Is this normal process now? Update on Page 5

[SueM in MN]

Ahhh, that would make sense. I just haven't seen a bus with such forward ECV spaces. Yes, in the middle of the bus, but not that far forward.
Thanks for the explanation.

This picture from touringplans' blog shows both bus seats on the driver side of the bus that can be folded up and the space used to secure a wheelchair or ECV.

That helps to show how little space is actually available at the front of the bus if the farthest forward wheelchair/ECV spot is being used. When we get in the bus with our DD's wheelchair, we don't go much forward past the spot where she will be parking (if at all).
Many ECV users go the full length of the ECV (so about 4 feet) past where they will park, then turn and back into the spot.
So, someone using the farthest forward seat might drive as far forward as the front bus seat.

 

[khaoskat]

A few things:

Why would this influence your opionion of AKL? This could happen anywhere.

What do you find it necessary to comment on the physical size of the people in the other party? Would you not have been so unhappy if they were smaller people?

I think he was making a reference to size, since it appears or sounds like the people of size were taking up multiple seats due to their size, and thereby making it even more difficult for others to be able to get on the bus.

Trust me, I have been there sitting next to a person of size on a greyhound bus for 3 hours. The only seat left on the bus and the person of size sitting next to me, was taking up his/er seat and 3/4 of mine. Try sitting for 3 hours with only 1/4 of your backside able to sit in a seat...

 

[goofy4tink]

This picture from touringplans' blog shows both bus seats on the driver side of the bus that can be folded up and the space used to secure a wheelchair or ECV.

That helps to show how little space is actually available at the front of the bus if the farthest forward wheelchair/ECV spot is being used. When we get in the bus with our DD's wheelchair, we don't go much forward past the spot where she will be parking (if at all).
Many ECV users go the full length of the ECV (so about 4 feet) past where they will park, then turn and back into the spot.
So, someone using the farthest forward seat might drive as far forward as the front bus seat.

Dang...gotta get down there and scope out those buses. That one seems to be one of the newer styles!!

 

[SueM in MN]

Dang...gotta get down there and scope out those buses. That one seems to be one of the newer styles!!

Yes, I think a visit is in order!

 

[seashoreCM]

In all reality? There are always going to be some groups of people that want to 'work' the system. And if bus drivers allow it* to continue, then it will continue. The bus driver has to get off the bus and put the ramp down...so he knows full well what it happening. He should be stopping an excessive number of people from boarding the bus at the rear door..

How does the guest get through to Disney (Disney Transport) management to stop bus drivers from allowing it to continue?
4.

* Guests already on the bus have to get off and they for some reason or other get left behind because the bus got full.

 

[goofy4tink]

Yes, I think a visit is in order!

Going in 33 days (but who's counting) then in Sept and again in Dec...plenty of time to check up on transportation. I know...awful job but I do this kind of stuff for my board!!!!!

How does the guest get through to Disney (Disney Transport) management to stop bus drivers from allowing it to continue?
4.

* Guests already on the bus have to get off and they for some reason or other get left behind because the bus got full.

Just send a letter to Disney, as well as an email. Also, just leave note of your issue with the front desk at that resort. I doubt this happens very much.

 

[BeerMe]

It's one of the things that I love about SOG - there's never an issue with transportation like this. People on the bus are much more friendly and courteous. Part of it is because most guests are in superb physical condition, but certainly not all - retirees stay here too. I'm one of those, but luckily I don't need and ecv (yet)!

:

 

[sweetcreams]

It's one of the things that I love about SOG - there's never an issue with transportation like this. People on the bus are much more friendly and courteous. Part of it is because most guests are in superb physical condition, but certainly not all - retirees stay here too. I'm one of those, but luckily I don't need and ecv (yet)!

:

I have noticed that about the Shades buses too. There will actually be empty seats at times because nobody wants to be the jerk sitting down while others are standing!

 

[joelkfla]

Dang...gotta get down there and scope out those buses. That one seems to be one of the newer styles!!

That's a 2010 NovaBus. Only 10 were purchased: 5000-5009. I like the interior look, with soft, curvy lines instead of the Gillig's boxy look.

All of the newer buses are Gilligs, but I think some of the articulated buses coming in this summer will be Novas.

 

[Desnik]

OP, if this happened to me I would be very upset. Luckily it never has happened and it's actually the first time I have heard of this! You have every right to complain!

As an aside, it was asked but I don't recall you answering, why would this influence your choice to buy DVC at AKV? This could have happened at any resort and isn't something that happened because of AKV, it's about the bus driver.

AKV is one of our home resorts and it is a beautiful resort and being a DVC member has been a wonderful experience for us as a whole. Yes we've had issues in the past with some resorts, but we still love DVC. I just hope you don't judge DVC on an incident you had with a bus.

 

[goofy4tink]

I have noticed that about the Shades buses too. There will actually be empty seats at times because nobody wants to be the jerk sitting down while others are standing!

There are a lot of guests sitting down that have to be sitting down...even if it means someone has to stand. Now, I've never been on a SoG bus before, but I'll hazard a guess that they are designed to have many people standing. The early buses had seats facing front, on both sides, with a few sideways seats in the rear. They held a lot fewer guests than the current buses do. They are supposed to have people standing in them. I would never think of someone as a jerk if they were seated and someone else had to stand. You just can't know why someone is sitting. My dh looks perfectly healthy and capable of standing. But prior to knee replacement surgery, there was no way he should have been standing on a moving bus!!! So, he sat...and he would try to get up to give his seat to someone, and I would tell him to sit, I would stand. People didn't need him falling on top of them as the bus went around corners!!! You just can't make judgement calls.

That's a 2010 NovaBus. Only 10 were purchased: 5000-5009. I like the interior look, with soft, curvy lines instead of the Gillig's boxy look.

All of the newer buses are Gilligs, but I think some of the articulated buses coming in this summer will be Novas.

Was kind of hoping you would be along to give some insights. So, I may start seeing some newer buses soon? Cool.

OP, if this happened to me I would be very upset. Luckily it never has happened and it's actually the first time I have heard of this! You have every right to complain!

As an aside, it was asked but I don't recall you answering, why would this influence your choice to buy DVC at AKV? This could have happened at any resort and isn't something that happened because of AKV, it's about the bus driver.

AKV is one of our home resorts and it is a beautiful resort and being a DVC member has been a wonderful experience for us as a whole. Yes we've had issues in the past with some resorts, but we still love DVC. I just hope you don't judge DVC on an incident you had with a bus.

I've stayed at both Kidani and AKL-Jambo before. I love it there. The transportation was no better, no worse than other DVC resorts. No, you can't walk to a park, or take a boat or monorail. But I believe the points are less in cost due to that! Would I buy there? Yep...almost wish I had, but dh isn't as crazy about it there as I am...so own at just BLT and BWV!

 

[Mother Gothel]

As an aside, it was asked but I don't recall you answering, why would this influence your choice to buy DVC at AKV? This could have happened at any resort and isn't something that happened because of AKV, it's about the bus driver.

You are correct on all of your points.

It wasn't anything against AKV at all. We have noticed a progression in the wait times at the bus stops over the last 5 years due to the number of ECVs that need to be loaded. We have also noticed that when we stay in a Villa there are more. I totally understand that people need them and I don't begrudge them for it at all. I am blessed that I don't need one....yet. We were just very irritated by the whole situation and the realization that the buses become more of an issue each time. We just felt like we didn't want to give Disney the ##K we were about to give them knowing that this is a growing issue and unless they make a major change to the way things are handled, this will only become more of an issue over time.

Yes, we do know we are free to rent a car, but part of the appeal to us is that we don't have to cook, drive, clean (well, maybe a little) when we are in Disney.

 

[goofy4tink]

I am heading down in a month. Much to my dd's horror, I will be taking a notepad and pen with me each day. I plan to note wait times for buses and the number of ECVs using said buses.
Then, in Sept, when I'm staying at BWV, I'll do the same, and again in Dec..at whichever DVC resort I finally end up at.
That way, we can have a fairly good representation. I'm not staying DVC this time, but in two different value resorts.

 

[sweetcreams]

There are a lot of guests sitting down that have to be sitting down...even if it means someone has to stand. Now, I've never been on a SoG bus before, but I'll hazard a guess that they are designed to have many people standing. The early buses had seats facing front, on both sides, with a few sideways seats in the rear. They held a lot fewer guests than the current buses do. They are supposed to have people standing in them. I would never think of someone as a jerk if they were seated and someone else had to stand. You just can't know why someone is sitting. My dh looks perfectly healthy and capable of standing. But prior to knee replacement surgery, there was no way he should have been standing on a moving bus!!! So, he sat...and he would try to get up to give his seat to someone, and I would tell him to sit, I would stand. People didn't need him falling on top of them as the bus went around corners!!! You just can't make judgement calls.

What are you talking about? I didn't make a judgement call about people sitting. I said that I, someone without any physical issues, would feel like a jerk sitting while others are standing. I believe that it's not polite to take the last of anything (piece of pie, glass of wine, bus seat) without seeing if someone else would like it first. Maybe it's the military background, but that's just the way I was raised.

 

[LSchrow]

I have noticed that about the Shades buses too. There will actually be empty seats at times because nobody wants to be the jerk sitting down while others are standing!

too funny
both DH and i were brought up the same way, and we taught our children the same values.
if there are many seats, we will sit, but when people board, DH, DS, and DD are the first to stand and offer their seat to anyone holding a child, the elderly, anyone seeming to have difficulty standing . i'll often also do so, but admit i am more selective (especially if i'm on painkillers that day - the repercussions of standing/swaying on a bus can easily last longer than our vacation).

not to judge others - it just makes us feel good

 

[goofy4tink]

What are you talking about? I didn't make a judgement call about people sitting. I said that I, someone without any physical issues, would feel like a jerk sitting while others are standing. I believe that it's not polite to take the last of anything (piece of pie, glass of wine, bus seat) without seeing if someone else would like it first. Maybe it's the military background, but that's just the way I was raised.

Plenty of military in my family as well...I get what you're saying!! But I will always take that last glass of wine!!! He who gets to it first, gets it!!
Please, don't misunderstand. I didn't think 'you' were being judgmental. Perhaps my saying 'making judgement calls' was incorrect wording. There are a lot of people here, on these boards, that seem to think that if someone 'looks' able bodied, then they should jump up and give their seat to a little old lady (which could be me based on people thinking anyone over 60 is 'old'!!). My point was merely that sometimes you just don't know....so, it's wrong for those judgmental people to look at someone, remaining seated on a bus and seemingly able bodied, and give that person the evil eye because they didn't get up and give their seat away.
I really didn't mean that towards you. It was a gross generalization with an example attached. Sorry if you felt it was meant to make you look judgmental..wasn't my intention at all!!

 

[Desnik]

Plenty of military in my family as well...I get what you're saying!! But I will always take that last glass of wine!!! He who gets to it first, gets it!!
Please, don't misunderstand. I didn't think 'you' were being judgmental. Perhaps my saying 'making judgement calls' was incorrect wording. There are a lot of people here, on these boards, that seem to think that if someone 'looks' able bodied, then they should jump up and give their seat to a little old lady (which could be me based on people thinking anyone over 60 is 'old'!!). My point was merely that sometimes you just don't know....so, it's wrong for those judgmental people to look at someone, remaining seated on a bus and seemingly able bodied, and give that person the evil eye because they didn't get up and give their seat away.
I really didn't mean that towards you. It was a gross generalization with an example attached. Sorry if you felt it was meant to make you look judgmental..wasn't my intention at all!!

I'm glad this point is being brought up. My 15yo DD looks like any other "normal" teenager. But she suffers from RSD/CRPS. She cannot stand for long periods of time or walk too long. We rent a wheelchair for her at the parks, but she is able to walk to the bus stop and be on one without a wheelchair. She has to sit on that bus ride. Her RSD/CRPS is in her foot. There have been a few occasions when an elderly person has looked at her expecting her to move. Sorry, not gonna happen! I've even had a mom with a child look at her funny I assume expecting her to get up. Again, not gonna happen.

I personally always give up my seat for a child or parent holding a sleeping child or someone elderly. I have raised my son to always give up his seat for those reasons and any woman in general. My husband will do the same.

My point is, you are right, sometimes you just don't know and can't judge just by how someone appears!

 

[Maleficent Dragon]

My point is, you are right, sometimes you just don't know and can't judge just by how someone appears!

You really can't, but the looks from others sure are like daggers. You can see there are a lot of assumptions and judgements on the faces of other people. Sometimes I feel like I need a shirt that says "I live with xxxxxxxx & xxxxxxx daily" so that people will stop whispering amongst themselves about the person who looks healthy.


To the OP - we have had a similar experience. What I suggest to you is that you write to Disney and share what happened. Hopefully you will get a phone call where you can discuss the details and Disney can investigate what happened.

 

[goofy4tink]

I'm glad this point is being brought up. My 15yo DD looks like any other "normal" teenager. But she suffers from RSD/CRPS. She cannot stand for long periods of time or walk too long. We rent a wheelchair for her at the parks, but she is able to walk to the bus stop and be on one without a wheelchair. She has to sit on that bus ride. Her RSD/CRPS is in her foot. There have been a few occasions when an elderly person has looked at her expecting her to move. Sorry, not gonna happen! I've even had a mom with a child look at her funny I assume expecting her to get up. Again, not gonna happen.

I personally always give up my seat for a child or parent holding a sleeping child or someone elderly. I have raised my son to always give up his seat for those reasons and any woman in general. My husband will do the same.

My point is, you are right, sometimes you just don't know and can't judge just by how someone appears!

You really can't, but the looks from others sure are like daggers. You can see there are a lot of assumptions and judgements on the faces of other people. Sometimes I feel like I need a shirt that says "I live with xxxxxxxx & xxxxxxx daily" so that people will stop whispering amongst themselves about the person who looks healthy.


To the OP - we have had a similar experience. What I suggest to you is that you write to Disney and share what happened. Hopefully you will get a phone call where you can discuss the details and Disney can investigate what happened.

Okay, call me little miss nasty moderator, but, it may be time to make up some signage for those with 'hidden' challenges. I've seen those nasty looks from others when someone doesn't get up and offer a seat. So, I propose we make up a sign, and once on the bus, take your seat and hang the sign around your neck ( you can poke holes in the sign and attach a ribbon to put it around your neck and be sure to put lots of Disney stickers on it as well). The sign can say...'Wish I could stand up and offer you my seat...really I do. But I am not able to due to unseen issues.' Perhaps then people would 'get it'.
What we would probably start seeing would be lots of people with those signs...so they could remain seated!!! Even though they don't need to. Here's my nasty way of thinking for today..'you can't fix stupid'. This is not meant towards anyone here, but I have seen those disgusting looks on the bus, I have seen other guests roll their eyes and make not so under their breath comments when they see someone arrive on an ECV. It's not right, it's not fair and it sure as heck isn't courteous.

 

[BeerMe]

it may be time to make up some signage for those with 'hidden' challenges. I've seen those nasty looks from others when someone doesn't get up and offer a seat.

My daughter ran the marathon in 2008, and we went to watch her run. Our SIL came along too, even though he is not the least bit interested in Disney. Both my daughter and my SIL are PTs and they are very familiar with people with disabilities.

My SIL and I walked around WS drinking beer one day and I made a stupid comment about an overweight person in an ecv. For the next hour, every time we saw someone in an ecv he explained what hidden disability that person might have had. It opened my eyes to the fact that you just never know what's going on in someone's life. That was a good experience for me.