I Need Advice

[TheDman62]

First I would like to say that before my wife and I went on our recent trip to Disney World, I found Disboards and lurked for a month or so. This is my first post and I want to say that Disney was awesome and we are already planning another trip.

Before I tell you what Im seeking advice for, I'll tell you a little about us. My wife and I have a type of dwarfism called Diastrophic Dysplasia. With that comes Osteo-arthritis and other joint issues. We both have our own ecv's.

One of the problems that we encountered was on the busses to and from the resort/parks. While the overwhelming majority of the drivers were very friendly and helpful (with the exception that Ill discuss later), everyone wanted us to "load" a different way. It was very frustrating being yelled at doing something the way that the last driver we had wanted it done. Although this is a minor issue I wish there was some standard with which they "load" us.

Now for the advice. I can transfer as long as Im not more than a step or 2 from a seat and my wife prefers to just stay on her ecv (which means they put a long seat belt around her, which is no problem). As we were being loaded onto the bus the driver was having trouble putting my wifes seatbelt on and said "Well, it would make it easier if you could just transfer". I was instantly hot. I replied "yeah, and it would be easier if we weren't handicapped". Should I have gotten upset? And should I just let it go or email someone?

We had a couple of other minor issues, but nothing that would ruin our trip. I didn't want my first post to be a negative one but I received so much good information prior to our trip that I thought I would post here and see what people on here thought I should do.

 

[BSchaal57]

I am just returning from a fun filled week at WDW! Very relaxing and fun,however, very upset by the way 2 of the women bus drivers were with people needing scooters! I had one lady who was so rude because she had to tie the scooter down so it would not move during transport. She was so nasty.....she would not help me get the scooter in place on the bus. She yelled at me because when I went on the bus, she said I needed to go slower. The scooter was in the slowest speed it would go. Then,she yelled at me because I was not sitting perfectly straight on the scooter (the guy bus drivers told me to take a seat on a regular seat because it was safer to sit on a seat and not on the scooter) but when I asked the female driver she says "you just need to sit there". Then she apologizes to the people waiting in line to get on the bus by saying "sorry you people had to wait. We had to get THEM on" She not only did it to me but another lady who also needed a scooter. Sure made us feel like we were not welcome! The guy drivers were awesome!!!!! I don't know who to talk to about this. (I mean supervisor of buses).

 

[SueM in MN]

I am going to move and join this post with another post about buses on the disABILITIES Board.
The complaints on both are similar and people's responses/advice will be similar.

 

[lanejudy]

There is no excuse for rudeness, absolutely.
The standard procedure regarding ECVs on buses is to transfer off an ECV -- most (any I'm familiar with) are not "transport ready" meaning they aren't intended for a passenger to remain seated on the ECV while riding. I can't speak for yours which may be more customized like a motorized wheelchair. ECVs can tip more easily on a bus, even when tied down; so the drivers were correct in requesting you to transfer.
I suspect that the drivers may not be as familiar with your particular issues, nor your specific ECVs. If they are equipped to be utilized during transportation, you could just inform the bus drivers of that fact when loading.

I'm glad you had a good vacation and are planning another!

 

[TheDman62]

There is no excuse for rudeness, absolutely.
The standard procedure regarding ECVs on buses is to transfer off an ECV -- most (any I'm familiar with) are not "transport ready" meaning they aren't intended for a passenger to remain seated on the ECV while riding. I can't speak for yours which may be more customized like a motorized wheelchair. ECVs can tip more easily on a bus, even when tied down; so the drivers were correct in requesting you to transfer.
I suspect that the drivers may not be as familiar with your particular issues, nor your specific ECVs. If they are equipped to be utilized during transportation, you could just inform the bus drivers of that fact when loading.

I'm glad you had a good vacation and are planning another!

Thanks for the reply. Every driver we had, asked us if we were transferring or not and said that if not we needed to wear the long seat belts. That was no problem. The only issue we had, was with the driver that complained because he was having trouble figuring out how to attach it. You are right there was no excuse for being rude. I think what it comes down to is that there is no standard on how to load.

 

[disney david]

Their signs on the bus saying you should transfer to a seat if your on a ecv. it is still your choice to stay on or not so their is no excuse for rudeness from the drivers. The driver should of said for your safety it recommend you transfer to a seat. That way it won't be rude and it let you know that Disney not response able for you getting hurt. While your not required by law to wear the seat belt unless their seat belts for everyone else. but the driver dose not have to operate the bus if you refuse to wear it and they feel it be unsafe.

The truth is some of the driver never had to use the seat belt so they my not know how to use it. But they should never take it out on the guest for any reason. They should apologize and inform the guest what going on so that way the guest dose not feel bad.

It never a good idea to argue or get rude with the driver you can ask for their manager. Get the bus and dot number and date and time and where you are going and the driver name. This is the only way Disney can deal with the driver and they will deal with them.

At almost all the stops their phones you can use it and ask the operator to transfer you to a transportation bus division manager. That if you don't want the driver to do it and they can pull the driver later and talk to them. But it very important to get the drivers name the bus number the stop you was picked up and where was the bus going. I always suggest the dot number so they can't say thy Sony have the bus number or other things. You can find it on the passenger side back of the bus around he wheel well on the outside of the bus.

 

[disney david]

First I would like to say that before my wife and I went on our recent trip to Disney World, I found Disboards and lurked for a month or so. This is my first post and I want to say that Disney was awesome and we are already planning another trip.

Before I tell you what Im seeking advice for, I'll tell you a little about us. My wife and I have a type of dwarfism called Diastrophic Dysplasia. With that comes Osteo-arthritis and other joint issues. We both have our own ecv's.

One of the problems that we encountered was on the busses to and from the resort/parks. While the overwhelming majority of the drivers were very friendly and helpful (with the exception that Ill discuss later), everyone wanted us to "load" a different way. It was very frustrating being yelled at doing something the way that the last driver we had wanted it done. Although this is a minor issue I wish there was some standard with which they "load" us.

Now for the advice. I can transfer as long as Im not more than a step or 2 from a seat and my wife prefers to just stay on her ecv (which means they put a long seat belt around her, which is no problem). As we were being loaded onto the bus the driver was having trouble putting my wifes seatbelt on and said "Well, it would make it easier if you could just transfer". I was instantly hot. I replied "yeah, and it would be easier if we weren't handicapped". Should I have gotten upset? And should I just let it go or email someone?

We had a couple of other minor issues, but nothing that would ruin our trip. I didn't want my first post to be a negative one but I received so much good information prior to our trip that I thought I would post here and see what people on here thought I should do.

Sorry if you don't mind could you give some examples of what one driver wanted you to load and bother wanted it differently. I didn't think their was that many different ways to load.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I would try and remember the name of the mean drivers and report them.

 

[TheDman62]

Sorry if you don't mind could you give some examples of what one driver wanted you to load and bother wanted it differently. I didn't think their was that many different ways to load.

Yes, some wanted my wife to get on and parked and strapped down before I was even allowed to leave the yellow "do not cross" line. Some wanted me to come in and park before they started strapping them down. Some wanted me to come into the bus but not park before they strapped my wife's down. Some just stood there and let us park without directing us.

We were there for 7 days and rode at least 2 busses a day and every one wanted a different way. Now, most were very friendly and helpful. There was a lady one day walking around the bus queue with a clipboard and we made it a point to tell her how impressed we were with the drivers and how friendly they were. That was on the 2nd or 3rd day. It's not a huge deal that they all do it different just, I guess frustrating trying to anticipate what that driver wanted and being told we were doing it wrong.

 

[disney david]

Yes, some wanted my wife to get on and parked and strapped down before I was even allowed to leave the yellow "do not cross" line. Some wanted me to come in and park before they started strapping them down. Some wanted me to come into the bus but not park before they strapped my wife's down. Some just stood there and let us park without directing us.

We were there for 7 days and rode at least 2 busses a day and every one wanted a different way. Now, most were very friendly and helpful. There was a lady one day walking around the bus queue with a clipboard and we made it a point to tell her how impressed we were with the drivers and how friendly they were. That was on the 2nd or 3rd day. It's not a huge deal that they all do it different just, I guess frustrating trying to anticipate what that driver wanted and being told we were doing it wrong.

Okay sorry I guess you should wait to she gets on it more of a preference for the driver. So you could ask they should never yell our just doing what you think is right and they should say oh please wait outside or be nice about it. Then you can explain the other driver said to do this.

It very important to get the bus number and where the bus is going and what stop you got picked up. Their over 1300 bus drivers and odds one or more might have the same first name it may be high. But they can track them by bus number since they have to file paper work in the end of their shift.

 

[bidnow5]

I don't use busses often but have had many different instructions. The first time I used a bus I had my own ECV the bus driver told me I had to stay on it even though there were a lot of empty seats. The second one yelled at me for staying on my scooter most gave me a choice I didn't like staying on it

 

[disney david]

I am just returning from a fun filled week at WDW! Very relaxing and fun,however, very upset by the way 2 of the women bus drivers were with people needing scooters! I had one lady who was so rude because she had to tie the scooter down so it would not move during transport. She was so nasty.....she would not help me get the scooter in place on the bus. She yelled at me because when I went on the bus, she said I needed to go slower. The scooter was in the slowest speed it would go. Then,she yelled at me because I was not sitting perfectly straight on the scooter (the guy bus drivers told me to take a seat on a regular seat because it was safer to sit on a seat and not on the scooter) but when I asked the female driver she says "you just need to sit there". Then she apologizes to the people waiting in line to get on the bus by saying "sorry you people had to wait. We had to get THEM on" She not only did it to me but another lady who also needed a scooter. Sure made us feel like we were not welcome! The guy drivers were awesome!!!!! I don't know who to talk to about this. (I mean supervisor of buses).

In sues stickers their numbers to transportation call them ask to speak to a bus manager. Each division will have their own so you want the bus division. And talk to them I am sure they love to hear about the good ones as Long with the bad ones so they can address the problem. Two bad apples ruin the rest if the drivers hard work to make sure you had a great time on the bus.

 

[BSchaal57]

I do have the name of the drivers,just not bus number. I am pretty sure there would not be another bus driver with a name like hers. I can give a good description of her also. How do I get ahold of the supervisor/manager of buses? Thanks

 

[disney david]

I do have the name of the drivers,just not bus number. I am pretty sure there would not be another bus driver with a name like hers. I can give a good description of her also. How do I get ahold of the supervisor/manager of buses? Thanks

Being it a female driver that cuts it down a lot from the over 1300 drivers they have. You will also need the stop you was picked up from and where you was going and time so the driver can't say they it wasn't them. They say they have cameras ok the buses not sure if every bus dose or how long they keep the footage or if it will help.

Here the number in sues FAQ ask for a manager in transportation bus division.

tel407) 824-2222

 

[BSchaal57]

Thank you so much! I do know what day, about what time and was picked up at AOA going to Magic Kingdom! I do have her name (even the spelling). The men that drove were so kind. They told me that if I ever felt uncomfortable getting my scooter off and on the bus,they would be more than happy to do it for me. I told them I was so hurt that I was yelled at and they apologized over and over for what happened. They told me not to let that ruin my Magical vacation,so I didn't!!

 

[BSchaal57]

Thank you for the number,Disney David!

 

[Hisgirl]

Please, for the sake of WDW's reputation, let this woman's supervisor know. She should not be employed in customer service if she cannot be a part of the 'magic'. I am so very sorry you and your spouse were treated with anything less than kindness. I cannot imagine what you have faced over your lifetime, but I think it is more than great you are here, sharing about your wonderful vacations with us! It is quite inspiring!

 

[disney david]

Thank you so much! I do know what day, about what time and was picked up at AOA going to Magic Kingdom! I do have her name (even the spelling). The men that drove were so kind. They told me that if I ever felt uncomfortable getting my scooter off and on the bus,they would be more than happy to do it for me. I told them I was so hurt that I was yelled at and they apologized over and over for what happened. They told me not to let that ruin my Magical vacation,so I didn't!!

I am so glad that the other drivers made you feel good and didn't make you feel as bad as the two. Please don't let it ruin you views towards the buses because Disney will 100 percent take it very seriously and do something about it.

 

[disney david]

Thank you for the number,Disney David!

Your welcome I got it off sues FAQS if you want when you talk to a manager let them know about the good drivers to. If you told the other drivers what happens they could talk to them maybe they reported the driver internally. It hard not all the drivers know each other as their over 1300 those two might know them and could of said something to them. Or they might not of known them and felt it was better for you to complain.