DME and mobility issues

[billsfan]

We are traveling this October to WDW with DFis mother and she has issues with steps. If I remember correctly all DME busses I have taken are the ones with the three high steps into the seating area. She was able to use thes steps in 2005 when we all went down but I do not think she will be able to do it this time. What other options are there for DME. Also should I have said something when I booked DME or can we say something when we get to the airport.

Thanks

 

[KPeveler]

I would call ahead of time, since they can arrange an accessible lift for you. What I think happens is that they will put her in an available wheelchair, lift her onto the bus, and then she can transfer to a regular seat. I am not sure, though, so you should call and ask, just in case!

 

[Schmeck]

I'd arrange to have a wheelchair for the trip - she's going to need one to use the lift to get off the bus as well, wouldn't she? The airport won't let you take one of theirs with you for that.

Are you planning on using Disney busses to get to the parks? Some of them have steps up too, and I'm not sure if she'd be allowed to board at the ramp in back without a wheelchair.

 

[billsfan]

Thanks for the suggestions. We are getting a wheelchair from Walker Mobility. We are also quite familiar with the busses around WDW and the accessibility in the parks.

I just was wondering about the accessibility of DME.

Thanks

 

[SueM in MN]

All the DME buses have a set of very steep steps (the reason is that the luggage is stored underneath the bus).
Call DME and let them know what your issues are. They should arrange for a wheelchair accessible bus to pick you up. Those buses have a lift at the back. What people have been able to do in the past:
- arrange for wheelchair service from your airline; the skycap can pick you up and take her in a wheelchair to the DME area
- DME does have some wheelchairs stored at the pick up area. People in the past have used one of these wheelchairs to ride the wheelchair lift up onto the bus. Then they get off, transfer to a bus seat and the wheelchair is taken o off the bus.
- When they got to their resort, Bell Services CMs got a wheelchair for them and they got off the bus.

 

[Schmeck]

Sue, thanks for the info - I was wondering how people who can't do steps would get off the bus! We'll most likely be trying that scenario if we can talk my mom into going down in April. She can walk a bit, but has days when she can't even go up the few steps at her house. Other days she's fine, but we wouldn't want to get stuck at the airport (so close, but yet so far from WDW!) without a back up plan!