Adaptive Stroller on Busses

[WantToGoNow]

We will be going in September. My grandson (age 2 during trip) will be using an adaptive stroller that has bus tie downs. Will he be permitted to stay in his chair or will we need to remove him?

 

[lanejudy]

I believe WDW bus policy is that strollers must be folded. That said, it's because the vast majority of strollers in use at WDW are not made for transport. If you have anything proving the equipment is designed for transport that may help if you find a driver who states policy.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[SueM in MN]

Agree with lanejudy.
If it's a medical stroller with tiedown loops built in, it can be left open and fastened down.
The issue will be that many of the adaptive strollers look very much like regular strollers, so having something like paperwork that explains it's not just a regular stroller will be helpful. (There may be stickers at the tiedown loops that say that).

Also, if he will need to use it in lines/attractions, you should get a sticker from Guest Relations at a park that says it's a 'stroller as wheelchair'. Without that, the CMs will probably not recognize it as a mobility device. The sticker also helps with other guests who don't understand why their stroller is not allowed in line, but your stroller is.
There is a post near the top of this board about DAS (Disability Access Service) at WDW that explains about strollers as wheelchairs. I don't know if that is all the assistance he needs in lines, but that thread also explains about DAS.
The first post in the thread is up to date, but the rest of the thread is from just before and just after DAS began.

 

[WantToGoNow]

He will need to use it in line as he's completely immobile and also to shield him from others (immunocompromised from transplant meds). He travels with a ventilator, suction machine, emergency bag, pulse ox machine, sometimes oxygen, and regular baby stuff. Once the metal vent trays are put on they can't be removed without tools.

My daughter (his mother) will has a DAS for herself.

 

[disney david]

You won't have any problems with the buses the drivers will take great care of you. Just tell them you have a special needs stroller with tie down it be treat like a wheelchair. And loaded through the back door ramp then Tie down he can stay in the stroller.

 

[jmartinez1895]

Make sure you ( or his mom in this case) knows exactly where the tie downs are. We used a stroller with tie downs one year and even though it seemed obvious to me where they were, several times the drivers tried to put the hooks on the frame.
The next trip we used it, I put bright green tape at the tie downs and told the drivers to look for the tape. It made things much faster and easier.

Since your daughter will be getting a DAS for herself she can tell them she needs the stroller sticker when she gets her DAS. They are two separate services, but can be handled at the same time.

 

[Minnie Mouse2789]

He should be able to just stay in his stroller.

 

[redberyl]

We started off folding up the stroller, but the drivers were all so concerned that they kept getting off the bus to tell us to just leave Her in it and they'd put down the ramp. And her needs were much less obvious than your sons We did get the wheelchair tag just in case but I don't think we really needed it.,.

 

[SueM in MN]

Make sure you ( or his mom in this case) knows exactly where the tie downs are. We used a stroller with tie downs one year and even though it seemed obvious to me where they were, several times the drivers tried to put the hooks on the frame.
The next trip we used it, I put bright green tape at the tie downs and told the drivers to look for the tape. It made things much faster and easier.

Since your daughter will be getting a DAS for herself she can tell them she needs the stroller sticker when she gets her DAS. They are two separate services, but can be handled at the same time.

I put neon pink tape with a strip of reflective tape on the tie down points on my daughter's wheelchair.
In the past, I've also used brightly covered ribbons.
It makes the spots much more obvious, especially if there is a lot of stuff attached.
The spots on my daughter's manual chair are pretty easy to see, but even I have to look closely on her power chair because the tiedown loops are tucked in.

He should be able to just stay in his stroller.

with all his equipment, there will be no question about him needing to stay in the chair, so you shouldn't need a stroller as wheelchair tag.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

He will need to use it in line as he's completely immobile and also to shield him from others (immunocompromised from transplant meds). He travels with a ventilator, suction machine, emergency bag, pulse ox machine, sometimes oxygen, and regular baby stuff. Once the metal vent trays are put on they can't be removed without tools.

My daughter (his mother) will has a DAS for herself.

I would still get the stroller as a wheelchair tag which is different than DAS more for other parents but also CMs. and as others have said bring paperwork that shows transport tiedowns. may not need but in your case batter to have and not need than to need and not have. have a great trip

 

[DisneyOma]

He will need to use it in line as he's completely immobile and also to shield him from others (immunocompromised from transplant meds). He travels with a ventilator, suction machine, emergency bag, pulse ox machine, sometimes oxygen, and regular baby stuff. Once the metal vent trays are put on they can't be removed without tools.

My daughter (his mother) will has a DAS for herself.

I would be concerned that it wouldn't be safe for him to be in the stroller on a moving bus with all that equipment around him, unless the equipment is tightly fastened to the stroller in such a way that it does not compromise the tie downs or the frame. If the bus is traveling at 40 MPH and has to slam on the brakes, would he be safe? Not having a visual of the set-up, I can't say, but would it be safer for him in your arms or in the stroller? Remember, there may be an ECV parked right next to the stroller, as there is space for 2-3 tie downs on each bbus.

 

[disney david]

I would be concerned that it wouldn't be safe for him to be in the stroller on a moving bus with all that equipment around him, unless the equipment is tightly fastened to the stroller in such a way that it does not compromise the tie downs or the frame. If the bus is traveling at 40 MPH and has to slam on the brakes, would he be safe? Not having a visual of the set-up, I can't say, but would it be safer for him in your arms or in the stroller? Remember, there may be an ECV parked right next to the stroller, as there is space for 2-3 tie downs on each bbus.

Your right but it depends on how heavy and if it could be top heavy. Meaning if their stuff towards the top if they can remove stuff it be okay. But I would ask the driver if they think it safe for him to stay in or have to be held.

No matter what you can have it tie down so you don't have to fold it. Most likely it be safe for him to stay in but if stuff move on it and the. Us makes a turn the weight could pull it down. As their no tie down on the side of the bus which would pull it back just on the floor. Which under enough stress could give or wouldn't be able to stop it from tipping.

 

[WantToGoNow]

The equipment will all be on the 3 metal trays under the chair built for the equipment by the manufacturer. The only thing possibly hanging from the back would be his diaper bag.

 

[SueM in MN]

The equipment will all be on the 3 metal trays under the chair built for the equipment by the manufacturer. The only thing possibly hanging from the back would be his diaper bag.

I would not be concerned about equipment made for a transport-ready stroller by the manufacturer. They are aware that the ventilator tray is going to be used for equipment that is pretty much permanent.

One suggestion - if it's easy to take the diaper bag off temporarily, it does make it a bit easier and quicker for the driver if you can remove it while the tiedowns are being attached.

 

[ttintagel]

Definitely take a minute to get the stroller as wheelchair tag, even if the child's needs look obvious to you. My experience is that there are a lot of cast members, especially young, inexperienced ones, who feel the need to do everything by the book instead of using their own judgement, and who prefer to err on the side of not giving accommodation if they feel that there's any gray area whatsoever. You'll be at guest relations anyway, it will only take a minute to get the stroller as wheelchair tag, and it may save you a few minutes of arguing with another cast member later on.