Handicapped space in WDW buses

[BarbaraK]

Hi:

My sister and I will need electric scooters for our trip to WDW in October. I was wondering how many spaces are allocated to scooters in a WDW bus. Will we have to split up and take two buses? Neither of us need to use a scooter at home so this will be the first time for us and the first time getting onto a bus. We are both very nervous about this. We don't want to hold up the other passengers waiting to get in the bus. Any suggestions.

Thanks for your help,

Barbara & Jeanne

 

[OneLittleSpark]

There are 2 spaces for wheelchairs or ECVs on each bus. If there was already someone else on the bus in a chair, you would either need to split up or wait for the next bus.

If you're nervous about using the buses, try to do a bit of practicing around the resort, to get your confidence up. The older buses have lifts, which you must reverse onto, but the newer buses in the fleet have ramps, which you can drive straight up. The ramp buses are gradually replacing those with lifts. If you're still not happy about reversing after your practicing, and a lift bus comes along, you can ask for them to send a ramped bus for you.

Good luck and have a great trip!

 

[SueM in MN]

Can't write much right now, but there is info about the buses in the disABILITIES FAQ thread.

 

[Robert 31320]

We used the buses for the first time in March 2006 with our son in a wheelchair. All or the bus-drivers we had were great. The newer buses are nicer but all were fine.

 

[Mickiethepooh]

Have you thought of renting a minivan? Alamo at least offers to remove a seat or get you a stow and go model that would hold both scooters. you call the special needs line to get one.
when you have two scooters as I do it makes a huge difference in coming and going.
You want to rent models that come apart, not that hard to do.
anyway having a car and driving where you need to go makes the whole thing much easier.
if not, DO practice at stores before you go, it still sill not prepare you for backing onto or off a bus or monrail or boat but it will still help a lot, except that grocery stores don't have the constricted spaces that most other places do. good luck.

 

[BarbaraK]

Thank you for all the suggestions. My sister and I hope everything goes well.

Barbara

 

[Haley Whippet]

It is really not that hard getting your scooter on and off the bus. The driver is also there to help you. I have done it many times. Don't worry! Have a great vacation..
Deb

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

I noticed on our trip in August we rode a bus that would accommodate 3 wheel chairs/ECV's the third space was on the opposite side (the side with the lift), but we never actually saw a third one there. Most of the time I was to only one with an ECV/WC. When a bus arrives, those in WC/ECV's are boarded first and let off last. If there is someone occupying the seats that need to be lifted, the bus driver will ask them to move, however if the bus is near capacity when it arrives at your resort, you may have to wait for another bus. We found it easier to put them in the minivan when we stayed at Ft Wilderness, but I had no trouble at WL. Always allow extra travel time, especially if you have reservations somewhere.

Suzanne

 

[SueM in MN]

I noticed on our trip in August we rode a bus that would accommodate 3 wheel chairs/ECV's the third space was on the opposite side (the side with the lift), but we never actually saw a third one there.

I'm not possitive that they don't have buses that can hold 3 wheelchairs, but I think the area that you saw is probably the same area we have noticed. It is not a space for a wheelchair, but is marked as a spot that has to be vacated if needed for a person with a disability.
At the same time we noticed signs over the seats on the side with the lift/ramp, we noticed signs by the wheelchair/ECV spots opposite the ramp/lift that say people using ECVs should leave their ECV and sit on a bus seat.
I think the signs you saw are marking the bus seats that are supposed to be given up to make that possible.