First time using Magical Express with wheelchair

[Mary976]

We usually rent a car but this time we're doing ME. DD uses a manual chair although she can transfer easily. A couple questions I've been thinking of...

Can our travel agent book a bus with a lift for us? Have people generally found that requesting a lift bus in advance works out okay or are there problems? Do we need to confirm the day before or anything like that?

Will DD transfer to a seat or do they have tie downs for the chair?

Also, any other tips are greatly appreciated!


Thanks,
Mary

 

[KPeveler]

I've done ME with a manual chair and it was super easy! You DO have to request a bus with a lift ahead of time. Your TA should be able to do this, though I think you can call Disney yourself to confirm.

This is a coach bus, which means the lift goes like 6-8 ft in the air, all the way in the back of the bus.

There are tie downs, or she can transfer. I stayed in my chair to the resort, and sat in a regular seat on the way back... it's up to her. I vote for staying in the chair, as you do NOT want them putting her wheelchair under the bus. I had someone do that once (not Disney people) - and it was damaged.

She will be able to see the TV screens, and there is a bathroom back there too.

Hope you have a great trip!

 

[SueM in MN]

We have used DME with a wheelchair ever since WDW started to offer it.
My DD can't walk, so we have no choice other than using a lift bus.

It will be faster if you request a lift bus, if you need one. But, even if you don't request ahead of time, they can still send a lift bus for you. How long that will take will depend on just where one of those buses is at the time you make your request since every bus does not have a lift.

If you do not ask for a lift bus, the wheelchair will be placed underneath in the luggage compartment. In order to get onto and out of the bus, she will need to use a steep set of steps and navigate down a narrow aisle of sets. They do usually ask other guests to save the first row or 2 for guests with special needs. Make sure to tell the CM when you check in.

There is information about using DME with a wheelchair or ECV in the top post on page 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread. You can find that thread near the top of this board, or follow the link in my signature.
That post includes pictures of the steps and lift. If more pictures would help, I do have more. They are just not posted.

 

[Mary976]

I've done ME with a manual chair and it was super easy! You DO have to request a bus with a lift ahead of time. Your TA should be able to do this, though I think you can call Disney yourself to confirm.

This is a coach bus, which means the lift goes like 6-8 ft in the air, all the way in the back of the bus.

There are tie downs, or she can transfer. I stayed in my chair to the resort, and sat in a regular seat on the way back... it's up to her. I vote for staying in the chair, as you do NOT want them putting her wheelchair under the bus. I had someone do that once (not Disney people) - and it was damaged.

Thanks for the tips! We'll probably just have her stay in her chair then.

If you do not ask for a lift bus, the wheelchair will be placed underneath in the luggage compartment. In order to get onto and out of the bus, she will need to use a steep set of steps and navigate down a narrow aisle of sets. They do usually ask other guests to save the first row or 2 for guests with special needs. Make sure to tell the CM when you check in.

Looks like our only option is to ask for the lift bus then! Thanks for the tip about the pictures in the FAQ, it was very helpful to see the lift. Sounds like that will work fine for us. I went ahead and emailed our TA to put the request in.

Mary