Wheel Chair Fraudies

[sames1]

Those of you who have legitimate need for a wheel chair must loth those that use them just so they can be first in line at attractions. I don't know if that really occurs, but it wouldn't surprise me at all.

Has anyone known this to happen? Often times I've suspected people, but in truth it's hard to tell if someone really needs a wheel chair or not.

 

[Biscuitsmom31]

I've seen it. I saw a mother and daughter taking turns riding in the chair and pushing each other. However, we usually have to wait longer for the special wheelchair accessible ride cars so I don't know how it's helping them. Many times we would get fastpasses and go throught the fastpass line only to wait twice as long as everyone else for the the wheelchair car/boat/safari vechicle.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Many of the attractions at Walt Disney World (and Universal Studios) have designed the waiting lines/areas to accommodate wheelchairs, specifically to reduce as much as possible the "head of the line" issue. Let me think... okay, most of the FantasyLand attractions have alternate entrances, Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise, Thunder Mountain, Splash Mountain after a certain point... Pirates is mainstream, but ECV users have to transfer to a wheelchair.
Spaceship Earth, Test Track at times, Living with the Land, Maelstrom to a degree have alternate entrances (don't know about Living Seas, haven't been there for several years)
Tower of Terror may or may not direct you through the regular ine
I think everything else has mainstream queues that fit wheelchairs and ECVs

 

[Ms.Mouse]

I think it's hard to just pick someone out and say they are taking advantage. I have problems with my legs and back (phlebitis and disc problems) (not to mention heel spurs)
When we went in December, by the 4th day, I could hardly walk. My son rented a wheelchair even though I didn't want him to. I ended up walking for awhile and riding for awhile. Just having the wheelchair to hold on to helped a little at times.... I held onto it for some support and my grandson rode while I walked. AT times, I rode and he sat in my lap or walked...
I'm sure some people looked at us as "frauds" BUT maybe they should have been feeling the pain I felt and they wouldn't have been sitting back... OR... walking around and judging me for choosing to alternate walking/riding!!!!!
I only stayed in the chair once for an attraction...Otherwise I did get out and stand in line. That one time is for Fantasmic. I rode to the top of the hill (because I was having sooo much pain walking) and then got out and walked to the seating area.

 

[Michigan]

There is no more front of the line access that went out in 1998. On some rides it takes a lot longer if you are in a wheelchair then if your not. The safari ride is one of those rides once you are to the front of the line then you sit and wait sometimes for an additional hour.

 

[binkyboots]

The safari ride is one of those rides once you are to the front of the line then you sit and wait sometimes for an additional hour.

yup, we were in the crush/holding area for an hour, dh ended up overheating and seizing before we could ride.

 

[SueM in MN]

Even though people sometimes post how they "got to go to the front of all the lines with Grandma just because she was in a wheelchair", that's not how it works. A lot of those are people who were there before 1998, when things were less accessible.

As was already noted, there are a few attractions which have wheelchair entrances - not as a "perk" for wheelchair users, but because the "regular" entrance is not wheelchair accessible. But most attractions are wheelchaer accessible thru the regular standby line.

All of AK and the Studio were built with "Mainstream Lines" (where the line is wheelchair accessible and everyone waits in the regular line). The newer attractions (or newer renovated atractions) at MK and Epcot have Mainstream Lines if it was possible to do so.

Even seeing something that appears to be "obvious abuse" ,like one person in a party riding in a wheelchair or ECV and later someone else using it, can just be 2 people with disabilities who are sharing a wheelchair/ECV because neither one needs it full time. When my youngest DD was little, she sometimes liked to walk behind her wheelchair; holding onto the wheelchair, she was able to walk with just someone standing by behind her. To keep the wheelchair from going too fast, we would have her older sister sit in it. To someone who saw first one girl, then another in the wheelchair, it might look like we were "cheating". After all my oldest DD was just running around a few minutes before and then she was being pushed in a wheelchair.
But, what was really happening was that my youngest DD would get leg cramps if she sat for 12 hours in her wheelchair without getting out. Letting her walk for a bit helped to precent leg cramps (and relieve pressure on her butt). Even though she looked like she was pushing her wheelchair, it was actually holding her up; she could not walk without the wheelchair or someone holding her up.

 

[Biscuitsmom31]

Perhaps I should've mentioned that I KNOW they didn't need the chair because they TOLD me in line. They got it so they could take turns riding when they got tired of walking and because they heard they would get on the rides faster. I would never assume something like that. I have way to many family members with endurance problems who have to rent ECV's at theme parks but are perfectly able to get around in every day life.

 

[Chuck S]

As others have posted, front of the line access is pretty much a thing of the past for those in wheelchairs. Those that rent a manual chair solely for this "perk" will be surprised, and after pushing someoe in their party for an entire day likely won't be too willing to repeat it the next day. Those that may rent ECVs without any experience using them will quickly find they are not as easy to use as they originally believed, they are not cheap to rent, and the ones Disney rents go pretty slow, so there is no real "advantage" to them unless you truly need them for a medical condition.

 

[tarkus]

Even though people sometimes post how they "got to go to the front of all the lines with Grandma just because she was in a wheelchair", that's not how it works. A lot of those are people who were there before 1998, when things were less accessible.

As was already noted, there are a few attractions which have wheelchair entrances - not as a "perk" for wheelchair users, but because the "regular" entrance is not wheelchair accessible. But most attractions are wheelchaer accessible thru the regular standby line.

All of AK and the Studio were built with "Mainstream Lines" (where the line is wheelchair accessible and everyone waits in the regular line). The newer attractions (or newer renovated atractions) at MK and Epcot have Mainstream Lines if it was possible to do so.

Even seeing something that appears to be "obvious abuse" ,like one person in a party riding in a wheelchair or ECV and later someone else using it, can just be 2 people with disabilities who are sharing a wheelchair/ECV because neither one needs it full time. When my youngest DD was little, she sometimes liked to walk behind her wheelchair; holding onto the wheelchair, she was able to walk with just someone standing by behind her. To keep the wheelchair from going too fast, we would have her older sister sit in it. To someone who saw first one girl, then another in the wheelchair, it might look like we were "cheating". After all my oldest DD was just running around a few minutes before and then she was being pushed in a wheelchair.
But, what was really happening was that my youngest DD would get leg cramps if she sat for 12 hours in her wheelchair without getting out. Letting her walk for a bit helped to precent leg cramps (and relieve pressure on her butt). Even though she looked like she was pushing her wheelchair, it was actually holding her up; she could not walk without the wheelchair or someone holding her up.

and that's all that matters. Disney may not determine who may or may not use a chair/ECV.

That's the law. Abuse, sure happens every day but WDW is caught between a rock and a hard place on this ADA issue.

They must allow anyone who claims a disability.

Not an easy position to be in so those who "cheat" by wanting to ride if they can walk, I only have pity for them.

All the best,
Alan

 

[tarkus]

As others have posted, front of the line access is pretty much a thing of the past for those in wheelchairs. Those that rent a manual chair solely for this "perk" will be surprised, and after pushing someoe in their party for an entire day likely won't be too willing to repeat it the next day. Those that may rent ECVs without any experience using them will quickly find they are not as easy to use as they originally believed, they are not cheap to rent, and the ones Disney rents go pretty slow, so there is no real "advantage" to them unless you truly need them for a medical condition.

Well put. What those who don't use a mobility device regularly realize is that it puts you at the mercy of the crowd.

To make it work for you, patience, you now must flow with the crowd not try to "press" your way through it.

Regards,
Alan

 

[dustysky]

Perhaps I should've mentioned that I KNOW they didn't need the chair because they TOLD me in line. They got it so they could take turns riding when they got tired of walking and because they heard they would get on the rides faster. I would never assume something like that. I have way to many family members with endurance problems who have to rent ECV's at theme parks but are perfectly able to get around in every day life.

Ok so what I want to know from everyone is this:
If a person was to get a chair for the simple reason of not being able to walk the whole day with out being in miserable pain BUT they parked the chair and walked the normal lines do you all still feel this is "cheating" ???

 

[loadsapixiedust]

If someone needs or wants to hire a wheelchair or ECV for whatever reason that is fine by me. I don't believe Disney can or should refuse anyone. My only objection to the "cheaters" is that they may prevent someone with a genuine need from being able to hire the equipment they need.
Anyone who is not used to using either of these will soon find out that it is not the most pleasant experience, it costs, it alters your whole perspective of the world around and the way others percieve you and will not put them at any advantage over others in line. I doubt if many "cheaters" will choose to repeat the experience.
I have seen many people who use a wheelchair for a bit and walk for a bit, I do not consider that cheating. DH had to reluctantly use an ECV on our last trip as he was recovering from knee surgery and just could not cover the mileage we did each day. I was already pushing DS in his chair so DH had to drive himself, quite an experience, but he was able to walk onto attractions and attracted a few stares.

 

[dustysky]

I agree that it is not fun in any way and honestly it is a pain in the butt to be with someone in a chair. My family and I went with a friend and her family a few weeks back and she LOOKS fine but she has some sort of arthritise and needed to bring her own ECV with her. It took up SO much of our time between parking it when she able to transfer as well as trying to find it when a ride lets out on the opposite side as it let on.
We also had to move at a slower pace then I personaly like.
So "fun" no way .....

 

[LindsayDunn228]

I agree that it is not fun in any way and honestly it is a pain in the butt to be with someone in a chair. My family and I went with a friend and her family a few weeks back and she LOOKS fine but she has some sort of arthritise and needed to bring her own ECV with her. It took up SO much of our time between parking it when she able to transfer as well as trying to find it when a ride lets out on the opposite side as it let on.
We also had to move at a slower pace then I personaly like.
So "fun" no way .....

Uh, that's nice. I can completely agree it's not a path I would willingly choose for myself, but it would really hurt my feelings, not to mention piss me off, if I had a friend that said such things about traveling to WDW with me.

 

[IAMJESSICARABBIT]

I think it's hard to just pick someone out and say they are taking advantage. I have problems with my legs and back (phlebitis and disc problems) (not to mention heel spurs)
When we went in December, by the 4th day, I could hardly walk. My son rented a wheelchair even though I didn't want him to. I ended up walking for awhile and riding for awhile. Just having the wheelchair to hold on to helped a little at times.... I held onto it for some support and my grandson rode while I walked. AT times, I rode and he sat in my lap or walked...
I'm sure some people looked at us as "frauds" BUT maybe they should have been feeling the pain I felt and they wouldn't have been sitting back... OR... walking around and judging me for choosing to alternate walking/riding!!!!!
I only stayed in the chair once for an attraction...Otherwise I did get out and stand in line. That one time is for Fantasmic. I rode to the top of the hill (because I was having sooo much pain walking) and then got out and walked to the seating area.

Not to be rude but being in a wheelchair is pain enough. I am sorry but you can't blame us for looking at people who are walking around seemingly normal but yet using a whelchair entrance. my ds is 7 has cp and is in a wheelchair and half the time we get looked at as if we are doing something wrong. so if we are on the defensive then oh well, we have a right to be. people who take advantage of something they don't really deserve, and i am not saying that you did but, when it is being abused then it will ruin it for the people that really need it like my ds

 

[Biscuitsmom31]

Ok so what I want to know from everyone is this:
If a person was to get a chair for the simple reason of not being able to walk the whole day with out being in miserable pain BUT they parked the chair and walked the normal lines do you all still feel this is "cheating" ???

No. If a person had issues walking for long distances, then it is entirely up to them whether or not to get an ECV. It's none of my business to judge them either way. My mom is going w/ us in August and she might get an ECV for this very reason. I'm greatful when people who are able to transfer from their chairs or ECV's onto rides do so. That leaves the accessible vehicle open for my DH, who cannot transfer.

 

[Twende]

There are many reasons that people need wheelchairs. No one pushes someone around all day for the "FUN" of it. And they certainly do not do it to get to the front of the line. As others have said, the wheel chair enterances many times have longer waits.

For one of our trips we used a manual wheel chair to help contain someone so they did not wander off and get lost. It was easier for the rest of us and safer for the person and others. Yes, that person could walk but their safety and the safety of others around us, was the reason for the wheel chair.

Try pushing a chair around the parks all week and then see how much fun it actually is!

 

[dustysky]

Uh, that's nice. I can completely agree it's not a path I would willingly choose for myself, but it would really hurt my feelings, not to mention piss me off, if I had a friend that said such things about traveling to WDW with me.

I said nothing bad about her and the fact is there is NO other family I would rather spend my time with. My point was simply that people dont use them for FUN or to get an advantage up on everyone else.

 

[IAMJESSICARABBIT]

no you just said that it was a pian to be with her because it basicly slowed you down. i am sure she is sorry for that.