ECV with Mears Connect EXPRESS Service

[LoveToDisney]

Has anyone used Mears Connect Express Service with an ECV? I see there is a place to mark that you have a Wheelchair when you do a reservation but was not sure what it is like if it's an ECV rather than a manual wheelchair.
I have used the Mears Taxi that takes an ECV in the past but wondered about the Express Service from the Airport using Mears Connect Express Service. Thanks!

 

[Evita_W]

Ot sure on MEARS Connect, we are taking Sunshine Flyer next month and they do have a spot to mark.

 

[Groot]

They might have to put the scooter underneath the bus with the rest of the luggage and you have to go up the steps. If you have an aversion to steps (like me) or can’t go up steps idk what they would do then.

 

[Evita_W]

They might have to put the scooter underneath the bus with the rest of the luggage and you have to go up the steps. If you have an aversion to steps (like me) or can’t go up steps idk what they would do then.

They have accessible buses, but the pictures of the Sunshine Flyer buses look like they don't have the steps.

 

[Groot]

They have accessible buses, but the pictures of the Sunshine Flyer buses look like they don't have the steps.

No, they’ll most likely have at least one step. They’re just regular tour buses with a skin to make it look like a train.

 

[Evita_W]

No, they’ll most likely have at least one step. They’re just regular tour buses with a skin to make it look like a train.

Correction, the pictures don't look like they will have a lot of steps like the MEARS ones (assuming they are the same as Magical Express) do. Yes, there will likely be one step up, but there will also likely be a ramp.

 

[Groot]

Correction, the pictures don't look like they will have a lot of steps like the MEARS ones (assuming they are the same as Magical Express) do. Yes, there will likely be one step up, but there will also likely be a ramp.

But if OP needs to use the lift, will they let OP on it with a scooter, since more than likely the scooter might have to be stored underneath?

 

[Starwind]

No, they’ll most likely have at least one step. They’re just regular tour buses with a skin to make it look like a train.

Exactly this. This is a snip from the Youtube video on the Sunshine Flyer website ( https://sunshineflyer.com/ ). They have multiple steps (looks like at least 4), just like Magical Express did and similar highway coaches do:

 

[Starwind]

This is from the Sunshine Flyer website Gallery page and more clearly shows the steps: https://sunshineflyer.com/wp-conten...S_LL_October2021_DisneyTransportation-140.jpg

In their website FAQ page they have this FAQ:

Do The Sunshine Flyer motorcoaches accommodate wheelchairs?

Yes. When booking your reservation please check the box indicating an ADA accessible bus is needed.

 

[Evita_W]

But if OP needs to use the lift, will they let OP on it with a scooter, since more than likely the scooter might have to be stord underneath?

I would assume that just like the MEARS buses and Dismey buses there will be a space for the scooter inside the bus.

 

[Evita_W]

This is from the Sunshine Flyer website Gallery page and more clearly shows the steps: https://sunshineflyer.com/wp-conten...S_LL_October2021_DisneyTransportation-140.jpg

In their website FAQ page they have this FAQ:

Do The Sunshine Flyer motorcoaches accommodate wheelchairs?

Yes. When booking your reservation please check the box indicating an ADA accessible bus is needed.

So then, they will have a lift with a space for a scooter or wheelchair inside the bust, just like MEARS does.

 

[Groot]

So then, they will have a lift with a space for a scooter or wheelchair inside the bust, just like MEARS does.

But will they store scooters INSIDE the bus or since it’s against transportation rules to let someone sit in their scooter while on the bus (because most scooters don’t have a seat belt), will they rather put the scooter underneath the bus in the luggage bays in order to preserve the seats that would have to be lost to tie down the scooter?

 

[Evita_W]

But will they store scooters INSIDE the bus or since it’s against transportation rules to let someone sit in their scooter while on the bus (because most scooters don’t have a seat bel), will they rather put the scooter underneath the bus in the luggage bays in order to preserve the seats that would have to be lost to tie down the scooter?

Actually, just like the Disney buses, you can remain in the scooter, which is tied down and there is a seat belt for the tie down area or you can transfer to a regular seat. DH suggests moving to a regular seat, especially when using a 3 wheel ECV, as it is far safer.

But yes, the scooter would be inside the bus, just like at Disney. When DH took his scooter home earlier this year on Magical Express, the acooter was stored inside and he was given the choice of remaining in it or transferring.

 

[ZJ5/9D47]

But will they store scooters INSIDE the bus or since it’s against transportation rules to let someone sit in their scooter while on the bus (because most scooters don’t have a seat bel), will they rather put the scooter underneath the bus in the luggage bays in order to preserve the seats that would have to be lost to tie down the scooter?

ADA requires those using three-wheeled scooters to be allowed to remain in their scooter with or without a seatbelt (unless everyone on the bus must also wear seatbelts).

Not saying it is smart or safe, but it is a choice.

WDW also has a policy of requiring seatbelts but that too is against the law and supposedly they have to radio in about a refusal but I’m not sure if they actually did that.

 

[MulanMom]

Has anyone used Mears Connect Express Service with an ECV? I see there is a place to mark that you have a Wheelchair when you do a reservation but was not sure what it is like if it's an ECV rather than a manual wheelchair.
I have used the Mears Taxi that takes an ECV in the past but wondered about the Express Service from the Airport using Mears Connect Express Service. Thanks!

We are grappling with the same issue with our upcoming WDW trip. We're bringing husband's ECV. Last trip where we took his ECV on plane, we used Magical Express and they stored the ECV under the bus. I don't think he can handle multiple and steep stairs anymore so we are trying to assess our options. We did use Mears taxis on Disney property which transported us and the ECV with ease. We're actually considering just booking one for transport to and from the airport although I'm sure it'll be much more costly.

Have you decided which service you will be using?

 

[LoveToDisney]

I finally decided to sign up for the regular Mears Connect Service for now because I could sign up for an ADA bus which would have a lift if I don’t think I can climb the steps. I at least know what to expect. I’d prefer the Express service which is more direct but there just aren’t enough reports of those with ECV on the Express Service yet to make a decision.

 

[Groot]

Exactly this. This is a snip from the Youtube video on the Sunshine Flyer website ( https://sunshineflyer.com/ ). They have multiple steps (looks like at least 4), just like Magical Express did and similar highway coaches do:

View attachment 642011

and most coaches nowadays have the curved steps too.

 

[MS_Warrior]

Has anyone used Mears Connect Express Service with an ECV? I see there is a place to mark that you have a Wheelchair when you do a reservation but was not sure what it is like if it's an ECV rather than a manual wheelchair.
I have used the Mears Taxi that takes an ECV in the past but wondered about the Express Service from the Airport using Mears Connect Express Service. Thanks!

We used Mears Connect Express on this recent trip, but I had a wheelchair. In the past, when Mears did ME, I used the wheelchair lift on their bus with my Pride Go-Go Elite Traveler (an older model). It was small enough to work on the wheelchair lift. They questioned me, but I told them I had used a lift like that one in the past, so they agreed to try it. Not sure it would work with a larger ECV.

When they picked us up at the airport, they used an accessible cab. It was fine, but I had luggage all jammed around me. I do think an ECV would fit in the cab as long as it’s not a large ECV. On the return trip, it was one of the large buses.