New buses with ramp?

[rascalmom]

Just read on these boards about some new buses that have ramps instead of lifts. Are they better for loading & unloading. We were at WDW in June with my parents and my DD used an ECV because of his knees (needs a replacement but refused to have the surgery because of fear of complications from his diabetes). The lifts were a little precarious for him because he is a large man. Also, it was slow & we sometimes sensed the patience of our fellow riders wearing thin. MY QUESTION is: are they replacing all the buses with new ones? Are there many of them yet? We would like to go back, but convincing DD may be difficult unless the bus situation is easier. ALSO, when traveling with someone using an ECV, are you supposed to board with them, or wait in the regular line? The bus drivers had us board with DD, but I sometimes felt funny, BUT if we haven't our party would have sometimes been separated.

 

[lisapooh]

The buses are gradually being replaced. There are nine in place at the moment. they are so much easier to navigate. You drive on forward and exit forward. Just be sure that the driver lowers the bus before putting out the ramp or it could be steep.

 

[SueM in MN]

We haven't seen the inside of the new buses yet, but when one drove by us, we could see it seems to sit lower to the ground even when it doesn't have the ramp down.
It will probably be years though by the time they replace all the current buses with new ones. They are replacing them as the old buses wear out from what I have read.
Something else to think about is staying at a resort that would give you easier access to the parks. From BW or the Beach Club, it is a short trip on a walkway to Epcot. If you stay at one of the MK resorts, you would be able to take the monorail to MK and to Epcot. So, you wouldn't necessarily have to ride the buses.