ECV.. is this a thing now

[KikoKea]

When we took our two moms to WDW (86 and 90 yrs) last Sept, we used rented (off site) WCs were embarrassed when we were put at the head of a line for a bus. We used the regular line and waited to get on with everyone else. If the driver insisted we cut ahead, we complied in order to avoid wasting more of everyone's time, but felt bad.

If the WCs and ECVs waited for transportation in like everyone else, it would be fair for all. If the bus fills before the ECV can get on, then they wait for the next one, just like everyone else. Drivers can estimate the crowd- they can let the ECV on ahead for ease of entrance if they know the ECV will make it.

 

[wdwhoneymooner]

When we took our two moms to WDW (86 and 90 yrs) last Sept, we used rented (off site) WCs were embarrassed when we were put at the head of a line for a bus. We used the regular line and waited to get on with everyone else. If the driver insisted we cut ahead, we complied in order to avoid wasting more of everyone's time, but felt bad.

If the WCs and ECVs waited for transportation in like everyone else, it would be fair for all. If the bus fills before the ECV can get on, then they wait for the next one, just like everyone else. Drivers can estimate the crowd- they can let the ECV on ahead for ease of entrance if they know the ECV will make it.

This is exactly what we did when someone in our party used a EVC. If we came to a bus queue with a long line, we waved off the bus driver and told him we'll wait for the next one. Also, when going to an attraction, we parked the EVC outside and walked together onto the attraction. It was really only needed for transporting the person to the next thing. But if the weather wasn't too hot & humid, the EVC was left in the room and we just took our time walking.

 

[ShareBDwithMickey]

It may interest you to know that in europe & Disneyland Paris in order to "benefit" from their disabled accommodations you have to show your blue badge to a cm who then issues you with a disabled persons card. European blue badges have the photo of the holder as an integral part of the badge & they must be present.

This card acts like fastpass in most cases allowing you to book a timed slot much like Disneylands system. However the main difference is that it is only good for upto 5 people including the disabled person for rides & the disabled person & one conpanion for reservered parade & show areas. I have seen bigger families have to split up as the cm's are usually very strict.

No bluebadge no accomodations! This applies even for people suffering from obvious disabilities.

There are no problems, no one throws a hissy fit & everyone understands that if you have the card you have had to show a legal document, I.e. your blue bage, to gain it & treats you accordingly. I believe they will also accept a Dr's letter for temporary conditions however they can & do check if they are legit.

Absolutely minimal abuse & even if you are in a wheel chair or ecv if you cannot provide evidence of your disabilities you don't get any additional support. Woe betide you if you leave your card back in the hotel.

Now I understand that in the USA the rules are different, but that very fact is actually making it harder & more unpleasant for people who need genuine support.

I don't want to be disabled I'd love to be fit again & I don't know a truely disabled person who feels differently & yes most of us struggle on, causing ourselves more pain & actually compromising both our own & our families enjoyment just to avoid that look. As a british veteran who isn't obviously disabled, until you see me try to walk, & unfortunately who is far heavier than she would like, a direct result of the drugs I have to take to control my condition I've seen that look many times. Can I suggest that perhaps we give everyone the benefit of a doubt & consentrate on our own holiday & unless someone is being deliberately obnoxious, which lets face is not restricted to possibly disabled individuals, just go with the flow & thank whatever or who ever you believe in that its not you who is affected.

 

[LdyApxr]

The perception that people that aren't visibly suffering from some medical issue are just scamming the system won't change... in large part due to the abuse of handicap parking abuse that has gotten to the point that it is a joke. First hand I've heard people bragging about using a relatives hang tag when they went shopping or to an event simply because the wanted better parking... and I've seen way too many clearly able bodied idiot pulling up in sports cars with them while they then jump out and practically sprint into a store.... When that type of abuse is going on all over the place it become very difficult for people to give anyone the benefit of the doubt if they don't had some clearly visible malady.

This is spot on! Just today, my auntie and my cousin took me to lunch and my auntie has a placard due to her multiple knee surgeries(working on concrete floors for 30+yrs will do that to you) and we parked in the spot and Angie put the placard up(it's her car, auntie's car has the plate) and as we got out a lady glared at my cousin and I and said "You do realize that handicap people need those??" and as Auntie got out of the backseat with her cane and stood up the woman apologized for assuming that my cousin and I were both using someone else's card. I lived in Sacramento when Mike Bibby played for the Kings and I went to the grocery store one day and watched him park his Yukon Denali in the handicap spot and start to go into the store and I said "Excuse me? Are you learning impaired? Can you not read Handicap Only?" and his response was "I'm Mike Bibby. I play for the Kings?" and I said "So? are you handicapped?" and his response again was "But I am MIKE BIBBY" and I said "I don't care if you are the freaking owner of the Kings, you aren't handicap so move your car" and my older son was begging me to leave him alone and a cop was coming through the lot and I told him the problem and his response was "He plays for the Kings....." ? So if you are a *** who plays for a bad sports team we are just supposed to give you free pass to break the law and the cops allow it? Ugh. Nothing you can to do fix selfish and stupid....

 

[LdyApxr]

I may be mistaken, and I guess that every state is different, but I believe that driving any motorized vehicle (including an ECV) while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol is considered DUI. I believe the group described by the OP would have fallen into this category.

In CA, riding a bike while intoxicated is illegal but unless someone enforces it(rarely), then people will still do it.

 

[thomas998]

It may interest you to know that in europe & Disneyland Paris in order to "benefit" from their disabled accommodations you have to show your blue badge to a cm who then issues you with a disabled persons card. European blue badges have the photo of the holder as an integral part of the badge & they must be present.

This card acts like fastpass in most cases allowing you to book a timed slot much like Disneylands system. However the main difference is that it is only good for upto 5 people including the disabled person for rides & the disabled person & one conpanion for reservered parade & show areas. I have seen bigger families have to split up as the cm's are usually very strict.

No bluebadge no accomodations! This applies even for people suffering from obvious disabilities.

There are no problems, no one throws a hissy fit & everyone understands that if you have the card you have had to show a legal document, I.e. your blue bage, to gain it & treats you accordingly. I believe they will also accept a Dr's letter for temporary conditions however they can & do check if they are legit.

Absolutely minimal abuse & even if you are in a wheel chair or ecv if you cannot provide evidence of your disabilities you don't get any additional support. Woe betide you if you leave your card back in the hotel.

Now I understand that in the USA the rules are different, but that very fact is actually making it harder & more unpleasant for people who need genuine support.

I don't want to be disabled I'd love to be fit again & I don't know a truely disabled person who feels differently & yes most of us struggle on, causing ourselves more pain & actually compromising both our own & our families enjoyment just to avoid that look. As a british veteran who isn't obviously disabled, until you see me try to walk, & unfortunately who is far heavier than she would like, a direct result of the drugs I have to take to control my condition I've seen that look many times. Can I suggest that perhaps we give everyone the benefit of a doubt & consentrate on our own holiday & unless someone is being deliberately obnoxious, which lets face is not restricted to possibly disabled individuals, just go with the flow & thank whatever or who ever you believe in that its not you who is affected.

A system like that might help, but in the US where you can't even get the courts to allow states to require photo IDs to vote I really doubt you will ever get photo IDs on handicap tags.... It would make too much sense.

 

[LdyApxr]

A system like that might help, but in the US where you can't even get the courts to allow states to require photo IDs to vote I really doubt you will ever get photo IDs on handicap tags.... It would make too much sense.

Exactly. It would offend and disenfranchise people and we can't have that in the US.

I guess I take it more personally since my work in the medical field for 25+yrs in pediatrics, orthopedics, oncology etc, I know just how hard it is for people to even get placards and not everyone has visible difficulties and to see people just doing it to be doing it upsets me and seeing people taking parking spots just because they want to upsets me too.

Another thing that has been springing up in CA(the land of coddle everyone because everyone is special and everyone gets a participation award) in the last 8-10yrs or so is "Expectant Mother" parking at malls and stores and while it is not a legally enforced parking spot(unlike handicap), I am just always blown away by this. Aren't ALL parents expectant? I EXPECT my kids to behave in a store so I qualify! LOL

 

[jloucks]

She could apply for a handicap plaque for her car (and her cardiologist would sign off on it too), but chooses instead to make the necessary adjustments to keep from getting one. So would you consider her a person who shouldn't use an EV because she didn't enter the park in a wheelchair?

Based on your statement, that is correct. My whole point on the wheelchair is that a person legally needs one or they don't and that legality is where I personally draw the line on tolerance. Your statement is a little strange. I am not sure what to make of it. Why wouldn't she get a sticker? Maybe she shouldn't be 'making adjustments.' It sounds like she needs one. Get one and I am cool. ...otherwise stop cutting in line.

 

[jloucks]

I have said this in other threads, but I will say it again here ---> Just exempt ECVs from the strange cutting-in-line privilege and 90% of the problems are solved. Why is an ECV drivers time more valuable or worthy than mine? I just don't get it. I like people, but when it comes to time spent in lines I don't think any specific individuals, for whatever reason, are of any more value than any others. Explain to me again how your time is more worthy/valuable than mine?

Hypocrite statement incoming: I can actually think of some in society that actually have earned that right, but I won't get into it here. We all probably have some. *cough* veterans *cough*

 

[ShareBDwithMickey]

I don't line cut & use fast + to its best advantage, however there are occasions when it is easier to accept the offered help because it causes less disruption to all.

Bus loading is one of those, as it would be dangerous to try & load me last. That notwithstanding if me getting on 1st takes the place of someone who has been queuing longer I take the next one.

Your time & my time should have equal value which is what I believe the american system dictates, it doesn't say I & my family should receive a better or enhanced experience just because I am disabled, however that is certainly the view that some people seem to have.

The culture of entitlement is endemic regardless of physical ability however it can & is being fed by the expectation that Disney goes above & beyond its legal obligations potentially to the detriment of other peoples enjoyment.

 

[LdyApxr]

On most rides in CA Adventure, there are no lines that have quicker access for the disabled. Most all have ramps and/or elevators and only the person in the wheelchair/ECV and a driver(wheelchair) are allowed to go through while the rest of the party goes through the line and when their party gets to the loading then they get on too(this happened on pretty much everything that my family and I rode on both times I was in a wheelchair) and that seems fair to me. Many of the DLR rides are the same way with a couple exceptions, such as Start Tours, Space Mountain etc but you miss a lot of the theming too. We did see families of upwards of 10 people in the lines with only one person in a wheelchair but nothing you can do about that and I think it is dependent on what CM is working as to whether they mention it.

 

[wdwhoneymooner]

Based on your statement, that is correct. My whole point on the wheelchair is that a person legally needs one or they don't and that legality is where I personally draw the line on tolerance. Your statement is a little strange. I am not sure what to make of it. Why wouldn't she get a sticker? Maybe she shouldn't be 'making adjustments.' It sounds like she needs one. Get one and I am cool. ...otherwise stop cutting in line.

The reason she hasn't acquired one yet is because she is still a very proud woman and doesn't want to feel she's losing any of her capabilities. With congestive heart failure, ones condition will never really improve. You can only manage it as best as possible. The only direction is down and she really does want to feel free from mechanical dependency as long as possible. The adjustments include walking slower, keeping as cool as possible and planning things out thoroughly. As for line cutting, we make a point not to bring the EVC into the lines and wait in the FP lines with the others. In regards to bus lines, read my post above. I hope you never have a loved one come down with a deteriorating, debilitating condition. Believe me, we would trade waiting in long bus queues vs. sometimes needing help walking any day.

 

[LdyApxr]

The reason she hasn't acquired one yet is because she still a very proud woman and doesn't want to feel she's losing any of her capabilities. With congestive heart failure, ones condition will never really improve. You can only manage it was best as possible. The only direction is down and she really does want to feel free from mechanical dependency as long as possible We've visited 25+ times before this

You are correct, CHF is never going to improve. My father passed from it when he was 49 and he knew it was going to happen and chose his own path(DNR, no drastic measures) and I can totally respect your mom's decision. We don't always like what our parents decide, but they are our parents. Heck, I didn't like being in one in 2012 and 2013(come to think of it, 2009 too when I had contracted whooping cough but not at Disney, just around my own town, grocery shopping etc).

 

[HolleBolleGijs]

Based on your statement, that is correct. My whole point on the wheelchair is that a person legally needs one or they don't and that legality is where I personally draw the line on tolerance. Your statement is a little strange. I am not sure what to make of it. Why wouldn't she get a sticker? Maybe she shouldn't be 'making adjustments.' It sounds like she needs one. Get one and I am cool. ...otherwise stop cutting in line.

The problem with drawing the line at legal eligibility is that a day at Disney is much different than everyday life. Some people might easily be able to walk from a far-away parking spot, but walking around all day in 100-degree heat can be debilitating. Maybe someone just has bad knees or a bad back and can't make it through the day, but isn't considered disabled from a legal standpoint.

 

[jaklgreen]

I have noticed a decline of ECVs since they changes GAC to DAS. Making the lines wheelchair and scooter accessible has made a difference in the amount of people renting them since the advantage is pretty much gone. Last month I was at guest services at Epcot and a lady in front of me in line was in a rented ECV. The cast member came out to talk to her so she did not have to strain to see over the counter and she told him she need a GAC(obviously she has not been there in a while). The cast member explained the changes and told her most lines are now accessible and the ones that are not the cast members will guide her to where she needed to go. So no more FOTL pass. She started freaking out and got all flustered and said that she needs a GAC/DAS because she can't ride any of the rides(obviously did not think that through before it came out of her mouth). The cast member just gave her a big smile and said, "if you can not ride anything then why do you need the DAS card?" They pulled her off to the side after that and called a manger because she was getting a bit irate. As for the people who let little kids ride on their lap, I do not think that is a good idea. Your range of motion is limited and can be dangerous to you, the child, and others. Its like letting your dog sit in your lap while driving. Not a good idea.

 

[smk]

I want to be clear, I have not ever used a EVC. I currently have a condition that MAY require me to use one on our next vacation this fall. I am able bodied up to a point. Standing for a long time is painful and I cannot be seated for too long either. Walking the parks would be possible, slowly and certainly not without many breaks. I AM WILLING TO DO THAT. I have no idea how it works when you rent one, I have never ridden one so obviously I have never taken my grandson on one. I was referring to other posters who made fun of people who did that. I would not use it as a front of line pass, not when I can stand in line and wait with my family. One of my worst fears is that I hold up a bus and make people angry while I clumsily try to maneuver the darn thing into the right spot. I am keenly aware that my choice to use one may result in the inconvenience of others.

 

[G00fyDad]

How about don't go to Epcot????? That's the way that place is geared and it won't change.

Disney security is overrated, you ever see much of any security??? For the amount of people at the parks there is very litle security in the parks.

I take it you love question marks.

 

[thomas998]

I have said this in other threads, but I will say it again here ---> Just exempt ECVs from the strange cutting-in-line privilege and 90% of the problems are solved. Why is an ECV drivers time more valuable or worthy than mine? I just don't get it. I like people, but when it comes to time spent in lines I don't think any specific individuals, for whatever reason, are of any more value than any others. Explain to me again how your time is more worthy/valuable than mine?

Hypocrite statement incoming: I can actually think of some in society that actually have earned that right, but I won't get into it here. We all probably have some. *cough* veterans *cough*

Well I sometimes thank that is still allowed because Disney makes money off the rentals. Consider it a poor man's VIP tour, where clearly not all folks are treated the same - you pay for a VIP tour you don't stand in line you skip ahead... If I had no morals at all I would probably not complain about the ECVs and just rent one on my next trip so I could ride more rides by avoiding some costly line time.

 

[PhilharMagician]

I've yet to meet a group of drunken idiots terrorising the theme parks, treat this as an unfortunate one off

You are a lucky one Captain. Seen it more than once. Not on scooters but obnoxious group of drunken people stumbling,pushing and insulting their way through the park. Scared the heck out of my daughter on one occasion and would have liked to taken care of it personally, but walked the other way instead of possibly being thrown out of the parks myself.