Run Over by a Rascal

[ogreenlee]

When I was about 14, I went to Disney with my family. We stopped in Tampa before heading to Orlando, b/c we always bought supplies at the air force commissary. We stopped next to the water, and my dad.. with flipflops on.. decides to walk down the rocks to get a better look. He slid, and cut his leg wide open on an oyster bed. He also had a big slash in his foot.

Not wanting to disrupt our trip, we continued onto Disney where we rented a wheelchair, and took turns pushing him. We got to go to the front of the line on everything. It was great. Considering it was summer, Disney was packed. We got to experience a whole lot b/c of my dad's injury, where as otherwise we would have been standing in line the entire time, b/c back then... no ECVs.. no fastpasses.

It ruled.

I just wanted to inject this story, but yes... maybe Disney should stop renting them. I'm really surprised they do considering the liability.

 

[KPeveler]

it is easy not to hit someone most times, but sometimes people get bumped. walkers bump into each other, and you say excuse me and move on, even if they slightly hurt you. i agree people need to be more responsible, and i wish that whem people do bump each other (walkers or ECVs) people would be polite and apologetic about it.

unfortunately i am going to need a chair for more than just disney, so i am getting my own and hopefully by the next time i hit disney, i can propel myself!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Most people on this post who have had an unfortunate encounter with an ECV are outraged at the lack of remorse on the part of the driver (just my view).

Nah – my neighbor’s an attorney… and he advises never admitting fault for anything

 

[ogreenlee]

It is easy to not hit someone in Disney....learn how to drive the ECV and be careful. It is like a car or a bicycle or something you have to learn to use, not just hop on and go. If you have someone that is gratious enough to assist you with a wheelchair and that is the way you want to go than fine, but if an ECV will make it more enjoyable for the both of you/group, than be responsible.

The problem is... where are these folks going to learn to drive one of these things? Many get their first experience in the parks.

 

[KPeveler]

When I was about 14, I went to Disney with my family. We stopped in Tampa before heading to Orlando, b/c we always bought supplies at the air force commissary. We stopped next to the water, and my dad.. with flipflops on.. decides to walk down the rocks to get a better look. He slid, and cut his leg wide open on an oyster bed. He also had a big slash in his foot.

Not wanting to disrupt our trip, we continued onto Disney where we rented a wheelchair, and took turns pushing him. We got to go to the front of the line on everything. It was great. Considering it was summer, Disney was packed. We got to experience a whole lot b/c of my dad's injury, where as otherwise we would have been standing in line the entire time, b/c back then... no ECVs.. no fastpasses.

It ruled.

I just wanted to inject this story, but yes... maybe Disney should stop renting them. I'm really surprised they do considering the liability.

There is no head of line access any more for wheelchair or ECV users. they wait in line just like everyone else. for some reasons people still think you get head of line access, when in fact most of the wait times are longer!

 

[LittleLebowski]

I think that people being polite and apologetic is the challenge to overcome really! I have a family member who has a power chair (2 of them actually) and friends that are confined to chairs as well. So I am not picking on anyone nor do I want to come across as doing so. I wish you the best in your health and your situation

 

[shellybaxter]

...persecution? Like getting what youre entitled to? Maybe Im persecuted to show my ID when I go into a bar to prove Im 21.

Persection - harassment, maltreatment, bullying, singling out

Too me not requiring the disabled to produce proof of their disability is a way of protecting them from harassment, maltreatment, bullying, or singling out.

I don't really understand your comments. Being 21 is a very simple issue, either you are or your not. Being disabled isnt' as simple. The disability can be embarrassing, it can be something that one person would consider a disability while another wouldn't. Some people don't think that children with ADD are disabled; some do. The ADA protects them and they don't have to display their disability and argue with those who don't believe in the disability. Some disabilities are temporary. When I was much younger I dislocated my knee cap the morning of our trip to Disneyland. I walk more than half way down the small Disneyland main street. I rented a scooter. I didn't go to the dr. until I returned home a few days later. I would have had no "drs. note" to give.

 

[minnie61650]

There is no head of line access any more for wheelchair or ECV users. they wait in line just like everyone else. for some reasons people still think you get head of line access, when in fact most of the wait times are longer!

You are correct most of the lines are mainstreamed.

Here's what it says in the official WDW Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities about Mainstream Lines and the list of attractions with Mainstream Queues:

Quote:
The Walt Disney World® Resort strives to provide mainstream access whenever possible; that is, all Guests utilize the main entrance to the attraction. However, accessibility varies from attraction to attraction within our Parks. The Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities and Park Guidemaps use symbols to indicate boarding procedures for each attraction. In addition, Guests should contact a host or hostess at each attraction before entering.
Attractions providing mainstream queue access include the following. As you can see, most of the lines are Mainstream Queues:

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®
Stitch's Great Escape!™
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 Attractions
Innoventions East
Innoventions West
Mission: SPACE
Test Track
The Living Seas: All Attractions
The Land: All Attractions
Universe of Energy: "Ellen's Energy Adventure"
Wonders of Life: All Attractions (seasonal)

WORLD SHOWCASE
China: "Reflections 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!
Lights, Motors, Action!™ Extreme Stunt Show
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

__________________

 

[NUguyinCrew]

Persection - harassment, maltreatment, bullying, singling out

Too me not requiring the disabled to produce proof of their disability is a way of protecting them from harassment, maltreatment, bullying, or singling out.

I don't really understand your comments. Being 21 is a very simple issue, either you are or your not. Being disabled isnt' as simple. The disability can be embarrassing, it can be something that one person would consider a disability while another wouldn't. Some people don't think that children with ADD are disabled; some do. The ADA protects them and they don't have to display their disability and argue with those who don't believe in the disability. Some disabilities are temporary. When I was much younger I dislocated my knee cap the morning of our trip to Disneyland. I walk more than half way down the small Disneyland main street. I rented a scooter. I didn't go to the dr. until I returned home a few days later. I would have had no "drs. note" to give.

What is wrong with different people having different opinions? I dont understand how you dont understand what I understand. Understand? My view are my views, I'll state my opinion and you can disagree but youre not changing what I think. More power to the people who are disabled to get out and enjoy everything. I am glad disney is accessible for them more than it used to be. Like someone mentioned earlier, its not about all the ECV users, its the few that seem to pop out of a crowd that are remembered and unremorseful.

PS - Someone should delete this thread altogether like previous versions.

 

[Mom2Evie]

I think ther is a big difference in a power chair and one of those scooter things. There's a big difference in the competence of drivers when they own the scooter versus one from Disney. I'm sure Disney will never get rid of the ECV's but I do think they should make them a bit less powerful. I think users underestimate how fast they're really going. And unlike a powered chair, your personal space now extends several feet away from your body. People aren't aware of how much space they take up at ground level and run into things. If they scooters were bit slower, that would give the users more time to react and NOT run into people.

 

[lunapnp]

Nah – my neighbor’s an attorney… and he advises never admitting fault for anything

I was not referring to monetary remorse!! I was talking about basic common courtesy. Problem with society today...too money/lawsuit happy!

 

[brerrabbit]

I have had some problems over the years with people in ECV's and have almost been run over many times while at WDW. I complained and thought that people should be a little more careful when using the things. I even thought at one point that they should force people to use wheelchairs instead of the EVC's.

Then on June 21st I had knee surgery to transplant cartilidge into my left knee due to a degenerative condition. I was required to put no weight on my left leg for six weeks, which thankfully is up today and hopefully at my appointment this afternoon my Dr lets me start walking with only a cane. During my time of recovery I was extremely bored sitting around all day and starting asking my wife to take me out while she went on errands and shopping. When we went to Wal Mart I got to encounter EVC's from a totally different perspective for the first time in my life. Here's what I learned. Able bodied people have as much to do with the problems encountered with EVC's as the people in them. People think nothing about walking in front of them and think "hey I'm walking, your sitting, you stop for me!' Walk down an aisle pushing a basket and if someone is blocking the whole aisle in a grocery store and see you coming, they move their basket and let you by. Come down the aisle in an EVC and they just stand there and go about their business oblivious to you. They cut in front of you, cut you off and genrally have little or no concern for you. Now granted I have a limited experience because I have only used them for a short time, but if my experiences are typical of what these peopl face every day then I feel for them. I got looks from people and comments like "what does he need that for?' or 'what he's to lazy to walk?' Its not fun and a situation I cannot even imagine having to deal with every day of my life.

I will conceed that there is a certain responsibility of the person in the EVC. I learned that as I went through the store with my wife I could move faster than she could walk but learned that it was best to move at the same pace she walked so that others could gauge my movements and try not to cut me off or be rude in the way they negotiated around me. I also learned that in all the stores I went into, not one of the EVC's had an actual brake. They stopped pretty quick when you stopped moving forward but they did roll forward some.

The whole issue boils donw to a little consideration from both sides of the arguement and a little more understanding. My experience has given me a lot of perspective and I am sure I will be much more sympathetic of EVC operators on my next trip to WDW.

 

[CRSTEPHE]

I've experienced this from both sides--this past June, my son (age 5) was knocked down (from behind) and his foot was then run over by an ECV as we exited Tiki Birds--the ECV driver was going too fast and she could not control the machine. Fortunately, his foot was not broken, only bruised--he was however quite frightened and he didn't understand when the lady did not tell him that she was sorry. On the otherhand, a friend of mine with MS uses ECV's regularly and they allow her to maintain a sense of freedom and control in her life--something I would never ask her to voluntarily give-up. So, YES--ECV's should be available at Disney and YES it would be really great if one had to prove competence driving the vehicle ( starting, stopping, going up and down inclines) before being allowed to use an ECV in the park.

 

[mgilmer]

MGILMER,

They let you be a sponsor of these boards with comments like that?

I think of all the post I have read on the dis, that has to be the ugliest post yet!

CONGRATULATIONS!!

I think you need to read the post I quoted. It referred to someone on a Scooter who runs over someone with possible injuries as a result and then tries to leave the scene rather than face up to their misuse of their scooter. If someone is trying to flee (even on a scooter), they should be detained in any way possible. If that is mean, so be it.

 

[waltfan1957]

You are revealing characteristics of someone for whom Disney needs a security force.

really i was replying to some kind person who suggested you steal the keys from a disabled persons ecv and throw them in a moat walk of and leave them stranded there,

 

[waltfan1957]

Go back into the hole that you crawled out of if you are going to make accusations and assumptions about someone you know nothing about. You are a bitter individual who enjoys taunting and badgering on a Disney forum

not bad from the person who started this thread

 

[waltfan1957]

To answer the original question...YES! My DD was ran over by one of these when she was just 2 . We were sitting on Main Street waiting for the parade and she was standing on the road right next to the curb when a lady driving one of those just HIT HER. It knocked her down and dragged her leg under it. We were SHOCKED ! All the woman could say is "O, I'm sorry I was trying to make it out of the park before the parade starts". Thankfully our DD was okay, her leg was terribly swollen and bruised but not broken. We were very lucky that we happen to be sitting next to a man that worked in a hospital and he immediately took over and checked her out. She is now almost 10 and she is SO afraid of those scooters.

Second story:
We were at WDW in 2003 and witnessed another woman run over another child while in one of these scooters. It was over in Frontierland near the Country Bear where you can cross from there to Adventure land. She ran the little guy over and then could not get the scooter off of him. A few of us ran over and litterly pulled the scooter off the little boy. He was not hurt seriously that I'm aware of but he was very upset and you could hear him crying for a very long time. The woman was shaken up but again really did not take the responsibility that she was at fault.

Both times it was extremely large ladies that were riding these. Just so I do not get any flames I am a plus sized mamma, . I agree there should be some safety training that goes along with riding these while at such a crowded place. It seems the people that drive these feel they have some entitlement to just PLOW through other people. Just because you are in one of those does not give you the right to bump other people. I'm suprised that there has not been lawsuits regarding these things.

I truly hope that no one ever gets seriously hurt by one of these and I hope if I ever need one that I will remember to be careful and not run anybody over.

got any stories where people step out in front of a scooter not giving the driver time to stop or they stop suddenly in front of you turn to go back and fall on you punch you in the face while pointing where they want to go, one other thing they wont ban them where will all these marathon/power walkers lean on when they are watching a parade have there kids climb on to get a better view all the above will have been witnessed by most ecv/scooter/pc users

 

[KPeveler]

got any stories where people step out in front of a scooter not giving the driver time to stop or they stop suddenly in front of you turn to go back and fall on you punch you in the face while pointing where they want to go, one other thing they wont ban them where will all these marathon/power walkers lean on when they are watching a parade have there kids climb on to get a better view all the above will have been witnessed by most ecv/scooter/pc users

hehe, yeah. why do people think it is ok to touch someone else's wheelchair or ECV. my chair is an extension of my body. NO TOUCHY! i promise not to grab your behind, if you promise not to touch my chair

even the "oh, but i was just trying to get by" or the "i just needed you to move for a second" is not ok. if i walked up and picked up your child and moved them to the side, cause i "just needed to get through" you would have me thrown out of the park. so why is it ok to touch me??

also, when i tell your kids not to touch my chair, i am not yelling at them to be mean. they need to learn not to touch other people's chairs. they could get their fingers caught in the spokes if i start moving all of a sudden, for example...

 

[disneyfantotheend]

This topic is on here as often as the stroller ones are. Sorry if you didn't notice any of them. I truly don't think anyone who may "run you down" whether it be by a scooter, stroller or on foot does it intentionally. Sorry for those who got truly injured by one. I am sure you deserve some sort of apology at the least, but try and remember they are probably not running you down they are more than likely accidently running into you.

 

[CAJUNBLAZE]

Throw it in a lake!!! Please!!!!
Thats how you would "detain" someone?

I think you are a sponsor from tn NOT WDW security, local sherif, or FHP.

Two wrongs DO NOT make a right!!!

I think you need to read the post I quoted. It referred to someone on a Scooter who runs over someone with possible injuries as a result and then tries to leave the scene rather than face up to their misuse of their scooter. If someone is trying to flee (even on a scooter), they should be detained in any way possible. If that is mean, so be it.