Loading an ECV on the bus

[StrwLady]

Has the procedure changed for this? I have used and ECV because of my asthma, at Disney many many times. I have always been instructed to go outside of the cue and wait near the back of the bus parking area. Tonight when approaching the bus stop for the Pop at Epcot a transportation CM told me "We don't do it like that anymore" (in a very nasty tone of voice I might add). He was saying this as he passed me so I stopped him and asked what I should be doing. I told him as of May 2008 they were still loading from that spot. He said that all ecv's should go through the cue and then when its your turn the driver will stop and loading and get you on the bus. After discussing this with him very nicely thanked him for the info but suggested he pass on this info to others in a nicer tone. He the apologized.

So is it true? Has the loading procedure officially changed? If so what happens when its your turn and both ECV spots are down and people are sitting in the seats? Even if there is standing room will I have to wait for the next bus?

If they have changed it I can see a reason they may have. They probably received many complaints about ECV's not having to go in the cue. But surly they must get a lot of complaints from people having to get up after seated.

Today was my first day here this trip. It will be interesting to see how things go during the next week.

 

[mechurchlady]

Board like you used to board at the back/middle of the bus. The CM was wrong and I would have talked to the bus driver then his manager. This board instantly spreads the word if there is a new policy which I have not seen lately. I have not seen anyone reporting back that they were told to stay in line.

Sometimes people are wrong and you need to talk to their boss.

Sue may be still around to advise further as she is more into WDW than myself.

 

[Carnator]

I went the 1st week of Feb and it was like always,wait outside of the cue and wait near the back of the bus parking area.

 

[SueM in MN]

Since you are still there and are at a WDW resort; look in the disABILITIES FAQs thread near the top of this board. One of the posts in that thread is about bus transportation and on that thread, you will find information about how to report problems. You can also use that information to ask about whether a procedure has changed. Ask for the highest up person and get their name.
I expect that because the Value resorts are very large and have crowded buses, this may be more of a problem.

One thing we noticed on our last trip (October) was that some of the bus stops have added a 'pull off' point for wheelchairs and ECVs inside the chained waiting area. As you enter the line, the chained area snakes around. When you get to the line closest to the front, there is an open area for access for wheelchairs and ECVs. It has been that way for about a year at some parks (Epcot is one where it is like that). When we waited in the line until that point, we sent one member of our party to the front of the bus when we got to that point to let him know we had a wheelchair to load. We got 'yelled at' by the CM because he could not see us to load us on the bus and we were told to not go into the line again, but to bypass it and wait in the usual spot. So, the CMs are not clear on this and the guest is left not knowing what to do.
If you are told to wait in the line, I would suggest blocking across the line so if you are not getting on, the guests behind you will not either. That will avoid people going on around you and make it obvious that you are waiting and not getting on. There is also a chance that you will be in line and someone else will bypass the line and wait in the 'wheelchair area', ending up getting boarded before you.

It is not fair to the guests using wheelchairs and ECVs to not be able to get on the bus. There are only 2 spots on each bus, whereas there are many places someone without a wheelchair or ECV can sit. The bus can sometimes be too full for manouvering even if all the seats are not full. People sitting in the seats that are needed for an ECV or wheelchair will be asked to move to make room for the ECV or wheelchair.

I WOULD bring up all these points to whoever you talk with in Transportation. The idea of having a 'pull off' point may work. But in practice, it works only if you get into a line where the people ahead of you in line are not past the 'pull off' point. I can't explain it well, so I'm not sure if it makes any sense.

We avoid any 'unpleasantness' from bus drivers or other guests by waiting in the park for a while after the park closes. 15 minutes should be long enough that the first full buses have left and you will have a much more pleasant experience.