Disney Tranportation to parks

[JarrothsMom]

Hello everyone!
We are going to be staying at Pop...January 16 - 23rd. Being this is MLK (time we like to go) it can be a little crowded but not bad at all. We are debating on just driving to the parks because I CAN NOT STAND the way some people act when you go to the front of the line to get on bus. At times I want to turn around and say....my son would rather have legs and beable to see ANYDAY, than to get on this bus first...UGH...I just really get tierd of it. I can say it is not always bad...I am SURE some of you can relate. So I was wondering how many of you prefer to drive to the parks or take the busses. How far is the parking for us compared to regular parking? Just want some input. Trying to weigh out the opptions. Because for the most part... I LOVE the buses...just gives me that Disney feeling!

 

[lidec]

We have never had a problem getting on the bus first with our daughter. She is in a stroller type wheelchair. I do see looks but for the 2 times we have been there no one has ever made a comment we have heard. I was ready if they did, I was going to slam them. We fold up the stoller type wheelchair and walk her up to the bus and then pick her up to get her on it. Shes a big girl that weighs 120lbs and anyone can see that she is not capable of standing in line. This way we dont hold the bus up too long like when an actual wheelchair has to be put on. Even if we held the line up I figure we go through life raising a disabled daughter people can wait a few minutes for us. We do a lot of waiting for typical people.

 

[kaytieeldr]

You know something? I don't give a rat's patoot what other people think. If I need an ECV and 'get' to board the bus first, or if your son's situation is such that he - remember, for the safety of everyone involved - 'gets' to board the bus ahead of waiting Guests, well, that's life. Don't let what other people (especially people you'll never see again) negatively affect your vacation or your mood.

Last trip, I had both the ECV and a rental car - and used the car only two out of nine days.

Go. Enjoy your trip. Do what you need to do for your son's sake. Ignore grumblers.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Oh. You have simple logistical questions, too Okay - handicap parking (with a state-issued placard, of course, since the Sheriff's Department does ticket violators and the tickets are $250!) is more convenient to the parks than 'regular parking' except at the Magic Kingdom! Yes, the parking area is closer to the TTC than standard parking - but there are no trams to that area, and you need to walk under the road and up the other side, to the TTC, then monorail or ferry to the park. The Disney bus is SO much more convenient.

 

[Momelie]

I always drive. But then, I'm local and its no biggie to have a car with me.

With your placard, Studios and Epcot will be no problem at all, neither will AK. MK can be a hike to the TTC, but its really not that bad, and if I'm reading correctly, you will already have him in his chair, right? As long as you don't mind the ramps up and down, the walks aren't that much longer from the parking lot to the monorail and boat (which might be better for you - my girls love the monorail, so that's what we always do), than from the farthest bus stops, and since there's no waiting around, stares, comments, etc.... I think its well worth it.

Then again, I have adolescent females in my party, and my entire existence is beginning to embarass them, and adding my disability on top of that can add untold agonies of humiliation to their day /sarcasm, LOL! Actually they're usually pretty good, especially with flagging down monorail ramps, etc., but we do have moments...

 

[SueM in MN]

We often have a vehicle, but usually use the buses because we don't need to lift DD out of her wheelchair and stow the wheelchair.

We do sometimes hear rude remarks, but we mostly travel at non-peak times and if we stay at a park until closing, we take our time getting out and getting to the bus. That way, we are usually first or almost first in line because most people have left by then.

The handicapped parking lots for the Studio and Epcot are the closest, although if you arrive late, it's possible that the Studio lot will be full because it is a small lot. AK's handicapped parking lot is about the same distance as the bus. Even when we have a vehicle, we always take the bus to MK because the parking there involves using the monorail or boats.

 

[Hankshouse]

We've experimented with all forms of transportation...car rental, buses,monorail and boat. My dd is a full time manual wheelchair user. Here's my take... buses are terrific and extremely accomodating! Now, her manual chair is a snap to load and unload (she travels to school so she has spots for tie-downs installed on her chair). Other able-bodied guests opinions don't really matter to me, they need to count their blessings and I am a firm believer that Kharma is a powerful thing Boats are fabulous except the tiny launches. They generally are not accessible and we had enough issues using a stroller no less a wc. Monorails are great but you still need to wait for ramps to load/unload and we have had moments where we've been slightly delayed. Personally, I'd be prepared to just go for it - on or off the monorail...we are "all terrain" type people but Disney has frowned on that in the past - liability issues, I suppose The monorail ramps are very steep so coming and going is a workout. A rental car was not the best option for my family. Despite a decent sense of direction, we constantly got lost on the ring road around MK. Parking was often an issue and farther away than many bus stops. Also, when driving it prohibited enjoying the fabulous cocktails at Epcot We recently stayed at POFQ and did think that getting around with a car to Downtown Disney might be an advantage or to take advantage of dining reservations at other resorts. Have a great day!

 

[ireland_nicole]

We have 1-2 ECV's and the kids use a stroller to keep them contained. Our needs are different, but we almost always drive. It is worth more than Platinum to me to know exactly how long it will take to get from A to B if one or both kids is in meltdown, plus, being in the 5 point restraint of the car seat is very calming to them. Now that we're used to driving, we really prefer it. And like Sue said, the lots at DHS, AK, and Epcot are right next to the entrance. The walk to the TTC isn't bad, and we usually take the ferry- takes longer, but easy roll on roll off with no ramps.

 

[Schmeck]

Don't forget that first on is last off - you can remind people of that if they gripe.

lidec, please don't slam people - it will only get you arrested and on youtube... Also, wondering how you get past all the people already lined up for the bus, it's very tight by the guide chains - or do you enter from the back doors?

 

[OneLittleSpark]

We always use the buses on our trips, many of which I've done from my wheelchair. I've never heard anyone make any negative comments, but if I did, I would happily offer to swap with them - they take my disability and get all the 'perks' (yeah right ) that go with it, and I'll happily board the bus last and stand for every journey!

In the end, if someone is so ignorant that they would whinge about how unfair it is that they aren't disabled, I wouldn't pay much attention to their opinion. Most people will completely understand your need, and be happy to let you go on first; a lot of the others won't even notice you!

As others have said, it is much safer for everyone to have you board and settle first, so that you don't risk bumping into anyone on a half-filled bus. Also, as a lot of buses that you meet will have a broken lift; non-functioning tie-downs; two wheelchair users already aboard, etc, you may have to wait longer than the people who can use the steps.

Nobody else lives your life, so nobody else knows what you need. If they feel qualified to comment on your actions, with no idea of what life with a disability is like, then their opinion isn't worth worrying about.

Go, have fun, and don't stress about the few idiots you may encounter