should there be a waiting period for wheelchairs

[mp2bill]

Didn't bother to read all 7 pages of posts...but I agree. Also, I wish there was a way to weed those types of people out. Just like if you're counting cards in a casino, they can ask you to leave. I guess that wouldn't be very Disney-like though.

However, if they did ask them to walk or leave, Disney would be doing them a favor. Maybe they'd lose some weight.

 

[DisneyJoe]

Maybe they'd lose some weight.

This is why you should have read all 7 pages.

 

[L2DAVI]

I did not read all of the comments on this thread but I do feel that there needs to be a better way for the wheelchair bound people. I think Disney needs to make buses for handicapped only that will allow for their people to join them on the handicapped bus. I experienced issues with the "handicapped" when my family was there last year. We were standing in line to go back to our resort at like 12:30am with my very, very tired 4 yr old son and we were holding him at this point. When the bus pulled up a wheel chair person & large family, jumped the front of the line (mind you, we were pretty far back in line, but still able to get at least one seat) and eventually got on the bus and this "handicapped person" decide last minute to get off of the chair and take the very last seat. :brick: I wanted to beat the daylights out of this person because we were now stuck standing with a sleeping kid. Boy does that stink. We ran into this family a few times throughout our trip and each time the person would take up a few seats because of the chair needing to be fastened and then get off and take up more seats because they didn't want to ride on the wheel chair.
Disney should really look into a better transportation system for the handicapped as well as inside of the parks, People DO ABUSE the system with the wheel chairs and the lines. They should have to wait in like everyone else. (ex: make the lines wider and less twisted) so they can wait like everyone else............

 

[stlbobby]

I did not read all of the comments on this thread but I do feel that there needs to be a better way for the wheelchair bound people. I think Disney needs to make buses for handicapped only that will allow for their people to join them on the handicapped bus. I experienced issues with the "handicapped" when my family was there last year. We were standing in line to go back to our resort at like 12:30am with my very, very tired 4 yr old son and we were holding him at this point. When the bus pulled up a wheel chair person & large family, jumped the front of the line (mind you, we were pretty far back in line, but still able to get at least one seat) and eventually got on the bus and this "handicapped person" decide last minute to get off of the chair and take the very last seat. :brick: I wanted to beat the daylights out of this person because we were now stuck standing with a sleeping kid. Boy does that stink. We ran into this family a few times throughout our trip and each time the person would take up a few seats because of the chair needing to be fastened and then get off and take up more seats because they didn't want to ride on the wheel chair.
Disney should really look into a better transportation system for the handicapped as well as inside of the parks, People DO ABUSE the system with the wheel chairs and the lines. They should have to wait in like everyone else. (ex: make the lines wider and less twisted) so they can wait like everyone else............

Are you allowed to sit on a wheel chair or EVC while it is tied down on a bus? I thought that was against the rules or even the law. Can somebody who knows clarify?

 

[devoy1701]

I think it's a safety issue...I do not believe you're allowed to stay in your ECV on the buses when in operation..


Anyway. I disagree with puntagordabob who says this thread should be locked. I think that most people are handling this topic rather humanely.

 

[L2DAVI]

If it is such a safety issue then why are people who are "confined" to wheel chairs not lifted off of their chairs and seat belted to the bus seat? And not just in Disney.:shrug:
I have seen many people stay on their chairs motorized and regular.

 

[mickeypal1]

I don't think it is a safety issue. However, my MIL who does not like to be the center of attention found it more comfortable to sit in a seat. It is hard to have people keep looking at you on your scooter. When she sat in the seat she didn't have to feel different and it was more comfortable. There are many other people who can offer their seat. My husband always does.
I don't believe she was taking "advantage" of the system. She waited in line for the bus just like everyone else.

 

[memster]

....discussing busses...i will respond to some points.

My youngest boy is in a wheel chair...cant really walk...has CP. My family consists of myself, my wife, and four kids (one of which is in the wheelchair). Sometimes my Grandma Mom at age 87 comes along in scooter but normally uses wheelchair.

Someone suggested splitting the groups up going onto the busses... in the case of my family you would be crazy if you think we would split up because there are 6 (7 if we include Mom at 87 years). NEVER gonna happen! The very IDEA of having part of our party on one bus and the other section on another bus is crazy! We are not abusing the system, but under the criteria posted regarding bus parties we would be split up.

Also for the record I have two artificial hips and other issues...I could probably do the wheelchair scooter thing with no issues...but I dont.. because thats NOT the kind of person I am.... so when at times when other parties with wheelchairs etc bumps me from a bus when I am alone without handicap members of my family, its a Bummer. BUT I accept it as part of being a decent human being.

Are some of the people cheating the system? Yes, seems rather obvious....but never so obvious that you KNOW for sure. Complain on the forums if you want....but if you were to question my family in public, your results would vary...but expect a nice public humiliation and it would be Yours, not ours.

One time I had a guy complain at me because I parked in a handicap parking spot with my placard back in 2001.... so I offered to drop my pants to show him my two artificial hip operation scars....started to even unbuckle my pants... a person who was walking by (no idea who he was) decided to explain to the other guy that he was quite the ash-hole and to mind his own business.

At Disney, it is not your place to say a word to anyone... if you want to complain, tell a CM... but to say a word to another guest is not only ignorant, but in this day and age it could end up in you seeing stars...

People that whine about handicapped people ought to change places with any of us....I'll give up my parking placard if youll trade my two titanium hips for your good natural bone hips.....

I wish the Admins would lock this topic.[/QUO I couldn't of said it better myself :animwink:

 

[mrksmpsn]

Using an ECV Isn't Always a Magical Experience

We have had to use ECVs inside the parks the last few trips and hate having to do so. But it is the only way for us to get around and enjoy the magic with the rest of you. What is frustrating is the dirty looks from people who don't know you (and no, I haven't cut in front of them with the ECV) or bus drivers who pull you out of waiting in line to put you on the bus before everyone else. I hate that because it doesn't seem fair to others waiting in line (just make us first up for the next bus when its our turn to ride).

People complain how ECVs drive around in the parks, and yet the walkers don't seem to mind stepping right in front of a moving vehicle and expect you to stop on a dime (though the ECVs can pretty much do that but it isn't fun trying to avoid walkers who are clueless you are even there).

The wheelchair pass line at The Land seems like a fair option. You get a return time based on some time they have set and that way you don't just get moved to the front of the line. On other rides you can wait in the queue then you can at least enjoy the themed atmosphere you miss if you get shuttled off to some back entrance. And waiting for the IASW wheelchair boat often means waiting longer than the rest of you standing in line.

Yes, I dislike those who abuse the system, but at $50 a day for an ECV or $12 for the wheelchair are there really all that many using them to circumvent the system? Probably not enough for us to get our knickers in a twist. Don't let it bother you, it isn't worht it--relax and enjoy the magic and be thankful you don't have to use a mobility device.

You get a different perspective about the wheelchairs/ECVs when you end up having to use one and getting the dirty looks from those who think you are abusing the system (and I'm not talking about being in a line for a ride--you get them for just using one from some people). I agree with the several posts here that you want to be careful what you say about others and mobility access; you never know when you may need to use one for some unexpected problem. I've learned to just keep a smile on my face as I manuever carefully with the flow of the walking guests, knowing that someone who has a negative view of my being there just isn't worth ruining my trip. I just try to be polite and move on.

 

[Babylon Control]

Are you allowed to sit on a wheel chair or EVC while it is tied down on a bus? I thought that was against the rules or even the law. Can somebody who knows clarify?

For safety reasons you are not allowed to ride on the ECV while the bus is in motion. I always folded the back of the seat down to prevent people from sitting in the ECV and using it as an empty bus seat.

And for those of you who complain about the ECVs getting on the buses first, just remember that while you are already making your way to the park or your hotel room, those who are either in the ECV or are travelling with the ECV are still there with the bus as the ECV is being offloaded. They may be first on, but they are LAST off.

 

[Babylon Control]

People complain how ECVs drive around in the parks, and yet the walkers don't seem to mind stepping right in front of a moving vehicle and expect you to stop on a dime (though the ECVs can pretty much do that but it isn't fun trying to avoid walkers who are clueless you are even there).

The wheelchair pass line at The Land seems like a fair option. You get a return time based on some time they have set and that way you don't just get moved to the front of the line. On other rides you can wait in the queue then you can at least enjoy the themed atmosphere you miss if you get shuttled off to some back entrance. And waiting for the IASW wheelchair boat often means waiting longer than the rest of you standing in line.

Totally agree with you. I lost count of the number of times I was nearly ejected out of the ECV because of someone cutting in front of me at the last second. I eventually gave up trying to stop in time and took the stroller pushers mentality. They could get out of my way.

Oh and the return pass isn't just given out at the Land. I got it at Buzz Lightyear and at Space Mountain.

 

[DisneyJoe]

For safety reasons you are not allowed to ride on the ECV while the bus is in motion.

During my trip in May, I was never asked to leave my ECV while on the bus - they did strap me in tight though with a special seat belt. I also did not need to leave the ECV while riding the monorail.

 

[Babylon Control]

During my trip in May, I was never asked to leave my ECV while on the bus - they did strap me in tight though with a special seat belt. I also did not need to leave the ECV while riding the monorail.

They always asked me to leave my ECV on the bus, provided I was able to transfer. As for the monorail, I was never required to leave it. Its probably because the monorail never makes any sudden stops or turns.

 

[The Mom]

We seem to have reached a circular argument here. Many people have read all of the remarks, and have learned something about navigating WDW with disabilities, how not all disabilities are obvious, and the reasons for some of the procedures used in transporting guests. Others have made up their minds about the issue, and no amount of information is going to change their opinions - some don't even want to bother considering the other POV!

So, thank you to every one who provided respectful insight from both points of view, but it appears that things will be going downhill soon.