What has become of Disney?

[bristol's mom]

With offerings like...

(Pretzel wrapped thick cut bacon with beer cheese)

Or this...

(Bacon wrapped Turkey Leg)

I don't think that is the issue.

Wow! These "snacks" rival Disney's but I was thinking more along the line of all the TS restaurants (in particular the buffet-style meals) that one can purchase under the DDP. Not only has the DDP lowered the quality of the food served, raised meal prices exponentially but now we can conclude that the DDP has added hundreds of scooter riders to the parks.

 

[jloucks]

Ahh the scooter talk. I am on the 'offense' here, so I will defend my position again.

Scooters are inherently fine. Take a person, take a scooter, put them together, and you have a person on a scooter. Where is the problem there? There isn't one. Yet. But something must happen that causes a scooter squabble. What could it be? It is three things....

The problems arise based on the things that happen next....

Problem 1 - Pain. Not the person on the scooter. The people they run into and over. I have been sitting and have had my toes run over at least 3 times. Surprisingly, not that painful (rubber tires?) but still not fun. I have never been rammed in the shin, but that could be crippling. Insurance rules follow here. If you ram them in the rear, even if they dart in front of you, you are at fault. Drive slower. The park is not a safe environment for scooters, motorbikes, golf carts, or really anything powered that goes more than 3. It just isn't. Humans can't drive that well.

Solution 1 - No Scooters. Wheelchairs only. Powered Chairs ok.
Solution 2 - Personal scooters only. ...because that will ensure some experience on the thing. I am certain a big chunk of the problem is inexperienced drivers that are then set loose in a heard of people on a machine they are not safe to operate.

Problem 2 - Line Cutting. I know I am evil for saying this, but I just can't quit comprehend how another persons finite time is more or less valuable than mine in this circumstance. Sure, in an emergency situation, I get it. But not in a leisure situation. To say that your time is more important than mine because *insert medical reason here* is offensive to me. Time is the most valuable thing we as humans posses. Please don't take mine without consent.

Solution - Scooter drivers get a placeholder ticket that ensure they board buses, rides, whatever, in fair order. Even easier, just roll in when your family, who has been in line, boards.

Problem 3 - Premium Seating. This one really doesn't bother me at all, but I witnessed a meltdown last trip from another guy on this topic. The auditorium was full, there were tons of reserved seats at the very front in the perfect location. Right when the show started a guy brought his family down from the nosebleeds and grabbed some of these seats. About 5 minutes into the show a scooter bound couple and family rolled in and asked the fellow and his family to move. Yea, he had a meltdown. Ironically, the old guy in the scooter seemed to sympathize with the preseated guy and his family.

Solution - I'd like to go with first come first serve all seats, but I see where that would be a problem for scooters. The solution would be then as soon as the show starts, all seats become available. Yea yea, I know, this is against ADA, but it is a solution.

Anywho, there is my unpopular opinion again. Flame away.

 

[rucifee]

Solution 2 - Personal scooters only. ...because that will ensure some experience on the thing. I am certain a big chunk of the problem is inexperienced drivers that are then set loose in a heard of people on a machine they are not safe to operate.

Maybe require that they take a safe scooter operator test or show their pre-existing safe driver certification before being allowed to operate a rental in public.

 

[ShareBDwithMickey]

Ahh the scooter talk. I am on the 'offense' here, so I will defend my position again.

Scooters are inherently fine. Take a person, take a scooter, put them together, and you have a person on a scooter. Where is the problem there? There isn't one. Yet. But something must happen that causes a scooter squabble. What could it be? It is three things....

The problems arise based on the things that happen next....

Problem 1 - Pain. Not the person on the scooter. The people they run into and over. I have been sitting and have had my toes run over at least 3 times. Surprisingly, not that painful (rubber tires?) but still not fun. I have never been rammed in the shin, but that could be crippling. Insurance rules follow here. If you ram them in the rear, even if they dart in front of you, you are at fault. Drive slower. The park is not a safe environment for scooters, motorbikes, golf carts, or really anything powered that goes more than 3. It just isn't. Humans can't drive that well.

Solution 1 - No Scooters. Wheelchairs only. Powered Chairs ok.
Solution 2 - Personal scooters only. ...because that will ensure some experience on the thing. I am certain a big chunk of the problem is inexperienced drivers that are then set loose in a heard of people on a machine they are not safe to operate.

Problem 2 - Line Cutting. I know I am evil for saying this, but I just can't quit comprehend how another persons finite time is more or less valuable than mine in this circumstance. Sure, in an emergency situation, I get it. But not in a leisure situation. To say that your time is more important than mine because *insert medical reason here* is offensive to me. Time is the most valuable thing we as humans posses. Please don't take mine without consent.

Solution - Scooter drivers get a placeholder ticket that ensure they board buses, rides, whatever, in fair order. Even easier, just roll in when your family, who has been in line, boards.

Problem 3 - Premium Seating. This one really doesn't bother me at all, but I witnessed a meltdown last trip from another guy on this topic. The auditorium was full, there were tons of reserved seats at the very front in the perfect location. Right when the show started a guy brought his family down from the nosebleeds and grabbed some of these seats. About 5 minutes into the show a scooter bound couple and family rolled in and asked the fellow and his family to move. Yea, he had a meltdown. Ironically, the old guy in the scooter seemed to sympathize with the preseated guy and his family.

Solution - I'd like to go with first come first serve all seats, but I see where that would be a problem for scooters. The solution would be then as soon as the show starts, all seats become available. Yea yea, I know, this is against ADA, but it is a solution.

Anywho, there is my unpopular opinion again. Flame away.

Most of these are perfectly fine with me & I expect all scooter users who really need to, only the personal scooters would be an issue for overseas guests. Solution, everyone who hires a scooter has to take a test to prove their capabilities.

Also as I understand it Disney safety protocols means scooters must be loaded on buses before passengers when at all possible. Obviously this changes when there are multiple pick points so it isn't set in stone. I feel no obligation for mine or anyone elses disabilities to get them a better experience in the parks than you, why should it we all paid the same.

I have fortunately never hit or run over anyone, but just developing common manners & apologising immediately if you had run into someone would go a long way to ameliorate some of the angst I see so often expressed.

 

[jloucks]

Maybe require that they take a safe scooter operator test or show their pre-existing safe driver certification before being allowed to operate a rental in public.

For the safety of others this would make sense.

 

[POLY LOVER]

do you really think someone would pay the outrages prices for a scooter rental if they really didn't need it to get around? Seems like an expensive scam

Disney doesn't really have very strict requirements, so anyone having a bad day can rent one. Why are we picking on a certain group. Your argument should be with Disney.

ECV Rentals
For Guests with mobility challenges, Electric Conveyance Vehicles can be rented at Walt Disney World Resort.
•Daily: $50 (plus $20 refundable deposit)
•Daily: $50 (plus $100 refundable deposit)
Rented units must be returned to the original rental location before park closing time to receive a refund of the security deposit.

About ECVs
ECVs are single-rider, 4-wheel electric vehicles that help Guests with mobility challenges travel long distances with ease. They are available to rent on a daily basis at each theme park and Disney Springs.

Additionally, wheelchairs are available to rent throughout Walt Disney World Resort.
Requirements
Guests must be 18 years of age to operate and a photo ID is required to rent vehicles. The maximum weight is 450 pounds.

 

[jloucks]

do you really think someone would pay the outrages prices for a scooter rental if they really didn't need it to get around? Seems like an expensive scam.

There are a minority of people that absolutely would realize the value of renting a device that gives you line cutting powers as well as premium seating. Unscrupulous people sure, but they are out there.

 

[DisneyJoe]

do you really think someone would pay the outrages prices for a scooter rental if they really didn't need it to get around? Seems like an expensive scam.

$30/day from offsite vendor, $50/day from Disney

 

[DisneyJoe]

There are a minority of people that absolutely would realize the value of renting a device that gives you line cutting powers as well as premium seating. Unscrupulous people sure, but they are out there.

You really don't get "line cutting" powers, except in extremely few attractions. Many are mainlined now.

Some of the seating is NOT premium, unless you like sitting in the extreme rear of every theater.

 

[JoeV]

I really didn't want to start a fight about scooters. I just commented there appeared to be a lot at disney when compared to other theme parks.

 

[POLY LOVER]

There are a minority of people that absolutely would realize the value of renting a device that gives you line cutting powers as well as premium seating. Unscrupulous people sure, but they are out there.

I don't think it gets you anything any more. My father-in-law had a walker and he had to wait like everyone else.

 

[DisneyJoe]

I am just perplexed of the lack of acknowledgement by Disney in any kind of reply.

FYI, In my experience, it can take anywhere from 2 to 8 weeks for them to reply, and it will be via a phone call.

 

[JoeV]

FYI, In my experience, it can take anywhere from 2 to 8 weeks for them to reply, and it will be via a phone call.

Well, that may be the reason. I just was surprised as I had heard that they were very responsive to their customers. Sent the mail a couple weeks ago. Anyways, not the end of the world if they don't reply. Just wanted to add my two cents.

 

[misterID]

I have been going to WDW for 41 years, 13 of which I've had an Annual Pass. You are most definitely correct when you say WDW is very different now then it was in the 90's. There are far more guests squeezed into the same amount of space along with a lot more strollers, wheelchairs and scooters. You do have to keep in mind that as time has moved on, more and more ADA barriers have been removed allowing more disabled guests to enjoy things they may have not been able to 20 years ago.

Yes, that's the best description. The MK has never been crowd friendly.

This discussion is a wonderful example of human compassion. It makes you want to go out and kick someone off a scooter.
what does it matter if someone choses to use a scooter, who cares. If they feel they need it they need it. It doesn't affect me in the least.
Sure in some cases they may be in the way but you go around them. Next people will be judging wether or not a kid should be in a stroller. You can debate that next.

Funny you say that, i was at MK Monday and I've never seen so many 7-9 year olds in strollers ever. I really thought they had some medical condition, until they jumped out and started running around. When did this start happening?

Scooters really don't bother me until the riders abuse the thing by driving recklessly fast while cutting through crowds and not watching where they're going and take someone out.

 

[misterID]

I really didn't want to start a fight about scooters. I just commented there appeared to be a lot at disney when compared to other theme parks.

Basically, they're pretty cheap to rent, and Disney attracts a crowd more prone to use them. Back in the day not a lot of people had them, and most who use them today, who really need them, rented wheelchairs. There are a lot of older APers also who know the benefits of the scooters and don't like walking.

 

[Victor Kelly]

Thread isn't locked yet........a miracle.

 

[ford91exploder]

The ECV's don't bother me nearly as much as the double and triple wide strollers blocking the path some of these things are more than 4' wide. I agree with the poster who said that for multiple child strollers they need to be the inline kind so as to keep walkways clear

 

[PhotoDave219]

"What have I become? My sweetest friend. Everyone I know goes away in the end. You could have it all. My empire of dirt. I will let you down. I will make you hurt."

 

[rucifee]

Yes, that's the best description. The MK has never been crowd friendly.

Funny you say that, i was at MK Monday and I've never seen so many 7-9 year olds in strollers ever. I really thought they had some medical condition, until they jumped out and started running around. When did this start happening?

Scooters really don't bother me until the riders abuse the thing by driving recklessly fast while cutting through crowds and not watching where they're going and take someone out.

Saw some idiot in a scooter tonight almost run two children over as she swerved in and out of people on the way out of the park not bothering to look around to verify her surroundings first. She had the deluxe scooter too complete with vinyl walls and windows to protect her highness from the elements. Fortunately the boy, who looked about 10 pulled his younger I assume sister out of the way before she was hit. It was a sight to see.

 

[French Quarter]

////What is with people on scooters? Strollers are expected. Wheelchairs here and there yes. But tons of people are riding around on scooters that don't look in any way disabled. It is crowded enough without having to dodge electric vehicles rushing to get wherever they are going /////.

LOL, that will start a fight around here so...

Fat people can't walk around the parks, it's too much for them and being fat is now considered being disabled. My favorite is the leash parents, they're so out of shape that have no ability at all to keep track of a child so they use a leash like a dog. LOL.

Sorry I know they all have these hidden health problems. Just funny how much healthier people were back in the 70's. They didn't have leashes or scooters, look at any picture from back then.

Why in the world do any of these things bother you? I don't ride a scooter but it matters not to me if anyone else does.