This is why CM’s are starting to crack down on people letting their kids/grandkids sit on their laps while on the scooter. Last week coming out of Epcot after the fireworks I saw the same exact thing with the user letting a little kid have a joyride on the scooter. Her excuse “C’mon, it’s Disney! I’m letting him live out his NASCAR dreams!” Security was promptly called after that…
Totally can relate to feeling invisible! I attempt to keep to the far right along pathways but I frequently trail groups (in the middle, behind them) moving at a good walking speed. Usually this keeps me in a buffered zone. I've had several experiences where people literally walk right past me to go ahead in a line! I don't know if they wanted to pretend to be with me or what... but OMG.. I have to say that lately (my Dec & March visits) I did notice lots of people actually stopping to allow me to go - and I mean LOTS of times.
The companion restroom idea helped me on this last trip. Being solo, I felt uneasy leaving my ECV outside the restroom, and I couldn't really maneuver it into the restroom. Then a restroom CM opened the door to the companion restroom and motioned me in there. At first I felt strange-"I don't have a companion, I'm solo!"-but after that I looked for companion restrooms. I only felt uncomfortable once-when a man offered to go in and help. Then I noticed his mother, in a wheelchair, coming out and when he said to me "do you need help?" I think he meant that his wife would come help. At least that's what I want to think.@snowwite - Although the doors are not “automatic” (I get it, sis, I really do!) remember that Companion Restrooms are our friend; it makes dealing with a device much easier.
Oh - last but not least, I ask for my food at QS to “go”, even if I am going to eat there, so they will pack it into a bag or box. Usually I don’t have to explain why…But that does make carrying it to the table in my lap much easier and safer. And if I CM offers to help, I say let them! It’s easy to get into that mindset of “I can do it all by myself” but it’s really OK to let someone help every now and again. There’s a difference between someone who really wants to just help you get to a table vs. that person who is clearly seeking to make you their good deed of the day.
I hope overall you have had a great week!
Yes, Yes, you hit the nail on the head. The few times I have had to use an ECV, I had to stop (or try to) when someone just walked in front of me not even looking where he was going. It's like you are invisible.
Thank you! I used the light last eve. Most nights I’ve been in the room or at DD house.@snowwite - Although the doors are not “automatic” (I get it, sis, I really do!) remember that Companion Restrooms are our friend; it makes dealing with a device much easier.
IF you have a small group with you, remember our “bubble” strategy - keep as far to the right as you can, even in wider places like World Showcase at Epcot. Then try to keep someone on one side, ideally one in front and one in the rear as well to help act as “bubbles” to help fend off the phone zombies. If you only have 1 person, I would say try to keep them either on your side, or in front (probably have to be in front in squeezy-er places) because they will have better visibility to help give you some protection. The best part about the bubble is that with 3 other folks, you only have to really guard the right side, so it gives you a little breather of sorts.
I agree with you, and everyone else; we *do* become invisible. In part, because we are seated, so we tend to visually disappear. And in part because everyone is distracted - Disney is literally designed that way - and so when you add in the additional distraction of our phones, it can become dangerous to be… us.
There are little things you can try to help combat the invisibility, like wear a big crazy hat, and/or wear REALLY bright clothing. As I move through crowds, I just very cheerfully holler “Thank you! Excuse me! Coming through!” Over and over and over again. Does it become repetitive and awful? Yes. Does it help keep people from bashing into me? Mostly.
At night, lights are your friend - but not high, obnoxious LED headlights that blind oncomers (remember the little stroller babies - they are captive, and we especially don’t want to hurt their eyes) but “underglow” lighting actually seems to help the most. It doesn’t have to be fancy - just plain white undercarriage lighting helps so much. I personally believe it’s because if someone is looking down at their phone it catches their eye. Pretty little twinkly lights on your basket are fun, but you want something that will light up the ground under your mobility device to really make it visible.
Oh - last but not least, I ask for my food at QS to “go”, even if I am going to eat there, so they will pack it into a bag or box. Usually I don’t have to explain why…
I hope overall you have had a great week!
One woman made me transfer and also told me she had to maneuver it with the key out of the ignition. No other drivers said or did that at all.
I’ve seen a lot of bums. Lol
The turns I can manage but the backing up into the smaller space on a bus is a struggle. The larger one no problem.If you can rent a 3-wheel device, those tend to have a tighter turning radius. That’s a generalization, but overall experience here bears out that advice.
For me, right hand turns are always easier than left hand turns! Don’t know why, they just are! LOL I think it’s because I’m right handed? Who knows…
If you are renting off-site, and can take even 5 to 10 minutes to practice outside the Parks, it will help you get settled faster with your new-to-you temporary mobility device. Practice hard u-turns and tight corners especially, and if you have time, backing up is always a good skill to brush up on. Every single device is different - even 2 of the exact same model from the same manufacturer can drive and handle differently, just like a car.
If you are using Parks rental scooters, still try to find a spot to do some quick practicing; if you are more confident, it will make everything easier.
And BTW - they have yet to invent the corner that I won’t turn for Midway Mania! It’s a must-do for me every trip!
Totally invisible, and it's anxiety-inducing. here's my mom's story:
. It worked so well! Until...), but a completely unrelated family all came to my mom's defense and started yelling at the woman all at the same time, so we just stepped back and took care of mom, and my daughter, who has now started crying seeing my mom upset and was trying to literally run away from the crowd (daughter is autistic and hyper-empathetic). It was a mess. I was able to walk my daughter just a few feet away and sit down. Many people came up to them and asked if they were ok, offering them water bottles, snacks, etc, even a 2 year old tried to give my daughter her Rapunzel baby doll 
(that one made me cry, I couldn't handle it anymore). They were all very kind. But mom wasn't ok unfortunately, and she decided she just couldn't do it anymore, she was done for the night. It all happened so fast, we were only there for a short time (we had to go late, daughter needed a mid-day rest), and I don't have to tell you what those tickets cost. I felt so bad for her. A CM showed up out of nowhere with a wheelchair and walked her to the buses. She told us in no uncertain terms that we were not to leave unless my daughter wanted to, she'll be fine, we NEED to stay (again, expensive tickets, and you better listen to momma). Sister asked another CM who had shown up to help us get the scooter to the front and store it until we left. He had security with him and the woman was escorted off to who knows where (again -- that poor little kid!). A totally different CM showed up with a balloon for my daughter. So many CM's, lol. I was honestly surprised, I figured they'd all be busy and overwhelmed. Excellent treatment from CM's and other guests.
Your story brings me to tears for your whole family and especially your mom. My sister is very much like your mom so I feel your pain. We don’t do parties with her and wait a LONG time after fireworks before attempting to leave MK even when the crowds are light. I don’t even think I could do a Christmas party crowd such as you describe and I’m a well-seasoned ECV user. I was going to suggest a wheelchair for your mom instead (until I read that you also will need an ECV). Best wishes with your planning to find a quieter time to visit.Totally invisible, and it's anxiety-inducing. here's my mom's story:
We went a few years ago for my daughter's first trip and, like many who need ECV's, my mom can walk for stints, but a 10+ mile avg over a day is well out of the question. So we rented an ECV for her. She was nervous learning to drive it but became a pro on the first day! People would constantly be walking in front of her, and she told us it was incredibly stressful because she felt like she always had to be on "high-alert". It was more stressful than driving because it's not normal for people to just walk out in front of your car, but people walked in front of her ECV every few minutes. My mom has pretty severe anxiety, so we really needed to figure out how to accommodate her. She was having mini panic attacks!
We actually decided to walk in triangle/diamond formation, lol. Sister in front pushing my daughter's stroller, mom behind her a few feet, and me on the left in between them (and my daughter on the right whenever she was walking) so nobody would "cut through" between them and in front of mom. We'd then try to hug the wall/sidewalk on the right, esp when daughter was in the stroller. My daughter loved it, she said she felt like she was on "Meme security detail"
Mickey's Christmas Party. There was literally NO room to actually do this down Main St. We tried it and it didn't really work, and movement was so slow people were just coming from both sides cutting her off from the street and from stores, and she said it was so packed she had no idea who might pop out in front of her next (at least when it's open you can see someone coming). Driving was a constant start and stop, and we could see her frustration growing every minute.
The last straw for my mother was when we had gotten into a more open but still busy area and some mom rushing to somewhere cut between our formation so close she shoulder-checked my sister and literally dragged her 3 year old right in front of my mom's ECV, and of course my mom hit this poor little kid (he was weirdly unfazed btw, lol). She then had the nerve to start SCREAMING at my mom at the top of her lungs "watch where you're going you old B, what the F!". Straight screaming swears in front of tons of kids. My mom was SO EMBARRASSED, and she started tearing up and having a huge panic attack. My sister was about to jump in (she has a mouth and isn't afraid to use it
It was tough getting her out of the room the next day, but we had to remind her how well our formation works when it's not insane crowds. We had a few more incidents, but nothing as big. We've decided we can't really do any parties anymore, and can't go during busy times either. It's tough because mom is like many here: lifelong Disney fan/kid at heart, and just thinking of returning now makes her incredibly anxious.
As for my daughter, she already wasn't handling the walk down Main St too well but she was determined and getting thru it with her coping mechanisms (she insisted we go, she wanted to go on Thunder Mountain for the umpteenth time). After this, she can't handle medium/heavy crowds at all.
I'm disabled and am now also in need of an ECV to get through a park day. I'm dreading it, TBH, and not sure what we're gonna do when mom comes down as well and we've got two of us. Maybe we'll be more noticeable as a "scooter gang"?
Totally invisible, and it's anxiety-inducing. here's my mom's story:
We went a few years ago for my daughter's first trip and, like many who need ECV's, my mom can walk for stints, but a 10+ mile avg over a day is well out of the question. So we rented an ECV for her. She was nervous learning to drive it but became a pro on the first day! People would constantly be walking in front of her, and she told us it was incredibly stressful because she felt like she always had to be on "high-alert". It was more stressful than driving because it's not normal for people to just walk out in front of your car, but people walked in front of her ECV every few minutes. My mom has pretty severe anxiety, so we really needed to figure out how to accommodate her. She was having mini panic attacks!
We actually decided to walk in triangle/diamond formation, lol. Sister in front pushing my daughter's stroller, mom behind her a few feet, and me on the left in between them (and my daughter on the right whenever she was walking) so nobody would "cut through" between them and in front of mom. We'd then try to hug the wall/sidewalk on the right, esp when daughter was in the stroller. My daughter loved it, she said she felt like she was on "Meme security detail"
Mickey's Christmas Party. There was literally NO room to actually do this down Main St. We tried it and it didn't really work, and movement was so slow people were just coming from both sides cutting her off from the street and from stores, and she said it was so packed she had no idea who might pop out in front of her next (at least when it's open you can see someone coming). Driving was a constant start and stop, and we could see her frustration growing every minute.
The last straw for my mother was when we had gotten into a more open but still busy area and some mom rushing to somewhere cut between our formation so close she shoulder-checked my sister and literally dragged her 3 year old right in front of my mom's ECV, and of course my mom hit this poor little kid (he was weirdly unfazed btw, lol). She then had the nerve to start SCREAMING at my mom at the top of her lungs "watch where you're going you old B, what the F!". Straight screaming swears in front of tons of kids. My mom was SO EMBARRASSED, and she started tearing up and having a huge panic attack. My sister was about to jump in (she has a mouth and isn't afraid to use it
It was tough getting her out of the room the next day, but we had to remind her how well our formation works when it's not insane crowds. We had a few more incidents, but nothing as big. We've decided we can't really do any parties anymore, and can't go during busy times either. It's tough because mom is like many here: lifelong Disney fan/kid at heart, and just thinking of returning now makes her incredibly anxious.
As for my daughter, she already wasn't handling the walk down Main St too well but she was determined and getting thru it with her coping mechanisms (she insisted we go, she wanted to go on Thunder Mountain for the umpteenth time). After this, she can't handle medium/heavy crowds at all.
I'm disabled and am now also in need of an ECV to get through a park day. I'm dreading it, TBH, and not sure what we're gonna do when mom comes down as well and we've got two of us. Maybe we'll be more noticeable as a "scooter gang"?
I’m so sorry that you guys went through that. I was on my phone a so no way to block. I hurt my leg because I keep getting flustered and there is no brakes. So I squeezed like on a bike. Stuck my leg out to try and stop like Fred Flintstone and still hit something. But scooter gang? LOVE IT!Totally invisible, and it's anxiety-inducing. here's my mom's story:
We went a few years ago for my daughter's first trip and, like many who need ECV's, my mom can walk for stints, but a 10+ mile avg over a day is well out of the question. So we rented an ECV for her. She was nervous learning to drive it but became a pro on the first day! People would constantly be walking in front of her, and she told us it was incredibly stressful because she felt like she always had to be on "high-alert". It was more stressful than driving because it's not normal for people to just walk out in front of your car, but people walked in front of her ECV every few minutes. My mom has pretty severe anxiety, so we really needed to figure out how to accommodate her. She was having mini panic attacks!
We actually decided to walk in triangle/diamond formation, lol. Sister in front pushing my daughter's stroller, mom behind her a few feet, and me on the left in between them (and my daughter on the right whenever she was walking) so nobody would "cut through" between them and in front of mom. We'd then try to hug the wall/sidewalk on the right, esp when daughter was in the stroller. My daughter loved it, she said she felt like she was on "Meme security detail"
Mickey's Christmas Party. There was literally NO room to actually do this down Main St. We tried it and it didn't really work, and movement was so slow people were just coming from both sides cutting her off from the street and from stores, and she said it was so packed she had no idea who might pop out in front of her next (at least when it's open you can see someone coming). Driving was a constant start and stop, and we could see her frustration growing every minute.
The last straw for my mother was when we had gotten into a more open but still busy area and some mom rushing to somewhere cut between our formation so close she shoulder-checked my sister and literally dragged her 3 year old right in front of my mom's ECV, and of course my mom hit this poor little kid (he was weirdly unfazed btw, lol). She then had the nerve to start SCREAMING at my mom at the top of her lungs "watch where you're going you old B, what the F!". Straight screaming swears in front of tons of kids. My mom was SO EMBARRASSED, and she started tearing up and having a huge panic attack. My sister was about to jump in (she has a mouth and isn't afraid to use it
It was tough getting her out of the room the next day, but we had to remind her how well our formation works when it's not insane crowds. We had a few more incidents, but nothing as big. We've decided we can't really do any parties anymore, and can't go during busy times either. It's tough because mom is like many here: lifelong Disney fan/kid at heart, and just thinking of returning now makes her incredibly anxious.
As for my daughter, she already wasn't handling the walk down Main St too well but she was determined and getting thru it with her coping mechanisms (she insisted we go, she wanted to go on Thunder Mountain for the umpteenth time). After this, she can't handle medium/heavy crowds at all.
I'm disabled and am now also in need of an ECV to get through a park day. I'm dreading it, TBH, and not sure what we're gonna do when mom comes down as well and we've got two of us. Maybe we'll be more noticeable as a "scooter gang"?
