MExpress with own Evc

[ladeb59]

For the first time I will be bringing my own ECV from home and have ressie for ME at Mco. I am nervous about what they do with Evc on bus. One CM told me they send handicap bus and another told me that it is put under bus with luggage. Has anyone had any experience with this. Any info would ease my mind. My Evc is a go-go which is smaller than some. Thanks

 

[seashoreCM]

Normally with Magical Express you first (must) stay on the ECV while you ride a lift up into the regular DME bus. The ECV may then be taken and put under. If it does not fit down under then neither you nor it should be put off to wait for a special vehicle.

 

[SueM in MN]

This is actual information about riding Magical Express with an ECV or wheelchair. You can find it in the disABILITIES FAQs thread.

There are DME -Disney Magical Express - buses available with lifts to lift a wheelchair into the bus. It is recommended that you request a lift bus when making your DME reservations if you will need one.
If you didn't prearrange it for your trip from the airport to your resort, they will still provide one, but your wait may be longer. If you need one when returning to the airport from your resort, it is vital to prearrange getting one. If you don't, you might risk getting to the airport on time. My family usually asks to leave for the resort extra early to allow for any issues - like a wheelchair bus not coming or the equipment not working.

Here is a picture of the DME bus lift in its highest position:

DME Bus steps

Someone using a wheelchair or ECV can ride it up the lift and then the wheelchair/ECV will be fastened down to the floor of the bus.
Guests can stay in a wheelchair on the bus or choose to move to a bus seat; it is recommended that ECV users transfer to a bus seat because ECVs can tip more easily.
A wheelchair or ECV can also be placed underneath the bus in the luggage storage compartment, but the person will need to climb the steps.
People have posted before that they were allowed to stand on the lift and ride it up for boarding because they were unable to climb the steps. This is no longer allowed for safety reasons after 2008, but you may see older posts saying they did this.
Only a person seated in a wheelchair, ECV or other mobility device is allowed on the lift. Manual devices need brakes locked. Power devices must be turned off.
No one may stand on the lift or sit on the floor of the lift platform.

If you have mobility problems or other disability, but can climb the stairs, the first row of seats is reserved for guests with disabilities.

If you feel you can't climb the steps, let the CM know when you are making your reservations for DME and again when you check in. They will need to come up with some alternative for you.
I have seen people using an airport wheelchair to ride up the lift, get out of the wheelchair to sit in a seat and then borrow a wheelchair at the resort to get out.
On our trips in the last 4 years, I noticed that there were 2 wheelchairs in the under bus storage area. Since we were the first on, the wheelchairs were on before the bus arrived at the stop.

 

[ladeb59]

Thank you for the info. That helps a lot .

 

[stitchlovestink]

Normally with Magical Express you first (must) stay on the ECV while you ride a lift up into the regular DME bus. The ECV may then be taken and put under. If it does not fit down under then neither you nor it should be put off to wait for a special vehicle.

if you can walk up the steps, it is not a requirement for you to ride your ECV up the lift to board the bus. And generally if they put the ECV on the bus, they just strap it down. They don't put it on the lift and put it under the bus. Too much extra unnecessary work!!!

Speaking from experience, I travel to WDW via DME multiple times a year with my own personal ECV.