Scooter Incident at Magic Kingdom Bus Stop

[cakebaker]

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.

I've never seen that happen, but sounds like a great solution.

 

[cakebaker]

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.

It's not the just the honesty of the people on scooters- the people in line as well. And sorry as it may be, quite often people are not honest.

If the system works as it does now, you won't have the option of waiting to board unless you decline being boarded when the bus arrives and I'm not sure you can actually do that without some discussion.

 

[HopperFan]

I've never seen that happen, but sounds like a great solution.

It worked great! Everyone in line was talking about what a great way to handle it and even the ECV folks that complied without issue said it made much more sense and they didn't feel like everyone was upset with them. If they implement it property wide it would become standard procedure.

Bottom line, Disney already knows how to solve this. But maybe if they don't get the complaints from people regarding current procedure they figure everyone is okay with it.

 

[serenitynow]

The oldest style Disney buses, of which only a few are left, had 3 spots where wheelchairs/ECVs could be tied down. The newer buses only have 2 tie down spots. It is not uncommon to have to wait for a bus with an open accessible spot to be available if the guest is in a wheelchair. The drivers will call for an additional bus to be sent if an accessible spot is no longer available. As has been stated, it has been determined that is safer and easier to fold up the bus seats, load the scooters up the ramp, parallel park the scooters in the correct position to be safely tied down and strap down the scooter without other guests on the bus whenever possible. Please be patient with needs of disabled guests, there will be another bus coming. Another bus has been called for and is on the way. We all appreciate your support and understanding. Thank you.

 

[Praying Colonel]

We have our own car. Problem solved.

Yes, when I read comments that just parking the car & taking WDW transportation is so much more relaxing I think of threads like this. If we have our car we drive most of the time (with MK sometimes being an exception).

 

[Toystoryfan32]

We are traveing to WDW over Thanksgiving. My husband was diagnosed last week with Charcot Marie Tooth disease and the doctor has told us he must use a wheelchair or scooter until his bones are healed. The trip and airfare are paid for so we can’t cancel. After reading all this I truly wish we could cancel our trip. I know he is already upset about using a wheelchair or a scooter and we havent decided which he should use yet. We do not have a problem waiting in line with everyone else. There are four of us and we don’t want to be split up. We have been to Disney 15 times or so but this is new to us. Can we just move the scooter or/wheelchair through the regular bus line with everyone else? I feel like he is already bummed about the whole thing anyway I certainly don’t want to add the pressure of people being irritated with him because he didn’t wait in line. Any suggestions?

 

[DizneyLizzy]

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.

This is so true and something I never thought about (bc I haven't had to travel with a scooter in my party yet) until one night at Epcot at closing time, there were SIX scooters in the scooter line, which meant that the lines for scooters was 3 buses deep. I was at the end of the regular line, and I got on the second bus. The people at the end of the scooter line who were there well before I arrived had to wait at least one more bus, because, as others have said, each bus only accommodates 2 scooters.

The problem with OP's situation seems to be the lack of buses at closing time. That is what seems ridiculous and unfair in this situation.

If the scooters frustrate you, stay at Old Key West...it could have just been the week I was there, but it was the first time I've ever been to Disney where I have not seen one scooter at neither the resort bus stop nor the park bus stops. I imagine that this is not the most scooter friendly resort, due to only 3 buildings being accessible. I have stayed at every resort on property except Saratoga Springs, AoA, and the Poly, and my recent stay at OKW really struck me as being oddly scooter free. FWIW, I feel like I see the most at Pop - maybe bc the values are pretty flat in terms of layout and have plenty of elevators?? It might just be coincidence. The Pop bus line is where I saw the 6 scooters waiting for a bus.

 

[DizneyLizzy]

Can we just move the scooter or/wheelchair through the regular bus line with everyone else? I feel like he is already bummed about the whole thing anyway I certainly don’t want to add the pressure of people being irritated with him because he didn’t wait in line. Any suggestions?

You can, but again, since the bus driver has to load the scooters on first, you run the risk of having to wait more than your fair share. Just get in the scooter line - I feel like most guests will not think anything of it unless you have a party of 12 that you are trying to push to the front of the line Just do your thing. You are following the rules by entering the scooter line and no one should be upset by it. In some cases (see my PP) you may end up waiting more than the other guests anyway bc of a surge of scooters at closing time. Sorry if that happens, but they are usually good about sending buses quickly. OP's case seems to be particularly stinky in terms of bus waits at closing time.

 

[anniemae]

We are traveing to WDW over Thanksgiving. My husband was diagnosed last week with Charcot Marie Tooth disease and the doctor has told us he must use a wheelchair or scooter until his bones are healed. The trip and airfare are paid for so we can’t cancel. After reading all this I truly wish we could cancel our trip. I know he is already upset about using a wheelchair or a scooter and we havent decided which he should use yet. We do not have a problem waiting in line with everyone else. There are four of us and we don’t want to be split up. We have been to Disney 15 times or so but this is new to us. Can we just move the scooter or/wheelchair through the regular bus line with everyone else? I feel like he is already bummed about the whole thing anyway I certainly don’t want to add the pressure of people being irritated with him because he didn’t wait in line. Any suggestions?

I would not worry what other think. Just follow whatever rules Disney tells you to. If they let you board first, then board first. I don't think they would split up a party of 4, its the larger parties that people get upset about. It's not up to you to deal with other people, if anyone has an issue they can take it up with the bus driver. Go and have a great trip.

 

[Accident]

I will never have a problem with anyone that needs assistance and their family boarding first. It's none of my business why they need assistance or how much. There have been times where the family does take almost every seat, doesn't offer them up to people who don't need an ecv/wheelchair but do need a seat and many grown adults in the party. Not against the rules or anything but there is a headcount and ignoring of other peoples bus needs where it starts to become disrespectful to everyone else waiting.

 

[emeraldmom]

We are traveing to WDW over Thanksgiving. My husband was diagnosed last week with Charcot Marie Tooth disease and the doctor has told us he must use a wheelchair or scooter until his bones are healed. The trip and airfare are paid for so we can’t cancel. After reading all this I truly wish we could cancel our trip. I know he is already upset about using a wheelchair or a scooter and we havent decided which he should use yet. We do not have a problem waiting in line with everyone else. There are four of us and we don’t want to be split up. We have been to Disney 15 times or so but this is new to us. Can we just move the scooter or/wheelchair through the regular bus line with everyone else? I feel like he is already bummed about the whole thing anyway I certainly don’t want to add the pressure of people being irritated with him because he didn’t wait in line. Any suggestions?

You will be at Disney World, who cares what other people think? In my family, we try to be as considerate of others as possible. Beyond that, what can you do? As far as buses go, do as the CM's direct you. If somebody else has a problem with it, too bad. Some of the queue may accomodate a scooter/wheelchair, others may not.

We travel with a scooter, a manual wheel chair, and sometimes a rollator walker. I can tell you that the manual wheelchair is easier to manuever. However, Dh would probably need someone to push him most of the time. It's very hard work to use a manual wheelchair yourself if you aren't used to it. So, you might want to consider the scooter just because it would allow him independence. He'll probably be more bummed if somebody has to push him around all day. I would seriously consider renting from offsite. There is lots of helpful info on the disabilities board. If you rent from Disney, you will only have it in the park. If you rent from offsite, you'll have use of it everywhere, including the resort.

If we all followed the golden rule, the world would be a nicer place. In the end, have fun and don't worry too much about what other people think.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Disney already has the scooter situation solved safely and efficiently. They just haven't solved it to the liking of some individuals that see the one time a scooter had an advantage and get jealous and grouch and moan and fail to see the other 20 times the scooter did not work to the advantage of the party with the scooter throughout the day. They don't see the times that when there are over two scooters in line, #3 on back wait for that bus to load, then they have to wait for another scooter bus to come. And if they're 5th or 6th, they wait for another one. They don't see that during busy times, buses pull in beside the scooter loading bus and load standard while they're loading scooters. They don't see that often three standard buses can load and take off for hotels in the time it takes to load scooters on the scooter bus. They don't see at Small World where the scooters often wait far longer than the standard line because they have to wait for the accessible boat to come around. They don't see the many other queues where having a scooter is a disadvantage. They don't see that in the morning, because of the slow speed of the scooter, that parties with a scooter in them cannot beat the surge to ride 1. So by the time scooter people get to their first ride, those without anyone needing one can easily already be on ride 2 or 3. They don't see that advantage growing throughout the day. No. They just see the one time some scooter had what amounts to a 5-10 minute advantage at the end of the day at a bus stop and proceed to grouch, and moan about the system being unfair and claim it needs fixing completely ignoring the fact that the person on the scooter likely accumulated over two hours disadvantage on the day. Anyone on a scooter would gladly trade places with anyone that doesn't need one. I highly doubt the reverse is true.

 

[dizneyjill]

This is why I love my car and hate buses.You're still waiting and I'm in bed.took the buses one year.never again...I've been in a wheelchair in a park.I was sitting down.my feet were fine. Been Riding all day.on the other hand.all the people who have been walking through the park all day with achy feet.have to wait longer. Not right

 

[Nigel Channing]

This seems more like a disagreement with Disney policy than an incident.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

We are traveing to WDW over Thanksgiving. My husband was diagnosed last week with Charcot Marie Tooth disease and the doctor has told us he must use a wheelchair or scooter until his bones are healed. The trip and airfare are paid for so we can’t cancel. After reading all this I truly wish we could cancel our trip. I know he is already upset about using a wheelchair or a scooter and we havent decided which he should use yet. We do not have a problem waiting in line with everyone else. There are four of us and we don’t want to be split up. We have been to Disney 15 times or so but this is new to us. Can we just move the scooter or/wheelchair through the regular bus line with everyone else? I feel like he is already bummed about the whole thing anyway I certainly don’t want to add the pressure of people being irritated with him because he didn’t wait in line. Any suggestions?

I have done WDW with someone needing a scooter, someone needing a wheel chair, and with none of the sort. Don't even think on it a minute. You wait in the wheelchair queue for the bus. The vast vast majority of people down there are understanding. It's not like the dis at all. I think I've heard two comments in all my trips down there. And well those that make them don't really matter. Go and have a good time. And don't sweat that you're not going to get on as many things. You can still have a great time.

 

[FindMeAFishingSpot]

We are traveing to WDW over Thanksgiving. My husband was diagnosed last week with Charcot Marie Tooth disease and the doctor has told us he must use a wheelchair or scooter until his bones are healed. The trip and airfare are paid for so we can’t cancel. After reading all this I truly wish we could cancel our trip. I know he is already upset about using a wheelchair or a scooter and we havent decided which he should use yet. We do not have a problem waiting in line with everyone else. There are four of us and we don’t want to be split up. We have been to Disney 15 times or so but this is new to us. Can we just move the scooter or/wheelchair through the regular bus line with everyone else? I feel like he is already bummed about the whole thing anyway I certainly don’t want to add the pressure of people being irritated with him because he didn’t wait in line. Any suggestions?

Not sure if I can help him at all, but as a fellow CMT patient, let me say that your best option is to ignore people. I've got leg braces but haven't gotten to the point of wheelchair yet. And let me tell you, I've gotten numerous stares and comments from people when wearing long pants for things like using my handicapped placard. Not all disabilities are visible. Likewise, this year my 7 year old, also with CMT, will be in a stroller. I fully expect the stares and comments about how he's too old to be in a stroller - and they have no idea that he wouldn't be able to do Disney without assistance.

I guess my point is, ignore, ignore, ignore. Have a wonderful time. Follow the rules, and do what you need to do within those constraints. I was quietly reading and wasn't going to comment until I saw the CMT reference - you don't see it that often!

You will have a great time! And tell him that it's better to go with a scooter or wheelchair than not go at all! There are folks out there who understand.

 

[LuvDaisy&Minnie]

It is sometimes really irritating to me to see a scooter pull up and get on immediately when we have been waiting a while for a bus. I usually can get myself in check though by just being thankful all in my party are healthy and don't need a scooter.

 

[ELSA711]

It is sometimes really irritating to me to see a scooter pull up and get on immediately when we have been waiting a while for a bus. I usually can get myself in check though by just being thankful all in my party are healthy and don't need a scooter.

You know what, you are absolutely right. I am grateful and so thankful we don't have to deal with that on a regular basis in my family. And for the record, I personally don't get irritated about scooters pulling up and getting right on, yet in the same breath I don't understand it. I don't understand as if I were in that position, I would want the opportunity to be treated like everyone else and wait my turn.
I am one of those weird folks who like the buses, even waiting for the busses, we usually bet on what bus is coming next. Sadly we always stay at POR and sadly we never see busses coming often, LOL

 

[minnie mum]

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.

No, it is neither that plain or that simple. And I say that as someone who has been in a wheelchair at WDW for decades.This has been explained several times already on this thread, and ad nauseum on the many, many, MANY previous threads on this subject. But allow me to attempt to explain one more time.

1. It is Disney policy that any wheelchair or ecv guests board an empty bus first. It is a safety issue.
2. It takes a lot of space to maneuver an ecv into the secure down slots inside the bus. Wheelchairs, to a lesser extent.
3. It is not safe to attempt to do that on an already partially filled bus unless the guests already in that area are off loaded while the chairs/ecvs are boarded and secured.
4. Off loading all those guests, along with their bags, strollers and children in arms is disruptive and needlessly prolongs the boarding process.
5. A bus can hold in excess of ( for the sake of argument) 50 guests. Let's say the ecv or wheelchair guest and their party are #40. Now you have to get at least 20 people off the bus, load the ecv or chair and their party, and reboard the previous guests before continuing to load the rest of the people waiting in line. Now add a second ecv who is back at #48. And you need to repeat the off load, board, reload all over again.

The current procedure may not be perfect, but is the most efficient method they have been able to devise, so far. If you can come up with a better mousetrap, I'm sure Disney would love to hear about it. Personally, I'd rather know why the Transportation coordinators weren't doing a better job at reducing the wait between buses when demand is that high. The scenario described regarding wait times at a park are not normal.

 

[ELSA711]

No, it is neither that plain ot that simple. And iI say that as someone wdo has been in a wheelchair at WDW for decades.This has been explained several times already on this thread, and ad nauseum on the many, many, MANY previous threads on this subject. But allow me to attempt to explain one more time.

1. It is Disney policy that any wheelchair or ecv guests board an empty bus first. It is a safety issue.
2. It takes a lot of space to maneuver an ecv into the secure down slots inside the bus. Wheelchairs, to a lesser extent.
3. It is not safe to attempt to do that on an already partially filled bus unless the guests already in that area are off loaded while the chairs/ecvs are boarded and secured.
4. Off loading all those guests, along with their bags, strollers and children in arms is disruptive and needlessly prolongs the boarding process.
5. A bus can hold in excess of ( for the sake of argument) 50 guests. Let's say the ecv or wheelchair guest and their party are #40. Now you have to get at least 20 people off the bus, load the ecv or chair and their party, and reboard the previous guests before continuing to load the rest of the people waiting in line. Now add a second ecv who is back at #48. And you need to repeat the off load, board, reload all over again.

The current procedure may not be perfect, but is the most efficient method they have been able to devise, so far. If you can come up with a better mousetrap, I'm sure Disney would love to hear about it. Personally, I'd rather know why the Transportation coordinators weren't doing a better job at reducing the wait between buses when demand is that high. The scenario described regarding wait times at a park are not normal.

Understood, we however have been part of # 5 scenario anyway when a scooter pulled up during the loading process. Did I personally care for me and my family, "No" - did I understand how or why they felt they could do that "Yes"