Electric Carts abused

[Astro_Digital]

Ok I know people may take this wrong :fork: but should not being disabled be defined?

I know there are people that really can not walk but if you happen to weight 300 lbs and up and you can not walk because you are too fat should all the other guests suffer?

 

[Valawen9]

Well if they can't walk they can't walk. Whether it be because of weight or some other disability.


That aside, I just wish that people would pay a little more attention when driving those things. Several weeks ago a woman pulled out in front of me (she wasn't even looking forward as she was riding) and ran over both of my feet leaving bruising that lasted for weeks after that. The sucky thing about the whole situation was after she ran over my feet she rode right past me. I had to go sit down somewhere and take a look at the damage and she rode up to where I was, stopped, looked, and continued on her way without saying a word. That made me mad more than being ran over.

 

[CleveRocks]

Ok I know people may take this wrong :fork: but should not being disabled be defined?

I know there are people that really can not walk but if you happen to weight 300 lbs and up and you can not walk because you are too fat should all the other guests suffer?

Well, I'll "take this wrong" because you're saying it "wrong."

Number one, how exactly do others "suffer" because someone is using an ECV?

Number two, you have no idea why they are using one. What if you were overweight, but then coinicidentally were in a car accident a year ago and have had surgeries on your knee and you're not able to walk long distances, for example. Then nice, kind, thoughtful, enlightened people like you would look down on you, too.

So let's say someone is overweight due solely to irresponsible overeating and total lack of exercise, to the point where walking through the parks miles a day every day for a week is just too much. If you were in charge, would you say to the person, "Sorry, you're too fat, you're not allowed to enjoy Disney World with your family"? Because that is what you're implying.

In fact, it's really none of your business why someone uses one, or why someone is overweight.

And by the way, just in case you're wondering, none of the above applies to me. In fact, I'm in training for my first half-marathon right now. So it's not like you struck a nerve with me or I'm being defensive or anything, I'm just being human. Please, join us!

 

[tigsmom]

There is no law that says only the disabled can use them. Anyone who can afford to pay is eligible to do so and its really nobody's business, but their own.

Excess weight (for any reason - medical or otherwise) comes with a host of problems that cannot be seen by the eye.

Discrimination (and ignorance) comes in all forms and you have just proven that.

 

[Mansion Butler]

Number one, how exactly do others "suffer" because someone is using an ECV?

Not to agree with everything else he posted, but I'll take this one.

1) ECV's can be a hastle to other guests, since they're vehicles running around the park often getting in the way. And there is the occassional driver who actually embraces the idea of mowing people down (trust me, I've seen them). Althoug this end of the problem, I think, is negligable.

2) There's a limit, legally, to how many ECV's can be about in the park, so one guests use (or misuse in some cases, and I'm not refer to the OP's example) is perhaps a more deserving guest's misfortune.

 

[DisneyFanJen]

This topic is one that's close to my heart as I've got a blown knee (motorcycle accident) and find walking long distances arkward and long periods of standing still nigh on impossible.

I really don't like using ECVs (I like to at least try and make my own way) so I get the next best thing and get a Guest Assistance Card; and even though I have a legitimate right to one, I still feel guilty when people shoot me dirty looks when I walk up to the fast pass line and use my card to avoid the long queue, even when I'm using my stick which makes the need more obvious.

Long story short, there are loads of reasons why someone would need assistance within the parks, be it the Guest Assistance Card, and ECV, or other means, and even though there are a minority that abuse ther system, you just don't really know.

So if a person want's to spend the money out for an ECV to use as "Fastpass for a day" then well that's between them and their conscience.

The only problem I have with people using ECVs is that if they use one they should know how to drive it! :ROFLOL:

 

[C&D]

Has the 'Golden Rule' gone by the wayside. "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you". So simple; if you take advantage, and infringe on someone else, well that is wrong. If you require assistance in mobility, by all means, use it at your discretion. If you are renting an assistance to infringe on others (and you know who you are), then shame on you.

I think that was the original posters intent but worded it very inappropriately.

 

[rcapolete]

We were there in May. We were waiting to check into the pop and some idiot came flying thru the lobby on one of those carts. He hit my son square on cutting his lip and basically ruining his vactaion because the rest of the week he was afraid to be away from me and dw. My whole family was there and he loves to spend time with them but after the accident he refused to leave our side.

 

[imagineer99]

These types of topics always seem turn out to be contemptuous ones.

Here's my piece:
Is there abuse of wheelchairs/carts? Probably. But, there are far too many legitimate cases to point the finger at a collective group of people.
Does this affect my enjoyment of the parks? No.

 

[paul436]

The only problem I have with people using ECVs is that if they use one they should know how to drive it! :ROFLOL:

I agree with this. Standard operator safety is important and necessary. I cannot tell who does or does not need an ECV by looking at them so I leave that to their own discretion.

 

[wdwmagic]

Guys, let's not let this turn into an argument. We all have different views on these subjects, but that doesnt mean things have to turn nasty. thanks.

 

[CleveRocks]

I totally agree that there are irresponsible people using ECVs who don't know how to safely operate it and don't really care. A physical disability does not make one immune from being rude, obnoxious and dangerous.

I also disagree that an ECV makes one eligible for special line status, at least for the attractions where the ECV can fit through the queue (and the queue does not involve steps). If the queue is accessible, then there's no reason AT ALL that someone should be afforded special treatment such as not waiting in line.

 

[kcnole]

I haven't read this whole topic but I'm going to vent on something here. My wife is 25 years old and disabled although she doesn't look disabled. She was hit by a car when she was very young and ever since then has had problems. She can't walk long distances and if she tries it gets very very painful so much that she starts falling and hurting herself a lot. She doesn't like the fact that she needs to use handicap parking spaces and things like ECV's when in places like WDW, in fact its normally an argument of me trying to make her use them because I know if she doesn't she'll end up not enjoying the day halfway through because she'll be in so much pain. It really irks me however when people look at us and automatically assume that we're just being jerks and parking in handicap spots or using a wheelchair because we're lazy. I've been cussed out by people who feel themselves the handicap police and even had an old lady threaten to hit me with a cane and call the cops on us for parking in a handicap spot before.

People don't like having to use these things, and it doesn't matter why they have to, but if they're going to enjoy the parks they do. For someone to be insulting towards them because you don't understand why just makes their situation much worse and makes you look like a complete ______. I'm tired of seeing my wife hiding tears because of some insensitive jerk. So far I've held my cool when it happens, but I'm afraid that one of the next times I'm just going to let all my frustration out on that person.

So all I'm saying is try to be a bit sensitive to those you see around you. Be glad that you don't need a wheelchair and that you're healthy and can enjoy the parks without their need. Don't try to steal someone elses chance to have the magic just because they're not.

 

[eagles]

i will speak on behalf of myself and myself only.

i can walk and stand, but not for any length of time. especially on hard surfaces, such as in the disney parks. if i walk or stand for a long period of time, well the next time i wake up, i will not beable to get out of bed. i live with pain all day, lower back, and both knees.

i was discussing this with hubby, we are debating on using the wheelchairs. but i don't want to because of the way people see it. because i CAN get up out of one and walk to a ride. i don't know if i could take all the negative looks and the under the breath comments.

that is one thing i will always stand up for is: never judge a book by its cover. just because i look fine and dandy, does not mean i am.

i have never heard of this guest assistance card, i think i will do some research on this. perhaps that would solve our problems.

 

[Shaman]

Quite frankly...I personally don't care. People would probably enjoy themselves more, if they didn't care so much about what the people around them are or are not doing (mind you, sometimes it hard, like when you're run over)....and if all they find themselves doing on a Disney vacation (or visit) is paying attention to how others spend their time or how others "enjoy" the parks...well maybe...just maybe, you need to visit some other place, because that's a waste of money....and eventually for me, a waste of space.

:lookaroun :shrug: :lol:

*runs over Angela's feet and takes a look*

 

[bbrerrabbit]

Electric Carts

I have to agree in part to both sides of this discussion. Last year I purchased my own ECV specifically to bring with me to WDW. I am overweight but also have bad arthitis and find it impossible to walk the parks.

However, there are people that seemingly just rent these ECV's out of laziness. This being the case, the parks often run out of ECV's early in the day. This is what forced me to purchase my own (that and I need it at home sometimes also).

I don't see how this can be regulated as some others have said not all handicaps are obvious. However, there should be some kind of driver's test for these things. I watched an older woman mow down a guy at AK before smashing into a pole!! The guy was ok - luckily we was quick on the draw!

 

[Monty]

I also disagree that an ECV makes one eligible for special line status, at least for the attractions where the ECV can fit through the queue (and the queue does not involve steps). If the queue is accessible, then there's no reason AT ALL that someone should be afforded special treatment such as not waiting in line.

I realize you're first sentence is specific to ECVs and the second may flow from that, but just to be clear:

Any queue that is accessible should indeed be used by someone in a Wheelchair or ECV to the point where they need special assistance to load/transfer, but since different rides have different procedures for load/transfer from wheelchair/ECV, it may not be feasible [or fair] to require the wheelchair-bound guest to wait in line and then wait longer still when they reach the front for a particular accessible ride vehicle. So conceivably there might be factors other than accessible queue that come into play.

There also are legitimate medical reasons for individuals to be allowed to avoid waiting in line. Using myself as an example: I have a number of problems with my feet, I have had all but two of my toes amputated and have a full-thickness skin graft on one heel, both as a result of frostbite. As a result, although I can walk distances with minimal risk, I have balance problems standing in lines and that creates problems with blistering on the skin graft. I use the Guest Assistance Card when I'm in the parks, but only when ride queue wait times extend beyond 30 minutes, which is approximately my limit before I start having serious issues that can ultimately put me in a wheelchair for up to three weeks.

Outwardly, there is nothing about me that would provide any clue to a casual observer that I have any of these problems. Interestingly though, because they also amputated all of the fingers from both hands and moved three of the toes that are no longer on my feet to my left hand... People see my hands, which have no bearing on my need to avoid lines, and decide I'm an "acceptable" candidate for "special treatment".

A fair statement is: Don't judge someone's situation until you've walked a mile in their shoes, if they have shoes.

 

[maelstrom]

I think that people who do not really need the carts shouldn't use them. That doesn't mean people with no "visable" disability. I believe you if you tell me you have a disability. But we all know that there are people who use the carts that have no reason to; they're just trying to cheat the system. *Those* people should not have them. But there's no way to enforce it, unfortunately.

I do think that people using ECVs need to be more careful. They *do* run over people. And it isn't always a person walking out in front of an ECV. Some people just don't pay attention to where they're going or think because they have an ECV that means they can just plow ahead of everyone. If someone in an ECV runs over my foot and breaks it, I'm going to sue them. I think that people who drive ECVs should be licensed just like people who drive cars. ECVs are big and potentially dangerous machinery and should be treated as such.

 

[YankeeMouse]

I had a broken ankle last summer, and you might have seen me, I was the nut walking as fast as ever with an air cast on my leg! I didn't want to use any type of vehicle because it seemed it would limit my enjoyment of the parks. While I had the cast, I watched people on these vehicles, and they spent a lot of effort stopping and starting amongst the foot traffic, having to watch where they were going instead of enjoying the magic. So it's my opinion that anyone who feels they need one, really needs one! If they could, they'd rather walk, I'm sure.

 

[jcc0621]

Just a question....DO you have to provide medical documentation when renting a wheel chair or EVC? As some have said before, sothings are obvious (i.e cast on you rleg would prevent you from doing much walking) and some are not. I think if medical documentation has to be provided to rent one, this might prevent some of the abuse.

I agree with many others here who have sais some diabilities are not apparent. My sister-in-law suffers from sever seizures. You would not know it by looking at her, but there are many times we use w wheelchair with her so that if she has a siezure she doesn't fall on the ground.

Kcnole: my hubby will be right there with you when you lose your temper and he will help......:wave: We get the same looks with my sister in law and hubby holds his tempre, but like you said - I am waiting for the one time someone picks the wrong time to make a comment