How's your experience with going from park to resort by bus using a wheelchair?

Bete

DIS Veteran
Joined
Sep 14, 1999
Messages
6,499
Scooter people are welcome to answer, too.

I'm specifically interested in where you are waiting with wheelchair or scooter for the bus to exit the park and go back to your resort.

From what I'm gathering here on the boards is that some people mainstream in the regular line and hope they can get the bus driver's attention to see them in time; so, they can have access to get on the bus before everyone else loads up, too. This is assuming there's room for you on the bus.

Then, there's another school of thought which is to create an imaginary handicap zone somewhere near what I will call the curb area toward where you think the back of the bus will be. You are not in the mainstream line when you are doing it this way. Supposedly, this can be taken as line jumping or something similar; because, you are not in the regular mainstream line. Many do this; so, the bus driver can see them more easily.

I think I prefer option two, but I can see how this can be taken wrongly by those in the regular line. I think there's a stigma here that a wheelchair or scooter person is getting preferred treatment somehow; because, you are not in the regular line.

Anyway, how have you been doing this recently yourself? What obstacles have you encountered, if any doing it either way?
 
I wrote this in another thread, but we had absolutely no idea what to do. We went in the regular line, but were near the front and then got the attention of the bus driver when it got there to ask what to do, and he loaded us first.

I felt lucky that I was using other transportation the rest of the trip because I was pretty uncomfortable in that situation.

I did see people waiting at other bus areas right at the curb.

Good luck!
 
If there is a painted HC area with a sign - then use it. If there is none, go in the regular line.

I can remember several circumstances where the other guests in line corrected me, directing me to the HC spot to wait.

Thankfully, I never had an issue. People are rather accepting of the limitations of others.
 
the feeling I am getting is BOTH scenarios are possible, depending in location.

some lines( and no don't ask me where ) have gotten rid of the separate HC section and you enter the main line and when you get to the head of it, if there is room you load. not sure if they are being a little more proactive forcing people to vacate those seats that are well marked for such use nor am I sure what the policy is about letting the ambulatory folks in line behind you continue to load if you cannot. yes I know what ADA supposedly says but I for one would be fine allowing a family or three to get on ahead of me. Pay It Forward and all that.

I am lucky, I currently am able to vacate my chair and enter through the main door and keep it folded up as long as there is an actual seat for me once on.
 

the feeling I am getting is BOTH scenarios are possible, depending in location.

some lines( and no don't ask me where ) have gotten rid of the separate HC section and you enter the main line and when you get to the head of it, if there is room you load. not sure if they are being a little more proactive forcing people to vacate those seats that are well marked for such use nor am I sure what the policy is about letting the ambulatory folks in line behind you continue to load if you cannot. yes I know what ADA supposedly says but I for one would be fine allowing a family or three to get on ahead of me. Pay It Forward and all that.

I am lucky, I currently am able to vacate my chair and enter through the main door and keep it folded up as long as there is an actual seat for me once on.

It seems if you are not exactly first or second in the mainstream bus line you could have problems loading when the regular guests on board are already on the bus. The bus drivers don't seem to be controlling the seating area needed for the scooters and wheelchairs and it doesn't seem they are telling other guests to move if they are in these areas. What happens, is you are basically forced to wait for a second bus; although, there's still room on the bus; so, you can be number one or two in line. There's a safety concern, too. A regular passenger could potentially get injured if you are loading when they are already on the bus even if they are not in the handicap area. This is why the driver lets you on first. I don't think we will find anyone here saying they are getting on the bus with wheelchair or scooter after other passengers are on board. This is one of the reasons I started the thread; I want to know what everyone is doing lately.
 
If I can make it to the HC loading area without going through the line I do so. This is the only way for the bus driver to load you first. But some lines do not allow this or allow a combination of going through the line then pulling off at the end.

For years I've been told by bus drivers that they have to load the wheelchair first. So I'm going to continue to skip the line and park myself in the HC loading area unless a CM/sign/line configuration tells me to do something else.

I usually travel alone or with 1-2 people so I'm not someone who tends to get the people complaining about how I took up all of the seats with my party. If I had a large party then I'd split it with me and 1-2 others loading first and the rest go through the regular line.
 
I get what you are saying when I first heard the news that the HC entrance was being done away with in some locations I thought that was way odd. because yes you DO Need to be loaded at the beginning. i mean yeah there might be people already on when you go to load, but there are ALWAYS people who do not walk all the way to the rear, and let's not forget all those piles of shopping bags, backpacks and double wide strollers.


I am ambivalent regarding loading AB persons if you cannot load. Oh I know we are supposed to get equal access, but does that mean somebody else gets penalized if my equal access is not possible? but to me its stupid and wasteful to allow a bus to depart half empty just because the next person in line was scooter number 3 on a 2 max bus.
 
/
Unfortunately, a lot of people have taken advantage of the "handicapped gets on first" privilege. We are seeing more and more people fake being handicapped, use their elders to their advantage, and cut the line.

Last year I broke my foot a week before heading to Disney for Xmas. My mom freaked out and thought we should cancel the trip. We wound up going and got a scooter. I have to say Disney was extremely accepting of my temporary disability.

First, if this is your first time being handicapped in Disney, pack some thick skin in your luggage. Because of so many people taking advantage, when you roll up on the scooter, you are normally greeted with some moans, sighs and some dirty looks (usually only if you have a broken bone or something, otherwise I would HOPE people are considerate of permanent disabilities).

Most places have the painted area where you wait, however to my memory-- some do NOT. It did not stop me, however. I usually went to the front of the line and just waited- to some moans and groans of some people, but it's too bad, it's not your fault. I was never turned away. Usually the bus drivers were very good with loading me, then allowing my family to board the bus.

The only problem I have was an older bus driver forgot to unload me on the bus, shut the lights off and started driving away. After yelling a few times, we had a few laughs and he dropped me off.

Disney definitely helped me enjoy my time given my predicament. If I can be of any assistance, please PM me and I can answer some questions. (That goes for anyone who is dealing with this problem or any questions are welcome-- I love talking Disney. I may not get back to you right away but I Will try my best to answer)
 
One thing I'm trying to confirm is that there are absolutely NO handicap zones for bus loading anymore going from the parks back to the resorts. It just doesn't exist, now. I'm almost 100% sure this is gone; they want you to mainstream, now; I think.

There still are some handicap zones left going from resort to the parks for scooters and wheelchairs, but very few of these are still around, as well.

Also, I'm trying to get clues/hints on how to handle each type of situation. I'm especially interested in those two somes where one has to push the wheelchair or if you are alone. Are you waving at the driver for his attention; are you screaming for his attention? What works? If you are a two some is the able bodied one getting out of the regular line just as the driver approaches and can you get through the people before you to do so? How easy is it to go back and get the wheelchair person if you do leave the regular line?

Actually, I'm starting to feel Disney wants you to be more or less forced to stay at a deluxe monorail resort to resolve some of these issues (at least better for two parks). Second, I think they are forcing our hand to go by car to the parks; because, this is turning into such a hassle trying to go by bus.

Most of the time we go by car, but my trip is without one coming up; so, I'm trying to find out what may be the best plan of action, here..
 
I'm sorry to "get on the soap box" but - do you honestly think that Disney would LEAVE YOU THERE with no transportation back to your resort??!!

The bus coordinators - just like the monorail coordinators - are trying to move the greatest amount of people in the shortest amount of time. They WILL take care of you - trust me. Maybe you won't be first - but you will be taken care of.

Expect a wait - if there isn't one, then you're ahead! :thumbsup2
 
I'm sorry to "get on the soap box" but - do you honestly think that Disney would LEAVE YOU THERE with no transportation back to your resort??!!

The bus coordinators - just like the monorail coordinators - are trying to move the greatest amount of people in the shortest amount of time. They WILL take care of you - trust me. Maybe you won't be first - but you will be taken care of.

Expect a wait - if there isn't one, then you're ahead! :thumbsup2

No, I don't expect to be left behind without getting back to my resort. I do expect to do it in a reasonable time mode like all other guests. I'll wait my turn, but then I want to get my turn. I don't want to be left behind waiting for a second bus when I should have been able to get on the first bus if it was my correct turn.

I do expect from Disney to have a reasonable course of action to follow in this situation. This doesn't seem to be happening, right now with the bus transportation going from park to resort. I'll certainly try to ask more questions once I'm there if I can find someone to ask about this by bus transportaion or guest services of the park. I'm searching for a black and white answer and I realize right now that answer isn't there.

I'm anxious because this is my first trip going solo with my 90 year old, Alzheimer's mother in a wheelchair. I don't want her or I stressed out any more than necessary with not knowing what the correct operating mode is in this case. This seems to be a very gray area lately.

I don't expect any special priveleges, nor do I expect to be treated like a second rate citizen, either. I'm feeling like I'm damned if I do (go mainstream in the bus line) and I'm damned if I don't (imaginary handicap zone), here. Either way, you end up anxious about the situation.

I was hoping for some opinions on how others are handling this process, right now; so, I can see what may be the better course of action, here.

I'd like a little heads up on this if I can get it. There's another recent post entitled, Not our best trip, but still had a great time which shows a different problem with a bus driver regarding special handicap equipment.

There doesn't seem to be consistency and I think this is where I'm getting rubbed the wrong way, here. Perhaps, I'll be one of the lucky one with no issues. I'll take some pixie dust.
 
I agree - there is no consistency.

The one time that we waited - the bus coordinator called for a ride in the next bus for us. That was my point - that they DO TRY. :goodvibes
 
I would like to just encourage everyone confused by the current bussing situation (lack of signage or whatever) to contact Disney about it. If they get enough feedback, I think they would be more likely to add signage to the bus areas at the parks. With my feedback, I did receive a call from Disney to talk about it further and ensure that my feedback would be passed on to the higher ups at the transport office there.

It is certainly worth a shot at sending an email!
 
I am at Disney right now, in a scooter. I have been here for 9 days now and gone to all the parks and most of the resorts (to check out Christmas decorations). Some areas have the painted box, some don't. However, nowhere have I seen signs that say the handicapped must go through the main lines. I just drive up to the curb at approximately where the back door will be, and I have always been loaded first with no comment. No-one has told me I should have gone through the line.

There may be a difference because this is a non busy time of year. Only twice have I been on a full bus. But the signs that others have reported seem to have disappeared. I suspect the mainstream line concept has been abandoned because it just didn't work.
 
I am at Disney right now, in a scooter. I have been here for 9 days now and gone to all the parks and most of the resorts (to check out Christmas decorations). Some areas have the painted box, some don't. However, nowhere have I seen signs that say the handicapped must go through the main lines. I just drive up to the curb at approximately where the back door will be, and I have always been loaded first with no comment. No-one has told me I should have gone through the line.

There may be a difference because this is a non busy time of year. Only twice have I been on a full bus. But the signs that others have reported seem to have disappeared. I suspect the mainstream line concept has been abandoned because it just didn't work.

I'm somewhat relieved to hear this. It will be less frustrating. Always guessing what to do and what might be best and second guessing yourself can be stressful.

Thanks for sharing.
 
the one time my stop was a second and people were seated in area needed for my scooter, driver made the people move to other seats as noted on window behind them. the one time i had trouble loading was a time when people were legally seated in seats but would not move to stand in front while i loaded. they were asked to step forward but refused, not happy when bumped but driver just looked at them and said "that is why i asked you to step forward, you made the choice" they were not happy and they wouldnot have lost their seats as they could have returned as soon as i was parked,not asked to get off bus, just bstep forward. drivers were nothing but helpful to me. one thing i was not allowed to stay on scooter on bus was made to take a seat, something that others feel you should if crowded. have a great time
 
the one time my stop was a second and people were seated in area needed for my scooter, driver made the people move to other seats as noted on window behind them.

Fortunately, I won't run into this; I won't be a second stop. It's good to know bus driver helped on this.
 
Bete

You aren't the only one worried about this. I have to admit that I have been leery of this since I heard about it.

We will be a group of 9 (We already know we will be splitting up), with definitely me on a scooter and another possible wheelchair. Not knowing the correct way to load has me on edge too.
 
I know this is a little off topic, but I've been to DW with a group without wheelchair/scooter, with a wheelchair, and soon to be with scooter. I don't understand why people think it's so much easier with a wheelchair or scooter and that people with one get special privileges. Things are different somewhat, but the group that gets on the bus first gets off last. Maneuvering in a crowd is slow and tedious. The HA line for rides, if available, may be shorter but lots of times you have to wait for a special car. I see no benefit to using a wheelchair or scooter if you don't need one. For the most part, people who are using these are doing so because they need to.

We were there Oct 2010 and always used the area to the side of the line. I don't see how being in the regular line would be better for anyone concerned. As we're going again this Jan, I'd like to keep an eye on what the final outcome is. There were a few times on our trip last year (after Fantasmic and IllumiNations) that the line back was just ridiculous, so we took a taxi...
 
I know this is a little off topic, but I've been to DW with a group without wheelchair/scooter, with a wheelchair, and soon to be with scooter. I don't understand why people think it's so much easier with a wheelchair or scooter and that people with one get special privileges. Things are different somewhat, but the group that gets on the bus first gets off last. Maneuvering in a crowd is slow and tedious. The HA line for rides, if available, may be shorter but lots of times you have to wait for a special car. I see no benefit to using a wheelchair or scooter if you don't need one. For the most part, people who are using these are doing so because they need to.

We were there Oct 2010 and always used the area to the side of the line. I don't see how being in the regular line would be better for anyone concerned. As we're going again this Jan, I'd like to keep an eye on what the final outcome is. There were a few times on our trip last year (after Fantasmic and IllumiNations) that the line back was just ridiculous, so we took a taxi...

I've done it all different ways, too and I find no advantage to having a wheelchair whatsoever.

Were the taxis readily available as you exited Hollywood Studios after Fantasmic or did you have to call for one and wait for it? If the taxi was already there could you explain the area where you were for it. Where do you go to get one? TIA
 













Receive up to $1,000 in Onboard Credit and a Gift Basket!
That’s right — when you book your Disney Cruise with Dreams Unlimited Travel, you’ll receive incredible shipboard credits to spend during your vacation!
CLICK HERE













DIS Facebook DIS youtube DIS Instagram DIS Pinterest

Back
Top