Now, that's a good attitude. When do you get to WDW in Dec? Maybe we're there at the same time???
I have spent time with someone using an ECV at WDW. She uses it at home as well. And I have to say that my eyes were opened that night!!! She is very good on that thing....and yet, people were always cutting her off, stopping dead in front of her, giving her the hairy eyeball when she arrived at the bus stop...even though there was a grand total of 4 people standing there when we arrived.
We arrive December 15th and leave the 23rd. Have to be back to spend Christmas with the family. I am not sure how good I will be at driving one but I do plan on practicing at Kroger and Home Depot very early (before 7am at Kroger) when no one is there. We have a rental car for most of our trip except the last 2 days. We are at BLT so we plan on sticking to MK and EPCOT the last two days so no buses for use unless the DTD urge hits us on Saturday night.
When are you going? This is our first time during Christmas. I have been the week after but never the week before.
Ooops, I leave on the 13th. You will love the parks at this time of year....so much fun!!!
I never said anything about letting ECVs load first...they should load first when it is safe for them to load.
But if a bus has too many people on it should the driver make others get off for the ECVs load? Or have them load while people are on the bus? That way the ECVs don't have to wait for the next bus. Is that the equality that was suggested?
And yes we were asked to get off the bus to let 2 ECVs on when they came up right when the bus finished filling. After 10 in their party got on... we were left behind and were the first in the line. After another 30 minites of waiting for the next bus... we called a taxi.
I can understand ECVs having to wait for one more bus...it happens. BUT...if you are on an ECV, at a stop, ready to go, and you have been patiently waiting, you should be able to board the bus. Yes, there may well be guests sitting in those seats that you would need for the ECV to be tied down at. And yes, those guests would be expected to get up and move....that's what the signs above the seats state!!! Not sure why anyone would be surprised to be asked to move from them. IF the bus is already pretty full, with people already standing, then no, the ECV may not be able to be accommodated. People should never be asked to get off the bus in order to allow an ECV to board...that is far from fair and equal treatment.
My point is that people rant and rave about an ecv person having to stand in line with everyone, no early loading, etc. but that the peanut gallery is strangely quiet when presented with the fact that people often have to wait for several buses while the line empties and fils again and again due to capacity imits (2 per bus) or mechanical issues.
Oh, I think the 'peanut gallery' is quiet because they know that rudeness will get them deleted!!! Polite, civil discussion is always welcome here.
So they have to empty the bus if she isn't the first stop?
I may be still planning our first trip, but I have seen the maps and there are sometimes a few stops between the start of a run and arriving at a park. Someone can correct me, but do they unload the busses? That would be the way to figure out if it is law or not.
No, the bus shouldn't be unloaded. The goal if for equal treatment..not preferential treatment!!! Sometimes an ECV may have to wait until the next bus arrives. And that should be expected. BUT....when someone has to wait through 2 or 3 buses, that are almost empty because those buses can't mechanically accommodate the ECV??? That's wrong!! And hugely unfair. The vast majority of the buses, should be able to accommodate ECVs. I think that sometimes there are drivers who just don't want to take the time or effort. And that's sad!!!
This thread is like the energizer bunny.
Does everyone agree there are alot more EVC s at WDW than years past??
Why do you think this is? If you think so?
Absolutely!! A lot more ECVs as well as more large strollers. When I first started going to WDW, back in '99, you saw a lot of those umbrella strollers...not nearly as many of the huge strollers you see today. Then, it became commonplace to bring a touring vehicle as a stroller..fully loaded with everything, and anything, a family 'may' need during the day in the parks. Add to those the increasing numbers of ECVs, and there is the possibility of huge clogs and bottlenecks in the parks, especially during crowded times. I have been in MK, after the fireworks show ended, when it's dark and not very well lit around the actual hub area. I have been rammed by both ECVs and strollers....all with the rider/pusher yelliing 'I need to get through, please move over...I have to get through here!!!'...oh, and we don't??? Seems that sometimes those using ECVs or strollers think they get priority passage!!!
It's probably got something to do with the ease of getting an ECV at WDW as well. There do seem to be those who persist in thinking that being on an ECV is going to get them places more quickly..and that just isn't the case. Maybe as time goes on, people will start to realize this and use their own feet to get around.
I truly don't believe that there are more ECVs/scooters in the park because the country's baby boomers are aging. As a whole, we are a pretty healthy group!!! We are the group that has been exercising and eating right. People are getting more unhealthy as a whole though.....I see so many people on ECVs who have absolutely no idea how to ride one. They bang into things and people. They have no clue how to stop them efficiently. They ride them at the highest speed they can get to. Yes, there are many reasons for using an ECV at WDW when you may not need one at home. But...if that is the case??? Learn to ride it correctly before you go to a crowded park!!!
This is all about common sense and common courtesy. If every single person used these two things, then life in the parks would be ever so much nicer!!! It is not 'you first, right after me'!!!!