Disney introduces Electric Standing Vehicles for guests with disabilities

[midwest_mice]

I know there are people that really do need these due to serious medical, age and whatnot. But remember, obesity is not a disease, it is a choice and therefore would they please stay off of these new devices. Otherwise we will have this all over the parks:

 

[PhilharMagician]

I'm surprised he compared driving a golf cart on an open golf course to driving around an evc in narrow walkways with thousands of small children in Disney. Clearly, he's never been hit or run over by one of these things. I remember after illuminations i got hit full speed and literally went for a ride in the basket of an evc . Instead of hitting the brakes when the lady driving rammed me full speed, she actually somehow sped up and after it was all over didn't even apologize. just sped toward the exit. ever since then i have despised evcs. I am a grown man and that thing almost took me out. I just wonder what they could do to a 4 year old. Do we really need more evc's in the park. Does Disney really need another way to suck another 50 bucks out of the guests? I guess so.

The hit and runs must be a common occurrence in WDW. I know I have been clipped a few times in the ankle and put on the ground once.

The amount of ECV's would be reduced greatly if people had to prove their disabled, unfortunately that will not be able to happen as has been proved. It is also not just WDW selling these scooter, it is the offsite companies that have them delivered to guest resort hotels for use for their vacation. Some of these scooters that you see are the size of a hummer and have a seat the size of a Lazy-Boy recliner on them and I over the past few years I have seen more couples (and families) scooting together around the resorts and parks. On our last trip a couple was bragging at the bus stop about renting their scooters and all the benefits and that they would never visit again without them. They were not handicapped. They were just using the system and that they wanted to relax and not walk on vacation. WDW is slowly become the Scooter Kingdom. If the trend continues there will need to be infrastructure changes to accommodate the parking of these behemoth vehicles and possibly increase the size of some walkways.

 

[DrewmanS]

Regardless, WDW (or any private entity) is obligated to install infrastructure that is ADA compliant.

Your using the wrong definition of "public". In this case, it is not in terms of government vs private company. It refers to entities that are open to the public (ie movie theaters, stores, restaurants, etc.) vs a private club that has restricted membership.

 

[Tigger1988]

I know there are people that really do need these due to serious medical, age and whatnot. But remember, obesity is not a disease, it is a choice and therefore would they please stay off of these new devices. Otherwise we will have this all over the parks:

It's not so black and white. And it's not always a choice, talk to someone with a serious thyroid issue.

 

[PhilharMagician]

This is also true for service dogs. There is no federal registration for service dogs, so many people are putting vests on there dogs and getting "licenses" from Internet companies to claim their untrained pet is a service dog. This means they can bring them on planes, in restaurants, or any other location and no one can challenge them because laws prohibit asking someone about the nature of their disability.

Oh, don't even get me started on that. The last time I was @ WDW I was in shock at this new trend of dogs in the parks. Just 5 years ago you would never see a dog in the parks. It was really rare. Now it is almost normal to see at least one if not more per day.

 

[Tigger1988]

Many trainers take their trainee dogs to the parks. It's actually a good training situation for them to be in. I'd love to know how this impacts your trip, however.

 

[PhilharMagician]

It's not so black and white. And it's not always a choice, talk to someone with a serious thyroid issue.

I have a moderate thyroid issue and take medication since my thyroid does not produce enough T3. I am 6'3 275lbs and keep my caloric intake @ 1800 - 200 calories per day. I exercise 40 minutes at least 4 times per week and am going non stop. I went from 205 lbs to 285 lbs in 4 years until I changed doctors and my thyroid condition was diagnosed and the weight gain stopped. I have not found a method to lose the weight but it is controlled. I will walk all day throughout the parks and walk in the morning before going to the parks in the fight to keep it off.

Thyroid can de a problem, but it is not a reason to sit and not move. It makes movement even more important.

 

[PhilharMagician]

Many trainers take their trainee dogs to the parks. It's actually a good training situation for them to be in. I'd love to know how this impacts your trip, however.

I'll let you know when I step in it.

 

[Goofyernmost]

People who have difficulty walking but also have problems with prolonged sitting. The very people who want to bring their Segways into the parks.

It is correct that they are for those that have a Segway need and this is the compromise to give an alternative to actually allowing Segways. However, a Segway is an entirely different animal. Segways are new, they are high tech and, let's face it they are cool to ride around on. If they allowed Segways before long you would be up to your eyeteeth in two wheels people smashers. Segways are fun for everyone other then those that have no choice. Introducing this Ford Falcon of standup Segway wannabees, I think you can be sure that only those with legitimate needs will be renting them. I wouldn't be caught dead on one of those ugly things unless I absolutely had to have it. Not to mention that if you can stand up while riding one of those, you can stand in line...no front of the line for you. Pretty clever really. I'll bet they paid extra money to have it designed to be so...so lacking in attractiveness.

 

[Goofyernmost]

I know there are people that really do need these due to serious medical, age and whatnot. But remember, obesity is not a disease, it is a choice and therefore would they please stay off of these new devices. Otherwise we will have this all over the parks:

Never was a more incorrect statement ever made. We have a winner!

 

[Violet]

I'll probably get a lot of flack for this...but I really wish Disney would find a better way to transport families that have someone in their party using ECV's. I'm not saying treat them worse by any means, if anything, make it better for them and have busses better equiped for just ECV's and their family members.

I don't know... what do you all think? ...and be gentle I didn't mean to anger the masses or offend anyone

I think you make an interesting point. I think that often we start blaming each other for these types of issues involving GACs, ECVs, etc, but really, the fault often lies with Disney. There are better solutions to many of these issues, but it would cost Disney money, so they take the easy, cheap route, IMO.

 

[Violet]

Huh? Weird, I know I'm not American but that kinda seems stupid of the American legal system to state that private land which houses a resort complex which requires you to buy a ticket to get into the private parks would be classed as public.

WDW resides within its own municipality, Reedy Creek, in which there are no residents, no schools, etc. It is a bizarre relationship between a private company and government entity.

 

[WDWDad13]

I think you make an interesting point. I think that often we start blaming each other for these types of issues involving GACs, ECVs, etc, but really, the fault often lies with Disney. There are better solutions to many of these issues, but it would cost Disney money, so they take the easy, cheap route, IMO.

right... at the expense of them and other guests

honestly it's reasons like this I'm considering on my next trip driving to all the parks... never done it before tho... so I'm just not sure if it's worth it or not but I am tired of standing up in a hot sardine can while going down the road

 

[UofMGuy423]

The difference is density. There's plenty of room on a golf course for golf carts. It might be "fun" for folks to zip around the MK or Epcot in an ECV, but unless they have a genuine medical disability, their "fun" comes at the expense of other guests who simply would like to enjoy their time in the parks without the risk of being run over. WDW's parks were designed as pedestrian spaces. Irresponsible ECV usage and seven year olds in triple wide strollers have turned those spaces into stressful, crowded, dangerous places to walk.

And isn't that exactly what the parks are supposed to help us escape from?

Instead we have yet *another* ECV choice announced as the dangerously narrow and pedestrian Fort Langhorn Escape Tunnel is shuttered forever. Well thank God for that. Someone might skin their knee or something.

What in the world have we become?

Love this post. My thoughts exactly.

right... at the expense of them and other guests

honestly it's reasons like this I'm considering on my next trip driving to all the parks... never done it before tho... so I'm just not sure if it's worth it or not but I am tired of standing up in a hot sardine can while going down the road

We drove to some of the parks on our last trip, which was the first time for us. We drove down from Michigan and then parked our car at AKL thinking we would use it on occasion. Well...after 2 days and the 4th bus ride in a row involving the loading of two scooters on each ride and the endless delays caused by that (and the parade of family members that were allowed on with the scooter rider to enjoy first dibs on the empty seats) we opted to drive...and preferred it.

I have no problem waiting for a person in a wheel chair or a scooter rider that is clearly handicapped from getting on there. But I didn't see it...all 8 scooter riders were grossly obese (one set was a husband/wife couple) and at that point it wasn't worth the hassle of waiting for them to get priority seating with their families that take up half the bus while the rest of us waited outside.

 

[Nubs70]

Your using the wrong definition of "public". In this case, it is not in terms of government vs private company. It refers to entities that are open to the public (ie movie theaters, stores, restaurants, etc.) vs a private club that has restricted membership.

Beg to differ,

I have built factories, drinking fountains needed to be of compliant construction, placed at an exact high off the floor, handicapped toilets and parking places, mirrors set at certain height off floor, elevator etc. Mind you, all positions for this company require full ambulatory function with no reasonable means of accommodation. This is an example of a private company that is not open to the public thus could be construed as "restricted" membership.

I have remodeled churches (whole separation of church/state argument) which when remodeled required the addition of elevators and all other retrofits to be ADA compliant.

 

[SirLink]

WDW resides within its own municipality, Reedy Creek, in which there are no residents, no schools, etc. It is a bizarre relationship between a private company and government entity.

This I know I'm surprised that no one one on Disney has tried to argue that WDW is private entity though.

 

[luv]

It's not so black and white. And it's not always a choice, talk to someone with a serious thyroid issue.

She's not wrong! I had a thyroid issue. It wasn't the serious, rare, going to kill you kind of cancer, just the insignificant, little kind. But the pounds were adding up and the doctors weren't listening.

After I got the pills and the giant hunk of crud in my neck and chest came out, the pounds just floated away. And I cannot exercise. They still float away.

I never got hugely fat or "need an ECV fat", but a less logical or determined person would. I had to go to several doctors before I got to a good one who realized I had a problem! Most people would give up after one or two doctors basically said, "It's your fault."

Sometimes, it is medical!

You never know.

 

[Killnme]

There is a very easy way to make sure people that don't need them won't rent them. You make the people take an hour and half safety course. Then you only do the courses 3 times a day. Finally, each time they want to rent them they have to take the course again. Lazy people will pay the money to be lazy, but if you take their time from being on rides and what not I doubt they rent them.

But DIsney won't do that, because they want the lazy peoples' money.

 

[NeedMoreMickey]

I think would love to use the new stand up ECV sometimes. I have RA and after around 5 days of walking in the parks I need a rest. Instead of having to stay behind at the hotel by myself I could go to the park with my family. We are the kind of people that get out early and stay out late so another problem I have is after a 7 day trip is it can take me 2 weeks to recover at home from being so tired. Maybe one day of riding one of these ECVs and I can enjoy the park more and not be so tired at work the following week.

 

[WWWD]

Even the fittest among us would like a scooter at the end of a long day in any of the parks!