Size of ECV now being enforced

[cranbiz]

I did not have any Dream scooters this weekend, so I cannot give a first hand account.

As I told SueM in a PM, it you can make it fit within the measurement box, I will load it. Now, that means the entire scooter, not just getting the wheels to fit. If you have hang ons that make the scooter exceed the size limit, remove them or speak to the GSM. I need to get the scooter in the restraint area and properly secure it. I cannot do that if I'm dodging backpacks, baskets, etc.

If a Dream scooter fits with the wheel turned, it does not take up any more floor space than any other scooter, air space, yes.

The issue is getting it or any other scooter into the tie down area. It needs to fit properly in the space to secure it, period. Some of the larger 3 wheel scooters with the canopies are actually more trouble than the Dream scooters.

The Dream scooters are not allowed on the RTS style bus (with the lift). The exceed the weight limit of the lift with a rider and there is not the floor space available to jockey it into position.

The whole point of this post originally was to alert everyone of the change. This way you can make an informed rental decision.

I also read the A Frame sign at POP. It does state the no more than 6 guests will be allowed to board through the rear doors and that any additional guests in your party must board through the regular queue. (Not that they will actually read the sign, but that is a different problem)

 

[ShhhQ]

I did not have any Dream scooters this weekend, so I cannot give a first hand account.

Please let us know once you have a Dream Scooter. I would like to know if it would be a problem or not.

I know that it is not a popular choice of many on this board, but I really wanted to try it.

 

[SueM in MN]

Honestly it looks like the place where the Dream scooter has trouble meeting the guidelines is "less than 2 inches above the ground." It looks higher than that, which makes it a tip hazard for the buses... The weight is just too high on it.

From my understanding, that is just a place to take a measurement and the 2 inches is specified because some lifts or ramps may have more space higher up, but if the device is bigger than 30 by 48 that close to the ground, it will hit.

 

[Talking Hands]

I agree with everything else except the part I made bold print. To judge someone because they use an ECV and might switch with another person in their party, is kind of a dangerous assumption. I sometimes switch with someone in my party, because frankly I need to stretch my legs from time to time too. I do need the ECV though because I can't walk very far or for very long due to nerve damage in my foot, but because someone else drives the ECV for a while doesn't mean that I don't need it. Maybe there are a couple of people in the party who both don't need it fully, but for some reason or other they need it part time, so they share the ECV. You just never know.

I agree with this. THere are places where my PWC just can't be there so my husband will remove it to another area and it is easier for him to move if he sits in it. One place is the parade seating at Studios for the interpreting. That is on steps and while I can be at the top of the steps it is not really safe as people are walking behind you and may hit you.
I am glad to see party size enforced. On a few occasions I have had people try to say they are with me and I do let the driver know it is just me or me and my husband.
I will soon have 2 in the PWC, but my grandson wil be held firmly in a front pack like the Snuggli. As soon as he can walk, he can no longer ride with nana though.

 

[Janell]

Just found this. I think its great they are limited how many people can come on with an ECV or wheelchair. I can't say I have ever seen more then 5-6 people in a group try to get on. I know when we have had a big group and one person was in a ecv, a few people went with the ecv rider(i say three people) They went to help her if she needed it. The rest got in the regular line. No big deal. The way the buses come sometimes the people waiting in the regular line got to the parks before we did with the ecv, because two busses came in at the same time and it takes awhile to load the ecv.

Last year DH and I were at wdw. The second night, my back went out on me. I was in so much pain I couldn't sleep, lay down, sit, stand nothing with out a lot of pain. The next day after finally getting some sleep my husband called an outside ecv rental company to get me a scooter. Trying to make the most out of the trip. Because there was no way I could fly home with the pain I was in.

I have to say being in an ecv is embarrassing. I am young, 31 at the time. People are looking at me, wondering how I could need an ecv. I need one because when I was 12 I had two back surgeries and have lived in a lot of pain daily since. I would have given anything to not have to be in that ecv. But it allowed me to get out of our hotel room and see the shows and enjoy our ADRs.

During this trip I had a hard time getting the ecv parked just right and people staring made it harder. I heard the comments, like great we have to wait for the ecv and so on. So I ended up getting out of the ecv before entering the bus and DH would park it for me. So Im sure it made me look like I didn't needed it. But it was such a stressful thing to do.

So I hope these new rules make it easier for those how have to use the ecv and makes those who wait to load the bus happier because they don't feel they are getting cheated.

 

[Schmeck]

I am going to need to handle my children in my wheelchair in everyday life, so I am already looking into safe options for that. A sling will be easy for infants, but I am more concerned about toddlers. I know someone who created an attachment for their chair (literally clamped to the frame) that their toddler straps into (like those things you put on your backs for the kids).

I have seen strollers actually made to attach to the front of the wheelchair, which I will definitely use when needed. Somehow I doubt disney will not allow me to use a wheelchair attachment. (the one I saw looks like a jogging stroller with just one wheel) I will, however, have to detach it for the buses (it would make me too long).

I would NEVER keep my child in these on the buses, though... just not safe for a child to be in a stroller on a bus.

I would not, however, use a bungee cord or something to attach the stroller to me! (though now I have an image of a kid in a stroller going 6 mph behind my wheelchair)

Disney does not state how the towed/pushed device is attached, just that they do not allow them so be prepared to be denied access to the parks if you have a child-holding device attached to your wheelchair.

 

[KPeveler]

Disney does not state how the towed/pushed device is attached, just that they do not allow them so be prepared to be denied access to the parks if you have a child-holding device attached to your wheelchair.

I expect to use it in daily life more than in disney - i would never do disney alone with my child. So likely I would handle my chair and my wife would handle a stroller.

I get why they have that rule, and I would not argue with it.