Did you have bus wait problems from WL to parks if using ECV??? - The DIS Discussion Forums

disneyfool_1202 · 10-03-2012, 09:42 PM

I know the buses can be crowded but we have usually never had a problem getting on them BUT we have never traveled with an ECV before. There are 4 in our party- DH and I and two school-age kids. I have severe knee arthritis and am scheduled for total knee replacement mid-December so need ECV for this trip. We are staying at VWL. I know for MK we can take ferry direct (bigger of two ferries) but have to bus it to Epcot, DHS, and AK. I'm worried about multiple busses passing us by because we can't load due to crowding

with ECV and my son will FREAK if we have to wait for too many busses every day because he has autism (he does good with waiting but this will make him anxious as hell).
We aren't the people who need to be at the park at rope drop or for Extra Magic Hours - we just get there when we get there. I would assume busses are busier for each park the days they have extra magic hours, but I really don't know because it's been years since we've been to the world and last time our kids were so young that we just went when we felt like going. Now they are all about "let's get there!!!" (7 and 9 years old).
Should I anticiapte problems with bussing to the parks because of the ECV?? I have visions of disassembling it and carrying it ONTO the bus so we can sit in regular seats and then reassembling it when we get off the bus!!!!

gratefulfred · 10-03-2012, 10:23 PM

Was staying with two first time ecv users at the cabins in the campgrounds this past week the bus drivers were all very good, patient and helpful. You will not have to take it apart. We took our time but were not traveling at peak times

joelkfla · 10-03-2012, 11:36 PM

WL is usually the first stop, so you should not have a problem with buses being too full when they arrive.

As long as the ECV is clearly visible to the bus driver in the designated load area for your destination, the driver will load the ECV and up to 5 additional guests before loading able-bodied guests. It doesn't hurt to signal the driver when you see your bus approaching.

The only time you might have to wait for a 2nd bus would be if there are more wheelchairs & ECV's waiting than the bus can accommodate, or if you arrive at the load area after there are already more guests waiting than can fit on the bus. Disney buses can generally hold either 2 or 3 ECV's, depending on when the bus was acquired.

seashoreCM · 10-04-2012, 06:41 AM

Does your ECV look quite large? There is a length and width limit, I forget what it is. Over that limit the driver may still try to help you but you may have to dismantle some parts.

It is not productive to dismantle the ECV because it takes time and it is okay to not hustle.

disneyfool_1202 · 10-04-2012, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seashoreCM

Does your ECV look quite large? There is a length and width limit, I forget what it is. Over that limit the driver may still try to help you but you may have to dismantle some parts.

It is not productive to dismantle the ECV because it takes time and it is okay to not hustle.

It's the 3 wheel elite from Apple Scooter- not large at all.

10-03-2012, 09:42 PM	#1
disneyfool_1202 The countdown has begun!! Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Dracut MA Posts: 877	Did you have bus wait problems from WL to parks if using ECV??? I know the buses can be crowded but we have usually never had a problem getting on them BUT we have never traveled with an ECV before. There are 4 in our party- DH and I and two school-age kids. I have severe knee arthritis and am scheduled for total knee replacement mid-December so need ECV for this trip. We are staying at VWL. I know for MK we can take ferry direct (bigger of two ferries) but have to bus it to Epcot, DHS, and AK. I'm worried about multiple busses passing us by because we can't load due to crowding with ECV and my son will FREAK if we have to wait for too many busses every day because he has autism (he does good with waiting but this will make him anxious as hell). We aren't the people who need to be at the park at rope drop or for Extra Magic Hours - we just get there when we get there. I would assume busses are busier for each park the days they have extra magic hours, but I really don't know because it's been years since we've been to the world and last time our kids were so young that we just went when we felt like going. Now they are all about "let's get there!!!" (7 and 9 years old). Should I anticiapte problems with bussing to the parks because of the ECV?? I have visions of disassembling it and carrying it ONTO the bus so we can sit in regular seats and then reassembling it when we get off the bus!!!! __________________ Denise

10-04-2012, 06:41 AM	#4
seashoreCM All around nice guy. Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Nashua, NH Posts: 20,602	Does your ECV look quite large? There is a length and width limit, I forget what it is. Over that limit the driver may still try to help you but you may have to dismantle some parts. It is not productive to dismantle the ECV because it takes time and it is okay to not hustle. __________________ Last Disney trip: December 2010. So you are protesting "... under God, ..." in the Pledge of Allegiance? (WRKO News) One school in Colorado did the pledge with "under God" replaced with "under Allah". Last edited by seashoreCM; 10-04-2012 at 06:47 AM.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread:

Sponsored Links
The DIS Register to remove Join Date: 1997 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 1,000,000

10-03-2012, 10:23 PM	#2
gratefulfred Mouseketeer Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 136	Was staying with two first time ecv users at the cabins in the campgrounds this past week the bus drivers were all very good, patient and helpful. You will not have to take it apart. We took our time but were not traveling at peak times

10-03-2012, 11:36 PM	#3
joelkfla DIS Veteran Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Orlando area Posts: 1,728	WL is usually the first stop, so you should not have a problem with buses being too full when they arrive. As long as the ECV is clearly visible to the bus driver in the designated load area for your destination, the driver will load the ECV and up to 5 additional guests before loading able-bodied guests. It doesn't hurt to signal the driver when you see your bus approaching. The only time you might have to wait for a 2nd bus would be if there are more wheelchairs & ECV's waiting than the bus can accommodate, or if you arrive at the load area after there are already more guests waiting than can fit on the bus. Disney buses can generally hold either 2 or 3 ECV's, depending on when the bus was acquired.