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Credit: DisneyA troubling trend has emerged at Walt Disney World Resort, with guests reporting incidents involving drunk drivers operating motorized scooters, or ECVs, in the EPCOT area. This issue has raised serious safety concerns, particularly on busy nights following the park’s fireworks shows, where heavy crowds and alcohol consumption seem to combine for dangerous consequences.
Drunk Driving at EPCOT: A Growing Problem?
One guest shared their alarming experience on social media, recounting how they were struck by an intoxicated woman driving an ECV at EPCOT. The incident occurred after the fireworks display when the park was packed, and the guest recalled that they were fortunate to avoid serious injury because the scooter had slowed down due to the crowd.
However, the situation escalated when the woman allegedly accelerated despite the collision, with her friends shouting for her to stop. Unfortunately, she lost control and flipped her scooter, further escalating the danger.
This incident sheds light on an emerging safety concern that has been troubling other guests. Some have even gone so far as to say they now avoid EPCOT on Friday nights when the crowds are larger, and the likelihood of encountering intoxicated scooter operators is higher. “There’s a reason sheriff deputies patrol EPCOT on Friday nights,” one guest wrote, pointing to law enforcement’s visible presence as an indication of the growing problem. The full victim report shared:
“Yep I got hit by a younger woman drunk driving an ECV at Epcot. The only reason I didn’t get seriously hurt was because it was after fireworks and so crowded she had to slow down. After she hit me the crowd opened up and she punched it while all the rest of her friends screamed at her to stop. She kept going, lost control and flipped her scooter. One of the big reasons I avoid Epcot on Friday nights. There is a reason sheriff deputies patrol Epcot on Friday nights.”
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While motorized scooters are a valuable resource for many guests with mobility issues, they can also pose significant risks when operated recklessly. In EPCOT, where alcohol is widely available, especially during the evening, the combination of alcohol and motorized vehicles creates a potentially hazardous environment.
The park’s lively nightlife and popular attractions are often followed by larger crowds, making it harder for guests to avoid dangerous interactions.
Despite Walt Disney World Resort’s well-known commitment to guest safety, it seems that more attention may be needed when it comes to regulating the use of ECVs. There is little to no public indication that Disney has policies in place to address alcohol consumption by ECV operators, which some believe is a contributing factor to these reckless incidents.
Concerns Grown During Difficult Situations
Local law enforcement, including sheriff deputies, have been seen patrolling EPCOT on busy nights, which some interpret as a sign that the problem is more widespread than previously thought. The safety of both the ECV drivers and those around them is at risk, and guests are calling on Disney to take further action to prevent incidents like this from happening again.
In response to the growing concern, many visitors hope that Disney will implement stricter rules and enforce responsible use of ECVs, particularly during the evening hours when alcohol consumption is at its peak.
Until then, guests will likely remain cautious about navigating EPCOT’s busy crowds, especially on weekends and following fireworks shows. The ongoing discussions surrounding ECV safety highlight the need for more proactive measures to ensure everyone can enjoy the park safely.