My ECV/COVID “new normal” observations

[Claudia1]

Just wanted to recommend that you have sanitizing wipes or enough hand sanitizer to wipe down the handles throughout the day. Every time you leave it to board a ride and the CM moves it, I recommend you wipe it down. I also had several bus drivers that insisted on parking it for me when loading the bus, which threw me off guard a bit. (I’ve used one for years and am a parking pro!).

No matter if you have your own, rent one, or use Disney’s, there will be times that a CM will be touching it. I know this is a small problem for many of us but just wanted to share so you can be prepared.

Also, busses will take only 1 ECV or wheelchair unless there are 2 from the same family. (We did have a driver at Kindani take a second one and then let the extra passengers get on in a way that they had to pass in front of seated guests but every other bus did the correct procedure). They are supposed to load the back, then the mobility device, then the front passengers to avoid contact in the loading process. In busy times, the drivers have to process quickly so be prepared to be patient.

Hope this helps someone!

 

[Lottelicious]

Thanks for the heads up and good idea! I was wondering if they would touch them at all.
I’ve had “valet parking” service on the bus but thought that might end because of the circumstances. Interesting

 

[RaySharpton]

Hi, Claudia1

Thank you for your report.

Just wanted to recommend that you have sanitizing wipes or enough hand sanitizer to wipe down the handles throughout the day. Every time you leave it to board a ride and the CM moves it, I recommend you wipe it down. I also had several bus drivers that insisted on parking it for me when loading the bus, which threw me off guard a bit. (I’ve used one for years and am a parking pro!).

No matter if you have your own, rent one, or use Disney’s, there will be times that a CM will be touching it. I know this is a small problem for many of us but just wanted to share so you can be prepared.

Also, busses will take only 1 ECV or wheelchair unless there are 2 from the same family. (We did have a driver at Kindani take a second one and then let the extra passengers get on in a way that they had to pass in front of seated guests but every other bus did the correct procedure). They are supposed to load the back, then the mobility device, then the front passengers to avoid contact in the loading process. In busy times, the drivers have to process quickly so be prepared to be patient.

Hope this helps someone!

 

[Bete]

You brought up a very good point about 1 mobility device; unless, it's from the same family.

Maybe, the bus drivers are parking the scooters now; because, there are less people there right now???

 

[Betty Rohrer]

Thanks for the heads up and good idea! I was wondering if they would touch them at all.
I’ve had “valet parking” service on the bus but thought that might end because of the circumstances. Interesting

there are rides that the CMs would have to move an ECV/wheelchair because you do not get off where you get on. even if they made you change to wheelchair they would have to touch to move

 

[Groot]

Does anyone know if they’re loading 2 scooters/wheelchairs per monorail car or are they only allowing one mobility device now?

 

[RaySharpton]

Does anyone know if they’re loading 2 scooters/wheelchairs per monorail car or are they only allowing one mobility device now?

Hi, Groot. Pre-SARS-CoV2, I have had another mobility scooter park behind me before.

I've never seen two separate doors on a single monorail car before because there is usually a specific Handicap loading space where it says please make room for wheelchairs or mobility scooters inside. that cabin.

I wonder if they would let one group of wheelchairs or mobility scooters to load together if that makes sense.

I've seen different monorail cars unload wheelchairs or mobility scooters.

Were you thinking about if you had a friend with you?

 

[CatNipRules]

Just wanted to recommend that you have sanitizing wipes or enough hand sanitizer to wipe down the handles throughout the day. Every time you leave it to board a ride and the CM moves it, I recommend you wipe it down. I also had several bus drivers that insisted on parking it for me when loading the bus, which threw me off guard a bit. (I’ve used one for years and am a parking pro!).

No matter if you have your own, rent one, or use Disney’s, there will be times that a CM will be touching it. I know this is a small problem for many of us but just wanted to share so you can be prepared.

Also, busses will take only 1 ECV or wheelchair unless there are 2 from the same family. (We did have a driver at Kindani take a second one and then let the extra passengers get on in a way that they had to pass in front of seated guests but every other bus did the correct procedure). They are supposed to load the back, then the mobility device, then the front passengers to avoid contact in the loading process. In busy times, the drivers have to process quickly so be prepared to be patient.

Hope this helps someone!

I've always taken them with me. Even before this whole thing happened. Mostly because I've gotten sick with the regular stuff and don't want to get anything.

I'm also a pro at parking my ECV. Do they have you get off and sit in a regular seat? Or did you stay on the ECV? I've heard that they board the people not using an ECV first. then they load the ECV? Is it an issue with people sitting close enough that I might hit them when I'm parking?Just wondering. Cause I'll be there at the end of next month.

 

[bluecruiser]

Does anyone know if they’re loading 2 scooters/wheelchairs per monorail car or are they only allowing one mobility device now?

If the two are in the same party, I would guess that they would allow them to be in the same monorail cabin/section.

Currently they're loading up to two separate parties in a monorail cabin, but everyone has to be seated, with parties on opposite sides to maintain proper distancing. I can't see them adding any scooters or wheelchairs into that same cabin since the scooter/wheelchair would be too close to the other party. So my guess is that if you have even a single scooter/wheelchair you'll get your own cabin. And if you have your own cabin there's no reason not to have two scooters/wheelchairs with you.

 

[Claudia1]

I'm also a pro at parking my ECV. Do they have you get off and sit in a regular seat? Or did you stay on the ECV? I've heard that they board the people not using an ECV first. then they load the ECV? Is it an issue with people sitting close enough that I might hit them when I'm parking?Just wondering. Cause I'll be there at the end of next month.

I rode the buses 2-3 times/day for 4 days. The majority of the time, the driver loaded the back of the bus (3 group areas in the back that can seat around 12-14 people, depending on the bus). Then I rolled in without anyone in the front. If the bus was going to be full, I offered to stay in my EVC to allow for more people to load. If it was not full, I was seated with my party, usually in the front. The front 2-3 sections were loaded last and they were loaded from the front door so they didn't have to pass by me.

Basically, they load the back (behind the ECV) so they are out of the way, then the ECV, then the front of the bus. Of course, that could change by the time you get there!

We were at Jambo House and were the second stop after Kidani. The DHS bus was always full when it got to Jambo BUT both of the days we went to DHS, the lead transport CM radioed in for a bus to come for us. (Our party had a total of 6 people.) They drove by often during the morning. Once, they pulled a bus from the AK route to take us and the other time he ordered the AKL bus to stop at Jambo first, before the Kidani rush. We didn't ask for it nor did we demand it. Both times, they simply drove by, got out of the car to talk to us,, and then the pixie dust happened.

So, if you are concerned about loading, wave down the transport leader when they drive by and politely ask them anything.

I might also suggest that you ask about the bus routes upon check-in. If you are in a large resort with multiple stops like OKW or Saratoga Springs, you might want to request a room near the first stop. I don't know if you would get it but if never hurts to explain why you need it and ask politely!

 

[CatNipRules]

I rode the buses 2-3 times/day for 4 days. The majority of the time, the driver loaded the back of the bus (3 group areas in the back that can seat around 12-14 people, depending on the bus). Then I rolled in without anyone in the front. If the bus was going to be full, I offered to stay in my EVC to allow for more people to load. If it was not full, I was seated with my party, usually in the front. The front 2-3 sections were loaded last and they were loaded from the front door so they didn't have to pass by me.

Basically, they load the back (behind the ECV) so they are out of the way, then the ECV, then the front of the bus. Of course, that could change by the time you get there!

We were at Jambo House and were the second stop after Kidani. The DHS bus was always full when it got to Jambo BUT both of the days we went to DHS, the lead transport CM radioed in for a bus to come for us. (Our party had a total of 6 people.) They drove by often during the morning. Once, they pulled a bus from the AK route to take us and the other time he ordered the AKL bus to stop at Jambo first, before the Kidani rush. We didn't ask for it nor did we demand it. Both times, they simply drove by, got out of the car to talk to us,, and then the pixie dust happened.

So, if you are concerned about loading, wave down the transport leader when they drive by and politely ask them anything.

I might also suggest that you ask about the bus routes upon check-in. If you are in a large resort with multiple stops like OKW or Saratoga Springs, you might want to request a room near the first stop. I don't know if you would get it but if never hurts to explain why you need it and ask politely!

Thank you for your reply.

I'm staying at Boardwalk Villas. I'm pretty sure that there is only one bus stop there, but I could be wrong. The only time I would have to worry about the buses is on the day I'm going to AK and MK. The other days I plan on using the walking path to the Studios and the International Gateway entrance to Epcot. Luckily I discovered the paths on my last trip and used them multiple times to go back and forth between the two parks. LOL!!

 

[Groot]

Hi, Groot. Pre-SARS-CoV2, I have had another mobility scooter park behind me before.

Yeah, what they did before the shutdown. With loading 2 mobility devices from different parties/families back to back in the same car section.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I'm going to guess they will not load two unrelated mobility devices in one divided section of any monorail car. Based on the buses only taking one mobility ddvice each unless there are two in a party.

 

[Evita_W]

Does anyone know if they’re loading 2 scooters/wheelchairs per monorail car or are they only allowing one mobility device now?

It would be one per divided side of the monorail car, of course this is how they have been loading the ECVs even before this for a while now.

 

[RaySharpton]

It would be one per divided side of the monorail car, of course this is how they have been loading the ECVs even before this for a while now.

Hi, Evita_W.

My pre-SARS-CoV2 experience as a solo wheelchair user has been cast members have asked me to move forward while I was loading my wheelchair so that another mobility scooter could park behind me.

My wheelchair has a small footprint and I presume the mobility scooter behind me fit because of its size and by the cast member's experience of loading.

This did not happen very often to me, but when it did occur, I was loading from GF to go to MK or from CR to TC.

As mentioned before by others I don't see this happening during SARS-CoV2.

As mentioned before by others I can see cast members possibly loading two wheelchairs or mobility scooters back to back if they are part of the same party.

But this is only speculation on my part.

Things are always changing.

Initially, I read only one party per door.

Now after reading your post, I guess they allow two groups per door as long as each group would sit on opposite benches.

As a side note and as a solo guest, I presume I might be the only one allowed in the compartment since I park between the compartment's two benches.

I guess I will find out this December if I go.

Thank you for everyone's reports.

 

[bluecruiser]

My experiences match Ray's. Usually I was the only ECV in a monorail cabin, but once (possibly twice) they had 2 ECV's in the same cabin, one behind the other as Ray said.

But for the time being I don't see any way they could put 2 ECV's in the same cabin if they are different parties.

 

[Michigan]

Does anyone know if they’re loading 2 scooters/wheelchairs per monorail car or are they only allowing one mobility device now?

Here is what they do now. Each car had 2 doors and now there is a temporary partition between the two sections. So if there are 2 chairs/scooters one goes in one door and the other goes in the other door. You can still talk to the other person because there is a 2 inch opening at the bottom of partition