DP Transportation Questions... lots of questions

[Bridie1996]

Hey everybody- I have a few questions for those who used the Disney transportion to get to/from their DP.

Right now, we have late lunch/early dinner at the Attic which will end around 4, maybe 4:30. Then, we don't have to meet up for the DP until 8. I'm trying to decide if we should charter the bus or walk over to Epcot.

Some caveats:
1)about 1/2 of our guests will not be staying on Disney property. They either live in the area or have a time-share condo in the area.

2)I have at least 2 guests who have a hard time getting around.

That being said, are the chater buses handicapped accesible? Would it be easy for an old man with a bad leg and has trouble going up or down stairs or 8 month pregnant woman to get in and out?

I'm not sure about using Towncars as I think it would be easier for them to work with the buses than the towncars which are low to the ground.

Why can't disney have suburbans for us to hire? They have everything else after all...

Would it just be better to have everyone meet us somplace on the boardwalk-say ESPN zone, and then we all walk over together to meet the CM and be escorted into Epcot? In this scenario, the guests who have a hard time getting around would be in wheel chairs or on scooters.

How long of a walk is it from the ESPN zone area to the Epcot gate?

Just trying to decide what would be the easiest for my guests and the most cost-effective for us.

 

[lpizzuro123]

Not sure about all your questions, but we requested a handicapped bus during our planning session.

Linda

 

[ColeV]

It's about as far to get to the Epcot gate as it would be to get to the nearest bus stop (5 min. or so). And the back gate puts you at the UK area. I don't know if the rented vehicles can get you into any area of Epcot, but taking a bus to drop you off at the main gate would mean a much farther walk through the park.

 

[lpizzuro123]

It's about as far to get to the Epcot gate as it would be to get to the nearest bus stop (5 min. or so). And the back gate puts you at the UK area. I don't know if the rented vehicles can get you into any area of Epcot, but taking a bus to drop you off at the main gate would mean a much farther walk through the park.

We had our guests use Disney transportation to our Dessert Party in Epcot. We had requested a wheel chair to be at the Guest Services location where all our guests were meeting (Disney did not charge us for this). One of our guests was wheeled to our DP location and then back again after the party.

Linda

 

[lurkyloo]

Why can't disney have suburbans for us to hire? They have everything else after all...

Well, they have 11-person passenger vans - does that count? They also have mini-buses that hold 24.

I think it would be easiest for your guests if you had transportation from one of the hotels to backstage. They can all park at the hotel for free, even the off-property guests, and be whisked backstage by whatever form of transport you get. Then you can have the event guide(s) meet you with wheelchairs, if necessary, like Linda suggested.

 

[Bridie1996]

Thanks! At least I know I have options!