ECV and buses

[disneyandme]

My mom will be using a ECV (outside rental) in Nov. Last time, we drove to all of the parks and my husband took it in and out of the car. This time he will be at a conference and we will rely more on the buses-- mostly Poly to MGM. What can you tell me about the buses and the loading and unloading process ? Thanks.

 

[SueM in MN]

Welcome to disABILITIES.
I can fill you in on the general bus loading and we have some ecv users who will be along soon I'm sure to give you specifics about loading those.

Almost all the busses are equipped with either a lift or a ramp at the back door to load wheelchairs or ecvs. They have tiedowns (straps attached to the bus floor) that hook onto the wheelchair or ecv to hold it in place while the bus is motion. There is also a seat belt for the person riding in the wheelchair/ecv. The bus driver takes care of attaching all the assorted straps; all you have to do is get the ecv onto the lift or ramp and then position yourself as instructed. Each bus is equipped with tiedowns for up to 2 wheelchairs/ecvs. You probably never noticed them before if you rode the bus. They are usually hidden by seats just across from the back door. The seats are normally down for people to sit on; when they need the space for wheelchairs, the seats fold up out of the way.

While waiting for the bus, your whole party waits at the area where the rear of the bus will be when it pulls up. Some of the stops actually have a sign with the wheelchair symbok to help you know where to wait. The driver needs to be able to see you when pulling up to the stop. When you are at a stop with buses going to various places (like at the resort), make the driver aware of whether or not you want that destination (like smiling and nodding your head if you want to go where he's headed and shaking your head if not).
For the resorts, they need to line the bus up with the curb (or the curb cut) so they really need to know before they stop whether or not you will be riding. For the parks, there is no curb, so they don't need to line up precisely. They do load the wheelchair/ecv parties before they begin loding other passengers. This is so no one is in the way and makes loading quicker and easier.

 

[pumpkinboy]

Our DS is wheelchair bound (push, not electric), and the bus sytem worked well for us. Just a note, when at a resort (e.g. POR or OKW) or location (e.g. DTD) with more than one bus stop, it often pays to wait at the first bus stop if possible, since the buses will have plenty of room for your chair and party at that point, but they might be too full to board you at the last stop.

Tyler, a Disney bus driver (aka Chip'n Dale Express) tells me in another thread that now a third of the Disney buses have the low floor, so no lift needed ! My family generally finds the Disney transport system better than driving anywhere, esp since it saves the DH's back from all that lifting. It takes only slightly longer than driving yor own car, and again, it saves your back form the strain. We especially liked the boats between EPCOT and MGM and of course the Monorail (since you're staying at the Polynesian, apparently).

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Thankfully, the new Polynesian bus stop doesn't require precise lining up, as the old clunky bus stop did.

But Sue makes a great point... PLEASE let us know as we pull into the stop if you wish to board. Shake your head "no", or wave your hand for "yes"... or whatever you think will get our attention. There are three different buses that service that one stop, and we have no clue where you are going, unless you signal us.