Scooter Vent About This Page:

[CinderAbby]

I am not trying to argue with you,CinderAbbey, especially since you have dealt with this issue and I am new but I was looking over the list from Disney because of my post about stairs and they list several attractions they say you can go in with the scooter. So it seems tney need to change their list if there are only two attractions you are allowed to go on with scooters/chairs.

Pretty Kitty - There's a difference between IN and ON - almost all lines are wheelchair/ECV accessible so you'll be able to get in the lines with the scooter you're renting. Getting on the ride is completely different - there are only 2 rides that I have seen a scooter ON - the Jungle Cruise and the Backlot tour. There are several rides where you can remain on a wheelchair (and I've only seen manual wheelchairs on them) - Jungle Cruise, Small World, Toy Story Mania, Backlot Tour, Kilimanjaro Safari - but the majority of the rides require you to be able to get in and out under your own power (hence all the info I gave you in your other post) but with few exceptions (Pooh is the only one I can think of) you can take your scooter in the line until it's time to get on the ride

[dolphin041599]

I don't understand the Photopass photographers at all. That doesn't make sense to me.

Are people really renting them for convenience? It will force the parks to really crack down on how the rules surrounding their usage.

I try to be understanding and teach my daughter that we must allow those individuals who need assistance to go first, however sometimes after waiting for 2 or 3 busses, I'll admit, I'm tired and really also want to get on a bus, sit down and get back to the resort. Mostly that doesn't happen, but it did happen once or twice on our last trip. It isn't usually due to the individuals with scooters/wheelchairs, but because of the rest of the rude people who push past, ignoring not only the scooters/wheelchairs, but also the people who were there waiting first.

[Pretty Kitty]

Another one of these moments for me !!!! I realized when I went back and read another post just what you were saying!!! I realized that what I was thinking of was the shows you could go into . I am sorry to have confused the issue. As I said, I know you have more experience than I do. Count it to being a Nervous Nellie!!! I just hate the idea of drawing attention to myself or someone saying something to embarrass or feel like I am upsetting someone. So once again, I am sorry I didn't think clearly enough before I posted the first time.

[CinderAbby]

I try to be understanding and teach my daughter that we must allow those individuals who need assistance to go first, however sometimes after waiting for 2 or 3 busses, I'll admit, I'm tired and really also want to get on a bus, sit down and get back to the resort.

Just one of the many reasons I prefer to have my own transportation at Disney. We don't get dirty looks from those waiting for a bus (not saying you give dirty looks) and people waiting for the bus don't have to wait for Lenny to get on with a scooter.

[Dave Marx]

Is it likely that there are people renting scooters for "convenience?" Sure. The "C" in ECV does stand for "convenience."

There are undoubtedly folks who, though perfectly able to walk all day, would rather ride and can afford the rental. Is it widespread? Probably not as much as it may sometimes appear.

There are many "invisible" reasons to use an ECV. Bad knees, heart conditions, physical weakness... If a member of the family isn't able to keep up with everyone else during long days in the park, are they required to return to the resort to rest, or can they rent an ECV and share more of the family's fun?

Do we see more and more ECVs in the parks? Of course. People who wouldn't vacation anywhere else because of mobility challenges know that Disney has a uniquely welcoming environment, and knowledge of this fact continues to spread. A place where the whole family can do things together. Uncle Bob doesn't have to stay home.

As to the shortage of rides that can accommodate ECVs? There's a long list of reasons why an ECV could be inappropriate for reasons of safety, especially the inability to safely secure the vehicle and rider, the weight limits of the ride system, headroom... While there are probably more rides that could be adapted for ECV use than exist today, and more that will be built in the future that will be designed from the ground up with this in mind, there will always be cases where the only safe way to ride is to be in a regular seat in the ride vehicle, using the approved restraint system, and other cases where something the size and weight of a wheelchair can be handled, but a large ECV cannot.

The park guide maps all indicate whether a rider has to transfer from ECV to wheelchair, and whether they have to transfer from the ECV/wheelchair to ride. The signs at the head of every queue also carry that information, alongside the health warnings and age/height restrictions. Every guidebook worth its salt carries this info, as does any good web site on the subject. While folks will make their way through a queue only to be "surprised," it's not due to lack of available information.

And, can Disney make rules to crack down on inappropriate use of ECVs? Not without impinging on the rights of people who have legitimate need. We all have a right to keep medical information private, and woe unto Disney if they deny the use of an accessibility accommodation to someone who legitimately needs it.

[mechurchlady]

Some lines are a transfer to a scooter. This is because the lines are too narrow for the jumbo scooters and because some guests cannot drive a scooter. At Laugh Factory there was a lady who did not drive a car so the scooter was freaking her out. I had to park her scooter wth her in it then get her out of the spot when the show is done.

It is not an insult to have to transfer to a wheelchair. Coordinators and managers are working on ways for people to avoid using the wheelchair in line when the guest is a single rider. There are also some guests who cannot do the wheelchair because the rest of the party cannot push them. At pirates they let me waddle backstage so that I board immediately. At Pooh they let me use the fastpass line. There are options but only through management.

RUDE
I ahve to call the public bus company due to a rude bus driver. Sometimes guests misunderstand that the bus drivers have a set way of doing things so they do not get injured. They have no way of knowing if someone is a pro like me or a clutz like me. They have to keep on schedule and get people safely in place. Sometimes they get pushed so hard by so many people that they get testy. Contact the bus company, in your case Disney.

I have never had a photopass person deny me or friends a photo if we are in a chair or scooter. Next time ask for a supervisor.

[JanetCatherineB]

Originally Posted by Pretty Kitty

I am not saying this to make any one feel bad but just to express my own nervousness at being a first time scooter user at WDW, this story doesn't build my confidence any. I know you can get bad service and grouchy/grumpy people at any time but at that it sounds like it wasn't pleasent at all. I am so sorry to hear about it.
I am not trying to argue with you,CinderAbbey, especially since you have dealt with this issue and I am new but I was looking over the list from Disney because of my post about stairs and they list several attractions they say you can go in with the scooter. So it seems tney need to change their list if there are only two attractions you are allowed to go on with scooters/chairs.
It really is disturbing to hear of these cases especially when it is a first time for using them. Oh well, I guess I will just go with the flow when we get there.

There were NO attractions (rides) that you my mother could go on and stay IN the scooter. Once we rented her the electric chair, she was able to get on several attractions (rides) that were wheelchair accessible. Guest relations informed me that they recently changed the policy to only allow "wheelchairs" and NO ECV's on attractions (rides).

[TuffyCO]

I'm sorry you had such a difficult time. My mom has used a scooter on every trip and although we have had the standard problems of getting separated and people cutting her off, we have never had rude CM's. She does have to transfer for most rides, but she was able to drive the scooter into most shows.

As for the photopass photographer's that is very odd to me. Here is a picture why it's odd to me:


I broke my toe on the 2nd day of our 10 day trip and my DH had to push me in a wheelchair. We couldn't fit two ECV's in the rental vehicle, so I couldn't get an ECV. For the most part we did get out of the ECV and wheelchair for pics, but only because we wanted to. When we stayed in none of the photographers had a problem taking our pictures in the wheelchair or ECV.

I would sent a complaint letter expressing your problems.

[CinderAbby]

Guest relations informed me that they recently changed the policy to only allow "wheelchairs" and NO ECV's on attractions (rides).

I would say that's a standard response to avoid confrontation. We've been going since 2006 with my husband using a scooter and last year was the first time that we actually saw a scooter allowed on a ride other than the Backlot Tour (it was Jungle Cruise and on BLT it was our scooter that was allowed on). Believe me, in all those years we went if there had been rides Lenny's scooter was allowed onto, he would have been using it more then just one time on the BLT.

[Eeyore Tattoo]

I want to add that buses can carry 2 ECV's & that I have waited as bus after bus passed me by because they were full. I think ECV users can have much longer waits to get on a bus than able-bodied folks.
As for photopass, We have never had one tell me to get off of my ECV, If you got a name I would definitely write a letter.
I guess I am lucky as no one has ever been rude to me & actually people have been very nice & helpful to me.

[Teresa]

Originally Posted by CinderAbby

Pretty Kitty - There's a difference between IN and ON - almost all lines are wheelchair/ECV accessible so you'll be able to get in the lines with the scooter you're renting. Getting on the ride is completely different - there are only 2 rides that I have seen a scooter ON - the Jungle Cruise and the Backlot tour. There are several rides where you can remain on a wheelchair (and I've only seen manual wheelchairs on them) - Jungle Cruise, Small World, Toy Story Mania, Backlot Tour, Kilimanjaro Safari - but the majority of the rides require you to be able to get in and out under your own power (hence all the info I gave you in your other post) but with few exceptions (Pooh is the only one I can think of) you can take your scooter in the line until it's time to get on the ride

This is true. I will say, DD Samantha's personal electric wheelchair goes ON all those rides/attractions you mentioned. The issue with letting ECVs on is that they are NOT usually as stable as W/Cs, and are much longer than the W/C. Most of the newer/revamped rides have cars that can be converted for taking a W/C onto, with no transfer necessary. WDW publishes a guide which details HOW a W/C or ECV user will need to access each attraction or ride.

In regards to the photopass: I'm sure it's got everything to do with height. Trying to get a good photo of someone in an ECV while the rest of their party lurks over them is difficult. The easy way is for everyone to crouch down or even take a knee.

For transportation: we always try to all of us stand around DD's W/C, since it takes up 3 spaces. There are more of us than 3, usually about 5. This way, we're actually taking up less space than we would if DD wasn't disabled. It doesn't always help with the nasty looks, but you know, I get nasty looks sometimes from people at the grocery when I pull out my coupons!
The bus drivers being rude should not have been tolerated: I have called the bus dispatch before, while the bus is there to complain about them refusing to take us.

For the OP: I'm really sorry your mom had to deal with all this. I'd like to think that if she hadn't had to deal with the whole ECV/Wheelchair thing, maybe the other little things wouldn't have been so bad.

[Pax]

Originally Posted by JanetCatherineB

I was very disappointed with how my mother was treated this time at WDW. My mom was in tears as bus driver after bus driver was rude to her, she even had a few PhotoPass photographers refuse to take a photo with her in it, if she would not get out of the scooter.

This, I believe, is clearly grounds for a lengthy written complaint to Disney.

As long as the guest isn't making an ass of themselves, then NOONE, regardless of age, regardless of disability, should ever be treated rudely. Nor, for anything less than safety concerns or outright physical impossibilities, should anyone ever be denied service, or prohibited from going on a particular ride. If it takes the service-provider, or cast-member(s), a little bit of extra time and some extra effort? So be it ... that's part of what they're being paid for.

Write up all your concerns - document it as thoroughly as you can. Get all your details straight, and put it as politely and professional-sounding as you can into a physical letter. Then, send that letter to:

Walt Disney World Guest Communications
P.O. Box 10040
Lake Buena Vista, FL
32830-0040

Make sure you stay as on-topic as possible - describe the problems you had with Disney employees (or employees of companies under contract to Disney, like DME's operator, Mears). Don't bother with things like the wheelchair-rental-company's issues.

This article here - A not-so-magical Disney vacation - Travel - Travel Tips - NBCNews.com - should help you make sure you write a letter that will be addressed and answered by someone at Disney (and not just get conveniently "mis-filed" intothe trash).

And you should probably keep your expectations of results realistic. For example, in your shoes, I would ask for a full refund of the scooter rental (I'm assuming you rented directly from Disney). Maybe, if you have another trip planned this year, you might ask "what might you be able to do for us on our next trip, at <resort> on <dates>" ... especially if you have Annual Passes, and/or are DVC members.

Otherwise, really what you should expect is an apology letter. And maybe, if we're all lucky, someone there will light a fire under the right butts to make sure that mistreatment doesn't happen to another guest in the near future.

We also went to Universal for 2 days and lets just say that they are NOT handicap accessible at all. Well at least not if you use an electric wheelchair.

Point duly noted.

[Pax]

Originally Posted by Dave Marx

There are many "invisible" reasons to use an ECV. Bad knees, heart conditions, physical weakness...

This, in mile-high billion-candlepower neon letters.

Get this, folks: I'm only forty-one years old. Normally, I can walk around, get in and out of rides/chairs/cars, etc with no problem. Even stairs don't trouble me (if there's not a gigantic number of them). Heck, ladders are fine, still. To look at me, there's no reason I should ever need any assistance walking, let alone need a wheelchair or ECV. No reason at all.

But I do have a bad hip and knee. I do own a coupel canes, including a collapsible one that will be on my person at WDW for our next trip, period. (I'll leave my camera behind, before I leave that cane behind). Because after an hour or so walking around, standing in line, and so forth? Pain. Pain which starts out mild, but will continue to grow throughout the day. Yes, even with frequent breaks to sit and just "people-watch" for a half-hour or more.

I've seriously considered renting an ECV for our next trip to WDW. I'd rather not .... I'd rather walk on my own two feet, with my own two legs. But, I'd rather be able to "do" Disney at all, than not. So even if I don't pre-emptively rent one, I'll have the contact information for at least 3-4 places (with recommendations from fellow PPers) on-hand, because want one or not, I may need one.

So, as Dave suggests: just because you think, by looking at the outside of a person, "he doesn't need that ECV, he's just lazy" ...? I'll tell you now, what I'd tell anyone who said such a thing about me using an ECV: "You, Sir or Madame, are neither legally nor morally qualified to make that determination." You're very probably not a doctor or nurse ... and even if you are, you don't know my medical history. You're not Superman, to be looking at my hip and knee joints with x-ray vision, either.

[sk8mom6]

I really wonder if the photo pass thing had something to do with the height and the view perspective for the pic, like not being able to get all of the background in . But I think they could have told you that.
As for the buses, more and more people are getting scooters or WC for their whole stays rather than just renting at the park. I'm thinking that the system wasn't designed to accommodate the increase in the number of scooters. Some of the drivers took an awfully long time to get WC 7 or scooters secured on the bus or unloaded. I know they want to be safe, but it took almost a half hour to get 1 passenger in a WC off the bus. The family was getting agitated with the driver. This particular driver was rude to just about everyone. She yelled at the people in line because we didn't know that she needed to unload a WC. She yelled at the other driver who made a round trip to the resort in less time than unloading this WC. So I really think it was that driver. We encountered this driver more than once on the trip, always with the same results.

[JanetCatherineB]

Thank you all for the responses.

Don't get me wrong, we did have a wonderful vacation and my mom did enjoy her stay as well. Once we got her an electric wheelchair and sent the ECV back, things started to look better and she was treated better.

I talked with guest relations on several occasions during our trip, I truly hope that it will make a difference and my voice was heard. Not every driver was rude to her, but more were rude then not. She did get to take some photos but not as many as she would have liked since my father got her the pre-order of photo pass plus. Once she was in the electric wheelchair the photo pass people had no problem taking photos with her in them.

P.S. I also used an ECV on this trip, as I have in the past. Botched hip replacement, leg brace due to foot drop and forearm crutches to walk. I have never had a problem with rude CM's or PhotoPass CM's either. However I do not mind getting out of the ECV and taking a pic, and I tend to walk onto all rides and shows. I park the ECV outside, as I only need to walk long distances and I cannot stand for long periods of time. I even park it outside of the stores so I can get around easier and actually look.

I get funny looks when people see me get up from the ECV and slide my arms into my crutches and walk around. HA HA. People stare like they thought I couldn't walk at all.

I really just needed to vent because my mom was very upset and I was (still am) frustrated with how she was treated. I have been to WDW 4 times now and never have I personally had such a horrible experience.

Thank you all again.