@LONES tell your dad about the sensors that Disney has put into the
ECVs at MK - and that will be coming to the other 3 parks ECVs as well. (Disney has put motion sensors that stop the Parks scooters from going when they sense anything in their direct path. This is making a lot of folks upset, because it makes the scooters even slower to drive - and they stop unexpectedly and restart slowly - among other things)
With an outside rental, not only will it be easier to drive (much easier now than a Parks rental) but also cheaper in the long run. And, having it at the Resort (and for other things, like Disney Springs) is so handy.
So, Dad is worried about people judging him at the bus stop? First of all, tell your dad that what a LOT of people are looking at when the bus loads/unloads a scooter is... the bus! The driver has to shut the doors, then go back and "kneel" the bus (which is noisy and wheezy and beepy) and *then* the doors open and the thing beeps and barfs out a ramp! The guy driving the scooter up the ramp is secondary to the whole show that the bus just put on! Imagine if it's your first time at WDW, and you see that happen at the Resort bus stop - I promise, people are far more intrigued by the bus, and the process and the noise it makes than your dad on the
ECV. But, if it bothers him, then you - or any other adult member of the party - can drive it on the bus, and he can walk up the ramp after. (And I know that might make him feel more self-conscious... )
What he needs to know is that dad, on an ECV at WDW, is a total non-event. There are so many other folks who use them (and a whole range of different mobility devices) that I promise, unless he is 8 feet tall, and bright green with purple polka dots, he ain't gonna stand out.
Who cares what anyone else thinks? Does he let other peoples opinions stop him from doing anything else in his life? Probably not. Those people at WDW that he is worried about "judging" him, mostly likely aren't - and if they are, he just needs to remember that they are doing so from a place of ignorance.
My physical therapy therapist calls anyone who judges someone about their abilities or mobility a TAB - it stands for "Temporarily Able Bodied". Because, as she so wisely points out... everyone at some point needs help - or someone they know and love needs help. And once that day comes, those same judge-y people often become the biggest, loudest advocates for folks who are mobility impaired ever!
Really and truly, most people have become accustomed to the ECVs at WDW, and there is a lot less open hostility now. You can still find it, but quite frankly, it's often provoked and/or well deserved. People who report run-ins with other Guests often seem to be *looking* for trouble. I head that nonsense off by looking folks directly in the eye, and smiling at them. If they continue to stare, I very politely and with a smile, ask if they have any questions. (That usually stops the nonsense right there) And if they do happen to ask me any questions, I answer them calmly and honestly; I don't try to change anyone's mind, or engage in troll baiting. And to be honest, I find that a lot of people stare at folks with ECVs simply because either they weren't brought up right, or they are literally so exhausted that they have zoned out, and they don't realize they are staring at you!
Tell your dad to get on that rental scooter, and ride it like the handsome hero he is! Smile and wave at the pretty girls, and say Howdy to all of the guys! Act confident, and everyone around you will react accordingly!
And have a great trip!
