MCO Wheelchair Assistance and Ground Transportation

[JoJoGirl]

I have a few of questions about wheelchair assistance and transportation at MCO. Sorry if these have already been answered - I searched but could not find the info.

Please bear with me because this is a little long!

My mom and dad are in their 80s. They want to take my brother, who is disabled, to Disney one more time while they still can. I am going along as their planner and helper. We will be a party of four, flying in to MCO and staying at the Polynesian.

- My brother is completely wheelchair dependent and will have his own chair. He will need accessible transport.
- My mother can only walk short distances and will need to use a wheelchair throughout the airport, but can board a bus. She will have a rental scooter at the resort. We can bring her a personal wheelchair if necessary.
- My dad is ambulatory and able to push a wheelchair or luggage cart, but he takes his time. I would like to spare him as much effort as possible. He will also have a rental scooter at the resort for long distances.
- Me. I can walk/push/do whatever is needed to help. My main job will be pushing my brother. My adult son uses a wheelchair also, so I have a lot of experience helping and pushing, both at MCO and at WDW., and I know what I am getting into. I will be OK.

We have requested wheelchair assistance through Southwest for my bother and mother. Dad is OK with walking through the airport if we don’t go too fast. We have all done this trip multiple times, but never just the four of us before, and Mom and Dad were in better shape in years past.

My mom wants us to use Mears Connect to get from MCO to the Polynesian, because they always used DME in the past and that’s what they are used to. I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around how to get all of us plus our luggage across the airport to the loading area.

Here are my questions, with the aim of getting us all from plane to resort without too much stress:

1. Regarding airline wheelchair assistance — how far within the airport will they assist you? Can they assist someone all the way from the Southwest gate to the Mears Connect area, or will they only take them as far as bag claim?

2. If we opt to request the Mears handicap accessible taxi van, would it accommodate all four of us and our luggage, and maybe a folding personal wheelchair for Mom? Only my brother needs to stay in his chair on transport. Or would we need two taxis? I understand the wait may be longer for the van.

3. Is it still pretty difficult to get wheelchair assistance at MCO? Just wondering what to expect when we get there.

4. Are there any other convenient accessible transportation options I am missing?

It would be great to take the accessible taxi back to the airport, and be dropped off at curbside check in, if I can talk my mom into it. Oh, how we miss the resort airline check in and DME baggage delivery!

Please, I would be grateful for any experience and advice you can offer. Thanks!!!

 

[Oldie13]

When we flew Southwest into MCO November 2022, the sky cap pushed my mom’s wheelchair from the plane to baggage claim. I really don’t know if they would push it further. I took my mom down to where the buses are, then came back up and got the luggage and went back down. Then mom held the handles of the luggage while I pushed the chair outside to meet the bus. This trip (October) will be our first time using a Mears taxi. I have no idea where that level is.

 

[Mirabell Rose]

When we used DME Mears in the past they had the option of wheelchair lift, we just needed to let them know ahead of time so they would have the bus that had it for our trip. They were able on any of the busses to transport our daughter’s personal chair on trips she was able to ambulate into the bus. Hope that helps. I do not know if there have been any changes since they are not DME. I have called and spoken to Mears about another issue and their customer service was very helpful. Might be worth a phone call.

 

[LoveToDisney]

FYI: Southwest luggage is on side A, Mears Connect is on side B. You will have to go from A to B via level 3.

I’m not sure what SWA wheelchair assist will do upon arrivals, but here’s what my sister did on departure:
One time on a trip back home, I needed to get my sister from where the old MDE dropped off and get her moved to Southwest ticket area in a wheelchair since the SWA wheelchair transport only starts there. She had a small carry-on bag which she could hold on her lap. I informed the bus driver at the Disney resort when I put her on the MDE bus that she would need a Skycap with a wheelchair when they arrived at the airport because she could not walk. The driver called ahead and the skycap met her with a wheelchair to help her get to SWA. She gladly tipped him well for the extra help.

 

[LoveToDisney]

When you sign up for Mears Connect, there’s a place to mark that you need the wheelchair lift.

 

[Tiggerish]

This past April I flew Southwest. I had requested wheelchair assistance when I booked my flights. When I arrived at MCO, a skycap with a wheelchair met me at the door of the plane, took me to baggage, collected my luggage and then took me and the luggage over to the B side to Mears bus area. A Mears employee took over the chair, put my luggage under the bus and I climbed up the stairs to board the bus. At the resort, I had a family member meeting me. The bus driver had me wait until my walker and luggage was unloaded and given to my niece before having me get off the bus.

On the way back to the airport, the bus driver went and got a skycap for me. The skycap took me across the airport to the outside check-in line for Southwest (which was much shorter than the inside line). Once my luggage was checked, that skycap left and a different one pushed me to my departure gate.

I tipped generously for each helper.

 

[KPeterso]

Was just at MCO last month with my parents (both in their 80s) alone. We had our personal wheelchair for my Dad and then used an airport one for my Mom (and I pushed the rollator too with all the carryons on it.). We did fly Delta, but were met at the door of the plane with wheelchairs for both of them. But were short a pusher. So I pushed the personal with my Mom in it and the airport person pushed my Dad and another woman at the same time. He was creative with how to hold onto the walker and carryons. He took us all to get our bags. And then took the woman to the bathroom and then over to sit in the chairs to wait for her ride. And then took us down to the level where our ride would be picking us up. I had booked a private transport, but I am sure they would have taken me to the Mears area if needed (I know they took us to Sunshine Flyer before).

Honestly, I would book a wheelchair assistance in the airport for your father too. The airport all move pretty fast so he may have trouble keeping up. Just something to keep in mind. Our flight home from MCO, there were 9 wheelchair parties which made things a bit hectic at boarding and exiting. But all the staff at MCO and LAX were wonderful.

 

[JoJoGirl]

When we flew Southwest into MCO November 2022, the sky cap pushed my mom’s wheelchair from the plane to baggage claim. I really don’t know if they would push it further. I took my mom down to where the buses are, then came back up and got the luggage and went back down. Then mom held the handles of the luggage while I pushed the chair outside to meet the bus. This trip (October) will be our first time using a Mears taxi. I have no idea where that level is.

Thanks! That is a good strategy. A couple of trips across the airport is completely doable, if that’s what it takes to get everyone from luggage claim to the buses.

 

[JoJoGirl]

When we used DME Mears in the past they had the option of wheelchair lift, we just needed to let them know ahead of time so they would have the bus that had it for our trip. They were able on any of the busses to transport our daughter’s personal chair on trips she was able to ambulate into the bus. Hope that helps. I do not know if there have been any changes since they are not DME. I have called and spoken to Mears about another issue and their customer service was very helpful. Might be worth a phone call.

Yes, we will definitely specify that we need the chair lift. It has worked well for him in the past, even if we had to wait a little longer for an accessible bus. Thank you!

 

[JoJoGirl]

This past April I flew Southwest. I had requested wheelchair assistance when I booked my flights. When I arrived at MCO, a skycap with a wheelchair met me at the door of the plane, took me to baggage, collected my luggage and then took me and the luggage over to the B side to Mears bus area. A Mears employee took over the chair, put my luggage under the bus and I climbed up the stairs to board the bus. At the resort, I had a family member meeting me. The bus driver had me wait until my walker and luggage was unloaded and given to my niece before having me get off the bus.

On the way back to the airport, the bus driver went and got a skycap for me. The skycap took me across the airport to the outside check-in line for Southwest (which was much shorter than the inside line). Once my luggage was checked, that skycap left and a different one pushed me to my departure gate.

I tipped generously for each helper.

Thank you!! This is exactly what I wanted to hear. I’m hoping there will be enough skycaps available to help us like that. If not, I will just be the family skycap and make multiple trips. We will probably request an earlier pickup to allow extra time, just in case.

 

[JoJoGirl]

Was just at MCO last month with my parents (both in their 80s) alone. We had our personal wheelchair for my Dad and then used an airport one for my Mom (and I pushed the rollator too with all the carryons on it.). We did fly Delta, but were met at the door of the plane with wheelchairs for both of them. But were short a pusher. So I pushed the personal with my Mom in it and the airport person pushed my Dad and another woman at the same time. He was creative with how to hold onto the walker and carryons. He took us all to get our bags. And then took the woman to the bathroom and then over to sit in the chairs to wait for her ride. And then took us down to the level where our ride would be picking us up. I had booked a private transport, but I am sure they would have taken me to the Mears area if needed (I know they took us to Sunshine Flyer before).

Honestly, I would book a wheelchair assistance in the airport for your father too. The airport all move pretty fast so he may have trouble keeping up. Just something to keep in mind. Our flight home from MCO, there were 9 wheelchair parties which made things a bit hectic at boarding and exiting. But all the staff at MCO and LAX were wonderful.

Thank you so much! I feel a lot better after reading these experiences.

It would be great if Dad would consider wheelchair assistance, but he still wants to help as much as he can. I think he will be OK with the walk, as long as we have helpers to push my mom and brother, and I can handle the luggage cart. If not, I can make multiple trips .

I would be eager to hear about more experiences with the accessible taxi van and groups of four or more. It sounds much easier than the bus, but not sure if it could hold all of us and our things. We may take an extra personal wheelchair for Mom just to be sure she will always have one. All that adds up to a lot of stuff! At least we know it will all fit under the bus.

We got DAS lined up for my brother yesterday, so now it’s time for the excitement to begin! 19 more days!

 

[Lewisc]

MCO has a shortage of pushers. You may have a long wait. Pushers may be pushing 2 chairs. Chairs are available if you don't need a pusher.

I suggest contacting Mears. You want to be picked up outside SW baggage claim.

SW includes 2 checked bags, otherwise I'd suggest shipping your luggage. Lugless.com leverages their deeply discounted FEDX rates. Around $33 to ship up to 50 lbs from NYC area to Orlando. $10 discount for first time users. You drop off your luggage at a fedx location including Fedx office locations and Walgreens.

Anyone using them:
Your luggage may be oversized. Measure. Consider using a box or duffel bag.

Some hotels charge an acceptance fee. Swan Dolphin charge $50 for incoming and outgoing luggage. Possibly Less for boxes. You can ship to or from a nearby location. Yacht Club business center for example


Luggage gets beat up more then with airlines. Live with it, box your luggage or just use a box.

Ship back home to a business location. Your work, FedEx office, Walgreens for example. You'll avoid the fee for home delivery and won't have to be home to sign.

 

[KPeterso]

We used a regular car service for our trip as both my parents can transfer into the car. We folded both the wheelchair and the rollator and put those in the back of the SUV with our luggage.

 

[LoveToDisney]

When the skycap is pushing wheelchairs, they rarely move slowly so be prepared to be separated if you are staying back to guide your dad while he’s walking slowly so he won’t get lost.

 

[Lewisc]

We used a regular car service for our trip as both my parents can transfer into the car. We folded both the wheelchair and the rollator and put those in the back of the SUV with our luggage.

The OPs brother can't transfer. Good info for others reading this thread.

When the skycap is pushing wheelchairs, they rarely move slowly so be prepared to be separated if you are staying back to guide your dad while he’s walking slowly so he won’t get lost.

Agree to meet at baggage claim. You may be waiting for a pusher. Let dad go ahead

 

[JoJoGirl]

MCO has a shortage of pushers. You may have a long wait. Pushers may be pushing 2 chairs. Chairs are available if you don't need a pusher.

I suggest contacting Mears. You want to be picked up outside SW baggage claim.

Thank you. Very useful information.

 

[JoJoGirl]

We used a regular car service for our trip as both my parents can transfer into the car. We folded both the wheelchair and the rollator and put those in the back of the SUV with our luggage.

We did this in 2020 when my brother was not with us. It really is the best way when everyone can transfer into a higher vehicle like an SUV. Sadly, my brother cannot transfer into a large van or SUV unless it has a lift.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

Thank you so much! I feel a lot better after reading these experiences.

It would be great if Dad would consider wheelchair assistance, but he still wants to help as much as he can. I think he will be OK with the walk, as long as we have helpers to push my mom and brother, and I can handle the luggage cart. If not, I can make multiple trips .

I would be eager to hear about more experiences with the accessible taxi van and groups of four or more. It sounds much easier than the bus, but not sure if it could hold all of us and our things. We may take an extra personal wheelchair for Mom just to be sure she will always have one. All that adds up to a lot of stuff! At least we know it will all fit under the bus.

We got DAS lined up for my brother yesterday, so now it’s time for the excitement to begin! 19 more days!

if dad is moving slow and as others have said pusher is moving faster how will that person deal with being separated from rest of you guys?