mobility issues at large resort

[cheesekate2005]

We have a GG at CBR coming up. My mother will be using an ECV, and will be relying on bus transportation for the trip. Preferred rooms are not happening on this trip, unfortunately. Does anyone know where the best parts of this resort are if you are relying on ECV/bus transportation? I am not sure if it matters, or if there is a best area for quick on and off buses? Any tips would be great.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Each group of 3 or 4 buildings has its own bus stop. Whenever I stayed at CBR 9with one exception) I was always in Trinidad North and I never used the buses, so I'm not sure of the sequence of stops. You might want to find out at which village the buses stop first.

 

[ireland_nicole]

CBR is a huge resort, but very accessible to an ecv; the pavements are even, etc. There is a promenade around the lake, so pretty easy (though far) from one place to another. To be honest, she'll probably have an easier time than you!

 

[cheesekate2005]

That's good too hear! I just don't want her to feel like having the ECV is keeping her from being with the children and grandchildren!

 

[mechurchlady]

http://www.wdwinfo.com/resortmaps/cbrmap.htm
There is the map of CBR.

When you make reservations tell them that you want a room near the bus stops due to medical conditions. Some like Jamaica and Barbados require walking across the parking lot where as building 54 is nearer. It is up to you to look at the map and decide what is best and what you think is most important. Do you want a view of the lake, near a pool, near the restaurants or maybe you do not care.. 36 & 37 look the closest and are next to a pool in south Trinadad.

 

[dclfun]

Twice with a non-preferred room we were placed in Martinique directly behind a bus stop and a short distance from the food court. As was mentioned though, there are plenty of paved walkways and someone in an ECV should be able to get around easily no matter what your location.---Kathy

 

[Schmeck]

When we stayed at CBR ages ago, we found that the best section to stay at was the one across the bridges from the food court area. I'm not sure which section it was - Aruba or Jamaica, but one of them is the first stop in the route for buses to pick up, which would make it better odds that the ECV/WC spots would not already be filled on the bus going to the park. Maybe you could ask on the transportation forum on this board to see exactly which stop is first?

 

[cheesekate2005]

You guys really seem to know what you are talking about so I will ask you this...is it difficult to get off and on the buses with an ECV? Are all of the buses able to handle an ECV or do you have to wait for a special bus? (I am going to order the Open Mouse book this week for some info)

 

[Cheshire Figment]

All Disney buses are equipped to handle wheelchairs and ECVs. The older ones have lifts and the newer ones have ramps, with the newest also kneeling so the ramps are less steep. With the exception of very few buses which can handle four, the limit is two wheelchairs and/or ECVs per bus.

 

[cheerforchelsea]

Be sure that it is noted on your reservation that there is someone in your party with mobility issues. Twice I have been given a room in Martinique when traveling with my mother who also has mobility issues. Martinique is near the food court. Jamaica is normally the first stop for the bus so that might be something that you would like to consider. I do not think that your mother will have any issues due to her use of the ECV - ENJOY!!

 

[SueM in MN]

You guys really seem to know what you are talking about so I will ask you this...is it difficult to get off and on the buses with an ECV? Are all of the buses able to handle an ECV or do you have to wait for a special bus? (I am going to order the Open Mouse book this week for some info)

If you go to the disABILITIES FAQs thread, there is a whole section about bus transportation.
I'd suggest you do a little practice ahead of getting on the bus for the first time. Practice going straight ahead, backing up straight, turning in both directions while going forward and parallel parking to the left.
If you can do all those things pretty confidently, you won't have problems with the bus.
Also, make sure that you know how to turn down the speed on your ECV. It will have a switch, lever or button that you can use to change the maximum speed; often it's marked with 'turtle' for slow and 'rabbit' for fast. You want it on 'turtle' for pulling on and off the bus.

 

[Schmeck]

Be sure that it is noted on your reservation that there is someone in your party with mobility issues. Twice I have been given a room in Martinique when traveling with my mother who also has mobility issues. Martinique is near the food court. Jamaica is normally the first stop for the bus so that might be something that you would like to consider. I do not think that your mother will have any issues due to her use of the ECV - ENJOY!!

But Martinique is the 3rd (or 4th) stop on the bus route - the accessible spots could most likely be full by the time the bus gets that far around. There are a lot of people bringing ECVs to WDW these days!