The BAD About Our Recent Trip...

[jarrdisney]

I know just how you feel. Try doing WDW after 5 heart attacks in a wheelchair when nobody thinks there is a thing wrong with you. They look at you and make comments like you are this filthy lazy pig who is getting pushed around cuz I'm so lazy. I've survived cancer, hep C, and heart disease so far, so I've had thirty heart surgeries that cost over 2 million dollars to keep me alive. They can all bite me, those negative people who don't know what I've been through. Most people are good and kind and I appreciate their help getting into restrooms and the like. But some people are just mean spirited. Don't let them get you down LindsayDunn228 because they aren't worth the dirt under you wheels. I'm not trying to be nasty here on the DIS, where good people hand out. Its just that not everyone who goes to WDW is a decent person. Don't let that bother you. Even the parks, who are alive I believe, reject them. But you're not. Embrace the goodness that is there for you. Focus on the many good people who go there. Not the ones whom the Parks are rejecting. PM me if you want further info.

You got me right. I have a problem with ALL people that use wheelchairs/etc in Disney. I was simply pointing out those that use them uneccesarily should be shunned. Note the CAPS in my post about uneccesary use. In fact, those that are stricken to a wheelchair or another device, should be upset that these people are taking advantage of the system. If you honestly feel that people have a problem with you because you've had several heart attacks or lost an apendage, then you have NO faith in humanity. I have more than several family members that would need a wheelchair in disney. They are more than in need of it, as are you. Those that are not in need not only affect the enjoyment of others, but slap you in the face by taking advantage of it.

 

[Simba22]

And the busses for POR- good grief- they ALWAYS had the largest lines at the parks. They need to have one for each PO resort instead of sharing.

We stayed at ASMo and of the 4 value resorts, this is the most popular. But what killed me is that for every one ASMo bus that came, 3 buses came for ASMu and Sports. We were shocked that these buses, who were all going to SAME COMPLEX would stop at the Sports stop, pick up the 4 or 5 people waiting and then leave without offering to take some of the ASMo people! We would wait 3 or 4 buses before finally getting on one and then we would STILL be stuck standing....which, let's face it, EVERYONE wants to sit after spending all day at the parks.

 

[maddhatir]

We stayed at ASMo and of the 4 value resorts, this is the most popular. But what killed me is that for every one ASMo bus that came, 3 buses came for ASMu and Sports. We were shocked that these buses, who were all going to SAME COMPLEX would stop at the Sports stop, pick up the 4 or 5 people waiting and then leave without offering to take some of the ASMo people! We would wait 3 or 4 buses before finally getting on one and then we would STILL be stuck standing....which, let's face it, EVERYONE wants to sit after spending all day at the parks.

OMG! we stayed at the ASMo in december and the bus lines were crazy! i have NEVER seen the lines like this. the other 2 resort buses would come and go and we would still be standing there. people were starting to get pretty nasty- i have never seen anyone act like that over buses!

HEY Simba22 !? WERE YOU THERE IN DEC???

 

[fan_of_small_world]

While I completely agree that there are people out there who abuse renting wheelchairs, I wanted to make a comment about the families you may see "switching off" and/or kids yelling "it's my turn."

Two people in my family, were they to come with us on our trip, would not make it around Disney without using a wheelchair much of the time. However, they ARE able to walk about some of the time, and when they do I could see them letting one of my kids "take a ride" in it while DH or I push them. And yes, I can totally see my kids jumping up and down going "I'm next! I'm next!" LOL. (Since this is exactly what happened at IKEA last week when my mom used a wheelchair but wanted to walk around in the marketplace area )

So, maybe not everyone you see doing this is abusing the system. (Just some of 'em!) Just my $.02!

 

[exwdwcm]

I am so glad we ALWAYS rent a car. it is just easier not having to deal with buses. whether i get there faster or not, i don't have to wait forever at least

I have seen the abuse of wheelchairs and it pissed me off. we've used them before- my sister had ACL surgery right before we went unexpectedly, so she had to use one. We were pretty careful about 'driving' though and not hitting people. sometimes accidents happen though- people stop right in front of you unexpectedly and nothing can be done. (that is my pet peeve!- if you gotta stop, move to the side- this is for everyone!)

We did however, see a group of teens getting on it's a small world years ago. one girl was in the wheelchair. nothing was visibly wrong with any of them, but as we all know, assumptions get you in trouble. i always assume someone using a chair needs it, and maybe it isn't visible, but it isn't for me to judge. so i thought nothing of it. as we are getting closer in line, these kid ride (they got to go in through the exit with no wait since they had the WC). next we see them exiting after the ride. a totally differnt kid gets in the chair this time. at this point i realize that most likely none of them are hurt, or if one is, and it is something not visible, they are at the very least taking turns in the chair. they were laughing the whole time taking turns switching. i watched them go to the next ride and yet another (3rd) teen is in the chair upon exit. that made me sick.

 

[BamaFan121s]

Since I am the one that mentioned seeing the families swapping out, I wil respond to you. Yes, I understand there are exceptions...there are exceptions to EVERYTHING in life. Likewise, I understand that situation was an exception. I can't speak for everyone I and I know that I am not one to judge anyone, but for ME, it is just human nature if I see something like I decsribed (with an adult and 3 teenagers in the situation I witnessed) to question it somewhat and think of it as immoral.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

I am lucky I don't need a wheelchair, but the current systems does seem inefficient. I'm sure most people aren't annoyed with the person who needs the wheelchair, just the current system. It often takes more than 5 minutes to load one. Especially if the bus driver has trouble getting the ramp down properly. I'm thinking maybe they could add vans for those in wheelchairs at certain locations- if the sytem was good enough, it would mean less wait time for those in wheelchairs, and be less embarrassing. Maybe they could even have a system where you could call ahead from your hotel room - like they do with taxis, but maybe it would cost too much.

For the most part, I think the bus system is fine the way it is and I don't think they should add a short bus for wheelchair transport.

ETA: *bold emphasis mine* Why should I be embarassed? Are YOU embarassed getting onto the bus??

 

[maddhatir]

OT- sorry! but i have things in my brain that need to get out!

on our 1989 trip to disney with my family i had to be in a wheelchair.....i had JUST gotten out of the hospital after a week LONG stay getting my (almost) burst appendix out, intravenous antibiotics blah blah......

i left the hospital one day and was on the plane the next to disney- my dr told me i had to use a wheelchair to get around. for me i was soooo embarrased because people would just STARE at you--right at you!, it was horrible. i would get to go to the front of all the lines because i was in a wheelchair- but i would hop right out and get on the ride......my mother told me to "at least" look like you might be in a bit of pain so people dont think you are faking!

i didnt care- it was more embarrasing to have people stare at me, i just wanted to GET OUT!

 

[jeck4]

We too had some BAD experiences on our recent trip. The buses were HORRIBLE. Some of the CM (bus drivers) were downright rude, and lied! We waited at the TTC for a bus for AK for over 45 minutes. The bus driver told us there was no way we waited that long, that he was there just 20 minutes before.....he lied. There were 9 of us in our group and there must have been 30 other people that waited too.

We waited for over 40 minutes for another bus (from the Polynesian).

I don't feel the staff/service was up to Disney's usual standards. Wait times posted were inaccurate.

However, we took a tour "Keys to the Kingdom" and we thoroughly enjoyed it! Our tour guide was fantastic. (I'm really bad at names and wish I could remember it because she was what you would expect from a Disney CM!)

Also, we did the dining plan which was well worth the money! However, due to crowd sizes, getting reservations (we don't like to preplan because it ties us down) was difficult.

The parks were crowded with AK being the worst. I have never experienced a park that crowded and don't want to again.

All in all, I will look forward to my next trip to WDW. When? I wish I knew! Perhaps again next year! I missed Pirates opening!

 

[JRawkSteady]

Everything was amazing this year except for a number of CMs at AK.

 

[jarrdisney]

Everything was amazing this year except for a number of CMs at AK.

I concur!

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Basically, yes. I feel empathy for everyone - those who are physically disabled, and everyone else. I even feel some empathy for the impatient. I'm very self-conscious when boarding any public transportation or line to move quickly. I feel uncomfortable when I can't get my bag in the over head compartment, or the grocery store clerk has to check a price (that infernal blinking light), and I'm slowing others down. Embarrass, perhaps has connotations that I did not intend, but discomfort also has multiple meanings, some of which don't fit.

I have family members who suffer from panic attacks when they are in situations they can't control - esp. their ability to leave. I have one family member who can't sit through a sit-down meal. She is not inclined to be rude, but the situation makes her physically ill unless she can walk around in the middle of the meal. So yeah, I'm sympathetic to her condition when I'm at WDW. She can't help her condition. Sometimes, we have to leave a park because the confinement is too much for her, but I still love her and love going to WDW with her.

 

[Dizneyfan4life]

You shouldn't be so hard on him... what with having his weakness for young girls and cigars and all. Plus that shrew he's married to. I feel his pain. I'm glad my DW isn't a castrator like his!

I know what you mean...He's as dumb as a Texas cactus and with those alcoholic daughters of his and a senile vice president, you have to feel sorry for the guy...Actually his wife seems kind of nice..she definitely makes a better first lady than his troll looking mother.

 

[Darian]

I know what you mean...He's as dumb as a Texas cactus and with those alcoholic daughters of his and a senile vice president, you have to feel sorry for the guy...Actually his wife seems kind of nice..she definitely makes a better first lady than his troll looking mother.

Oh Dizneyfan4life You're killin' me! I surrender!

 

[BamaFan121s]

I know what you mean...He's as dumb as a Texas cactus and with those alcoholic daughters of his and a senile vice president, you have to feel sorry for the guy...Actually his wife seems kind of nice..she definitely makes a better first lady than his troll looking mother.

Wow, so that was what you used your first post for huh?

 

[88Keys]

Wow, so that was what you used your first post for huh?

Why not? It was funny!! Although I would not call the vice-president senile...everyone know that the Prince of Darkness has full use of his facilities.

(or is that Rove?)

Just Kidding!!!!!!!! I am an equal-time kidder -- if there can be Clinton jokes on this thread, then there can be ones about the current administration.

 

[BamaFan121s]

Why not? It was funny!! Although I would not call the vice-president senile...everyone know that the Prince of Darkness has full use of his facilities.

(or is that Rove?)

Just Kidding!!!!!!!! I am an equal-time kidder -- if there can be Clinton jokes on this thread, then there can be ones about the current administration.

Your probably right..I'm probably over sensitive...but I actually voted FOR him and still stand by that decision and still support him...it's just irritating to see him dragged through the mud every time you turn around....but all in fun I suppose! Sorry for the sarcasm.

 

[Simba22]

OMG! we stayed at the ASMo in december and the bus lines were crazy! i have NEVER seen the lines like this. the other 2 resort buses would come and go and we would still be standing there. people were starting to get pretty nasty- i have never seen anyone act like that over buses!

HEY Simba22 !? WERE YOU THERE IN DEC???

No we were there in May and it was JUST AS BAD as what you were describing. People were actually sending their kids running ahead to get in line and then when the rest of the family caught up they would cut everyone else! For BUSES! I only saw that once on an actual park ride and it was the rollercoaster simulator in DTD. Can you believe that? Cutting in line to get on a bus. People were complaining that it was taking too long to load disabled people into the bus and being loud and MEAN about it...The 4 of us in my group just sat down on the sidewalk and talked amongst ourselves. I felt like telling these people there's no use getting yourself all upset and angry over something you have no control over. we're all tired, we all want to get back to the hotel, just calm down! Of course I wouldn't put it past some of those people to just haul off and smack me if I were say something! I never understood how people can be in the greatest place in the world and still be so downright grumpy

 

[maddhatir]

I'm very self-conscious when boarding any public transportation or line to move quickly. I feel uncomfortable when I can't get my bag in the over head compartment, or the grocery store clerk has to check a price (that infernal blinking light), and I'm slowing others down. Embarrass, perhaps has connotations that I did not intend, but discomfort also has multiple meanings, some of which don't fit.

hmmm- my "doctor" calls this anxiety and put me on meds for this!
you think i should get a 2nd opinion!?

 

[maddhatir]

The 4 of us in my group just sat down on the sidewalk and talked amongst ourselves. I felt like telling these people there's no use getting yourself all upset and angry over something you have no control over. we're all tired, we all want to get back to the hotel, just calm down! Of course I wouldn't put it past some of those people to just haul off and smack me if I were say something! I never understood how people can be in the greatest place in the world and still be so downright grumpy

my poor DH was just chillin on the bus stop bench with our sleeping 4yr old niece-- but i have to say i met 2 great girls in line and we were jokin around (mostly at the impatient freaks) that kept us entertained for a while!

hey! an hour in a disney bus line is better than an hour at work anytime!