Small rant about something I witnessed in the bus line

[CityGirlLost]

On October 29th my family and I were in the line for the bus back to Art of Animation at the Magic Kingdom. The CM directing people instructed an older man on a scooter and his family into the massive crowd of people instead of letting them go to the front of the line.

It was the end of the night and my family of 6 was tired. Everyone was tired and cranky, but after numerous trips to the world where I've had to stand in these lines while parties of 15 with one person in a scooter snagged all the seats on the bus, internally I was cheering.

The man on the scooter seemed fine with this situation; however, the man with him, presumably his son, starts loudly screaming and ranting about the unfairness of it all and how he's supposed to go to the front of the line. He's going to call someone. He's going to get the guy fired, on and on and on.

Finally, the lines move and it seems we and the rantmeister are going to get on the next bus. Scooter man goes on and gets strapped in. His large family, which includes three teenaged girls, get on the bus. We all get back to the resort.

My family went to the gift shop and food court before heading back to our room and who do we see?

The old man who was on the scooter is SKIPPING down the path to the buildings and one of the teenagers is playing around on the scooter. Nary a limp. This old guy is SPRY. He's joking and playing with the kid on the scooter, dodging as she swerves the thing all over. It would have been a touching scene had I not just heard the rant about having to wait in line.

Grrrr.

 

[DisneyNutMary]

What's sad about this is the fact that scammers like this guy ruin the system for the honest people with mobility issues.
I probably would have cheered a little too when that group had to wait the same amount of time as everyone else. But that might be colored by the scammers I saw all over WDW this weekend. I witnessed a hissy fit by some lady wanting to know why she was instructed to use fast pass at TSM or wait like everyone else with her elderly dad. She was screaming at the CM about wanting "one of those red front of the line passes" (whatever THAT is). The CM wasn't amused by her in the least.

 

[seashoreCM]

... The old man who was on the scooter is SKIPPING down the path to the buildings and one of the teenagers is playing around on the scooter. Nary a limp. This old guy is SPRY ...

One of a variety of signs I have suggested to hang on the back of a wheelchair, if applicable:

"I can walk -- only to first base."

So maybe this man decided to ride all the way around to third base and then he has the stamina to make it on his own to home plate.

Boston Ballet's Nutcracker includes a scene with spry Grandma and Grandpa skipping and dancing a jig, Then Grandma swoons and faints and others attend to her. Plenty of laughs and applause from the audience.

 

[magicaldisney]

Wheelchair, scooter or able bodied walker......I truly believe everyone should wait the same amount of time for the buses and the rides for that matter. So, for that information alone I'm cheering right along with you.

As for him walking.....well I can say my mother who is joining us for our trip in two weeks, recently had knee replacement surgery. Can she walk, yes. Can she walk all day through the parks, probably not (and we are prepared for that). If she gets a wheelchair or a scooter she will use it in the parks, but not necessarily at the resort. It could be something as simple as that. I'm not saying he wasn't cheating the system, but we don't know that for sure.

 

[goofy4tink]

You just can't tell by looking at someone. BUT...there are many who abuse the ECV system. So, with that in mind, I think they should allow the ECV/rider to board the bus first. Then, that 'disabled' person gets to have one other person board with them. Everyone else in the party gets to wait in the line...period.
I'm not sure why Disney CMs would think it's okay to have the ECV person wait in the main line.....I was under the impression they are supposed to board first, by law. But, that could be open to interpretation.

But...I have never understood why the entire group gets to board with them!!! One ECV, one rider, one other person to assist them....all others get in the regular line. Sure do wish Disney would do that. But for some reason, they don't. Must be the whole 'what if we don't get on the same bus???' issue. Dear God....I've had to leave my dh and dd in the waiting line and run back to my room to get something..only to miss the bus. I got on the next one....dh and dd waited a whole 10 mins for me!!!!

 

[magicaldisney]

I agree. Allowing 1 person on with the wheelchair/ECV is a great option and a compromise I think many people waiting in line would be more happy with. I also agree that splitting a party up is sooo not a big deal. I know there are situations that call for that not being a possibility, but for the most part I would bet it wouldn't be a problem.

 

[JKMJ441724]

My mom rented a scooter for one day on our trip in October. Her knees hurt. She doesn't have "problems" they just get sore. She can walk fine, skip fine, dance fine - for a while. She can't walk all over the entire magic kingdom for the entire day.

That said, for several rides the cm's told her that she (we) didn't have to wait in line. But she said thanks, but no thanks. She parked her scooter and stood in line like everyone else.

For me PERSONALLY, I don't see why they would get to line anyway - provided the regular line is wide enough to accommodate their vehicles. I'm sure some of the lines are too small and that would be the reason to let ECVs go to the front.

 

[maxiesmom]

Wheelchair, scooter or able bodied walker......I truly believe everyone should wait the same amount of time for the buses and the rides for that matter. So, for that information alone I'm cheering right along with you.

While waiting an equal amount of time sounds great, it is not that easy to do in reality.

It is almost impossible to guarantee it for the buses, they have so few spots to park a scooter or wheelchair. Far more able bodied people are able to get on a bus than those who need to use an ECV. The only way they could make it truly fair would be if the ECV spots were full and an ECV had to be left behind, no one else could board either.

And as far as the rides go, some rides (small world for example) ECV users have to wait for a specific ride vehicle. So the same thing would apply. The only way to make the wait time truly fair to everyone would be that if the person who was next in line needed an ECV boat and none were available, that everyone else was forced to wait too.

Equal wait times sound great in theory. Getting it to work in reality without horribly inconveniencing everyone is not so easy.

 

[magicaldisney]

While waiting an equal amount of time sounds great, it is not that easy to do in reality.

It is almost impossible to guarantee it for the buses, they have so few spots to park a scooter or wheelchair. Far more able bodied people are able to get on a bus than those who need to use an ECV. The only way they could make it truly fair would be if the ECV spots were full and an ECV had to be left behind, no one else could board either.

And as far as the rides go, some rides (small world for example) ECV users have to wait for a specific ride vehicle. So the same thing would apply. The only way to make the wait time truly fair to everyone would be that if the person who was next in line needed an ECV boat and none were available, that everyone else was forced to wait too.

Equal wait times sound great in theory. Getting it to work in reality without horribly inconveniencing everyone is not so easy.

You are absolutely right. Unfortunately, there is probably not a perfect solution. I just choose to not let it bother me and enjoy every second of every minute of every hour of every day I can spend my time in the warm weather of Florida and the magic of WDW!!

 

[peemagg]

They are now using a new boarding system especially at MK, for the lines for the buses. A person with a wheelchair or ECV is supposed to go thru the regular line until a certain point where the person will be pulled out so that they can be loaded. This might mean waiting for another bus while many behind you in line gets on the bus already there. They are only supposed to allow the person on the scooter or wheelchair plus up to 5 people in their party to board at the back door.

If they have started boarding the bus by the time a person with the ECV or wheelchair gets to the pull off spot, then they are forced to wait for the next bus while any able bodied person behind them gets to board until the bus is full. Is this equal wait times? I don't think so!

 

[pigletto]

I agree with Goofy4tink. It doesn't bother me at all if someone gets on first with their scooter but it annoys the heck out of me when they bring 10 family members with them. One or even two I can see but 10? It's obnoxious and theres no need for it.

 

[stitchlovestink]

I agree. Allowing 1 person on with the wheelchair/ECV is a great option and a compromise I think many people waiting in line would be more happy with. I also agree that splitting a party up is sooo not a big deal. I know there are situations that call for that not being a possibility, but for the most part I would bet it wouldn't be a problem.

I agree... there should be a limit of one adult companion but if they have children they should be allowed to travel with them too. Not everyone is travelling with extended family and have other people to leave their children with in the regular line...

While waiting an equal amount of time sounds great, it is not that easy to do in reality.

It is almost impossible to guarantee it for the buses, they have so few spots to park a scooter or wheelchair. Far more able bodied people are able to get on a bus than those who need to use an ECV. The only way they could make it truly fair would be if the ECV spots were full and an ECV had to be left behind, no one else could board either.

And as far as the rides go, some rides (small world for example) ECV users have to wait for a specific ride vehicle. So the same thing would apply. The only way to make the wait time truly fair to everyone would be that if the person who was next in line needed an ECV boat and none were available, that everyone else was forced to wait too.

Equal wait times sound great in theory. Getting it to work in reality without horribly inconveniencing everyone is not so easy.

And awhile ago when they used to have the WC/ECV users line up at the front because they could only take 2 per bus, this worked pretty well until people abused it by bringing HUGE companion groups on with them. And I Know this is probably going to cause an argument but even if an ECV comes up later, they still should get loaded first. Since still for the most part 'most' of the buses can only take 2 WC/ECVs, you have 3 of them come up a few minutes apart. And they don't let ANY load on the first bus, then the next bus comes along 20 min later that one takes 2, then the next bus comes along and takes the 3rd 20 min later... Really?? What would be the harm in letting them load on the first bus? So you are making the 3rd ECV wait potentially 40+ min for a bus. How is that fair bus service when they say the buses run every 20 minutes. Very few other guests are waiting that length of time are they?? But you'd be surprised how this can happen to an ECV user. Try living the life before you throw stones!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

My DH works in the big city here and takes the train to work. He then walks a few blocks to his office. Along the way he passes a guy on street corner nearly everyday who is in a wheel chair and is pan handling.

Well low and behold my DH is on the train a few weeks ago coming home from work and who does he see? YEP you got it the pan handler and he is standing up riding on the train. No wheel chair in sight. When the train reached the pan handlers stop DH watched as he walked off the train no limp or anything!

 

[cruisingkat]

Some Disney buses can hold 3 - 2 on one side and 1 on the other. I was standing in the line (only person in line) and 3 people in Ecv's came up and were able to ride together.

 

[stitchlovestink]

Some Disney buses can hold 3 - 2 on one side and 1 on the other. I was standing in the line (only person in line) and 3 people in Ecv's came up and were able to ride together.

Yes there are, but there aren't that many of those in the fleet...and then if one is already there and they make the ECVs wait for the next one...well chances are you're not going to get another of that same bus back to back. That would be Awesome though!!!


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[DRDISNEYMD]

~I think it's very wrong to make people who have limited mobility wait in line -- they should be able to go to the front without question. I find it disgusting that someone would use a mobility aid just to get priority access, and I'm even more disgusted that because of this, those who really need the access no longer have it.

 

[MulanMom]

If there were a way to make it more equal, that would be great. My DH uses an ECV. His first time using an ECV in WDW (he was able to walk around previously), a bus pulls up and decides to ignore him. My husband pulled up into the area reserved for ECVs. I went in the regular line because we had to get something done in time over at Epcot. I got on the bus. He didn't. Once the bus starts boarding, how can you possibly inconvenience a bunch of people and have them move while the ECV is boarding? Even though the stickers near those seats state that you must move, it's very rare when that is asked. So, the ECV has to go on first and be secured before anyone else is allowed onto the bus.

As for groups going with an ECV, we are a family with two children. However, one time a family walked in the back door with us, trying to make it seem they were a part of our party. I can't remember if we or the bus driver said anything. Often, we feel so self conscious with getting to board the bus first, that if it becomes standing room only, three out of the four of us offer our seats to others. Generally, we usually take the bus in off times to avoid inconveniencing others.

People sometimes only see where ECV folks benefit. They are off and gone to the park before the ECV is unstrapped and taken off the bus. Or they don't see how long an ECV has to wait for a bus. And not all buses have lifts. There have been many times where the buses assisting at HS did not have lifts.

Not sharing to be argumentative. Just trying to give a different view.

 

[Jenny3]

~I think it's very wrong to make people who have limited mobility wait in line -- they should be able to go to the front without question. I find it disgusting that someone would use a mobility aid just to get priority access, and I'm even more disgusted that because of this, those who really need the access no longer have it.

I totally agree

 

[goofy4tink]

If there were a way to make it more equal, that would be great. My DH uses an ECV. His first time using an ECV in WDW (he was able to walk around previously), a bus pulls up and decides to ignore him. My husband pulled up into the area reserved for ECVs. I went in the regular line because we had to get something done in time over at Epcot. I got on the bus. He didn't. Once the bus starts boarding, how can you possibly inconvenience a bunch of people and have them move while the ECV is boarding? Even though the stickers near those seats state that you must move, it's very rare when that is asked. So, the ECV has to go on first and be secured before anyone else is allowed onto the bus.

As for groups going with an ECV, we are a family with two children. However, one time a family walked in the back door with us, trying to make it seem they were a part of our party. I can't remember if we or the bus driver said anything. Often, we feel so self conscious with getting to board the bus first, that if it becomes standing room only, three out of the four of us offer our seats to others. Generally, we usually take the bus in off times to avoid inconveniencing others.

People sometimes only see where ECV folks benefit. They are off and gone to the park before the ECV is unstrapped and taken off the bus. Or they don't see how long an ECV has to wait for a bus. And not all buses have lifts. There have been many times where the buses assisting at HS did not have lifts.

Not sharing to be argumentative. Just trying to give a different view.

You won't be getting any arguments from me!! I have spent an evening with someone using an ECV...it was eyeopening!!! And this woman really needs her ECV...and she is very good at operating it. So, when she boarded buses, she didn't fiddle fart around...she backed it up, got on the bus, and got off it, into a seat..took about 90 seconds. BUT...there were still those nasty stares. And in the parks??? Dear God! I have a new found respect for those that really need ECVs!! What they go through when dealing with others is boggling.

In any case...if Disney actually followed through and made it mandatory that a waiting ECV was allowed on the bus..and that ECV got to have the immediate family, up to 6, accompany them? And then, the attraction lines all ECV accessible...with a spot at the end for those that need to board with the ECV??? You would find that many people would stop abusing the priviledge!! Yes, there are many guests out there who think they are going to get preferential treatment if they are using an ECV. Equal treatment? Yes, absolutely, but preferential? Nope.

I don't think that families should be split up when riding the bus...but in all reality....if your dad rides up to the bus, as it is arriving, with the whole dang family of 10, why does anyone think that that group should all board before those that have been waiting for over 15/20 mins??? Sure, dad can board, with the ECV, along with one or two family members to assist him. But everyone else should get into the line and wait with the rest of the guests. It is not fair for them to take 14 seats.
As I said...equal treatment is fine, special is not!!!

 

[MinnieMeaghan]

I agree with the majority here. Some people really need the ECV's (my grandmother is one of them), but people who get one to jump the line ruin it for everyone!