Scooter Incident at Magic Kingdom Bus Stop

[safroim]

The real question is why can't people in scooters wait in line like everyone else? I don't think being in a scooter should give you the right to skip the line. Wait like everybody else.

 

[ELSA711]

I think most often the bus driver doesn't know if the scooter just rolled up or if they have been waiting half an hour. The drivers just aren't going to get into it with people on that.

True, which comes down to simple human integrity. If ever should I need a scooter some day, I would still expect to wait my turn to use the bus system. I'm sorry, but explain to me why they can't wait like everyone else? They are at least sitting on the scooter and resting while the rest of 'their' party stands in queue.

 

[Praying Colonel]

The real question is why can't people in scooters wait in line like everyone else? I don't think being in a scooter should give you the right to skip the line. Wait like everybody else.

For the reasons cakebaker listed, Disney's made a policy decision that people in scooters are boarded first, and those traveling with them don't get separated.

IMHO the real issue in OP's situation is that bus service to/from deluxes stink. That is something WDW could do something about.

 

[ELSA711]

For the reasons cakebaker listed, Disney's made a policy decision that people in scooters are boarded first, and those traveling with them don't get separated.

IMHO the real issue in OP's situation is that bus service to/from deluxes stink. That is something WDW could do something about.

Yes, Disney made a policy for scooters to board the bus first, that is fine and understandable but it does mean they shouldt wait for the next available bus and technically the next available bus for them when they arrived would be bus # 2 or # 3.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I think the bus loading policy for those in scooters should reflect the WDW park scooter policy. You wait in line like everyone else!

 

[cakebaker]

Yes, Disney made a policy for scooters to board the bus first, that is fine and understandable but it does mean they shouldt wait for the next available bus and technically the next available bus for them when they arrived would be bus # 2 or # 3.

The only way to do that would be to put scooters and wheelchairs all in the same line and that would be a convoluted mess to deal with. They have to have access to the loading ramp, then you have to have people constantly trying to get around them in line to pass them to board.

It's much simpler to give them their own space to park and wait and when you do that, they simply have to be boarded first. There's no way for a driver to know who was there first when they arrive- the scooter could easily be the first one in line for the next bus and how does the driver know this?

I think the system in place is the most efficient way to handle it and from time to time, there will be larger groups that cause others to have to wait a bit longer. There is no perfect solution, but I'm appreciative of the fact that Disney caters to those with special needs and willing to put up with a lost few minutes now and then in order to do it.

 

[emeraldmom]

Let me see if I can answer this. The buses at Disney only hold 2 scooters. I think there may be a few that hold 3, but 2 is the norm. My family travels with a scooter. It is quite common for us to have to wait for multiple buses due to there not being room for another scooter. That is why they go ahead and load scooters with priority boarding when there is room. If they don't, then the person with the scooter waits in line with everybody else. Now, they get to the front of the line, and may have to wait another 2 or 3 buses. That is not fair either. Also, some of the bus queues are not set up for scooters to be able to navigate them easily. Which is another reason they may bypass the line. This is in addition to the already mentioned fact that you can't put a scooter on a packed bus. The scooter needs to go on first for safety. If there are already people on it, they have to be shuffled all around, or unloaded.

Here's another thing some people may not be aware of. It's not always the person in the scooter making the call. Some of the busy bus stops have CM's helping to direct people. Even when we have tried to wait, they have usually directed my father around to the scooter loading area.

If I remember correctly the "rule" is 6 people may accompany a person in a scooter. Larger parties are supposed to be split up and wait. This does not seem to be heavily enforced. I agree that it probably should be. The PP that mentioned a party of 18, that is way too much, some of them should wait with everybody else.

 

[ELSA711]

The only way to do that would be to put scooters and wheelchairs all in the same line and that would be a convoluted mess to deal with. They have to have access to the loading ramp, then you have to have people constantly trying to get around them in line to pass them to board.

It's much simpler to give them their own space to park and wait and when you do that, they simply have to be boarded first. There's no way for a driver to know who was there first when they arrive- the scooter could easily be the first one in line for the next bus and how does the driver know this?

I think the system in place is the most efficient way to handle it and from time to time, there will be larger groups that cause others to have to wait a bit longer. There is no perfect solution, but I'm appreciative of the fact that Disney caters to those with special needs and willing to put up with a lost few minutes now and then in order to do it.

Ah, the driver would know this if the person sitting in the scooter had any integrity and told the driver that they are waiting for the next bus because I just arrived and all these people are ahead of me. Unless the person on the scooter can't speak.

 

[bumbershoot]

Quotes aren't working for me.

The 40 minute wait (longer for those behind the op) is the incident here.

Th load people with scooters first because it's more simple than doing it the other way.

Splitting up a family depends on that family's dynamics and shouldn't get to be decided on by us. Or would you like to have someone tell you that your group gets to split up? If you say yes it's because your group dynamic works that way. It doesn't for everyone.

The group you noticed probably has had issues and delays all day because of the scooter. I don't begrudge them being let onto the bus when they can get on safely and easily, nor will I split them apart. The moment I come down on that side, I'll get a rental car and leave that hassle behind.

Oh wait I already do. Even at mk. I'd have been home already while you were still waiting for that bus. (Leaving mk at night is the reason I drive to mk in the morning)

 

[lroger01]

One possible solution is to have a totally separate area at the parks (and possibly resorts with one bus stop) for loading ECVs. The ECV and their party wait in that line - away from the regular queue. When a bus comes, it goes there first and then goes to the regular queue.

The ECV and their party still loads first, but the regular queue never sees the loading process or that people are getting on before them. When the bus pulls up everyone just loads into whatever space is left.

What do you think? While only psychological, would having them load out-of-sight, make it seem less unfair?

 

[sunshinemelody]

One possible solution is to have a totally separate area at the parks (and possibly resorts with one bus stop) for loading ECVs. The ECV and their party wait in that line - away from the regular queue. When a bus comes, it goes there first and then goes to the regular queue.

The ECV and their party still loads first, but the regular queue never sees the loading process or that people are getting on before them. When the bus pulls up everyone just loads into whatever space is left.

What do you think? While only psychological, would having them load out-of-sight, make it seem less unfair?

You beat me to the punch. It makes complete sense. Go directly toward ECV's and if the party is much too big, split them up. There should be a sign that says "Party of 6 per ECV" or something to that effect so that people aren't taken aback when they're told they have to wait in line like everyone else at the regular queue.

 

[disneydude365]

No one has been able to adequately answer the question as to why someone on a scooter should get 1st priority when the bus shows up. So someone will need to help me understand why someone on a scooter should not have to wait the same amount of time for a bus as the rest of us. I'm not arguing that they shouldn't be in the scooter and they don't have a physical limitation. And I'm not saying that I don't empathize with them. I'm just saying that waiting in line for a bus isn't much different (and is actually less physically taxing) than touring Disney. So what is the problem with having to wait your turn for a bus?

I will get some back lash but I just want to know why those who need to use a scooter don't have to wait in line?
Why can't they wait outside the queue while their party gets in the queue to hold their place in line where they should be. When their party reaches the front of the queue then they all board together, plan and simple.

The real question is why can't people in scooters wait in line like everyone else? I don't think being in a scooter should give you the right to skip the line. Wait like everybody else.

True, which comes down to simple human integrity. If ever should I need a scooter some day, I would still expect to wait my turn to use the bus system. I'm sorry, but explain to me why they can't wait like everyone else? They are at least sitting on the scooter and resting while the rest of 'their' party stands in queue.

Everyone has given true responses just maybe what you don't wanna hear no one is gonna say well they shouldn't get the priority pass

Once a bus approaches and is emptied any scooters board first dues to as mentioned the bus can fold up the seats and roll ramp out and situate the scooter in place
Now I agree large groups over 6 should probably split up
Then everyone else gets crammed in like sardines
If the scooter person was forced to wait after the bus line entered they'd never fit in on the bus and eventually they would start backing up and the next bus would only be able to hold so many

While it might be in inconvenience Disney does know what they are doing

Besides even in a scooter I've waited 2 hours for a DTD bus one time lol

 

[BrianL]

If the buses had been running as they should, the wait for the next bus should have been minimal. I agree that the incident is waiting 40 minutes for 2 buses. I they came as often as they should, letting a couple scooters on first shouldn't hold anyone up too much.

 

[Jennasis]

We have our own car. Problem solved.

 

[HopperFan]

One possible solution is to have a totally separate area at the parks (and possibly resorts with one bus stop) for loading ECVs. The ECV and their party wait in that line - away from the regular queue. When a bus comes, it goes there first and then goes to the regular queue.

The ECV and their party still loads first, but the regular queue never sees the loading process or that people are getting on before them. When the bus pulls up everyone just loads into whatever space is left.

What do you think? While only psychological, would having them load out-of-sight, make it seem less unfair?

Disagree. Not only does it require a tremendous amount of infrastructure be added all over the place but it doesn't solve the issue that the constant flow of ECV/WC would make those in the queue continue to wait bus after bus.

With increasing occupancy at Disney hotels and the increase use of ECVs Disney absolutely needs to get a management plan in place for the transportation of these folks that works for and is fair to all.

Funny thing is Disney already knows how to do this and could easily implement it property wide with the current infrastructure with minimal adjustments. I've actually seen them implement it, and it worked very well.

Leaving the MK one night as I approached the line for our bus at the new bus terminal I noticed Disney transportation telling all ECVs (and there was a steady stream to all the different buses) to enter the regular queue. No surprise while most complied with no issue a few started arguing that they had priority over all. Transportation did not respond other than to tell them to enter the queue.

At the turn to the final link of the queue there as an opening in the rail that the ECV rider and their party would go through and wait in the ECV lane for the next bus. Even with them loading first (which I think we all know has to happen) all the folks in the link of the queue that had been in front of them were still guaranteed a seat on the bus. This was completely fair to everyone! Many folks in the line were commenting that it was a positive move. The new terminals at MK have wide queues that are ECV accessible and I'm thinking maybe AK does too.

Now for resorts and parks where the ECV can not go through, easily solved. ECV enters the ECV/WC lane and the rest of their party enters the queue. When the party gets to the same point, turn before the last link, they exit an opening (Disney might have to cut these out and add a chain) to join their family member in the ECV lane to board the next bus. Again everyone has waited their fair turn and ECV still gets on bus first.

 

[wdwfanva]

Have the mobile people get in queue . When they reach the front of the line THEN load the ecv and the rest of the party. We were leaving Epcot one night and the bus was about 3/4 loaded when an ecv pulls up. The driver has EVERYONE on the bus get off and then loads the ecv and their party of 12 (yes, I counted) This should NEVER happen, but it isn't the first time I have witnessed it !!! Come on Disney, we all pay to get in, treat us ALL fairly !!!! Off my soap box.

 

[cakebaker]

Ah, the driver would know this if the person sitting in the scooter had any integrity and told the driver that they are waiting for the next bus because I just arrived and all these people are ahead of me. Unless the person on the scooter can't speak.

A system that relies on the honesty of guests? LOL Yeah, we never read about people at WDW who cheat or lie to get what they want.

What do you do when there's a disagreement about who got there first? And how do you possibly determine at what point the scooter would've been in line to board? You can't have scooters and wheelchairs all in the same confined space at the bus stops. Would not work.

 

[LetsTalkWDW]

Ah, the driver would know this if the person sitting in the scooter had any integrity and told the driver that they are waiting for the next bus because I just arrived and all these people are ahead of me. Unless the person on the scooter can't speak.

Tried that once, at DTD there was a separate queue for ECVs. We told the driver we had arrived after many people who were already in line. His response was something to the effect that it didn't matter he had to board the ECVs first.

In thinking about it, there is no way to make the correct judgement. While we were certainly there after many people, there were people who arrived after us also. Without knowing exactly where in the line we would be AND THEN calculating (or estimating) if we would be on that bus or the next bus, it just complicates things too much.

ETA: There were 3 of us, total

 

[ELSA711]

A system that relies on the honesty of guests? LOL Yeah, we never read about people at WDW who cheat or lie to get what they want.

What do you do when there's a disagreement about who got there first? And how do you possibly determine at what point the scooter would've been in line to board? You can't have scooters and wheelchairs all in the same confined space at the bus stops. Would not work.

Well, typically the person in the scooter is not traveling alone, so the members of the party can get in queue. That is how you determine when they arrived. I'm sorry, I just don't understand why it's hard to be honest if you have to use a scooter.
I plan to take my parents next year and my mom knows that she may have issues. If we are at that point, you better believe I will stand in line and wait my turn to board with her based on our arrival time in queue.

 

[emeraldmom]

For the record, on our first couple of trips, we tried to wait. My mother, boys and I would go through the queue. We were told by both bus drivers, and the CM's that monitor the stops to just get on the bus. We would tell them that we were fine with just waiting our turn, they told us no, just get on the bus. We have been pulled out of the queue to load with Dad. I asked a bus stop CM once, a long time ago, why they did it like that. I was told that it is logistical simpler for them to get the scooters on the buses and out of the way, than to end up with a whole bunch of scooters waiting. So now, we just go with the flow.