New buses coming in early 2024 - ECV restrictions

[DisneyOma]

My experience was for an All-Star resort so very possible the process is different for higher level resorts. There was no box or sign anywhere. When I got halfway down the last row, a CM standing there opened a gate that had a very small handicap sign on it that wouldn’t be seen easily from farther away.

That's what we've seen happen at MK after fireworks - when we've stayed at Pop, CBR, and AKL. The direct access is closed off, so the only way to get to the proper, safe loading area is through the regular queue, until you get to the gate you mentioned. One time a group with an ECV did some convoluted route to bypass the regular queue and ended up in the actual road. It was very dark out, and they were lucky they didn't get flattened by a bus. When the bus arrived, it had to park sticking out into the road, as it couldn't do the pull up to the curb because the ECV was in the way. Then the second bus (stacked loading happens a lot at MK at night) arrived and had to stick out even more, so that other buses couldn't get by.

 

[Debbie Jean]

First ride today from BC to AK on the new buses. I got off and the driver backed the scooter up very efficiently, locked it down and I got back on… riding backwards was a bit strange but not an issue for me. The bus wasn’t crowded so plenty of seats for other passengers.

I asked the driver how he liked the new buses… said he hated them but in fairness said he hated the old ones, too! LOL He felt these buses have real issues with carrying passengers, especially children… lack of seats and no where to hold on.

After seeing them in action, I am more firmly convinced that the people who made the decision to buy these particular buses never actually ride the buses that service the parks.

 

[Simba's Mom]

It just occurred to me-what if you can't stand very well? How do you "get off" the scooter and have him back it up the ramp? Where are you supposed to be this whole time? Or (I hope) can you stay on the scooter so you're both going up the ramp? I hope they don't expect everyone to get off while they back the scooter up.

 

[Debbie Jean]

It just occurred to me-what if you can't stand very well? How do you "get off" the scooter and have him back it up the ramp? Where are you supposed to be this whole time? Or (I hope) can you stay on the scooter so you're both going up the ramp? I hope they don't expect everyone to get off while they back the scooter up.

He did ask me if I could walk up the ramp and if it was OK for him to back the scooter in place. I’m thinking you could certainly stay on while he did that, though… at least I hope so! Maybe someone else has actual experience.,.

 

[prettypatchesmsu]

It just occurred to me-what if you can't stand very well? How do you "get off" the scooter and have him back it up the ramp? Where are you supposed to be this whole time? Or (I hope) can you stay on the scooter so you're both going up the ramp? I hope they don't expect everyone to get off while they back the scooter up.

I didn’t get off the scooter while he backed it up. I was just along for the ride haha! We just talked about the buses and such while he guided it backwards up the ramp. The second time was the same, the bus driver just controlled it with me on it.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I didn’t get off the scooter while he backed it up. I was just along for the ride haha! We just talked about the buses and such while he guided it backwards up the ramp. The second time was the same, the bus driver just controlled it with me on it.

He did ask me if I could walk up the ramp and if it was OK for him to back the scooter in place. I’m thinking you could certainly stay on while he did that, though… at least I hope so! Maybe someone else has actual experience.,.

Whew! Sounds like I'll be fine. Thanks

 

[tzvdmd]

It just occurred to me-what if you can't stand very well? How do you "get off" the scooter and have him back it up the ramp? Where are you supposed to be this whole time? Or (I hope) can you stay on the scooter so you're both going up the ramp? I hope they don't expect everyone to get off while they back the scooter up.

I always give the guest the option but I don't mind at all if you stay in the scooter while I back you up the ramp. Same goes for loading the old style buses that already have a few people that loaded ahead of the scooter. I don't know of any driver that makes you exit the scooter. Don't let it worry you.

 

[LoveToDisney]

We rode on a new bus during our last visit to WDW. It was during the non-busy part of the day so the bus was almost empty. The driver had me park in the normal tie down slot instead of placing me in one of the new automatic bays. We thought that was because it wasn’t busy. Later we read something about the smaller ECVs like mine (Pride Go-Go Sport) are too small to be placed in the auto bay and have to use the old style tie down.
Has anyone had confirmation about this? If all the buses become the new style, it would mean a friend also using a Go-Go would never be able to travel with me on the same bus since there is only one old style tie down. Alternatively, when traveling on an old style bus, you had 2 or sometimes 3 tie downs so no problem traveling together when not busy.

 

[elvispursley]

This is good for me to know since my mom
Used a scooter and she prefers the smaller ECV than the bigger one she had last year. Hopefully she didn’t already reserve one! She was planning to do that today with Gold’s!

 

[LoveToDisney]

I still don’t have confirmation that what I read was accurate. Hopefully someone will know more.

 

[Yinn]

This thread of the new busses are scaring me!

I’m leaving in a couple of days for WDW, and after much urging from my family - it’ll be my first time there with an ECV. I have both a power chair (Zoomer) as well as a scooter (Atto)

Would one fair better than another on these busses? Or any other advice for a novice ECV user on these things? Trying to avoid PTSD..

 

[Selket]

Just got home from a short trip and stayed at CSR in the tower. The two times I got a new style bus, the driver used the regular tie down spot instead of the new back in spots. One said he didn't like using the new spots and the driver indicated he did it so there was more room for people to sit (not sure how many seats fold down where the new spots are but I was taking up 3 spots in the tie down). The bus wasn't crowded either time and I was the only ECV.

Makes me think the drivers don't like the new ECV slots. I had zero issues with busses or staying in the tower at CSR which is the last stop at some times of the day (after 11am?) and for all routes except Disney Springs I think.

 

[SueM in MN]

This thread of the new busses are scaring me!

I’m leaving in a couple of days for WDW, and after much urging from my family - it’ll be my first time there with an ECV. I have both a power chair (Zoomer) as well as a scooter (Atto)

Would one fair better than another on these busses? Or any other advice for a novice ECV user on these things? Trying to avoid PTSD..

I’d check with the manufacturers of both of the devices about using the bus tie down systems.
Since both of them are designed to be folded for transport, they would have to advise you how/whether to tie down/secure for buses.
From what I’ve read about the new rear facing securement devices, something as narrow as the Atto is to narrow to use with them.
My daughter’s manual wheelchair is designed for transit and crash tested. But, the back folds down toward the front, so it needs to be forward facing. It looks like the Zoomer folds that way also, so if it can be secured, it should face forward.
I would advise not to sit on either of those devices during the bus ride

 

[Evita_W]

Related to this, federal law does require ADA seats to be vacated for those with disabilities. I wonder why this isn't enforced at Disney World. These are on the trolleys at Dollywood and yes, they enforce the rule.

 

[lanejudy]

Related to this, federal law does require ADA seats to be vacated for those with disabilities. I wonder why this isn't enforced at Disney World. These are on the trolleys at Dollywood and yes, they enforce the rule.

I think it comes down to the determination of who is disabled. If someone with a disability is already occupying that seat, they cannot be forced to move. They also can't be forced to disclose their disability or disability status. Bus drivers don't want to be in the middle, so they may ask other guests to move but don't force it.

I have seen different wording on different signs -- some indicating elderly or disabled, some indicating wheelchairs. But assuming all originate with that specific code § 37.167 Other service requirements that doesn't reference wheelchairs specifically and reads as though another disabled individual or elderly individual cannot be forced to move.

 

[SueM in MN]

Related to this, federal law does require ADA seats to be vacated for those with disabilities. I wonder why this isn't enforced at Disney World. These are on the trolleys at Dollywood and yes, they enforce the rule.View attachment 874706

The law requires bus drivers to ask guests without disabilities to move, but doesn't require anyone to move or the bus driver to require anyone to move.

This is copied from the US Department of Transportation website.

"If a nondisabled person is sitting in one of the “priority” seats in the front of a bus, does that person have to move so that a person with a disability can sit there?
Under Department of Transportation (DOT) Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations at 49 C.F.R. Section 37.167(j) bus operators are required to ask the person without a disability to move to another seat. If, after the operator asks, the person refuses to move, the regulations do not require the operator to compel this person to move. However, a transit operator can decide to adopt a policy requiring people to vacate the seats."

In my experience, most people move when asked. A couple of times, the driver has come to the back door and told us "there are already people sitting in the wheelchair spots. You'll need to wait for the next bus" (which would be breaking the law if the driver did not ask them.
100% of the times that's happened, the people either moved before the driver finished talking to us or interrupted the driver to say they would move.

 

[VroomVroomLightning]

Would the Pride Victory work on the buses? That is the one we will be renting for our trip in October!

 

[Evita_W]

However, a transit operator can decide to adopt a policy requiring people to vacate the seats."

I think this is key here, such a policy should indeed be adopted, I mean if somewhere as overly friendly as Dollywood is willing to adopt such a policy, Disney World certainly can do so. But then again, everyone there is respectful to begin with and when asked to love, they just do it, no fuss. I mean when leaving shows, those who are waking down stairs stop and wait for those who have disabilities to pass, a bunch of little things like that. DH has been very impressed by the attitude.

 

[mcall12]

I think this is key here, such a policy should indeed be adopted, I mean if somewhere as overly friendly as Dollywood is willing to adopt such a policy, Disney World certainly can do so. But then again, everyone there is respectful to begin with and when asked to love, they just do it, no fuss. I mean when leaving shows, those who are waking down stairs stop and wait for those who have disabilities to pass, a bunch of little things like that. DH has been very impressed by the attitude.

This has been discussed so many times here. Adopting such a policy puts the bus driver in the position of arbiter to decide who is disabled and who is not. I cannot imagine they want to be in that position any more than Disney does. The signage I’ve seen on most buses indicates that the seats are reserved for the elderly/disabled and others should offer them up when requested. But beyond that, no I don’t agree with putting bus drivers into a situation of evaluating who is disabled or elderly and gets to stay or not. Not their job, not their expertise.

 

[lanejudy]

if somewhere as overly friendly as Dollywood is willing to adopt such a policy

Admittedly I'm not particularly familiar with Dollywood -- but "overly friendly" is very subjective. I don't think the elderly or disabled individual forced to vacate their seat would agree with that descriptor.