First time with an ECV and Magical Express

[magicalvault]

Hey...so I've come down a few times but never seen how Magical Express can load someone who isn't physically able to walk the steps onto the bus. How do they accommodate these folks and what do I need to do to ensure my Aunt's trip goes off without a hitch?

Thanks!

 

[mamabunny]

Hi!

It's pretty easy, actually.

Make sure the DME knows in advance that your Aunt will be bringing a personal mobility device, and that she will need to use the lift.

When you arrive at MCO, check in at DME on the lower level. You will be directed to a special HA (Handicapped Accessible) line.

When it's time to load, you will be told which bus to go to. You will load first (just like at the parks). The driver will bring down the lift. It is located on the passenger side at the rear of the bus. It is actually concealed quite nicely when not in use, so many people don't even know the lift is there.

Once the lift is on the ground, your Aunt will have to BACK the ECV on to the lift. This is probably the hardest part of the entire experience for most people. Depending on the lift, and the pavement, there may be a small "bump" as she backs on to the lift. As long as she lines up nicely prior to backing on to the actual lift platform, there will be no problem. Once the ECV (and your Aunt) are safely in position on the lift, the driver should put a safety strap across the opening of the lift, and the lift will be engaged.

The lift process itself is smooth, if a bit slow LOL.

Once the lift is at the top (level with the interior floor of the bus) then the driver will go inside to help your Aunt BACK the ECV into the bus. It will be a straight shot back into the bus at that point - as long as she doesn't turn the tiller she should be OK. She will back the ECV off the lift, and then it will be parked right across from the buses bathroom door. (the rear row of seats just in front of the bathroom door on the passenger side will have been removed, exposing the standard Disney-style tie downs that we all know and ?love?)

The process is reversed at the Resort - the ECV will be loaded out onto the elevated platform, the platform lowered, and the rider can then begin their WDW adventure!

Some things that might make this easier for your Aunt are to practice, practice, practice her "precision driving" as much as possible prior to getting in the line at DME. By this, I mean that if she can control the forward and/or rear motion of the scooter in a very slow and precise fashion, it will make the entire process much easier and less stressful for her. If she can drive one of the big lumbering beasties that Wal-Mart has for ECV's in a relatively good fashion, she will likely be fine. It doesn't take most people very long to figure out how "touchy" the throttle is on an ECV; my personal mobility device is pretty smooth, but some I have rented have been kind of finicky.

Just as an FYI - I personally tip my driver $5 both coming and going for helping me get on the bus. It's not required to tip them - I know it's part of their job - but many of the DME drivers are so awesome about helping, and being patient during the whole process that I don't mind giving them a little tip.

Hope this helps - we will be running down next week for a quicky little trip, so if at all possible, I will have a family member snap some pictures so you can see how it looks.

 

[SueM in MN]

I've copied post 16 from page of the disaABILITIES FAQs thread for you. You can find that thread near the top of this board.


Orlando - terminal maps and layouts; You can find DME on the Terminal Layout map, one Level One, look for the letter "S"

Here is a picture of the DME bus lift in its highest position:

DME Bus steps

Someone using a wheelchair can ride it up the lift and then the wheelchair will be fastened down to the floor of the bus.
A wheelchair or ECV can also be placed underneath the bus in the luggage storage compartment.
People have posted before that they were allowed to stand on the lift and ride it up for boarding because they were unable to climb the steps.
A DME bus driver posted in late 2008 that this was not allowed and only a person with a wheelchair or ECV is allowed on the lift. No one may stand on the lift.

If you don't have a wheelchair or ECV and feel you can't climb the steps, let the CM know when you are making your reservations for DME and again when you check in. They will need to come up with some alternative for you.
I have seen people using an airport wheelchair to ride up the lift, get out of the wheelchair to sit in a seat and then borrow a wheelchair at the resort to get out.
On our last trip, I noticed that there were 2 wheelchairs in the under bus storage area. Since we were the first on, the wheelchairs were on before the bus arrived at the stop.

 

[magicalvault]

Thanks guys...We won't have the ECV at the airport...it's going to be delivered to the resort. I guess the airport wheel chair will have to do on and off the buss lol

 

[NewRVLady]

It sounds as if you want your Aunt to ride the lift to get into bus- I do not think that is allowed

 

[minnie mum]

Thanks guys...We won't have the ECV at the airport...it's going to be delivered to the resort. I guess the airport wheel chair will have to do on and off the buss lol

I don't believe they will allow you to take the airport wheelchair onto the bus. And the resorts do not have complimentary wheelchairs any more. You might want to consider renting a wheelchair at home to help your aunt get through both airports and onto and off of the bus.

 

[stitchlovestink]

I don't believe they will allow you to take the airport wheelchair onto the bus. And the resorts do not have complimentary wheelchairs any more. You might want to consider renting a wheelchair at home to help your aunt get through both airports and onto and off of the bus.

Or look into purchasing a transport wheelchair. There are less expensive versions and those can be gate checked and the airline cannot charge you for those types of items nor count them towards your checked luggage. Might be a good alternative versus a rental.....

 

[GranJan]

I don't believe they will allow you to take the airport wheelchair onto the bus. And the resorts do not have complimentary wheelchairs any more. You might want to consider renting a wheelchair at home to help your aunt get through both airports and onto and off of the bus.

Can't guarantee they always have them, but so far every time I've boarded a ME bus, they had a wheelchair under the bus they let me use on the lift. I have an ECV but don't like backing it on the lift, but I could if I had to. I think they keep the wheelchair for those like your Aunt who don't require one full time but have difficulty with stairs.

 

[magicalvault]

Can't guarantee they always have them, but so far every time I've boarded a ME bus, they had a wheelchair under the bus they let me use on the lift. I have an ECV but don't like backing it on the lift, but I could if I had to. I think they keep the wheelchair for those like your Aunt who don't require one full time but have difficulty with stairs.

Very cool...thank you

 

[SueM in MN]

Can't guarantee they always have them, but so far every time I've boarded a ME bus, they had a wheelchair under the bus they let me use on the lift. I have an ECV but don't like backing it on the lift, but I could if I had to. I think they keep the wheelchair for those like your Aunt who don't require one full time but have difficulty with stairs.

I can't guarantee either, but I have also seen those wheelchairs in the luggage area under the bus.
My DD has her own wheelchair, so we don't need to use it, but I think all the buses with lifts have them.

 

[Kimann]

This thread was very helpful and I just wanted to add my info. Taking my elderly mom in March and we are using the ME. She will be using the airport wheel chair and then has a reservation for an ECV from an outside provider when we get to the resort. I had noted the ME reservation "wheelchair lift" , but just got off the phone with ME guest services and they said that we need to speak to the cast member at the ME desk upon arrival at MCO. She said that most, but not all of the wheel chair lift busses store a wheel chair for this situation and they will make sure our bus has one. She also said to call the ME number the day before departure and very specifically state the situation and need and they will reach out to their guest service people to make sure our bus has one. We'll see...I'll try to report back after the trip!

 

[SueM in MN]

It's best to let them know ahead of time. The 'going to the DME desk' to discuss it is more of a confirmation.

We have not called the day before, but have put it in when we originally made the resrvation. When we checked in at the desk, they did have it in the reservation.

 

[mgentry210]

Last 3 trips this year there was always a wheelchair on the bus. We picked up the ECV at the resort. Worst case you may have to wait for the next bus. Once we get off the plane (we fly southwest so it's the furthest away) we get a sky cap who wheels me down then Magical express takes over. They usually take us out of line to wait on a bench. Pretty easy. The scariest ride is riding that lift up. Our driver last time pretended it was the tower of terror.

 

[GranJan]

Last 3 trips this year there was always a wheelchair on the bus. We picked up the ECV at the resort. Worst case you may have to wait for the next bus. Once we get off the plane (we fly southwest so it's the furthest away) we get a sky cap who wheels me down then Magical express takes over. They usually take us out of line to wait on a bench. Pretty easy. The scariest ride is riding that lift up. Our driver last time pretended it was the tower of terror.

I agree, riding the lift with an ECV scares me even more. Backing on to it, then backing into the bus, they tell you to go straight back but watch out for the bathroom which sticks out at an angle. Every time I knew I was going to have to do it, I'd be stressing about it hours before. Once I even tried to manage the stairs so I wouldn't have to ride the lift, ended up pulling a muscle in my rib trying to pull myself up the stairs. I was so relieved to find out they had the wheelchair. Sometimes I feel like I'm causing extra trouble because my ECV has to be stored under the bus but it's small. My husband helps the driver load it & tips him well. Once the lift wouldn't work going down, so I had to do the stairs, it's easier going down but I have to sit down on the last two steps & scoot down. Don't mind doing that except I think the steps are dirty. I was glad my ECV was down below or they'd have to take it apart & carry it down the steps. It's so much less stressful riding the lift in a wheelchair, but I'm just a chicken, I don't do scary rides.