Bus question

Jonell

DIS Veteran
Joined
Oct 21, 2009
Messages
862
As many times as I've been to Disney I should know the answer to this one. But I never looked at things from a disability standpoint. I've rented my mother a scooter for the trip from Apple scooters but since this will be her first time using a scooter I know she's going to make me or my husband load it on the bus for her. So I'm wondering if he loads the scooter is there a way for her to board the buses without climbing steps? Thanks much :goodvibes
 
Yes, as a general rule you will all board using the same ramp that the wheel chair loads on.

The exception to this is that on certain older they have a lift system, but she can use that lift system separate from the ECV.
 
but I feel the best way is for your mom to sit on the scooter until the bus driver raises the scooter into the bus and then she can get off. If she can't drive it onto the lift and get it on straight to the bus lift then she'll have to get off and you'll have to do it for her completely. I think it's best if she sits on the scooter until she's on the bus sitting. All three of you will not fit on the lift at the same time. Once she is seated on the bus, then one of you can take over parking it on the bus. You get on first to the bus; so, you are not dealing with that many passengers getting in the way of the scooter parking. It is harder in my opinion to be the second person parking a scooter on a bus; so, be careful not to bump whoever may be first. Those in wheelchairs stay in the wheelchairs most of the time and that's allowed for them. Those on scooters need to get off after parking them and sit on the bus. If you can when getting off the bus, get the scooter in position heading out the door when getting off the bus and get your mom to sit on the scooter, if possible going down. Then when it's lowered all she has to do is drive off. The lift can be a little shaky; so, if she does not want to do the scooter at all make sure she holds tight onto a bar as they raise and lower her on and off the bus. You are first to board, but you are last to get off. You might be better off to let the other handicap spot on the bus go out first; so, you don't have any interference getting out yourself. Once you get into the swing of it all then you can do more getting on and off safely.

We always parked the scooter for my MIL on the bus. It's less stressful that way for her. We do the same for anything hard at the parks. If you go to a restaurant have her get off as close to the front door of the restaurant as possible and then one of you can park it somewhere more appropriate for her and the other one can hold her walking for more support. Try to find a sheltered place to park the scooter in case of rain. Carry covering for the scooter to protect it from the rain. This can be plastic bags or a shower cap or even a garbage bag or a rain poncho to protect the scooter's electrical parts. Keep the seat dry, too. There's a basket with most scoooters to store a few things. If she goes on a ride then you park the scooter and back it into position; so, she can just go forward getting out of the ride. There can be a lot of people getting out of a ride at the same time. Just take your time and let them pass; so, it's easier to get out. You don't want her going in reverse too much with the scooter. You may have to hold some doors for her and clear the way if there are people lingering at the doors. My thought on this is when you visit the gorilla and bat section of the Animal Kingdom. Once you are more experienced you can hit the doors with a scooter and go through yourself, but it's still better to hold a door if you have someone who can do it. If she gets off a scooter and walks to a ride then by all means have her hold onto one of you. You may be able to get a transfer wheelchair to help, too. Getting in and out of boat rides can be a challenge, too. In that case one should go in first to help her in and the other should stay behind her to catch her if she looks like she may fall. For shows your mom may not feel confident driving the scooter all the way in and parking it into a certain position; so, one of you may have to take over in that instance, too. Our MIL was 90 when we first did a scooter with her and we had to help in every instance; so, this is why I'm sharing all this info. She was still driving at the time; so, we knew with help she could do a scooter. I walked and lead the way for her; so, she knew where to go at all times. My hubby was in a scooter, too and he stayed behind her. There was no way for her to drift away from us that way.

Your mom can practice using a scooter for free at many stores; so, she get get the hang of it and be less scared once you get to Disney. I often suggest a day at a local zoo where you can get a scooter and try it out in public. It's not as hard at a zoo as Disney, but you get a good feel for it all that way.

Remember, to charge your scooter battery fully every day. You don't want it to stop at the parks. Always, shut off the scooter when your in a show; you may have to check for your mom to remember this aspect. Parades and fireworks are the same; shut the scooter off to save on the battery charge. Take the key with you when you leave the scooter parked somewhere.

Some areas will be tough with a scooter. For newbies, the Land in Epcot can be a challenge. There are way too many people in this pavillon; so, be cautious. This is where the Soarin' ride is located. By the way you can take the scooter all the way on for the Soarin' ride; I find that so cool. Here's the catch with the Land. It's multi level and the ramps don't go all the way down for a scooter or a wheelchair. To get to the lowest level there's no ramp; so, you have to use an elevator to get the scooter down to the Soarin' level. The elevator in near the Garden restaurant and directly by the bathrooms in the back. You may have to ask a CM where it is in there. The elevator is the hardest with a scooter.

In some instances if your mom can't walk you may want to transfer to a wheelchair at the attraction and park the scooter yourself depending on the cirmcumstances.

You now have passed 101 scooter training for your mom and yourself.
 
but I feel the best way is for your mom to sit on the scooter until the bus driver raises the scooter into the bus and then she can get off. If she can't drive it onto the lift and get it on straight to the bus lift then she'll have to get off and you'll have to do it for her completely. I think it's best if she sits on the scooter until she's on the bus sitting. All three of you will not fit on the lift at the same time. Once she is seated on the bus, then one of you can take over parking it on the bus. You get on first to the bus; so, you are not dealing with that many passengers getting in the way of the scooter parking. It is harder in my opinion to be the second person parking a scooter on a bus; so, be careful not to bump whoever may be first. Those in wheelchairs stay in the wheelchairs most of the time and that's allowed for them. Those on scooters need to get off after parking them and sit on the bus. If you can when getting off the bus, get the scooter in position heading out the door when getting off the bus and get your mom to sit on the scooter, if possible going down. Then when it's lowered all she has to do is drive off. The lift can be a little shaky; so, if she does not want to do the scooter at all make sure she holds tight onto a bar as they raise and lower her on and off the bus. You are first to board, but you are last to get off. You might be better off to let the other handicap spot on the bus go out first; so, you don't have any interference getting out yourself. Once you get into the swing of it all then you can do more getting on and off safely.

We always parked the scooter for my MIL on the bus. It's less stressful that way for her. We do the same for anything hard at the parks. If you go to a restaurant have her get off as close to the front door of the restaurant as possible and then one of you can park it somewhere more appropriate for her and the other one can hold her walking for more support. Try to find a sheltered place to park the scooter in case of rain. Carry covering for the scooter to protect it from the rain. This can be plastic bags or a shower cap or even a garbage bag or a rain poncho to protect the scooter's electrical parts. Keep the seat dry, too. There's a basket with most scoooters to store a few things. If she goes on a ride then you park the scooter and back it into position; so, she can just go forward getting out of the ride. There can be a lot of people getting out of a ride at the same time. Just take your time and let them pass; so, it's easier to get out. You don't want her going in reverse too much with the scooter. You may have to hold some doors for her and clear the way if there are people lingering at the doors. My thought on this is when you visit the gorilla and bat section of the Animal Kingdom. Once you are more experienced you can hit the doors with a scooter and go through yourself, but it's still better to hold a door if you have someone who can do it. If she gets off a scooter and walks to a ride then by all means have her hold onto one of you. You may be able to get a transfer wheelchair to help, too. Getting in and out of boat rides can be a challenge, too. In that case one should go in first to help her in and the other should stay behind her to catch her if she looks like she may fall. For shows your mom may not feel confident driving the scooter all the way in and parking it into a certain position; so, one of you may have to take over in that instance, too. Our MIL was 90 when we first did a scooter with her and we had to help in every instance; so, this is why I'm sharing all this info. She was still driving at the time; so, we knew with help she could do a scooter. I walked and lead the way for her; so, she knew where to go at all times. My hubby was in a scooter, too and he stayed behind her. There was no way for her to drift away from us that way.

Your mom can practice using a scooter for free at many stores; so, she get get the hang of it and be less scared once you get to Disney. I often suggest a day at a local zoo where you can get a scooter and try it out in public. It's not as hard at a zoo as Disney, but you get a good feel for it all that way.

Remember, to charge your scooter battery fully every day. You don't want it to stop at the parks. Always, shut off the scooter when your in a show; you may have to check for your mom to remember this aspect. Parades and fireworks are the same; shut the scooter off to save on the battery charge. Take the key with you when you leave the scooter parked somewhere.

Some areas will be tough with a scooter. For newbies, the Land in Epcot can be a challenge. There are way too many people in this pavillon; so, be cautious. This is where the Soarin' ride is located. By the way you can take the scooter all the way on for the Soarin' ride; I find that so cool. Here's the catch with the Land. It's multi level and the ramps don't go all the way down for a scooter or a wheelchair. To get to the lowest level there's no ramp; so, you have to use an elevator to get the scooter down to the Soarin' level. The elevator in near the Garden restaurant and directly by the bathrooms in the back. You may have to ask a CM where it is in there. The elevator is the hardest with a scooter.

In some instances if your mom can't walk you may want to transfer to a wheelchair at the attraction and park the scooter yourself depending on the cirmcumstances.

You now have passed 101 scooter training for your mom and yourself.

Thanks you so much. This post is so helpful. I guess I'm just as nervous about her using the scooter as she is. I don't want us delaying the buses trying to load her and the scooter and I surely don't want her running over anyone :scared1:. She lives out of state but I keep telling her to practice with store scooters but she hasn't yet and the trip is in Sept. Thanks again :goodvibes
 















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