Scooter rentals now TARGETING the lazy!! (LONG)

[LuluLovesDisney]

Congratulations of discovering the cure for obesity.

You must be very proud. By the way, is it one magic cure for all causes of obesity or are there different magic cures for all the different causes of obesity like thyroid problems, side effects from life saving or extending medication (for diabetes, heart conditions, chronic pain, cancer,high blood pressure, etc.) , food addiction due to traumatic life events, extremely large tumors, edema, etc?

Oh, but you know what- that still wouldn't help people like my aunt whose disability caused her to be confined to a wheelchair, so exercise is very difficult. I guess she just shouldn't eat, right? Maybe that's the cure.

Out of respect for my aunt, and everyone like her, as well as for people like me who have experienced eating disorders, I want to tell you that your remarks are shamefully callous to those who *do* fight their weight. They are much more concerned with their health than you realize. Losing weight is very difficult for most people who are genetically predisposed to this condition. I work at a gym and I am a certified Nutrition and Diet class instructor for my gym. I deal with people who are concerned about their health and weight every day. I personally work out five days a week and I still struggle to get to a healthy weight.

No one needs anyone to insult them, by telling the overweight to simply "lose weight" like it is so easy. For most it's a struggle, for many it is a war, and for a few (due to health conditions) it is truly impossible.

On the subject of scooter rentals, I think Disney is in a difficult position to tell someone they *can't* rent a scooter if they don't appear disabled. However, anyone who rents a scooter simply out of laziness, and does not genuinely have difficulty walking is cheating someone who might really need that scooter. We wouldn't need to deal with making laws, rules and regulations if people simply had compassion for others, and did not abuse those things that were meant for someone else. When I look around WDW, I will most likely never know who around me is abusing an ECV unless I overhear an overt admission and I would never try to guess. However, *they* know. And in their heart of hearts, I don't know how they could enjoy an easy ride when someone with a genuine disability might need it.

You forgot a third option lose weight so that they can become healthy and be able to walk. They should be more concerned with their health when it is that difficult for them to walk around.

 

[BillSears]

Then, of course I got the 'argument' that I knew was coming.....that they HAVE to be in the seperate line because Disney tells them that they must be loaded on the busses FIRST for safety reasons! Perfectly understandable I say, but once again, why not WAIT IN THE NORMAL LINE and then when the bus comes, if you are close enough to the front of the line(or your travelling companions) that it is obvious that you WOULD be on that particular bus, this should be brought to the bus driver's attention, the other GUESTS in the lineup ahead of you simply move aside, you may pass them and then you may be loaded onto the bus, then the others in line would follow, IN ORDER!!!!!

Most bus ques have not been designed to allow wheelchairs/ECVs to pass through them. So for right now that would not work. There is no way for the ECV to make the turns in the line and Im pretty sure there really isn't a way for the ECV to squeeze past the people in front of them. Also there are many people who wouldn't allow the wheelchair/ECV user to pass them once thier bus arrived.

Personally I rarely see a bus pull away leaving people at the bus stop. Maybe it's because I don't travel at the busiest times and I avoid the busses at park openings and closings. To me this sounds like you want to redesign the bus stops and make a procedure that wouldn't really work to correct a problem that is only there for a small amount of time.

 

[LBelle]

[/QUOTE]On the subject of scooter rentals, I think Disney is in a difficult position to tell someone they *can't* rent a scooter if they don't appear disabled. However, anyone who rents a scooter simply out of laziness, and does not genuinely have difficulty walking is cheating someone who might really need that scooter. We wouldn't need to deal with making laws, rules and regulations if people simply had compassion for others, and did not abuse those things that were meant for someone else. When I look around WDW, I will most likely never know who around me is abusing an ECV unless I overhear an overt admission and I would never try to guess. However, *they* know. And in their heart of hearts, I don't know how they could enjoy an easy ride when someone with a genuine disability might need it.[/QUOTE]

Well said!!

 

[Ladybugsy]

I didn't read all of the replies in this thread, so this may have been covered already but...

Just because someone looks healthy doesn't mean they are healthy. Just because someone can walk doesn't mean they don't need an ECV. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis. I have permanent damage to my arches ankles and knees. While I can walk, if I walk or stand for more than a couple of minutes at a time, I'm overwhelmed with pain and can actually fracture my arches which are collapsing due to cartelage damage. However, I'm moderately young (28) and healthy looking. I actually need an ECV because I can't stand in line and can't walk across the parks, but the attitudes expressed here make me not want to get one because I'm expecting dirty looks and nasty comments. Think of all the people who need an ECV due to various illnesses, some of them not visible, who you're dissuading from using them with your attitudes.


While I know ECV abuse must happen because there are always bad eggs who try to ruin things for everyone else, I don't think it's fair to assume everyone who can walk or looks healthy doesn't need one. I wouldn't look at any of you and make snap judgements about any aspects of your physical or personal life, so why would you feel justified doing the same to others?

I feel the exact same way. I am overweight and I've recently injured my ankle pretty severely. Weeks after I hurt it, it still swells very badly and causes my other leg to hurt because I favor it. I had tossed around the idea of renting an ECV, even though I'm going with a grand gathering of 11 already including 3 ECV...mine would make 4. (Quadrapalegic, broken back, and neuropathy with medication limitations, for those of you who can't see the problems) I, like starflower, didn't read but the first 4 pages of this thread, but I am shocked at the way people act about ECVs. I know this thread was started about people who don't actually need an ECV, but, really, there is no way to tell who needs one and who doesn't. We rented 3 ECVs from an outside source because I know there are people who get hurt in WDW and don't have access to an outside company on such short notice. I think if you're going to WDW KNOWING you will need one you should rent offsite. That being said, I've never seen such discrimination in one place in my life. I'm used to being made fun of because of my weight, but I never thought I'd see so many people in one place act the way some of you have acted on this thread. Maybe some of you would feel justified if you could go around asking those on an ECV for a doctors note. Or some other way to prove need. If you ask me, I'd say some of you are bordering on bigotry. Especially when you talk about someone's weight. There are people who try and try and are just not able to get to a normal weight. But even if you can't see what's wrong, doesn't that person deserve to have a great vacation as well?

 

[Hixski]

I will be walking all day, every day when we will be there in September. When I turned 40 I got hypothyroidism. Being 40 I then gained 60 lbs. Thyroid is under control but weight is not. Both my knees the cartilage is worn down. This is from being very athletic before all this happened. I still hit the treadmill 5 days a week and also hit the gym 3 to 4 times a week. Still the weight stays on. And eating healthy. If I eat one more chicken breast I think I will throw up. So even though I do not know if I can walk all day every day, I will still be doing it. Because I truly believe there is someone who needs the scooter more than I. And I also believe what comes around, goes around.

 

[LBelle]

Most bus ques have not been designed to allow wheelchairs/ECVs to pass through them. So for right now that would not work. There is no way for the ECV to make the turns in the line and Im pretty sure there really isn't a way for the ECV to squeeze past the people in front of them. Also there are many people who wouldn't allow the wheelchair/ECV user to pass them once thier bus arrived.

I certainly am not going to say that I know better than you on the subject of manueverability of wheelchairs and/or ECV's but it LOOKED to me like there should be little problems passing through que lines. I only say that because the 3 of us could EASILY stand side by side, not squished, in the lineups, but, as I said earlier, I could easily be wrong. So, are there any solutions to this "problem" (for lack of a better word)? What about if, even 1 of the travelling companions stood in the regular line and THEN brought it to the attention of the driver whose bus you know you WOULD have been on had you waited in the normal line?

I don't think that ANYBODY would have a problem moving aside for the loading of these passengers onto the bus first, due to the lowering of the bus, etc. I believe the ONLY reason people are feeling this way about the "Bus Fast Pass" is simply because it IS UNFAIR, plain and simple!! I believe that most people would WELCOME the type of system that I proposed here. I know that anyone I've talked to about this certainly feels the same way because it IS ONLY FAIR, plain and simple!!!

 

[nascarcheshirecat]

I have a really, really bad ankle from when I was a kid, and thin then! but after reading this thread.... no way am I renting a scooter for wdw on our upcoming trip, sometimes it gives out on me, and it hurts
like - - - - after 3 hours of walking/standing...but I am now turned off by renting...will just hobble back to the room.
this is one of the worst threads ever

 

[shellybaxter]

I have a really, really bad ankle from when I was a kid, and thin then! but after reading this thread.... no way am I renting a scooter for wdw on our upcoming trip, sometimes it gives out on me, and it hurts
like - - - - after 3 hours of walking/standing...but I am now turned off by renting...will just hobble back to the room.
this is one of the worst threads ever

If you need a scooter, rent a scooter. Don't just go sit in your room. Why would you let narrow minded people ruin your expensive vacation that you've looked forward to?

 

[Ladybugsy]

this is one of the worst threads ever

I totally agree and feel the same way you do. Why be ridiculed and treated like a freak on your vacation? I'd rather just deal with the pain.

 

[LBelle]

I have a really, really bad ankle from when I was a kid, and thin then! but after reading this thread.... no way am I renting a scooter for wdw on our upcoming trip, sometimes it gives out on me, and it hurts
like - - - - after 3 hours of walking/standing...but I am now turned off by renting...will just hobble back to the room.
this is one of the worst threads ever

NO, NO, NO!!!!! ONCE AGAIN.... most people are NOT worried about whether or not you are using a w'chair/ECV, if you feel the need to genuinely use one for 1 hour, 1 day, 1 week or whatever, by all means YOU SHOULD HAVE ONE!! No, a disability DOES NOT have to be visible to others nor should anyone have to justify themselves regarding their "needs" or not. It's only about the special "perks" that seem to go hand in hand with the usage of these things when they are not necessary. Just wait in line along with everyone else and I'm sure you will NEVER encounter anybody having a "bad attitude" towards you!

 

[minnie61650]

Wow!! I remember getting FLAMED last month on that "other" Disney board because of this very subject!This is what I wrote then and how I STILL feel now:

I don't think that ANYBODY is bitter about ECV and w'chair rentals and/or usage. The "problem", per se, lies only with the mentality of some who believe that just because they are not standing on their feet that they "deserve" FRONT OF THE LINE PRIORITY!!

Last year, my DH and I would refer to these practices as 'FAST PASS FOR THE BUSSES', as that is EXACTLY what would happen, time after time!! I got flamed just because I wondered why these folks cannot wait in the normal lineups, just like EVERYONE ELSE!! Then, of course I got the 'argument' that I knew was coming.....that they HAVE to be in the seperate line because Disney tells them that they must be loaded on the busses FIRST for safety reasons! Perfectly understandable I say, but once again, why not WAIT IN THE NORMAL LINE and then when the bus comes, if you are close enough to the front of the line(or your travelling companions) that it is obvious that you WOULD be on that particular bus, this should be brought to the bus driver's attention, the other GUESTS in the lineup ahead of you simply move aside, you may pass them and then you may be loaded onto the bus, then the others in line would follow, IN ORDER!!!!!

WHY IS THIS SUCH A ********* PROBLEM, PEOPLE??!! You are NO MORE ENTITLED to front of line perks any more than the rest of us!! We PAID the same $ as you did!! Maybe WDW should add a $fee for ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE THE PRIVILEDGE OF BUS STOP FAST PASSES!!!

I am so SICK AND TIRED of the mentality of some people!! And I'm sure I'll be FLAMED TO NO END for having the GUTS to actually say AGAIN what SO MANY OTHERS have been trying to say before me!! Stop with the rude, holier than thou, moralistic c***, re: "you can't always SEE a disability" - no kidding, we're NOT stupid - I don't care if you DO need them or you DON'T...just stop expecting all others to "feel" for you and your situation!!! I tell you I can "feel" more empathy for the family who is trying to control, say, their 3 year old, carry their baby, fold up their stroller, juggle their diaper bag and all other assorted stuff that is NEEDED for them to "enjoy" THEIR days in the parks!!! But, you know what would be said about them if they were "given" the same "perks" as the handicapped group!! "Maybe they shouldn't come to WDW until they don't NEED all that stuff! Why should WE have to wait longer just because they "want" to come to WDW before they really "should"? blah, blah, blah...... and this, my friends, would be ALSO coming out of the mouths of all those people peeved off about having to share THEIR LINE with the families who are as encumbered as they are!!!

I feel so much better being able to finally, REALLY get this off my chest!! You will notice I hope, that I have not said even one thing in regards to WHO is using ECV's, etc. or WHY they are! THAT truly IS NOT my business or anybody else's, for that matter! I am only speaking out for the fact that, like other's who posted before me, we have paid just as much $$$$ to be in WDW, and I am tired of being made to feel BAD because the LINE FAST PASS is REALLY getting to be INFURIATING!!!!!!!

This is from the disABILITIES board FAQ thread:

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=595713


Riding WDW Buses with a wheelchair or ECV

How do I attract the attention of the bus driver?
You need to be where the driver can see you so that he/she knows you want to board the bus. Some bus stops have a wheelchair/handicapped symbol that you can wait by. For "unmarked" bus stops, have your group out in the open (but off the roadway) near where the back door of the bus will be when it stops. At stops with buses going to multiple destinations from the same stop (like at the resorts), let the driver know whether you want the bus or not by nodding or shaking your head.

------------------------------------------------


Now you have raised some interesting points in your post.
If you feel you have come up with a great solution that will be fair to all then I suggest that you write to Disney so they will change their policy.

Meanwhile, fair or not these are the instructions that guests who use ECV's and or WC have been given.

So even though it seems unfair to you it is the way it is for now.

 

[dvcgirl]

Congratulations of discovering the cure for obesity.

You must be very proud. By the way, is it one magic cure for all causes of obesity or are there different magic cures for all the different causes of obesity like thyroid problems, side effects from life saving or extending medication (for diabetes, heart conditions, chronic pain, cancer,high blood pressure, etc.) , food addiction due to traumatic life events, extremely large tumors, edema, etc?

Oh, but you know what- that still wouldn't help people like my aunt whose disability caused her to be confined to a wheelchair, so exercise is very difficult. I guess she just shouldn't eat, right? Maybe that's the cure.

Out of respect for my aunt, and everyone like her, as well as for people like me who have experienced eating disorders, I want to tell you that your remarks are shamefully callous to those who *do* fight their weight. They are much more concerned with their health than you realize. Losing weight is very difficult for most people who are genetically predisposed to this condition. I work at a gym and I am a certified Nutrition and Diet class instructor for my gym. I deal with people who are concerned about their health and weight every day. I personally work out five days a week and I still struggle to get to a healthy weight.
.

I think that you're taking this the wrong way. I'm a registered nurse and am very familiar with the side effects of meds, and realize that many folks who are disabled end up putting on weight due to decreased activity.

Having said that, you can't deny the overwhelming evidence that *most* of our obsesity problem in this country arises from two very simple phenomenon.
1.) Too many calories per day, many of which are refined (bad)
carbohydrates.
2.) A complete lack of physical activity.

And there's positively no denying that we are getting fatter and fatter as a nation due to these two issues. We don't have an "underactive thyroid" epidemic. We have an over-eating/under-excerising epidemic.

And let's remember, that many obese people do in fact end up with many debiliating physical problems.....but most of them didn't have those issues first, they only developed them when they became obese. Arthritis, type II diabetes, respiratory issues, sleep apnea....I could on and on. And many of those same folks would see a total reversal of many of those issues if they'd lose the weight. Instead, in our pill-popping society, they take medication to alleviate the pain, and they keep on eating.

As I said, I speak as someone who has very obsese people in her family. My 42 year old uncle who is easily 350 lbs (maybe more....tough to really guess) can't walk more than 100 ft because he gets so easily winded. He was recently diagnosed as a type II diabetic. He also has very bad arthritis in his knees and ankles. He takes more pills than most senior citizens take. All of these conditions, ever single one, is a direct result of his obesity. If he lost 150 lbs, almost all of the symptoms he has would seriously subside, or disappear altogether.

Unfortunately, with what the food industry has done to our food (loading them up with high fructose corn syrup and trans fats), plus the enormous portions that Americans have come to expect.....I don't see the problem going away. People need to get educated, eat way more complex carbs, cut back on those calories, and most importantly....get moving!

 

[BlessedMomOfTwo]

nascar...

I hope you won't let the views of some of those here keep you from using the ECV if you need it. I understand how you feel, though.

A while back, I tore up by knee a few weeks before our scheduled Disney trip in a bad fall down our staircase. After consulting with my Ortho MD, we decided to continue with our plans for the trip and rent an ECV. I rented from an off-site company as I needed it at the resort as well.

I am also a large person. I never had any idea before I went that people would be so ugly to me because of that combination - the ECV and my size. I wore capri length pants, so no one could see the brace on my knee. Quite a few people had no qualms about making comments loud enough for me to hear - commenting on how fat people can't even get around without ECVs now, etc. One day after coming out of the FOLK show, the lady behind me was frustrated with me manuvering thru the crowd (as was I - it was really crowded). She loudly stated, "Well if she hadn't allowed herself to get so fat, maybe we all wouldn't have to wait behind her". That one brought me to tears. I finally had to decide that taking that trip with my little ones was more important than anyone's comments and I needed to stop allowing the comments to take away the joy from my trip.

Just to clear up any misconceptions... using the ECV did NOT make for a fun trip. Manuvering it thru the crowds was very nerve-wracking. I was so worried I might hit someone (especially given the number of folks who thought nothing of stepping directly in front of me). I didn't get to look around at all the beautiful sights at Disney, didn't get to take pics etc.. I didn't get front of the line perks. I usually waited longer. The only place where I really felt it got me anything "special" was the seating at FOLK. All other venues, the seating was in the back and most times I couldn't sit with my family.

Sometimes I did get off and walk, as much as I could tolerate. I wanted to keep working the knee as much as I could. I am sure once someone saw me limping when I did walk, they understood my need to use it. (Although from some of these posts, I can see that some folks would have likely decided my limping was just from my size).

I had my husband drive the ECV on and off the buses/monorail as it made me nervous and I felt like it took too long when I did it. Some people rolled their eyes at that too - I guess sometimes you can't win. I spent our first hour at Disney practicing driving it around the resort. The only one I bumped into all week was my own daughter.

I honestly cannot imagine anyone that is capable of walking finding using an ECV making their trip better in any way. Aside from the cost alone, it just was a hassle in so many ways.

Our last trip back, I was so thankful to be back on my feet. It was such a better trip. And despite my size, I managed to walk 10 -14 miles a day. I will always be more understanding now of those who need to use an ECV having experienced first hand the challenges it involves. I can't imagine questioning another's legitimate need to use one. I was very hurt from those negative assumptions made about me and offered up so vocally in front of my children, etc.. There is a lot of ugliness out there. Thank goodness there continues to be so many good folks to counteract it.

Sorry so long... these threads just always amaze and sadden me.

Carol

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

Think of it this way, though-
people who are ignorant, prejudiced and so declasse as to give any "looks" or words to someone in an ECV will most likely remain ignorant, prejudiced and declasse long after you're home. They will have forgotten who they saw or what they saw because they will be onto the next thing.

You have a choice and your choice will affect you and your family, but it will not affect those people.

I truly hope that anyone who needs an ECV will use one. You will never see those people again. You could be in bed in pain, for what? You could be missing a smile on a loved one's face, for what? You could be missing a moment of joy in your life, for what? Don't give a few misguided people the power to take that away from you.

If someone is ignorant enough to comment, or insult you, show yourself and everyone around you that you are better than that. They are not really saying something about you, so much as they are SAYING SOMETHING ABOUT THEMSELVES. Take the opportunity to teach your family that what others think of you is not nearly as important as doing what is right for you and your family.

Whenever someone who has challenges (disabilities, weight, age, etc.) out and about doing their own thing with a smile on their face, I always smile because there is nothing more beautiful to me than someone living their life to the fullest. My mom had many health problems, had breast cancer twice and when she was not at work, she was in bed for over three years. Now, she has lost some weight, she's in remission and she is no longer the same person. She didn't want to go to the Dr. because of her weight. Now, she gets her hair done, smiles every day, this summer she's going to Vegas and last summer we went to the water park. She's still slightly overweight, but she is healthy, vibrant and alive!!

Now, someone seeing her in a bathing suit, jumping at each wave in the wave pool might not have felt the way I did, but I was so proud and happy. I will remember that forever. And I'm her daughter. So, who's opinion is more important- mine or a person walking past who probably doesn't even remember it anymore?

Don't assume people will look at you and prejudge the situation. Give people credit for being more intelligent and compassionate than a few stray comments might indicate.

Live your life, make your memories, do what is best for you. Don't let anyone stop you, especially yourself.

I totally agree and feel the same way you do. Why be ridiculed and treated like a freak on your vacation? I'd rather just deal with the pain.

 

[kath1210]

Moderators - I cannot believe that this thread has not been closed. There are way too many mean-spirited and hurtful posts. What good does any of this debate do? It only makes those who use ECVs for a less-than-obvious reason feel bad, and encourages those who want to bash ECV users.

This whole thread is making me feel nauseated. This is not in the spirit of community and sharing information about Disney.

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

I totally agree that losing weight can alleviate some health problems like those you've mentioned and amplify quality of life.

I agree that healthy eating and exercise if a big factor in this- as I said, I work a few days a week at a gym.

I agree with your post in many ways, but I think many overweight people are *less* active, due to fear of comments and looks, which is why I felt the need to address it.

When I went to another gym, there was a woman close to 400 lbs. who worked out there. I could never post the things I've overheard people saying about her. Luckily, it was just a few. Here she was, being active, working hard to stay healthy and still facing prejudice and ridicule.

I just have a problem with someone saying an overweight person in an ECV should "lose weight" or should never have "gotten like that" because they *don't* know the whole situation.

No one can look at someone else in passing and tell if that large stomach is a tumor or the result of medication or too many calories. And even if it is from too many calories, no one can tell that that person was not raped or that their loved one was not murdered and food helped numb the pain.

Ridicule and oversimplification will only make a food addict worse. People who make comments aren't trying to help, they're putting others down.

If, as a nurse, you told me this in your office, I would think you were trying to help. You would have my chart, my health history, etc. Someone passing a woman in an ECV doesn't have that information and doesn't know this woman at all, and should think twice because things are not always what they appear. It doesn't matter what the obesity statistics are because the person in front of you isn't a statistic, they're a human being, a variable, and you don't know what the truth is, without the information.

I think that you're taking this the wrong way. I'm a registered nurse and am very familiar with the side effects of meds, and realize that many folks who are disabled end up putting on weight due to decreased activity.

Having said that, you can't deny the overwhelming evidence that *most* of our obsesity problem in this country arises from two very simple phenomenon.
1.) Too many calories per day, many of which are refined (bad)
carbohydrates.
2.) A complete lack of physical activity.

And there's positively no denying that we are getting fatter and fatter as a nation due to these two issues. We don't have an "underactive thyroid" epidemic. We have an over-eating/under-excerising epidemic.

And let's remember, that many obese people do in fact end up with many debiliating physical problems.....but most of them didn't have those issues first, they only developed them when they became obese. Arthritis, type II diabetes, respiratory issues, sleep apnea....I could on and on. And many of those same folks would see a total reversal of many of those issues if they'd lose the weight. Instead, in our pill-popping society, they take medication to alleviate the pain, and they keep on eating.

As I said, I speak as someone who has very obsese people in her family. My 42 year old uncle who is easily 350 lbs (maybe more....tough to really guess) can't walk more than 100 ft because he gets so easily winded. He was recently diagnosed as a type II diabetic. He also has very bad arthritis in his knees and ankles. He takes more pills than most senior citizens take. All of these conditions, ever single one, is a direct result of his obesity. If he lost 150 lbs, almost all of the symptoms he has would seriously subside, or disappear altogether.

Unfortunately, with what the food industry has done to our food (loading them up with high fructose corn syrup and trans fats), plus the enormous portions that Americans have come to expect.....I don't see the problem going away. People need to get educated, eat way more complex carbs, cut back on those calories, and most importantly....get moving!

 

[LBelle]

I suggest that you write to Disney so they will change their policy.

Meanwhile, fair or not these are the instructions that guests who use ECV's and or WC have been given.

So even though it seems unfair to you it is the way it is for now.

Isn't it GREAT how a person can "QUOTE" someone else, crop out pertinent information, and then POST it so it looks BETTER for their OWN argument!!??

In future, if you feel that what I have to say is important enough for you to include in your own post, please have the courtesy of including ALL of it!!

Thank you

In the meantime, you can't seriously think that it would be such a HARDSHIP for the WC and/or ECV users to wait in a lineup for a bus like everyone else has to? Or do you?? If THAT is TOO DIFFICULT I hate to think about how HARD it must be for you to be in WDW AT ALL!!! You have NO IDEA how many OTHER situations I could come up with regarding all sorts of people who would benefit from some form of preferential treatment or another when it comes to this 'PROBLEM'.....THEY DON'T GET ANY AND NEITHER SHOULD YOU!!!! JUST WAIT IN THE LINE!!!!!!
Meanwhile, although this is starting to get UGLY, it needn't be that way and MAYBE the next thread SHOULD be what YOU suggested: HOW MANY OF US CAN WRITE TO DISNEY AND COMPLAIN ABOUT THEIR PREDJUDICIAL TREATMENT AGAINST ALL OF THEIR NON-HANDICAPPED GUESTS WHEN IT COMES TO THE 'BUS FASTPASS SYSTEM'?? From what I have read on THIS THREAD ALONE, there are PLENTY of people who are VERY ANGERED at the system that WDW currently has in place and it is getting to be harder and harder for the rest of us to NOT develop an "attitude" or have "bad feelings" towards the folks who think NOTHING of pulling up to a bus stop when there are TONS of people who HAVE BEEN WAITING for their bus, boarding the bus right away and act like WE have a problem because we are feeling just a little BITTER!!!

 

[minnie61650]

I have a really, really bad ankle from when I was a kid, and thin then! but after reading this thread.... no way am I renting a scooter for wdw on our upcoming trip, sometimes it gives out on me, and it hurts
like - - - - after 3 hours of walking/standing...but I am now turned off by renting...will just hobble back to the room.
this is one of the worst threads ever

Please if anyone needs a WC/ECV get one and use it.
This is your vacation.
Make the most of it.

Here are some questions to ask yourself.
I read these on the disABILITIES board and I keep a copy in my file to remind myself it is my vacation and I want to make the most of it.

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1170129&page=1&pp=15

Still trying to accept that I have to have a ECV... .

welcome to disABILTIES!

I remember the first time I used an ECV at WDW. Judy told me it was a great relief for her since I did not have to stop every few hundred feet.

To really set your mind at ease, please ask yourself the following questions. Here are the suggested answers to go with them.

1. Are you disabled (even temporarily)? Yes.

2. Do the people you are travelling with, such as your family, know you are disabled? Yes.

3. Do you expect to meet anyone you know during this trip who may not know you are disabled. Probably No!

4. Do you expect to meet a bunch of people who you will probably never meet again in your life? Probably yes!

5. Is there any reason at all that you should care what these people think about you? Absolutely No!!

6. Will using a wheelchair or ECV make for a better vacation for you and your family? Absolutely YES!

 

[wdwobsessed]

Since there are too many jerk-offs bashing fat people on this thread I can't qoute you all but you know who you are.

I love the sentiment "Just loose weight" ... like it's so easy and the thoughts that our "disability" is self inflicted due to being fat and we don't DESERVE an ECV.

Well ...

What about the a person who lost a leg in a car accident because they were driving 100mph and lost control....

NO EVC FOR THEM >>> THIER FAULT!

What about the person who smoked for 25 years and now has a lung disorder and can't walk long distances.

NO EVC FOR THEM>>>> THIER FAULT!

Or the person that drunk themselves into kidney failure and is too weak to walk?

NO EVC FOR THEM >>>> THIER FAULT!

Yes, an overweight person can loose weight but it is a very SLOW daunting process. It's not like you can say "OMG ... I go to WDW in 6 months ... let's loose 100lbs!" Or perhaps we shouldn't go to WDW? Or perhaps we should suffer in pain and walk ... to the point of CRYING on the way out of the park because it hurts so bad. Just so as not to OFFEND you jerks.

To whoever the JERK OFF is that is from the UK....

Yeah ...I did read all your posts and you are VERY fat predjudice. I won't even go into any type of explination for you because you are too ignorant to understand all the factors that go into someone being overweight.

Maybe one day you will become bed ridden or go on a medication that makes you gain weight and put on a few pounds ... quite a few ... I hope you do. Then maybe you will recieve the other end of this hatred you display. I do read hatred in your posts, no question it is there! Hatred of fat people ... like we don't deserve to exist.

Go crawl in a hole as you should be ashamed to grace the same planet as this Big Beautiful Woman.

WDWO

 

[BillSears]

I certainly am not going to say that I know better than you on the subject of manueverability of wheelchairs and/or ECV's but it LOOKED to me like there should be little problems passing through que lines. I only say that because the 3 of us could EASILY stand side by side, not squished, in the lineups, but, as I said earlier, I could easily be wrong. So, are there any solutions to this "problem" (for lack of a better word)? What about if, even 1 of the travelling companions stood in the regular line and THEN brought it to the attention of the driver whose bus you know you WOULD have been on had you waited in the normal line?

I don't think that ANYBODY would have a problem moving aside for the loading of these passengers onto the bus first, due to the lowering of the bus, etc. I believe the ONLY reason people are feeling this way about the "Bus Fast Pass" is simply because it IS UNFAIR, plain and simple!! I believe that most people would WELCOME the type of system that I proposed here. I know that anyone I've talked to about this certainly feels the same way because it IS ONLY FAIR, plain and simple!!!

The best solution would be for Disney to make the queue lines accessible and for Disney to use the same type of busses that most transit systems use. This would allow wheelchairs and ECVs to board the bus just like everyone else.

Making the queues accessible would require widening the lines and moving the queue exit just abit farther back from the bus so that the lift which would now be at the front of the bus could deploy safely. This would require removing all of the current queues and replacing them. Also larger areas then currently exist for the queues would be needed but it is possible to do.

The current busses used by Disney are designed to load the wheelchair/ECVs first. However transit buses in most cities have the wheelchair spots right up front and are designed to load the wheelchair/ECV as they arrive at the front door. So Disney would just have to replace all of thier busses with the types used by most city transit systems.

These changes would fix the problem totally. But I really can't see Disney spending the money to do this when they can instead just ask wheelchair/ECV users to board first.