vent about WDW bus passengers

[honugirl]

Well this inquiring mind has a question
In Disney it is obviously that empty buses can load the scooters first.
As this seems to be a law in Florida how is this working on the regular bus lines?

Suppose a bus is almost fully loaded and half way the route is a ECV waiting.Does everyone has to leave the bus and than the EVC gets on board?
The EVC takes three places ,the scooter owner has three people accompanier him so six people that were already boarded have to wait for the next bus or is the EVC the "looser" in this case?
And before you shoot me down I really have no idea. In my country no public buses can't load a wheelchair or an EVC.
Handicapped persons get private payed transportation from door to door.

If you are talking the in "real world", no, people don't get off the bus. They are just shifted to another area of the bus while the wheelchair or ECV loads. Normally there are sections on the bus that are designated for Handicap persons and anyone sitting in them runs the risk of having to get up if a wheelchair or ECV boards. I used a wheelchair after my ankle surgery and in my town, wheelchair/ECV users have the choice of the handi access van or the regular bus. Whatever works better for them.

One other thing, I used to carry this flag, the flag that read......ECV riders and their family of #XXX. In all of my time of irrational, ignorant, single-mindeness frustration with ECV riders I cannot ever remember a time where an ECV rider had with them more than, say? 4, maybe 5 but NEVER ever was it more than 5.

I frequently perpetuated this wife's tale/urban legend of bands of 20-40 family members and their rouge ECV rider, I cannot even keep my family of 4 on the same page let alone for my very extended family of 20. I'm not even certain I want to go to Disney and expect 20 family members to be on the same page let alone being at a bus stop at XXXX time........

please, everyone do yourselves a favor, before posting, do what myself and our family did, down load your digital photos and video onto your computer and watch your hopefully able-bodied children, healthy families run around, wided eyed at parades and fireworks. Then ask yourselves, is it really worth it to post online your frustration with loading an EVC before YOUR family. If you still feel the desire to post....then you have greater a disability then the ECV riders you complain about.

Thank you Scuba!

 

[scuba]

Well this inquiring mind has a question
In Disney it is obviously that empty buses can load the scooters first.
As this seems to be a law in Florida how is this working on the regular bus lines?

Suppose a bus is almost fully loaded and half way the route is a ECV waiting.Does everyone has to leave the bus and than the EVC gets on board?
The EVC takes three places ,the scooter owner has three people accompanier him so six people that were already boarded have to wait for the next bus or is the EVC the "looser" in this case?
And before you shoot me down I really have no idea. In my country no public buses can't load a wheelchair or an EVC.
Handicapped persons get private payed transportation from door to door.

I can speak to this first hand, my family was asked to stand after we we sitting. We were sitting in seats that were RESERVED for ECV riders, I knew this and I also knew that there was 1 stop, and the possibility that an ECV rider could board. In this instance it was the Law. I was more than frustrated THEN. Not at all now. We got off at the next stop, I felt it was unsafe. We waited maybe 10 minutes for the next bus and in that 10 minutes I took a picture of my Wife and 2 Daughters that is now enlarged and has it's rightful place on the wall in our family room.

I would recommend and encourage from now on for families with young children like ours to rent a car, not because of my ridiculous ex-frustration with ECVs but rather my families need for increased support equipment, strollers, diaper bags...etc. Once our Daughters get older, Then we will return to the Disney buses, Hopefully I will find them with views that would encourage empathy and compassion, willing to give up seats. Thankfully Our Daughters are young enough NOT to remember the childish behavior I demonstrated after being asked to vacate the reserved seats on the bus.

 

[Indiana Rose Lee]

I can speak to this first hand, my family was asked to stand after we we sitting. We were sitting in seats that were RESERVED for ECV riders, I knew this and I also knew that there was 1 stop, and the possibility that an ECV rider could board. In this instance it was the Law. I was more than frustrated THEN. Not at all now. We got off at the next stop, I felt it was unsafe. We waited maybe 10 minutes for the next bus and in that 10 minutes I took a picture of my Wife and 2 Daughters that is now enlarged and has it's rightful place on the wall in our family room.

I would recommend and encourage from now on for families with young children like ours to rent a car, not because of my ridiculous ex-frustration with ECVs but rather my families need for increased support equipment, strollers, diaper bags...etc. Once our Daughters get older, Then we will return to the Disney buses, Hopefully I will find them with views that would encourage empathy and compassion, willing to give up seats. Thankfully Our Daughters are young enough NOT to remember the childish behavior I demonstrated after being asked to vacate the reserved seats on the bus.

scuba, you have an awesome story to share. Thanks. Your girls will remember what you have taught, and share your empathy.

 

[scuba]

scuba, you have an awesome story to share. Thanks. Your girls will remember what you have taught, and share your empathy.

I hope so, I didn't feel the same way just a few weeks ago. Actually alot of the folks on THIS board was the catalyst for a change. I was one of the folks that would complain about the ECV riders, couldn't get over the fact that for some reason "I" was being treated unfairly for getting on the bus after a ECV.

Darn thing is, I'm saddened, even more than saddened the fact that instead of stealing a glance at the Ciderellas castle one last time, or looking down at my sleeping children in their strollers cuddled up with a princess doll or watching them recreate their visit with Tinkerbell, I instead was complaining about how "I" was being treated unfairly..........there isn't a word to describe how pathetic that was.

We never know when our time here is over, who would want to go out knowing they could have looked upon their childrens eyes, but instead made a concious decision to have negative thoughts......I will tell you this though, the last week, at nearly the eve of Our oldest 4 year old birthday, a 2x4 has hit me squarely in the back of the head.......I have alot of you here to thank for swinging that 2x4, and maybe someone upstairs.

 

[JUJU814]

I hope so, I didn't feel the same way just a few weeks ago. Actually alot of the folks on THIS board was the catalyst for a change. I was one of the folks that would complain about the ECV riders, couldn't get over the fact that for some reason "I" was being treated unfairly for getting on the bus after a ECV.

Darn thing is, I'm saddened, even more than saddened the fact that instead of stealing a glance at the Ciderellas castle one last time, or looking down at my sleeping children in their strollers cuddled up with a princess doll or watching them recreate their visit with Tinkerbell, I instead was complaining about how "I" was being treated unfairly..........there isn't a word to describe how pathetic that was.

We never know when our time here is over, who would want to go out knowing they could have looked upon their childrens eyes, but instead made a concious decision to have negative thoughts......I will tell you this though, the last week, at nearly the eve of Our oldest 4 year old birthday, a 2x4 has hit me squarely in the back of the head.......I have alot of you here to thank for swinging that 2x4, and maybe someone upstairs.

Ok..I have chills now. Thanks so much for sharing this! I NEEDED to read this!! (prepping for our next WDW trip and I want to forget ME and focus on dd and look at it all through her eyes)

I confess right now, I'm NERVOUS about the crowds, lines, this and that. This morning, little dd, 6, just said "MOMMY!!!!! Guess what!!! We can pick up Micky's off the ground again!!!" Ugh..was my first thought..thinking back to the confetti with all the germs and hoping she had forgotten it.

Then, I stopped..slapped myself in the head and said Julie, THAT is how you can look at it through her eyes. SHE won't care about the crowds, lines, germy confetti. Stop and pick up the darn mickeys with her, get over yourself..and don't worry about the buses, crowds etc.

Ok so I need to go now and get a tissue to wipe my little tears...

 

[crashbb]

I hope so, I didn't feel the same way just a few weeks ago. Actually alot of the folks on THIS board was the catalyst for a change. I was one of the folks that would complain about the ECV riders, couldn't get over the fact that for some reason "I" was being treated unfairly for getting on the bus after a ECV.

Darn thing is, I'm saddened, even more than saddened the fact that instead of stealing a glance at the Ciderellas castle one last time, or looking down at my sleeping children in their strollers cuddled up with a princess doll or watching them recreate their visit with Tinkerbell, I instead was complaining about how "I" was being treated unfairly..........there isn't a word to describe how pathetic that was.

We never know when our time here is over, who would want to go out knowing they could have looked upon their childrens eyes, but instead made a concious decision to have negative thoughts......I will tell you this though, the last week, at nearly the eve of Our oldest 4 year old birthday, a 2x4 has hit me squarely in the back of the head.......I have alot of you here to thank for swinging that 2x4, and maybe someone upstairs.

Your kids are seriously lucky to have you as a dad (I*think* you're a dad and not a mum - sorry if I'm wrong).

We are all guilty of focusing on things, when we should be looking at something else. Worrying about what you did in the past isn't worth it - it sounds like you will be making great memories in the future.

 

[DisneyNut4Life]

Most people using ECVs would give anything to be standing in the line with everyone else for several reasons.

Have you ever priced the rentals of ECVs or even the purchase price on them?
It is a HUGE added expense $50.00 a day for 10 days is $500...Doesn't seem very logical that they rent them just to save 20 mins of time for standing in line to load the bus now does it???

They are hard to manuver thru the parks, people walk right out in front of you without regards to their safety or anyone elses. I had a man SCREAM at me after he RAN in front of me and his sandel got caught on the ECV?? How exactly was that my fault??

The ECVs do not have brakes, you can't just stop them, even if you are going on the lowest setting, you have constantly be looking for those around you. You have those that just stop in front of you, little children lost in the magic of disney and not really thinking of anything except what they are doing next, the idiots that think they should run to jump across the path so they don't have to wait an extra 2 seconds for us to pass them. I try very hard to be considerate to those around me, but it can be very stressful trying to manuever them around in a crowded park.

Seating at most resturant is very difficult, think of how you have to squeeze by some areas...those in wheelchairs and ECV's have to be very careful because there is not that much room and it is tight. No one wants to run over anyone's toes or get stuck in an area that you can't turn around in.
Forget about getting in line and getting your own food, balancing your tray thru those lines it is just Not happening....

I would give anything to be able to walk around the park all day and be able to stand in line for the bus and not have to depend on the ECV to get me from point A to point B. I would love to keep that $500.00 in my pocket. But because of health issues that is not possible,so my only choice is to enjoy what I can. I refuse to not live my life because a few people stare and those that wonder if I am "Abusing" the ECV rentals...

 

[scuba]

Ok..I have chills now. Thanks so much for sharing this! I NEEDED to read this!! (prepping for our next WDW trip and I want to forget ME and focus on dd and look at it all through her eyes)

I confess right now, I'm NERVOUS about the crowds, lines, this and that. This morning, little dd, 6, just said "MOMMY!!!!! Guess what!!! We can pick up Micky's off the ground again!!!" Ugh..was my first thought..thinking back to the confetti with all the germs and hoping she had forgotten it.

Then, I stopped..slapped myself in the head and said Julie, THAT is how you can look at it through her eyes. SHE won't care about the crowds, lines, germy confetti. Stop and pick up the darn mickeys with her, get over yourself..and don't worry about the buses, crowds etc.

Ok so I need to go now and get a tissue to wipe my little tears...

I have recently learned alot from my children, I'm the teacher and the parent for gosh sakes.

Most recently I learned from my 4 year old a lesson about views concerning race and heritage. I confess I would notice African-American children wearing Ariel costumes, or Asian Children wearing Snow White. I always felt it looked off. After the release of Princess and the Frog My 4 year old Daughter lives for Princess Tiana, Her birthday is this 24th of Febeuary and we have a Tiana cake and Balloons ordered, Tiana wrapping paper and too many Tiana birthday presents to count. Never ONCE have I heard her comment on the color of her skin, Oh I've heard her say she likes the blue dress over the Green one, She has commented on her princess tiara but NEVER,EVER the color of her skin.......From the mouths of babes, sometimes I think we might be better off having kids run evertything

 

[honugirl]

I just dont see anywhere in here where I said it was ok for my family to get on the bus and not others on scooters. A scooter or chair is fine but the rest of the family waits and dont cut in line like most do that I see. 1 scooter, 1 person goes with them the rest wait just like the rest of us. Doesn't seem like its to hard to understand. I will gladly wait for a handicap person or give my seat up for someone that needs it more then me. I do give it up for a young kid just because its safer for them to sit then stand. Older man, kid or any women I will always give up my seat. I do have sympathy for anyone who HAS to use a scooter. But when im there with handicaped people from my family I NEVER cut in line just because my family is with them. Dad needs a scooter when he goes from bad knees doing concrete work for 50 years. So Mom takes him and we wait our turn. They can look in shops till we get there. But I WILL NOT use him to get my family on the bus faster.

OK. I don't use my ECV to get anyone else on the bus either. Normally I'm by myself or travel with 1 other companion.

 

[crisi]

If you cab to MK, where do they drop you off? actuall MK or TTC? If it's actually MK, I'll totally do that!!!

I like the idea of monorail to Epcot and walk through Epcot to get to the resort.

TTC if you ask to get dropped off at the MK - Contemporary is a short walk, though.

 

[scuba]

I think with this issue and others that spark such a debate, it would be alittle easier to overlook things like ECVs if one realizes that typically NO ONE visiting Disney that day is trying to ruin YOUR vacation.

I realized that most recently, for every ECV or stroller that ran into my heels, I have run in front of as many ECVs unannounced and I have run over just as many heels with our Daughter's stroller.

As it is NOW, Disney has made a commitment to provided the Disney experience to everyone. Disney policy appears to be to load the ECVs first, I used to have a problems with that however in order to provided said experience to ECV riders, they load them first. I would hope that folks finding this frustrating would realize that they are far closer to being toleratant of this practice because I don't see Disney changing the policy any time soon. I happen to believe after my change of heart that there is no real soution to getting so many guest to the parks...Disney has the transportation right.

For Augar, I applaud you families actions by sending ECVs ahead of you, and the rest waits in line, if you feel this is the right moral and ethical solution than kudos for doing what YOU feel is right. I however would find it less enjoyable if my ECV family member were to get to a park ahead of me and look through shops if you will. Not really a family vacation if the ECV rider waits 15-20 minutes alone until the next bus arrives.

 

[Jgetterman]

I tend to give up my seat, however, having a medical condition, there are just some times where I need to sit and cool down. You wouldn't be able to tell I have a medical condition from looking at me, so please be considerate of others. If you feel your kid needs to sit because they are having an "issue" and get annoyed that another kid/teen isn't giving up their seat, maybe they are having an "issue" like your child. Also... If a pregnant lady can walk around WDW all day, then why can't she stand on a bus?

 

[maxiesmom]

For Augar, I applaud you families actions by sending ECVs ahead of you, and the rest waits in line, if you feel this is the right moral and ethical solution than kudos for doing what YOU feel is right. I however would find it less enjoyable if my ECV family member were to get to a park ahead of me and look through shops if you will. Not really a family vacation if the ECV rider waits 15-20 minutes alone until the next bus arrives.

And luckily Disney agrees with you scuba. They don't see the need to inflict further discomfort on the people in ECVs by making them divide up their family to use transportation.

Seperate your family if that is what makes you feel better. But realize that you are not earning any brownie points for it. Nor does it make you morally superiour to those who choose to spend their whole vacation, including travel time, with their whole family.

 

[scuba]

I think that I have identified the problem...maybe. In a post, last line "I will not use him to get my family on the bus faster.

Problem here with this is as of yet I have NEVER heard a ECV rider and or their family wave bye bye to other guests waiting in line, I never have heard them yelling NANY-NANY-BOO-BOO we got on the bus before you. I used to think folks in ECVs got extra treatment. I'm willing to bet that NO ONE who rides in a ECV thinks they have an advantage on anyone. This is the way Disney does it, load the buses, and no matter how frustrated someone gets this is the Proper way of allowing disabled visitors to experience the parks....sorry, it's just the way it is.

Again when one frees their minds from thinking everyone is out to ruin your vacation then you will be better off.

 

[JEWLSVERN]

Sometimes the logistics of the party with the ECV aren't really reasonable to just have one person load with them while the rest wait in line. We are going on our first trip next week. My mom is disabled and will be in an ECV. The others in our party are DH, me, DD2, and DS7months. So if one person, say DH and the stroller loads with the ECV, then I am left struggling with 2 little ones on my own. If I load with mom and even one baby then DH is left behind to struggle with a double stroller and a 2 yr old. I can't send just DD2 with grandma because grandma can't drive the ECV and help her. It just isn't always possible to load just one guest with the ECV.

My plan, if needed, is to have DD2 sit on grandmas lap while I have DS7months in the Ergo and DH will deal with the stroller. I understand the frustration of waiting in line only to be bumped, but we can load our entire party and only take up 2-3 seats (3 in DH sits). It is the same amount of seats that would be taken had the ECV driver and 1 person loaded.

I just dont see anywhere in here where I said it was ok for my family to get on the bus and not others on scooters. A scooter or chair is fine but the rest of the family waits and dont cut in line like most do that I see. 1 scooter, 1 person goes with them the rest wait just like the rest of us. Doesn't seem like its to hard to understand. I will gladly wait for a handicap person or give my seat up for someone that needs it more then me. I do give it up for a young kid just because its safer for them to sit then stand. Older man, kid or any women I will always give up my seat. I do have sympathy for anyone who HAS to use a scooter. But when im there with handicaped people from my family I NEVER cut in line just because my family is with them. Dad needs a scooter when he goes from bad knees doing concrete work for 50 years. So Mom takes him and we wait our turn. They can look in shops till we get there. But I WILL NOT use him to get my family on the bus faster.

Quoting what I wrote a few days ago. Just because it works for your family to just send one person with the ECV user doesn't mean it works for every family. Sending my mom on ahead with one family member would not work for my family and cause huge inconveniences. My mom will help us with our littles ones so it is necessary that we all load with her.

 

[scuba]

Here is just another example, Keep in mind just weeks ago I felt inconvinenced by ECVs....no more

February 8th, happened to be my 41st birthday I might add. Animal Kingdom. I walked by a broke down ECV with it's rider and family standing around. Vacation halted, child family members of the ECV rider sitting around. Family members on the phone to God only knows what company they rented from, and I have the gull to be frustrated that Disney loads the bus with ECVs first? What self entitlement cruise did I just get off of

here's another, after one re-lives certain experiences they have had with another mindset, you remember other things. I happen now to remember of more times with ECV riders behaving better than their able-bodied counterparts. ECV riders usually don't take the right away, they usually yeild, unlike another poster posted. I'm certain ECV riders are aware the injuries that can occur if they strike a walker therefore I have by far seen them yeild more then they offensively operate their ECVs. I have watch ECV riders yeild for minutes at certain busy walkways at Disney and would not be that surprised to find out that they are still there. Thankfully someone allowed them through, just weeks ago that person would not have been me that let them through............no problems now

 

[cm8]

We learn every day.
I'll give you an example of how rude people can be.
We always fly XXL seats. The cost 150 Euro pp. extra but for us it is worth the money.
Last May we were seated and a dad came over and demanded that we give up out seats so his children could play on the flour in front of them.
We said no of course and then he started shouting at the stewardess. She told him that these seats were more expensive and that children are even not allowed to sit there because these are emergency exit seats.

After a half hour of shouting and fighting he returned to his seats and while passing us he shouted: "old people should not be allowed to fly".

 

[seashoreCM]

Another way of summarizing it:

Every usable wheelchair slot on every bus must be used for that purpose if at all possible --- for fear that down the road (no pun intended) there may be many more wheelchair users than available slots and/or unusable slots due to such problems as broken lifts.

 

[mom2maggie]

Also... If a pregnant lady can walk around WDW all day, then why can't she stand on a bus?

I can answer this one. I went to Disney last year at 20 weeks pregnant. I walked the parks at my own pace, and did great! The busses, though, are unpredictable, and when you are pregnant, your balance is already compromised. It was difficult for me to maintain my balance standing, especially when the busses turned corners.

 

[bgohre]

I love predictability, that is why I always love these types of thread. No matter what, they always end up in the same place.