The Chit Chat Chit Chat Thread

[Goofyernmost]

All but one of the ecv riders we saw this past week, stayed on their ecv.

When I was in the busing business (retired about 5 years ago) the safety rules dictated that ecv riders must sit in a seat and not on the ecv. The reason is that generally anyone able to mount and dismount an ecv has a degree of mobility. Also, at the time, there was no effective way to secure the person via seat belt when an ecv was used, so, it was a requirement for us. They must use a seat and not stay on the machine. If the bus had to stop quickly or had a crash, it would be a real mess. ECV's also have a tendency to be top heavy with a person on board. Unlike wheelchairs that have a wide wheel base an ecv has a very narrow one, so sometimes even regular cornering could flip it on it's side. Wheelchairs and ECV's occupy the same amount of space, (usually three seats) but since the passenger must also use a seat it really takes up 4, which is a point of anger from the other passengers that have absolutely no empathy for someone that is in need. They have predetermined that anyone using an ecv is automatically lazy because they are able to get off it and sit in a seat therefore, in their minds, they didn't need one at all.

 

[Cesar R M]

@Cesar R M , after returning from WDW a few days ago, I just wanted to add my thoughts to something you shared (maybe a few months ago) about the resort buses and the ECVs. Having seen it myself, I now understand what you were saying.

I noticed on this trip that some of the resort buses had been reconfigured inside for the ECVs in particular, and wheelchairs. (Although wheelchairs didn't appear to take the same amount of space as the ECVs.)

From what I could see, the ECV will take up the space of 3 regular seats (that fold up out of the way), and then the new retrofit added a metal divider behind it (taking away one seat permanently). Then behind that, are 2 seats that can fold up for perhaps a smaller ECV, or a wheelchair. (So, that's 6 seats right there, if there's 2 ECVs.)

So here's what I couldn't understand about this new system. Now, keep in mind that I ride city buses all the time at home, and we have occasional wheelchairs riders, and far fewer ECV riders. But the difference is that on my city buses, 2-3 seats fold up for a wheelchair/ECV space; however, the person still sits in the wheelchair or ECV for the duration of the ride. (The bus driver merely hooks a restraint on the wheels, so that the wheelchair or ECV doesn't move in transit.)

However, on the Disney buses, the person then sits in a regular seat, while an empty ECV is taking up the space. So essentially, one ECV can take up 3 seats--and the person then sits on a regular seat--thereby, using 4 seats for each ECV rider. When a bus is crowded, losing these extra seats is an issue; and I think a simple solution could be if they just had the people remain seated on their ECV (or wheelchair), thereby freeing up at least a few seats.

I support Disney's efforts to accommodate all guests with any disabilities, but it does seem reasonable if they'd just ask the guests to remain seated in their own ECV during transit. Just wondering what you (or anyone else here) thought about this idea.

I honestly believe the reason they drop out of the ECV and move to a normal seat is. Most of the people who use ECV are elderly, so they have no strength to hold themselves to the ECV while its locked. Thus they end faceplanting if there is a strong break or turn (aka move upwards). While they are sitting in the normal seats, their family is probably next to them so that prevents them from being sent flying.

Still, yeah.. inefficient.

 

[Cesar R M]

When I was in the busing business (retired about 5 years ago) the safety rules dictated that ecv riders must sit in a seat and not on the ecv. The reason is that generally anyone able to mount and dismount an ecv has a degree of mobility. Also, at the time, there was no effective way to secure the person via seat belt when an ecv was used, so, it was a requirement for us. They must use a seat and not stay on the machine. If the bus had to stop quickly or had a crash, it would be a real mess. ECV's also have a tendency to be top heavy with a person on board. Unlike wheelchairs that have a wide wheel base an ecv has a very narrow one, so sometimes even regular cornering could flip it on it's side. Wheelchairs and ECV's occupy the same amount of space, (usually three seats) but since the passenger must also use a seat it really takes up 4, which is a point of anger from the other passengers that have absolutely no empathy for someone that is in need. They have predetermined that anyone using an ecv is automatically lazy because they are able to get off it and sit in a seat therefore, in their minds, they didn't need one at all.

I also think its an issue because each ECV could have a different design.
I've seen some that have full chairs, others that B chair, others that have Y shaped chair.
With the Y style, its not easy to get strapped down. You can fall down from all angles on these things.

 

[MOXOMUMD]

I'm thinking I need to ketchup like @donaldtoo

 

[MOXOMUMD]

I'm excited for you. I love a good cruise!

There wasn't anything I wanted to watch on tv last night so I put on the webcams from the Carnival Breeze and Carnival Pride. We saw one leaving their port.

 

[ratherbeinwdw]

Great thinking! I hate walking around with wet feet. I would never do Jurassic Park, I don't like big drops.

I wouldn't have done JP if I had known how big the drop is. But, I'm glad I did. It was fun, but once is probably enough for that one.
I could do Men in Black and ET over and over.
We found this really unique kid's area for Curious George way back in the ET area. Of course we didn't play in it, but it is so neat. It looked like kid-sized houses with water features inside each one for the kids to play in the water. It even has a huge bucket on top of one of the houses that dumps water on the kids. It was just so cute.

 

[ratherbeinwdw]

JP sounds like fun and I'm glad I stocked up on Crocs flip flops for my trip

If your boys want to do Forbidden Journey more than once, and they will, there is a nice and cool kid-swap room with benches with backs and a Harry Potter movie to watch while you wait. They usually have the door open so you can see your party get off the ride. It loads and unloads at the same spot. You get to go through the entire queue with them if you don't want to ride. They have no problem with people waiting for their party. I always carry everyone's bags so they don't have to put them in a locker. Lockers are free for a certain amount of time. For a longer time you have to pay.
Uni's bag check makes much more sense than Disney's. Everyone has to go through a metal detector. They have them at all garage entrances. There are at least 40 security people at the main entrance. They have four security people at every detector. It's very well done.

 

[Figgy1]

If your boys want to do Forbidden Journey more than once, and they will, there is a nice and cool kid-swap room with benches with backs and a Harry Potter movie to watch while you wait. They usually have the door open so you can see your party get off the ride. It loads and unloads at the same spot. You get to go through the entire queue with them if you don't want to ride. They have no problem with people waiting for their party. I always carry everyone's bags so they don't have to put them in a locker. Lockers are free for a certain amount of time. For a longer time you have to pay.
Uni's bag check makes much more sense than Disney's. Everyone has to go through a metal detector. They have them at all garage entrances. There are at least 40 security people at the main entrance. They have four security people at every detector. It's very well done.

I'm sure we'll all do FJ several times. My dh may skip JP he's nor fond of getting wet

 

[ratherbeinwdw]

When I was in the busing business (retired about 5 years ago) the safety rules dictated that ecv riders must sit in a seat and not on the ecv. The reason is that generally anyone able to mount and dismount an ecv has a degree of mobility. Also, at the time, there was no effective way to secure the person via seat belt when an ecv was used, so, it was a requirement for us. They must use a seat and not stay on the machine. If the bus had to stop quickly or had a crash, it would be a real mess. ECV's also have a tendency to be top heavy with a person on board. Unlike wheelchairs that have a wide wheel base an ecv has a very narrow one, so sometimes even regular cornering could flip it on it's side. Wheelchairs and ECV's occupy the same amount of space, (usually three seats) but since the passenger must also use a seat it really takes up 4, which is a point of anger from the other passengers that have absolutely no empathy for someone that is in need. They have predetermined that anyone using an ecv is automatically lazy because they are able to get off it and sit in a seat therefore, in their minds, they didn't need one at all.

The ones I saw this trip had to put on a safety belt that went entirely over their body and down to the floor. The drivers attached them--not the rider. They have a new thing on some of these buses that looks like an upright stretcher. I never saw one pulled down. I couldn't figure out what they were for. I'm thinking, since there's an empty space big enough for a second ecv in front of it, that it's simply a device to stop an ecv from moving forward if there's an accident. There are no seats in the area--not even pull up seats.

 

[Songbird76]

Do you have the pay service for TP? It will make you a customized plan for your day including the fps you've made. You may want to put in the days, parks and rides now with no fp's scheduled and that may help you figure when to get what fps.

Yes, I have a paid subscription and that's exactly what I did...I did the personalized plan with no fps or anything, but everything was still wonky.

 

[Goofyernmost]

The ones I saw this trip had to put on a safety belt that went entirely over their body and down to the floor. The drivers attached them--not the rider. They have a new thing on some of these buses that looks like an upright stretcher. I never saw one pulled down. I couldn't figure out what they were for. I'm thinking, since there's an empty space big enough for a second ecv in front of it, that it's simply a device to stop an ecv from moving forward if there's an accident. There are no seats in the area--not even pull up seats.

You might not see the seats because they fold up and are covered with straps and stuff to secure the vehicles. Many bus drivers that know that they will be picking up people in need, do not bother to put the seats back down, because then they have to move people when they do need that space or perhaps they just have places with no seats anymore. It sure must make the job easier for the driver not having to deal with a belligerent passenger that refuses to move so a chair can use that place. I can't tell you how many times I had to "get tough" with a person that just wouldn't move. A fine human being I always thought.

Yes, that is what happens... the vehicle does have to be secured because a 200 lb. flying object can be quite destructive. When someone has a standard wheelchair there are restraints for both the chair and the passenger, but, to my knowledge nothing has been developed yet to safely secure the rider on an ECV. I'm not sure what the "upright stretcher" is for. I cannot envision it at all. Perhaps to have something to carry the body out with after an accident happens, where the rider has refused to get off the ecv.

 

[MouseDreaming]

That is the touring I like to do. Go what feels right for the day. Daughter plans, and we go in and out of the plans, depending on the heat of the day! That's good for them and us. When we can't keep up, we stop in a resort and relax. Poly is my choice, with the Hawaiian music. I love Don Ho! Tiny bubbles!

I like taking a breather at Grand Floridian. Great live band, Grand Floridian Society Orchestra.

Here they are playing Paper Moon.

 

[MouseDreaming]

Did you replant your herbs or did they just come back? I've never had them come back, except for my chives.

It gets too cold for us @ajrwdwgirl. Have to replant all my herbs every year, except the chives. And those things are growing wild this year!

 

[MouseDreaming]

Keeping our schedule for the rest of the year is going to be not fun. Today older one is home, tomorrow both full day with field trips, Wednesday older one 1/2 day and then BBQ, Thursday both 1/2 day and Friday 4 day weekend including dh! I hope I get everybody to the right place at the right times.

Our next couple weeks are screwy, too. Oh well, 'tis the season! Wait a minute...

 

[Songbird76]

The first two days are always long, having to get to the airport early, has us getting up at this very early hour. It's over an hour drive to the airport. We need to check bags, and that's always a long line. We arrive at the airport, at 3pm their time. One o'clock at home. The ride to Disney on the magical express, probably has us getting to Disney at 4. Drop off carry ons. Then go to Animal Kingdom, have an early dinner. And do a couple rides. And stay for the rest of the day. Get up early the next day, and then we get to go back to the room around 3 for a nap.

That is kind of my horror scenario!! I wouldn't want to do that. I can't function on so little sleep, which is why I planned ours the way I did. If -I- can't function, no way could the kids. I want them to see everything they want to see, but it's not worth it if we can't enjoy it. Hopefully there will be more trips in the future and they can catch anything they miss this time on a different trip.

 

[ratherbeinwdw]

You might not see the seats because they fold up and are covered with straps and stuff to secure the vehicles. Many bus drivers that know that they will be picking up people in need, do not bother to put the seats back down, because then they have to move people when they do need that space or perhaps they just have places with no seats anymore. It sure must make the job easier for the driver not having to deal with a belligerent passenger that refuses to move so a chair can use that place. I can't tell you how many times I had to "get tough" with a person that just wouldn't move. A fine human being I always thought.

Yes, that is what happens... the vehicle does have to be secured because a 200 lb. flying object can be quite destructive. When someone has a standard wheelchair there are restraints for both the chair and the passenger, but, to my knowledge nothing has been developed yet to safely secure the rider on an ECV. I'm not sure what the "upright stretcher" is for. I cannot envision it at all. Perhaps to have something to carry the body out with after an accident happens, where the rider has refused to get off the ecv.

I probably shouldn't have laughed at this, but I did. There really are no seats beside the upright thing. It looked like it was permanently attached. We saw this set-up three times. I don't know if we just happened to get on the same one three time, or if there are several of them. After the empty seat space, there were the three rubberized fold up seats where ecv's are usually attached. It's very possible the seatbelt was the one on the ecv and the driver attached it for the lady. He was kneeling beside her so it looked like he took it to the floor.
The first time this bus came, there was a long line of people, two ecv's and a wheelchair waiting so the cm called for a an additional bus. The first bus was full, so we ended up on the special one. All three times we were on one like this was boarding at AoA. But, the only thing we saw the empty space used for was a guy put his doubled stroller there. I never saw an ecv put there.

 

[Cesar R M]

If your boys want to do Forbidden Journey more than once, and they will, there is a nice and cool kid-swap room with benches with backs and a Harry Potter movie to watch while you wait. They usually have the door open so you can see your party get off the ride. It loads and unloads at the same spot. You get to go through the entire queue with them if you don't want to ride. They have no problem with people waiting for their party. I always carry everyone's bags so they don't have to put them in a locker. Lockers are free for a certain amount of time. For a longer time you have to pay.
Uni's bag check makes much more sense than Disney's. Everyone has to go through a metal detector. They have them at all garage entrances. There are at least 40 security people at the main entrance. They have four security people at every detector. It's very well done.

Its strange that you mention the lockers being paid.
I know that they constantly change the free time to adjust the "biggest" wait time for the ride.
Example, when we were riding and getting there.. the lockers said 35 minutes.. Then when we finally got one, it changed to 45.
The waiting time was actually 35 minutes.
We seen similar behavior in the Gringott's ride.

 

[Songbird76]

We do the same thing on our ride down. One bag in the front and one in the back for the boys.

That's what we used to do. We also used to bring our own snacks. We'd load a cooler up with drinks and refill it with ice from the hotel at the end of the day and in the morning before we left. Then we'd have stuff for sandwich fixin's and we would eat lunch at a restaurant when the prices were cheaper, and eat sandwiches and chips and such for dinner. I have such good memories of our car trips. A few bad ones, too, but mostly good.

 

[FutureCEO]

FYI.... Disney has metal detectors for the people coming into EPCOT without bags but no other park did.

 

[Songbird76]

I like taking a breather at Grand Floridian. Great live band, Grand Floridian Society Orchestra.

Here they are playing Paper Moon.

Love it!!!! I would just want to stand there for hours and sing along. I love Jazz music.