How hard is using Disney World Transportation systems with a scooter?

[jbtimmer]

Traveling for the first time next month with a ECV. How hard is using the transportation system with one? Specifically loading buses, monorail, etc.
we will have our van onsite, so wondering if using it or the disney transportation will be easiest.

 

[Piper]

I think loading and unloading from the Disney transportation system is very easy. I use my own ECV and am used to it. I parallel park it in my livingroom several times a day, so I am used to that. If you never parallel park, practice a bit before boarding.

 

[Pats Dragon]

Just my opinion- I hate the mean looks from the bus line as I pull up in my ecv. I feel bad if the busdriver struggles to buckle it in. I also have a problem successfully backing it in when that is necessary.

Some boats don't accommodate ecv's.

The monorail would be wonderful if it wasn't crowded and all went well. If it is crowded you may kill or maim a kid when the scooter surges at the top of the ramp. Also keep an eye out that a careless cm hasn't half thrown the ramp up and you may be killed or maimed getting on it. Be sure you have a buddy with you because sometimes no one will know to come and put a ramp down. If it works perfectly though, a kind cm will perfectly place the ramp for an empty car and at the next stop another kind cm will immediately bring a ramp (since it has been radioed ahead) and help you depart.

 

[disney david]

Traveling for the first time next month with a ECV. How hard is using the transportation system with one? Specifically loading buses, monorail, etc.
we will have our van onsite, so wondering if using it or the disney transportation will be easiest.

It easier then public transportation because Disney paid extra to place the ramp at te back door. So it be raise on the user because the nova and gillig public transportation use the front door and Disney feels that to tight for ecv and wheelchair users. Most of the driver are great you do have a couple bad eggs just like in everything if you get one ask to speak to their manager. I say for mk at least the buses would be the easier because it let you off it front Dhs if you have a handicap tag might be easier to drive but no problem on the bus.

Just remember you are their to have fun and spend time with who you go with please don't even give anyone who may say or give you a look a second thought. Just go and have fun some people have nothing better to do ten spend all the money to go to Disney and they feel it their Responsibility to say rude comments. You have the right to board the bus safely just like they do and to be able to have safe trip to your resort.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I normally commute, so I use the lift on my van. However, I do stay onsite from time to time and will tend to use the Disney Transportation with no problems.

 

[peemagg]

I have used the Disney transportation many times with a ECV. It is very easy to do. Give it a try. You might find that you like it better than trying to navigate the roads and parking.

 

[stargazertechie]

If you're used to parallel parking it, you'll have no issues. My dad was NOT a full time ECV user, drove one for the 2nd time ever (first time was a test drive in Costco the week before our trip) at Disney, and by the end of the first day he had it down to a science.

The only hassle you may come across is having to wait for a 2nd bus if there is a long queue of ECV users, or if a bus has a ramp that doesn't work (or "doesn't work"). A little persistence (and a few helpful strangers) goes a long way if the ramp "doesn't work".

We had been waiting for a bus for 45 minutes, and the driver said the ramp wouldn't deploy. My dad was able to get up the one step onto the bus, and 4 kind gentlemen picked his ECV up and got it on the bus for him

The bus driver was not amused that he still had to strap down that ECV

 

[ttintagel]

The Disney drivers are wonderful, and make it as easy as possible. It's one of the main reasons we choose WDW over other vacation spots.

 

[Piper]

Just my opinion- I hate the mean looks from the bus line as I pull up in my ecv. I feel bad if the busdriver struggles to buckle it in. I also have a problem successfully backing it in when that is necessary.

Some boats don't accommodate ecv's.

The monorail would be wonderful if it wasn't crowded and all went well. If it is crowded you may kill or maim a kid when the scooter surges at the top of the ramp. Also keep an eye out that a careless cm hasn't half thrown the ramp up and you may be killed or maimed getting on it. Be sure you have a buddy with you because sometimes no one will know to come and put a ramp down. If it works perfectly though, a kind cm will perfectly place the ramp for an empty car and at the next stop another kind cm will immediately bring a ramp (since it has been radioed ahead) and help you depart.

I have gone solo with my ECV 4 times. Each time I managed well. First of all I always have a smile on my face--it goes a long way. Making small talk with those also waiting (and I am a shy person, but I try to be friendly, but not pushy) I also arrive early for buses--I am NOT the person pulling up at the last minute.

I have had a few less than friendly bus drivers. I drive on turtle going on to the monorail and therefore avoid "the surge at the top of the ramp." I've never had difficulty with the CMs putting down the ramp and I absolutely love the boats. I have had no trouble with them and once a whole boatload of people stood and cheered after I drove on and parked easily. (They had had someone on there who didn't know what they were doing and ran over people because the speed was on high!)

Putting an ECV in an out of the car would be impossible for me--it is easy for my BIL, but he has no limitations that make him need it! (We're not mentioning the fact that I haven't driven in almost 3 years now!)

 

[NYCrules]

Disney, Universal and Sea World staff all seem to be friendly and well versed when working with scooters and wheelchairs. Had a minor issue on a cruise ship but only caused a brief (5-7 minute delay) during a crowded boarding at Port Canaveral.

 

[GrammyJudy]

The bus drivers are wonderful. If you have difficulty parking they will help you. I choose to get off ECV and sit on seat otherwise they will strap you in on the ECV. Why drive and have the hassle of parking etc? As PP said a smile and being friendly and thankful helps a lot. Be careful at MK and don't gfo thru the maze...I found them too narrow and had an incident there where I was hurt.