Buses and disabilites without wheelchair

[Twimmie]

Hi Ladies, I have been lurking here, not posting much, but I am getting ready for my first trip to disney staying onsite (stayed once before, but offsite).We are going December 3rd through 13th and staying at Pop

So I am a disabled mom. I have bad balence, hearing, and I am legally blind, but most people don't really notice. I am not in a wheelchair or anything and unless my legs hurt it's not blantly obvisous to most people.

Anyways, When we go to disney world (me, my sis, and my two kids) we will be staying onsite, so we will be taking the buses (and staying at Pop!) So my question is there someway for me to get priority seating (any seat really) on the bus, so I don't fall when the bus is moving... Pretty much I really need to be sitting, but how would I go about doing that? I see on the FAQs they talk about wheelchairs, but not anything like me, so...

Help ladies!

 

[reindeer]

Great Question. my daughter has MS and never thought to ask. There is the occasional gentleman who will offer their seat to a woman or older person. Sadly that doesn't happen often.

 

[IrishIz]

I have a daughter with CP and Ehler Danlos. She has a special needs stroller (can't be attached with belts) and a leg brace...so looking kind of "different".

Honestly, we have never seen any guaranteed accommodations. There are polite people who offer a seat for her or an adult carrying her but it's not always like that.

We have actually had to give up a seat for a 'scooter' because we happened to be in the seat and the scooter took priority even though they loaded after us. So being in a scooter took priority over my disabled daughter...who had a stroller we had to fold, keep hold of and had a foot rest that had to come off and be held as well.

That is one part of WDW that has been rough at times.

 

[LilyWDW]

Hi Ladies, I have been lurking here, not posting much, but I am getting ready for my first trip to disney staying onsite (stayed once before, but offsite).We are going December 3rd through 13th and staying at Pop

So I am a disabled mom. I have bad balence, hearing, and I am legally blind, but most people don't really notice. I am not in a wheelchair or anything and unless my legs hurt it's not blantly obvisous to most people.

Anyways, When we go to disney world (me, my sis, and my two kids) we will be staying onsite, so we will be taking the buses (and staying at Pop!) So my question is there someway for me to get priority seating (any seat really) on the bus, so I don't fall when the bus is moving... Pretty much I really need to be sitting, but how would I go about doing that? I see on the FAQs they talk about wheelchairs, but not anything like me, so...

Help ladies!

There really is not. While there are some seats that have signs about people giving the seats up to those who are disabled, it doesn't always happen (and I think those are also the seats that fold up for scooters, correct me if I am wrong).

If you need a seat, there are a couple things you can do. One, would be to rent a car. Two would be to rent a wheelchair from an offsite company so you have it with you for transportation and the parks. Three would be to not leave at the busiest times and to wait for a bus that is not standing room only.

Someone else may have other ideas or may know something I missed, but as someone who can not always stand on the bus (knee issues... it's amazing how different walking is from trying to stand on a moving bus) number three is what I do. I simply will wait for another bus so that I can get a seat if I need one.

 

[SueM in MN]

There really is not. While there are some seats that have signs about people giving the seats up to those who are disabled, it doesn't always happen (and I think those are also the seats that fold up for scooters, correct me if I am wrong).

If you need a seat, there are a couple things you can do. One, would be to rent a car. Two would be to rent a wheelchair from an offsite company so you have it with you for transportation and the parks. Three would be to not leave at the busiest times and to wait for a bus that is not standing room only.

Someone else may have other ideas or may know something I missed, but as someone who can not always stand on the bus (knee issues... it's amazing how different walking is from trying to stand on a moving bus) number three is what I do. I simply will wait for another bus so that I can get a seat if I need one.

The seats in sort of middle back, in front of the rear door are the ones that fold up to make a wheelchair/ECV securement area. In some buses, it will be the two sets of seats on the driver’d side of the bus (opposite the back door). Some of the newer buses have an additional securement spot across the aisle, right in front of the back door.
Those seats are marked with the signs that say they must be given up for guests traveling with wheelchairs.
If those are not occupied when you get on, I would avoid sitting there and sit in an unmarked spot instead. Since those are the only spots where a wheelchair or ECV can be tied down, people sitting there will be asked to move if someone wants to board with a wheelchair or ECV.

There are also several seats in the front of the buses that have a sign asking guests to give up those seats for the elderly or guests with disabilities. I would sit in those.

With all the people boarding, it is very difficult for the driver to be able to tell who has a disability and may need assistance. Those traveling with wheelchairs or ECVs can only use the specified seats, but people with other disabilities can use any seat on the bus - that is why the difference in how things are handled.

I second the advice to wait for a less crowded bus. When leaving the park, take a bit more time to walk out. That few minutes of extra time will translate into a much more pleasant time getting out and probably a plce to sit in the bus because the ‘quick leavers’ will have rushed out to the bus and waited in line for the first few buses.

 

[LilyWDW]

The seats in sort of middle back, in front of the rear door are the ones that fold up to make a wheelchair/ECV securement area. In some buses, it will be the two sets of seats on the driver’d side of the bus (opposite the back door). Some of the newer buses have an additional securement spot across the aisle, right in front of the back door.
Those seats are marked with the signs that say they must be given up for guests traveling with wheelchairs.
If those are not occupied when you get on, I would avoid sitting there and sit in an unmarked spot instead. Since those are the only spots where a wheelchair or ECV can be tied down, people sitting there will be asked to move if someone wants to board with a wheelchair or ECV.

There are also several seats in the front of the buses that have a sign asking guests to give up those seats for the elderly or guests with disabilities. I would sit in those.

With all the people boarding, it is very difficult for the driver to be able to tell who has a disability and may need assistance. Those traveling with wheelchairs or ECVs can only use the specified seats, but people with other disabilities can use any seat on the bus - that is why the difference in how things are handled.

I second the advice to wait for a less crowded bus. When leaving the park, take a bit more time to walk out. That few minutes of extra time will translate into a much more pleasant time getting out and probably a plce to sit in the bus because the ‘quick leavers’ will have rushed out to the bus and waited in line for the first few buses.

Thanks for the description Sue. I'll keep that in mind for next time. I thought I had seen them, but it has been so long that who could have known what my brain was making up (plus a lack of sleep doesn't help).

I know what it is like to not be able to safely stand on a bus. I look like there is nothing wrong with me, but my one knee can be a killer. I can walk all day with no problem, but then standing on the bus can be nearly impossible. I think it has to do with the way you have to brace yourself while standing on a moving vehicle.

Like I said before, if I need a seat, then I wait for another bus. It really does not take that much longer (unless you have super bad luck) and having that seat can be amazing. That said, unless you LOOK like you are disabled, expect to get glared at. Usually I just smile and stare right back at them...

 

[Costumesaremylife]

If you are legally blind and have a bad knee, do you have a cane of any kind? I feel like people would move for that. If you had a cane and stood in the handicapped spot where the bus pulls up, I think the driver would notice you. Even if you don't have one, perhaps traveling with one would make it easier/more noticeable for you to get a seat?

 

[Twimmie]

I would think it would be a libility issue, people falling and getting sesorally hurt.... I think I am going to contact disney, that's not right.

I have cereberal Ataxia. It is a balkence disorder that is genetic, which in my family isn't just the balence but the hearing/vision as well. I cannot stand still (literally) I am always swaying back and forth, but most people don't really notice things like that. That said, I also have no reflexes, so I would not be able to catch/brace myself for a fall. Thus I tend to get injured badly when I fall.

 

[Twimmie]

The bad knee was someone elses post.
While I am legally blind, in reality, that is 20/200 so I can see, just not well.And no I do not use a cane, I find they don't help. I have a walker, but I rarely use it, and would rather not tote in all the way to orlando.

 

[livndisney]

I would think it would be a libility issue, people falling and getting sesorally hurt.... I think I am going to contact disney, that's not right.

I have cereberal Ataxia. It is a balkence disorder that is genetic, which in my family isn't just the balence but the hearing/vision as well. I cannot stand still (literally) I am always swaying back and forth, but most people don't really notice things like that. That said, I also have no reflexes, so I would not be able to catch/brace myself for a fall. Thus I tend to get injured badly when I fall.

Disney's answer to mobility issues to to rent a wheelchair/ecv. In your case a wheelchair would signal to the bus driver that you need to be loaded first (per Disney policy).

There really is not another way to "guarantee" a seat.

We do what others have suggested. If it looks like we are going to be standing, we wait for the next bus.

 

[LilyWDW]

I would think it would be a libility issue, people falling and getting sesorally hurt.... I think I am going to contact disney, that's not right.

I have cereberal Ataxia. It is a balkence disorder that is genetic, which in my family isn't just the balence but the hearing/vision as well. I cannot stand still (literally) I am always swaying back and forth, but most people don't really notice things like that. That said, I also have no reflexes, so I would not be able to catch/brace myself for a fall. Thus I tend to get injured badly when I fall.

Calling Disney will most likely not do any good. The "normal" numbers are known for giving out bad information and really would have no idea about transportation issues. I just don't want you to call them, have them tell you something, and then find out they were wrong when the situation arises.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

Its a weird thing loading the buses in my opinion. TO ME...I think OP should be able to load first, to stand in the designated wheelchair area because she is handicap (or at least I think so by rote of being legally blind), and for you to safely be on the bus, you need a seat. When I was there with someone using a guide dog, we would wait in that seperate line so we could board first and the dog would be out of the way. The bus drivers would load us and anyone in an ECV first then let the rest of the line on. I feel like you fall under the same reasoning...but that's me and I don't know or can't say that its the right way.

I don't know who would be the right person to ask...I don't think you'll get anywhere with calling because more than likely you won't get connected to the correct person or they may say they're the right person but not give the appropriate answer. Guest Services in the parks probably wouldn't be right either and they may not understand the issue since they're used to dealing with issues within the parks and a GAC obviously isn't going to help you here.

If nothing else, I do agree with everyone who has said you may just have to wait for the next bus to guarentee yourself a seat.

 

[livndisney]

Its a weird thing loading the buses in my opinion. TO ME...I think OP should be able to load first, to stand in the designated wheelchair area because she is handicap (or at least I think so by rote of being legally blind), and for you to safely be on the bus, you need a seat. When I was there with someone using a guide dog, we would wait in that seperate line so we could board first and the dog would be out of the way. The bus drivers would load us and anyone in an ECV first then let the rest of the line on. I feel like you fall under the same reasoning...but that's me and I don't know or can't say that its the right way.

I don't know who would be the right person to ask...I don't think you'll get anywhere with calling because more than likely you won't get connected to the correct person or they may say they're the right person but not give the appropriate answer. Guest Services in the parks probably wouldn't be right either and they may not understand the issue since they're used to dealing with issues within the parks and a GAC obviously isn't going to help you here.

If nothing else, I do agree with everyone who has said you may just have to wait for the next bus to guarentee yourself a seat.

The problem with the op standing in the wheelchair loading area is there is no visual clue for the bus driver. They are not going to know that it is not just a person standing there. When you travelled with the person with the service animal, the driver could see the dog. He knew to stop the bus, close the door and load the dog.

I have addressed our needs with drivers and transportation managers. They have all suggested what I have posted.

 

[Twimmie]

Your thought are great! I will most likely just wait for the next bus, but I was just wondering, because you'd think they would have something set up. Maybe if I brought my handicap parking permit and showed the driver?

We are not driving, because we live in WA and I don't drive, and my sister doesn't feel comfortable driving in weird places. So renting a car is out.

I wouldn't call disney... I suck cummicating on the phone, would I get bad info if I emailed WDW too?

 

[Pikezh638]

I would say have it added to your reservation, can't hurt?, and when you get ready to get on the bus, let the driver know of your situation.

 

[disfan07]

When we went this past december, I was 6 months post-op from brain surgery. The only lingering issue I still had was balance. I can (usually) walk fine without balance issues but standing on anything that is moving was (and still is) very difficult. It was much worse after being in the parks all day than it was in the morning

We just waited for a bus that had a seat. So if we were in line for a bus and it was standing room only, we would wait for the next bus. I think that is really the only option unless you want to get a wheelchair.

As other PPs have said, there is really no way for bus drivers to know who is and who is not disabled unless there is some outward sign so there is really no good way to ensure you have a seat unless you wait for another bus.

 

[wdwmom0f3]

My mom went with us to Disney two months ago and she refused to get a wheel chair though she really did need one. She had such a hard time getting on and off of the buses so if you have a hard time with that I would get a chair. She had a hard time walking too but we took frequent breaks and it was the best vacation to Disney that I have ever been on. We did everything that we wanted to do and I actually left rested for a change.

What made it easier for her was for us to drive to the parks each day, except for MK. We had her disability tag with us so I was able to park up close. This was much easier for her than taking the bus. If you are going to have a car there, it may work better for you too.

Plus, it really worked out better all the way around. We didn't have to wait for a bus. We were back at to our resort very quickly too. I am sold on driving to the parks after that!

Have a magical trip!!

 

[disney david]

I wouldnt call Disney to complain just do what the other poster said they have good ideas unlike the ones I had well have fun on your trip.

 

[Bete]

We are finding using a car to the parks is getting to be more and more necessay. You may want to consider renting a car just for that purpose. I know that takes away from the idea of staying on site, but it might be better for you.

Another thought would be to use a wheelchair just for the bus travel. You can rent one. I can't say for sure, but I think the stroller rental area of the parks (where they rent wheelchairs and scooters) might let you keep the wheelchair there if you don't want to use it at the parks. Just make sure you get some kind of receipt verifying you have your own wheelchair there. You may call Disney special requests/special needs and try to find out if this is indeed doable.

You stated you have a walker and that makes me think you may want to use a wheelchair more than your realize. The walking at the parks is quite a bit more than all of us do at home. Getting in and out of rides all day with balance issues may be enough without adding walking all day long and so forth. I'm not sure your companion is willing to push you all day, but it's a consideration. If the kids are old enough, maybe, they can help with pushing a wheelchair, too.

Also, if you rent an outside rental scooter it's treated as a wheelchair for the buses. You can get a reasonably priced portable scooter for about $150/week. In this case no one would have to push you. If you want to walk some, you can park the scooter as you go through the parks; you don't have to use it constantly.

If all else fails, I'm like the other posters and I would just wait for another bus where I know I would have a seat.

 

[crashbb]

I'm not sure what showing a parking permit to the driver would do? The parking pass wouldn't let you skip ahead of the line and, by the time you're on the bus (to show the pass to the driver), if there is not an empty seat, they cannot force anyone to give you seat (and if there was an empty seat, you could just sit in it, without showing the permit).

Waiting for an empty bus (or one empty enough for you to have a seat) is probably your best option if you are unwilling (or unable) to rent a car, ECV, or wheelchair.