Oct 29, 2011 - just got back from WDW

[pampam]

Sue, when you were leaving the parks, did you get in line for the bus with everyone else? If you did, when you got to the front of the line, were you able to load the WC, or did you have to wait for another bus, while others were able to get on and leave? I guess what I'm really wondering is if it is now standardized or is it up to the individual bus driver as to where you wait for the bus.

 

[Bete]

Sue, when you were leaving the parks, did you get in line for the bus with everyone else? If you did, when you got to the front of the line, were you able to load the WC, or did you have to wait for another bus, while others were able to get on and leave? I guess what I'm really wondering is if it is now standardized or is it up to the individual bus driver as to where you wait for the bus.

Sue, is there a clear Disney procedure on how to do a wheelchair/scooter with a bus when leaving the park? or is it a free for all?

On some other threads here on this board it seems to say that some people wait in the regular bus line with their wheelchair/scooter and then when they are first or second up (because there's two handicap tiedown areas on most buses) in that regular bus line and the bus driver has already started to load other people who were before you that you are then compromised; because, the bus is not completely empty any more and the bus driver won't let you on; because, other have already loaded and could be in the handicap tiedown area. Now, you have to wait for a second bus where you will be exactly first or second in regular line. This all happens because the other guests who were before you may be sitting in the handicap area for the wheelchair of the bus already; hence, you can't load anymore even though there's still room on the bus. It's further suggested in some other threads that the bus driver will not ask anyone to move from the handicap bus area(tiedown area); so, therefore, you can no longer enter the bus even though there's room on the bus and you have waited like everyone else in the regular bus line. In the past it seemed you went on first from a special handicap line with a wheelchair/scooter when the bus was completely empty and then everyone else loaded from the regular line. Also, I've seen some threads where others have said they have made their own imaginery handicap bus line where they think the lift of bus will be when it pulls up and they did not go in the regular line at all. They refuse to mainstream in the regular line. They want the bus driver to see the wheelchair/scooter; so, they know no one else should board before them.

If I understand how it works now it seems to be unfair for those in scooters and wheelchairs. If you are lucky enough to be exactly first or even second with a wheelchair/scooter in a regular bus line then you don't have any worries and you will board the first bus. Since, there are two slots for handicap vehicles you could technically even be second in line and be able to get on the first bus (assuming two slots per bus). However, if you are not exactly first or second, but there's still room on the bus you can longer load a wheelchair or scooter; because, the driver won't do it; because, some other guests from the regular bus line may have loaded and could possibly be the handicap area of the bus. In other words you could be third or even fourth in the regular bus line (assuming there's two handicap spaces on the bus for wheelchair) with plenty of room to still load on the bus, but you have to now wait for a second bus. So, perhaps 40 or more people may get on the bus who were behind you even though you waited fairly like everyone else.

Bottomline, I guess it boils down to which do you think, Sue may be a better plan. Can you suggest what may be the better course of action, here. Should you make your own special imaginery handicap line with your wheelchair/scooter towards the curb near where you think the rear of the first bus will be or should you mainstream in the regular bus line and probably have to wait for another bus; because, you are not exactly number one or two in the regular bus line even though you could have gotten on the first bus if you did not have a wheelchair or scooter? Obviously, if you can get in the regular bus line because you know you are number one or even two then that's probably the better way to go. The problem stems from anything after that point.

Thanks Sue for your advice, here.

 

[Dan1]

Hi Bete,

Last year (sure, things may have changed) when DD and I went at any bus stop I either:

1. walked her wheel chair into a wheel chair waiting area if there was one, or
2. simply waited in line with everyone else.

I cannot recall a time when we were in a line and the bus driver did not make everyone else wait until DD in her chair was loaded.

I can think of one occasion when there were folks already on the bus and, yes, the driver did make some folks move from the WC tie down area so DD could be loaded.

I do recall some CM telling me very early on to simply make sure that either the CM at the bus stop or if there is not one the driver see's DD in her chair, even if it is acting like you don't know better and asking a CM at or near the bus stop where DD in her chair should wait for the bus.

I hope that helps,
Dan

 

[HowdyHeidi]

We had no problem with the bus at the resort (although we had to wait longer than the others which I expected) because there was signage telling us what to do and where to wait with the chair.

At the park, it was 100% unclear what to do waiting at the bus stop. We waited in the regular line and then got the attention of the bus driver when it came to ask him what we should do. It was awkward but he then thanked us for asking and loaded DS first along with the rest of us.

I wrote Disney asking them to please place signage at the park bus areas so we know what to do in the future.

 

[Bete]

I hear you and in a perfect world we wouldn't be having this discussion. It seems that whether it's the past or the present the bus line system has never been truly fair either way at times with regards to wheelchair/scooter. I might agree that in the past it leaned a little bit in favor of the handicap passenger at times with a wheelchair or scooter. Now, I think it has totally reversed itself and the handicap wheelchair passenger is really suffering much more now and way beyond what the regular person in the regular bus line ever did. It may have been a little unjust before when there was a special handicap line, but now it's swung too much in the other direction with mainstreaming. Now, it seems you give the bus driver way too much power to decide this situation. I really don't think this should be in their control. The bus driver can always claim they didn't see you; so sorry and you don't get your proper turn on the bus. I don't think there's a bus driver at Disney that likes to tie down a wheelchair or scooter; it goes against their grain. It's more work for them and it's harder work for them. This decison should not be up to the bus driver; that's just not a good business practice. It absolutely seems that this is what's happening currently. The bus driver can certainly appraise the situation if he wanted to before leaving anyone on the bus; he could politely ask if there are handicap passengers, too. I don't see this being that hard for them to do.

I'm almost thinking the best idea in my case is to have my mom, who's in a wheelchair, placed in this imaginary handicap area by the curb toward the bus's back area where the lift should be. Then hopefully, the bus driver should be able to spot her in a wheelchair easily that way. Then, I should separate myself from her and go to the regular bus line and mainstream myself. If I stay with her other Disney guests will think I'm jumping the line to get on first; because, I'm not in the mainstreamed line. Now, somehow, when the bus driver comes I need to scream, wave and anything else to get his attention about the wheelchair if I think there will be enough space on the bus for the both of us to board. I can't really drop out of line either because that will rub the regular guests the wrong way if I have to go back in line; I'm certainly not going to start over again. Now, if I'm 20th or so in the regular line this can be almost impossible to do, but somehow without getting out of the regular line I have to get the bus driver's attention; so, we can pre-board. My mom is not capable of communicating this on her own. In addition, I'm less that 5 foot, 2 inches tall and I'm suppose to get the driver's attention when almost everyone before me will be taller. If I can't get the bus driver's attention and he boards those in line before me, then I'm simply out of luck and now I wait for a second bus.

All of this gets a person very anxious. If there was a regular procedure for the bus driver to leave the bus doors closed until the driver could appraise the situation and see what's what then I wouldn't have any issue being mainstreamed in the bus line. The bus driver could ask as well if there are any wheelchair or scooter people that are in the regular line that need to board for that bus; let's say the first 40 people waiting in line. If the bus driver properly controlled the situation I could see this being handled fairly to all. The big problem is the bus driver. For whatever reason it seems they are allowed not to have to pay attention to a possible wheelchair or scooter rider for their bus. Somehow, it's on us to get the bus driver's attention which could be very difficult in the dark and if the crowd is more boisterous and bigger and so forth. No one else in the regular line has to be this anxious; except, those with a scooter or wheelchair. It just doesn't feel right by me.

I know it will be a hassle; I can just tell. I may be ok on some days, but I just feel there will be days were my mom and I will get the short end of the stick here no matter which way I do it. I don't want special treatment I just want fair treatment and this is not happening from the reports we get here on the disboards. This current way leads itself with too many loopholes which all seem to go against the handicap wheelchair or scooter person. I'm dissappointed right now on this count. I'll survive, but it does rub me the wrong way.

I know I won't be able to do anything about it. I'll just hope I'm one of the lucky ones that doesn't have a bad experience.