Magical Express' Service Dog Loading Order Policy?

[mechurchlady]

Could be. One SD person complains that they prefer it one way, so then the company thinks every person with an SD wants it that way. I guess we all like the color green, too, LOL.

Spring Green, that is.

 

[dclfun]

I will say though that on the DME/DCL busses there is no space for a dog other than the aisle, at least for a guest with a w/c. My knees are up against the seat in front of me and the tie downs and foot plates are on the floor in front of me, so Skye has no choice.She does get stepped on and stepped over by guests who want to sit in the way back or are visiting the restroom. Even on the WDW busses it's a challenge depending on where I'm tied down. She can't lay in front of me due to the tie downs and if there's a chair in front of me there's no seat for her to go under. I usually don't have her go under a seat anyway as she gets kicked and it's filthy under the seats, plus she can't be close enough to me to help in the event that I need her. It's horrible when the bus is packed with standing room only. She's been hit by purses and diaper bags, kicked by children, poked and stepped on, poor girl.---Kathy

 

[Ms_Butterfly]

lime green, that is.

LOL! True, true.

I do love lime green, regardless of the Disboards, though. It is such a bright, cheery, fun color!

 

[Ms_Butterfly]

I will say though that on the DME/DCL busses there is no space for a dog other than the aisle, at least for a guest with a w/c.

I haven't seen a DME bus, but on other buses my SD can just barely squeeze in between the seats. That's why I was okay with telling DME that she'll be with me, so they plan on being less one seat since nobody would be able to sit next to me.

Even on the WDW busses it's a challenge depending on where I'm tied down. She can't lay in front of me due to the tie downs and if there's a chair in front of me there's no seat for her to go under. I usually don't have her go under a seat anyway as she gets kicked and it's filthy under the seats, plus she can't be close enough to me to help in the event that I need her. It's horrible when the bus is packed with standing room only. She's been hit by purses and diaper bags, kicked by children, poked and stepped on, poor girl.---Kathy

On the Disney buses, I sit on the sideways-facing seats and my SD sits or lays (depending on how she can best balance herself in the moving bus) at/on my feet if it is crowded and I only have one seat. (If there are plenty of empty seats, she sits/lays in front of the empty seat next to me.)

When I was on Martha's Vineyard (an island of Massachusetts) a few years ago, the bus we rode there had a nice layout. There was one seat set towards the front (but set back from the driver - I can't recall if it was for wheelchair space or what) that was one seat facing backwards and another facing forwards with plenty of room in the middle of them. It was plenty of space for my SD as well as for my tall guy friend's legs (he sat in the backwards seat, I sat in the forwards seat). That one is my all-time favorite bus layout, but I haven't seen it elsewhere.

 

[dclfun]

I guess the busses aren't as much trouble then for someone with a SD who isn't in a w/c as you'd have an option as to where to sit.---Kathy

 

[seashoreCM]

>>> She's been hit by purses and diaper bags, kicked by children, poked and stepped on, poor girl.---

Hmmm ... Time to imagineer some new procedures to mitigate that. I'll start. Have a row of seats blocked off so the dog can lie on the floor in front of them.

 

[peemagg]

Take out a row or two of seats where a service dog could lay without getting injured.

 

[SueM in MN]

just FYI, here's a picture of the DME from the back seats. The seats on the right side are pushed closer together to make room for a wheelchair.

I don't have any pictures posted that show a wheelchair in place on the DME bus, but as was already mentioned, the space is tight. A dog next to the wheelchair would be sitting in the aisle.

 

[Ms_Butterfly]

SueM, is the entire right side closer together than the entire left side? So ppl with SDs should get a seat on the left?

 

[SueM in MN]

SueM, is the entire right side closer together than the entire left side? So ppl with SDs should get a seat on the left?

no.
There are 2 spots in the back of the bus, one on the left and one on the right where several seats can be slid together to make a space for parking/tying down a wheelchair. The picture shows the seats on the right side have been spid together. We have not been on the bus when it was set up for 2 wheelchairs, but if it was, those same seats would be slid forward on the left side also.
If you are not on a wheelchair accessible bus, all the seats would be the same distance apart (at least as far as I know).

 

[dclfun]

When you're tied down in the back you're at the end of the row EXCEPT for the back row of seats. Kids often like to sit back there and spread out. Also people have to pass over my dog to get to the restroom. This usually isn't a problem with DME but it seems like lots of people need to use the restroom on the way to/from the port. Since it's usually kids in the back they often get up and down throughout the trip to get something from their parents or siblings. It's not easy for us then when Skye is stepped on or hit by people who, IMO should be staying in their seat throughout the length of the bus trip( other than the people going to/from the restroom who have no choice). The worst issue for those busses is that I have to send Skye offleash up the steps while they load me on the lift. The lift platform isn't large enough for my w/c and her, plus it would not be safe. Same thing on the way down- she has to be sent offleash to get off the bus in the front via the steps and then wait under the lift for me to descend. It isn't very safe.---Kathy

 

[Haley Whippet]

Skye is my Hero
Haley

 

[SueM in MN]

Skye is my Hero
Haley

I like your new picture of Haley. Very nice.

 

[dclfun]

Awwwwww....that's very kind. I like the photo too!---Kathy

 

[Ms_Butterfly]

Ah, thanks for the info.!

no.
There are 2 spots in the back of the bus, one on the left and one on the right where several seats can be slid together to make a space for parking/tying down a wheelchair. The picture shows the seats on the right side have been spid together. We have not been on the bus when it was set up for 2 wheelchairs, but if it was, those same seats would be slid forward on the left side also.
If you are not on a wheelchair accessible bus, all the seats would be the same distance apart (at least as far as I know).

 

[denversees4me]

Hi All
I am a SD user ... I dont know about the policys but last oct when i went on the bus to the cruise ( disney bus ) I was loaded last by choice .... my dog is older now so i like to be on the bus last right before we take off less time under the seat in front of me .... I always find it is best to act like you know the drill so what i did was tell them that I was going to relieve my dog and load last ( it is better for me that way no one is holding up the bus boarding by ohhing and awwing at my dog trying to pet him talk to me etc.) i also told them i wanted one of the seats in the front 4 rows ( if there was a true emergency i would be first off instead of everyone tumbling over my dog tryong to get out and him be in the middle of it all ... ) i felt 4 rows was enough to give every disabled person a place if they wanted it .... if you want to load last i say TELL THEM if you want to load first TELL THEM dont get in line with everyone else seek help from the hotel staff and tell them your concerns disney is very good at accomidating you just have to ask ....
cari and guide dog Denver

 

[denversees4me]

another quick thought because i just realized i loaded into an already EMPTY bus is to call the FIRST hotel the bus will be stopping at ask a cast member to go to the bus and alert the driver of your seating prefrence and need to board first or last that way they can save you a seat
just a thought
cari and Denver