POR buses and W/Cs

[ShhhQ]

Can anyone give me an idea of what I might expect. We are going to stay at POR for the 1st time in about a week, just DM and myself. DM will be using her personal electric W/C and I have rented an ECV to help get around.
We have previously stayed at POP and ASSp and know that sometimes we can get on buses faster, but usually have to wait for another bus to come... especially if the bus has had multiple stops and already has people on it. It just depends....

I have been reading the thread for POR and people have been coming back saying how horrible the bus service there is... and these are all able-bodied riders... My concern is this, I know POR has multiple stops and apparently has issues with not enough space on buses... how will this effect us?

Has anyone stayed at POR and had experience that they can share? Maybe some tips to avoid waiting for hours for a bus. Which bus stop would be the best option for us to try to use? or does it matter?

We don't always ride together, as sometimes I wanna get to the parks early while she likes to sleep in a bit. But we do try to stay together as much as we can... any help will be appreciated. Thank you!

 

[POOHsie]

My best advice to you, since you will be using ECVs, is to catch the bus at the lobby -- which is the first POR bus stop -- and not wait at one of the other 3 remote stops. That way you stand a better chance of getting a spot for the ECVs. POR/POFQ are my "home resorts" and I use an ECV. I think the bus service is timely and friendly. I would disregard bad reports, as lots of people on the Disney buses don't ride buses back home, and aren't really adjusted to it.

It's true that there will probably be times you'll have to go on separate buses. At busy times, like leaving a park at the end of the day, I find it better to hang back, maybe get a snack or souvenir shop, and wait at least 15-30 minutes, until the crush of people has dissipated some. Chances of getting on the same bus will improve greatly with this tactic. Have a great stay!

 

[ShhhQ]

My best advice to you, since you will be using ECVs, is to catch the bus at the lobby -- which is the first POR bus stop -- and not wait at one of the other 3 remote stops. That way you stand a better chance of getting a spot for the ECVs. POR/POFQ are my "home resorts" and I use an ECV. I think the bus service is timely and friendly. I would disregard bad reports, as lots of people on the Disney buses don't ride buses back home, and aren't really adjusted to it.

It's true that there will probably be times you'll have to go on separate buses. At busy times, like leaving a park at the end of the day, I find it better to hang back, maybe get a snack or souvenir shop, and wait at least 15-30 minutes, until the crush of people has dissipated some. Chances of getting on the same bus will improve greatly with this tactic. Have a great stay!

Thank you very much... I was thinking the one at the lobby myself, but someone said today on the POR thread something to the tune of its not for the faint of heart..lol and kinda got me worried. We really don't plan to stay till closing any night, if anyone does it will be me and she will go back to the room early.

We do however have 2 dinners at other resorts and transfering of buses kind of has me a little worried too.... The late showing of HDDR and another at Cape May. I thought about driving to the other resorts, but getting her WC in and out of our vehicle is not very easy (it is heavy and ramps are useless)and we would like to minimize the need, and definately couldn't take the ECV.

 

[POOHsie]

Thank you very much... I was thinking the one at the lobby myself, but someone said today on the POR thread something to the tune of its not for the faint of heart..lol and kinda got me worried. We really don't plan to stay till closing any night, if anyone does it will be me and she will go back to the room early.

We do however have 2 dinners at other resorts and transfering of buses kind of has me a little worried too.... The late showing of HDDR and another at Cape May. I thought about driving to the other resorts, but getting her WC in and out of our vehicle is not very easy (it is heavy and ramps are useless)and we would like to minimize the need, and definately couldn't take the ECV.

For the Cape May buffet, you could take a nice boat ride to DHS. Get a bus to POR from there. You could also get a bus from BC to Downtown Disney. Then take the DTD boat to POR. Those boats take the ECVs well but they're a little smaller than the Epcot Friendship boats. The boat captain can be of assistance if your mom needs a little help boarding.

I would suggest the bus from FW to DTD also. Then the DTD boat to POR. The last boat leaves DTD at either 11 or 11:30 pm (not sure). That could be tight for you. So remember, there is bus service from DTD to POR running at least until 1 or 2 am. But I will personally guarantee you, you and your mom will not get stranded or made to feel helpless or physically stressed. That is NOT the Disney way. They will see to it that you get home to your resort. That's why I take my ECV and my vacations to Disneyworld every year. No one treats the disabled better.

Here's a link to WDW maps. http://allears.net/btp/downtowndisneymap2008opt.jpg
Look at the map of Downtown Disney, so you can see where bus stop is (red bus), near Wolfgang Puck Express (36) and the boat dock (big yellow boat) by Rainforest Cafe (40). You have to take a ramp down to the boat dock, and that starts where you see the end of the railing near the water between building 33 and building 39. There's a faint ramp going down the brown dock, see it? It's really easy, once you get there. The nice thing about POR and POFQ is you could take the boat to DTD some evening after park visits, and just look around. To me, the boat ride makes POR and POFQ the best resorts in WDW.

 

[shaun&miranda]

I'm going to stay at POR in a wheelchair soon, and I was worried about some of the comments about buses too - but then DH reminded me we have previously done Pop Century buses in Xmas week (which were incredibly full and busy) and not had a single problem, so why worry about this trip?

As the PP said, Disney treats guests with special needs brilliantly for the most part. The bus drivers have always been helpful and considerate to me and most guests will also be very kind and considerate in my experience. There will always be one or two grumpy types, but most people are very helpful and accommodating, even after a day in the parks.

Remember Disney is full of pixie dust and just trust it will be ok. If problems do happen, they will be sorted quickly and I am sure you will have a great time.

Miranda

 

[ShhhQ]

I'm going to stay at POR in a wheelchair soon, and I was worried about some of the comments about buses too - but then DH reminded me we have previously done Pop Century buses in Xmas week (which were incredibly full and busy) and not had a single problem, so why worry about this trip?

As the PP said, Disney treats guests with special needs brilliantly for the most part. The bus drivers have always been helpful and considerate to me and most guests will also be very kind and considerate in my experience. There will always be one or two grumpy types, but most people are very helpful and accommodating, even after a day in the parks.

Remember Disney is full of pixie dust and just trust it will be ok. If problems do happen, they will be sorted quickly and I am sure you will have a great time.

Miranda

We just got home from our trip.... we never had an issue with a bus at POR.... plus we lovvvvvvveed the resort.

The only time our entire trip we had an issue with any bus was after a late dinner at Cape May. We were trying to catch a bus at Beach Club to DTD and then switch busses to POR.... that was a headache!!!

I had decided to walk since there wasn't a lot of walking I could handle it so we just had her WC. We waited with a family of about 5-6 people.... the bus arrived, and at least a dozen if not more people got off. The bus driver yelled at us and said there was already 1 scooter on board and the bus was full.... no room, but he would call for another! (I happened to see several empty spots on this bus as they pulled off and only a couple of standers)
10 minutes later.... another bus pulls up, fuller than the 1st!! I figured we would be waiting longer.... this driver however was an angel in disguise!!! He asked the patrons on the bus if any could move and MADE room for us! I had to stand (and I have terrible balance) but was grateful to get on a bus. He took the bus to DTD and informed us that he would be taking us to POR.. mind you this was the Beach Club bus we got on. He actually switched his route for us and picked up people at DTD going to POR. As we got off the bus I wanted to give him a tip... he went out of his way to help us in a tight situation. However, he refused to accept it and said he hoped we had a magical vacation.... the next day DM ended up in the hospital and our vacation abruptly ended.... not to mention it may have been our last trip due to her declining health.... this bus driver made our last Disney Moment magical after another hadnt.