What Is With All The Wheelchairs and Scooters??

[Madi100]

We just returned from our 4th trip, and I couldn't believe the amount of wheelchairs and scooters that were used. There were more times that our bus had to load a wheelchair than it didn't. One night at MK there were 4 of them. I've never noticed it being that bad before. We didn't have any problem with them in the parks at all. I'm not saying anything negative about the people in them, just that there were so many. We were in Epcot one night and in one of the countries there were scooters lined up like you see strollers lined up. I think it was in Germany. I don't think I ever encountered a person who pushed their way through with a wheelchair or scooter, but the buses did get frustrating. We were talking with another couple in the line for the bus, and she said she'd never seen it this bad either.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

Oh My, here we go again, please take a look at this closed thread!!!


Scooter thread

 

[salmoneous]

For those who don't want to read through the full 15 pages of this, here was 88key's Summary:

Ahh -- the scooter debate

Step 1 --- some one posts that scooters are a nusiance
Step 2 --- folks indignantly state that poster should be grateful they are not handicapped
Step 3--- other folks defend poster by saying that many using the scooters don't seem to need it
Step 4--- anecdotes abound of folks who don't seem to need it but do
Step 5--- misquotes and overly-broad statements are made in which those against the scooters are heartless and don't want people with handicaps to be in the park and those for the scooters support people running rampant around the park and running over little boys and girls.
Step 6 --- Snacky Stack closes the thread

Repeat every 3 months

 

[TammyJ]

For those who don't want to read through the full 15 pages of this, here was 88key's Summary:

Ahh -- the scooter debate

Step 1 --- some one posts that scooters are a nusiance
Step 2 --- folks indignantly state that poster should be grateful they are not handicapped
Step 3--- other folks defend poster by saying that many using the scooters don't seem to need it
Step 4--- anecdotes abound of folks who don't seem to need it but do
Step 5--- misquotes and overly-broad statements are made in which those against the scooters are heartless and don't want people with handicaps to be in the park and those for the scooters support people running rampant around the park and running over little boys and girls.
Step 6 --- Snacky Stack closes the thread

Repeat every 3 months

Repeat every three months??? More like three weeks.

 

[Eljay]

Can I just say that WDW is one of the few handicapped friendly places on earth & thank heaven for it. Get used to it.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

Its called wonderful medical advances and an aging population!

 

[joanchris]

I agree with the ohter posters, that we don't need to go and get all worked up over the op's post.
I also agree that WDW is very "user friendly" to those with disabilities.

We were there with our DD10 (wheelchair user) in October, luckily we were able to stat at the Contemporary and use the monorail much of the time.

However, even for us, using the busses was a pain, we disliked the time WE consumed getting the wheelchair in and out, and that others had to wait for us.

 

[jann1033]

Repeat every three months??? More like three weeks.

nope 3 days! ( my new smilie,,, poor "innocent" being chased by "vicious" ecv, ohhh the humanity )

 

[BonnieA]

To the OP, I just returned today from my trip to WDW. We too noticed a big jump in scooters and w/c's. Just an observation.

 

[minnie61650]

We just returned from our 4th trip, and I couldn't believe the amount of wheelchairs and scooters that were used. There were more times that our bus had to load a wheelchair than it didn't. One night at MK there were 4 of them. I've never noticed it being that bad before. We didn't have any problem with them in the parks at all. I'm not saying anything negative about the people in them, just that there were so many. We were in Epcot one night and in one of the countries there were scooters lined up like you see strollers lined up. I think it was in Germany. I don't think I ever encountered a person who pushed their way through with a wheelchair or scooter, but the buses did get frustrating. We were talking with another couple in the line for the bus, and she said she'd never seen it this bad either.

Disney has become well known as a very "friendly" place for the disabled. They have one of the best transportation systems equipped to transport a WC/EVC.
So word has gotten out that the disabled can enjoy and get around the parks..
If it were not for the EVC and accessible transportation I would no longer be able to go the parks with my family. I would be stuck at the resort while my family enjoyed the parks. When my grandson was born almost 4 years ago I was able bodied and I told my Daughter we would take them to WDW when Alex was 3. I dreamed of holding my grandson's hand and standing in line waiting for him to meet Mickey for the first time. Then I became disabled and thought that dream would not come true. But because of the availably of the EVC we were able to visit the parks and I got to see my grandson meet Mickey for the first time this past October! It was not quite as I pictured it but we were there as a family and had a wonderful time.
I am glad you and your family enjoyed your trip!

 

[profdsny]

Okay, I don't mind the scooters or the wheelchairs. I'm glad that those who need them have the option of using them, and that they are available for them. HOWEVER, I with that those with the scooters would learn how to drive them, and more importantly, stop them, and that they wouldn't treat it like an attraction and let their six year old sit on their lap and attempt to steer them. End of statement.

 

[SueM in MN]

and more importantly, stop them, and that they wouldn't treat it like an attraction and let their six year old sit on their lap and attempt to steer them. End of statement.

I would like to point out that ECVs (scooters) don't have brakes that you can apply like a car brake. They go when the throttle is activated and they stop when the driver lets go of the throttle. They don't stop on a dime.

People who own an ECV can let their child ride on their lap (although it is unsafe). The park ones and the rentals from off-site medical companies are to be ridden by only the driver - no passengers. WDW CMs have posted on the Dis Boards that they have confiscated park scooters from people who are allowing children to ride with them.

And, there is probably not much to say that wasn't said in 15 pages of the other thread.

 

[Madi100]

I knew when I posted my original thread that it might bring up some debate or saying that I was bashing people in wheelchairs. That is soooo not what I am doing. I am simply making an observation. There were A LOT more wheelchairs and scooters this time then I have ever seen anywhere in my life. I am not arguing whether or not they need them. I also don't think they are a problem. I just can't believe how many of them there were. I do think Disney needs to work on effeciently getting wheelchairs onto buses, though. I feel bad for the people who have to "drive" them into the buses with all of the people watching, and I was not always happy when I waited in line for 20 minutes for a bus and someone in a wheelchair went to the front of the line with their ten family members, and then I had to wait on them. I realize that there are people who in everyday life they don't require a wheelchair or scooter, but while in Disney they do because of the walking. I was just curious as to why. If someone would have told me it was National Wheelchair Week at WDW and the headquarters were at POR it would have explained a lot.

 

[Madi100]

Oh My, here we go again, please take a look at this closed thread!!!


Scooter thread

I'm not arguing about the scooters or wheelchairs. I'm just simply pointing out how many there were. It was an observation. I think it is great that Disney is a great place for everyone to visit including disabled people. I didn't encounter anyone who needed to learn how to drive them better on the streets. I didn't pay attention to anyone carrying passengers. I don't care if there was a guy who was 30 years old who drove his scooter up to the rope drop and then ran to be the first person on Space Mountain. I was just curious as to why there are so many. Since I'm not disabled I don't notice that Disney is any more friendly than other places as far as being accommodating for disabled people. I've never visited in December before, so I thought maybe that was a month that more elderly people visit and therefore more scooters and wheelchairs are a given. 4 wheelchairs/scooters waiting for one bus for the same resort and a certain time during the day seemed like quite a few. If this thread becomes a debate, I'll be the first to quit reading it.

 

[disney kid at heart]

I'm usually a lurker, and I hope I am doing this right, but I had to give my penny's worth on the scooter thing. I have had my scooter for 5yrs now and it is the only way I can go places with my DH and grandbabies. I would do just about anything to be able to ride a ride at Disney World but I go to see the smiles on eveyone elses face. It is sad that some people do use them just because, but I also got the looks when I was there in June. Ten yrs ago I walked so fast noone could keep up with me. I see these commercials about the scooters and I have to laugh when I see people being able to put them together from their cars and just take off. I have to have someone put it together because I am unable to put it together. I just wanted to say I can see both sides, but next time (seriously) be glad you can walk and ride the rides because we never know when the day will come that we can't. Hope this is how u reply! I'm not good at this. I just love the Magic I feel most of the time I'm lurking and enjoying pictures and reports. GOD BLESS

 

[Beca]

This is kind of OT, but we just returned as well, and noticed a lot more scooters (I can't say anything about the wheelchairs...didn't notice). I do think it is an aging population, and a disabled community that is not afraid to go places and do things....which, I think we all will agree is a good thing!

For me, 99% of the scooter drivers were courteous and I did not have any problems. But, I am one of those "Bad" stroller drivers that seems to hit people a lot at WDW (Let me just apologize to everyone I might have ever hit!!). I'm not sure why I do this...maybe it is how much closer people walk in front of me. I try to leave space, but it's like leaving a car length in front of you...someone's always going to pull in. Or, maybe I just get distracted. But, try as I might I did hit a couple of people with my stroller last week...it seems to be inevitable. I hate it!! But, my goodness....I have had that stroller for two years and I STILL have problems driving it. I really try to cut those stroller drivers some slack.

However, due to having a small child (and paranoia about car seats), we have not taken a WDW bus for about 4 years...so, I cannot speak on the scooter/bus situation.

I just try to be really happy when I am there, and not let things get to me.



Beca

 

[Hugpug]

This is one reason why I am renting a car on property until Disney can fine a solution to this problem. Waiting 20 to 30 min. at every bus stop is not acceptable when your time is limited for what we have to pay to stay at a Disney Resort. I know someday I will be forced to use a EVC as time goes on as I am sometimes already using a cane. I only hope that day never comes and I thank God every day that I can still walk.

 

[Pats Dragon]

I can sympathize with those in line for buses and then watching the dreaded scooter arrive. Here's a solution. We too wanted to be first in line and then raced around the parks to avoid lines etc. One day we were first in line at the train station and a cm said "how is it going". I truthfully answered that we were very tired. He wryly replied "yes, it is tough running around having fun." I think we should all just relax, listen to the park music and enjoy each minute that we are alive and really at the mk.

 

[minnie61650]

I..... I feel bad for the people who have to "drive" them into the buses with all of the people watching, and I was not always happy when I waited in line for 20 minutes for a bus and someone in a wheelchair went to the front of the line with their ten family members, and then I had to wait on them. If someone would have told me it was National Wheelchair Week at WDW and the headquarters were at POR it would have explained a lot.

Maybe there was a group of disabled friends who decided to plan a trip together at POR.
The bus driver has to load a WC/EVC user before he is allowed to let other passengers onto the bus for safety reasons. Also the WC/EVC must wait where the bus driver can see them so there is another queue where the back door of the bus would be when the bus pulls in. Each bus can only handle 2 WC/Evc's at a time so if there are more than two waiting in line the others must wait for another bus. I don't know Disney's bus policy since only my DH boards the bus with me and the rest of my family always waited in the standby line but Disney has a policy that when a WC/EVC is pulled from a mainstream line to board a ride in accessible area they may take include up to 5 family members. If there are more than 5 family members the rest will have to stay in the standby line. BTW even though it may LOOK like we are getting cuts our wait is usually just as long if not longer then those in a stand by line. Also remember that the WC/EVC person may be the first on the bus but they are the last to leave the bus.

 

[bjakmom]

I noticed more ECVs last weekend also and I also noticed more extended families (grparents with kids and grkids) with those in the chairs - and many older couples together with one of them in a chair (we kept commenting on these lovely couples- they warmed our hearts) - all enjoying the holiday experience. I wonder if this time of year attracts more elderly (and younger handicapped) people in need of chairs who want to enjoy a holiday with their families - it is such a 'family' time of year! The weather is also cooler, crowds are lower, threat of hurricanes is over (most years!) and it rains less in general. My heart went out to those in ECVs and wheel chairs during the Osborne lights - they were absolutely gridlocked into the shoulder to shoulder crowds trying to walk the streets last Sat night.

I have been taking my kids, my little nephew and now my DGrD to WDW for almost 30 years and the one thing they have all promised me in return is that someone will always take me (in a wheelchair if necessary) at least once a year when the time comes that I can't take them any longer - so I try to stay patient and thankful when waiting for someone in an ECV (took one woman 8 tries to get the scooter up the ramp) to get on the bus knowing that one day it might be me! I hope Disney stays focussed on being so handicapped accessible for a very long time!