Wheelchair Abuse

[mrtoad]

Ok...maybe 3/5 was too high. 1/5 or 2/5 (depending on the day/time of year). So...I'll agree. And at the same time...I'm not trying to judge them, I generally pay no attention to them (unless the wheelchair person is particularily attractive). And....I do not see a way for disney to enforce it. Mainly....what I am saying is....
To those who DO abuse it for the sake of abusing it (and have no need at all for it).....shame!
Do I claim to know who is who? Nope. Not at all. (unless something rediculous happens, like the do backflips onto the ride and then run a marathon cuz they have too much energy, or something like that).

I guess....to sum it up.....
Tsk on the abusers.

I agree. I guess in the end, if you abuse it you are wrong and if you are someone looking down at someone in a wheelchair, you are wrong.

 

[captcanada]

I agree. I guess in the end, if you abuse it you are wrong and if you are someone looking down at someone in a wheelchair, you are wrong.

That I agree with 150%.
That pretty much sums it up perfectly.

 

[mkepcotmgmak]

i had to seperate two irate women, when i was working treehouse one night. they were fighting over the rights of wheelchairs in the parks... it was not a pretty picture!

 

[DisneyRoxMySox]

I see it happen in the parks, but I don't let it get to me. Myself and I am sure most of us from the boards know how to get everything done without waiting on lines for the majority of the day.

If people abuse a privelage given to them, fine, it will come back to haunt them. i.e. Getting turned away from shows because their isn't enough space for their wheel chair.

 

[mkepcotmgmak]

I see it happen in the parks, but I don't let it get to me. Myself and I am sure most of us from the boards know how to get everything done without waiting on lines for the majority of the day.

If people abuse a privelage given to them, fine, it will come back to haunt them. i.e. Getting turned away from shows because their isn't enough space for their wheel chair.

true.

 

[wdwishes2005]

people should have to go through the normal line, no matter if they are 100 percent healthy or dying and if the line is not handicapped accessible, they should wait in the handicap line the wait time in front says. this would prevent the cheaters.

 

[disneyfreak7036]

The problem with this topic is that somehow ALL people in wheelchairs and scooters seemed to get lumped into the same catagory. If anyone out there believes that there are not abuses, they are fooling themselves. If you say that wheelchairs or scooters do not get on attractions any faster, come stand in a stand-by line, not fastpass, and observe. I do not have any problem with the system Disney has implemented. I do have a problem with abuses. I will give two examples from our last trip(6/22-7/1). It's a rainy day at Epcot, and there was a long line for the bus back to Riverside. One lady with husband and son boards the bus with her scooter. After, placing the scooter on the bus, the lady gets up and sits in a seat. The bus then loads to capacity with several children having to stand. Here I am standing which is in no way shape or form a problem for me, I notice that the scooter takes three seats. The lady who could have stayed on the scooter takes a seat. Her son takes another. Her husband sits in the back corner with his bag on one seat and himself in another. Thats seven seats for a family of three. I think everone would feel this to be quite ridiculous. My second story. At 11:30 a.m., I was able to secure two fastpasses for 4:05 p.m. for Soarin. When my son and I returned to ride, I noticed the stand-by time at 115 minutes, and fastpass no longer avaliable. Once reaching the end of the fastpass line, I started a conversation with a lady who showed a 5x7 card as her fastpass. She had told me that this was the fifth time her and her daughters had ridden Soarin today. Once I thought she felt comfortable with me, I inquired about the card. She explained to me it was a diability card, and they had gotten one because a friend who was traveling in their party had a daughter with downs syndrome. Now, before any of you call me insensitive, the poor child was not in line to ride. Now, if you were the one waiting in stand-by, would you have appreciated someone using this card at will in all fastpass lines? Now, someone will take offense, because they think I am stereotyping all as abusing the system. Nothing further from the truth, but can anyone dispute the fact that the wheelchair and scooter count has doubled. Does anyone honestly believe that all are disabled, or could there possibly be just a few lazy people who prefer to ride than walk?

 

[Connor002]

in responce to everyone,

i don't wish to seem like i'm judging anyone, i have nothing against those that NEED wheelcharis, its the people that DO NOT need the privilage and use it for their own gain

i know there are those who abuse this, and i know that there are those who honestly need such things. there is know way for anyone to seperate the two however. so all i can say shame one the ones who are abusing this

-connor

 

[DisKid]

While this thread is not attacking those who rightfully need them, but rather those who abuse wheelchair use, I must say I have seen it happen once.

The last time we were down, there was a person in a wheelchair, who was going to get on the bus. He got up from the wheelchair and went to the front to get in. Ok. But then, the bus driver does the routine to get the chair in (even though there was no one in the chair). He lifted up the seats to fasten it in...and the person didn't even sit in it...he went to another seat. So...guy gets in from the front. Lets the wheelchair take up all that space and then takes up another seat...I would say this is abusing the system. For it appeared he hardly needed it anyway (at least once out of the park).

I find that WDW is very good at providing help to those who rightfully need it. But I admit, (which is what this thread is about after all) that those who abuse WDW are being very rude.

(and trying it out for yourself to test it, is being one of those who would fit into the very rude category...IMO)

 

[mrtoad]

I agree with what you said about the card. It would be different if the child who the card was for was using it but they weren't.

As for the scooter on the bus. I don't know about the rules, but could it be that you are not aloud to sit on it in the bus. I am asuming that if someone has a scooter vs. a wheelchair there are differences. Like someone who can't walk at all would not be on a scooter but in a wheelchair. Anyway, I was just saying maybe you are not aloud to stay on the scooter on the bus, and have to take a seat. And the husband should not put the bag on the seat if people are standing, that is wrong.

The problem with this topic is that somehow ALL people in wheelchairs and scooters seemed to get lumped into the same catagory. If anyone out there believes that there are not abuses, they are fooling themselves. If you say that wheelchairs or scooters do not get on attractions any faster, come stand in a stand-by line, not fastpass, and observe. I do not have any problem with the system Disney has implemented. I do have a problem with abuses. I will give two examples from our last trip(6/22-7/1). It's a rainy day at Epcot, and there was a long line for the bus back to Riverside. One lady with husband and son boards the bus with her scooter. After, placing the scooter on the bus, the lady gets up and sits in a seat. The bus then loads to capacity with several children having to stand. Here I am standing which is in no way shape or form a problem for me, I notice that the scooter takes three seats. The lady who could have stayed on the scooter takes a seat. Her son takes another. Her husband sits in the back corner with his bag on one seat and himself in another. Thats seven seats for a family of three. I think everone would feel this to be quite ridiculous. My second story. At 11:30 a.m., I was able to secure two fastpasses for 4:05 p.m. for Soarin. When my son and I returned to ride, I noticed the stand-by time at 115 minutes, and fastpass no longer avaliable. Once reaching the end of the fastpass line, I started a conversation with a lady who showed a 5x7 card as her fastpass. She had told me that this was the fifth time her and her daughters had ridden Soarin today. Once I thought she felt comfortable with me, I inquired about the card. She explained to me it was a diability card, and they had gotten one because a friend who was traveling in their party had a daughter with downs syndrome. Now, before any of you call me insensitive, the poor child was not in line to ride. Now, if you were the one waiting in stand-by, would you have appreciated someone using this card at will in all fastpass lines? Now, someone will take offense, because they think I am stereotyping all as abusing the system. Nothing further from the truth, but can anyone dispute the fact that the wheelchair and scooter count has doubled. Does anyone honestly believe that all are disabled, or could there possibly be just a few lazy people who prefer to ride than walk?

 

[CaliSurfer182]

So you know what I did, I rented a wheelchair for just a day to see what would happen. I was able to get right on Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Pirates, HM, and IASW. I was really upset that someone like me, who is not handicapped or paralyzed in any way, was able to just get a wheel chair and abuse it.

This seems like a mature thing to do

I just get bothered by people abusing something. I am just trying to see if there is anyone else who sees it other than me or my brother.

So you solve the problem by abusing the system yourself? It seems like you are really looking to change things!

 

[jmicro59]

Wow, this is a loaded topic, handicapped, not handicapped, over weight not overweight, politically correct, not politically correct. The way I see it, the individuals who have a disability and may or may not be in a wheel chair are probably living life to the fullest they can and probably don’t take every day for granted like I do. I don’t mean to take things for granted but I do. Look in the mirror, be honest and you probably do too. So more power to them, get to the head of line. Now the individuals who do not have a disability and try to use this type of appearance to beat the system, well what are you gonna do? Be true to yourself, don’t copy them, don’t talk about them, don’t even acknowledge their existence, you know what they are doing is wrong and you don’t do it because you know it is wrong. Disney is the one that has to deal with the potential issue. Let Disney know what you’re seeing, it takes five minutes to write a letter. Don’t let these individuals ruin your Disney experience, point yourself in the positive and let the negative be Disney’s problem. :wave:

 

[CaliSurfer182]

people should have to go through the normal line, no matter if they are 100 percent healthy or dying and if the line is not handicapped accessible, they should wait in the handicap line the wait time in front says. this would prevent the cheaters.

That is true I believe the lines should be the same if at all possible, but I would only agree to that if the average guest would not make their rude comments or cut ahead or shove these wheelchair individuals to the side while in line.


Yes I have an individual in my family that uses a wheelchair (in fact it is my child), and I have no problem with waiting in line with everybody else. I believe that is fair, but what I don't believe is fair is people shoving past me and knocking my two-year old's wheelchair around while I am trying to manuever it. If you want to talk about people abusing things, then you might want to add the average guest who takes advantage of the underpriviledged, because they can move around faster.

 

[wdwishes2005]

That is true I believe the lines should be the same if at all possible, but I would only agree to that if the average guest would not make their rude comments or cut ahead or shove these wheelchair individuals to the side while in line.


Yes I have an individual in my family that uses a wheelchair (in fact it is my child), and I have no problem with waiting in line with everybody else. I believe that is fair, but what I don't believe is fair is people shoving past me and knocking my two-year old's wheelchair around while I am trying to manuever it. If you want to talk about people abusing things, then you might want to add the average guest who takes advantage of the underpriviledged, because they can move around faster.

Thats not right at all, did you tell a CM? Those people Should be kicked out and barred from Disney.

 

[GenerationX]

The only solution to the problem is to have licensed M.D.s in several specialties at the gates of each park and at each bus, ferry, and monorail station. That way, each guest in or requesting a wheelchair/scooter/hovercraft could be given a complete and thorough exam to judge the degree to which they are disabled. The cheaters could then be kicked out on their cheating butts immediately. The ones that appear to have no disability or to have helped cause their disability could be given a stern lecture on behalf of all disbelieving guests before they are allowed their chair. Those noted as clearly and unequivocally disabled by the team of M.D.s would be given their chairs without question.

Problem solved! :lookaroun

 

[drp4video]

:lol:

 

[sharkgirl]

My mother is disabled and must use a wheelchair to get around. Disney is a very bright spot in her life. She has a degenerative spine condition and the disney employees go above and beyond to help her onto the rides and make the transaction as smooth as possible. I know there are cheaters but Disney treats everyone with courtesy and respect. I wish the system was perfect but Disney makes it as perfect as possible.

 

[TiggerBW]

2 summers ago I had open heart surgery. The very next month, we were in Disney to pick up my brother who was working there as an intern. My doctors told me to get a wheelchair because it would be WAY too much for me. I also had a handicap card/licence looking thing and a parking pass. I borrowed one of my grandmom's wheelchairs to bring down.

I got dirty looks anyway! Because I looked young and "fine" on the outside. And I was able to transfer onto rides. I really appreciated the help that we got for some things because I did tire out fast. At night, sometimes I would try to walk around to build up my strength, but later would sit back in the wheelchair.

I know people thought I was faking and I felt uncomfortable. But I couldn't even go on the fun rides like space mt. splash mt. etc. because of my condition! (I think Mission:Space had just opened and I was dying to go on it, but was told specifically NOT to go on that. That killed me! ha ha)

OH well. I knew it was legit even if others didn't

 

[Raven66]

For everyone that is worried about wheelchair abuse...................Get over it! You are there to have a good time not worry about what everyone else is doing. I don't believe they get into the ride or show any faster. I've seen people in their chairs have to wait at the Handicap entrance for a bit until someone could escort them or until a space opened up. I just think some people need something to complain about. I've had to be pushed in a chair before (not in WDW) and I'm perfectly healthy. I had some kidney surgery and it was too much for me to walk. But about 1 week later I was able to walk on my own. Did I abuse it? I don't think so. You better hope that you never need a chair.


And whoever said that thing about shoving something somewhere...........If you ever did that to me or someone I knew, you would singing soprano for the rest of your life. EVEN if I saw you do it to someone I didn't know. That was so rude.

 

[Christina]

I feel I have to comment on this now, before the thread gets too out of hand.

Once last year my older sister Brooke fell and hurt her ankle in the MK. After a quick ice-up at the first aid station, she felt like she didn't want to leave the parks. It was only early in the afternoon then and she wanted to stay. The CM got her a wheelchair... and things went MUCH slower than they would of had she been able to walk. So no, it's really not that much of a time-saver. We often had to wait for everyone to clear out before we could leave, costing us about twenty minutes. But I'm glad the wheelchair was available to her, even though she doesn't have a really "medical" problem.

I don't like people who abuse the system either- lets face it, who does. I'd like to believe that the people who DO use wheelchairs in the park need wheelchairs. Relax, it's DISNEYWORLD. A family or two going by in wheelchairs in the lineup even though its not OBVIOUS to you why they need the wheelchairs isn't going to ruin your vacation.

Whilst I was once one of those "overweight people shouldn't be allowed to eat and scooter and blah..." people, I understand that sometimes people gain weight as result as a injury or are just unable to excersize because of a body problem. I think I'm hearing that it would be okay for overweight people to scooter/wheelchair themselves around if they ate better, right? Well sure, but thats not for us to choose. I pig out at Disneyworld too, I can't help it.

It's a vacation. Chill out and IGNORE THEM. If it bothers you so much, file an offical complaint or something.