disney buses and wheelchairs

[boldlyreal]

My mother has limited mobility and we will be bringing her own wheel chair. She walks and can do stairs etc etc however she tires easily and gets about slower than the rest of us and doesn't want to change the pace. Anyway, my question is this: If the spaces for wheelchairs are full on disney transportation can we fold and carry on her chair and she walk on? It is about the same size as a double stroller when folded. I am the carrier.


thanks

Tina

 

[OneLittleSpark]

It depends largely on the bus driver; some may allow it some may not. I've done this before, when my joints weren't quite so wrecked, with my mother carrying the chair. However, I think it would actually be easier for you all to just wait for the next bus, as it would save your mother unnecessary pain and remove the risk of you throwing your back out (you have to haul those things up the steps at a fairly awkward angle, all it would take was one wrong twist and you'd be out of action for the whole trip).

As I said, I've done it and as long as the driver is happy with it, it's OK, but you might be better off waiting. The sideways facing seats are the easiest if you're hanging onto a wheelchair, as the aisle is fairly wide. If it's not too busy a time, I doubt you'll encounter this situation too frequently anyway.

 

[SueM in MN]

There is a section about travel on Disney buses with wheelchairs in the disABILITIES FAQs thread, which includes some information straight from bus drivers about carrying a wheelchair on.
Even if you do carry it on, it's usually going to be easier getting on thru the back door.

 

[LisaBi]

I've generally been allowed to fold and carry DS's wheelchair, but I've had two incidents that the driver insisted we tie down. Both times the driver insisted it was law. (The last incident was the last trip back to the resort on our last night).

Well, I didn't want to go thru my upcoming trip always wondering what was right and what was wrong. So I wrote to Guest Relations, and had an email dialogue with a manager in Bus Operations. He said that it is not law, but Disney policy to tie them down as they can become projectiles in the event of an accident. I don't understand how they would be any more dangerous than a folded stroller, or how come if it is Disney policy I only rarely had a problem. Anyway, he said they would occasionally waive that rule at the guests request, and offered to mail me a letter I could show any driver. The letter gives any driver permission for us to fold and carry the chair.

So I guess the official word is that it is Disney policy to tie down all chairs, but I've only seen it a few times in practice.

LisaB