Warning to golf cart Drivers (and Dogs)

[big kahuna1]

I was at the fort tonight and we were waiting on a bus at the 900 loop. An Outpost bus was stopped and a lady with 2 small kids got off and she asked where the campfire was. After I told her she walked across the street and was almost hit by a man on a personal cart. I guess he decided he was above waiting til the bus left.

Me being me I jump out there and said way to go idiot passing a stopped bus. I got the one finger salute lol. I see this by personal and rental carts often. I can almost guarantee carts (at least personal) are going to be gone in the next year. I may be wrong but it's a free for all with the carts. It's getting to where the carts are making it dangerous to do anything. I love having a cart and I wish people would stop being dumb.

I hope not. It will suck if I have to customize my cart to look like a Disney Rental.

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

if i'm not mistaken once you open a road for public use (right of way) it becomes a public road. When disney built the roads to the parks and hotels they are all under ocso jurisdiction. I would think however they wouldn't come in the fort unless asked to. What this all boils down to is that everybody thinks the rules don't apply to them.

1

 

[we3peas]

We were there this past weekend and just like on Halloween weekend there were CM's at the first 4 way stop on the main road and the last 3 way stop down by the Settlement area.
We actually rented from Kenny because we wanted to see the Christmas displays but not on our bikes even though we were helmets and have front and back lights on our bikes. We were scared for our safety after watching vehicles as well as golf carts ignore basic driving rules. That's why we wanted the cart, so we would have a chance of not being hit.
We were at the 300 loop and the bus was stopped facing us and 2 individuals were getting off and they had scooters. We watched 4 carts and a car go around the bus because they were more important than the rules of waiting until the bus is moving. Both individuals also had to cross the street to the 1400 loop. I'm glad they made it ok. I know the carts behind us didn't like waiting on them but my DH will not break a traffic rule for anyone. I guess that's why he has never been stopped or involved in an accident. Good defensive driving skills on his part.

 

[Tigger1966]

Every other campground we stay at has security to enforce the rules why not Disney. They could give out traffic tickets attached to your campsite or charged to your account for minor infractions.
I would hate to think that they would ban private carts because that would totaly ruin the fort for me and my family.

 

[stacktester]

Every other campground we stay at has security to enforce the rules why not Disney. They could give out traffic tickets attached to your campsite or charged to your account for minor infractions.
I would hate to think that they would ban private carts because that would totaly ruin the fort for me and my family.

It would ruin it for a lot of people. I suggest putting signs on the buses like school buses have but somebody said the buses aren't designated for the fort. i.e a bus that ran at the fort last night might be at the Studios today and not need the sign. I don't know what the hurry could be to risk injuring someone because you can't wait for a minute. I get irritated when they take forever to unload a scooter but I'm not going to drive around a bus and chance running someone over. Bottom line is something needs to be done. Not just about the carts but cars and trucks as well.

 

[Tigger1966]

I totaly agree.
My master plan would be to make it manditory to have the room charge if you are staying at the fort. If you get a ticket for breaking the rules it would automaticly be charged to to you. I don't think it would take big fines to make the point but under age drivers, 15 people on a cart or endangering other guests would cost you $$$

 

[mnsprk]

I suggest putting signs on the buses like school buses have but somebody said the buses aren't designated for the fort. i.e a bus that ran at the fort last night might be at the Studios today and not need the sign. Bottom line is something needs to be done. Not just about the carts but cars and trucks as well.

They could still put a sign on every bus, of the type used in the FT, that says "Illegal to pass while loading or unloading passengers". I don't think any of the Disney buses stop on any multi-lane roads for passengers...

Magicbus, jump in here.......

 

[caveat lector]

I just wish they would enforce the rules on the books. Not just those related to golf carts, but all of them. I'm not going to hijack this thread with particulars, because most know the list.

 

[Tri-circle-D]

They could still put a sign on every bus, of the type used in the FT, that says "Illegal to pass while loading or unloading passengers". I don't think any of the Disney buses stop on any multi-lane roads for passengers...

Magicbus, jump in here.......

Good idea.

But there are already signs posted along the roads at Fort Wilderness that say just that. I am pretty sure that the people on golf carts who pass the buses know very well that they're not supposed to. And the people who let traffic back up behind them heading to the Outpost know they're supposed to pull over for cars and buses too. And the people who let their ten year old drive their golf carts know they shouldn't do that either.

What the scofflaws also know is that Disney isn't going to do a thing about it.

So they will do as they please.

No matter how many signs there are.

I just wish they would enforce the rules on the books. Not just those related to golf carts, but all of them. I'm not going to hijack this thread with particulars, because most know the list.

Agreed.

100%

The rental contracts that guests sign say that carts can be repossessed without compensation in the event of a rule violation. But has that ever happened?

As for private carts, they should require guests to show proof of insurance and check the carts for safety equipment and then issue a conditional golf cart permit. No permit, and the cart is illegal and subject to being impounded. If a private cart owner violates the rules, his permit gets revoked, and the cart impounded until check-out. They could pay for this program by charging for a permit. Like maybe $5 a day. Why not? The private carts take away income from Disney, so why not charge something for a permit, and use those receipts to fund the enforcement program?

No need to recreate the wheel. No need for undercover ninjas. Just enforce the existing rules. Everything would be safer. And the program would pay for itself.

TCD

 

[ftwildernessrick]

I can't see them banning personal carts, because the vast majority of the problems are from the rental fleet. Most people with a personal cart try to take care of them & not abuse them.

When you rent a cart and sign for it, you are given a list of rules and when you bring your own cart in usually somewhere in your paperwork is a list of the rules also. And one of the rules is not to pass a stopped bus - common sense anyway.

People with rentals who break the rules (and I mean a serious violation, endangerment, underage driving, etc.) should have the cart taken away with loss of all remaining rental paid. If it is a personal cart, it should go to personal cart jail for the remainder of your stay. And if a guest raises too much a fuss about this, then they can leave the Fort.

DWI's should be prosecuted just like any other vehicle. A golf cart is not a toy.

 

[Teamubr]

I agree it seems like something needs to be done. We don't have or rent a cart. But we used to go to a lot of races where similar cart problems were rampant. A hand full of years ago, NASCAR cracked down and made all carts get a permit. To get a permit, you had to prove $1 million dollars in liability insurance AND pay a hefty permit fee. Pretty much fixed the problem...

Oh ya, they inforced it. A cart found on property without a permit was confiscated.

Before I get blasted about "I brought my cart, blah, blah, blah". The rules were only inforced on track property. Since I stayed on track property, I don't care what went on at the off site places.

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

TCD, how do you know that you dont need Ninja's when you cant be sure if they are there ? maybe you didnt think you needed one because they are THAT good !

As a private cart owner I would be uber upset if I had to pay for a permit because Disney never enforced their rules. like so many other places in society I end up paying for other peoples lawlessness, I aint havin it at Disney also.

 

[DisCamper]

Donnie: in the early 90’s the entire internal Fort busses fleet had STOP signs that deployed like school busses when they stopped. Those busses were just used for the fort. I bet now with the new system the same busses are never used in the same location Disney just moves busses around as needed.

 

[Specularius]

I could see a program where everyone has to leave a $100 deposit to use their personal cart. If they break the rules, they lose their deposit and have to park the cart. I have been to an RV park where this was instituted and it worked.

 

[BradyBz12]

I just wish they would enforce the rules on the books. Not just those related to golf carts, but all of them. I'm not going to hijack this thread with particulars, because most know the list.

And there's the heart of the matter plain and simple.

We actually got 2 surveys from WDW when we got home - just filled them out this week. In both I noted that the most disappointing thing about our stay at the Fort was the lack of enforcing the rules... and I noted in particular under-aged cart drivers and crazy driving... I gave a couple of specific examples and how it impacted us directly.

Don't know if it will matter even a little.

But then Disney is lousy about enforcing MOST of their rules.

The night of our mini Fiend gathering on the beach there was a family sitting there hanging out with 3 dogs - including 2 dachshunds that barked at everyone that passed by. We also saw a young kid attempting to control a dog on a flexi-leash near the pool one day. The list goes on and on...

Problem is that the people that think "the rules don't apply to me" are more often than not the very people that the rules needed to be made for. Like the people that think their snappy, obnoxious little dogs should be allowed to go everywhere just because they're the size of a football. <sigh>

For sure the only thing consistent about Disney rules is that they do NOT consistently enforce them.

The part that stinks the most is that the minority of people that break the rules, and Disney's refusing to enforce them, will eventually end up ruining everyone else's good time.

 

[mnsprk]

Good idea.

But there are already signs posted along the roads at Fort Wilderness that say just that. I am pretty sure that the people on golf carts who pass the buses know very well that they're not supposed to. And the people who let traffic back up behind them heading to the Outpost know they're supposed to pull over for cars and buses too. And the people who let their ten year old drive their golf carts know they shouldn't do that either.

TCD

TCD, I don't remember seeing any signs that say not to pass busses or to stay to the right with a GC. I know that it is the "rules and regs" sheet but "signs"??. I even mentioned they need signs in one of the surveys I sent back... They might be on the bus shelters but usually the bus blocks that view when it is stopped. I may have missed them but Linda doesn't remember any either.

Part of the problem with what little signage there is, they try to keep the "rustic look" instead of using normal traffic control signs that people are used to. That's coming from a retired "Public Works Director"..me.

Dave

 

[RocklandRVers]

Thank goodness Yuri ignores the signs. WE live for his undercover photos

 

[Tri-circle-D]

TCD, how do you know that you dont need Ninja's when you cant be sure if they are there ? maybe you didnt think you needed one because they are THAT good !

As a private cart owner I would be uber upset if I had to pay for a permit because Disney never enforced their rules. like so many other places in society I end up paying for other peoples lawlessness, I aint havin it at Disney also.

I see your point. I apologize to any Ninjas I may have offended.

TCD, I don't remember seeing any signs that say not to pass busses or to stay to the right with a GC. I know that it is the "rules and regs" sheet but "signs"??. I even mentioned they need signs in one of the surveys I sent back... They might be on the bus shelters but usually the bus blocks that view when it is stopped. I may have missed them but Linda doesn't remember any either.

Part of the problem with what little signage there is, they try to keep the "rustic look" instead of using normal traffic control signs that people are used to. That's coming from a retired "Public Works Director"..me.

Dave

I know for sure there is such a sign on Fort Wilderness Trail, near the 900/1000 loop bus stop. But, it does have the rustic look. And, as you have pointed out, those tend to blend in with the surroundings. I checked my archives, and found this photo from my Thanksgiving trip this year:

Look along the right edge in the center of the photo.

There's your sign!

Thank goodness Yuri ignores the signs. WE live for his undercover photos

Yuri is a special case. And, no worries, he doesn't know how to drive. He rides a burro in his country. Fortunately for us all, he has not yet found a way to sneak his burro into our country when he visits.

TCD

 

[mnsprk]

I see your point. I apologize to any Ninjas I may have offended.



I know for sure there is such a sign on Fort Wilderness Trail, near the 900/1000 loop bus stop. But, it does have the rustic look. And, as you have pointed out, those tend to blend in with the surroundings. I checked my archives, and found this photo from my Thanksgiving trip this year:

Look along the right edge in the center of the photo.

There's your sign!



TCD

I stand corrected..THANKS! But you made my point...Many people don't see them.

And it shouldn't say "Please stop" it should say STOP

 

[Tri-circle-D]

I stand corrected..THANKS! But you made my point...Many people don't see them.

And it shouldn't say "Please stop" it should say STOP

Yes, I agree with your point.

It looks like that sign has been there for a while, but I never noticed it until recently.

It certainly doesn't look important.

TCD