Does Disney rent out ECVs to anybody?

[Plane Crazy]

Does Disney rent out ECVs to anybody? Or do you have to have a documented disability?

I was at EPCOT about a month ago... and saw three guys riding around in ECVs. When I first saw them, they were watching the acrobats in China. They were leaning way back and had their feet up... which lead me to suspect that they were not disabled. I then saw them about an hour later in Morocco standing in line for a beer (while getting rowdy with the castmembers). I later saw one of them riding through France with a girl on his lap (with a very short skirt!) while downing a beer.

I realize that some people have disabilities that may not be evident. But, clearly, these guys were not disabled. From what I saw, they were only interested in getting drunk and annoying people. And by any standard, they did a wonderful job!

Disney should be more discerning about renting out ECVs!

 

[CoffeeJedi]

oh, that seriously es me off
i would gotten a manager and complained
my wife actually WILL need to rent one when we go down, and she gets enough crap from people who say things like "well you don't LOOK disabled", guys like that don't help her case very much

 

[peter11435]

I might get flamed for this but I don't think Disney should rent ECV's at all. They should only offer regular wheelchairs for rent. Most people who rent the ECV's at the parks DO NOT know how to drive them at all. Motororized vehicles + people who can't drive them + large crowds = major problems.

 

[mhead]

Does Disney rent out ECVs to anybody? Or do you have to have a documented disability?

I was at EPCOT about a month ago... and saw three guys riding around in ECVs. When I first saw them, they were watching the acrobats in China. They were leaning way back and had their feet up... which lead me to suspect that they were not disabled. I then saw them about an hour later in Morocco standing in line for a beer (while getting rowdy with the castmembers). I later saw one of them riding through France with a girl on his lap (with a very short skirt!) while downing a beer.

I realize that some people have disabilities that may not be evident. But, clearly, these guys were not disabled. From what I saw, they were only interested in getting drunk and annoying people. And by any standard, they did a wonderful job!

Disney should be more discerning about renting out ECVs!

Anybody willing to pay the money can rent them.

 

[mhead]

I might get flamed for this but I don't think Disney should rent ECV's at all. They should only offer regular wheelchairs for rent. Most people who rent the ECV's at the parks DO NOT know how to drive them at all. Motororized vehicles + people who can't drive them + large crowds = major problems.

While I understand your point, I do disagree. Sometimes just a regular wheelchair can be too much for the person that is forced to push it - be it another person or the person in the chair. My father is partially paralyzed from a stroke so an ECV is really not an option and believe me it becomes a major undertaking to drive that wheelchair around all day. If an ECV were an option for him I would jump on it - so for those that it is an option - I can't blame them at all for getting one.

 

[shoppingnut]

It's quite expensive to rent them at disney, I think it is like $40 a day, so these guys blew $120 to rent them. However, if you go to an outside company it is much less expensive and the deliver/pickup at your hotel. Things like this annoy me because now you have 3 people that don't need them and what if they run out and don't have them for someone who does, they are then have to rent a regular wheel chair.

I also have an issue with people that don't know how to drive them as they can be very dangerous.

 

[Frank Stallone]

Before given their ECV to ride in the park, guests who wish to drive one are required to drive an ECV through an obstacle course. The course includes a cone slalom, sharp turns, uneven terrain, sudden stops, and a high speed ring.

If the guest fails the obstacle course, then they are allowed to rent the ECV in the park.

 

[Teenchy]

For a suprise gift I took my parents this past Christmas (Father is 74). I was the one going up to rent the Wheelchair and I expected someone to ask for some information on who would be using the chair. No questions asked. As was said by someone else, if your willing to pay, they are rented to you.

2 out of our 4 park visits we were given a regular wheelchair for free. But I think the normal cost was $10 per day. I believe the EVC's were about $30 per day.

But now that I think about it, they might come in handy during the Wine & Food Festival!

 

[peter11435]

While I understand your point, I do disagree. Sometimes just a regular wheelchair can be too much for the person that is forced to push it - be it another person or the person in the chair. My father is partially paralyzed from a stroke so an ECV is really not an option and believe me it becomes a major undertaking to drive that wheelchair around all day. If an ECV were an option for him I would jump on it - so for those that it is an option - I can't blame them at all for getting one.

I understand the issues. I too have in the past pushed people around the parks in a wheelchair all day. But in my opinion those that need an electric wheelchair most likely have there own and know how to drive it. Those who do not have there own and do not know how to drive one, should not practice at WDW.

 

[SallyShine]

I realize there are people that really need ECV's. However, I swear everytime I got on a bus, we had to wait while they loaded an ECV on. The people would go so far as to help pull the thing up and strap it down. Huh? We only encountered one wheelchair and about 20 EVC's.

 

[shoppingnut]

But in my opinion those that need an electric wheelchair most likely have there own and know how to drive it. Those who do not have there own and do not know how to drive one, should not practice at WDW.

Totally agree that WDW is not the place one should practice driving it. I think alot of the people who don't know how to drive them, decide that this is the perfect opportunity to try one out before spending all that money to buy one.

 

[disneydata]

I might get flamed for this but I don't think Disney should rent ECV's at all. They should only offer regular wheelchairs for rent. Most people who rent the ECV's at the parks DO NOT know how to drive them at all. Motororized vehicles + people who can't drive them + large crowds = major problems.

I see your point. I would like to see what these people would feel like after being run over with one 3 times a day ...

 

[I,Walt]

Bad

I might get flamed for this but I don't think Disney should rent ECV's at all. They should only offer regular wheelchairs for rent. Most people who rent the ECV's at the parks DO NOT know how to drive them at all. Motororized vehicles + people who can't drive them + large crowds = major problems.

I flame your A--. Those ecv's you dont like, SAVED MY LIFE!!! If you dont like that statment walk in my shoes I could not. I go to Walt Disney World at least once a year. No problem right I know the heat I know how humid it gets I will fine right wrong I could not walk down the ramp from the monorail without stoping many times. Forget up the ramp that was worse. I was by myself no one to push those wheel chairs you love so much, and no I dont have the arm power to do it my self. So if drunks ride ecv's and its not mine great. I had never been on one before but I will be again.

 

[MyNameisStitch]

Before given their ECV to ride in the park, guests who wish to drive one are required to drive an ECV through an obstacle course. The course includes a cone slalom, sharp turns, uneven terrain, sudden stops, and a high speed ring.

If the guest fails the obstacle course, then they are allowed to rent the ECV in the park.

LOL, I was wondering what that course was for at all the parks. It all makes sense now

 

[wild01ride]

Maybe this should go in the "proposed attractions" section:

ECV - The new white-knuckle thrill ride that sends riders on a thrilling journey throughout Walt Disney World, and sends other guests running for their lives.

*Note: All in fun, all in fun guys!

Seriously though, despite the fact that I cannot stand having my heels run over by a blazing vehicle, I do think that they are necessary. It's the only way that my grandmother could get around at WDW. I'm a relatively capable person, but there is no way that I could push her around even for a couple of hours, especially on the inclines/declines (The Land Pavilion entrance, for example).

 

[DopeysGirl1226]

If the people really need it to get around that's one thing, its the people who take advantage of the situation. Im 25 and I saw people my age renting them then driving around world showcase stopping at each country for a beer or glass of wine. My husband and I were shocked that the cast members watching allowed them to do this. By the time they were half way around they were swerving so much that they almost ran my sister over. Thats when it gets out of hand.

 

[Monty]

I went to Guest Services last trip to get the Disabled Guest card. I had a physician's letter with me, since the disability that precludes standing for extended periods is not readily apparent, the CM said she didn't need to see it. "We're not doctors, so we'll take your word for it".

I would assume the same goes for renting ECVs. If, God forbid, I ever reach the point that standing at all becomes an issue, I would actually appreciate not having to "justify" my need to rent one.

On most days, with my orthotic inserts, I walk quite "normally". As a result, I was expecting CMs to question my use of the Disabled Guest card. No-one even batted an eye! I actually found that very gratifying, despite that I had come fully prepared to "prove it" to anyone who asked.

It is an unfortunate corollary to Disney's very positive approach to disability issues that those boneheads could take advantage, but I think it's demeaning to require "proof". You have to accept the bad with the good.

 

[Lightyear]

If ONE more of those things runs over my little girl, I will not be responsible for the Mothers wrath that I will unleash!! :fork:

 

[Edeyore]

Does Disney rent out ECVs to anybody? Or do you have to have a documented disability?

I was at EPCOT about a month ago... and saw three guys riding around in ECVs. When I first saw them, they were watching the acrobats in China. They were leaning way back and had their feet up... which lead me to suspect that they were not disabled. I then saw them about an hour later in Morocco standing in line for a beer (while getting rowdy with the castmembers). I later saw one of them riding through France with a girl on his lap (with a very short skirt!) while downing a beer.

I realize that some people have disabilities that may not be evident. But, clearly, these guys were not disabled. From what I saw, they were only interested in getting drunk and annoying people. And by any standard, they did a wonderful job!


I think you may be being a bit too hard on those kids. Based on your description of their actions, they may sufffering from some type of mental disabilities. Unfortunately, there is no cure for stupid! :lol: :lol:

 

[dolbyman]

they used those things like toys ? ... I'd expect a castmember seing that would call security and escort them out. :fork:

I'm totally for disabled acces to all areas .. and help them with those scooters and wheelchairs .. but there mus be punisment (in form of banning from the parks) when any abuse is noticed.