New buses coming in early 2024 - ECV restrictions

[bluecruiser]

TouringPlans posted a picture of the new bus setup in TouringPlans Travel Beat 2-10-2024 - New Buses Join the Disney World Fleet.

Photo below by Erin Foster.



From the article:

"A member of our team happened to be on the maiden voyage of a new model of bus rolled out at Disney World this week as part of the resort’s transportation for guests. According to the bus driver, 90 of these new-style buses have been added to the existing fleet. So what’s different?

You won’t notice anything as the bus pulls up to the stop; comparing our photos side-by-side it seems like the front window is a little rounder. But when you board, you’ll find that the lower level is all stadium-style seating (with USB ports!) that offers more flexibility to fold up and make space for strollers or mobility vehicles. The older style buses can hold two ECVs, but the new ones can hold three and use new Q’Straint securement systems that offer better safety in case of an emergency or sudden stop."

Here's the link to the securement system on Q'Straint's website.

 

[Groot]

Yay! No more half wall!

 

[Groot]

Any idea on what these things circled are?

 

[mamabunny]

Any idea on what these things circled are?View attachment 833178

My guess is those are the USB ports mentioned in the article.

 

[SueM in MN]

My guess is those are the USB ports mentioned in the article.

I agree. They look like the USB chargers

 

[eandt]

Under a public bus seat? Gross

 

[jlundeen]

New Buses Debut at Walt Disney World
https://blogmickey.com/2024/02/new-buses-debut-at-walt-disney-world/

Not sure if this link was posted yet... shows the new buses... I see that the photos posted earlier show a motorized wheelchair in that front space, but I'd like to see an ECV photo. I don't know if most folks, especially those who only use ECVs while at Disney, are going to manage backing up the ramp, up the aisle and into that space.

I hope the drivers will take an active role with this... I know I've heard so many stories where people were told they weren't suppose to, but I have been very lucky with many helpful and amazing bus drivers.

Getting back out will be a breeze, but if other guests are impatiend with ECVs loading now, I can only imagine how impatient they are going to be with me when I try to back up that ramp (if I don't over the edge), around the corner, up the aisle and then into the space correctly while they all wait. I've left a lot of scars on buses trying to get into the existing space, this is going to be really challenging.

 

[MinnieMSue]

New Buses Debut at Walt Disney World
https://blogmickey.com/2024/02/new-buses-debut-at-walt-disney-world/

Not sure if this link was posted yet... shows the new buses... I see that the photos posted earlier show a motorized wheelchair in that front space, but I'd like to see an ECV photo. I don't know if most folks, especially those who only use ECVs while at Disney, are going to manage backing up the ramp, up the aisle and into that space.

I hope the drivers will take an active role with this... I know I've heard so many stories where people were told they weren't suppose to, but I have been very lucky with many helpful bus drivers.

Getting back out will be a breeze, but if other guests are impatiend with ECVs loading now, I can only imagine how impatient they are going to be with me when I try to back up that ramp (if I don't over the edge), around the corner, up the aisle and then into the space correctly while they all wait. I've left a lot of scars on buses trying to get into the existing space, this is going to be really challenging.

From what I have heard the drivers take an active role in pushing people up and into the spots. I think it would be almost impossible for the average person to back up the ramp safely.

 

[Groot]

From what I have heard the drivers take an active role in pushing people up and into the spots. I think it would be almost impossible for the average person to back up the ramp safely.

Yeah, but scooters don’t have push handles like manual and (some) power wheelchairs do.

 

[MinnieMSue]

Yeah, but scooters don’t have push handles like manual and (some) power wheelchairs do.

Never used one. I for some reason thought they could put it in a manual mode and push them while steering them from the front. I have seen a bus driver steer one into position on a bus before and didn’t realize they didn’t have it in a manual mode. Must have been a wheelchair I saw it mentioned about I guess.

 

[jlundeen]

Never used one. I for some reason thought they could put it in a manual mode and push them while steering them from the front. I have seen a bus driver steer one into position on a bus before and didn’t realize they didn’t have it in a manual mode. Must have been a wheelchair I saw it mentioned about I guess.

They can... I've had several manuver my ECV into the spot from standing in front, and they don't take it out of gear first, they just drive it backwards. Takes a lot of skill. But that was after I had already driven it forward up the ramp.

 

[jlundeen]

So this link implies that the guest drives up the ramp (forward I presume) and then somehow gets turned around so they can back into the space (with the bus driver's help).... wonder how they would do that if there are two ECVs, and the first one is already loaded

https://wdwnt.com/2024/02/updated-walt-disney-world-buses-debut-with-new-wheelchair-ecv-system/

"The middle doors open as usual to allow guests with mobility devices to drive up the ramp right to the accessible section."

 

[lanejudy]

So this link implies that the guest drives up the ramp (forward I presume) and then somehow gets turned around so they can back into the space (with the bus driver's help).... wonder how they would do that if there are two ECVs, and the first one is already loaded

https://wdwnt.com/2024/02/updated-walt-disney-world-buses-debut-with-new-wheelchair-ecv-system/

"The middle doors open as usual to allow guests with mobility devices to drive up the ramp right to the accessible section."

Post #102 is a first-hand report and stated they were loaded onto the bus backwards.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Although I haven't ridden one yet, I did get the scoop from a Disney bus driver last week (and we all know what experts they are). First he taught me something I didn't know-that Disney buses all have a 4 digit identifier located in 2 different places on the bus. These new buses will be #5296 or higher. Also the new buses are equipped with back-up cameras, which virtually all the bus drivers looked forward to. And a few of the features for "locking in" the mobility device occur automatically, so the bus drivers don't have to worry about possibly forgetting. And although each new bus will now carry 3 mobility devices. there will be fewer seats, so far more guests will stand. So "We'll see how it goes" was his final comment.

 

[jlundeen]

Post #102 is a first-hand report and stated they were loaded onto the bus backwards.

Thanks, I hadn't gone that far back. Whew.... glad I asked about this I feel better now!

 

[Groot]

And although each new bus will now carry 3 mobility devices. there will be fewer seats, so far more guests will stand. So "We'll see how it goes" was his final comment.

Oof, that’s not good news for people who don’t have an offsite rental and who CANNOT STAND on a MOVING VEHICLE. Makes me so much happier knowing that my mom, after 21 years of hard work, finally let me buy my first wheelchair for Disney. (I have a legit disability.)

 

[MinnieMSue]

Oof, that’s not good news for people who don’t have an offsite rental and who CANNOT STAND on a MOVING VEHICLE. Makes me so much happier knowing that my mom, after 21 years of hard work, finally let me buy my first wheelchair for Disney. (I have a legit disability.)

Yeah I’m kinda worried myself about this. I have a lot of trouble balancing standing on a bus. I guess I will have to wait for the next bus when it is standing room only.

 

[HopperFan]

Although I haven't ridden one yet, I did get the scoop from a Disney bus driver last week (and we all know what experts they are). First he taught me something I didn't know-that Disney buses all have a 4 digit identifier located in 2 different places on the bus. These new buses will be #5296 or higher. Also the new buses are equipped with back-up cameras, which virtually all the bus drivers looked forward to. And a few of the features for "locking in" the mobility device occur automatically, so the bus drivers don't have to worry about possibly forgetting. And although each new bus will now carry 3 mobility devices. there will be fewer seats, so far more guests will stand. So "We'll see how it goes" was his final comment.

Oof, that’s not good news for people who don’t have an offsite rental and who CANNOT STAND on a MOVING VEHICLE. Makes me so much happier knowing that my mom, after 21 years of hard work, finally let me buy my first wheelchair for Disney. (I have a legit disability.)

Yeah I’m kinda worried myself about this. I have a lot of trouble balancing standing on a bus. I guess I will have to wait for the next bus when it is standing room only.

I anticipate many disgruntled guests and I hope Disney is ready for lots of complaints being submitted. Adding one more spot means approximately the loss of an additional 4 seats PLUS all the accompanying family. Imagine 3 families of 6 - that removes 27 seats before the bus even loads ....

There are so many guests who do not use a device but will have great difficulty standing on a moving bus and Disney is likely to get many complaints from these folks. SO many guests have disabilities that this move will impact and put their safety at risk.

Both DS and I have issues that this is a problem. DS is clearly and obviously disabled and 9 times out of 10 NO ONE will give him their seat. I have to have him hold a pole then I wrap my arms around him and also hold the pole. Feet wide apart and fingers crossed we don't land on anyone's lap. If we are heading back at closing and it appears we will have to stand, I let the bus leave knowing another should come fairly soon.

 

[Groot]

I anticipate many disgruntled guests and I hope Disney is ready for lots of complaints being submitted. Adding one more spot means approximately the loss of an additional 4 seats PLUS all the accompanying family. Imagine 3 families of 6- that removes 27 seats before the bus even loads....

Yeah, that’s not fair to anyone else. I can see a lot of people who DON’T NEED an offsite rental getting one just for this reason.

There are so many guests who do not use a device but will have great difficulty standing on a moving bus and Disney is likely to get many complaints from these folks. SO many guests have disabilities that this move will impact and put their safety at risk.

Yup. People who have INVISIBLE DISABILITIES and those whose disabilities usually result in either full time or part time use of a wheelchair but they did not get that version and for whatever reason don’t even go for a rental in Disney, are definitely going to be at a disadvantage.

Both DS and I have issues that this is a problem. DS is clearly and obviously disabled and 9 times out of 10 NO ONE will give him their seat. I have to have him hold a pole then I wrap my arms around him and also hold the pole. Feet wide apart and fingers crossed we don't land on anyone's lap. If we are heading back at closing and it appears we will have to stand, I let the bus leave knowing another should come fairly soon.

My mom used to have to do that before I got my first offsite rental. 99.9% of the time, I would be TOO TIRED from walking from the park rental spot, to the bus stop (some of which are really far depending on the hotel), then waiting 20+ minutes (depending on how the buses were moving) standing in line. (I wish they would find a way for the stops to have benches for those of us who really need them.) By the time the bus arrived, I would hope that we were far enough in the front where my mom wouldn’t have to fight for a seat for me. (Sometimes people don’t realize that some kids are disabled and need a seat no matter what.) Some drivers understood and would call for another bus, others would just scoff and drive away.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Adding one more spot means approximately the loss of an additional 4 seats PLUS all the accompanying family. Imagine 3 families of 6 - that removes 27 seats before the bus even loads ....

Which means that EVERYONE should wait in the same line for the bus. If there is room when you get to the bus, great, and if not, you wait for the next one.