Grand Gathering with 3 ECV Users...questions, please.

[Ladybugsy]

We are having a grand gathering in WDW in September. I purposefully choose the slow season as I will have 3 ECV users in our party of 11. My uncle is a quadrapalegic, his wife, congenital heart disease as well as Diabetes and neuropathy, and my dear daddy who had his back broken by a falling tree in 2002. HE can walk and will alternate between walking and riding with my mom. I will also have a total of 3 diabetics with me. 2 type 1's and one type 2.
Needless to say I have a few questions...lol. I did go to WDW last year with 2 ECV's. My aunt and uncle. We had a great trip, and not alot of problems. They both had GACs and we tried to follow all the rules and CM suggestions. I am wondering if the Disney Busses can hold 3 ECV's or if we'll have to split up ever time we go somewhere. I'm really concerned about this. I don't want to lose anyone. And I also don't want to see the looks of everyone waiting for the busses when we load 3 ECV's. UGH!

If anyone has any suggestions as to making this easier I would really appreciate it. I know there are tips and tricks and I'm trying to read up as much as I can. Thanks in advance for any pointers and suggestions.

 

[zumbergc]

The disney busses only have the capicity for 2 ecv's at a time.

I know I've read somewhere on disboards about certain people being given a number for disney transportation to help in situations like this.
They call half hour early and the adequate transportation was provided.
What I'm foggy about is if their were 2 or 3 ecv's. Plus, I'm also thinking they had some really bad issues with the busses early in the week and someone was trying to help them out and sprinkle some pixie dust on the situation. So this may not be a disney policy.. hopefully someone will know more.

Since you have a definite 3 ecv's, it could be rough waiting another 20 mins for another bus, when you know only 2 can fit max. Thats if there isn't any other ecv guests on the bus. That can be frustrating in a trip every time you get on a bus.

Good luck, maybe someone else has a more definite answer. I've only traveled in parties of 1 ecv at a time.

One thing that may help out is if you were staying at one of the monorail resorts. I think they have 2 cars w/ wheel chair acces, that I believe each fit 2 chairs.

Another thing, if you stay at the epcot area hotels, boardwalk, swan dolphin, yacht, beach club. You have Boat access to 2 of the parks, epcot and mgm, which can fit 3 scooters, 2 can be in the back open air part, and at least 1 in the back standing kind of area. Plus, my husband and myself just scooter over to the parks. If the boat was full, and only some could fit, the ecv's could motor over to the park in about the same amount of time as the bus can.

This of course doesn't address the issue of MK or AKL, but less amounts of time to worry about the busses issues.

I'm not saying you have to stay at one of the more expensive resorts, just throwing out some conveniences I've used (we've never done a monorail resort). We like swan and dolphin because sometimes we get in on there good deals. If someone in your party is a government worker, nurse (medical) worker, or teacher, or even the AP holders can get a decent rate. AP holders don't get quite a good rate as the others. Mousesavers.com has more details about the rates, and they are first come first serve and can book up fast.

Have a great trip.
Connie

 

[princess mom of 4]

Is this something maybe your Grand Gatherings "advisor" could help you with?

 

[SueM in MN]

Each bus can hold a total of 2 wheelchairs or ECVs. If you had a folded manual wheelchair, the bus could also hold that, but not 3 ECVs.

The following is information from the disABILITIES FAQs thread near the top of the board. It was provided to me by some WDW Transportation CMs.

Q: What if there are more than two guests in my party who cannot transfer to a standard seat?
A: Contact Guest Relations, or a Bus Supervisor, or ANY bus driver, and ask for one of the "Special Services Buses". There are two buses reserved for larger parties, with multiple wheelchairs. Each special service bus has FIVE wheelchair stations, and plenty of seating. These buses are especially helpful for groups visiting from schools for the disAbled. They can usually arrive within 20 minutes of being requested (although you are much better off making your request well in advance--a driver is not assigned to one of these buses until its needed), and will take you and your party wherever you need to go. There is no charge, and you may make arrangements, if needed, with your driver for future pickups.

(Guest Relations can be at your resort when you want to go to a park or at the parks when you want to return).

We recently did a trip with a total of 14 people. We've also done trips with 8 and 9 before. My biggest hint is that it's best to not try to stay together. You end up waiting a lot because some people are needing to use the restroom and when they get done, someone else who didn't need to go before has to. Or some want to go on one attraction that the others don't want to. The first group ends up waiting for the second group to get done instead of doing something else.
I'd suggest planning a few meals together or meeting up at times in the parks, but it was quite nerve wracking to everyone to try to stay together in one big group. It worked much better once we split into smaller groups. Exactly who was in each group varied from day to day depending on what people wanted to do.

I'd also suggest if you do split up, that you make sure each group has at least one person with a cell phone. That way, you can keep track of each other and meet up if you like.

 

[Ladybugsy]

This is great news! Hopefully I can utilize the special bus when needed. I am sure that there will be days when we go our separate ways, but it's nice to know that I can call for help if needed. What would I do without the Dis board?!!!

We're staying at POP this September, so using the monorail or boat is not an option for us, but good to know for basic intra WDW travel. Thanks everyone!

 

[spiceycat]

Sue - I though the new buses could take more than just 2 wheelchairs?

you know the one inches off the ground instead of feet....

 

[SueM in MN]

Sue - I though the new buses could take more than just 2 wheelchairs?

you know the one inches off the ground instead of feet....

The ones we were on during our recent trip were mostly newer ones and could only take 2 wheelchairs. In fact, one bus only took one (my DD's). We were already completely loaded and strapped in when a man in a wider wheelchair rolled up. He would not have been able to get past DD's wheelchair, so the driver told him he would have to wait for the next bus. The man said "but the bus take 2 wheelchairs" and the driver agreed, but pointed out that the man could not get his wheelchair past DD's, so he was out of luck.

 

[clkelley]

We had three ECVs on a trip in 04. We usually just waited on a 2nd bus. Many times the driver radio'd for a 2nd bus that would show up before the first bus even finished loading and the 3rd ECV would be right behind within minutes.

 

[Ladybugsy]

Oh, that sounds great! I know we won't be together all the time, but I feel better knowing that when we do want to be together that there is a reasonable way to do it.
Thanks everyone!