ECV judgement

[Momofone92]

I know I can post this on the Disabilities board but I wanted a general opinion.

I am going to Disney with just myself and my daughter. I have a hip issue that makes walking long distances painful. I can do it but I will be miserable. I wanted to rent an ECV to make my trip more pleasant. My daughter is ALL for it as she thinks it will definitely make me less cranky than past trips and she wants it to not hurt.

The question is -- I am only 40 and I look fine. Am I going to get so much attitude that it won't be worth it? Am I going to just get dirty looks the entire time and regret it? I don't particularly care what others think but if people make comments my kid will care. I won't line jump. I won't need any assistance. What would you do?

 

[ErinsMommy]

I would go with whatever makes YOUR trip more comfortable/enjoyable.

 

[stinkpickle]

You will only get dirty looks if you start ramming it into people...which occasionally happens.

 

[Lady de Winter]

I would do what I needed to do to have the best trip possible. Your money is as green as everyone else's and you have paid to be there and enjoy Disney.

Not everyone's problems are visible from the outside, so I wouldn't worry that you look healthy. If someone makes a rude comment, then I guess part of their problems ARE visible from the outside. Just prepare your daughter that there *might* be some dirty looks if it will bother her, but go and have a great time!

 

[KorbensMomma]

You will be fine, just ignore everyone else it's YOUR vacation. Who cares what they think.

But realistically since almost all the lines are streamlined now it's not like you are cutting so I don't think anyone cares anymore.

Just remember to get up and move around so you don't get too stiff.

 

[KorbensMomma]

One more thing....PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE.

Go drive one at Walmart, weave in and out of the clothing displays. There are a lot of tight turns in the lines.

The people that get complained about are the ones that can't drive.

Practice turns, backing up turns and parallel parking. You may look goofy at Walmart but it is better to be confident while at Disney.

 

[ZoZo]

I've had to rent an ECV a couple of trips due to foot pain. Without it, I would have been toast. My foot pain was so bad before using an ECV that I once considered cutting my trip short due to problems walking. Thank goodness foot surgery solved my problem!

I never had one person say anything to me. If anyone shot me a dirty look, I was oblivious! Some people are definitely judgmental about people using ECVs if they don't have an obvious disability (you should see some of the posts here on the DIS, assuming people are lazy or trying to get away with something!), but don't pay any attention. You do what you need to do to make your trip go well.

Contrary to what some people think, having an ECV is not a "front of the line" pass. Almost all lines at WDW are mainstreamed, with scooters going in the regular line like everyone else. In fact, on a couple of rides (Kilimanjaro Safaris, for one) I had to wait quite a bit longer than the main line! Be aware that for some rides, you can park your scooter outside, and get into the regular line "on foot" with everyone else, if that's an option for you.

As long as you're a courteous ECV user, you shouldn't have any problems. Watch out for people cutting in front of you without warning. People seem to think you can stop on a dime, but you can't! There are no "brakes" on an ECV, and you roll slowly to a stop by letting go of the hand-lever. I had numerous people cut right in front of me unexpectedly; you have to be very diligent in watching out for people.

 

[Momofone92]

Whew you guys make me feel much better

My biggest concern now is just the buses and that is only once a day. I am certain I can park it at the rides and wait in the que as that won't be a huge deal. I can handle that.

Thanks so much.

Honestly it is such a ton of walking and it hurts and then my daughter doesn't get to do so much because I am cranky. I worry about judgement from others way too much

 

[asmit4]

Pardon my rant but....UGH. What is it with people judging???

People judge because:

'healthy' person uses an ECV.
Kid who is 8 is still in a stroller
Kid who is 6 is still having their diaper changed in the bathrooms
Kid is having a total meltdown and is 10- therefore much too old to have meltdowns
**feel free to add in reasons that people judge.


REALLY FOLKS! That 'healthy' might not be as healthy as you think. That 8yo in a stroller may have a problem with their leg muscles that you know nothing about. That child who is 6 might have bladder control issues that ARE medical. That 10yo you see might look healthy to you but could perhaps be on the Autism spectrum and simply cannot always handle all the stimuli.


OP- you get that ECV and ride it around like a CHAMP!

All those judging people need to take care of their OWN business and keep their judgement to themselves!

 

[LaurenT]

My DH used one for a few trips when his knee was really bad - he has a new one now. There were a few instances where he felt a little self conscious, but that was completely out-shadowed by the benefit of having the ECV as opposed to limping around and cringing the whole time.
The worst thing I remember is when he was having a hard time pulling it onto the bus and lining it up properly while people waited outside to board. There was a bit of eye rolling. My attitude on that can be summed up in words that I'm not allowed to use here. If you can't have a little compassion for someone else who doesn't have the same physical ability as you, you don't deserve one second's thought from me.
As long as you're not doing anything to ruin someone else's trip, don't let anyone else's attitudes stop you from enjoying the vacation you worked so hard to earn.

 

[minuet]

Pardon my rant but....UGH. What is it with people judging???

People judge because:

'healthy' person uses an ECV.
Kid who is 8 is still in a stroller
Kid who is 6 is still having their diaper changed in the bathrooms
Kid is having a total meltdown and is 10- therefore much too old to have meltdowns
**feel free to add in reasons that people judge.


REALLY FOLKS! That 'healthy' might not be as healthy as you think. That 8yo in a stroller may have a problem with their leg muscles that you know nothing about. That child who is 6 might have bladder control issues that ARE medical. That 10yo you see might look healthy to you but could perhaps be on the Autism spectrum and simply cannot always handle all the stimuli.


OP- you get that ECV and ride it around like a CHAMP!

All those judging people need to take care of their OWN business and keep their judgement to themselves!

This!

You do what makes your trip work for you! The people who may judge must not know what it's like to deal with invisible disabilities and should be happy that they don't have to deal with issues.

I look perfectly healthy but have a condition where I can't stand up in one spot for a prolonged period of time so I can prance all around Disney all day but have to sit during the shows. Easy enough to find a spot in WDW but when my family went to CA last year I rented a wheelchair for World of Color. I'm sure I must have looked funny popping right up out of it at the end and taking it back but it was what I needed to enjoy the show. I have gotten some looks from people on the bus when my mom stood on the bus and made sure I was the one sitting but hey, she's fit and not the one who could pass out if the bus takes too long to get back to the resort so we ignore the looks and do what we have to so our vacation goes smoothly.

Hope you and your daughter have a wonderful time!

 

[Luv Bunnies]

My dad used an ECV at Disneyland a couple of times. He's 88 and has a lot of soreness in his legs from diabetes. He also gets dizzy easily due to some of his medications. At first he said he wouldn't do it. Then he decided that if using an ECV was the only way he could go to Disneyland with his grandsons, then he would do it! He drives very cautiously and can park it and walk into restaurants or onto the train (pretty much the only ride he does).

Don't worry about what other people think. As long as you're a cautious driver, you'll be fine!

 

[olwyngdh]

Use the ECV. Most of the eyerolling and abusive comments are easy to ignore, and the people would probably be humiliated if called out on their juvenile behavior. Be prepared for abuse though, and watch other people at all times. They will cut in front of you, or stop in front of you, and then curse you for running into them. I have had someone dump me off of mine because his wife jammed her stroller wheel under my scooter (I was sitting still watching a parade), and had teenagers use me as a prop and jump over me to get out of Fantasmic. Don't forget to carry your pain meds with you.

Also, be aware that if you do park your scooter and stand in the lines, you will be opening yourself to more abuse, especially if you don't have a visible disability.

Enjoy your trip, and remember, those small little people who have such small lives and minds that they need to stick their noses into yours aren't worth your time and trouble. Let them be the miserable people they are and feel sorry for their families.

 

[Toffeewoffy]

As has been said, don't worry about what other people may think. If you need it, hire it!

I hired one this year as I knew there wasn't a hope in hell of me being able to get round the parks as I now have arthritis in both knees. I just about managed last year when I was recouperating from my arthroscopy, but there were times when I just didn't want to go out.

It was slightly different for me because I had been suffering a lot of pain from mid-December until the end of February so when I got out of the scooter it was obvious I wasn't walking well I was so waddly and stiff.

Only three times did I have to leave the scooter outside the ride and go in on my stick - Buzz Lightyear and the TTA while I parked up outside the TTA (and walked over to Carousal of Progress as well) and Pirates. The rest I took it in through the queue and transferred to the ride on foot.

 

[juliehoey]

If you can, rent the one inside the park for use there only. You can take your receipt from park to park on the same day and not pay another rental. Yes it costs a bit more than having one rented outside of Disney, however, if you are concerned with the bus situation this is an option. My mom looks in perfect health as well and has problems walking distance. Do not worry what others may judge, did they pay for your trip?? Enjoy yourself!

 

[Toffeewoffy]

I for one would certainly respect you much more if you did this. Many people rent ECVs because they can't walk long distances or for long periods of time without pain. I understand this, but most of them are perfectly capable of parking their ECV and walking onto rides or into restaurants. Sure there are some who can't walk or move without the ECV, but that is the exception and not the rule. I would have tremendous respect for the person who parked their ECV out of the way and chose to walk through a queue so as not to bother others.

The problem with that is that you can be standing for up to an hour, and some of us just can't do that. Unless you have a FP for a ride, you will have to queue up with everyone else.

 

[MsLisaG]

I'll join the others in saying that if you need it and it will make your trip more enjoyable for you and your dd, get it! My Dh was in a motorcycle accident and later a bad car accident that damaged his back and soft tissue. For a few trips, he had to use an ECV at the age of 25 and we didn't get any comments or noticeable dirty looks. Thankfully he has medication and physical therapy so he can walk now, but I can't imagine how miserable he would have been without it during that time.

Who cares what a bunch of people you will never see again think about it - go, use it, and have a great vacation!

 

[lanejudy]

If you can, rent the one inside the park for use there only. You can take your receipt from park to park on the same day and not pay another rental. Yes it costs a bit more than having one rented outside of Disney, however, if you are concerned with the bus situation this is an option. My mom looks in perfect health as well and has problems walking distance. Do not worry what others may judge, did they pay for your trip?? Enjoy yourself!

Just to point out that in-park ECV rentals are often all gone by mid-morning. At which point you either walk or rent a wheelchair and get on a waitlist for someone to return an ECV. It could be hours. But if that is an acceptable situation -- which it may be for some -- then in-park rental might be a good option.

OP - rent the ECV if that will help you enjoy your time in the parks. Don't worry about others. There are rude people everywhere in this world, and unfortunately you may find a few at WDW as well. Don't let them bother you, and give your kids a heads-up to ignore such people.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[practicallyperfect77]

Good luck OP. I agree with others and say do what you need to do in order for you to have a comfortable trip. I'm wondering if I'm going to be on the same boat for my trip at the end of Oct. Been battling achilles tendonitis in my right ankle for a year and a half and now my left knee is giving me fits.3 hours of doing yardwork or housework leave me in a condition where I can barely walk. I can deal with ankle but not ankle and knee. Hoping I'll get an mri scheduled when I go to the dr tomorrow....really feels like torn meniscus. I am only 37 and it isn't.obvious I have issues until you see me try to walk after being on my feet for a couple hours. Also, thanks to the previous poster that recommended practicing at walmart. I've never driven one of those before and certainly have no clue how to do it correctly. Will def practice if my knee doesn't get better.

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

The one place in the world I never pass judgement on anyone is WDW. With all the Make-A-Wish trips and once in a lifetime things happening, I never know what is going on with the people in the parks. I've never walked a mile in your shoes, I'm not about to condemn someone for anything (OK, bad parenting, but that's a different forum) at Disney, be it using an ECV, getting to use a shorter line due to a disability, being an adult flying their Disney freak flag at full mast. It's Disney go have fun!

And OP, I actually applaud you for realizing this will enhance your trip. My Mom (68) has all types of autoimmune and breathing problems, but is too darn prideful to use an ECV. I anticipate her being done by the end of our first MK day, an ECV would make all the difference with her.