Is this my only option with an Anxiety prone ASD Kiddo, big stroller *UPDATED*

[Baklava]

Let us know how it goes!

 

[MakiraMarlena]

The newer buses have ramps, not lifts.

Ask the driver if you can load it through the back door. But once you get it on the bus, you either have to fold it or have it tied down in the designated wheelchair area. You won't be allowed to block the aisle on the bus with it.

You are going to need a bus that is either empty or almost empty. If you're staying at Pop they don't share, so that should not be an issue. But you are going to need to board FIRST through the back door. Make sure you tell the driver that you are traveling with a disabled person and you need the boarding.

 

[disney david]

The new buses the front door is wide enough because on the public transit buses. they have the ramp located in in the front of the bus Disney paid extra to have them move it to the back. becaus they felt it was to tight of a turn once one get on. Also they didn't want the ecv or wheelchair users having to make a u turn into the tie down spots. So the front door is as wide and maybe littler wider then the back door.

 

[Stubbzilla]

Having been to WDW with a child who didn't want to leave the hotel room because of certain totally irrational fears, you have my sympathy.

 

[rigs32]

You have to be prepared for crowded busses. Even if you're allowed to board first, the aisle may be full of standing passengers.

 

[PatMcDuck]

Just to clarify - almost 100% of the WDW buses that go between resorts-parks-Disney Springs have ramps.
There are a few old buses left with lifts, but the majority have ramps.

Thanks so much for this information! Last trip, we stayed at BLT and avoided the busses entirely, and trip before that was DL resort, where I also have no bus issues with the chair.

I wonder if I could push him up the ramp, or if I could push empty chair up the ramp without folding it up. (large adult Convaid). But honestly I would dislike to take up so much room in the bus with the chair opened, and all the time involved in loading it and unloading it, and strapping it down. I know, i should not care, it is my hangup, but I would rather drive to parks. (when DH is with us, it is easy, he can lift that large heavy folded up chair into the bus).

 

[disney david]

Thanks so much for this information! Last trip, we stayed at BLT and avoided the busses entirely, and trip before that was DL resort, where I also have no bus issues with the chair.

I wonder if I could push him up the ramp, or if I could push empty chair up the ramp without folding it up. (large adult Convaid). But honestly I would dislike to take up so much room in the bus with the chair opened, and all the time involved in loading it and unloading it, and strapping it down. I know, i should not care, it is my hangup, but I would rather drive to parks. (when DH is with us, it is easy, he can lift that large heavy folded up chair into the bus).

You would have to fold it or have it tie down the person can transfer to a seat. but the wheelchair has to be folded if you don't want it tied down it the law just like strollers and you have to keep it in front of you. He could stay in it while you board then transfer and then fold it. it be your choice wheatear you want to tie it down or keep it folded in front of you. But you will not be allowed to keep it unfolded on the bus while it in motion.

 

[maxiesmom]

You have to be prepared for crowded busses. Even if you're allowed to board first, the aisle may be full of standing passengers.

This. I was at the Pop a few days ago and it was rare to be on a bus that wasn't full.

 

[DisneyOma]

Back in August, we noticed that at MK the wheelchairs and ECVs were directed to stay in the regular queue at the Pop Century bus stop. That's the resort we stayed at, so I'm not sure if that's standard policy for all the resorts.

 

[gap2368]

Back in August, we noticed that at MK the wheelchairs and ECVs were directed to stay in the regular queue at the Pop Century bus stop. That's the resort we stayed at, so I'm not sure if that's standard policy for all the resorts.

if there is a long line then yes you will stay in the line until you get closer to the front then you go off and board they do not want someone in a ECV wheel chair coming and getting on the buss when every one else is waiting 3 or 4 busses. even though they come one after another so the wait is not bad. to the OP if you leave when the parks close be perpaird for a very crowded buss like packed in like sardines

 

[OpiesMom]

OP here

Yes we expect crowds which is why getting on the bus first/early is important for us. Doing so avoids Kiddos anxiety trigger and allows us at the back of the bus to surround her so she has enough personal space that the crowds would be a non issue.

Also in our plan is to go after rope drop and leave noon/1:00 ish so as to miss the going home crowds.

With Kiddo we always have plan A, plan B and at least part of Plan C figured out for what ever we do. I think most parents of ASD kids do. It's like chess to me, We're always trying to figure out what our next few "plays" are going to be to "win" with kiddo, a win is a happy, non meltdown experience.

Again thanks all for the comments.

 

[SMD]

You could use the bus to your advantage. Parent on one side, bus window on the other side and a parent in front as the buffer instead of the stroller. Have you re-priced your van rental? If you now qualify for a whole week rate or discount for longer rentals, it might not end up being too much more expensive to just rent for the whole trip.

 

[maxiesmom]

OP here

Yes we expect crowds which is why getting on the bus first/early is important for us. Doing so avoids Kiddos anxiety trigger and allows us at the back of the bus to surround her so she has enough personal space that the crowds would be a non issue.

Also in our plan is to go after rope drop and leave noon/1:00 ish so as to miss the going home crowds.

With Kiddo we always have plan A, plan B and at least part of Plan C figured out for what ever we do. I think most parents of ASD kids do. It's like chess to me, We're always trying to figure out what our next few "plays" are going to be to "win" with kiddo, a win is a happy, non meltdown experience.

Again thanks all for the comments.

Your plan to go after rope drop and leave around noon or so only gives you around 90 minutes in the parks. I hope you realize that. Most of the crowding going back to the resort happens at close, so if everyone is up to it staying until 3 or 4 or even later should work out fine.

 

[the advocate]

if there is a long line then yes you will stay in the line until you get closer to the front then you go off and board they do not want someone in a ECV wheel chair coming and getting on the buss when every one else is waiting 3 or 4 busses.

If this is the case, then I don't see why the driver would object to the OP using the rear entrance. Now, the ECV riders might be a different story!

 

[maxiesmom]

If this is the case, then I don't see why the driver would object to the OP using the rear entrance. Now, the ECV riders might be a different story!

The rear entrance is only for use by those in scooters or wheelchairs. Disney is strict with this, as they don't want it to turn in to a free for all by the rear door.

 

[disney david]

The rear entrance is only for use by those in scooters or wheelchairs. Disney is strict with this, as they don't want it to turn in to a free for all by the rear door.

Or specail needs strollers that can be tied down or even if they can they are treated like wheelchairs. But you are right they need to be strict with the back door and folding the strollers. Or they will have everyone wanting to use the back door and not folding the strollers.

 

[gap2368]

The rear entrance is only for use by those in scooters or wheelchairs. Disney is strict with this, as they don't want it to turn in to a free for all by the rear door.

the last time I was there about 3 weeks a go leaving the MK had very long lines for the busses they had the rubble busses come they would pull up and all the door would open you would pick a door to go in and off you went about 3 minutes latter another dubble buss would come and the same thing happened I waited about 4 to 5 busses before I got on a buss there was one person in an ECV that I saw and they had that person wait in line and men they got close to the front they went out of line and borded first there was a part of the line where the person in the ECV left the line that they were telling people that had stroller mostly with sleeping kids they had to fold them.

 

[DisneyOma]

The rear entrance is only for use by those in scooters or wheelchairs. Disney is strict with this, as they don't want it to turn in to a free for all by the rear door.

Or specail needs strollers that can be tied down or even if they can they are treated like wheelchairs. But you are right they need to be strict with the back door and folding the strollers. Or they will have everyone wanting to use the back door and not folding the strollers.

Had this happen at Pop Century - the bus driver loaded an ECV, then a family with a stroller pushed in, and then 3 more jumped out of the queue and went in the back! Bus driver didn't say peep to them, so I got his name and reported it.

 

[disney david]

Had this happen at Pop Century - the bus driver loaded an ECV, then a family with a stroller pushed in, and then 3 more jumped out of the queue and went in the back! Bus driver didn't say peep to them, so I got his name and reported it.

Thanks the driver should not have let that happen and Disney will take care of it.

 

[disney david]

Never mind not worth it