ECV on skyliner/bus

[Leahc117]

Hello,
My mother in law will be using an ECV-(the kind with 3 wheels)- from gold mobility. She’s never used one before so I’d like some pointers for getting on/off the skyliner and busses. Also any tips for in the parks? Any other suggestions? I’m sure there are questions I don’t even know to ask! Thank you!!

 

[Starwind]

Skyliner is pretty easy. With the exception of Riviera station, at the other stations they have gondolas that they pull off on a special track and they fully stop them. They are used to load/unload ECVs, wheelchairs, etc. You drive straight in to load, and back straight out to unload. Pay attention to the directions of the CM< but it is really very simple and straight forward.

For the buses, when I am getting ready to load on I tell the bud driver that I don't do this very often and am not very good at it [the first time I did it, I told the driver it was my first time]. I have found the drivers will provide verbal directions on how to load properly. Listen to what they say. GO VERY SLOWLY. Don't worry about anyone else -- your goal is to get the ECV safely onto the bus without damaging it, the bus, or any humans. Take your time, have it set to the slowest speed, and ask for help from the driver if you aren't sure what to do.

This is a good video about loading an ECV onto a Disney bus. The only thing with it is that the buses will NOT load other passengers first at a stop - ECVs and wheelchairs load first, then other passengers. This is for safety reasons. You actually see this in the video - the front door stays closed while the driver goes to the rear door and loads the ECV.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

Hello,
My mother in law will be using an ECV-(the kind with 3 wheels)- from gold mobility. She’s never used one before so I’d like some pointers for getting on/off the skyliner and busses. Also any tips for in the parks? Any other suggestions? I’m sure there are questions I don’t even know to ask! Thank you!!

if using a ramp off make sure she goes all the way down the ramp with back wheels before she turns and to go slow down ramps. when walking in parks watch for cutouts in the edge of sidewalks. also cross the tracks on Main Street at an angle not straight across. also have her keep the speed slow and have her take it easy on you

 

[Leahc117]

Thank you both for the replies!

 

[Bete]

Scooter Primer:

First, I would say do a little practicing with store scooters. This will get you use to navigating turns and watching for other people. If possible go to a local zoo where you can rent a scooter and get some real practice in. Doing a scooter for a whole day vs. a short trip to a store is a different experience.

With regards to busing it I would take that task away from your mom and highly recommend someone else do the loading and unloading of the scooter for her.

Ride queues can be tricky with all the twists and turns you need to do. Someone may have to take over in that instance, too.

Someone needs to be a good leader; so, she knows where to go at all times.

When you park your scooter make sure to take your valuables with you including the scooter key.

Watch your battery power. There's a guage to see how much power you have left. Conserve your battery power and turn the scooter off for shows and such. In an emergency there are park outlets you can use to recharge; this will take a while. Bring your scooter charger to the parks. Make sure you fully charge the scooter each night.

At the parks you need to use the same ramps as a wheelchair for the scooter. You don't want to jump a curb. This is more tricky around the castle.

It will be a little harder at night driving a scooter even with a scooter light on; so, go slower and be careful.

The scooter driver needs to be alert. There may be kids and even adults that will dart out in front of you.

 

[Leahc117]

Would it be easier to have her park and walk through the ride queue? Depending on the wait time that may be doable for her. Would she park the ECV in the same place we would be parking our stroller?

 

[Bete]

Would it be yes, you can park the stroeasier to have her park and walk through the ride queue? Depending on the wait time that may be doable for her. Would she park the ECV in the same place we would be parking our stroller?

That could work, but I would try the scooter first through the ride line to see how she does. If she can do the turns, it still will be easier on her to use the scooter.

Yes, you can park the scooter with the strollers.

 

[Bethctraveler]

There were four of us with scooters and we had no trouble at all getting on or off the Busses, Sky-liner or the monorail.