Motorized scooter

[rcapolete]

I know there was a thread on this topic before but i couldn't find it. I had a first hand exsperience with the dangers of renting these scooters to anyone. We arrived at the Pop Century resort on May 14th. (mother's day) My family and i were standing at the front desk checking in. My almost three year old son went to run to my wife who was sitting down not more then 20 feet from me. I turned around and one of these scooter can flying through the lobby at basically ran him over. He had a nice bump on his head, a cut and fat lip and some other minor bruises. The guy who hit him just said oh osrry is he alright and the drove off. Know i am not against people who medically need a scooter being able to rent one (i know it is easier then bring one on a plane and all) but it seems that they should need to obtain some kind of a doctors note stating that in fact they dop actually need one. THankfuly the Pop Century manager on duty was nice and got us ice right away, made sure that my son was ok and then upgraded us to four perferred rooms right next to the elevator in the 60's building for free.

 

[disneykid23]

I agree with you. It can even be harder not to get hit in the parks sometimes. That was great of the manager to do that for you even though they really didnt have to do anything. How was the room? I am glad your son is ok.

 

[rcapolete]

the room was nice and convinent. We were just about to pay the diffenernce for the perferred room because the original room was at the further point away.
The only thing i forgot to mention was that even though pysically he was ok it seem to have had a negitive effect on him mentally in that he became very scared to leave my wife or my side. He would not even stay with my parents or brother when we went on ride which has never been a problem before. also he kept telling us that he wanted to go home constantly through out the week which was kind of heart breaking for my family and me cause one of the main reaosn for going was cause he had such a great time the first time he went at 14 moths. Thankfully he was alittle better towards the end of the week but he still had to be around my wife or me.

 

[Hakunamatata]

We had a similar experience with someone in a regular wheelchare. We were coming out of the Haunted Mansion exhibit at the Studios when a guy in a wheel chair knocked my pregnant wife to the ground. He wheeled off saying Im sorry, two CMs accross the path didnt even acknowledge that it happened. It took all I had to keep from following after that guy and confronting him.

 

[sillyspook13]

There's a reason why I wear steel toed boots when I work in the Camp... I've had my toes run over several times when attempting to park ECVs.:dazzle:

 

[JustinTheClaw]

Working in Custodial, I have been in the pathway of many of these motorized scooters, and I have to agree that they are dangerous when not used responsibly.

The problem is, most of the people who have them are used to using them in mostly obstacle free environments, which Disney World clearly is not.

I feel that if a Guest is in the park alone, or with a person who is physically incapable of pushing a wheelchair, they should be allowed to use a motorized scooter/ECV. Anyone else should be using a regular wheelchair.

Those stupid oversized stollers that people rent are just as bad. I've noticed that people who bring their own strollers are generally more careful about what they are doing and where they are going with them than the people who rent the Disney strollers. Again, it's a matter of knowing your environment and, most importantly, paying attention to where you are going!

(This goes out to that lady who ran head on into me while I was cleaning an ice cream spill in the middle of the street one day.)

 

[rcapolete]

i also notice what appeared to be people using the scooters to get on the buses first as well as avoid waiting for the full line on a ride. I noticed one man park his scooter on the bus, then get up with no noticable signs of difficulty and walk over to his wifes scooter and park it on the bus (while the wife stood and waited again with no noticable sign of difficulty. The then both walked on to the bus. Later that same day i saw both of them walking around the pool/main lobby area of the Pop century again with no signs of any trouble. I also noticed people having small kids sit on their laps and steer the scooters. People seem to forget that the scooters can hurt or god forbidden even kill someone. Each member of my family is writing a letter to Disney asking them to reconsider their policy on these scooter. Any other motorized scooter you need a license for ( i understand that these do not go as fast as a real scooter) but considering the weight of the scooter as well as the amoutn of people around there should be some guide line. i know that the letter will most likely have no impact on the policy but atleast we can say we spoke our minds.

 

[Number_6]

i also notice what appeared to be people using the scooters to get on the buses first as well as avoid waiting for the full line on a ride. I noticed one man park his scooter on the bus, then get up with no noticable signs of difficulty and walk over to his wifes scooter and park it on the bus (while the wife stood and waited again with no noticable sign of difficulty. The then both walked on to the bus. Later that same day i saw both of them walking around the pool/main lobby area of the Pop century again with no signs of any trouble. .

Two things here, and I know I usually stay out of these discussions, but:

1) There is no official Disney policy stating that people using wheelchairs/scooters should be taken to the front of the line. But, some of the queue areas, you may have noticed, do not make for easy manuevering. There would be more chance of someone getting injured trying to get around that maze-like area for The Great Movie Ride, for example, rather than having them come down the open side area which is a straightaway instead. In those instances, they may have a separate entrance for guests utilizing a wheelchair/scooter and their party. Again, this is for the safety and convenience of the guest, not as a special privelige as some people seem to think it is.

2) As far as the couple with the scooters that you saw walking: did you follow them around for an hour or two, or did you just see them for a few minutes? There are some people that have circulation problems or other health issues that allow them to walk for limited periods of time, say 10 minutes or just a little longer than that, but if they had to walk the parks, stand in the lines, and all the other things that many of us take for granted as being able to do, they wouldn't be able to make it. Just because a person shows no outward signs in the brief time that you see them of having a medical condition, doesn't mean they don't have one. A good example would be a professional golfer by the name of Casey Martin. If you don't know who I am talking about, Casey Martin was a professional golfer who, when in college, was diagnosed with a rare circulatory disorder that left his right leg weakened. He was able to walk for a limited time, but to walk the entire 18 holes of a golf course was just not possible. The NCAA allowed him to use a golf cart to ride from shot to shot. He eventually went on to join the PGA Tour and actually had to fight all the way to the Supreme Court of the United States in order to get the right to use a golf car at PGA Tour events since the rules stated a golfer had to walk to each shot. Does he ride a scooter at all times? No. Does everyone that uses a scooter when they go out use one 24/7? No, sometimes they only use it if they know they will be doing something that would be physically not possible for them overall.

 

[JustinTheClaw]

You'd be surprised how many changes have been made by people writing letters or making comments at Guest Relations.

 

[JustinTheClaw]

As far as cutting the queues is concerned, ever since the law was put in place requiring all building to be handicap accessible, or to have a handicap accessible alternative, Disney has designed their queues to allow for wheelchairs and ECVs, thereby eliminating the need to cut Guests traveling in wheelchairs ahead of others.

 

[RedGear]

I totally understand by what you mean. I know that some people need to use them and use them wisely, but then there are those crazy people who just run over people and don't really care about what or who they run over!!
I also noticed that a lot of people use them, and then they just park them and use it to cut in front of people, (trust me, I saw the kids running just minutes after going past us in a scooter and then turning around and coming back!!) They are super dangerous and I think lazy people just use them too. . . but thats just me! :brick:

 

[Number_6]

As far as cutting the queues is concerned, ever since the law was put in place requiring all building to be handicap accessible, or to have a handicap accessible alternative, Disney has designed their queues to allow for wheelchairs and ECVs, thereby eliminating the need to cut Guests traveling in wheelchairs ahead of others.

You obviously haven't been to Expedition Everest yet, I would not want to try to maneuver that queue with a wheelchair or ECV... also, like I said before, previously existing queues have not really been altered to affect that, since they had some form of entrance for guests utilizing wheelchairs/scooters. The Great Movie Ride is the best, but not the only, example of this.

 

[tink rules]

It's been several years since I had been to WDW and when I went in Dec, I was very surprised at how many of these ECV's were in operation there. I do agree that if it is medically necessary, someone should be able to use it, but I fear that there are alot of people who rent these vehicles because they make it convenient and less tiring to get around.

& I have to preface this next part by saying that I am a bit overweightas well, but not to the point of what I saw when I was there in Dec. It saddens me to see that many of these people who use these vehicles need to because they cannot get around. We had two parked outside of the rooms INSIDE (on upper floors) at the resorts. There is a danger there to other guests who might get trapped in case of an emergency, but most of all it saddens me to see this country getting so out of shape - especially young people.

 

[Number_6]

& I have to preface this next part by saying that I am a bit overweightas well, but not to the point of what I saw when I was there in Dec. It saddens me to see that many of these people who use these vehicles need to because they cannot get around. We had two parked outside of the rooms INSIDE (on upper floors) at the resorts. There is a danger there to other guests who might get trapped in case of an emergency, but most of all it saddens me to see this country getting so out of shape - especially young people.

Remember though, if you couldn't get around well due to a circulation or other problem, you probably aren't going to be getting alot of exercise. Plus some medications can cause you to retain fluids, which can cause excessive weight gain. And as far as people getting trapped in an emergency, which resort were you staying at? I haven't been to all of them, but the ones I have been two had emergency exits in both directions out of your room, so it shouldn't be too big of a problem. Again, this is just based on the resorts I have stayed at.

 

[tink rules]

I know that there are lots of people who have disabilities (I'm one of them - but a neck injury...) A friend of mine rented one last spring because his leg has circulation problems. I'm just feeling sad that there are alot of people who are what you would considder obese and I fear for their health in general.

I've stayed at the Polynesian and the Grand Floridian and also the old Disney Institute and All Star Music... One room had 2 scooters parked outside the room - enough to block the hall way quite a bit. I know different people like different rooms for views, etc. but I think that the safety of the other guests should be taken into consideration and maybe giving them a room where the ECV's could be parked more safely for others and conviently for them.

I was there at what wasn't considdered a very over crowded time for the parks and there were quite a bit of the scooters there. I can only IMAGINE what it's like to navigate around them in the peak season...) I just feel like if you have a legit reason, then fine, but I think alot of people get them for other reasons. Same with the strollers. It drives me nuts to see a family with the stroller packed with stuff and the parents carrying the kid. Shouldn't the KID be in the stroller???? Pack better or get a locker.

 

[maggiegrace1]

But like stated earlier.. Sometimes a handicap is not always visible.. My father looks perfectly healthy..but he has extreme foot and back problems and is in extreme pain when standing or walking for long periods of time.. He would rather walk but that is not always feasable..so he sometimes gets a ecv.. He does not go ahead of the lines though and he always parks and walks into movies and attractions.There are a lot of people who do need them and look perfectly fine and there are a lot who take advantage.It really is a no win situation and there is nothing you can do.The people who do not need them just make it harder for the people who really do.

 

[Victoria]

Two things here, and I know I usually stay out of these discussions, but:

1) There is no official Disney policy stating that people using wheelchairs/scooters should be taken to the front of the line. But, some of the queue areas, you may have noticed, do not make for easy manuevering. There would be more chance of someone getting injured trying to get around that maze-like area for The Great Movie Ride, for example, rather than having them come down the open side area which is a straightaway instead. In those instances, they may have a separate entrance for guests utilizing a wheelchair/scooter and their party. Again, this is for the safety and convenience of the guest, not as a special privelige as some people seem to think it is.

2) As far as the couple with the scooters that you saw walking: did you follow them around for an hour or two, or did you just see them for a few minutes? There are some people that have circulation problems or other health issues that allow them to walk for limited periods of time, say 10 minutes or just a little longer than that, but if they had to walk the parks, stand in the lines, and all the other things that many of us take for granted as being able to do, they wouldn't be able to make it. Just because a person shows no outward signs in the brief time that you see them of having a medical condition, doesn't mean they don't have one. A good example would be a professional golfer by the name of Casey Martin. If you don't know who I am talking about, Casey Martin was a professional golfer who, when in college, was diagnosed with a rare circulatory disorder that left his right leg weakened. He was able to walk for a limited time, but to walk the entire 18 holes of a golf course was just not possible. The NCAA allowed him to use a golf cart to ride from shot to shot. He eventually went on to join the PGA Tour and actually had to fight all the way to the Supreme Court of the United States in order to get the right to use a golf car at PGA Tour events since the rules stated a golfer had to walk to each shot. Does he ride a scooter at all times? No. Does everyone that uses a scooter when they go out use one 24/7? No, sometimes they only use it if they know they will be doing something that would be physically not possible for them overall.

You took the words right out of my mouth. Thank you. I was going to bring up the case of the golfer as well.

I have severe early onset (im 22 and appear otherwise healthy) arthritis. In my normal everyday life I do not use an ECV. I walk around the mall, I work for 8 hours at a time on my feet, and ride a bike regularly. However, when in Disney I rent an ECV because 5+ consecutive days of walking, the Florida heat, etc can tire me out and debilitate me so severely that I would be confined to my hotel room. So yes, you may see me drive my ECV onto the bus and then walk over to a regular seat. Later on you may see me walking around by the pool. You might even see me doing *some* walking around in the parks. This doesn't make me a bad person, however.

If I didn't have to use the ECV I wouldnt. A privlege should not be taken away from all of us just because some people can't use them responsibly.

Some people can't use a car responsibly either, but does that mean that there shouldn't be any more cars? :lookaroun

 

[justducky78]

I'm sorry to hear about what happened to your son. Poor little guy.

I'm sure there are people who take advantage of the ECV priveleges, but like many here have posted...sometimes you just can't tell if a person really needs it or not. But, for those that DO really need the scooters, I'm sure they would much rather be walking around if they could do so.

But, I have to admit, when we were at WDW two weeks ago, we saw those scooters everywhere. A mid-40's obese couple and and their friend were all riding the scooters (all three had one) and nearly knocked us down, with no apology. I was so mad. I hope I never have to use a scooter someday, but if I do, I'd like to think that my manners remain intact.

I understand if someone in your party needs a scooter, but do all three need to use one? Maybe they all did have health issues, but I've been seeing this more and more. Where everyone in the party is using one, so they can keep up? It's a scooter not a go-cart.

 

[I,Walt]

I know there was a thread on this topic before but i couldn't find it. I had a first hand exsperience with the dangers of renting these scooters to anyone. We arrived at the Pop Century resort on May 14th. (mother's day) My family and i were standing at the front desk checking in. My almost three year old son went to run to my wife who was sitting down not more then 20 feet from me. I turned around and one of these scooter can flying through the lobby at basically ran him over. He had a nice bump on his head, a cut and fat lip and some other minor bruises. The guy who hit him just said oh osrry is he alright and the drove off. Know i am not against people who medically need a scooter being able to rent one (i know it is easier then bring one on a plane and all) but it seems that they should need to obtain some kind of a doctors note stating that in fact they dop actually need one. THankfuly the Pop Century manager on duty was nice and got us ice right away, made sure that my son was ok and then upgraded us to four perferred rooms right next to the elevator in the 60's building for free.

Those kind of people make me sick. I was at Pop for a week left May 6th. I went in to and out of that lobby more times than I can count. You can avoid people. I did and was new to the whole scooter thing. Its not if you need one. Its just be Response-Able enough to drive one.

 

[Kadee]

Its not if you need one. Its just be Response-Able enough to drive one.

Well said! People just need to be more responsable and considerate.