Originally Posted By MPierce Thanks, some people make it sound like a really neat effect. I was just curious if it was, doesn't really sound like it from your description.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>I would think you would have a little more compassion for people who had a physical problem to be treated fairly << While I have no problem with those who truly need to take advantage of the wheelchair priority services.. the truth is most people using chairs at WDW do not really need them. If you are offended by my comment, then it only means on thing: you may be one such type of priviledge abuser. There are many who do just that. I hardly concider obesity or lazyness, or excess baggage (people who rent wheelchairs at WDW to transport their shopping bags and obese teen children), reasons to use a wheelchair. However, I recognize not all people in a chair are like that. But many do abuse the courtesy and WDW will be more than happy to rent you one of them teamsters strollers because in the bottom line... it's all about the money they are making off you!
Originally Posted By MPierce >> the truth is most people using chairs at WDW do not really need them. << How very judgmental on your part. Are you implying that the people on this forum asking the questions concerning handicap procedures fall into that category? If you don't feel that way why even make this statment? >> The time that I rode, we never stopped or slowed down. Personally, I think people need to get off their chairs and stopped being catered to. << That seems very blunt, and to the point Bold, and brash statments do seem to be a part of your modus operandi. << If you are offended by my comment, then it only means on thing: you may be one such type of priviledge abuser. << You always make me smile with your comments TDLFAN. >> ^^^ A rather harsh assessment don't you think. Could be interpreted as a very offensive statement to some << Read that again, and tell me where I said I was personally offended. Now I'm curious about your obsession with people in wheelchairs. Is this some kind of latent fear on your part?
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 Maybe TDLFAN has had his ankles smashed into as often as I have. While I can sympathize with people who need the chairs, I get very annoyed at the ones who crash into me, and then can't be bothered with an "I'm sorry." Nope, they just crash again, well sorry people but I cannot walk any faster than the ones in front of me.
Originally Posted By MPierce Does that mean you can justify callous statements directed at people with a handicap. Would you ban the use of wheelchais, and ecv's because of your unpleasant experiences with rude people. People who abuse the system because they are fat or lazy is not germane to anything that had been previously posted by anyone. The only thing asked was about the operation of HM when a handicapped person was attempting to board the ride. Ask people who are forced into using a chair or an ecv if they like it or would they rather walk like everybody else. We can always find fault with ignorant inconsider people, so why don't we just point our fingers at them. Let's not try to lump everybody into one category. I know there are some people on this forum that they or members of their family have special needs. I would hate to think that they were made to seem unwelcome at WDW because of some other persons action that might have offended me. When we start looking down our nose or criticizing people who are less fortunate than ourselves, because it might be inconvient to us, we all suffer the inhumanity of it. Discrimination should never be tolerated. I would hope that most people would agree with that.
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 ^^Sorry if I seemed too flippant, but I did say I sympathized with the people who need the chairs. I just don't like people who use the chairs like a battering ram. And certainly not all of them do that. I try to be considerate of others.
Originally Posted By NikkiLOVESMickey As someone whose 79 year old mother needs a wheelchair to get around WDW, I agree with TDLFAN. I have no problem with those people who legitimately need wheelchair or ECV transportation around the World. However, I think there are a fair amount of people who just don't want to walk around WDW and pay the money for a chair or ECV when they really don't need them: cheerleaders at WDW for a competition that don't want to "wear out" their legs by walking around WDW, people who use a chair as a carry-all because they decided to bring everything they own into the park with them, people who are obviously able-bodied but just plain too lazy to walk around the parks. There is abuse of the system, and unfortunately it seems to have become mroe prevalent as the years have passed.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<There is abuse of the system, and unfortunately it seems to have become mroe prevalent as the years have passed.>> You're absolutely correct, Nikki. TDLFAN doesn't need me, or anyone else here, to defend him. But he (and no sane person with a heart) would ever have an issue with the truly disabled using wheelchairs and ECVs to get around. The issue is the sale, rental and use of these things has become a cottage industry (I've watched as local companies have stopped off at POP to deliver a few dozen to renters) ... and one that takes advantage of those with real health issues by creating a playing field where they're on the same level as lazy 400-pounders wearing their pin lanyards and chomping down on a turkey leg as they run your feet over and try and gain priority access for their parties of 11 to attractions. Disney is as much to blame for this as anyone because they choose to milk this new revenue stream and they refuse to do anything to tighten all the loopholes that allow anyone who wants an ECV to transport their fat behinds and WDW gifts all around on one of these contraptions. It's just a bad situation all around ... and, please, no condescending 'you can't tell if someone really has a (fill in the blank) ailment' arguments ...they hold no water with me because anyone who visits DL and DLP will tell you that the majority of people who use these items at WDW are scammers.
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 ^^But those things have to be expensive. Why rent one if it's not a necessity? And if it really is a necessity, why doesn't WDW give the legit people a break on price? Say if they have a Dr's letter or something. It can't be worth that much just to get on a ride faster.
Originally Posted By NikkiLOVESMickey Honestly, there are very few rides at WDW that allow those in wheelchairs to board "faster" than anyone else. Spaceship Earth and Haunted Mansion allow wheelchairs to board at a separate entrance that is a bit quicker than those in the standby entrance, but for the most part we wait in the regular line with my mom along with everyone else and are sent to a separate entrance at the time of or just before boarding. Anyone who thinks they're "getting ahead" on all the rides by having a wheelchair or ECV in their party is mistaken.
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 SSE has special cars for the wheelchairs, so timing would be the thing there. But it seemed to me that the wheelchair person at least got to wait at the start of the ride until the rest of the group caught up. I'd hate to think a wheelchair person had to go through the Pirate que.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN For the record, I have nothing against guests who genuinely need a wheelchair to get around the parks. It's great their stay is made more enjoyable and hassle-free due to the law's requirements in regards to their limitations. However, sometimes it's quite clear who uses a chair for other purposes than being a legit handicapped need. You know how many "miracle" cures I have witnessed at WDW on my many visits? Hundreds!
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORGOCH: Glad ta hear it. Means I still got the touch when it comes ta castin' a spell ta make ev'rybody happy.
Originally Posted By brotherdave Just curious, how do they handle people in wheel chairs for Pirates of the Caribbean. I know that they added an elevator at the exit a few years ago. Do they board them at the exit and have them go up the unseen (by most) lift hill? I'm just curious on their policy for it.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN UPDATE! Rode the HM tonight during MNSSHP. Most effects seem to work ok, except for the husband portraits in the attic scene. No heads on the portraits at all. However, this time, I noticed the floating Leota head appears to move around a bit more (up and down and slightly forward/aft) unlike the first time I rode when the crystal ball appeared to just hover in one spot. Also, tonight, I noticed (during my two rides) that once we walked into the Mansion, the spiel and show of the decaying photo in the welcoming room had already began. That was not good as it prevented the crowd from seeing the entire transformation of the Master's portrait. However, they did wait to start the stretching room spiel until ALL guests were already in the room. That was not the case the first time I rode. Also...we came to a complete stop for a few moments in the staircase scene, which leads me to believe, they can't or won't go into scrawl mode to allow for wheelchair boarding/deboarding.
Originally Posted By figment1986 << I'd hate to think a wheelchair person had to go through the Pirate que.>> <<Just curious, how do they handle people in wheel chairs for Pirates of the Caribbean. I know that they added an elevator at the exit a few years ago. Do they board them at the exit and have them go up the unseen (by most) lift hill? I'm just curious on their policy for it.>> If you’re in a wheelchair without a Disney Disabled pass: Go through the queue in a manual wheelchair, (the left is highly recommended because of its proximity to the back door to move wheelchairs around the buildings back to the exit,) and board at the loading platform. If you have a Disabled pass: You ask a CM who will direct you to an area off to the side of the entrance where a CM will verify your pass, and then a group of people with their passes will take a scenic route to get on, through the back to the loading platform. Everyone’s wheelchairs will be found at the unloading platform, and take the elevator back up. one good thing about the elevator is that it takes you outside of the store. --- Good to hear everything is still running well at the mansion, maybe they are still figuring out crowd control for the entrance and stretching rooms?
Originally Posted By CMDad <<The issue is the sale, rental and use of these things has become a cottage industry (I've watched as local companies have stopped off at POP to deliver a few dozen to renters) ... and one that takes advantage of those with real health issues by creating a playing field where they're on the same level as lazy 400-pounders wearing their pin lanyards and chomping down on a turkey leg as they run your feet over and try and gain priority access for their parties of 11 to attractions.>> This is a major issue with very little possible solution I think. In the past I have had to use either an ECV or wheelchair due to some legitimate medical issues. I have to admit that to see me using one you might indeed think I am one of those fat/lazy guests who use them for the purpose of jumping ahead of everyone. For this reason, I generally try to park the ECV or wheelchair and walk the queue if at all physically possible. It is unfortunate that on the occasions where I have needed it, some very selfish boors have made this situation where I have to almost be an apologist. FWIW - most of the causes of needing these conveyances are either under control or in the past, and I have not needed one in a few years now. I prefer to walk anyway - much healthier.
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 <<<one good thing about the elevator is that it takes you outside of the store.>> Shame on you, that's my son's favorite store. He started buying there as a 5 year old, and I'm sure that next year at 25 he'll find something. But I do understand that it would be hard to manipulate a w/c around those aisles and people.
