Am I making the right choice??

[Mary976]

We leave for WDW in less than two weeks. DD (19) has been having some health problems this year so we're really looking forward to this trip. We are WDW vets and so know the usual tips about rope drop, fastpass and such. The problem is, DD has to take her powerchair on this trip. In the past she always took her manual chair. We usually rent a car, and with the manual chair we can get by with a compact car without any problems. With the powerchair, our options are to use the buses or rent an accessible van. I'm leaning towards the van, but they are much more expensive than a regular rental car.

The problem with the bus is that DD is super fussy about people being in her "space." She has enough problems in line that having a car to get back from the park is really nice for her. Plus, I'm worried if she starts overheating and getting sick that we might want to leave quickly and since it is spring break time, we could have long lines for the bus. I did go ahead and put a hold on a van, so I have a week or so to decide. What do other people think?

Thanks,
Mary

 

[brat]

We are shipping our Shuttle van down so we will have it there.DH and I thought it would be easier for us than the buses. We were not sure just how many tie-downs each bus has and I did not want kids on different buses.

 

[LilyWDW]

We leave for WDW in less than two weeks. DD (19) has been having some health problems this year so we're really looking forward to this trip. We are WDW vets and so know the usual tips about rope drop, fastpass and such. The problem is, DD has to take her powerchair on this trip. In the past she always took her manual chair. We usually rent a car, and with the manual chair we can get by with a compact car without any problems. With the powerchair, our options are to use the buses or rent an accessible van. I'm leaning towards the van, but they are much more expensive than a regular rental car.

The problem with the bus is that DD is super fussy about people being in her "space." She has enough problems in line that having a car to get back from the park is really nice for her. Plus, I'm worried if she starts overheating and getting sick that we might want to leave quickly and since it is spring break time, we could have long lines for the bus. I did go ahead and put a hold on a van, so I have a week or so to decide. What do other people think?

Thanks,
Mary

Based on what you have said, I would rent the van. I believe it would be better for your family in general.

You say she has trouble with people being in her "space". Disney will pack their buses as full as they can during busy periods of time in order to transport as many as possible per bus. As such, people will be standing in the aisles and will be pressed together and told to take up all available space.

Also, you say you may need to leave quickly to get back to the resort if your daughter starts feeling sick. Disney does a great job for a public transportation systems, but sometimes "quick" just does not happen with them. As you stated, there might be lines already waiting for buses. However, the bus may also take awhile to get there to pick you up, especially if you just missed the last one. If you are leaving at a time where not many people are also leaving, you could wait 15-20 minutes for the next bus if you just miss the previous one.

With a rental, you could just head to the vehicle which will always be there and ready to go. You would have your own space, your own air conditioning, and a bit more control over timing and leaving.

 

[Bete]

by standing in front of her and guarding her space you would be fine with the bus. You have to decide if you want to stand or not on the bus. You are right in that you may have longer waits with the buses.

The van would be more convenient and not crowded, but I don't really feel you would be saving so much time with it. The cost is the factor, here.

If your daughter needs a break consider the first aid stations in the park. They have cots you can lay on there. It would be nice to stay in the park until you are done with the day.

Not sure about your situation, but you mentioned being in line can be a problem for your daughter. You may want to consider getting a GAC. You get it once in the park and it's good for your whole trip.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

by standing in front of her and guarding her space you would be fine with the bus.

Agreed.


I use a powerchair 24/7 and am "fussy" about my own space. My physical health is such that I will dislocate one or more joints if you bump into me or my chair. Because of my condition, my autonomic nerve system and a couple of other "regulating systems" aren't that.... perfect. I can adept to "desirable" but that goes out the window majorly when being overly drained or alike. Each and every trip to WDW I've used Disney transport exclusively. Is it a 100% perfect? No and it will never be. Life simply aint. But it works very well in my experience. I travel solo most of the time and no driving with my meds, so that's an easy decision. Friend wasn't allowed to drive with her meds on our trip and mom will not drive outside our own countries borders, so no option then either.

While I have my own accessible van at home and can NOT do without, I don't miss it while at WDW. I simply avoid the rush peaktimes whenever possible. While busses aren't always there within seconds, I now that. That's life. A car doesn't mean I'm in my bed within no time either. If possible, I'll plan on things and leave before I hit the point of "need rest, NOW!". Some of my probs. come on without warning. C'est la vie, can happen with a car also and that does not perform magic either.

As far as crowding goes? I'll stay clear of the crowds while waiting and travelling at odd times does lead to me being at an empty or near empty busstop like 80-90% of the times anyway. If a bus has standing passengers on it, I'll strike up a quick friendly talk with the folks possibly surrounding me. Explaining I'm understanding their position and ordeal (who likes being sardines after all?) and friendly asking them the huge favor of keeping their distance as any touching of me or chair causes me intense pain. I can count it on one hand (the one I no longer have 5 fingers on them and still don't need to use all the fingers left ) where people would not respect that and act upon it. I've had many experiences where adult males and females would act as a personal shield even. Another perk; it has resulted in getting to know some lovely folks having some nice chitchat after that initial question.


Busses aren't perfect. They won't fit everybodies need. But you can do a lot when it comes down to personal space. Protect is by using bodies of those in your travelparty and/or where fit; actually politely ask those guests surrounding. It never harms to ask and I've personally had nothing but positive responses. And nothing works better than travelling at off times during the day.

 

[dclfun]

by standing in front of her and guarding her space you would be fine with the bus. You have to decide if you want to stand or not on the bus. You are right in that you may have longer waits with the buses.

The van would be more convenient and not crowded, but I don't really feel you would be saving so much time with it. The cost is the factor, here.

If your daughter needs a break consider the first aid stations in the park. They have cots you can lay on there. It would be nice to stay in the park until you are done with the day.

Not sure about your situation, but you mentioned being in line can be a problem for your daughter. You may want to consider getting a GAC. You get it once in the park and it's good for your whole trip.

If you have the funds for the van, I would rent it just for the convenience factor. There can be long waits for buses and yes, they are often crowded. You can avoid crowded times though by heading to the parks a bit later and leaving a bit earlier. Still, after my last vacation at WDW this past December in a non-busy time of year I will no longer take the buses unless it's a last option due to extremely long wait times. Also, while I know Bete is quite experienced, there is no GAC than can help you avoid the queue lines. If she's already in a w/c then she does not need a GAC unless there are other needs that are not apparent and even then, they are not designed to shorten wait times or skip lines. You can create a buffer zone for her in the lines by standing in front of and behind her. I don't like to be crowded either as I have sensitive life-support equipment and a service dog and often people don't realize that a w/c IS our personal space and is not to be invaded. Good luck with your trip!---Kathy

 

[Mary976]

I don't like to be crowded either as I have sensitive life-support equipment and a service dog and often people don't realize that a w/c IS our personal space and is not to be invaded. Good luck with your trip!---Kathy

Yep, this is DD's big problem.

With a rental, you could just head to the vehicle which will always be there and ready to go. You would have your own space, your own air conditioning, and a bit more control over timing and leaving.

That would be the main reason we're considering it.

by standing in front of her and guarding her space you would be fine with the bus. You have to decide if you want to stand or not on the bus. You are right in that you may have longer waits with the buses.

If your daughter needs a break consider the first aid stations in the park. They have cots you can lay on there. It would be nice to stay in the park until you are done with the day.

Not sure about your situation, but you mentioned being in line can be a problem for your daughter. You may want to consider getting a GAC. You get it once in the park and it's good for your whole trip.

I hadn't thought about "blocking" for her on the bus, that would be fine. I don't mind standing. First Aid is something that we will likely use this trip if DD starts feeling especially bad. We haven't really needed a GAC before. It's not so much the length of the wait but the "crowding" in line. Usually with fastpass she's fine, but after a whole day of lines, parade waiting, and such, the bus might be just a bit too much for her.

While I have my own accessible van at home and can NOT do without, I don't miss it while at WDW. I simply avoid the rush peaktimes whenever possible.

It sounds like if we do some planning around times, the bus might be more of an option.

Thanks everyone for the very helpful feedback!

Mary