Fold the wheelchair and take it on the bus?

[DisneyHumbug]

We are taking my folks to WDW for the first time Christmas...Dad has Parkinsons and can walk very little. We plan to rent a wheelchair for the week......but are wondering since he is a little mobile, if it would be best to have him walk onto the bus and we can fold up the wheelchair and put it on the bus? Is that the best way to do it?
Also - does anyone know if we take the boat from WL to CR, is there a back way into the resort without going up the stairs?
TIA

 

[scroot]

We have discovered that most of the drivers seem to like folks to remain in the chair to get on the bus. They have always told us that since they have to fold up the seats to store the chair anyway some one might as well sit in the chair. We don't much care for all the belts and other lock down devices they have to attach. Maybe if you were waiting for the bus with the chair folded up and the person standing in line or waiting on a bench the driver would view it differently. Generally they seem to think safety first and even though the guest might want to do thing the quicker way the cast member is likely to do it by the book. Sorry I can't help you with the CR question, I am sure some one else will be able to though!

 

[Talking Hands]

It might be easier to have him get on the bus in the wheelchair and then transfer to a seat. I have never had a problem with a driver when I say I want to transfer into a regular seat. It is your option and is accepted.
Scoot, the tiedowns and seat belt are for your safety. Yes they take time but that's life. If you normally use a wheelchair you come to accept them as part of what needs to be done to get from one place to another. I'd rather them than to fly out of my chair in an accident or fast stop.

 

[SueM in MN]

Lisa's right. The wheelchair tiedowns are for everyone's safety. Those foldable wheelchairs that you rent can weigh 40-50 pounds and it's much better for everyone on the bus if they are securely tied down (even if no one is sitting in it).
Since the wheelchair is sort of heavy and unweildy, it's actually a lot safer to bring it up on the lift or ramp than to have someone try to carry it up the steps. Plus if the person using the wheelchair is a little unsteady, it's easier for them to ride the wheelchair up the lift or ramp. No worry about climbing steps.
My DD always stays in her wheelchair, but, like Lisa noted, I have never heard of the drivers having a problem if someone prefers to transfer to a seat.

 

[DisneyHumbug]

Thank you so much for all the information! I will share it with the rest of the family.