Bus loading with ECV how to and where to wait to load on the bus?

Daydreamer64

DIS Veteran
Joined
Apr 28, 2003
Messages
1,006
I have finally given in to my doctor and decided that I need to use an ecv on our next family trip. I have diabetes and my toes take a beating each trip. About the 2nd day I have deep blisters, especially on my little toes. My endo had a fit in a half last time, as I had blisters upon blisters and my feet were bleeding and one toe was infected. It took three months to heal and another few weeks for my bone in my little toe to not throb when I walked.

I used an ecv the last day on our last trip, I wouldn't have been able to join my family if I had not rented an ecv for the AK park.

So, my questions are: How do I drive the ecv on to the ramp for the bus? I'm really nervous about this- also, once the ramp has leveled with the interior of the bus isle, what do I do? Does the driver tell me? Where do I go to park the ecv? What about unloading procedures- do I sit there and wait for the driver?

As you can probably tell, I worried because I don't want to hold up the loading of the bus any longer then I have to to get myself settled- we are flying so we have to use park transportation.

I'm also worried about what people will think as I will not be using the ecv for moving around the resort- I just need to prevent the blisters at the parks- my endo said that I could loose my toe/foot/leg, and/or life if I allow my feet to get theat bad again and not prevent infection. I am overweight -225lbs - I'm tall so I hold the weight better then a shorter person, but you can still tell I'm a big girl. I did :thumbsup2 , and will, park the ecv in the stroller parking and I will walk through the lines- I have a GAC I can renew for this access. I read so many nasty posts here about chair abuse and so on. My disability is hidden and I don't want people to think that I'm just lazy. It makes me feel uncomfortable when there is a medical need in this situation. I am very sad that I have to bother with all of this but I can't go if I don't follow through and take care of, as my DH says, " The only Mom that our children will ever have":sad1:

TIA for your help-
 
To board a bus, wait near where the rear door of the bus would come to a stop.

After the driver deploys the ramp or lift, you can pull onto the ramp, or back onto the lift.

After you have boarded the bus, there are normally two EVC/wheelchair parking places directly opposite the ramp or lift. The driver will instruct you. Usually, for ECVs, the bus driver will have you move to a regular seat and then he/she will proceed to secure the EVC with straps.

You will be the first person at your stop to load, and the last person to unload.

AS far as amubulatory guests havng to wait while a wheelchair or ECV is boarding, too bad. It only takes a few minutes and it is for their own safety, as well as yours.
 
Why give a flying fig about what other judgemental selfish people think about whether you should or should not be on an ECV??? I mean do you REALLY care what they think? WHY????
If they are going to judge you they are not worth the time it takes to give them a thought.
Do what is right for you and to heck with them.
Certainly don't delay anyone more than necessary nor run them down but as long as you are doing what you are suppose to be doing then don't give it a thought.
 
There is a whole section about the buses in the disABILITIES FAQs thread. I think it will ease your mind to read it.
Most of the drivers are very helpful and will direct you where you need to park in the bus.

As for what others think - some of them would think the same if you could not even walk. We've heard some of those kinds of comments and my DD is not able to walk. You know that you need it, and yours is the only opinion that matters.

Hope you have a great (and blister free) trip.:banana:
 

Usually, for ECVs, the bus driver will have you move to a regular seat and then he/she will proceed to secure the EVC with straps.
AS far as amubulatory guests havng to wait while a wheelchair or ECV is boarding, too bad. It only takes a few minutes and it is for their own safety, as well as yours.

Oh, thank goodness, I feel odd enough having to drive this monster and knowing that I don't have to secure it or drive it in place and especially, knowing that I can sit in a regular seat makes me feel better.
 
If they are going to judge you they are not worth the time it takes to give them a thought.
Do what is right for you and to heck with them.
:hug:
Thank you for the support- I just hate that I have to do this- it really is very inconvenient- I'll never see them again so what- they won't be there if I have problems at home so you are right- who cares about them.
 
There is a whole section about the buses in the disABILITIES FAQs thread. I think it will ease your mind to read it.
Most of the drivers are very helpful and will direct you where you need to park in the bus.

As for what others think - some of them would think the same if you could not even walk. We've heard some of those kinds of comments and my DD is not able to walk. You know that you need it, and yours is the only opinion that matters.

Hope you have a great (and blister free) trip.:banana:


Thanks Sue. It really isn't as simple as having a blister, most people don't understand that!- diabetics have poor circulation and can't heal well. Infection sets in very easily, last time I was scared to death because I never really thought that "I" would have that happen to me :sad1: . I mean, I've had multiple blisters before and nothing happened except for the fluid to go away and they healed. Two of my toes turned black- if you've ever seen gangarine sp? set in - that's what they looked like black and shrivaly- it was very scary. The endo was very angry, called me a fool and said, "I told you not to push yourself, I told you to use a scooter!" I just sat there crying because - well, I just never really thought it mattered until she went balistic with worry on me- I felt fine and I didn't really feel the pain until it was too late.

Here is a new post under Theme Parks, I'm wondering if it was because of me and this is why I was worried just because of these kinds of people:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1595665

How can I not think this might be related to my post? She mentions blisters and being out of shape- I did mention my weight and blister issues HERE and was worried just for this reason- some people see a person who is over weight and assume that they are out of shape?:sad1: They just don't look at the whole picture- I hate people who are so judgemental. :sad1:
 
Are you planning on renting an ECV from offsite? You mentioned that you had rented one at the parks - just to make sure you know, you can only use that ECV at that park, you don't take it on the bus with you. Only ECVs that you rent offsite travel from the resort to the parks, or between parks.

If you plan on staying at one park each day, and plan on getting to the parks early each day, you could save yourself the bus hassle and rent one at the parks. Sometimes there are 4-5 people with wheelchairs and ECVs waitng to get back to a resort at the same time - that's 2-3 buses that you might have to wait for.

If you plan on using the ECV at the resort, plan on parkhopping (the 2nd park might not have an ECV available later on) of plan to go to other places, I'd rent offsite.

I hope you have a great trip!
 
Here is a new post under Theme Parks, I'm wondering if it was because of me and this is why I was worried just because of these kinds of people:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1595665

How can I not think this might be related to my post?
Posts like the one you linked to come up about once every two months or so. I wouldn't worry about it. If you need the ecv, use it and don't worry what other people think.

One trick we learned was to put the ecv into free-wheeling mode and just push it into place if we got in a tight space. One of the bus drivers showed us that.

The only comment we had on our trip was to my dh. I can't ride the thrill rides, so I left my dh and ds in line at one of the coasters and went to get fastpasses. A woman who saw me asked him if we got on rides faster with the ecv. My husband laughed and told her we actually ended up waiting longer at times. Then, since I look young and healthy, he proceeded to tell her all my medical problems. She concluded that, yes, I did need the ecv, and she wished us well on our trip. I was proud that he "educated" her about hidden disabilities!
 
Are you planning on renting an ECV from offsite? Sometimes there are 4-5 people with wheelchairs and ECVs waitng to get back to a resort at the same time - that's 2-3 buses that you might have to wait for.

If you plan on using the ECV at the resort, plan on parkhopping (the 2nd park might not have an ECV available later on) of plan to go to other places, I'd rent offsite.

I hope you have a great trip!

Thanks, I hope we all have a great trip too! I am considering renting off site so I can have the ecv for DTD too. Also, I think I've found a $25/day rate that beats WDW park rates by $10 per day not counting the $5 refund from WDW. If I rent off site then I can have the ecv at any park I need it, use it from/to the bus stop and this is sometimes the hardest walk for me when I'm hurting- like you said- there may might not be any ecv available if we hop- that's why I was so concerned about how to get on to the bus and how to get off- Thanks for the information!:)
 
Posts like the one you linked to come up about once every two months or so. I wouldn't worry about it. If you need the ecv, use it and don't worry what other people think.

One trick we learned was to put the ecv into free-wheeling mode and just push it into place if we got in a tight space. One of the bus drivers showed us that.

I was proud that he "educated" her about hidden disabilities!

I know they show up, but it seemed to close to my post and the time frame was close too. This is what I was concerned about to start with, I didn't want to upset anyone by having to make them wait while I fumbled to find my bearings on the bus.

I guess my instructions will tell me how to free wheel? That sounds like useful information to know!:3dglasses My DH said that he would educate anyone that made any comments to me-:love: I told him it would be better to let it go in our case- let them think I'm lazy- :confused3

Of course, if anyone asks we will be polite- I think the problem lies in that most people think ecv users get front of the line- I'll tell you something- they sure don't! Not only that, but we had to wait forever when I parked my ecv in the stroller parking and the cm's still had us go into the special truck for the safari ride- I said I didn't mind walking and did not need special accomadations, just needed to be off of my feet between attractions but they insisted. I hadn't used the ecv for any lines as I had a GAC to help with that.

Oh, well, I guess I don't feel so bad any more thanks to my friends on this board!:grouphug:
 
I know they show up, but it seemed to close to my post and the time frame was close too. This is what I was concerned about to start with, I didn't want to upset anyone by having to make them wait while I fumbled to find my bearings on the bus.

I guess my instructions will tell me how to free wheel? That sounds like useful information to know!:3dglasses My DH said that he would educate anyone that made any comments to me-:love: I told him it would be better to let it go in our case- let them think I'm lazy- :confused3

Of course, if anyone asks we will be polite- I think the problem lies in that most people think ecv users get front of the line- I'll tell you something- they sure don't! Not only that, but we had to wait forever when I parked my ecv in the stroller parking and the cm's still had us go into the special truck for the safari ride- I said I didn't mind walking and did not need special accomadations, just needed to be off of my feet between attractions but they insisted. I hadn't used the ecv for any lines as I had a GAC to help with that.

Oh, well, I guess I don't feel so bad any more thanks to my friends on this board!:grouphug:

I am very happy you have decided to rent and use an ecv...I also am diabetic, among other things, also overweight and have had 2 toes amputated, waiting too long to take care of them. I used an ecv for the first time last year and though I had some problems..like getting off the monorail(I kept looking back while steering and went off the ramp) I have trust issues I guess, BUT it is a lifesaver. I never could walk for even 10 minutes so I am thrilled I used it and got around fairly easily.....It is a blessing so use it and ignore the stares, though I must say most people were wonderful. Have a great trip, Nanci
 
I'm so sorry you had to see one of those awful judgmental posts right when you're making the decision to use an ECV. Unfortunately there are jerks like that in the world, both at Disney and outside it. I think some people get a feeling of 'entitlement' when at Disney "we paid to be here, why should we acknowledge the needs of any other human being?!" (OK, so they wouldn't phrase it like that, but that's pretty much the sentiment).

If the person who posted that nasty thread up had been reading this board, they would also have seen the severe damage that your feet sustained when you tried the trip without assistance. If they read more threads on this board, they would also see that being on wheels is far from an advantage at Disney, but for those of us with disabilities, it is a necessity. Hey, maybe they'll even realise how hurtful their comments are, but I doubt it.

I do agree that loading a wheelchair / ECV onto the bus can delay the other passengers for about... oh, two minutes? Maybe five? But so what? They've waited a lot longer than that to go on rides during the day, will another couple of minutes kill them? I sincerely hope not. The thing is, loading your ECV may delay them once on their holiday, but it will delay you every single time you get on a bus. If anyone should be whinging, it's you. But surprisingly enough, you're not. Funny that. :rolleyes:

Mickiethepooh said:
Certainly don't delay anyone more than necessary nor run them down

Oh, why can't we run them down? It's so tempting sometimes! :rotfl:

Daydreamer64, go to Disney, have a wonderful time, use whatever assistance you need to enjoy the holiday and ignore all the jerks who think they have X-Ray vision and a medical doctorate. I hope you have a lovely holiday with your family :goodvibes
 
Threads like the one mentioned pop up every so often. As with this one the moderators are quick to close them when they get out of control. (Or before they get out of control).;)

Please don't worry about what "other" people think. And I don't say that lightly. It took me YEARS to learn that. I spent years worrying about "other people". And I missed out.

I live near the parks and go often. Due to various issues, there are some things I have a hard time doing sometimes (things I could have done with some accomidation). I was stubborn and hard headed. I wanted to be "ok". All I did was make my health worse.

Do what us best for YOU! A motto we have in my family is "Ignore the ignorant". Go, enjoy your time at Disney and forget about what other people think.
:grouphug:
 
If you need to use an ECV, use it. If it makes your WDW trip better, by all means, do it. I do think that if you can walk for part of the trip (not all day) that it's more fun! It's part of the Disney adventure and you don't spend all day looking at people's butts. After my ankle surgery I would walk as much as I could, then go back to the hotel, get my chair and go back to the park. It really helped me more in the long run to walk part of the time (strenghtened my leg). Plus I didn't feel as guilty for eating all those Dole Whip Floats...

The bad feelings stem from people that openly admit to getting one because they're "fun" or they want to get to the head of the line, etc. Just be courteous to people around you, don't run over feet and you'll be fine.
 
I guess my instructions will tell me how to free wheel? That sounds like useful information to know!
On the one I rented, there was a lever on the back right side that you moved. When the scooter was dropped off, they showed it to us.

Another tip for crowds they gave us: if you have three or more in your party, have someone stand on either side, and ahead, of the scooter, holding onto the basket. This stopped people from jumping right in front of the scooter. They would still jump in front of my guys, but I had time to stop before hitting them. We only did this when it was extremely crowded, usually on Main street, because we couldn't talk to each other with them ahead of me.
 
There will always be judgmental people in the world who are certain they can tell who needs a wheelchair or ECV. And the best way I've found to deal with them is to pity them. They spend trips to magical places like WDW focusing on something other than the wonderful time they are having and it bothers them so much that they come back here to post about it.

I always figure that anyone who is that unhappy (and yes, noticing negative stuff does make people more unhappy) :) is being punished worse than anything I can say or do. They have to live with their negative way of looking at the world 24/7 after all, while I can focus on the good things in life, and never notice the so-called "cheats." :)

After all, in the real world I can ignore them and not spend any emotional energy on them. And here on the Dis I can put them in my "ignore" file and never have to read any of their posts ever again. I actually kind of appreciate the negative posts about ECV's/wheelchairs, as it identifies people whose posts I don't want to read. :)

Have a wonderful trip!
 
:grouphug: Thank you friends! You have made a big difference for me in how I feel about this situation. I showed my Dh this thread and he said that you all were a great bunch of people to spend the time to reassure and support me with this issue. :grouphug:
 














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