Manual wheelchari on bus

[bgsnmky]

I am sure I missed it, but I tried to read through the facts and go to other threads...BUT

My mom is going to need a manual wheelchair when we go for 10 days (their 50th anniversary)....we are thinking of renting one from an outside company to be delivered to Kidani Village.

Question...on the buses I read where we can have her walk on the bus..which is fine and fold up the wheel chair as long as it can be stored safely. BUt where does it get stored..or can we just hold it with us like people do with the strollers
(sorry mispelled my title!)

 

[SueM in MN]

I am sure I missed it, but I tried to read through the facts and go to other threads...BUT

My mom is going to need a manual wheelchair when we go for 10 days (their 50th anniversary)....we are thinking of renting one from an outside company to be delivered to Kidani Village.

Question...on the buses I read where we can have her walk on the bus..which is fine and fold up the wheel chair as long as it can be stored safely. BUt where does it get stored..or can we just hold it with us like people do with the strollers.

I know it can be kind of overwhelming

If she does not want to remain in the wheelchair on the bus, you could fold it and carry it on the same way as strollers are carried on. There is no storage space for either folded wheelchairs or strollers and you would need to hold it, the same as a stroller.

If you want more information, post # 4 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread is about bus transportation. You can find the thread near the top of this board or you can follow the link in my signature to get there.

 

[cranbiz]

Sometimes you can place it between the seats but you will still need to hold it.

 

[bgsnmky]

Thanks everyone!

 

[OneLittleSpark]

Hi there ! As others have said, you can fold the chair and carry it on, but I suggest you use the lift / ramp instead. Those folding chairs can be really heavy, and the steps at the front of the bus are fairly tight, with a sharp turn at the top. When I first started getting joint problems we did the 'carry-on' method, but my mother nearly ended up throwing her back out (not good at all, as she was the only one there to help push me!), so we started using the lift or ramp. If you don't want to strap the wheelchair down, you can use the assistance to get on, then your mother can transfer to a seat, and you can fold the chair. It will also give you a bit more space to get the chair in place without bumping into anyone, as you'll get on the bus first, and off last.

Have a great trip, and don't be afraid to ask for whatever help you need to make your trip as easy and magical as possible!

 

[bgsnmky]

Tjhanks!! we are just picking what company to get the chair from now!

Hi there ! As others have said, you can fold the chair and carry it on, but I suggest you use the lift / ramp instead. Those folding chairs can be really heavy, and the steps at the front of the bus are fairly tight, with a sharp turn at the top. When I first started getting joint problems we did the 'carry-on' method, but my mother nearly ended up throwing her back out (not good at all, as she was the only one there to help push me!), so we started using the lift or ramp. If you don't want to strap the wheelchair down, you can use the assistance to get on, then your mother can transfer to a seat, and you can fold the chair. It will also give you a bit more space to get the chair in place without bumping into anyone, as you'll get on the bus first, and off last.

Have a great trip, and don't be afraid to ask for whatever help you need to make your trip as easy and magical as possible!

 

[Evette]

Tjhanks!! we are just picking what company to get the chair from now!

We have used Walker Mobility twice now for our DD who uses a wheelchair while at WDW. We have had great service from them. The advice from OneLittleSpark is very good. That is what we do on the buses, one of us takes DD up on the lift and she transfers to a seat and we just fold up the wheelchair and keep it right in front of us. This has worked out well so far. Have a wonderful trip.

 

[KPeveler]

We have used Walker Mobility twice now for our DD who uses a wheelchair while at WDW. We have had great service from them. The advice from OneLittleSpark is very good. That is what we do on the buses, one of us takes DD up on the lift and she transfers to a seat and we just fold up the wheelchair and keep it right in front of us. This has worked out well so far. Have a wonderful trip.

I feel it is also safer for the wheelchair user to use the ramp/lift as those stairs are a HUGE fall risk. There are going to be a million people behind her insisting they MUST get on the bus NOW, as if they will get them to the park faster. It means you will be last off, but it still works...

 

[tinka-belle]

When the driver opens the rear bus doors and extends the ramp (or the lift n the older buses) just tell them that she can transfer once on the bus and you can fold up the wheelchair. This way he/she doesn't need to fold up the seats and prepare for a wheelchair tie down, saves a little time for you and the driver and also for others waiting to board.

If a bus comes by that has the two wheelchair/ECV tie down spots in use tell the driver the same thing. They may think you need one of those spots and ask you to wait for the next bus. You don't need the spots, so don't need to wait for another bus.