Exactly why I say this is dangerous, I think off-site is definitely the way to go for everyone now and figure out a way to transport it if necessary.This really is not fair. I was planning on renting in the park again but now am not. I have back problems and dont need the ecv causing me more problems. Why doesnt Disney do something to discourage the people who walk in front of scooters, even when they see one coming. Or how about people who run in the park and almost end up in a scooter driver’s lap? Ugh.
Honestly, the more I hear about this, the more it seems to me that Disney wants to strongly discourage people from renting ECVs from them directly, then if there are issues, they can say, Hey, we offered "SAFER ECVs" that people chose not to rent from us, not our fault.
I put "safer ecvs" in quotes, because these sensors sound extremely dangerous to me and I really hope Disneyland or any of the other theme parks and zoos that use Scooterbug, which is the company that runs Disney's (World and Land), Sea World (San Diego), San Diego Zoo and Safari Park, Universal Studios Hollywood rentals) doesn't follow suit. Yep, when you rent from Disney or any of these other parks you are really renting from Scooterbug, who simply rents space from the applicable parks and rents at a price per day that they agreed with the applicable park to rent at and use the agreement that the applicable park has asked them to use.
This really is not fair. I was planning on renting in the park again but now am not. I have back problems and dont need the ecv causing me more problems. Why doesnt Disney do something to discourage the people who walk in front of scooters, even when they see one coming. Or how about people who run in the park and almost end up in a scooter driver’s lap? Ugh.
I'm going out on a limb here but I'll make a prediction based on my observations of how the mindset, or lack thereof, operates at Disney.Exactly why I say this is dangerous, I think off-site is definitely the way to go for everyone now and figure out a way to transport it if necessary.
Here's the problem, Disney has no control over what other companies do. They could require it to be on the list of companies that can use bell services, but they have absolutely zero control over companies like Gold Mobility who already has proven better than any of the "Featured Providers" numerous times over, so I doubt outside companies would give into such demands unless they want to remain a featured provider. And Disney can't say you can't bring your own ECV in because it doesn't have the sensors.I'm going out on a limb here but I'll make a prediction based on my observations of how the mindset, or lack thereof, operates at Disney.
I can see Disney requiring all ECV providers to put the same worthless sensors on their scooters as Disney has put on theirs and claim it's for the "safety" of pedestrians.
Since that would be an expensive proposition for the scooter rental agencies many, if not all, will tell Disney to pound sand.
In which case Disney will have cornered, and control of, the lucrative ECV rental market within their parks.
Remember, Disney does nothing unless it generates cash income, or eliminates cash outflow.
Yup.....Here's the problem, Disney has no control over what other companies do. They could require it to be on the list of companies that can use bell services, but they have absolutely zero control over companies like Gold Mobility who already has proven better than any of the "Featured Providers" numerous times over, so I doubt outside companies would give into such demands unless they want to remain a featured provider. And Disney can't say you can't bring your own ECV in because it doesn't have the sensors.
And Disney is well aware of this, no I really think this is about trying to avoid lawsuits and claim they aren't liable for any accidents with ECVs.
The reality is you won't see anything changing for the non featured providers other than them getting more business than the featured providers if Disney insists that the featured providers put these sensors in.
This also means that of they insisted on featured providers putting the sensors in, the featured providers would tell them to pound sand and Disney would loose out on whatever kickbacks they get (and make no mistake they get something for listing companies as a featured provider), so they would loose money there, so I don't think they would even try to go that route as they would loose a ton of money.
Disney also doesn't really want to rent ECVs, otherwise they would rent them out then elves rather than leasing space to a third party company for the daily rentals and they know there are many people who need them at the resorts, not just the parks, so no, I don't see Disney trying to require sensors.
As I said, there is nothing they can legally do to stop or restrict outside vendors from renting ECVs, so it really doesn't matter if they want to stop them, they can't.Yup.....
But I believe that Disney underestimated the demand for ECV's and didn't get into the market with the idea of it being a long term moneymaker.
Now they see how many outside vendors have been raking in money by giving the guests reliable, comfortable, and fairly priced ECV's as opposed to WDW's beat to "H", uncomfortable, hard to maneuver, tanks that they rent out to first come first served guests.
Disney is nothing if not in business to make as much money from the guests as possible and allowing them to continue to rent ECV's from outside providers does nothing for their bottom line.
l think they should rename the place "Wallet Disney World."
As I said, there is nothing they can legally do to stop or restrict outside vendors from renting ECVs, so it really doesn't matter if they want to stop them, they can't.
Disney *could* legally say "No electrically operated/battery powered personal mobility devices are allowed on Disney World Resort property unless they have collision avoidance sensors installed", thereby forcing *everyone* - regardless of whether they rent or own - to have those sensors installed prior to entering Disney property and using the device.
What no one has apparently considered is the *thousands* of Disney World Guests who consistently safely and competently pilot an ECV (rented, or self-owned) around the grounds for days without so much as a hiccup.
Personally at this point, I would rent one off-site that can be broken down and out into the car. If you are renting a car, then the savings you will have by renting off-site could be used to upgrade the rental car and you know you want have to deal with the sensors mess. Unless you need a heavy duty scooter, it should be easy to find one that will fit in the car. Gold Mobility's smaller scooter will.Sort of related question..... My husband will be renting an ECV on an as needed basis for our next trip to WDW. Since we drive to the parks (Disney buses do not work for our DD) we had planned on just renting the scooter at the parks. These reports about the sensors are scaring me. So far they are only being used at MK, correct? Will outside scooters deliver to a theme park? I am thinking about renting one from an outside company just for the Magic Kingdom IF the the other parks haven't added the sensors by May 1st, our arrival day.
Personally at this point, I would rent one off-site that can be broken down and out into the car. If you are renting a car, then the savings you will have by renting off-site could be used to upgrade the rental car and you know you want have to deal with the sensors mess. Unless you need a heavy duty scooter, it should be easy to find one that will fit in the car. Gold Mobility's smaller scooter will.
I also think you are right to be worried about the sensors, they really seem dangerous.
There are some heavy duty that break down.We need a heavy duty scooter. Just hoping the sensors have been improved and the quirks worked out by our trip in 37 days. MK is one of the parks I suspect we will need a scooter in.
Certain types of devices, sure - but specifically-equipped devices, not so much. This would prohibit anyone with their own device from entering the parks - and you know Disney won't do that!(I found this: from the DOJ "Wheelchairs, Mobility Aids, and Other Power-Driven Mobility Devices" where it clearly states that an entity does not have to allow certain types of devices because of "legitimate safety concerns"; until there is a legal precedent regarding devices equipped with these sensors, we should assume that Disney has the right and the ability to restrict devices on their property, based on safety concerns alone.)
Disney *could* legally say "No electrically operated/battery powered personal mobility devices are allowed on Disney World Resort property unless they have collision avoidance sensors installed", thereby forcing *everyone* - regardless of whether they rent
Correct.These reports about the sensors are scaring me. So far they are only being used at MK, correct?
Unlikely, but you can ask. If they delivered to a theme park, they have no way to locate a customer with a "missing" device. But certainly ask.Will outside scooters deliver to a theme park?
No proof, just my opinion, but I think it's in direct result to the one or two lawsuits who were injured by other guests, who had rented them from WDW.I am wondering why they have decided to put these sensors on the ECVs in the first place
I don't like sensors that take control away from the driver. I think some sort of feedback to the driver would be appropriate, ideally vibration, as light or sound could take away from various themed elements in the dark and could actually be dangerous is some situations.As a longtime ECV user, I am not completely against sensors but I’m very uncomfortable with the sensor settings on the MK ECVs. The sudden jolt and slow rebound time (meanIng the time it takes to be able to return to regular speed) are both extreme.
There needs to be a happy medium but I don’t expect that to happen for a long time.
I can see others bumping into a sudden stopping scooter as they are not expecting it to stop. how would someone be able to leave any show without it stopping all the way I can see someone stuck behind a scooter doing this just getting mad a shoving it alongI don't like sensors that take control away from the driver. I think some sort of feedback to the driver would be appropriate, ideally vibration, as light or sound could take away from various themed elements in the dark and could actually be dangerous is some situations.
Exactly, which is why feedback is better than taking control in my opinion and the sensors should also be able to be turned off by the driver.I can see others bumping into a sudden stopping scooter as they are not expecting it to stop. how would someone be able to leave any show without it stopping all the way I can see someone stuck behind a scooter doing this just getting mad a shoving it along