What Is With All The Wheelchairs and Scooters??

[Bete]

There are only two slots per each bus to get a handicap vehicle inside. It's not that bad of a wait, if the driver knows how to secure it properly. I think the fault is sometimes with the bus driver with how slow this procedure is. It seems some drivers can manage this alot better than others and do it fast. Also, there are some buses that are equipped to do this better.

Also, I think there's not too much to worry about at the parks until the handicap vehicles out number the strollers. We have to learn to be at peace with one another.

I want hope that we can at least treat each other better on vacation than off especially during this holiday time and have room in our hearts for all.

Please read the disabilities board and see how much they have to go through to get through a vacation. If a scooter or wheelchair is one way to make their trip a littler easier, then so be it.

I agree with all the other posters that Disney is a very friendly company for the handicap in the parks. Disney has taken a strong position on this; so, I think it's only going to get greater in number for these vehicles in the future.

Peace on Earth! to all!

 

[minnie61650]

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.....
GOD BLESS

The Journey into Imagination ride at Epcot has an acessible car that you can drive a scooter rigrt into without having to transfer out of the scooter into a WC they then rotate the area in the car so the guest is facing forward. There is a seat next to them for one guest and the seat in the front of the car can hold 2 or 3 guests. Does anyone else know of any other rides that will accomate an EVC?
Have fun at Disney with grandbabies!

 

[Claudia Kellenberger]

I just got back home last night. Yes - I also noticed that there were many more scooters. The problem that I found was that so many times I encountered a WHOLE LINE of scooters and strollers going a bit fast. As I had to jump out of the way of one; that put me right in front of another!! Many people tended to walk in a LINE, not two by two. It was hard to get around them all. As I ducked one; another almost mowed me down. THEN it almost looked like I rudely ran in front of the other person.

I am a 52 year old woman, and I vacation solo. This trip, I had a bad foot problem. My right foot was in constant pain. ( I think it is heel spurs )
A few times, I was even crying as I returned to my room. In the back of my mind I kept thinking that if it gets any worse - I can get a skooter. Now that I am home now, I thnk I better make a doctor appointment for this.

All in all, I had agood time.

 

[Madi100]

The Journey into Imagination ride at Epcot has an acessible car that you can drive a scooter rigrt into without having to transfer out of the scooter into a WC they then rotate the area in the car so the guest is facing forward. There is a seat next to them for one guest and the seat in the front of the car can hold 2 or 3 guests. Does anyone else know of any other rides that will accomate an EVC?
Have fun at Disney with grandbabies!

When we went to get on the Winnie The Pooh ride our honey pot was just a big empty pot with no seats. The door was big enough to have a wheelchair. Of course, we didn't get to ride in that one. I don't think that there were spots for other people to sit to ride along.

 

[DisneyMim]

I couldn't ignore this thread. My cousin was in a wheelchair his whole life. Even so, my Aunt and Uncle traveled with him everywhere. In fact my Aunt wrote a book on their travels through the eyes of my cousin. This was years ago. Thank goodness we have advanced and more and more places are handicap-friendly. It's about time. WDW is well known as one of the best places for people in wheelchairs, therefore, people in wheelchairs go to WDW. More places should learn from Disney.

 

[fivefordisney]

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

Well stated!! LOL!

 

[KCMiller]

I just would like to chime in here. I know that there are people who rent ECV's and wheelchairs when they don't need them, but I betcha they don't do it twice. It's a PIA to get around in one of them, and if the able bodied have problems, imagine what it's like to not be able to get around without one at all.

Let's think of it like those health classes, where they make the teens carry around a sack of flour or a doll, pretending that they are a baby. Aversion therapy. Riding around, trying to pretend to be handicapped to get 'ahead' might make those people a little more compassionate, when they realize how hard everyday life would be in a chair.

Turning lemons into lemonade,

KC

 

[Earstou]

Here's a good post to read what it's like to spend some time in a wheelchair at WDW: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=15452&page=1&pp=15

 

[Angelrider]

I am so thankful for WDW on this whole subj! I have Cerebral Palsy and use a power w/c, am married, and have a 3 y.o. and a 19 month old. I wouldn't function well at all w/o my wc (wheelchair). I know it's probably frustrating for you ABs( able bodied) folks at the bit of extra time it takes to get someone who uses a wc on the bus. Wish I could just grow wings.

Truth is, it bugs me sometimes that I can't do ANYTHING as fast as most ppl. (Not all ppl with mobility impairments act like the world owes them something). In my experience, there are VERY few places that allow a w/c user to board a bus with those who can "hop right on," and it is absolutely awesome that Disney makes it possible for me to enjoy the parks and transpo along with everyone else. My daughter is very aware that steps are a hinderance for her Mommie and she will be VERY excited when we are able ride the bus together! (We'll be at WDW in 3 days).

Just some thoughts from another perspective...

 

[noodleknitter]

Isn't it great that Disney has the reputaion of being accessible to as many as possible. Just another reason to love the place!

 

[LoveWDW]

We just got back also, and we also noticed the great number of scooters and wheelchairs. We have nothing against them at all, and we didn't mind the waits for loading and unloading. Since there were so many and also so many strollers, especially double width strollers, we tossed around the idea of having a raised or separated walkway for people with strollers, wheelchairs and scooters. It would seem to be easier for those using the equipment to see and to get around. I was distressed to observe that especially those using wheelchairs and scooters were often unable to see the parades or the street performers because they were in the middle of standing people. I am glad to see that people who need to use the equipment are able to come to WDW and to enjoy it.

 

[88Keys]

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

Thanks for the quote!!!
Unfortunately for me, it was NativeTexan who closed the last thread. Curses! Foiled again!

 

[Talking Hands]

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.

The reason the ECV, w/c and PWD are loaded first is very simple logistics. Once walkers start load on the bus it becomes very difficult for the ECV to be manuvered safely. Remember they get on first but exit last. If you don't want to wait for them I advise driving your own car and then yhou don't have to wait for anyone but your own family

 

[Talking Hands]

When we went to get on the Winnie The Pooh ride our honey pot was just a big empty pot with no seats. The door was big enough to have a wheelchair. Of course, we didn't get to ride in that one. I don't think that there were spots for other people to sit to ride along.

One spot for a rider with the wheelchair guest and it is a tight squeeze. My husband usually lets me ride and waits because it is so tight.

 

[SueM in MN]

The Journey into Imagination ride at Epcot has an acessible car that you can drive a scooter rigrt into without having to transfer out of the scooter into a WC they then rotate the area in the car so the guest is facing forward. There is a seat next to them for one guest and the seat in the front of the car can hold 2 or 3 guests. Does anyone else know of any other rides that will accomate an EVC?
Have fun at Disney with grandbabies!

The Journey into Imagination ride is actually listed as a ride where you can drive a wheelchair into the ride car, without the little symbol that shows a need to transfer from a scooter (ECV) to a wheelchair.
On the park map, the attractions where you can stay in a wheelchair or ecv are marked with a little wheelchair icon. Those where you can stay in a wheelchair, but not an ecv have an icon of a stick figure getting out of the scooter and going to a wheelchair.

There are a number of ride cars that a wheelchair can be loaded into, but other than Illuminations, they include the transfer from the scooter to a wheelchair icon. From our experience, most of them would be too short for an ECV to fit. In fact, some longer wheelchairs may be a tight fit, or not fit at all.
Here's a list of rides (it doesn't include shows, which are accessible to wheelchairs. A few are also accessible to ECVs):
MK
Small World has a ramped boat for wheelchairs.
Winnie the Pooh has a wheelchair accessible car.
Buzz Lightyear has a wheelchair accessible car.
Magic Carpet has a wheelchair accessible car.
Jungle Cruise has an accessible boat (we have not ridden it yet and I am not sure whether or not it will accomidate an ECV).

Epcot
El Rio del Tiempo - the boat ride in Mexico has a wheelchair accessible ramped boat.
Ellen's Energy Adventure has a spot at the back of the ride cars that is wheelchair accessible.
Living with the Land has a wheelchair accessible ramped boat.
Imagination has an accessible car that according to the map is ECV accessible.

AK
Kilimanjaro Safari has a wheelchair accessible car.
Wildlife Express Train is listed as accessible to both ECVs and wheelchairs.
TriceraTop Spin has a wheelchair accessible car.

Studio
Backlot Tour Tram is wheelchair accessible.
Great Movie Ride has a wheelchair accessible spot in the back row of the tram. Some longer wheelchairs do not fit.

 

[PrincessKitty1]

There are an amazing number of wheelchairs and scooters at WDW! It fascinates me to go to a place where you see people from all over the world, of all ethnicities, of all ages, and with all degrees of physical abilities. It's a Whole New World , and I love it!

 

[DisneyPhD]

I haven't wittnessed any increase in scooter use in my past trips. I will be taking another trip to WDW in a few weeks after Christmas so I might have more info on that later.

However, I wonder if the recent trend that people are noticing has anything to do with the time of year. The beatiful Christmas decorations and the special events can be enjoyed by people of all ages and familes. This time of year is also considered a low time to go, less crowds and I would think many people who could bennifit from a ECV would also not want to be there during peak times, or very hot times and rainy times for that mater.

This might just be a very popular time for people who can bennifit from ECV or normally use a whellechair and they planned it that way. I have heard that great minds think a like.

 

[jann1033]

i'm not trying to cause problems and have mobility problems myself but i do think it would be helpful if those with groups of chairs/scooters to maybe just meet up in the park( or where ever they are going) instead of trying to ride together on the buses...our last trip it took us over an hr waiting on the bus...maybe the driver was new since some have posted wcs are suppposed to be loaded first. in this case he loaded some on the bus then loaded 2 guests in chairs and thier families which for some reason took forever, much longer than it normally does and then called for another bus and loaded the other 2, holding us in the first bus for the second to load. the group was a few families traveling together ( think it was 3 families, 1 with 2 wcs, 2 with 1 each) and it took us over an hr just to get out of the resort parking lot after we got on the bus. it seems there should be a better way to do this or maybe have a wc bus they could call for groups with numerous wcs? it just seemed kind of unfair to tie up 2 bus loads of guests (espec. in the evening, kids are tired and so are parents)for that long for a few people, wcs or not.

 

[HugsForEeyore]

Whether people need scooters or not, I am really wondering how Disney Buses are going to keep up. Already it's to the point where almost every bus (especially at values/mods) are loading two scooters/wheelchairs at the main stops, and often there are plenty more scooters waiting! The time it takes to get anywhere has increased considerably. And the number of scooters will only increase and increase, as the general population as a whole becomes less mobile (due mainly to an aging population or weight-related mobility issues). But I guess that's just the way it's going to be, as there does not seem to be any way to speed up the process of loading the scooters safely.

I went to WDW with my friend four years ago who is severely disabled (ataxia) and uses a power wheelchair, and we usually were the only ones using the handicapped spots on the bus. Things have really changed.

 

[Madi100]

Whether people need scooters or not, I am really wondering how Disney Buses are going to keep up. Already it's to the point where almost every bus (especially at values/mods) are loading two scooters/wheelchairs at the main stops, and often there are plenty more scooters waiting! The time it takes to get anywhere has increased considerably. And the number of scooters will only increase and increase, as the general population as a whole becomes less mobile (due mainly to an aging population or weight-related mobility issues). But I guess that's just the way it's going to be, as there does not seem to be any way to speed up the process of loading the scooters safely.

I went to WDW with my friend four years ago who is severely disabled (ataxia) and uses a power wheelchair, and we usually were the only ones using the handicapped spots on the bus. Things have really changed.

I agree with it becoming a problem. And, as to what another poster said, I know that there can be a wait for the wc/scooters also. Like I said before, at one time there were four people in wc/scooters that wanted to get on the bus. Two got on the bus, the second one didn't have a clue how to drive her scooter, which is understandable because a lot of people only use them because they are at the parks. The other two people had to wait. A second bus pulled up and didn't load any of the wheelchairs. The line area was completely full, so they needed to get people out of there. So, two of those people with wheelchairs had to wait.

I saw a lot of people load their wheelchairs on the bus and then get on the bus. I wonder if Disney would put the rentals for wheelchairs at the bus stops if that would help some of the problem. It can be quite a walk from the bus stop to the front gate.

I think that it is great that Disney is so accommodating, and again I don't have a problem with any of the wheelchairs or scooters, just was curious as to why there were so many.