Disney Bus Transportation with an ECV - a HORRIBLE experience!

[PrincessSuzanne]

These are the reason's I don't go without my husband. He has to be there to jump off the monorail to wave down a CM if needed, but has only been needed once. DH usually puts my mom's ECV on the bus, because she can't do it. I don't know what I would do without him . He gets frustrated with me alot, but I know he is there to help us and that can go along way when dealing with my mom. She and I want to do a girls only trip, so we will probably have to stay at a monorail resort, so we don't have to take a bus except to DTD.

On our trip in December, my biggest headache was the elevators to the monorail station at CR. Mom and I each use an ECV and while we would both fit on the elevator together, you had to be speedy Gonzalez to get on or off and I had it close on me a couple of times.

Suzanne

 

[Talking Hands]

If I am told to back on I will say no. With the lift buses I wait until the lift is completely down and the guard down then reverse and back on. A few drivers have argued with me about it and I ask for supervisor. Of course I have been cursed by non-handicapped guests for that and been told to just do ask I am told because I am delaying everyone. Heaven forbid I do what is safe for me and not what a driver wants. Any ramps I go forward as my power chair manufacturer recommends this.
I have also been forgotten by the CMs on the monorail. One time it was quite funny because I saw one of the CM and knew him, so I started yelling ---- let me off of here. He heard me and got the ramp and let me off. I was so happy it was someone I knew and could use his name to get his attention.

 

[kaytieeldr]

LOL - okay, I'm going to have to practice my, "Let me OUTTA here!" yell...

 

[mrmagicmph]

Sue,

If I may, I'd like to suggest another number (actually, I have two of them, and if you or Cheshire Figment message me & tell me it's ok, I'll post the direct number to the Transportation Supervisor desk, but I don't want to do so without your approval). The number I recommend calling, preferably while you're still right there if possible (perhaps even while the driver is loading other people) is the main WDW Operator/Information line at (407) 824-2222. Ask them to transfer you to the SPECIFIC transportation supervisor that's appropriate (Bus Transportation Supervisor, Monorail Transportation Supervisor, Boat Transportation Supervisor) and explain to them immediately.

We did have this situation with a bus (actually, was a multi-part disaster when it came to bus transportation) and dealt with one of the Bus Transportation Supervisors, who was EXCELLENT and did everything possible to rectify the situationS that occurred. Further, he told us to call the bus transportation supervisor desk at DTD if there were ANY other problems with transportation (that's why I still have the number... I never get rid of ANY phone number).

Let me know whether it would be proper or not for me to give that number out. For anyone else reading this, until I get the word, one way or another, from either Sue or Cheshire, I'm sorry, even via PM, I will not be giving out that direct number.

Enjoy the Magic & try not to let transportation or ANYTHING ruin your magic!

OK - Here's what we do.

When we are away from our resort:
DH programs the general number for our resort into his cell phone when we get to the resort. That is the best all-purpose number to have.
From having that, we can call and get transferred to Transportation.
You want to talk to the Transportation Supervisor for that shift (not someone at your resort or at the park, who would have to relay the message); you want to get as close as possible to the person who's job it actually is to take care of problem.
When you talk to the Supervisor have these things ready:

• the station or stop where you had a problem
• where you were traveling from and going to
• the time, as close as possible
• optional, but very helpful
  = bus number and driver's name/description
  = monorail color and name or description of the CM
• a short description of what happened
  (I tend to not be short, but short is really important. If you get too bogged down in details, they may not understand. It's better to be brief and add more information than confuse the CM to start with)
• write some notes about the situation so you can refer to it afterwards if contacted for more information. (it might help to write the notes out before calling to get your short description ready)
• how to reach you for more information - cell phone, hotel, room number, date leaving, etc.

If you are calling from your resort after you get back, there is a button on the room phone labeled "Transportation". Use that.

You should be all set between this and the suggestions other people posted. I especially liked the cell phone picture suggest. We had 2 cell phones with cameras and 2 digital cameras with us when we had our last 'reportable' problem. It didn't occur to us to use the cell phone until later, but having pictures would give a time stamp, no way to argue that you might have had the bus number wrong and would also show things like how full the bus was or how many people were actually waiting. Cell phone pictures can also be easily emailed.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I would agree with just calling 407-824-2222. That way you only have one number to keep. That is the main switchboard for WDW and they can put you through to any location in WDW. Just tell the operator what person/office you need. And if you get a voice mail, try again and explain that you have to talk to a real person.

 

[ireland_nicole]

Thanks for all the great info, guys! It's helping me to feel just a little bit better about our upcoming trip!
Nicole

 

[SueM in MN]

I would agree with just calling 407-824-2222. That way you only have one number to keep. That is the main switchboard for WDW and they can put you through to any location in WDW. Just tell the operator what person/office you need. And if you get a voice mail, try again and explain that you have to talk to a real person.

I agree.
I think the number my DH had on his phone was the number for the resort, but it may have been that 800 number. I know when he called, we were which switched to the Transportation Supervisor for the bus service. If we had a complaint, we would have asked for the monorail, boats or whatever supervisor.
I think it's better to have a general number to call.
I would recommend calling right away at the time, by cell phone from the stop. If that's not possible, then calling the Transportation number from the resort room phone works too. I do agree though that you want to call as soon as possible.