MDE Wheelchair Lift Weight Limit?

[MarfEm]

Hello All,

Since my last posts a few years ago, and my plans to take my DD to Disney World fell though because I became ill again. I have had some significant medical changes, the biggest being I now use a large power wheelchair. Now that I am able to travel again, I want to finally make my dreams come true and go to Disney World for a week.

I am a very large person using a large heavy wheelchair and am worried about the limits of the lift on the accessible buses from the resort to MCO. I am a combined weight of about 700lbs, my chair weighs a little less than me. I can walk a little, but the bus steps look really challenging for me.

Can anyone tell me what the weight limit of the lift is? How about the dimensions of the lift platform?

Is there a weight limit to the ramps they use on the resort buses? The width of the ramp?

I really don't want to have to rent an accessible van to get around visiting the parks, attractions, restaurants, etc.

Thanks,
Martha

 

[Toffeewoffy]

Most of the buses now are low to the ground and they drop the side of the bus down on hydraulics and lower a ramp so you just drive on. In two trips the only time I've seen an old-style bus with a lift was at night at CBR last year.

 

[minnie mum]

Most of the buses now are low to the ground and they drop the side of the bus down on hydraulics and lower a ramp so you just drive on. In two trips the only time I've seen an old-style bus with a lift was at night at CBR last year.

I think the OP was thinking of the DME bus which does use a lift.

I don't know the answer regarding all up weight. But there are size restrictions if you have a power chair. Its 30" x 48 ". This is so the chair ( or ECV) will go up the ramp and fit into the designated spot so it can be tied down. If your chair ( including any accessories) is wider than 30", it won't fit.

 

[MarfEm]

I am definitely under the size restrictions, no issue there. It is the weight limit on DME that worries me the most.

Thank you for your replies.

 

[SteveMouse]

As I recall, under the ADA standards, an accessibility lift must accommodate a MINIMUM of 600 pounds, but a bus operator CAN use buses that have more lift capacity.

You probably need to consult DME directly: another issue would be whether ALL buses have the same lift or different buses have different lift capacities.

For Disney's bus network (not DME), under the ADA, accessibility ramps 30 inches or longer must support a MINIMUM of 600 pounds, but more is allowable: ramps under 30" must support 300 pounds. Disney's ramps are all over 30 inches. I don't know if Disney has chosen to exceed minimum requirements and, if they did, whether all ramped buses have the same capacity. I'm not sure how you'd get the details.

Ramps have to be a minimum of 30 inches wide: I think Disney exceeds that.

Safe Travels!