POFQ, buses and ECVs

[HayGan]

We just booked a trip to POFQ for the end of Sept. My mom is coming along and she will be renting an ECV (we usually rent one from Walker for her.) My question is will it be a big deal with the ECV? What I mean is are we going to have to wait for several buses to come before she will have space? Would it be best to rent the ECV in the park (although that would cost us about double what it would by going thru Walker?) Should we request a special location that would be better for catching the bus? Do the buses typically stop at POR first?

She did fine staying at CBR and POP but I'm just a little concerned with POFQ an POR sharing buses.

Thanks

 

[OneLittleSpark]

I've not really seen people having too many problems with ECVs, though I can't speak from first hand experience because I've always used a folding chair and transfered to a regular seat. Obviously there will be busier times and quieter times for the buses (end of fireworks and light parades spring to mind for the 'busy' category), so if you plan a bit in advance and get the quieter times, you shouldn't really have any problems.
I don't think the PO buses are really any busier than CB because of sharing (at least I've not noticed anything, but then I am in my own little happy world at Disney, and therefore rather oblivious).
If your mother needs an ECV, it might not be the best of ideas to rely on the parks having them, as they can run out, sometimes quite early in the day. Besides, if you rent off site, she'll be able to use it around the resort as well.
The boat to Downtown is a nice ride and always seems to have a lot more room than the buses, so you might want to consider using it when heading there.
That was just my random collection of thoughts, I'm sure other people here will have more to add. Good luck and have a great one

 

[SueM in MN]

If you check out the disABILITIES FAQs thread, there is a long questions and answers part about riding the buses.

We have not stayed at POFQ lately, but I believe the buses stop there first and then stop at POR.
In the past, there were a lot more problems with the buses because maybe only 80% had lifts or ramps. At this point, almost 100% of buses have lifts (the older buses) or ramps (the newer buses).
If someone is already sitting in the spots needed to load a wheelchair or ECV, they will be asked to move (there are prominent signs above those seats, so anyone sitting there has a 'heads up' that they may be asked to move).

 

[OneLittleSpark]

I think (but I'm not sure, so don't quote me on it) that the buses alternate between starting at POR and POFQ, for different parks.

 

[DAniece]

Our experience (5 visits staying at POFQ since Nov 2004) -- buses stop at POFQ first. If a bus is full after POFQ stop and/or if POR is full and/or it's a peak time for travel, the buses will often go directly to the theme parks without stopping at POR. We've also been on buses that have stopped at POFQ, then the first stop at POR, then on to the parks. A big clue is how many buses are waiting in reserve in the parking lot between POFQ and POR -- if there are a lot of buses stacked up there, then it's a busy bus day.

EG

 

[Haley Whippet]

We stayed at POFQ for New Years and had no trouble with the buses and my ECV. There was a cast member at the bus stop making sure things went smoothly too.
Deb

 

[OneLittleSpark]

If it was the same CM that was there when we've been the last few times, she's great! She makes sure everything runs smoothly and seems to have the bus drivers well and truly 'under control' .

 

[clkelley]

We stayed at POFQ in May 2004 and hubby had his ECV and it was really easy. MK usually did not share with POR, so that was easy. On all the other bus routes, POFQ was always picked up first and dropped off first. No problems at all.

 

[KingdomHeartsFan]

That is good to hear. Me and my parents are staying at POFQ in April and my father will be using an ECV. My only concern was this... when returning to POFQ, if the bus is packed with guests from both FQ and Riverside, will it be difficult getting the ECV off the bus with other guest still on board??

 

[clkelley]

It won't be any problem. When you arrive at a stop.

First the walking folks that need to get off do, then the remaining folks take seats. Then the driver will come back to your section, or walk outside the bus and come in the back door to where the ECV is at. Even if there are still a lot of folks standing on the bus, they can get off for a minute and you will have plenty of room to leave the bus on the scooter. After the wheelchairs are unloaded, then the driver will load any waiting wheelchairs, then any folks that temporarily left the bus to make room get back on, then the other folks waiting in line get on.

 

[SueM in MN]

It won't be any problem. When you arrive at a stop.

First the walking folks that need to get off do, then the remaining folks take seats. Then the driver will come back to your section, or walk outside the bus and come in the back door to where the ECV is at. Even if there are still a lot of folks standing on the bus, they can get off for a minute and you will have plenty of room to leave the bus on the scooter. After the wheelchairs are unloaded, then the driver will load any waiting wheelchairs, then any folks that temporarily left the bus to make room get back on, then the other folks waiting in line get on.

That's exactly what I would say.
It's also easier to get off the bus than to get on. Getting on, you have to back into place. When you get off, you will be driving instead of backing.

 

[KingdomHeartsFan]

Thanks a lot! You guys are great to ease any worries I might have had about my DF using a ECV!