What's the deal with all of the scooters?

[LucyBC80]

I don't care about the scooter entering before all guests. They need the space to maneuver and be correctly and safely stored.

What gets me mad is the need for the whole entourage to follow and basically cut in line of everyone else. One person to help the disabled to disembark is perfectly acceptable, the family of 10 joining the scooter and filling all available seats even if they just arrived at the bus stop? THAT I have a problem with.

 

[BayouMickey]

I don't care about the scooter entering before all guests. They need the space to maneuver and be correctly and safely stored.

What gets me mad is the need for the whole entourage to follow and basically cut in line of everyone else. One person to help the disabled to disembark is perfectly acceptable, the family of 10 joining the scooter and filling all available seats even if they just arrived at the bus stop? THAT I have a problem with.

Let me ask you this, would YOU be ok separating from YOUR group having to wait for another bus that may be 20 min behind? I bet not.

 

[LucyBC80]

So it's ok for everybody else to wait yet another 20 minutes for the bus? OK then.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

So it's ok for everybody else to wait yet another 20 minutes for the bus? OK then.

Yes, it is.

 

[TDC Nala]

There are signs at the bus stops that say up to 6 passengers may board with a scooter/wheelchair.

Do the bus drivers stick to this? Most of the time, no, because they don't want the disabled guests and their parties to be upset.

It's pretty rare that I've seen a disabled passenger with a group of more than 6. It happens but I don't see it much.

I figure if there's room to get the scooter onto the bus, then there is room for most of the guests in line to board after the scooter is loaded - they won't (or shouldn't) make passengers already on the bus get off and stay at the stop waiting for the next bus, so they can load a scooter. So unless a scooter user has a huge entourage, I don't get why one would automatically have to wait for the next bus if a scooter is boarded. Unless it's persons who won't board the bus unless they can have a seat, because you'd likely be standing.

 

[BayouMickey]

So it's ok for everybody else to wait yet another 20 minutes for the bus? OK then.

that's not what I asked you..
Say you are with a group of 8 and the bus driver says I can take 3 but 5 of you have to wait for the next one.. What do you do?

 

[LucyBC80]

Yes, it is.

No it's not. They were already waiting for the bus (let's use the 20 example) and now you're telling me they need to wait yet another 20? 40 minutes because the Johns could not be separated? That's ridiculous.

So if there's yet another scooter waiting and they also have a 10 people entourage you should let the whole line rot away while waiting? SERIOUSLY?

 

[BayouMickey]

No it's not. They were already waiting for the bus (let's use the 20 example) and now you're telling me they need to wait yet another 20? 40 minutes because the Johns could not be separated? That's ridiculous.

So if there's yet another scooter waiting and they also have a 10 people entourage you should let the whole line rot away while waiting? SERIOUSLY?

Same for the scooter people who have to wait 2 or 3 buses because of no room/accessibility. Your 20 minutes easily can be their 60-90 min wait.

 

[PSUGuy]

Let me bore you with a true story that explains why I don't balk at scooter people boarding 'my' bus. A few years back we were staying at Dolphin, before they charged for all parking, so we had a rental. We were preparing to go to Pleasure Island, the AC was our favorite Disney attraction, and at the bus stop a bus pulled up and there was a scooter in line. I said to wifey, 'Let's get the car and drive, it will be quicker.' The Dolphin bus to DTD took a circuitous route, I was confident we'd save a bunch of time. Long story short, parking there was impossible, I drove around the lot for quite a while before giving up and we missed a night at one of our favorite places. Since then, I roll with events, after all, we're at Disney.

Bill From PA

 

[bastos]

If you have problems standing, wait for the next bus. Don't expect someone to get up for you.

I never expect it.

But if you are sitting when someone less able is forced to stand - then you repulse me.

that's not what I asked you..
Say you are with a group of 8 and the bus driver says I can take 3 but 5 of you have to wait for the next one.. What do you do?

You didn't ask me - but I will answer. If that's the rule. That's the rule.

Split up. If you're going to the same park, you can rendezvous there, right?

Let me bore you with a true story that explains why I don't balk at scooter people boarding 'my' bus. A few years back we were staying at Dolphin, before they charged for all parking, so we had a rental. We were preparing to go to Pleasure Island, the AC was our favorite Disney attraction, and at the bus stop a bus pulled up and there was a scooter in line. I said to wifey, 'Let's get the car and drive, it will be quicker.' The Dolphin bus to DTD took a circuitous route, I was confident we'd save a bunch of time. Long story short, parking there was impossible, I drove around the lot for quite a while before giving up and we missed a night at one of our favorite places. Since then, I roll with events, after all, we're at Disney.

Bill From PA

Totally agreed. Our first day at our resort over the summer, we decided to be truly gracious and helpful to everyone we encountered. A person waiting for a bus started shouting at those around her making certain, "I'M GONNA BE ON THIS NEXT BUS TO EPCOT NO MATTER WHAT!"

Thankfully, we were going to the MK - and didn't encounter her anymore. Long story short, our kindness to others paid off multiple occasions. We didn't always have great moments - but we always had great days.

 

[bumbershoot]

So it's ok for everybody else to wait yet another 20 minutes for the bus? OK then.

When living in society, we impact others. If my extended family group of 8 wants to travel together, why shouldn't we be able to do so? If my group of 8 involves someone in a wheelchair, why should it be any different? Maybe someday you'll travel in a large group and might want to stick with your group. If so, think about if you had to split up, just because of the circumstances of someone in the group.

Now in my own particular group, we don't mind splitting up so it would be moot for us (unless it was the first day when we were all excited to see each other again). And with our core family only being 3 people, splitting up wouldn't be an issue.

 

[LucyBC80]

that's not what I asked you..
Say you are with a group of 8 and the bus driver says I can take 3 but 5 of you have to wait for the next one.. What do you do?

I'll wait no problem. And no, I'm not just saying that. I see no problem waiting for the next bus, I've sent family first and waited for the next bus because it was full, we just decide on a place to meet inside the park.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

No it's not. They were already waiting for the bus (let's use the 20 example) and now you're telling me they need to wait yet another 20? 40 minutes because the Johns could not be separated? That's ridiculous.

So if there's yet another scooter waiting and they also have a 10 people entourage you should let the whole line rot away while waiting? SERIOUSLY?

Unfortunately, that's Disney policy. It is not policy to allow 10 extra guests, and I would be hardpressed to find any example of that every happening. And if you are literally going to rot away waiting 10-15 minutes for a bus, you have bigger problems.

 

[Bellamouse]

I've got two things to say....


1. WALL-E

2. Rent a car and you'll never have to wait for a bus again.

That is all.

 

[BayouMickey]

I'll wait no problem. And no, I'm not just saying that. I see no problem waiting for the next bus, I've sent family first and waited for the next bus because it was full, we just decide on a place to meet inside the park.

You didn't ask me - but I will answer. If that's the rule. That's the rule.

Split up. If you're going to the same park, you can rendezvous there, right?

mmmmmmmm hmmmmmm

Most honest answer would be "I'd wait for a bus to accommodate my party." Thing is, people on scooters don't have that luxury.
You wouldn't split your family up..
Say it's two parents with 6 kids all under the age of 13 who goes with the parent on the scooter? The other parent? because that's going to be the only person who could assist the scooter parent. But that leaves 6 under 13 kids to fend for themselves. Come on people use common sense and stop being self absorbing.

 

[bumbershoot]

HOWEVER.... If you see an older person - or a pregnant person - or someone with young kids... and you are sitting down while that person is standing... You, are a mega lowlife.

Stop.

You have NO idea what any person sitting is going through. You have NO idea if they are rude, blind, have balance problems, just had hip surgery, are dealing with an asthma attack and just trying to get back to the room, etc. No have no idea about anything.

And I, when pregnant, HATED sitting. Sitting hurt. Getting down to sit hurt. Getting up from sitting hurt. I liked to stand. If I had known what a Disney fan I would become later on and had gone to Disney, I would NOT have sat down.

On buses I got to deal with people INSISTING I sit down, and being ridiculous when I said "no thank you I prefer to stand". Like people continuing to stand, like I'm a feeble stupid woman who doesn't know what I need/want. Just being ridiculous.

When DS arrived and I wore him everywhere, he HATED being in the sling/Ergo when I was sitting. So much hatred for sitting, LOL. So we stood, again. And again, people wanted to insist that we follow their program, and again did silly things when I refused to sit simply because they wanted to be gallant. Your gallant agenda doesn't change my own wishes and needs.

So one, don't insist on someone sitting just because you THINK they should sit. Live your life, sit in that seat, don't be ridiculous. And two, don't assume from the outside appearances that a person CAN stand to relieve someone else.


ETA: we rent a condo in a building that is mostly very senior citizens. Our next door neighbor is in his late 90s. He is vital and amazing, and I cannot imagine him EVER sitting on a bus. So just because you're elderly doesn't mean you WANT to sit, either.

Whereas my MIL was old before she was 40. By the time I met her (she was just over 60, I believe) she had had two heart attacks. Now she's had at least 2 more and at least 6 "mini" strokes. She LOOKS healthy. She's not. She doesn't look anywhere near 75, either. You might think she's able to stand, but she really should not do so when on a bus.

20 years younger than my neighbor, but a universe of difference in health between them.

I have told this story before, but I am going to tell again. My MIL died at 55y/o 3 years ago. Her dream was to go to WDW with all her Grandkids and have a great time. She saved her Disney Visa $$ and planned away. She had bad knees and opted out of our trips for 2 years till she could get her knee surgery to fix them...she died 24 hours after the surgery. She never got that dream fulfilled. We as a family have went to DL last year and now WDW this year at Thanksgiving(her favorite holiday).

Oh I'm SO sorry. My mom died at 55, too, it's just a brutal age to have moms taken from you. In my case I had just turned 30, my life was finally turning around out of my silly 20s, I was looking forward to the rest, and wham. No mom. Brutal. I'm so sorry.

 

[LucyBC80]

Unfortunately, that's Disney policy. It is not policy to allow 10 extra guests, and I would be hardpressed to find any example of that every happening. And if you are literally going to rot away waiting 10-15 minutes for a bus, you have bigger problems.

There must be a cut off line somewhere. I know not all scooters have that large of party with them but with the amount of scooters now present in the parks it's not hard to imagine a situation of three or even four scooters waiting for the same bus (specially for those resort that share buses). The waiting time can be easily triplified if a scooter plus six family members must be loaded first each and every time. Enforcing policy is a must in these cases.

 

[Missyrose]

There must be a cut off line somewhere. I know not all scooters have that large of party with them but with the amount of scooters now present in the parks it's not hard to imagine a situation of three or even four scooters waiting for the same bus (specially for those resort that share buses). The waiting time can be easily triplified if a scooter plus six family members must be loaded first each and every time. Enforcing policy is a must in these cases.

But only two scooters can ride on that bus. So the other one or two (and their group) have to wait for the next bus anyway.

 

[SashaFarce]

I know it sounds as if I am unsympathetic, but I really am not. It's just when you see these people hopping out of them to go eat or go to the restroom and they look like they don't have a problem in the world, it makes you wonder. I would say 90% of them are overweight and I wonder if they aren't just using them to save their feet some discomfort and not because they have a back injury or some other ailment.

Also, some of them seem to be first-time scooter users because they were running over toes and into the back of people's legs.

Many people at Disney are first time scooter users because we don't use them on a regular basis. I can walk 50 feet to the bathroom. I can't walk 5 miles a day. You can't tell by looking at me that I have a life-threatening illness. You can't tell by looking at my partner that she shredded her hamstring in multiple places three years ago and that it never healed properly. People look at us, and they see overweight. And even if I were JUST an overweight person looking to get through Disney without pain, what's it to you or anyone else?

Quite frankly, as long as I'm not pushing an elderly person off her scooter and speeding through crowds and plowing down folks to avoid security, I don't see how it's anyone's business how I get around the parks.

Furthermore, the only time I've ever had a scooter accident was when someone wasn't paying attention to their child and the child wandered off and ran in front of me. Every single time we're in the parks there are multiple people every day who will brush past us in the parks so quickly that we end up getting elbowed, or people who are so insistent on getting past us that they end up separating me from my partner. There are people who stop in the middle of the walkway unexpectedly, or aren't looking at what's going on around them, or just plain don't care.

Finally, if it bothers you so much to see us trying to enjoy ourselves, feel free to visit any of the multiple vacation points that follow the law to the barest point and aren't so disability friendly.

 

[LucyBC80]

mmmmmmmm hmmmmmm

Most honest answer would be "I'd wait for a bus to accommodate my party." Thing is, people on scooters don't have that luxury.
You wouldn't split your family up..
Say it's two parents with 6 kids all under the age of 13 who goes with the parent on the scooter? The other parent? because that's going to be the only person who could assist the scooter parent. But that leaves 6 under 13 kids to fend for themselves. Come on people use common sense and stop being self absorbing.

Like I said, I've done it before and I've had split up my party just because a bus was full, believe me, don't believe me, I don't really care.