Scooter Tipping Over?

[RSGroup]

Have any of you that use ECV's had a bad experience where they tipped over?

The last time we were in Epcot, we saw a lady that had tipped over, and they had to call the paramedics.

Just trying to decide if is going to be something to be concerned about...

 

[pbrim]

I haven't had a problem with it. However, I had a friend with me on my last trip who did have some problems. She has vision problems that affect her depth perception and sometimes cause double vision, and she has other medical conditions that affect her sense of balance. She did almost tip it once. I don't think it's a problem for most people, but it depends on your particular circumstances

If stablitity is a question, you are better off with a 4-wheel than a 3-wheel scooter. A 3-wheel is much more manoverable and give you more room to stretch your legs, but a 4-wheel is more stable.

 

[Eeyore5]

The only time I had a problem with tipping was when I stayed on the scooter when riding the bus.

 

[POOHsie]

I am a full time scooter user. I have used a scooter at WDW for the last 5 years. I am currently using my second 3-wheel scooter. My first scooter was very light (98 lbs), and tipped over sideways twice in four years' full-time use (not at Disney). Both times involved turning while also on inclined pavement. My new, heavier 3-wheel scooter (168 lbs), which you could call medium-size, has larger wheels and seems much more glued to the ground.

The scooter tips that temporary users might experience are about the rider. You have to evaluate the physical abilities of the person using the scooter. If you wouldn't trust this person's reflexes or physical abilities to drive a car, then a scooter is probably not a good choice. A wheelchair would be the better choice. A scooter is, after all, a machine that can go a little faster than most people's walking pace. So there is potential for accidents if the scooter driver is suffering from diminished capacity.

The woman in the second post had vision and depth perception problems. The lady you saw that tipped her scooter at Epcot, I would bet 99.9999% was somehow in error. Like too much speed, too tight a turn, bumping into something, not remembering how to stop the machine. Again, these are car driver skills that also apply to scooter use.

I would not hesitate to recommend a 3-wheel scooter to a qualified rider at Walt Disney World. Much easier than a 4-wheeler to maneuver through stores, hotel rooms, restaurants, and tight ride lines.

 

[kaytieeldr]

The woman in the second post had vision and depth perception problems. The lady you saw that tipped her scooter at Epcot, I would bet 99.9999% was somehow in error. Like too much speed, too tight a turn, bumping into something, not remembering how to stop the machine.

...not realizing there was an actual CURB there - not just flat stonework designed to look like curbing/trompe l'oeil - and riding sideways off the curb... Yes, I did this, but at Disneyland. No, I wasn't injured, except surprisingly I was shivering for a while afterwards. I got to go backstage to get to First Aid - accompanied by a Disney Nurse. The first two people to get to me were Guests, but I was quickly surrounded by Cast Members for privacy. Again, not injured, but having been awake for close to 24 hours probably contributed to both not realizing the difference in heights, and the relaxed way I fell

 

[POOHsie]

...not realizing there was an actual CURB there - not just flat stonework designed to look like curbing/trompe l'oeil - and riding sideways off the curb... Yes, I did this, but at Disneyland.

I'm glad you weren't hurt. That is a danger even for full time users. I bet if Disney were to be built today, all those elevated sidewalks with no railing, with the 6-8" curbs like on Main St., would not be there. Especially tricky after dark. And following along the elevated sidewalk with your scooter, then turning onto the curb cut, can be dicey for someone inexperienced with a scooter.

I had a concern last fall at POR. I had a handicap room on the first floor of AB Bldg. 15. It was woods and brush out front, and there was a ramped sidewalk which wound its way to the building walkway a few doors down from our room. Directly in front of our room, however, the drop-off was at least 12" into some brush and saplings, and there was no railing there. It was dicey because I had to hold the heavy room door open to go out, at the same time, giving my scooter power to go through the doorway. I was always worried about accidentally giving it too much power and driving right into the "ditch."

 

[peemagg]

I use a 3 wheel scooter most of the time for the past 3 years. I have never had any issues with it trying to tip. I have been on some inclines that it was not meant to be on without any problems, but it is also knowing my my machine and its limits in the areas I was in. These are not the type of slopes that you would find at Disney.

If you are aware of what is going around you and the terrain you are on, you shouldn't have any issues.

 

[RSGroup]

Thanks, folks!

 

[kaytieeldr]

I'm glad you weren't hurt. That is a danger even for full time users. I bet if Disney were to be built today, all those elevated sidewalks with no railing, with the 6-8" curbs like on Main St., would not be there. Especially tricky after dark

Well, that's sort of what happened. You know how, in the Magic Kingdom Hub, they've redesigned it so there's no difference in levels, it's just different stonework to look like curbing?

Well, the very first time I ever entered Disneyland was about 10:30 PM November 11, 2005 (after having been awake for about 21 hours, traveling across the country, FINDING Anaheim which I swear had been moved, touring DCA because DL was closed to new arrivals...; don't ask me why, but I expected the circle at the entrance to DL to be designed like that - flat.

Nope.

Ah, just so you know - I don't own an ECV, but I'm very experienced using one when I travel.

 

[mom3sonstt]

I didn't totally tip mine over but I did get "scare" on it. I was in AK and I think it was near the tiger viewing area. I had rolled up to the front to get a peek but the crowds kind of filled in around me. I was trying to back out slowly and trying to avoid everybody. The pathways aren't smooth anyway so when i felt it tilting slightly at first I thought it was just the uneven stones and gave it a little more "gas" and that was just enough to lose my balance. I stepped off (instead of falling). That's when I realized that it wasn't just an uneven walking area, it was a little curb surrounding a tree or near the wall or something. Of course, DH had to "chastise" me for not watching where I was going - when in actuality I was spending so much time trying to watch where everyone around me was going so I didn't run into them I didn't think to look under the cart too. The plus side was that since I nearly tipped it, people suddenly realized I was there (I think I was invisible before ) and moved out of the way, or pulled their kids out of the way so I wouldn't be stuck there forever.

 

[GrammyJudy]

sAre the Disney park scooters 2 whhel or 4 wheel? I can't remember but I had no problem with them. I am planning to rent offsite this year so trying to 3 or 4 wheel...and advise?

 

[POOHsie]

Disney scooters are 4-wheel and they have the speed turned down on them, so they are S-L-L-OOO-W-WW-W!

If you read the posts above, pretty much everyone agrees that the 3-wheel scooter is easiest to maneuver through crowds and buildings during your Disney trip.

 

[peemagg]

I believe that the park ones are all 4 wheeled ones. I personally prefer the 3 wheeled one. They are able to turn in a tighter radius (great for crowded stores) and are a bit smaller than the 4 wheel model. I also think they have more foot room, since the front of the deck is not taken up by 2 wheels. It allows me to stretch my legs out on either side of the front wheel if I want.

 

[honeydiane1953]

I rent a scooter while at WDW everytime. Yes my scooter was tipping over when i didn't see curb and the other half of landing was on recline. I leaned into the tip and I didn't fully go over. My daughter was behind me saw the whole thing and about died. I was fast and due to my weight got the situation under control. lol be alert

 

[POOHsie]

I rent a scooter while at WDW everytime. Yes my scooter was tipping over when i didn't see curb and the other half of landing was on recline. I leaned into the tip and I didn't fully go over. My daughter was behind me saw the whole thing and about died. I was fast and due to my weight got the situation under control. lol be alert

You were real quick. I'm glad you didn't hurt yourself! Like you, when I tipped my scooter, my family about had a heart attack, not me! Now they are very watchful of my scooter's path, trying to head off any upcoming "disaster." It was really sweet to watch my family surround me when we all went to NYC and I was on my scooter! What fun we had!

 

[Donut23]

I have been scooter-bound for 2 years. Not at all fond of crowds. One night on Main Street a photopass assistant shoved me and my front wheel got wedged in the track in the asphault for the trolly car. I was mostly embarassed as two men helped me...but the shoving of the crowd was very unnerving for me.

 

[mickeyluvsjess]

My sister had hip surgery about 3 weeks before our trip and wasn't allowed out of her chair. While on the bus the driver took a turn really fast and she tipped over in the ECV.Paramedics had to come and the other families on the bus with us where stuck in the bus at DHS for about an hour or so while Disney made everyone (including little kids) give a statement about what they saw and how it happend.She was pretty embarassed and felt bad everyone was losing thier park time.They gave people a fastpass but really who wants to be stuck on a bus that long and what about people that had ADR's?She had actually said to the driver that she didn't think it was strapped in right when he put her in but she relented when he said he was sure.If you do have to ride on the bus and can't leave your ECV I would make sure you are always strapped in properly and try to have family nearby. Luckily a man was near her and partially caught her from what I remember.
Good luck on your trip I hope you have a wonderfull time!!!