Transportation vent

[colonialtinker]

Okay maybe its me but I have been here for 3 days and I'm really getting frustrated with the bus service and scooter riders family and friends. Can someone tell me why the whole family is allowed to get on with the scooter rider? While those of us who have been waiting for the bus must wait for all of their group to get on and seated before we are allowed on. Why aren't the additional scooter family members told that they have to stand in line like the rest of us. Yesterday I waited for the next bus since I didn't want to stand, of course Newton's Law catches up with me, the next bus has 3 scooter/wheelchair riders, 2 of which came tearing down the sidewalk when they saw their bus was in, running over anyone who got in their way. All 3 where placed on the bus along with their family members (a total between the 3 families of 23 people) taking most available seats forcing others who had been waiting with our family to either stand or wait for another bus. By far this has been the worse abuse I have seen at WDW in a long time! Luckily we have a vehicle with us and will be driving anywhere from now on but I really think this issue needs to be addressed by the transportation department. Thanks for letting me vent, DH is hoping this gets it out of my system!

 

[realfam]

hhhmmm scooters!!!
Not a good topic with me......I have found them to be a real pain in the you know what. Way too many people are renting them in WDW now. My feelings are if you have trouble with mobility and getting around WDW you should use a wheel chair. Too many people are operating these things who can't drive them. My wife was run into by one in the bus while the unloaded the scooter. Our baby stroller has been hit by them and people are becoming very pushy in them. I wish they had scooter only transportation. There are too many small children walking around the parks to have these thing scoooting around.

Okay maybe its me but I have been here for 3 days and I'm really getting frustrated with the bus service and scooter riders family and friends. Can someone tell me why the whole family is allowed to get on with the scooter rider? While those of us who have been waiting for the bus must wait for all of their group to get on and seated before we are allowed on. Why aren't the additional scooter family members told that they have to stand in line like the rest of us. Yesterday I waited for the next bus since I didn't want to stand, of course Newton's Law catches up with me, the next bus has 3 scooter/wheelchair riders, 2 of which came tearing down the sidewalk when they saw their bus was in, running over anyone who got in their way. All 3 where placed on the bus along with their family members (a total between the 3 families of 23 people) taking most available seats forcing others who had been waiting with our family to either stand or wait for another bus. By far this has been the worse abuse I have seen at WDW in a long time! Luckily we have a vehicle with us and will be driving anywhere from now on but I really think this issue needs to be addressed by the transportation department. Thanks for letting me vent, DH is hoping this gets it out of my system!

 

[hellerjw]

I couldn't agree with you more. I've often felt the very same way about the scooter + whole family/group/3rd cousin twice removed thing.

At most there should be a scooter rider + 2 limit when pre-boarding. There should be no reason why the scooter rider and 2 of their family members/group can't handle the loading/unloading on the main buses. Each scooter they bring onboard already removes 3 seats when they have to make room for them by folding up a seat section, so the scooter + 2 limit would be in line with the space those 3 folks normally take up anyway. Any additional group members should be forced to wait in line like the rest of us.

 

[PalVal]

I have a friend who is handicapped and uses a scooter. Once she is safely loaded onto the bus, I always board the bus with everyone else. I don't think people are allowed to board from the back where the scooter boards. I agree with you regarding all of those people pre-boarding. How do we stop this practice?

It also drives me nuts when I see that scooters are used by people who are not handicapped - just to lazy to walk. I've seen family members switch off so they can all use the scooter.

There should be at least one person allowed to pre-board to help with the handicapped if needed however.

 

[GoofItUp]

I have 2 predictions:

1. This thread will be moved to the transportation board.

2. There will be some scooter-riders who fly in here and turn this into a HOT thread.

I think there's validity to both sides of the argument-to-come. There are many people who are considerate with their scooters. There are also people who have decided that they have enough troubles in their life because of their "disability" (in quotes because, as a PP said, not all scooter riders are disabled) and deserve a "front-of-the-line" pass on whatever they want to do at Disney.

So, I'll sit back and see if my predictions are accurate. Meanwhile, OP, I think the use of your car might be a good idea. Take it all in stride and be glad you're at WDW! (Hey, I'm about to go do dishes!)

 

[vicki_c]

Per threads on the Transportation board, there is a limit to how many people can board with a scooter rider - I think it might be four. But if the bus drivers don't enforce it, there's not much you can do.

 

[CarolAnnC]

First of all, as having had several family members (including myself) who have required a wheelchair or ECV's at one time or another, I can tell you that disabilities are not always visible to the eye. Please do not judge anyone without knowing their personal medical history. I can vouch for the fact that it is FAR more enjoyable to be able bodied and touring the parks on your own two feet.

Secondly, this thread is totally off topic and not DVC specific at all. Therefore, this thread is being closed. Thank you.