Bus transportation ???'s

Belle1962

DIS Veteran
Joined
Aug 18, 1999
Messages
4,336
Can someone explain to me how the buses at WDW work for someone in an ecv? I will be staying at POP for two days and will need to use WDW transportation.

1. Do I ever have to back up to get on or off? I will be solo so will not have anyone to direct me. Will they let me go forward at all times?

2. Where exactly do I que for the bus? I understand it is not the "main" line but off to the side--right or left? Also--will I hear "comments" from guests in the main line? Are these alternate areas marked in any way?

3. What if the bus already has two chairs in it? How often do the buses run? I expect to ride from POP to MK and then I can monorail to EPCOT. And to Downtown Disney (a lot--this is mainly a me me me me me shopping trip)!!! I will also do Studios (not sure about animal kingdom).

4. Is there someplace I can look at the bus schedules up now--so I can sortof plan?

5. Last of all--how crowded will it get on the bus--I plan to avoid end of night crowds but during the "day/offtimes" will there be people "hovering" over or around me and most importantly--in back of me?

Thanks in advance. I figure it's worth a shot while I'm on my own and can do it on my time.
 
Not sure about the backing up. The bus driver will assist you in loading/securing. There are specific areas for wheelchairs with clamp-downs and such that you will have to maneuver into.

Look for the handicapped queue, but if I remember, it was generally to the left, or the back of the bus (since that is where you will be loading). Yes, you will most likely hear people complain about the time it takes to load/unload wheelchairs. It's the nature of the beast. I rarely waited for a bus that I didn't hear someone say something. :rolleyes: Just remember that you have every right to an enjoyable time, too, and they can just get over themselves.

If there are already chairs, you'll have to wait for the next bus, but there are no schedules and they do not run on any kind of system. IME, Pop buses have been the worst (sorry!). They are run from a central dispatch that monitors traffic and sends them where they are needed first, so you may only have a 10 minute wait for the next bus, or you may have a 30 minute wait.

There have been times that I've been the only one on the bus and times that it's wall-to-wall behinds. Avoiding park closing is good, early afternoons seem to be most manageable for a park hop. The driver has to let everyone off who is getting off then come help the wheelchair passengers, before loading any new ones, so it is a bit of a process, but you should have a clear path for maneuvering.
 
Belle1962 said:
Can someone explain to me how the buses at WDW work for someone in an ecv? I will be staying at POP for two days and will need to use WDW transportation.

1. Do I ever have to back up to get on or off? I will be solo so will not have anyone to direct me. Will they let me go forward at all times?
Most of the buses now are very low with lifts and you should be able to go forward both ways. Just try to maneuver your body so your center of mass will be about the middle of the ECV. When going up the ramp lean your body as far forward as possible, when coming down the ramp sit as far back and as straight up as you can.

2. Where exactly do I que for the bus? I understand it is not the "main" line but off to the side--right or left? Also--will I hear "comments" from guests in the main line? Are these alternate areas marked in any way?
Try to visualize where the back door to the bus will be and wait in that area. That way the driver will see you and know you have to be loaded.

3. What if the bus already has two chairs in it? .
The driver will call in and another bus, or a van, will be dispatched immediately

How often do the buses run? I expect to ride from POP to MK and then I can monorail to EPCOT. And to Downtown Disney (a lot--this is mainly a me me me me me shopping trip)!!! I will also do Studios (not sure about animal kingdom).

4. Is there someplace I can look at the bus schedules up now--so I can sortof plan?.
There is no schedule published. Normally at the slowest itmes there will be a 20-25 minute headway between buses. At crowded times (such as park closing) they will run continuously, as soon as one bus pulls out another will pull in to load.

5. Last of all--how crowded will it get on the bus--I plan to avoid end of night crowds but during the "day/offtimes" will there be people "hovering" over or around me and most importantly--in back of me?

Thanks in advance. I figure it's worth a shot while I'm on my own and can do it on my time.
Since you will not be in the actual bus line, which is waiting for the front door, people will not be lined up and hovering over you. Anyone in a wheelchair or ECV will be boarded first which allows the driver to connect the necessary tie-downs without masses of people bothering. It will also be easier for both you and the driver if once the ECV is on the bus if you take a regular seat; that way the tie-down does not have to be as secure as if you were riding.

And don't worry about what other Guests will think, they are not aware of your actual problems.
 
Don't worry about other people..... If they have to wait one extra minute to board the bus it will not ruin their vacation...

Hope you have a magical trip :wizard:
 













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