ECV from Airport to Resort to DCL Magic

[sopandbass]

I have found so much helpful information on this board. Thank you for all your great tips!

I have rheumatoid arthritis and, in the past, I've rented ECVs at each park and been able to walk to the rental areas. On our last two trips, we arranged to have an ECV waiting for me when we arrived at the resort where we were staying that I could use throughout our stay.

We've taken several cruises on DCL but when we went last January, I had a very hard time getting around. Having to balance all the time on a moving ship really took its toll on me.

I've recently purchased my own ECV and I've read on the boards that I can take it with me on the airplane (which I was happy to read.)

But how do I get from the airport to our resort (or hotel if we don't stay on Disney property) and then how do we get to the ship? We've taken the Magical Express before but didn't notice if they have access like the shuttle buses between the resorts and the parks.

Thank you in advance for any information or suggestions you can lend.

 

[SueM in MN]

Disney’s Magical Express does have accessible buses.
Post 16 on page 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread has more information and has pictures of one of the DME lift equipped buses. That post also has more information on how DME works with a wheelchair or ECV.

So, if you are staying at a WDW resort, you can gate check your ECV when you leave home, then have it returned to the gate at Orlando.
Ride the DME bus to your WDW resort with the ECV.

The Disney Cruise line uses similar buses, they are just themed differently, with a round overlay, like portholes, over the windows.

If you are not staying at a WDW resort, you can ride the Mears bus, which has big lift buses like the DME buses and also has small vans. There are also accessible taxi vans available.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

If you indicate need for a bus with a lift in advance they will usually have one. One time (in CA) the service was unable to provide an accessible bus. But this was one with the very large luggage compartments underneath. The driver and hotel bellman loaded my ECV into a luggage compartment and made sure the brake was on so it didn't roll around. I was able to do the stairs. And when we got to the airport the driver and a skycap unloaded it.

 

[peemagg]

When I travel using DME and my scooter, my scooter goes down in the luggage hold in a section by itself if possible. They have a ramp that they use to push it up and into the bus. My scooter is small enough though that 2 people can easily lift it into the hold if necessary.

I have flown with my scooter 4 or 5 times now and always gate check it and have never had any problems with it flying.

 

[peemagg]

oops double post

 

[sopandbass]

Thank you so much for the information. I feel so much better about our upcoming trip!

 

[SueM in MN]

When I travel using DME and my scooter, my scooter goes down in the luggage hold in a section by itself if possible. They have a ramp that they use to push it up and into the bus. My scooter is small enough though that 2 people can easily lift it into the hold if necessary.

I have flown with my scooter 4 or 5 times now and always gate check it and have never had any problems with it flying.

That is a good option for people who are able to climb the steps onto the bus.
It's one reason I included a picture of the bus steps in the dosABILITIES FAQs. If someone is able to climb them, it is less trouble to just load the scooter underneath - and no need for get a lift bus.

 

[sopandbass]

That is a good option for people who are able to climb the steps onto the bus.
It's one reason I included a picture of the bus steps in the dosABILITIES FAQs. If someone is able to climb them, it is less trouble to just load the scooter underneath - and no need for get a lift bus.

I did have a little trouble getting up the steps from the airport the last time we took ME to the ship. When you're leaving the ship to come back to Orlando, though, they park off the curb but the sidewalk extends so the bottom step is not so big. That was great!