Do we need a car?

[SonicGuy]

While we have been to WDW many times, this is our first time staying at a WDW resort. We are going in September and staying at the Poly. Our issues is that we have 2 children in wheelchairs. Is the transportation going to work for us say to the Hoop Dee Doo or Wilderness Lodge? We just can not seem to get any information on how to get around. Any help would be MUCH appreciated!

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

You should be fine! Disney buses can accomodate 2 wheelchairs each. Staying at a monorail resort may make things easier since you can take the monorail to MK and transfer there. To get to WL/FW once you get to MK you have 2 choices, 1) there is a boat that 99% of the time wheelchairs can roll right on(sometimes the water level isn't right), 2) you can go past the dock to the bus area and get on the bus to WL, FW does not have a bus to MK but there is one that runs a regular loop between WL and FW.

 

[wdwdancerwannabe]

We never take a car -- or rent one.

Not interested in parking, traffic, and trying to figure out the roads and routes to and from parks and resorts.

Overall, we were very happy with the transportation system - sometimes though, it seemed we spent more time waiting on buses than for attractions and rides - but that beats walking across a hot parking lot - getting in a hot car in 100 degree heat and trying to drive to and from....

 

[plutospup]

Disney transportation will get you where ever you need to go...BUT...it may be more convenient to use a rental car.

Poly to TTC ...bus to Ft W... transfer to FW Internal Bus to Hoop De Doo

 

[darlak]

I think you'll be fine without a car. The bus schedule is rarely a problem for us. It's unusual for us to wait more than 15 or 20 minutes for a bus. Wheelchairs load first and each bus can hold up to 2. So even if you get in line behind 1 or 2 other wheelchairs or scooters, you would just need to wait for the next bus to all get on together.

 

[SonicGuy]

Thanks for the info. I feel much better. Now if I can just convince DW that we do not need to go to the outlet malls I'll be all set.

 

[Uncleromulus]

This question comes up quite often and there are "two sides" as to the answer. We always rent a car and would never be w/o one at WDW.

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

Disney transportation will get you where ever you need to go...BUT...it may be more convenient to use a rental car.

Poly to TTC ...bus to Ft W... transfer to FW Internal Bus to Hoop De Doo

Unfortunatly there is no bus from TTC to FW(except maybe after all parks are closed). The TTC is really no longer a transportation hub any more, the parks and DTD are the hubs now.

 

[scratchboat]

If you're entitled to handicapped parking and have a placard you can bring on the trip, you might find using a rental car more convenient than the busses. With the exception of MK the handicapped parking areas at the theme parks & resorts are almost as close as the Disney bus stops. Without handicapped parking you'd still have to take a tram in the parking lots of the theme parks, so that makes driving yourself less convenient. We've used my daughter's placard whenever we go to Disney with her and find that a rental car gives us much more control over our schedule then relying on busses.

 

[plutospup]

I passed along your transportation question to the Disney Camping Board(Ft Wilderness). You can read the responses at this link: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=18311087#post18311087

 

[SonicGuy]

Thanks for ya'lls efforts. Just trying to make sure we are prepared for anything. We have traveled MANY times with our oldest in her chair, but now that are three year old is in a chair, well we just are not sure what to expect!