Hotel, Bus, ECV questions

[Holoshed]

As a first time poster here, I am thankful for all the wonderful advice.

I am really not upset about the dream stuff as I had already decided not to use it again as it was just larger overall but I had no issues with getting it maneuvered although some others might. I guess years of driving ECVs have paid off LOL.

The main point I had wanted to focus on, and which the Dream was a side note, is that I had the same problems the other visits on which I used a heavy duty "normal ada approved" scooter. The bus drivers in general were not helpful and even armed with their names, but not the appropriate avenue to complain, I was still left with "sorry, let me give you a yellow slip that acts as a fast pass for one ride." As you can guess, you already have direct access to most fast pass lines with the scooter anyhow so it didnt help me much in a consolation (but adding so others understand I did not ASK for compensation) so for that reason I did not complain.

I now know (thank you so much for those again who gave very detailed ways to handle a problem with a bus driver in the future) how to get the manner looked into the correct way if it happens again for the one day I may want to visit HS or AK lol.

I also did not take offense or anything about the weight part, I just like to be as detailed as possible so I posted it. I dont like people to wonder about any other "hidden" circumstances I may not have mentioned.

I may be able to work out for POL and I am more than likely going that route even if its 4x the price because even if I dont have to use a bus 6 of the 7 nights I am there its more than worth it!

I also hope that Disney starts to see these trends and how apparently the bus service is becoming the most troubled part of their operation. I think ALL the bus drivers should be trained by ONE person who understands ADA rules and a very strict listing of what is allowed and what is not so there will atleast be some uniformity on the "you cannot use this" rules. I also agree as was said, the guests need to be TOLD why they are not being loaded instead of a growling snarl of "I cant help you" or worse as I have received.

I am a big guy but do not NEED a dream and am more than happy to go back to using the heavy duty scooters as I did before but even though they MAY fit in some trunks, its a PAIN in the rear (and more expensive to rent) just to spend 20 mins each time loading and unloading/setting up etc the scooter each time. I am in North Carolina and have no stake in scootorlando but I will tell you the videos on their site about how to unload/load them into a trunk are very revealing of the time and trouble needed to do such a thing.

This post and forum in general have helped me greatly so far and to anyone else going to the "Night of Joy" and the first "Not So Scary Halloween" party, I look forward to maybe seeing you and not knowing who you are! (since the board is anonymous and all hehe)

Thanks again everyone and I already feel a LOT better about this trip and in no way am defending the dream as I can tell that from what has been said, it can be a bane on the people who have to work around them.

 

[KPeveler]

As a first time poster here, I am thankful for all the wonderful advice.

I am really not upset about the dream stuff as I had already decided not to use it again as it was just larger overall but I had no issues with getting it maneuvered although some others might. I guess years of driving ECVs have paid off LOL.

The main point I had wanted to focus on, and which the Dream was a side note, is that I had the same problems the other visits on which I used a heavy duty "normal ada approved" scooter. The bus drivers in general were not helpful and even armed with their names, but not the appropriate avenue to complain, I was still left with "sorry, let me give you a yellow slip that acts as a fast pass for one ride." As you can guess, you already have direct access to most fast pass lines with the scooter anyhow so it didnt help me much in a consolation (but adding so others understand I did not ASK for compensation) so for that reason I did not complain.

I now know (thank you so much for those again who gave very detailed ways to handle a problem with a bus driver in the future) how to get the manner looked into the correct way if it happens again for the one day I may want to visit HS or AK lol.

I also did not take offense or anything about the weight part, I just like to be as detailed as possible so I posted it. I dont like people to wonder about any other "hidden" circumstances I may not have mentioned.

I may be able to work out for POL and I am more than likely going that route even if its 4x the price because even if I dont have to use a bus 6 of the 7 nights I am there its more than worth it!

I also hope that Disney starts to see these trends and how apparently the bus service is becoming the most troubled part of their operation. I think ALL the bus drivers should be trained by ONE person who understands ADA rules and a very strict listing of what is allowed and what is not so there will atleast be some uniformity on the "you cannot use this" rules. I also agree as was said, the guests need to be TOLD why they are not being loaded instead of a growling snarl of "I cant help you" or worse as I have received.

I am a big guy but do not NEED a dream and am more than happy to go back to using the heavy duty scooters as I did before but even though they MAY fit in some trunks, its a PAIN in the rear (and more expensive to rent) just to spend 20 mins each time loading and unloading/setting up etc the scooter each time. I am in North Carolina and have no stake in scootorlando but I will tell you the videos on their site about how to unload/load them into a trunk are very revealing of the time and trouble needed to do such a thing.

This post and forum in general have helped me greatly so far and to anyone else going to the "Night of Joy" and the first "Not So Scary Halloween" party, I look forward to maybe seeing you and not knowing who you are! (since the board is anonymous and all hehe)

Thanks again everyone and I already feel a LOT better about this trip and in no way am defending the dream as I can tell that from what has been said, it can be a bane on the people who have to work around them.

I think part of the "standard training" that may help is the box painted on the ground at the bus stops - that way a CM is not having to measure, and if a person cannot drive straight into an open box with no one around them, then likely they will have problems on a bus where you have to wedge it in! Hopefully this will help move things along!

 

[SueM in MN]

The bus drivers in general were not helpful and even armed with their names, but not the appropriate avenue to complain, I was still left with "sorry, let me give you a yellow slip that acts as a fast pass for one ride." As you can guess, you already have direct access to most fast pass lines with the scooter anyhow so it didnt help me much in a consolation (but adding so others understand I did not ASK for compensation) so for that reason I did not complain.

Just so other guests with ECVs are not disappointed if they don't get to use the Fastpass line, that is not the designated entry for guests with ECVs or wheelchairs.
For almost every attraction that has Fastpass, the Guidemaps for Guests with Disabilities available at each park state that guests with wheelchairs and ECVs should "Obtain a Disney's Fastpass or enter the Standby Line".
If you are trying to use an entrance other than what is listed on the guidemap, you will need a GAC (Guest Assistance Card) unless the CM at the entrance is directing you there when you show up with the wheelchair or ECV.

Apparently you were able to use the Fastpass lines, but using it automatically with an ECV or wheelchair is not the policy. There are many reasons (most not visible/obvious to a guest) why someone with a wheelchair or ECV might be directed to go somewhere other than the Standyby (regular) line. One frequent reason is when the standby line is short - by sending the guest with the wheelchair or ECV through the Fastpass line, it actually keeps the regular line moving quickly because guests in that line don't have to wait for the guest in the ECV to negotiate all the curves and turns. When the standby line is short, the wait will probably be about the same for the guest using an ECV or wheelchair whichever line they enter.

I have also never heard of a guest getting a Fastpass slip from a bus driver; not saying it did not happen to you, but that I have never heard of anyone getting one, so you were lucky in that respect.

I think part of the "standard training" that may help is the box painted on the ground at the bus stops - that way a CM is not having to measure, and if a person cannot drive straight into an open box with no one around them, then likely they will have problems on a bus where you have to wedge it in! Hopefully this will help move things along!

I agree.
Also, since the Dream scooter is advertised for guests of up to 500 pounds, the weight of the scooter + the weight of a 500 pound guest would exceed the safe capacity of the lift. Rather than have the poor bus driver trying to guess which guest exceeds the capacity, it's easier to just not use the lifts withe those scooters.
In addition, the instructions for using the Dream scooter on the lift bus included backing in until you hit the back of the lift, then turning the front wheel sharply so that the front gate of the lift can close (someone posted the instructions they got with the scooter).
Doing those things (hitting the back of the lift and having to turn the wheel) could be considered 'forcing'; the ADA information says the scooter or wheelchair must fit in the space without forcing. (PLus, I can't imagine it's very good for the bus to have people purposely hitting the back of the lift).

 

[KPeveler]

Just so other guests with ECVs are not disappointed if they don't get to use the Fastpass line, that is not the designated entry for guests with ECVs or wheelchairs.
For almost every attraction that has Fastpass, the Guidemaps for Guests with Disabilities available at each park state that guests with wheelchairs and ECVs should "Obtain a Disney's Fastpass or enter the Standby Line".
If you are trying to use an entrance other than what is listed on the guidemap, you will need a GAC (Guest Assistance Card) unless the CM at the entrance is directing you there when you show up with the wheelchair or ECV.

I also think it depends on what kind of scooter one has and how many people have gone through recently - basically I tell people never to plan on going into the FP line unless they have a FP, no matter what kind of wheelchair, scooter, or GAC you have...

Doing those things (hitting the back of the lift and having to turn the wheel) could be considered 'forcing'; the ADA information says the scooter or wheelchair must fit in the space without forcing. (PLus, I can't imagine it's very good for the bus to have people purposely hitting the back of the lift).

Most lifts are "exposed" at the back, so it drags the wheels along the bus side, and can ever damage the chair - I have seen it happen!

Even if a wheel can be turned to fit, it still seems like "forcing" to me!

 

[SueM in MN]

I also think it depends on what kind of scooter one has and how many people have gone through recently - basically I tell people never to plan on going into the FP line unless they have a FP, no matter what kind of wheelchair, scooter, or GAC you have...




Most lifts are "exposed" at the back, so it drags the wheels along the bus side, and can ever damage the chair - I have seen it happen!

Even if a wheel can be turned to fit, it still seems like "forcing" to me!

I agree with both points.
If someone has a very large ECV, the CMs may send that guest thru the Fastpass line or another access because it will work better.

About the lifts, I am very cautious now around the lifts. On a trip about 18 months ago, I was standing behind DD's wheelchair on a lift while it went up. The back of my shoe caught on part of the lift that moves on the back. My shoe got a little mangled, but my heel had multiple layers of skin scraped off before the driver could stop the lift. Very painful!!
Since then I make sure I am standing next to the the wheelchair and my feet are nowhere near the back.

 

[lovetoscrap]

I have also never heard of a guest getting a Fastpass slip from a bus driver; not saying it did not happen to you, but that I have never heard of anyone getting one, so you were lucky in that respect.

I think the OP means when they went to Guest Services in the Park to complain. He mentioned that he was just sent there if he had a problem and they only gave him a card to fill out and said there wasn't anything they could do. I would guess that they gave him the FP to try to help the situation.


And OWWWWWW Sue! I am telling you, those lifts are EVIL!!

 

[SueM in MN]

I think the OP means when they went to Guest Services in the Park to complain. He mentioned that he was just sent there if he had a problem and they only gave him a card to fill out and said there wasn't anything they could do. I would guess that they gave him the FP to try to help the situation.


And OWWWWWW Sue! I am telling you, those lifts are EVIL!!

That would make sense.

And about rhe owwie, I took pictures, but my DH made me delete them. It was pretty nasty though. Imagine how much grease is on that back part, so I had no skin with black grease. Luckily, did not get an infection!!

 

[Holoshed]

LOL OK, I will admit I did not read the long posts but I KNEW I would get the obligatory part about "you are not guaranteed direct and prompt loading onto the ride" etc if I did not make it more clear but as I usually am up all night working (computer programmer and all) I do not get around to post until I am half asleep and I make mistakes as I already read in my first post with some minor flubs lol...

I do know its not promised or guaranteed but yes I do have a lot of circumstances that play into it and without giving my medical history, in the many years I have been going to Disney with my ECV no one has ever complained. To keep from there being any problems I show them my GAC and they point to where I need to go. Do I ask for this or expect it? NOPE! But the only rides anyone ever acts a little different on are occasionally HM (which I get on where people exit for various reasons) and PoTC where you cannot drive your ECV up and I have no one who can push me in a wheel chair and the CM will not do it of course. For those rides they usually work with me and when not I ask for a manager who always understands the circumstances.

Without a family member who can wait in the "normal line" for me or someone to push me in a wheel chair where applicable, most CM do not even ask and just point me where to go. This has been the same (even with others waiting hours) for years. Again this is not something I ASK for or expect, the CM just tell me what to do and I do it.

I do not expect anything special for my disabilities. I just try to work around them the best I can and Disney does not let me down on that and people in the PARKS actually outdo anything I could ever expect. If someone is rude I let it go unless they actually are outright harmful in some way because of all Disney has done for me in general. I forgot what the little yellow slip is called but its the same thing you get for finding the paint brushes on TSI.

I hope everyone understands what I mean about how I am loaded on these rides, I am not saying that everyone is treated the same way or that I expect it. I will tell you that if I show my card to a cast member or they flag me over theirself to a no wait line, I am not going to tell them no because I am not in a position to. I could not wait in the normal line, but I DO actually dream of a day when it may be normal and I could but like someone else said "I would trade my cart for your legs/joints" if I could. It does suck being 28 and having anxiety disorders combined with arthritis (not RA) and fibromyalgia combined with asthma. I dont expect any special treatment I just work within the constraints I have.

I hope that was more clear now as to what I meant for those parts. I am in no way insinuating that my experience will be the same as anyone else's.

Again since I usually post when I am half asleep I thought I mentioned I went to Guest Services but maybe I did not. Yes the Guest Services people at Epcot (a very nice woman actually) apologized for the issue with the bus and gave us the yellow "fast past with no strings" slip.

After reading back over the posts so I could cover all I saw mentioned before I saw it said about the GAC, which I do have one and actually find myself saving a lot of trouble by just showing it to the CM as I approach. Is it wrong? Well no one has ever told me otherwise and when I go talk to Guest Services at every trip they always tell me "oh yes, that requires you to use the GAC card" and which they give it to me. I will admit after 2 years and 4 visits in those two years I grew to accept what they told me as normal and did not ask many questions after that.

They usually just give me the GAC which covers everything and keeps me from having any problems. Also yes I have driven my scooter in more tight queues than you can imagine, some times the CM even told me to drive it when they weren't supposed to (think Space Mountain fast pass line) and I navigated fine.

The bus driver did not give me anything but a frown and a hard day ahead since he must have radioed to other drivers because it was at that point that three other buses loaded other passengers without even coming to talk to me or tell me why I was not being loaded. Finally a bus person was nice enough to check on me and I loaded fine.

To add to that story that actually made me over the line, that evening when the park was closed (and there are extra bus staff out and I assume they are supervisors maybe?) people go out in mass to get back to their resort. At that point two normal "fold out ramp" buses came by, loaded everyone on then pulled off with me sitting there. I try not to complain, I really did want people to understand that.

At that point of my waiting, a guy in a reflective vest who was directing bus traffic comes over to me and asks if anyone has attempted to load me yet. I tell him no and to my surprise actually JUMPS on the bus currently loading everyone else and practically yells to the guy "why didnt you load this scooter" and the driver shrugs like it was not his job. The guy comes out and tells me he is SO sorry and is making the driver unload all the already loaded guests so I can get on (again I did not ask for this and I had a LOT of bad stares that night) and then the driver kind of snarls and drops the bus and ramp to let me ride in. He says NOT ONE word to me and then does the rest of his job. The guy in the reflective vest keeps telling me how sorry he is and how I need to go tell the park tomorrow what happened, at which point I did. He did not mention to complain at my resort so I didnt.

In that point I felt discriminated and downright invisible to the bus drivers and had enough. I never did call or email the complaint department for reasons mentioned above. I felt as long as "someone" at Disney knew what I went through and would report it, it was enough.

 

[KPeveler]

LOL OK, I will admit I did not read the long posts but I KNEW I would get the obligatory part about "you are not guaranteed direct and prompt loading onto the ride" etc if I did not make it more clear but as I usually am up all night working (computer programmer and all) I do not get around to post until I am half asleep and I make mistakes as I already read in my first post with some minor flubs lol...

I do know its not promised or guaranteed but yes I do have a lot of circumstances that play into it and without giving my medical history, in the many years I have been going to Disney with my ECV no one has ever complained. To keep from there being any problems I show them my GAC and they point to where I need to go. Do I ask for this or expect it? NOPE! But the only rides anyone ever acts a little different on are occasionally HM (which I get on where people exit for various reasons) and PoTC where you cannot drive your ECV up and I have no one who can push me in a wheel chair and the CM will not do it of course. For those rides they usually work with me and when not I ask for a manager who always understands the circumstances.

Without a family member who can wait in the "normal line" for me or someone to push me in a wheel chair where applicable, most CM do not even ask and just point me where to go. This has been the same (even with others waiting hours) for years. Again this is not something I ASK for or expect, the CM just tell me what to do and I do it.

I do not expect anything special for my disabilities. I just try to work around them the best I can and Disney does not let me down on that and people in the PARKS actually outdo anything I could ever expect. If someone is rude I let it go unless they actually are outright harmful in some way because of all Disney has done for me in general. I forgot what the little yellow slip is called but its the same thing you get for finding the paint brushes on TSI.

I hope everyone understands what I mean about how I am loaded on these rides, I am not saying that everyone is treated the same way or that I expect it. I will tell you that if I show my card to a cast member or they flag me over theirself to a no wait line, I am not going to tell them no because I am not in a position to. I could not wait in the normal line, but I DO actually dream of a day when it may be normal and I could but like someone else said "I would trade my cart for your legs/joints" if I could. It does suck being 28 and having anxiety disorders combined with arthritis (not RA) and fibromyalgia combined with asthma. I dont expect any special treatment I just work within the constraints I have.

I hope that was more clear now as to what I meant for those parts. I am in no way insinuating that my experience will be the same as anyone else's.

Again since I usually post when I am half asleep I thought I mentioned I went to Guest Services but maybe I did not. Yes the Guest Services people at Epcot (a very nice woman actually) apologized for the issue with the bus and gave us the yellow "fast past with no strings" slip.

After reading back over the posts so I could cover all I saw mentioned before I saw it said about the GAC, which I do have one and actually find myself saving a lot of trouble by just showing it to the CM as I approach. Is it wrong? Well no one has ever told me otherwise and when I go talk to Guest Services at every trip they always tell me "oh yes, that requires you to use the GAC card" and which they give it to me. I will admit after 2 years and 4 visits in those two years I grew to accept what they told me as normal and did not ask many questions after that.

They usually just give me the GAC which covers everything and keeps me from having any problems. Also yes I have driven my scooter in more tight queues than you can imagine, some times the CM even told me to drive it when they weren't supposed to (think Space Mountain fast pass line) and I navigated fine.

The bus driver did not give me anything but a frown and a hard day ahead since he must have radioed to other drivers because it was at that point that three other buses loaded other passengers without even coming to talk to me or tell me why I was not being loaded. Finally a bus person was nice enough to check on me and I loaded fine.

To add to that story that actually made me over the line, that evening when the park was closed (and there are extra bus staff out and I assume they are supervisors maybe?) people go out in mass to get back to their resort. At that point two normal "fold out ramp" buses came by, loaded everyone on then pulled off with me sitting there. I try not to complain, I really did want people to understand that.

At that point of my waiting, a guy in a reflective vest who was directing bus traffic comes over to me and asks if anyone has attempted to load me yet. I tell him no and to my surprise actually JUMPS on the bus currently loading everyone else and practically yells to the guy "why didnt you load this scooter" and the driver shrugs like it was not his job. The guy comes out and tells me he is SO sorry and is making the driver unload all the already loaded guests so I can get on (again I did not ask for this and I had a LOT of bad stares that night) and then the driver kind of snarls and drops the bus and ramp to let me ride in. He says NOT ONE word to me and then does the rest of his job. The guy in the reflective vest keeps telling me how sorry he is and how I need to go tell the park tomorrow what happened, at which point I did. He did not mention to complain at my resort so I didnt.

In that point I felt discriminated and downright invisible to the bus drivers and had enough. I never did call or email the complaint department for reasons mentioned above. I felt as long as "someone" at Disney knew what I went through and would report it, it was enough.

Everyone has different experiences, and it can vary greatly between times of day and who is working and types of disabilities, etc. i just wanted people to know that they should not expect to be handled differently in line than a person who is walking.

I have heard lots of people come back saying they were shocked that they did not get to automatically go in the FP line or exit because they had a wheelchair. I just don't want people to plan on it, then get disappointed when they get to the park!

 

[Holoshed]

I added a little bit to the end of my post before I saw you had posted a reply. The forum lagged and it took a few minutes for my post to save. I also just found one of those special pin code mailers that went to my old address where my mom lives still. It had my name on it so I could use it (yay) and just got 89.00 room rates for POFC.

I think in general that may work decent and am still looking forward to the trip!

 

[KPeveler]

I added a little bit to the end of my post before I saw you had posted a reply. The forum lagged and it took a few minutes for my post to save. I also just found one of those special pin code mailers that went to my old address where my mom lives still. It had my name on it so I could use it (yay) and just got 89.00 room rates for POFC.

I think in general that may work decent and am still looking forward to the trip!

I think that would work great - smaller resort and they are the first busstop before POR. It is one of my favorite hotels!

ETA: I am SO jealous and I wanna go now!

 

[Holoshed]

I think that would work great - smaller resort and they are the first busstop before POR. It is one of my favorite hotels!

ETA: I am SO jealous and I wanna go now!

LOL well you can come when I am there and I can add more rooms at this rate! JK but I do wish I could help ya!

The mailer was for 40% of ALL rooms not just the Deluxe like the "summer offers" code on the main site.

I have never been to this resort but it looks great in the pictures.

 

[KPeveler]

LOL well you can come when I am there and I can add more rooms at this rate! JK but I do wish I could help ya!

The mailer was for 40% of ALL rooms not just the Deluxe like the "summer offers" code on the main site.

I have never been to this resort but it looks great in the pictures.

I have only gotten PINs recently for package deals, which aren't terribly useful since I have an Annual Pass... I want a pin like yours!

 

[Holoshed]

I have only gotten PINs recently for package deals, which aren't terribly useful since I have an Annual Pass... I want a pin like yours!

Maybe Disney likes me? I dunno haha. I guess when you arent a Fl resident and do not have an anual pass and STILL go 1 or 2 sometimes three times in a year, they do stuff to make ya go "wheeeee!"