the side walk when a person rammed my 8 DD with her stroller. I said becareful and she said my daughter better move or she was going to hit her again. I couldn't believe my ears. My husband was holding her hand and I was behind my husband and daughter with my son. She was going to hit her again and I put my hand on the plastic hand rest in front of her child to stop the stroller. The next thing I know the woman pushed me and I went flying into the crowd landing on all fours with a little girl who was about three people up from us. My husband called out for security and her hasband grabbed my husbands glasses and threw them on the ground hard enough that the lenses flew out and then they ran. The whole time my husband called for security but the workers just looked at us and asked if we were all right. He said please call security and all they said was they don't have radios. Very scary experience.
We've found this trip WDW has been run with the bare minimum of staff. All the CM's look and say they are exhausted.
The CR is location, location, lacation but is just to old. They really need to modernize because of safety.
I do not feel safe and feel you only hear half the stories because they are doing a great job of damage control.
Hope this isn't repeat info but I just got the internet cable today.
Don't get me wrong, despite it all we are having a great time.

First, sorry you are experiencing these problems. But it sounds like you are not allowing it to affect the rest of your trip.

Second, as someone else said, you should probably stay off an elevator when there is any chance of a fire. Sounds like they didn't stop you from using the elevators, so there probably was no real threat. Maybe it was just a clogged vent in the kitchen. But just to be safe, I would stay off the elevator in those kinds of situations.

As for the stroller indicent, you just have to feel sorry for that family. Anyone who can be that miserable, even when they are at WDW, probably have a lot of serious issues in their lives. Sound like you and your husband handled it the best you could. I sometimes have a short temper and sometimes the hardest thing to do is to not resort to violence. You did the right thing. A fist fight would have certainly ruined your vacation, by requiring a trip to either the hospital or jail. Also, its never rewarding when you hurt someone - even when the person was a complete jerk and deserved it (as this woman and her husband certainly did). Calling security was the smart thing to do.

Which brings me to my last point. In my expereince, Disney security has been quick and effective. WDW is a huge place and obviously security cannot be everywhere. But the couple of times I have seen them in action, it has been impressive. One incident involved a couple of young men (maybe in their late 20s and obviously drinking) who decided it would be fun to scale some of the structures in the World Showcase. Security descended on them almost instantly and shuffled them out a back door. The indicent was almost undetectable.

 

[Talking Hands]

Originally posted by plutosmyfav

Scooters: I think scooters should only be used by people with medical disabilities verfied by a doctor. Our last trip was frought with near misses of people in scooters backing into myself or my 3 yr old. Twice we had waited patiently for a parade and the last minute we were expected to give up our space to someone driving up on a scooter. While it is important to give scooters access, being on a scooter should not bring special priveldges that the pedestrians don't have. I would never expect to walk up to the front line of a parade and bump other's out of the way!

Scooters don't get any special priviledges. Why should I have to go to the doctor and get a note everytime I go on vacation so I can use my power wheelchair? That's riduiculous! As to a scooter user who wants to move up front at the last minute to watch the parade, tell them no way. There are areas reserved for those in scooters and wheelchairs so no pedestrain should give up a spot the have been holding to a person in a scooter. Tell them to get there early or go to the designated area. And if they are trying to get a spot at the last minute they may not get one there either. About the minimum is half hour before the parade and if there are many guests in wheelchairs and scooters Disney will limit the number who can be there with you.

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

Originally posted by plutosmyfav
Scooters: I think scooters should only be used by people with medical disabilities verfied by a doctor. Our last trip was frought with near misses of people in scooters backing into myself or my 3 yr old. Twice we had waited patiently for a parade and the last minute we were expected to give up our space to someone driving up on a scooter. While it is important to give scooters access, being on a scooter should not bring special priveldges that the pedestrians don't have. I would never expect to walk up to the front line of a parade and bump other's out of the way!

On my trip in November on the first day of my trip, I got taken out by a Mother of three pushing a stroller not looking where she was going..."Her words" After making it back to my Resort and watching my knee swell to the size of a very large Florida Grapefruit I stayed in my room for the rest of the day...had to call room servise for dinner, then the next day stayed by myself all day while my family enjoyed the parks, by the third day I felt like I could make it to the Park if I could rent a scootrer for the day. But I didn't have a Disability Verified by a Doctor.

The only special priviledges I received was to miss out on two days of my vacation.

 

[iwaseeyore]

I think drivers of strollers and scooters need to be extra careful. If you look at numbers strollers/ECVs are the minority not only at WDW but IRL. Those who use them are more conscience about them. We never used a stroller with my now 17 y/o ds so I don't know nor do I care about the other side. I do care that most stroller lunatics expect to fit into small places and have the "right of way". It's not NASCAR. It's WDW.

 

[DisOrBust]

I know their are many on the disablities board that also believe the rented WC and EVCs are abused. One incident I witness a women in a rented WC get pushed on the ramp of the Jungle cruise which basically lifts it on to the boat.. A huge production. One WC per boat. Sorry she could have walked on ! The poor soul behind her in HER OWN chair got up and barely made it walking on because she didn't want her family inconvinced of waiting any longer. Steam was blowing out my ears watching this. It was so obvious. My 74yo DF who is disabled even commented on the abuse he saw. It may be incovient to those who really need to rent a WC to have a medical excuse but it would also be for those who are abusing it. I would think even if you showed your disablity card from your car for parking would help.

Yes I have seen the EVCs got to scooter parking at the parade sites and not care about the person who they parked in front of.

Some people with strollers are inconsiderate and so are some pedestrians.

 

[vhoffman]

This is slightly off topic, but fits in with this thread's theme of rude, obnoxious people. Several years ago while on a plane trip, a somewhat older couple seemed to think there was some sort of prize for being the first off the plane. Before the plane had even come to a full stop they were out of their seats, had their luggage, and the minute the line started to move they literally pushed people out of the way and all but ran down the aisle. I was just in the process of standing up when the "lady" tripped me with her roll about case. I fell forward against the seat in front of me and had the breath knocked out of me (in case this hasn't happened to you, when you exhale your lungs still have some residual air in them. That's to keep them inflated. If you are knocked hard enough, as I was, your lungs expel much more air than they should and its difficult to draw a breath). Well, this couple literally ran down the isle, pushing and shoving and dragging their carry on luggage, tripping anyone who happened to have the misfortune to be in their way. Well, as I exited, I heard a woman scream, and saw this "lady" laying on the floor in the jetway, groaning with pain, her leg stuck out at a sickening angle from her body, her face gray. Apparently in her haste she tripped over her own two feet. As I walked by this "poor soul" I actually laughed hard enough for her to hear and said "serves her right. She didn't give a d*** who she hurt." I guess she got a taste of her own medicine. I usually have sympathy for people in such circumstances and try to help, but I was too busy trying to get to my own flight to worry about her. That's the airline's job. She probably sued the airline, so I guess she came out ahead.

 

[Antonia]

Reading all this about strollers just makes me worry about the poor kid riding in the stroller.
Just imagine the hair-raising ride the poor kid is getting - seeing a sea of legs and ramming into some of them. It must be one heck of a ride!
I can just see the fear on their little faces when their family says "we're going to Disney World!" LOL

 

[Esmerelda]

Golly jeepers...I'm so sorry you had such a bad time on your trip!
Disney is supposed to be fun! I will say I don't think thats the norm only because we have gone so many times and each time something different happens but we have had some great trips.

As far as the strollers....I can sympathize. This is why my boys after the age of 4 quit using them (thank goodnes!). I can't tell you at the times my heels or my boys heels were struck by the wheels from strollers. I've had my ankle bleed before from stroller war! The folks striking us never once apologized either. I know they knew they bumped us....even my 4 year old when he gets bumped nice and loud says "HOW RUDE!!...." lol.... Sadly enough, I think the bad drivers outweigh the good ones Even though I am a mere 5'1", I will be the first to tell someone how rude they are or if they push myself or one of my children. You don't mess with this mama and her kids. I had to threaten a guy two years ago in Cozumel at a shop that had my 10 yr old cornered insisting that he buy this silver necklace! The kid didn't wear jewelry and had no money and he had told the guy this! I walked right up to him in my lowest meanest voice and said "my son has made it VERY clear that he is NOT interested in your jewelry. Now you either leave him alone or I will kick your mexican _ _ _ right out of this store back to the US".......lets just say he moved really quick. My boys thought I was flipping out on them.....LOL.....as I said..don't mess with mama and her cubs!

I hope if and when you go back to WDW that its a much better experience. We stayed at the Contemporary for the first time 2 years ago and had a great time. We did go in the fall so the crowds were minimal making it awesome for us.

Esmerelda

 

[SueM in MN]

I think people need to remember that most people who run into others with wheelchairs, ecvs or strollers don't mean to do it. If you don't believe me, just ask my oldest DD and me - I've run into my oldest DD with youngest DD's wheelchair, had youngest DD run into me and I have even run over my own foot with her power wheelchair. These were not things we meant to do, but they happen. People stop suddenly in front of you or dart out ahead of you and you can't stop. Some of the people driving stollers, wheelchairs or ecvs are not paying as much attention as they should, but the same can be said about people who are walking. It's a busy place, full of over-stimulated, over-tired people who are over-whelmed with everything around them.

You do see more wheelchairs and ecvs in WDW than out in the "regular" world. That doesn't mean that there is abuse going on. Many people who post on the disABILITIES Board don't have their own wheelchair or ecv, but do rent one when they go to WDW. There are a lot of people who don't NEED a wheelchair or ecv in their everyday life, but DO when they visit WDW. (Not too many people walk 3-10 miles a day). Some of the people on the disABILITIES Board ended up getting their own ecv after renting, getting comfortable using one and seeing that it would be helpful in their daily life.

For someone in a wheelchair, WDW is a relatively friendly place. Almost all the transportation is wheelchair accessible (it isn't in the "real" world), where there are stairs, there are also ramps (not so in the "real" world) and, if they say something is accessible, it usually is (no "wheelchair accessible rooms" at WDW that include 2 steps to get in the door like we have found in the "real" world).

Some things to think about :

* Most of the lines at WDW are wheelchair accessible, so wheelchair users for the most part are waiting in the same lines with everyone else. There is little advantage to having a wheelchair or ecv, other than having a place to sit while waiting, so there is not that much incentive for abuse. Sometimes we disappear from the line, but don't get right on - we are routed somewhere else to wait. My family's record wait is a 40 minute wait for the wheelchair accessible Kilimanjari Safari when people who could walk on were getting on as fast as they could walk down the path (and some of the cars were even leaving partially filled because people were not coming fast enough).

As for the story of the woman in the rented wheelchair getting lifted onto the Jungle Cruise boat, just because she was in a rented wheelchair doesn't necessarily mean abuse. I know of people with injuries that prevented them from weight-bearing (so they could not stand). Because it was a temporary disability, they rented a wheelchair. It's also possible that the woman misunderstood when they asked if she could transfer, didn't know there was only one wheelchair per boat and thought it would be easier, etc...
* People driving wheelchairs or ecvs might not see others.
Someone in a wheelchair or ecv are sitting low to the ground and can't see as far ahead as someone who is walking (people often comment that they like to drive SUVs on the highway because they have a better view of the road - same deal here; ambulatory people have a much better view of what's coming because they can see farther ahead of them). ECV and wheelchair drivers also get blocked views - when you are moving along at "behind" level, you miss a lot of ability to see what's ahead of you.
Someone pushing a stroller also has a somewhat blocked view ahead.
* People don't see wheelchairs or ecvs.
Walking along, people expect to see adults at close to adult eye level and just don't notice wheelchairs or ecvs. People driving wheelchairs and ecvs often comment that they become "invisible" once they sit down (one frequent poster jokes that her DH says she'd be perfect at bank robbery because no one ever notices her once she's using her ecv). Because of this, people frequently walk or step out in front of wheelchair/ecv drivers without noticing that anyone is there. My DD (in a wheelchair) actually almost ended up with someone in her lap when the woman (who was taking a picture) backed into the sidewalk.
* Body image
Each of us has a mental picture of how much space we take up that helps us decide whether a space is too narrow or short, etc for us to go thru. My DD's mental picture includes her wheelchair because she has used one since she was almost 3. She doesn't have to think about the extra space her wheels take up next to her or that her wheelchair "body" extends a few inches beyond her feet (or even that her body is moving along in a seated position - which takes up more space in front of her). She doesn't have to think about it because her body image has always included those things.
Someone who uses a wheelchair or ecv occasionally (or even a stroller) doesn't carry that mental picture of the space they take up; their automatic picture of themselves is walking around, which takes a much smaller space. So, when they come close to someone else, they may come closer than they intend. And people may come closer to them, since people's mental image of another adult does not include their feet sticking out 2 feet farther than their head.
* Wheelchairs and ecvs don't have brakes.
The only ability to stop they have is for the driver stop giving them power. They don't have any brakes, so they can't stop quickly.

 

[mariamouse]

Well said, SueM!
I completely agree. Until you actually push one of those wheelchairs in a crowded park, you have no idea how hard it is to maneuver, slow down, and see peoples' feet. That being said, I would hope those people hurt accidentally would not blow up by instinct. The only time this is called for is if the stroller/wheelchair pusher is evidently being rude. Please try to put yourself in the pushers' shoes!! They should not have to be paranoid that they will be yelled at on their vacation.

 

[Disneyolic]

I think drivers of strollers and scooters need to be extra careful. If you look at numbers strollers/ECVs are the minority not only at WDW but IRL. Those who use them are more conscience about them. We never used a stroller with my now 17 y/o ds so I don't know nor do I care about the other side. I do care that most stroller lunatics expect to fit into small places and have the "right of way". It's not NASCAR. It's WDW.

I think this is totally an obnoxious way of thought. If you've never used a stroller and obviously said you don't care what the "other side" is like, then your thoughts are biased. There are good stroller drivers and good "walkers". There are also horrible stroller drivers and rude walkers. I think it is EVERYONE'S responsibility to be as careful as possible. Accidents happen and extreme rudeness happens on both ends.

~DawnMaree

 

[abitjaded]

Ah SueM, so well put! Anyone who has ever read my trip reports knows, at least vicariously, the mini-purgatory of WDW in or with a wheelchair. So many folks seem to think we are abusing priviledge. But those of us with a wheelchair in our party know how much less we see than those on two feet. Every step takes planning. Just seeing parades takes so much more time. We need to find just where we are allowed to park, we need to be there way ahead of time just to negotiate the crowds, we cannot roll up at the last minute, and I cannot tell you how many times folks see that little bit of space and push their kids in front of us. I think the vast majority of people who cut in front of wheelchairs do so unthinkingly, but trust me I have rammed more than a few, and NEVER on purpose. (I've taken a few knocks myself and I obsess constantly about hitting my own kids.) And we have to wait much longer for any crowd to clear just to move on. And we seem to always be at the back of the theaters, or looking up craning sore necks from the front and all the way to the side.

Those of us accompanying a wheelchair take many more steps than others, we are always chasing down the proper entrance, missing the "show" found in the foot-traffic lines. Then in and out of the chair as folks cut around us in haste instead of waiting just a minute while we negotiate. The glares we get! Then trying to find the chair again, setting it up and getting the rider back in once the ride is over. Or getting glared at again when the ride is slowed or held up to put the whole wheelchair and rider on. If the person needs that chair, trust me, they will see a lot less of the park than anyone else!

Then there are the special people who stop, think and understand. Those who wait while we go by, those who hold elevator doors, or even vacate the elevator if they don't need it. Those smart parents who block their kids from cutting in front of us. And the most special people of all, those who look down, and smile at the person in the chair. Roll a mile at their level seeing sweaty armpits and behinds all day and you will understand.

Carla

 

[iwaseeyore]

Originally posted by Disneyolic
I think this is totally an obnoxious way of thought. If you've never used a stroller and obviously said you don't care what the "other side" is like, then your thoughts are biased. There are good stroller drivers and good "walkers". There are also horrible stroller drivers and rude walkers. I think it is EVERYONE'S responsibility to be as careful as possible. Accidents happen and extreme rudeness happens on both ends.

~DawnMaree

I'm glad we can agree to disagree.

I've never used a stroller, I've been runover by many. If you are capable, look at it this way. Strollers and ECVs are secondary travelers in WDW. There are walkways but no strollerways or ECV paths.

So with your way of thinking we should all walk forward? When I was driving school, we were told to keep a safe distance behind the car in front of us and were given a formula for the distance it takes to stop. That should apply to strollers and ECVs.

 

[Grumpy37]

Two thoughts, from a certified stroller dad.

1. For smoke or fire, take the STAIRS! No matter what anyone tells you about everything being OK, etc., take the STAIRS! And don't wait to figure out what's going on! Leave behind all the non-essential stuff (i.e. everything but the kids) and get out of there RIGHT NOW! Anyone who saw that video of the Great White fire in RI, it was the confused people who milled about wondering what was going on and what to do that got trapped inside. Don't be those people!

2. If the rental strollers didn't have that plastic bumper out front and kids' feet stuck out first -- like with normal strollers -- this would be far less of a problem. (Because their kids would complain about being bumped into people.) Unfortunately, like the rest of modern society, it takes a lawsuit to get the corporate types to wake up to this sort of thing.