ECV's on Disney buses...is it a problem?

[ehsween]

I have seen people mention that getting their ECV's on the buses can be difficult. Is it as big of a deal as some people have made it to be? It it just a little inconvenient or a huge problem? I just really want to know what to expect because my mom will have one when we go to WDW in January. And we WILL be using all of the Disney transportation, including the buses. Thanks for any info anyone can give me.

 

[Carnator]

Has she used an ECV before or will this be her 1st time? I know there will be other suggestions, but if it is her 1st time I would take her to a Walmart type store that has the ECV for their customers and have her practice. It does help. Have great time

Dec 06 going back for

 

[zumbergc]

My advise is to have your mom practice going forwards, backwards, at the resort before heading to the park.
Have her practive parallel parking, backing into a space. GOing backwards and getting the scooter to go straight is difficult for some people. THats one to practice.

Some of the busses you have to back up on the ramp. Then once up the ramp, the bus, lifts you up. Then you back up, and make a hard turn to park the scooter.

Other buses you go up the ramp forward.
If your mom isn't comforable, and she can get up the stairs of the bus ok, someone else can park the scooter instead. At the beginning, sometimes I had my hubby do it for me. Sometimes I just couldn't park at all, and was off, so my hubby did it. Plus, if your off just a little, you can go forward and backward, just like you see people doing when parallel parking until you get
into the spot. Sometimes to help you out. Not always, when your a little off, the bus driver might scooch over the back of the scooter to help you park, or put it in manual, and get the scooter into position.


I've been on several ecv trips, and am doing great at parking on the busses now. It is a little bit difficult at first.
Things to remember, you have to have your speed up to get up the ramps, however once your up the ramp, turn your speed down. When your moving in closed quarters, you can get better mobility when moving slow.

Same thing when your stopped in lines for attractions. Turn your speed down. Its good for the person sitting so you don't give your self whiplash, by the quick stopping and starting that goes on when in a line.

You'll be fine with disney transportation, we only drive when we goto DD because sometimes we buy to many things, and need a place to store the loot, while we continue shopping.

Your mom will be fine in the scooter, just be patient at first when parking.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Have her practive parallel parking, backing into a space. GOing backwards and getting the scooter to go straight is difficult for some people. THats one to practice.

I don't think you emphasized these points quite enough, zumbergc, so if you don't mind: Have her practive parallel parking, backing into a space. GOing backwards and getting the scooter to go straight is difficult for some people. THats one to practice. Unless there will be two ECV/wheelchair Guests on a given bus AND the OP's mom is the first of the two to board (in which case she may be able to ride forward into the front spot), she WILL need to be able to parallel park. It doesn't have to be her if she can get off the ECV; another member of her party can 'park' it for her, if they're better at maneuvering.

Some of the busses you have to back up on the ramp. Then once up the ramp, the bus, lifts you up. Then you back up, and make a hard turn to park the scooter.

Other buses you go up the ramp forward.

I've been told by several Transportation CMs that the bus drivers are trained to have the ECV board backwards, to prevent tipping backwards onto the pavement. Yes, even on a ramp bus.

 

[shovan]

It really does depend on her ECV driving ability. My DH has used his own scooter many times with no problems & just changed to a power wheelchair. The bus drivers always comment on his ability to drive his scooter/wc, but he's been using one for 20 years! I have seen many people with lots of problems trying to back up on to the bus lift. If she doesn't use one at home, maybe she could rent one before your trip to get some practice. Good Luck & have Fun!

 

[chipndales]

We got back on October 1st, and my mother had a rented scooter. She's only ever operated one at the grocery store, so we were unsure how she'd handle the busses. The first day she took some time to get adjusted to the bus style, ramp ect and then she had no real problem. The bus drivers were all incredibly patient - some preferred her to back in, some to drive forward in - and not one guest waiting in line ever complained, or made noise while she situated herself even though handicap guests are let on the busses first. They are very, very helpful and we found it stress/worry free. We only encountered one instance where there were two scooters on the bus, and then she had to parallel park it. Good luck, and have fun!

 

[kchar1]

I have work for a bus company for 7 yrs. Yes if you can please learn to get on the bus backwards everytime. It is possible for a w/c and scooter to tip over backwards when going up a ramp or on a lift. Because, all of the weight is in the back of the w/c or scooter. This can be tricky for most people so, if you have a hard time don't be afraid to ask the driver to help you, I am sure they have done this plenty of times. The less time you goof around trying to get the chair where it belongs the happier the people will be that are riding with you.

 

[slcmom]

My dh has dementia as well as balance problems. We've rented an ecv (he's in a wc at home) the last 2 times at WDW. Believe me, he never did become competant at getting in and out of buses, but, as was mentioned before, the drivers were incredibly helpful and kind and the other passengers never complained. Good luck.

 

[Talking Hands]

I have work for a bus company for 7 yrs. Yes if you can please learn to get on the bus backwards everytime. It is possible for a w/c and scooter to tip over backwards when going up a ramp or on a lift. Because, all of the weight is in the back of the w/c or scooter. This can be tricky for most people so, if you have a hard time don't be afraid to ask the driver to help you, I am sure they have done this plenty of times. The less time you goof around trying to get the chair where it belongs the happier the people will be that are riding with you.

It really depends on what type of ECV or PWC you are using as to whether or not you should go backwards. On a lift I always back on, but with a ramp I go forward. My anti tip wheels are in the front of my PWC and my powered wheels are the central wheels and the batteries sit under my seat on either side of the seat pole. It is safer for me to go forward on a ramp and backing up a ramp is not recommended by the manufacturer. If you are experienced with a PWC or ECV you will know the safest way to get your particular mobility vehicle on and off a bus while the driver may not. Drivers cannot know every type of ECV/PWC.