Dare I say it? For the physically challenged...

[Iakona]

You know, it would be nice to be able to have a DISCUSSION without labeling everyone. So, a couple of statements to start:

• Most people in wheelchairs/EVC have medical reason to be in them
• Simply because someone suggests there may be a better way to handle this does not automatically equate to them being insensitive to people in Wheelchairs/EVCs.
• EVCs can be and likely are abused. Most likely by the same percentage of the population that would abuse any other privilege they are not necessarily due (I have no #s to back this, just my opinion).

1. Whenever a thread regarding wheelchairs/EVC comes up related to ride lines one of the things pointed out is that many times the person in the wheelchair has a longer wait because they have to wait for a specific ride vehicle.
2. Busing - no one, on either side should be told to take their own vehicle. However, is it not possible that a BETTER system could be devised? We have all been in line (tired, with tired children) and had a wheelchair/EVC go to the front and load first while everyone else has been waiting a much longer span of time. We have also been told (not sure if it true policy or not) that the party with the wheelchair/EVC person should be limited to 5 persons. I understand the logic for having them load first with their party (for multiple reasons; no one has suggested, and if they did they would be pretty dumb, that a guest in a wheelchair/EVC ride alone), but when it is a group of 6 + there should be some common sense applied by Disney Policy, CMs and the guests themselves.
3. Honestly, I think the system is more broken than anything.
4. No, I don;t want to trade places with anyone. Those that legitimately need a wheelchair/EVC have my respect for their daily challenges and I am more than willing to consider any changes to assist them in meeting those challenges. However, I would expect the same respect and willingness to discuss approaches that would address everyone's concerns. There may not be a perfect answer, but there may be a better one and stifling discussion by attacking people because they have concerns or are frustrated will get you no where.
5. Flame away.

 

[sittle]

You know, it would be nice to be able to have a DISCUSSION without labeling everyone. So, a couple of statements to start:

• Most people in wheelchairs/EVC have medical reason to be in them
• Simply because someone suggests there may be a better way to handle this does not automatically equate to them being insensitive to people in Wheelchairs/EVCs.
• EVCs can be and likely are abused. Most likely by the same percentage of the population that would abuse any other privilege they are not necessarily due (I have no #s to back this, just my opinion).

1. Whenever a thread regarding wheelchairs/EVC comes up related to ride lines one of the things pointed out is that many times the person in the wheelchair has a longer wait because they have to wait for a specific ride vehicle.
2. Busing - no one, on either side should be told to take their own vehicle. However, is it not possible that a BETTER system could be devised? We have all been in line (tired, with tired children) and had a wheelchair/EVC go to the front and load first while everyone else has been waiting a much longer span of time. We have also been told (not sure if it true policy or not) that the party with the wheelchair/EVC person should be limited to 5 persons. I understand the logic for having them load first with their party (for multiple reasons; no one has suggested, and if they did they would be pretty dumb, that a guest in a wheelchair/EVC ride alone), but when it is a group of 6 + there should be some common sense applied by Disney Policy, CMs and the guests themselves.
3. Honestly, I think the system is more broken than anything.
4. No, I don;t want to trade places with anyone. Those that legitimately need a wheelchair/EVC have my respect for their daily challenges and I am more than willing to consider any changes to assist them in meeting those challenges. However, I would expect the same respect and willingness to discuss approaches that would address everyone's concerns. There may not be a perfect answer, but there may be a better one and stifling discussion by attacking people because they have concerns or are frustrated will get you no where.
5. Flame away.

Finally, some commons sense. Nice work Iakona!

The OP has great intentions with their post. He's not attacking the handicapped or disabled, just looking for a better, efficient, possibly safer way to transport them and their party around to all the fun. (Yeah, that's what he's saying... go back and read the OP!)..

To the OP, yes seperate transportation does work, our city uses it quite extensively with much success and I believe that it could be implemented at Disney World. The system here basically is a call service, you call tell them which bus stop you will be at and when, and boom, they coordinate a time to meet you and your party at. It isn't segregation, because the disabled person can still ride a regular bus... the call service transportation bus is better than the alternative (regular bus) because it's safer, more effecient and convenient....

 

[sissa216]

So if a lady is in a wheelchair, and she is allowed to bring 1 person with her to assist her (ok she can pick her husband) then the rest of the family should stay in the regular line (ok let's say the rest of her family consists of 4 young children under the age of 12). So 4 little kids are waiting in the line alone and then the bus fills up and they don't even end on the same bus as mom and dad. Makes no sense right?

Ok so if that won't work let's throw an age limit on there. No more than 1 person over the age of 18 can stay with the wheelchair person. So then you get another family with a mom, dad in a wheelchair, and 2 kids = ages 19 and 17. So mom, dad, and the 17 year old stay together while the 19 year old has to be off by himself.

Did you even think your suggestion through before making it? Apparently not.

Familes aren't really the problem.
It is the groups of multiple families/multiple adults.
If you have a group of 2 or 3 families, or even a large group of adults,
then only a few (the maximum of five, or the entire immediate family)
should be able to go with.
And before somebody comes back with another scenario, if there is a large family with several kids, then of course they would be let on .
Nobody is saying leave the kids behind, nobody is trying to punish those in wheelchairs....

There are exceptions to every rule...it simply is not fair to let 10+ people on and take up the whole bus, especially at the end of the day when multiple groups with wheelchairs line up, and nobody in the regular line gets on.

It is not cruel to split them up; the latter group is not being punished
for being part of a group with a wheelchair, they are simply waiting the
normal wait time.

 

[TinkerbellK]

What irritates me most about the system of loading people with wheelchairs onto the bus first is when all their family also goes onto the bus first with them!

Fair enough, one person should go with whoever's in the wheelchair, but no more than that! The rest of the family should wait like the rest of us.

I'm not saying all families do this, but some do!

The policy currently is to allow 5 people to accompany the person in the wheelchair. so if the busdrivers followed their policy, it would be a lot easier...

 

[TinkerbellK]

ya know... this whole thing would be a lot easier if people just accepted that life is not fair and sometimes you have to wait longer... whether you are in a wheelchair or walking.. at some point something will be inconvenient and unfair... unfortunately that is life!

 

[toystoryma]

I just think those who need to find any reason to whine because they are hot and dont want to wait for people in wheelchairs or whatever just need to drive themselves!! For crying out loud, they have every right to be on that bus as anyone else, if a person is that picky about waiting, walking, whatever.. drive your own dang car!!!

 

[maggiegrace1]

Once again...is it going to kill you to stand in line a little bit longer because of this?:shrug:

If it is..then please seek some help and if it is not then quit complaining......

There are worse things in the world people then standing in a line a little longer then you think you should....

Quit complaining and GROW UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:brick: :brick: :brick:


Thank You!:wave:

 

[Iakona]

I just think those who need to find any reason to whine because they are hot and dont want to wait for people in wheelchairs or whatever just need to drive themselves!! For crying out loud, they have every right to be on that bus as anyone else, if a person is that picky about waiting, walking, whatever.. drive your own dang car!!!

This post goes directly to my point that attacking people looking for a better solution is counter productive.
No one (wheelchair bound or not) should be told to take their own vehicle because it is not the solution.

No one has said anywhere that people in wheelchairs should not be allowed to ride the bus. I have seen complaints about groups of people (for my purposes 6+) tag along and this results is a much loinger wait for others. This can happen multiple times on 1 route and be very frustarting. So, is there a better system or should CMs just enforce the policy that groups of 5 can accompany a wheelchair guest?

Once again...is it going to kill you to stand in line a little bit longer because of this?:shrug:
If it is..then please seek some help and if it is not then quit complaining......
There are worse things in the world people then standing in a line a little longer then you think you should....
Quit complaining and GROW UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:brick: :brick: :brick:
Thank You!:wave:

The counter argument to that is would it kill a wheelchair person to wait until their party gets to the front of the line?

Once again, this gets into a tit for tat argument instead of a grown up discussion on ways to improve the existing system.

I see this as a growing issue at WDW as more and more people take advantage of technology such as EVCs. IMHO they need to come up with a creative system. They came up with ME, why can't they imagineer a better system. I thought a new round of buses was due to be cycled in. Maybe this combined with the new dispatch system could be used to resolve the ridership issues.

 

[Hakunamatata]

Wow....another doomed thread...:wave:

 

[JimboJones123]

Once again...is it going to kill you to stand in line a little bit longer because of this?:shrug:

If it is..then please seek some help and if it is not then quit complaining......

There are worse things in the world people then standing in a line a little longer then you think you should....

Quit complaining and GROW UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:brick: :brick: :brick:


Thank You!:wave:

Why is this such a difficult POV for people to embrase. Maybe it's upbringing. I guess I wish I could be as fortunate as many of you seem to be and not be affected by loved ones w/disabilities so I would be comfortible complaining. I for one actually beam with joy when a wheelchair gets to ride Small World before me, or I have to wait for another monorail because my party couldn't fit with the wheelchair in the center cabin when a late wheelchair comes up.

WDW is one of the greatest places in the world to go for my family because of their accomidation. It may be a great place to go for others because they have "cool" roller coasters. I don't see anybody with disabilities that only watches shows and never goes on rides coming in here and complaining that they should only have to pay $20 for tickets because they don't use all the expensive attractions.

Yes, the suggestion that the OP made is offensive. If you don't feel that way, fine. You are allowed to feel what you feel. I'm allowed to feel like it is offensive. Deal with it. Yes it does anger me that this one place that grants thousnds of "Wishes" for kids each year is "inconveniencing" you to the point of bringing up this topic. Again, maybe it's just my outlook on life, but I will glady wait another bus any day of the week to let somebody on.

As many have posted, you aren't required to ride the bus. For some guests, it is very difficult to operate their own cars and transport to and from their chairs. That makes it a much less desireable option to just drive themselves.

I just am always shocked when somebody complains about these things. There is no better pride an joy in my trips than sitting in the Mickey Meet and Greet line for an extra 5 minutes so a kid that could be dead in the next year has a few extra minutes with the big guy. If I could give up more, I would gladly do so. Perspective is such a wonderful thing.

 

[maggiegrace1]

The counter argument to that is would it kill a wheelchair person to wait until their party gets to the front of the line?

.

I understand that..but Disney is the ones that is loading them up first...so why blame the people in the wheelchairs or their families?:shrug:

 

[JimboJones123]

Oh, and come on -- nobody chimed in with the Wonka love?

 

[JimboJones123]

This post goes directly to my point that attacking people looking for a better solution is counter productive.
No one (wheelchair bound or not) should be told to take their own vehicle because it is not the solution.

No one has said anywhere that people in wheelchairs should not be allowed to ride the bus. I have seen complaints about groups of people (for my purposes 6+) tag along and this results is a much loinger wait for others. This can happen multiple times on 1 route and be very frustarting. So, is there a better system or should CMs just enforce the policy that groups of 5 can accompany a wheelchair guest?



The counter argument to that is would it kill a wheelchair person to wait until their party gets to the front of the line?

Once again, this gets into a tit for tat argument instead of a grown up discussion on ways to improve the existing system.

I see this as a growing issue at WDW as more and more people take advantage of technology such as EVCs. IMHO they need to come up with a creative system. They came up with ME, why can't they imagineer a better system. I thought a new round of buses was due to be cycled in. Maybe this combined with the new dispatch system could be used to resolve the ridership issues.

Again, it is a given when going to WDW that they take special care for those that need special care. Works the same on airlines as well. If you don't realize this by now, you may want to just accept it. It isn't going away. Any aguish that somebody has over disability accomidation is kind of at their own doing. It's like realizing that you will have to take your shoes off when going through security. If not, you are at a much larger risk of being more strictly screened.

 

[tigsmom]

Why is this such a difficult POV for people to embrase. Maybe it's upbringing. I guess I wish I could be as fortunate as many of you seem to be and not be affected by loved ones w/disabilities so I would be comfortible complaining. I for one actually beam with joy when a wheelchair gets to ride Small World before me, or I have to wait for another monorail because my party couldn't fit with the wheelchair in the center cabin when a late wheelchair comes up.

WDW is one of the greatest places in the world to go for my family because of their accomidation. It may be a great place to go for others because they have "cool" roller coasters. I don't see anybody with disabilities that only watches shows and never goes on rides coming in here and complaining that they should only have to pay $20 for tickets because they don't use all the expensive attractions.

Yes, the suggestion that the OP made is offensive. If you don't feel that way, fine. You are allowed to feel what you feel. I'm allowed to feel like it is offensive. Deal with it. Yes it does anger me that this one place that grants thousnds of "Wishes" for kids each year is "inconveniencing" you to the point of bringing up this topic. Again, maybe it's just my outlook on life, but I will glady wait another bus any day of the week to let somebody on.

As many have posted, you aren't required to ride the bus. For some guests, it is very difficult to operate their own cars and transport to and from their chairs. That makes it a much less desireable option to just drive themselves.

I just am always shocked when somebody complains about these things. There is no better pride an joy in my trips than sitting in the Mickey Meet and Greet line for an extra 5 minutes so a kid that could be dead in the next year has a few extra minutes with the big guy. If I could give up more, I would gladly do so. Perspective is such a wonderful thing.

I have to say that I agree with you, 100%! I do not, nor will I ever understand why people complain about waiting a few extra minutes because somebody in a w/c needs to be accommodated. Would they also knock over an elderly person with a walker and cane? Do they complain when the elderly and those with little ones get on the plane first?

I was raised (and have raised my children) to let those that need extra time go first and, if need be, lend an arm to help out. Remember the Sioux proverb that says, “Before I judge my neighbor, let me walk a mile in his moccasins.” Think how you would feel if you were confined to a w/c and had people like yourselves standing around bi.tch.ing .

 

[Erika]

I think we've exhausted another topic. Some very good posts in here, though.