Here now, OMG buses.

[smidgy]

from Disney's own website, the busses are only available to WDW resort guests. it is listed as one of the perks of staying on property. i know this is not enforced, but the busses are not open to the public.


Complimentary transportation throughout Walt Disney World Resortincluding transportation to and from Disney Theme Parks and Disney Water Parksis available to Guests of select Walt Disney World Resort hotels.

see, it says the transportation is availableto Guests of select WDW resort hotels. it does NOT say "limited" to.

big difference. The Walt Disney World Resort is a 40 something square mile property and all who visit it are allowed and encouraged to use the transportation.. to get from park to park. to get from the Lynx bus stop at the TTC to any park.. to get to any resort disney loves for offsite guests t dine and shop and thier onsite resorts, and, hopefully,fall in love and stay on a future visit.

there are no "rules" to "enforce". anyone wisiting the WDW resort is free to use their transportation.

 

[smidgy]

Stuns me that folks spend thousands on wdw trips but will not pay $20/day for a rental car. Nothing could put our family at the mercy of being bussed around during vacation.

some people have vision issues driving at night. many people drive enough at home, and like to relax and not worry about driving. and many people like to enjoy some adult beverages while on vacation and not have to worry about a designated driver.

 

[smidgy]

Actually, when we first started going to Disney many moons ago when they first opened, they actually DID require *proof* of staying on sight before boarding their transportation.

yes, I remember that also, back in 1992. we had to show our room key.. that is no longer the case.

 

[minnie mum]

they don't want to be looked at as an inconvenience to other riders due to their abilities, but they will gladly park close to entrances due to their abilities....in other words, convenience to them when it is convenient is OK, but not OK for to people with lack of a disability to want conveniences, too? If you want to be treated like "everyone" then do away with handicap parking for a start and travel from a distance just like everyone else in a parking lot! Again, I don't care about their loading on the busses, I don't have a problem with it. I was just trying to show the other side to "we want equal rights to the busses, rides, etc"...basically if ONE group of people get SPECIAL treatments (a separate entrance, separate bus, a separate section of parking) then EVERYONE abled or disabled should get the SAME special treatments! Providing ANY group of people DIFFERENT considerations is SEGREGATING....something someone on here said was illegal!

1. Handicapped parking is NOT for the person's "convenience". It is a physical necessity. Do away with handicapped parking and it becomes a physical impossiblility for many people to even reach a building. THAT is segregation. What you call SPECIAL treatment, most of us would call a reasonable accommodation so that the guest can enjoy the same benefits as the able bodied guest. They can use handicapped parking so that they are physically able to reach the entrance. The able bodied are physically able to walk a longer distance or take a tram. End result: everyone is able to reach the entrance.

2. This "special" treatment you are so obviously incensed about is not something that handicapped visitors WANT to have, it is something that they NEED to have. They NEED a separate entrance to some (and in actuality only a few) attractions that have stairs or other impediments that make using the regular queue a barrier to the ride. NOT being able to go on that ride because the queue is impassable to them is segregation. And let me tell you as FACT: we would in every case prefer to use the main queue if it was possible to do so. We have to miss the wonderful theming that is one of Disney's hallmarks, and usually end up waiting to board rides much longer than the able bodied guests.

And as for a separate bus- just for the handicapped- THIS is segregation. And I'm certainly glad it doesn't exist at WDW.

You seem to insist on viewing this so called "special treatment" as if it is some wonderful thing. You even call it a perk. I would suggest that you spend just one day in a wheelchair. Then come and tell me just how much fun it is to get all these extra 'goodies'. Because it is not special. It is not fun. We aren't getting 'extras' to pimp our day. What we are getting is ONLY what is absolutely necessary in order to have as close to a normal day as possible.

I have no illusions that what I have just written will make the slightest impression on your prejudiced and misinformed views. But it may shed some light for someone else. I hope so.

 

[jnoble82]

A separate bus for the handicap? I feel like that would only lead to INCREASED costs and more aggravation. Increased costs because there would have to be at LEAST one bus dedicated to each resort for each park otherwise that would be one long trip just to save someone who isn't handicapped 10 minutes at the bus stop. And where would all these buses load? Really, I only had one chair load while I was there last week. It took...maybe 10 minutes total. in that time, another bus pulled up too so EVERYONE got on one or the other. I didn't travel with anyone who needed to use a chair and I definitely don't mind having them load first. I've taken public transit here in Syracuse and watched chairs try to get on when the bus is loaded. Its hard! Believe me, its quicker and caused LESS trouble when they get on first. 20 minutes waiting for a bus is hardly any time at all really. People waited in 60 plus minute lines for Peter Pan and Toy Story. Are you in Disney for the parks or to ride the bus?

I saw a little girl waiting to load onto a ride (I forget which one) who used the ECV 'line' and I thought they would put her on first, in fact I didn't move right away because I was sure she would go on the next car (she was out of her seat with her mom or dad holding her up so she could see the ride.) They didn't but I did enjoy the smile on her face as she waited. She was just happy to be there! I almost wish I'd thought of asking if she was able to go next (not sure what the rules are though). I definitely wouldn't have minded her going on first.

 

[WedgieSock]

There is a point where abled body people feel just as discriminated against simply because they do not qualify.

Why would an able-bodied person feel discriminated because they don't qualify? Surely they should feel very lucky that they don't qualify

if they don't want to be "singled" out!

Trust me, they don't want to be singled out. Infact, they would give anything to not have "special treatment" as you put it. I hope you never have a loved one cry in your arms and beg to be able to walk - I dread to think what you might say to them "Shhhh, its ok, you're lucky, you get special treatment that I don't qualify for"

 

[KellyNY]

1. Handicapped parking is NOT for the person's "convenience". It is a physical necessity. Do away with handicapped parking and it becomes a physical impossiblility for many people to even reach a building. THAT is segregation. What you call SPECIAL treatment, most of us would call a reasonable accommodation so that the guest can enjoy the same benefits as the able bodied guest. They can use handicapped parking so that they are physically able to reach the entrance. The able bodied are physically able to walk a longer distance or take a tram. End result: everyone is able to reach the entrance.

2. This "special" treatment you are so obviously incensed about is not something that handicapped visitors WANT to have, it is something that they NEED to have. They NEED a separate entrance to some (and in actuality only a few) attractions that have stairs or other impediments that make using the regular queue a barrier to the ride. NOT being able to go on that ride because the queue is impassable to them is segregation. And let me tell you as FACT: we would in every case prefer to use the main queue if it was possible to do so. We have to miss the wonderful theming that is one of Disney's hallmarks, and usually end up waiting to board rides much longer than the able bodied guests.

And as for a separate bus- just for the handicapped- THIS is segregation. And I'm certainly glad it doesn't exist at WDW.

You seem to insist on viewing this so called "special treatment" as if it is some wonderful thing. You even call it a perk. I would suggest that you spend just one day in a wheelchair. Then come and tell me just how much fun it is to get all these extra 'goodies'. Because it is not special. It is not fun. We aren't getting 'extras' to pimp our day. What we are getting is ONLY what is absolutely necessary in order to have as close to a normal day as possible.

I have no illusions that what I have just written will make the slightest impression on your prejudiced and misinformed views. But it may shed some light for someone else. I hope so.

Not to mention that people in wheelchairs often wait longer for bus and rides due to limited availability. I rent wheelchair for my mother in Disney, she has some problems and cannot walk such long distances. We rent only in parks so we wait it in regular line for bus and she always walk on rides. Last trip as I was looking where to park wheelchair to enter Safari, I was told to go on and that parking inside. Notice there were literally no people. And we reached area in no time, but the only way to park chair was to enter handicap area and wait for special bus, which turned into additional 20 min. This is the extra time people wait to ride and being third or fourth group for bus can easily turn into forever, esp. that lowering mechanism does not always work.
People just do not know what they are talking about when they think it is such a convenience.

 

[pampam]

1. Handicapped parking is NOT for the person's "convenience". It is a physical necessity. Do away with handicapped parking and it becomes a physical impossiblility for many people to even reach a building. THAT is segregation. What you call SPECIAL treatment, most of us would call a reasonable accommodation so that the guest can enjoy the same benefits as the able bodied guest. They can use handicapped parking so that they are physically able to reach the entrance. The able bodied are physically able to walk a longer distance or take a tram. End result: everyone is able to reach the entrance.

2. This "special" treatment you are so obviously incensed about is not something that handicapped visitors WANT to have, it is something that they NEED to have. They NEED a separate entrance to some (and in actuality only a few) attractions that have stairs or other impediments that make using the regular queue a barrier to the ride. NOT being able to go on that ride because the queue is impassable to them is segregation. And let me tell you as FACT: we would in every case prefer to use the main queue if it was possible to do so. We have to miss the wonderful theming that is one of Disney's hallmarks, and usually end up waiting to board rides much longer than the able bodied guests.

And as for a separate bus- just for the handicapped- THIS is segregation. And I'm certainly glad it doesn't exist at WDW.

You seem to insist on viewing this so called "special treatment" as if it is some wonderful thing. You even call it a perk. I would suggest that you spend just one day in a wheelchair. Then come and tell me just how much fun it is to get all these extra 'goodies'. Because it is not special. It is not fun. We aren't getting 'extras' to pimp our day. What we are getting is ONLY what is absolutely necessary in order to have as close to a normal day as possible.

I have no illusions that what I have just written will make the slightest impression on your prejudiced and misinformed views. But it may shed some light for someone else. I hope so.

I would like to say, spend a full day in the wc. Only get out to use a toilet, and make sure you only stand, pivot and sit to transfer. Or do you consider wheelchair accessable toilets another perk?

 

[andyman8]

If Disney is able to launch people 0 to 60 MPH in 6 seconds on RnRC, it should be able to find a quicker way to board ECVs and wheelchairs on to its busses. Perhaps, the driver could press a button causing the platform that ECVs use to load to lower itself. If they could get it to do that quickly, then there really wouldn't be much of a problem. Of course, it might require everyone else using the front entrance but most people do anyways.

 

[bluejasmine]

I really don't understand why ppl cannot have patience to let ppl in wheelchairs board first, I mean really? God forbid one day that's you in that chair!

I make a point to let parents know when I see a bus coming they need to fold up the stroller to board, I mean its being helpful for everyone's sake and they are normally thankful for the heads up.

I have not always been thrilled with Wdw transportation but I'm thankful for it! For the ppl who complain about it there are other options! Drive your own car or rent one or even take a cab!

Instead of complaining about every little thing, just let some stuff roll off your shoulders, take the time to enjoy the little things and you'll have much more enjoyable vacation! Sure it won't be perfect but really what in life is???

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[princessallegra]

See it is TOO funny how you all can judge me for my comments without knowing a d@mn thing about my life. Quick to judge are we?!? You all ASSume my life is that of an abled body or has no one in my family with a disability who goes to the parks. Wah wah wah. I KNEW I'd catch you self riteous one out there. You know nothing of my life, the medical equipment that must be drug around with us on a daily basis, and I could care less if you know otherwise. You assume because I call someone out when they said putting ECVs on a separate bus (AGAIN NOT MY ORIGINAL THOUGHT) is segregation, I ask you to think of the OTHER things that they already get for accommodations and tell me how THOSE are not already considered segregation any differently than providing the ECVs with their own busses THAT WOULD BETTER ACCOMODATE THEM!!!

Yes, that's right, you keep going on living you pompous lives believing that you are so high and mighty when YOU really don't know a d@mn thing about what I go through every day! You proved your classiness here and show the world with shiny colors just what kind of 2 faced hypocritical bigots you people really are. Go take a nice long look in the mirror and reflect on the life you THINK you lead while I go enjoy my life knowing what PERKS my family's life brings me!!!!!!

Wowwww...

Edited to add some words because i was so dumbfounded when i first read this post, all I could write was wowwww.

Clearly you are so thick in the forest you cannot see the trees. This is pure vitriol here and this is where the thread will most likely die. "Hypocritical 2 faced bigots?" Ok...

 

[justakrazymom]

We feel the same way. I like not having to rent a car while we are there. I really can't think of one really terrible thing to say about the buses. I am sure while we are there stuff happens and we may get annoyed by it at the time but not enough to remember what it was after our trip is over.

This.. We love the busses. I hate driving, I do it enough at home..on vacation I am not! Never had a bus experience that was negative enough for me to even remember it after the trip. I also dont pay any attention to strollers in the park.. I have been there done that and try to show a little understanding to those with kids in strollers..and walk out of their way..lol.. Scooters..again..they don't bother me..not even last year when one took our a display and some items landed on my son..it happens..we aren't all perfect. We had lots of scooters loaded on busses and often I felt bad because these families had 2-3 scooters and spent much of their time being loaded and unloaded and waiting for the rest of their group to arrive. I can't imagine that being fun. We had one bus wait at BWI this past trip where the scooter people had us giggling..but thats it..not annoyed..not upset..such is life ..

 

[Girls1]

We were there during a busy week last summer,took the buses everywhere, and had no problems beyond the usual annoyances you have when a lot of people are contained together.

Then again, I take the city bus everywhere at home, and so it's business as usual for me. I think some people who aren't used to public transportation get overwhelmed themselves, and also end up inadvertently getting in other people's way, too.

I agree completely!

 

[WedgieSock]

See it is TOO funny how you all can judge me for my comments without knowing a d@mn thing about my life. Quick to judge are we?!? You all ASSume my life is that of an abled body or has no one in my family with a disability who goes to the parks. Wah wah wah. I KNEW I'd catch you self riteous one out there. You know nothing of my life, the medical equipment that must be drug around with us on a daily basis, and I could care less if you know otherwise. You assume because I call someone out when they said putting ECVs on a separate bus (AGAIN NOT MY ORIGINAL THOUGHT) is segregation, I ask you to think of the OTHER things that they already get for accommodations and tell me how THOSE are not already considered segregation any differently than providing the ECVs with their own busses THAT WOULD BETTER ACCOMODATE THEM!!!

Yes, that's right, you keep going on living you pompous lives believing that you are so high and mighty when YOU really don't know a d@mn thing about what I go through every day! You proved your classiness here and show the world with shiny colors just what kind of 2 faced hypocritical bigots you people really are. Go take a nice long look in the mirror and reflect on the life you THINK you lead while I go enjoy my life knowing what PERKS my family's life brings me!!!!!!

Wow. You are something else.

I'm gonna be bold enough to say I actually don't believe you. You've been backed into a corner and called out on your nasty attitude so you are playing the "HA! I fooled you" card.

And if I'm wrong, well, you have a very bitter attitude and need to be the one who takes a long hard look in the mirror.

 

[lucifie]

If Disney is able to launch people 0 to 60 MPH in 6 seconds on RnRC, it should be able to find a quicker way to board ECVs and wheelchairs on to its busses. Perhaps, the driver could press a button causing the platform that ECVs use to load to lower itself. If they could get it to do that quickly, then there really wouldn't be much of a problem. Of course, it might require everyone else using the front entrance but most people do anyways.

I don't know about WDW buses, but I assume they're the same. Even if the lift comes down automatically they still have to secure the chair onto the lift for safety reasons. I witnessed my mom almost flip over on her head on a wheelchair lift because the chair wasn't secured properly. Luckily, the guy from the transport company was right there because I wasn't close enough to do anything.

 

[Kona65]

Rent a car and drive, that's what I do.

I agree. TDBIASWS.

 

[topmonkeygirl]

Here's my 2 cents. We boarded a bus leaving AK, the driver was about 70, he was almost in need of assistance himself and was trying to assist someone on the bus. Really? Don't get me wrong I love elderly people, I've got nothing against the elderly working, yes they are a little slower but so what. I do have a problem with seeing an elderly person who can barely walk trying to get a scooter on board. What is this man doing driving a bus? He clearly was too old to be doing this kind of thing.

Disney needs to make it easier to get the scooters on board. Let's face it folks they're not going away.

I have no problem with the people who truely need them, it's the one's who are too lazy and fat that they can't walk around the park that tick me off. I've got an Uncle who has a muscular disease that has to have one. To look at him you wouldn't think anything was wrong with him, but once he stands you can clearly see something is. I also come from a long line of fat lazy people so I know both sides of the story. My grandmother weighed about 300 pounds, my mom about 250. I refuse to get like that. I diet, and stay active.

You can all flame me now I don't care.

 

[GillianP1301]

I'm not even going to comment on the insulting, bigoted posts.

My 2 cents is, if you don't like public transportation at WDW, don't use it. Personally, I'm not a fan of the busses, so we rented a car and that worked great for us. It's relatively cheap compared to the overall price of the vacation, so it's a viable option for everyone. But, if you prefer the busses, for whatever reason, then by all means use them. You won't offend me as I'm sure my choice won't offend anyone either. To each their own.

If you do use the busses and have constructive feedback, then let WDW know. I'm sure they want to try to offer the best service possible within whatever budget constraints they have.

 

[lucifie]

Wow. You are something else.

I'm gonna be bold enough to say I actually don't believe you. You've been backed into a corner and called out on your nasty attitude so you are playing the "HA! I fooled you" card.

And if I'm wrong, well, you have a very bitter attitude and need to be the one who takes a long hard look in the mirror.

 

[goofy4tink]

thank you, have a nice day because AGAIN I can careless what you think of me. I will state again, I can care LESS how long it takes for someone on an ECV to load on a bus! What I have an issue with is people like you obviously, who believe a certain class of person deserves DIFFERENT perks but those perks are not EQUAL amongst all persons! You my friend are the one without class believing not ALL people are created equal REGARDLESS of a disability or not my friend!

Those using wheelchairs and ECVs don't get any particular perks. I guess some would say that boarding first is a perk. But, they get offloaded last...so, there goes that perk!!! ECVs don't get to go to the front of the line and get into an attraction faster. They do get to go through a different line, and then wait their turn there. Not so much of a perk. The handicap areas for parking?? Sure, they're a bit closer to the park entrance, but they are most certainly not right at the entrance...there is still a walk. I guess it's all relative!!
I get the annoyance...I truly do. But, if spending an addtl 5 mins on the bus because there is an ECV is going to bother me, I am better off just staying at home!!! Life is just too darn short.

If Disney is able to launch people 0 to 60 MPH in 6 seconds on RnRC, it should be able to find a quicker way to board ECVs and wheelchairs on to its busses. Perhaps, the driver could press a button causing the platform that ECVs use to load to lower itself. If they could get it to do that quickly, then there really wouldn't be much of a problem. Of course, it might require everyone else using the front entrance but most people do anyways.

Hmmm, maybe we could launch the ECVs onto the bus??!!! But, my point is this. It truly is better to have the driver actually get off the bus, and go to that rear door. I have seen many, many guests try to enter the bus through that open door.....even though it has signage stating it's not an entrance, only an exit door!! And I have seen people get stuck in that door as it is closing when it's time to board from the front.
Again, it's an issue of some feeling more entitled than others, which means we all get to wait longer in the end. If everyone just 'did the right thing' then life would be so much easier. But, human nature being what it is, that isn't going to happen!!