pix of bus?

[tseitel]

Hi all. Is there a thread that has pictures of the Disney buses? Specifically the door area? Is the bus that runs the Magical Express different? We were wondering if my mom can ride the ME bus from Orlando Airport (we know the park buses are accessible.) We needed to know if it has handrails on both sides of the entrance door. If so, she can ride. I would just notify the welcome desk when we land, as she would need to sit in the front, as it would be hard for her to walk all the way to the back, if full. We would be ok waiting for another bus if front already filled, and would be ok with waiting and being the last off. I know I can arrange for a handicap bus, but she doesn't want her grandkids to miss out on the cute "Disney " bus, that shows the trivia and all. Any suggestions? thanks so much!!

 

[archrd]

The magical express buses have accessible ones but I believe you need to let them know ahead of time. We were on one last year.

 

[SueM in MN]

Hi all. Is there a thread that has pictures of the Disney buses? Specifically the door area?

The Disney buses that go between the resorts to the parks and Downtown Disney are low buses. They kneel/tilt to make the step even lower.

All are equipped with ramps and wheelchair tiedowns. A few of the oldest ones have several steps to get in and have a lift at the back. These are being phased out, so if one comes to your stop, the next bus will be a newer bus (you can also ask the bus driver to make sure the next bus will be a newer one.
This is a picture of one of the types of newer buses. They are all fairly similar in terms of the step in. Some tilt more to make the step in lower.

Is the bus that runs the Magical Express different? We were wondering if my mom can ride the ME bus from Orlando Airport (we know the park buses are accessible.)

The Magical Express buses are much different.
They are like tour buses with storage underneath. This means the entry door is high and they do have a steep set if steps to get in and out.
Here is a picture of the DME bus, showing the wheelchair lift at the back and the storage space underneath (more about the lift later). Not all DME buses have lifts, but many do.

We needed to know if it has handrails on both sides of the entrance door. If so, she can ride. I would just notify the welcome desk when we land, as she would need to sit in the front, as it would be hard for her to walk all the way to the back, if full. We would be ok waiting for another bus if front already filled, and would be ok with waiting and being the last off.

This picture shows the steps to get onto the DME bus, which you can see are quite steep.

The bus drivers generally do save the front rows of seats for people who might have difficulty walking farther back.

I know I can arrange for a handicap bus, but she doesn't want her grandkids to miss out on the cute "Disney " bus, that shows the trivia and all. Any suggestions? thanks so much!!

Just to clarify for you, the handicapped accessible buses are the same as the other DME buses. The only difference is that the accessible buses have a lift and wheelchair tiedowns in the back of the bus.
They have the same fun movies as the 'regular' buses.

Here is a picture of the wheelchair lift in position for getting a wheelchair loaded or unloaded from the bus.

If she can't climb the steps, you have the optîon to use the wheelchair lift to get in. Many people ride up the lift using an airport wheelchair. All of the lift equipped buses I have seen have a wheelchair or 2 stored in the baggage area. These can be used to get off the bus at your resort.
You can request an accessible bus ahead of time or when you get to the gate. We sometimes have had to wait a bit longer, but not that significantly.

 

[tseitel]

Thanks so much for all the info & the pictures! We didn't know the handicap accessible buses were the same. Have to admit we were picturing a generic bus, not the "Disney bus." This is so great. I'm going to call to request one for us, and my mom doesn't have to worry about anyone missing out. Thanks again!

 

[disney david]

Thanks so much for all the info & the pictures! We didn't know the handicap accessible buses were the same. Have to admit we were picturing a generic bus, not the "Disney bus." This is so great. I'm going to call to request one for us, and my mom doesn't have to worry about anyone missing out. Thanks again!

All the buses that Disney owns are handicap accessible they use the same buses most public transportation use. Their bus makers are nova which is a huge player in public transportation and gillig who is also a player in public transportation and in shuttle buses. So the only really differences is they load through the back door and have wider doors to help with loading.

In Disney using DISNEY transportation you don't need to request the bus or call ahead all of the buses take wheelchairs,ecv all the buses can kneel if you ask most will do it when they open the doors. They can let you use the ramp so they have a level ground to walk up if you talk to the driver. But the front door is wide enough them to load with someone holding their arm. If you don't want to use the back door. If the seats are taking you may have to wait for another bus talk to the driver and see if they can call for another bus so you don't have to wait to long.


Biggest tip is try to avoid peak times like park closing you will have a better time going when it less crowed.

Now for the mears (magical express) from the airport and to the airport.

The me buses that mears use are tour style buses so they only have to by federal law have a ratio of non accessible buses to accessible buses. That why it is important to let them know ahead of time so they know to have it for you.