Scooter rentals now TARGETING the lazy!! (LONG)

[Mister Incredible]

I would rent a Segway if they were available, only because that would be a great way to get around. Also, I would know I wasn't taking something away from someone who may NEED a way to get around the parks.

I can't see renting a scooter because I didn't feel like walking. However, this is nothing new, I would see it with wheelchairs too! A family would "share" the wheelchair for who ever was tired. I actually heard, "who wants to ride in the chair now?"

Like several posters have said before, this takes away from people who truely need them.

 

[oxfordcircus]

what's next?!?!? i didn't feel like getting up to go to the bathroom so i had this catheder and colostomy bag put in?!?!?!?

Please, don't give folks any ideas!!!!

 

[tlmdisney]

While I agree with most of the posters here that it is wrong to is a scooter if you dont need one. I mean reallly how is a person who doesnt have the stamina to walk around WDW for the day going to have the stamina to dance all night. That being said I look longingly at them at target or wal-mart not because I want because I am tired of walking but they look FUN! I have never gotten in onenor would I, but I have scooter fantacies I guess you could say. see doesnt it look like fun

 

[minnie61650]

I don't know how they handle truely disabled people on scooters as far as lines. Do they go in a special entrance therefore not having to wait in line with others? Maybe this guy is using the scooter not only because he doesn't want to walk but also because he wants to avoid the lines??? It's simply disgusting to me.

Annie

Annie,
No, a WC/ECV does not eliminate waiting in lines. Disabled guests often to wait even longer than able bodied guests.

Disney started mainstreaming most of their lines in the late 1990's. Those in WC/EVC will usually enter in the regular line. They will be able to stay in EVC until just before boarding most of the time. Sometimes guests in EVC's may need to transfer to a WC before entering a line where EVC's cannot be accommodated such as Sticth,TOT, and POTC.
Sometimes the WC/EVC may be pulled from the mainstream line part way down so they can board the ride in an
accessible area. This not mean they are bypassing the line just going to wait in another line. Since EVC's can't climb steps so sometimes they need to take an elevator. Or they may need to board a ride where the riders usually exit in case
they need an accessible vehicle or need the moving sidewalk slowed or stopped so they can board. CM's assist these guests and only allow a limited # on at a time because when they have to slow the ride or stop it momentarily it disrupts the other able bodied guests.

Have you ever ridden HM. Buzz, POTC, SE, IASW, and the ride slowed down or stopped momentarily?
Most like the ride was slowed to allow a HA guest to board or disembark from the ride.

So next the ride stops momentarily sit back and enjoy the scenery after all you are at Disney!

 

[minnie61650]

Oh what a sore subject! I sympathize with the people who really need these things but the those who take advantage are horrible! While we were waiting for the bus last month, from Poly to A.K., there were two women on scooters along with their families. We had been waiting for a while when they all arrived at the bus stop. One of the women proudly announced to the group "It won't take us long to get a bus. We get to go first on these things!" And sure enough, when the bus arrived they boarded first along with their whole traveling party and we got to wait even longer for a bus! Now believe me, I am a thoughtful person but the "go to the front of the line mentality" just because someone is on a scooter should really be reconsidered. My mom has severe foot pain from time to time but is offended if we suggest using one of those things. Hope I didn't offend anyone but I'm just sick of lazy people and those who think they deserve special treatment because they use a scooter.

The reason WC and ECV's are loaded on the bus first is for safety reasons.
First the EVC has to backed on to the lift then once on the bus the EVC needs to be backed into the tiedown area which is not the easiest thing to do. Next the bus driver needs to tie the EVC down and secure it.

DH assists and the bus driver in helping to tie down the scooter so the other guests can board in a more timely manner. When other family members come to Disney with us they are waiting in the same line as you.

Yes, I may be first on the bus but Smile and take comfort in the fact that I am the last one off the bus!

 

[minnie61650]

what's next?!?!? i didn't feel like getting up to go to the bathroom so i had this catheder and colostomy bag put in?!?!?!?

i
- lori

That is not even funny.

 

[plutolovr]

Unfortunately, this problem will only get worse. We have 7 yr olds riding around in strollers now.

The guy who was in his 30's and said he was just lazy was probably pushed around DW in a stroller when he was 10. These habits begin early in life.

 

[minnie61650]

[

Oooh this is a huge bugbear of mine. I'm usually a serial lurker but I'm coming out of the shadows on this one

On our last trip to MK (Sept 2004) we stayed at POP, and after Wishes we were waiting 2 hours for a bus that could accommodate us to actually get back to the hotel. In that time, 5 scooters got onto the bus - and 4 of the lazy so n so's were walking around, didn't need scooters, and were frankly just fat, lazy slobs.

I don't see why they can't queue like the rest of us. We are a family who eat healthily and exercise so the laziness of some people is just absolutely beyond us. I wish Disney would do something about it!!

There is no way 5 scooters could have been loaded onto regular bus.
The regulars buses are only equipped to handle 2 WC or ECV's or 1 of each. There are only tie downs for 2. Perhaps the bus you took was the one especially equipped for HA which was prearranged by the group to pick them up at a certain time. Those buses have to prearranged.

 

[minnie61650]

Last year we were waiting for a bus at POR. After a long wait one arrived but wouldn't let anyone board. After about 10 minutes of sitting there with the doors closed a family of ECV riders came along. Mom, Dad, Grandma & 2 kids. The pulled up to "their" bus. The they each got off of their scooter, removed their shaded roof things (you know what I mean! LOL) And walked around to stretch their legs at they loaded all 5 of the ECVs. Then the 5 opf them hopped on the bus & left. Apparently they get their own private bus.

Those buses have to be prearranged and called for because the standard buses will only handle 2 EVCs at a time.

 

[Mickeyistheman]

I had to read this posting because it is upsetting to me because this is an ongoing issue and I don't know how Disney can deal with it.

My Younger sis 15, had injured her knee and had a brace 3 days before we left for our Disney Trip in April. She didn't want to cancel so we got her a wheelchair and pushed her around. She herself felt bad because people were giving myself and her dirty looks. She did have a brace on her knee and could not walk for more than getting on and off the bus really, even going to the bathroom for her was difficult and she did not use the handicapped one either.

At that time she needed to have the wheelchair due to that situation. But we all still felt bad and as for getting on the buses to go back to our hotel, we did not go on first we waited with the chair on line like everyone else.

 

[JulyGirl]

We ran into an elderly gentleman pushing his wife in a wheelchair at Animal Kingdom last week. We were going into the Lion King Show and I saw how exhausted this man looked. I told him it would be easier to get an ECV. He said he thought so too, but they were all out when he came into the park. While waiting for the show to begin we saw two ladies riding in on ECVs. The had a little girl with them. You should have seen the way they both RAN up to talk to a CM to try to get the little girl to participate in the show. There was no hesitation whatsoever. It just broke my heart for the elderly gentleman. I know people look perfectly healthy and have disabilities, but these two ladies sure could sprint when they wanted to.

Unfortunately, if you really need the scooter, you need to rent from an outside source or you risk them being gone.

 

[Fitswimmer]

I was at the World a couple years ago with a torn tendon, on crutches and I would NOT use a wheelchair because I could get around. I told the nice CM that offered it that I would rather leave that for someone who really couldn't walk at all.

Good grief-I feel guilty if I use the handicapped restroom! I've been at venues where there is a line and the matron indicates the handicapped restroom and I don't want to take it from someone who really needs it!

It truly sickens me that people are so oblivious to the needs and concerns of others. There's a guy on the Fox News website that coined the term "Oblivions" for folks that think that they are alone in the world. A person who takes a ECV when they don't need it and are just lazy fits that name IMHO.

 

[minnie61650]

IAt that time she needed to have the wheelchair due to that situation. But we all still felt bad and as for getting on the buses to go back to our hotel, we did not go on first we waited with the chair on line like everyone else.

I am sorry to hear about sis and hope she had a good time in spite of her injury.
You were able to wait in the regular bus line because you were able to fold the chair like many fold it like up a stroller.


Bus drivers really need to load WC and ECV's first for safety measures.
Special needs guests are told to wait in the HA bus line so that bus drivers can see them and load first. That is why WC and EVC's are not supposed wait in the regular bus lines.

 

[Noelle]

I think the biggest thing that bothers me about this is the way people drive them. I find that most people who use these for disabilities drive them cautiously. They use these as their legs and drive them sensibly. But the people that are using these instead of walking try to race along and beat the crowds, etc. We live near Disneyland and I can not tell you how many times my children or myself have been run into by people on scooters. They're usually talking to people or eating while their driving. We're usually standing still in a line or a store. Almost everytime the person apologizes over and over and says, "Oh, I'm soo sorry. It's my first time driving this." All I can say is if this trend continues I won't be wearing any sandals or open-toed shoes to the parks.

 

[minnie61650]

We ran into an elderly gentleman pushing his wife in a wheelchair at Animal Kingdom last week. We were going into the Lion King Show and I saw how exhausted this man looked. I told him it would be easier to get an ECV. He said he thought so too, but they were all out when he came into the park. While waiting for the show to begin we saw two ladies riding in on ECVs. The had a little girl with them. You should have seen the way they both RAN up to talk to a CM to try to get the little girl to participate in the show. There was no hesitation whatsoever. It just broke my heart for the elderly gentleman. I know people look perfectly healthy and have disabilities, but these two ladies sure could sprint when they wanted to.

Unfortunately, if you really need the scooter, you need to rent from an outside source or you risk them being gone.

That is very true.
How sad for elderly gentleman pushing his wife in a wheelchair at Animal Kingdom. It was very sweet of you to suggest renting an ECV (not knowing they were all taken.)

I always rent mine from an offsite company since I need it to get around the resort as well as the parks. I encourage others who need an EVC for mobility reasons to rent from an offsite company as well.

 

[oldcrow]

I guess I'm the complete opposite of that 37 year old guy in the article. I can't wait to get to the World and walk 15 miles a day. And then, after I get back from the park at night (or during an afternoon break) I plan on jogging 3 miles or so. I won't do the jogging every day, maybe every other day, but I can't go without my jogging. I'll need to work my body that much to counteract the extra food I'll be taking in. I bought that dining plan and I intend to get more than my money's worth.

 

[PlainJane]

I wish there was a way to regulate this, but in reality there really isn't. Requiring a doctors note to get an ECV might sound like a good idea, but doesn't work because some people become injured while on vacation. I have a two bad knees from cheerleading, I still dance and workout reguarly, but sometimes one of my knees will go out or become agitated and I can't walk for a couple of days. This happend while I was in Disney a couple years ago. I personally rented a normal wheelchair from a non disney company. I stopped using it the day my knee got better. I hated having to use a wheelchair. It was like I was two again and I couldn't reach anything, it was so frustrating. Trying to get through crowds was also a nightmare. I too got nasty glances from people who obviously thought I didn't need it, you would think that my inability to straighten my right leg, and the fact that I was hopping on my left to get on and off rides would have been enough for these people, but anyone renting a wheelchair instead of owning becomes suspect to doing something un-Disney like. My mother is disabled, but does not use a wheelchair. She like myself hates the freedom it takes from you, so she bears the pain of walking and takes lots of breaks(I know this is not a option for everyone). She uses the handicap entrance because standing in a long line would be very hard on her, and for those who get upset about this she doesn't even go on the rollercoasters or things like MS to often because they hurt her back and upsets her vertigo. I've just learned to live with the snide remarks and disapproving faces.

 

[Friendly Frog]

I did not read all of this just a sampling as this subject is touchy for me.

Yes, we all hate to see the system abused but please remember, SOME PEOPLE HAVE CONDITIONS THAT WILL ALLOW THEM TO WALK NORMALLY FOR SHORT PERIODS OF TIME, EVEN RUN OR JUMP, but can NOT walk long periods as needed in Disney. Others may be fine one day and in great pain another day.

Disney rented ECV's are SLOW and a real pain, honestly I can't see why anyone woud rent one that doesn't need one, it takes you so much longer to get anywhere and a lot of people really don't like people who are on them.

MOST people on ECV's WANT to go in the regular lines, and do NOT want special treatment. Unfortunately most lines at the buses REQUIRE you to go to a different line. Just remember that line does not always go faster than yours, it might take longer.

Fat people on ECV's? Maybe they are not riding them because they are fat and lazy. Just maybe they are overweight because they have medical conditions that limit their ability to exercise?

Just a few thoughts to please keep in mind, ok?

 

[Laurajean1014]

I'll probably get flamed for this somehow but here's an article from the WSJ about how scooter companies are now marketing towards people without disabilities; people who just don't WANT TO walk! What is this nation coming to???

How much do you care about this topic? It's only a company's marketing ploy to help build up organic sales. Why does it bother you?

If someone wants to buy one, go ahead. If someone doesn't - fine.

However, if this starts to catch on, I must think about buying their stock.

 

[bayoutinksmom]

Let say if you need scooter for health reasons then by all means you should have one!!


Now let me tell you a little story!! Back in July 2000 while on my honeymoon I came upon the most un Disney like situation that it caused me to go to guest services. We were getting in line for a ride and a nice women and her husband came up and asked if her husband could stand in line while she and her 5 adopted mentally disabled children could wait inside until he arrived to the front. On of the children she preceded to say suffered from some sort of disease and she was trying to make him a little more comfortable. Was not asking to cut the line but just wait inside until it was there turn. The RUDE cm told her absolutely not so the whole family got in line. Well seconds later comes the big obese family of four on their ECV’s. It was the 2 parents and there teenage children all chewing down on turkey legs and drinking regular coke. Well they get a pass to the front of the line no questions ask. They get off their EVC”s and park them and take off inside the building and I mean take off. I was so mad that we got out of line and went straight to guest services to complain. I mean if you are that over weight and unhealthy that you can not walk around then instead of spending money on WDW vacation get into a fitness center with some who can help so you can live longer. These lazy people sometimes make WDW miserable for the rest of us.