Bus Service from Resorts

[Coopsmum77]

Hi Everyone.

We just returned from a our extended family trip to Disney, where we stayed at POR. We had an interesting experience with the buses. Two times out of seven days, my grandparents were basically told to keep waiting for the next bus because my gram had her wheelchair with her. One driver actually got out and whispered to my grandpap that (in reference to the people already sitting where the wheelchair would be parked) he couldn't ask those people to move.

My question is: how many other folks have experienced this before? I understand them not accommodating if the bus is full, but the two buses that we dealt with were not full.

I am going to write disney about it, and I'm thinking of sending a copy to the proper folks who deal with disabled rights. I have seen some other posts around from others with similar experiences, so I would like to see if it is maybe a lazy bus driver here and there that is spoiling the magic for those in wheelchairs.

Thanks for listening.

 

[Lilolvr]

I've had my issues with the buses at POR/POFQ. If I was you I would write a letter. That sounds like the drivers didn't want to deal with it.

 

[DisneyFans4]

The bus that had people in the wheelchair area, are you sure it was the bus that accompanies wheelchairs? Usually unless you have a disability you are not supposed to sit in those seats. I ask because I am surprised that the driver would not accompany you. Isn't that the reason why he/she is driving that particular bus

I would write guest services and let them know what happened. Disney has no idea what is happening if guest do not inform them so I am a true believer in letting home office know about any of my concerns.

Good luck

 

[minnie61650]

There is space on each HA bus for 2 WC's or ECV's (sometimes only 1 if it is oversized.)

If the bus has guests sitting on the bench where the tie downs for the chair is the bus driver is suppose to ask those guests to move , but s/he can not force them to move.

If the guests sitting on the bench in the tie down area refuse to move the driver of the bus is supposed to declare the bus full and not let any other people on the bus even the able bodied guests who were waiting at the same bus stop.

If the bus driver picked up the able bodied guests in line but left your party behind then as far as I know s/he was not following ADA guidelines.

I think you should send a letter.

Walt Disney World Guest Communications
PO Box 10000
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-1000

Good Luck!

--------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[LorilieMarie]

I have never seen this before. They have always made people move regardless. I would write a letter.

 

[SueM in MN]

4 The bus that had people in the wheelchair area, are you sure it was the bus that accompanies wheelchairs? Usually unless you have a disability you are not supposed to sit in those seats. I ask because I am surprised that the driver would not accompany you. Isn't that the reason why he/she is driving that particular bus?

Almost 100% of the buses are wheelchair accessible and if the driver whipered to the OP's family that he could not ask those people sitting in the wheelchair area to move, it was a wheelchair bus.
It sounds like the driver did not want to 'fuss' with a wheelchair and figured his easy way out was to talk to the guests with the wheelchair who were older and probably did not know their rights. Since he whispered it to them, my guess is that he didn't want the other guests waiting to hear because one of them might have said something that would make him have to load the wheelchair.
You are right that the OP's family should write and make a complaint.

There is space on each HA bus for 2 WC's or ECV's (sometimes only 1 if it is oversized.)

If the bus has guests sitting on the bench where the tie downs for the chair is the bus driver is suppose to ask those guests to move , but s/he can not force them to move.

If the guests sitting on the bench in the tie down area refuse to move the driver of the bus is supposed to declare the bus full and not let any other people on the bus even the able bodied guests who were waiting at the same bus stop.

If the bus driver picked up the able bodied guests in line but left your party behind then as far as I know s/he was not following ADA guidelines.

I think you should send a letter.

Walt Disney World Guest Communications
PO Box 10000
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-1000

Good Luck!

--------------------------------------------------------------------

exactly.
Those seats that are needed to load wheelchairs DO have a sign above them that says anyone seated there will be asked to give up their seat if needed by someone with a disability. The seats right across from those seats also have the same sign. So, people who sit there are warned before sitting down that they may have to move.

It is true that the bus driver can't force anyone to move out of those seats, but usually peer pressure works well - especially if the driver says he will not move the bus unless they get up. Or if there is a long line of people waiting to get on and the driver says per the ADA, he can't load anyone elsee at that stop since the 'wheelchair seats' are full. The people sitting therre usually are pretty willing to move under those circumstances.

 

[DISNEYNY]

That is terrible. Sounds like a lazy bus driver to me. I would think most people would move out of the handicapped area with out making a fuss. I know I would. You should definitely let Disney know about that.

 

[Coopsmum77]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I am going to contact Disney. Something else I noticed in regards to the Magical Express. They let you off on the first floor of the airport, and there is not a wheelchair in sight. I know the airlines have them, on the third floor, but how are you to get there?

I am not going to let this one pass by. I have a feeling we aren't the only ones this happened to.

 

[DisneyFans4]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I am going to contact Disney. Something else I noticed in regards to the Magical Express. They let you off on the first floor of the airport, and there is not a wheelchair in sight. I know the airlines have them, on the third floor, but how are you to get there?

I am not going to let this one pass by. I have a feeling we aren't the only ones this happened to.

Definitely don't less this pass by. The only way Disney will know what is going on is from us so definitely write them and let us know how you made out.

Good luck