A recent viral video has sparked a heated debate over who should be eligible to rent an ECV at the Disney Parks, with some commenters even arguing that the requirements should be as strict as those for Disney’s Disability Access Service (DAS).
Let’s take a closer look at the recent viral moments fueling this debate and break down Disney’s current policies for renting ECVs and using other accessibility services at the parks. Mickey Visit brings you the latest Disney news and planning resources, including the newest popcorn buckets at September in Disneyland and the perfect quick-service restaurant in Disney California Adventure.
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Video of Group of Guests Using Scooters Goes Viral
A video went viral recently of a group of women riding ECVs through Disney’s Animal Kingdom with the audio of “Ridin'” playing as the background music. The clip showed the women riding the scooters, seemingly as a joke, through the park. The caption for the video read, “Don’t worry, Disney has enough scooters to rent for everyone! Best $65 we’ve ever spent!”
The video quickly circulated on online Disney Facebook groups and Reddit pages, with many guests expressing their frustration over what is being perceived as “scooter abuse.”
Some commenters pointed out that Disney often runs out of scooters, especially during peak times of the year, which is a valid statement. Some guests even prefer to rent their scooters from third-party companies to avoid this issue.
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This concern was echoed by others, especially those with physical disabilities who do not qualify for Disability Access Service (DAS) after changes previously. In fact, Disney’s main advice to those suffering from primarily physical disabilities is to rent a scooter or wheelchair to navigate the parks.
Some commenters suggested that renting a scooter should require proof or a similar process that DAS applicants have to go through to apply for services. Others shrugged off the incident, pointing instead to the high use of strollers in the parks being a larger concern.
A few comments also pointed out that some disabilities are invisible, so some guests can be using scooters that on the surface appear to be physically healthy.
Around the same time, a more recent video showing a group of women riding scooters at EPCOT while using the same song also began circulating online. The video prompted a similar wave of reactions, with some viewers questioning whether the women genuinely needed the scooters. However, one woman featured in the video has since commented online that their scooter use was out of necessity, despite the video itself being presented as a humorous moment.
Currently, there is no policy in place at Walt Disney World or Disneyland restricting who can rent an ECV. All guests need to do is be 18 years old and provide a photo ID. Both theme parks do note that ECVs are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
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What do you think? Do you think Disney should require proof of disability to rent ECVs?
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I can’t even believe that this rant is going on in America! By the way, Happy Labor Day to everyone. This is America and you can choose to ride a scooter or not. What a ridiculous conversation. Those people need to get a job so they can afford a scooter. P.S After you get a job, get a life.
…and yet, if you’re a senior who has trouble standing in a queue for an hour or longer and just wants a come-back time… Disney basically says “tough patooty! Rent a scooter”.
I rent a scooter when we go to Disneyland because otherwise I wouldn’t be able to walk after even half a day at the park. I look physically healthy, but that much walking makes my feet swell so much that I am unable to walk. Having a scooter makes it easier for me to go on vacation with my family to our favorite place.
What I don’t like is healthy people using the scooters to try to get on rides faster because they don’t want to stand in the queue lines. I ride to the next ride we choose to go on and either go through the queue line, if it’s not too long or get a return time so that I don’t have to wait or stand for a long time. There are usually places where you can sit for a second in certain queue lines that help.
I have a nephew who is severely autistic and due to the DAS changes, my brother and his family can no longer go to Disneyland because they now have to prove that his son is autistic and needs disability accommodations. My nephew is the sweetest young man and loves Stitch, but doesn’t understand why he can’t go to Disneyland.
Hi Ann, WDW at least actually doesn’t require proof. whereas e.g. Disneyland Paris requires actual proof. To get DAS for my autistic daughter in FL, I just have to have the call with them. They meet her virtually, we explain what she struggles with at the parks, it has never been a problem. Never have to show her diagnosis paperwork, nor a letter from psychiatrist, etc. You only need to do virtual video-chat registration for DAS. And in Disneyland I think there is even a kiosk you can go to in-person?
My son had this consideration two trips ago. However, on our last trip, the agent denied the service, even though the situation was the same for him.
The scooters are way OVERused and people using them don’t know what they are doing. They need to limit how many are in use in the parks.
I have both a knee and hip replacement and use a rolling walker to get around the park. It’s hard for me to stand for extended periods but I refuse to rent a scooter due to their overuse. I used to qualify for DAS so I didn’t have to wait as long but not now.
Hey, I challenged you to rent a scooter and experience the looks of judgement and shame, and the frustration of getting cut off, not seen or let in to the flow of the crowds. It’s really bad and not fun at all. No one wants to be subjected to that ridicule or rejection all day long, you only use a scooter because your are ignorant of the situation, but will learn really fast or you are in pain or can’t get through a day any other way. I promise you! I took my niece to Disneyland for her graduation present. She ended up being scheduled for knee surgery the week after we returned from the trip so I rented a scooter from a third party. My niece was in tears multiple times because it’s so hard to get around that way and people are just so rude.
I had to use a scooter on my trips to Disneyland and Disney World, because I have plantar fasciitis. I have used a scooter since age 50. People jump right in front of you and it’s really hard to stop immediately with a scooter, so I have run into people at times. It’s very frustrating. I appreciate that we have scooters now so that I can still go to Disney, otherwise I would not be able to go.
Then they need to limit the number of strollers also. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen a stroller piled with “stuff” and the kid walking. Are they just bringing the stroller to carry the stuff they are buying? You don’t know!! People have a lot of disabilities that aren’t visable. Stop being judgemental!
You think there are too many scooters, and they should limit how many can be in use at the park…Seriously, I use my own scooter @ Disneyland all the time! I will say that people with strollers constantly STOP in the middle of a regular walkway, and don’t think anything of it, and cause all kinds of havoc!!! Maybe strollers should be limited too?? How ridiculous.
I for one, would LOVE to be able to enjoy Disney the way I use to, it’s just not possible for me. I “manage”, with a torn ACL and Meniscus, using my scooter and a cane.
I think you’re a bit out of touch!!!
I have ZERO problem if people want to rent a scooter to avoid the miles you walk at Disney. Even healthy people who are not used to walking that much can struggle and why have that ruin your trip? If they have the money and get there for the “first come, first serve” scooter rental– more power to them. As someone who uses a scooter every trip (bad knee and cannot walk more than 2 miles really), I have no issue with people renting to make their day easier/more enjoyable. I make sure that I am there before opening each day to ensure I have one for myself, because I understand the “first come, first serve” meaning. If you NEED a scooter– either make sure you are there first thing in the morning or make arrangements with a third party vendor. What I do have issue with is anyone using a scooter and being rude/careless about it. But really, are they any worse than the strollers— some of which as as big as small cars?!
I AM DISABLED AND OWN MY OWN SCOOTER!!!
I have witnessed lots of times groups of younger idiots renting them in groups and racing each other thru the parks!!!! DISNEY SHOULD STRICTLY ENFORCE DISABILITY SCOOTERS FOR DISABLED PEOPLE NOT IDIOTS THEY ARE WRECK-LESS AND DANGEROUS AND THIS SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED LIKE A FUN GO GART RIDE TO ACT LIKE AN IDIOT IN THE PARKS
Racing? They barley move 🤣🤣🤣quit being dramatic
They literally did coordinated moves around each other abd taking up the entire width of th3 walkway. Did YOU nou bother to watch the video? They were careless on top of being selfish AF on those devices.
Hit dog, you can go back to hollarin’. Hope you got your money’s worth on the day’s rental.
I agree. I think even some simple questions like what disability do you need the scooter for? That would eliminate kids renting them to race around the park in. I have actually never seen this.
Not allowed to ask that question. No one has to disclose their disability to anyone other than a doctor.
I AM DISABLED AND OWN MY OWN SCOOTER!!!
I have witnessed lots of times groups of younger idiots renting them in groups and racing each other thru the parks!!!! DISNEY SHOULD STRICTLY ENFORCE DISABILITY SCOOTERS FOR DISABLED PEOPLE NOT IDIOTS THEY ARE WRECK-LESS AND DANGEROUS AND THIS SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED LIKE A FUN GO GART RIDE TO ACT LIKE AN IDIOT IN THE PARKS
Every time I go to the parks and see everyone riding around on the scooters all I can think about is the movie WALL-E, all of the people who ride around instead of walking. I understand people with actual disabilities, but I’m betting half of the people riding around the parks are just lazy.
I don’t think your accurate in you’re assessment. A person can look absolutely fine but you don’t know the pain they are experiencing. I can’t stand for more than 10 minutes due to plantar fasciitis so have to rent a scooter to be able to go to a theme park. otherwise I would have to have someone push me in a wheelchair. BTW, I look absolutely fine. It costs a lot to rent those scooters for a Disney trip, and if I didn’t need it then it would be so wonderful to be able to walk around and have fun without it.
Disneyland and World both need to evaluate there policies on DAS if your doctor believes you need accommodations and issued you a Disability placard then who are they to decide your not Disabled. You have no rights under the disability laws. I use to go there but no more because they changed the rules.
A few years back my mom went to the gym in the morning we were heading to animal kingdom. While I’m the gym she overheard two ladies while on the treadmill state that they could really push their run that morning and use the scooters to get first access to things in the parks.
They were at the bus stop with us both in scooters both clearly able to walk fine. Both demanding first access to the animal kingdom bus. The bus which was packed at the first stop in Saratoga springs to go to the park. The funny thing being that when we got to animal kingdom these ladies demanded to be first off the bus. One where it was standing room only. You were shoulder to shoulder. Kids on parents laps.
The driver though just laughed and explained they would be last off because the people had to clear for him to get the scooters off the bus. Boy were they mad about that.
You folks really need to just mind your business and worry about what you are doing. I couldn’t tell you what anyone else was doing because I was too busy having fun
Hope you got your money’s worth out of your scooter that day after the gym.
Oh well, there’s always going to be cheaters. Just ignore them and have fun at Disney!
If I were unable to use a scooter, I would not be able to go to WDW with my family. I am 82 years old and plan on this December being my last visit to DWD as I am unable to stand or walk long distance due to nerve damage in my legs and cannot get DAS any more.
I don’t use a scooter and I do not judge those who do. You don’t know others medical reasons for needing a scooter.
What I will say that I do have a problem with is how many times I’ve nearly been run over by scooters because some, not all, who use them are not courteous to others. On my last trip, while walking from Tomorrowland towards Mad Tea Party, a young woman, maybe late teens to mid twenties was going full speed with another person sitting across her lap. Fortunately she didn’t hit anyone, but it was reckless and could have ended badly. That’s what I wish would be patrolled; not the merit of whether or not someone needs the scooter.
Sounds exactly like what these girls were doing in the video with the scooter formation dancing. People tend to default to selfish and im sorry you had those experiences. Disney could step up but i doubt theyll want to lose the influencer money but will risk everyone else’s
I have an invisible disability, and absolutely could not avoid using a scooter or powered wheelchair for a day at Disney.
I prefer to rent, because airlines kept breaking my $12K chair.
I’m sure that people looking at me assume that I’m healthy (I have the same issue with my disabled parking pass), but that is unfortunately not the case.
I think that cracking down on bad behavior with the scooters is more productive than grilling disabled people about whether they “deserve” them.
The solution is very simple. Anyone outwardly abusing the scooter policy, e.g., racing around the park, laughing with other group riders, disrespecting other patrons, getting up out of the scooters without any difficulty or assistance should be automatically removed from the park and placed on a no-entry EVER list. Place this warning everywhere and there will be a plummet in abuse.
I can get in and out of a scooter by myself fine. But I cannot stand in line for longer than a few minutes because I have plantar fasciitis. You obviously don’t understand physical disabilities.
This. Very well said.
The abuse of scooters needs to be addressed. When you have childish social media wanna-bes doing it, it prevents those of us who really need it. If you are healthy and can’t manage the walk, then get healthier or take breaks.
No Disney should get MORE scooters, abuse is damage. They charge a high price for a one day rental. And if someone is willing to shell it out more power to them. Enough with the rules.
Rules keep the chaos at bay. Sorry but you are subject to whatever rules Disney wants.
People with lung problems and asthma need scooters to spend the day walking around. They are all ages and might look perfectly healthy. The ADA HIPA laws do not allow you to ask what their disability is. Those girls do look fine and probably are just playing around, but you can’t ask them if they request it. There are many people who are very large and use scooters. You can’t question them either even if they don’t have a health problem.
I once broke my toe whilst staying at WDW, I needed to rent a scooter but they had run out. I physically couldn’t walk around all day so had to get a wheelchair instead. I felt super awkward in it and bad on my friend having to push me. I managed to get a scooter half way through the day. If they had asked me for disability proof then I wouldn’t have been able to supply that but I had a genuine need for it on that trip. I was really surprised at the time that they had run out of them and wondered how many of the renters actually really needed one… however anyone looking at me that day would see me laughing and having a great time without “looking like” there was a need for having the scooter either. There are many different scenarios in life possible so people should be able to rent them without judgement. You will always get some lazy people but that’s just life. You are in the best place on the planet for the day so just enjoy and don’t worry about other people.
I believe there should be more controls yes. The difference between a stroller and an ECV is that strollers are not giving preferential treatment in rides or on buses. I don’t have a problem with ECV‘s loading first because of the nature of it and their family members being able to get on with them. But they are sitting the rest of us, have to stand and watch ECVs come up at the last minute and they get on the bus first. No Disney needs to correct this policy to wear a family member has to stand in line and when they get upfront their family member on the ECV gets to get on the bus first. I’m not lazy and I can stand, but they should not be given preferential treatment and honestly, I think a lot of of them take advantage.
Equal opportunity for all. I completely understand that some people need scooters, but there should be consistent policies throughout the park. If you don’t have a FastPass, someone from your party should wait in the regular line, and the scooter user can join when it’s their turn. I also don’t think special viewing areas for fireworks and parades are fair to other guests.