Special needs stroller and the buses-disneyworld transportation

[berries]

So now we have this very tall, large special needs stroller and am wondering about carrying it on buses and the monorail. do I need to fold it up at each? It isn't that hard to fold up but hard enough that I don't want to do it if I can get out of it! Seriously it takes 2 hands and if dd is having a bad day, it might really be difficult to contend with folding the stroller up. I will have one other adult with us at WDW but feel I still will be doing it. Maybe not

To fold it up, I have to take out 2 pins, unclip the bars, and ease it down. Even pulling it up takes pulling on each end of the stroller and putting the 2 pins back in, clipping the bars back. I have been practicing it and it isn't getting any easier and is impossible with one hand only.

I have found out that the airline will not make me fold it up once it is checked. But do not know about the shuttle bus to the airport and I will be alone with dd going to and from the airport.

Outside of WDW, it will be easy enough for me alone with dd as dd won't be unbuckled from her carseat until the stroller is set up. Then will be buckled up as I fold it up at the end of our outting.

Thanks for insight on this! I was thinking they accommodate wheelchairs and motorized ones so surely they will have space for it unfolded?

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I think a key question is are there tie-down hook-up locations where the stroller can be safely attached to the floor? I would suggest looking at your owner's manual. If it is designed to be tied down on a vehicle I would suggest printing a copy of that page and carry it with you. If it does not say that it is designed to be tied down then you would have to figure on folding it for bus use.

 

[mcmom]

It all depends on the bus driver and their mood. I would say 9 times out of 10 when we were there two weeks ago they would just hook the "j" hooks to the frame of our chair. Our stroller does not have bus tie downs so the would just find places on the frame to hook it or we could take my son out and hold him on our lap and leave the chair as is not folded up and just set the breaks and as soon as the bus stopped we would just sit him back in and hook him up. No folding hassels! BUT we had one or two drivers that did not except the GAC that said the stroller (special needs large chair) was not needed and would not hook it down nor let us leave it whole. (cranky drivers!)
It is hit or miss but I would not offer to fold it up. They can tie it down without having the chair being bus tie down hooks on the frame.
Good luck!
Lori

 

[mechurchlady]

First off go online and find your pushchair or stroller for sale and see if it is advertised as for transport. You can also contact the manufacturer.

If it is not designed to me the guidelines then you would have to take the child out. I was on the trams at DLR and some parents could not get the strollers to fold. The most important part is to get the kid out of the chair unless it is designated for transportation like buses. Some drivers may not know better and will strap a pushchair down but they are not supposed to because only designated strollers and pushchairs meet crash testing.

You are doing fine and will have a great time.
hugs and chocolates
Laurie

 

[berries]

Oh no, I didn't mean with her in it! She would be upset if she wasn't sitting with us I would think. I mean take her out, then put the stroller itself in the bux without folding it. Is that possible?

Won't I get the GAC for the stroller IN the park? Or do I get it at the resort?

Going to look now if it has tiedowns. I remember looking for that info but have since forgotten!

 

[berries]

The website selling it has no mention of tiedowns nor do the manual or instructions that came with it. So I assume it doesn't have them. If it is tied down without dd in it, could it hurt the stroller? I read it could with the child in the stroller but if she isn't in it?

58"L x 24"W x 48-52"H are the measurements unfolded. How hard is it going to be to manuever around crowds at WDW? I was hoping the spring break crowds wouldn't come until we left but hearing about crowds in Feb. is making me think it will be worse crowded when we go!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Don't forget the following:

1. The GAC is only valid in the Parks, not for the Resorts or Transportation.

2. There are only two tie-down spaces per bus. If there is nobody in line with a wheelchair or ECV you might (politely) ask the driver if the troller can be put in and tied down. But be prepared to accept "no" as an answer.

 

[mechurchlady]

Explain to the driver that you need the lift but will be taking the child out of the stroller. it would be better for you to have the kid with you based on her needs. Some buses have ramps and some have lifts. Just stand in the disabled spot and the driver will take care of you.

I would not tie down the pushchair but would lock the brakes. The tie downs are only needed if a child was in the chair.

 

[ireland_nicole]

The other problem is that if your stroller is not designed w/ tie down points it could be seriously damaged if it was. The frame is not designed to have a strap pulled down over it and then ratcheted tightly. There have been strollers damaged doing this, so I think it would be better to fold it.

 

[dclfun]

If you don't want to fold it, it HAS to be tied down, otherwise it can move around w/in the bus and possibly injure someone. As was mentioned, a GAC does not apply to busses or transportation and if other guests are waiting in ECV's or w/c's that need the tie-down spaces then the driver might not let you tie down the stroller in those spaces. Perhaps though you could wait in the w/c loading area, use the ramp and get situated in a seat, and then fold the stroller. As guests in w/c loading are boarded first then you'd have some time to work with the stroller vs. trying to fold it up and carry it up the stairs.---Kathy

 

[SueM in MN]

berries So now we have this very tall, large special needs stroller and am wondering about carrying it on buses and the monorail. do I need to fold it up at each?

Stollers don't need to be folded up for the monorail, but your might be a little bit long to get onto the monorail easily.

I have found out that the airline will not make me fold it up once it is checked. But do not know about the shuttle bus to the airport and I will be alone with dd going to and from the airport.

I would be very surprised if the airline will let you bring it on unfolded. I have seen posts from people who did not fold their stroller when they left it for the airline and fold it folded and bent when they got it back. I have also been on planes when they called someone back out to fold their stroller.
Even if the do allow you to leave it unfolded, I would strongly recommend folding it. Strollers are not designed to be put in luggage holds and you want it put there in the most protected possible way, which would be folded.
Even though a wheelchair is very tough because it is meant for hard daily use, we have had some damage when checking DD's wheelchair. Mostly just dings, but one time an antitip bar was bent.

You did not mention if you are checking the stroller with the baggage or gate checking it. I would recommend you fold it in any case, but it's even more important if you are checking it with the baggage.

You also didn't mention what shuttle you are using. If it is Disney's Magical Express, there is storage space underneath the bus where it could be placed unfolded on its side. They do have wheelchair buses with lifts, but your stroller is too long to fit on the lift or in the space for wheelchairs inside the bus.

It all depends on the bus driver and their mood. I would say 9 times out of 10 when we were there two weeks ago they would just hook the "j" hooks to the frame of our chair. Our stroller does not have bus tie downs so the would just find places on the frame to hook it or we could take my son out and hold him on our lap and leave the chair as is not folded up and just set the breaks and as soon as the bus stopped we would just sit him back in and hook him up. No folding hassels! BUT we had one or two drivers that did not except the GAC that said the stroller (special needs large chair) was not needed and would not hook it down nor let us leave it whole. (cranky drivers!)
It is hit or miss but I would not offer to fold it up. They can tie it down without having the chair being bus tie down hooks on the frame.
Good luck!
Lori

Unless it is a transport ready special needs stroller, you are risking damage to the frame. I know of people whose special needs strollers got the frame bent by using the tie down hooks. It puts more stress on the stoller frame than it is designed to take.

Oh no, I didn't mean with her in it! She would be upset if she wasn't sitting with us I would think. I mean take her out, then put the stroller itself in the bux without folding it. Is that possible?

Won't I get the GAC for the stroller IN the park? Or do I get it at the resort?

Going to look now if it has tiedowns. I remember looking for that info but have since forgotten!

The website selling it has no mention of tiedowns nor do the manual or instructions that came with it. So I assume it doesn't have them. If it is tied down without dd in it, could it hurt the stroller? I read it could with the child in the stroller but if she isn't in it?

58"L x 24"W x 48-52"H are the measurements unfolded. How hard is it going to be to manuever around crowds at WDW? I was hoping the spring break crowds wouldn't come until we left but hearing about crowds in Feb. is making me think it will be worse crowded when we go!

The frame could be bent if it is tied down even without a child in it.

Also, if your stroller is 58 inches long, it is too long to fit on the bus lifts and too long for the wheelchair spaces on the bus.
According to the Guidebooks for Guests with Disabilities, wheelchairs and ECVs can be no larger than 32 inches wide by 48 inches long. You would still be able to bring it up the ramps for the buses that have ramps, but it would be too long for the lift buses. It also would be too long by 10 inches for the wheelchair spot on the bus.

The other problem is that if your stroller is not designed w/ tie down points it could be seriously damaged if it was. The frame is not designed to have a strap pulled down over it and then ratcheted tightly. There have been strollers damaged doing this, so I think it would be better to fold it.

Also, there was a page on the WDW website where they listed things that should not be brought into the parks. Strollers larger than 36" x 52" were on the list.
You would be able to bring yours even though it is longer than that because you are using it as a mobility device for a child with a disability.
Just to be aware though that it probably going to be too long to fit in some of the places where wheelchairs or ECVs will fit. It may be too long to bring into some of the lines or to fit in the wheelchair parking spots for attractions.

 

[berries]

I will be gatechecking it. Yes I called and asked so I would have it already folded up if needed and was told it did not need to be folded. You think I still should fold it up even if gatechecking so it won't be damaged?

Thank you for the information. Do you think it might be a problem because of the length? To get it into the parks? If so, I need to check and make sure before taking it along. I didn't think of that as I was thinking double strollers are around the same length.

Yes the magical express but also a shuttle from the hotel to the airport too.

Thank you for all of the information!

Stollers don't need to be folded up for the monorail, but your might be a little bit long to get onto the monorail easily.

I would be very surprised if the airline will let you bring it on unfolded. I have seen posts from people who did not fold their stroller when they left it for the airline and fold it folded and bent when they got it back. I have also been on planes when they called someone back out to fold their stroller.
Even if the do allow you to leave it unfolded, I would strongly recommend folding it. Strollers are not designed to be put in luggage holds and you want it put there in the most protected possible way, which would be folded.
Even though a wheelchair is very tough because it is meant for hard daily use, we have had some damage when checking DD's wheelchair. Mostly just dings, but one time an antitip bar was bent.

You did not mention if you are checking the stroller with the baggage or gate checking it. I would recommend you fold it in any case, but it's even more important if you are checking it with the baggage.

You also didn't mention what shuttle you are using. If it is Disney's Magical Express, there is storage space underneath the bus where it could be placed unfolded on its side. They do have wheelchair buses with lifts, but your stroller is too long to fit on the lift or in the space for wheelchairs inside the bus.

Unless it is a transport ready special needs stroller, you are risking damage to the frame. I know of people whose special needs strollers got the frame bent by using the tie down hooks. It puts more stress on the stoller frame than it is designed to take.



The frame could be bent if it is tied down even without a child in it.

Also, if your stroller is 58 inches long, it is too long to fit on the bus lifts and too long for the wheelchair spaces on the bus.
According to the Guidebooks for Guests with Disabilities, wheelchairs and ECVs can be no larger than 32 inches wide by 48 inches long. You would still be able to bring it up the ramps for the buses that have ramps, but it would be too long for the lift buses. It also would be too long by 10 inches for the wheelchair spot on the bus.




Also, there was a page on the WDW website where they listed things that should not be brought into the parks. Strollers larger than 36" x 52" were on the list.
You would be able to bring yours even though it is longer than that because you are using it as a mobility device for a child with a disability.
Just to be aware though that it probably going to be too long to fit in some of the places where wheelchairs or ECVs will fit. It may be too long to bring into some of the lines or to fit in the wheelchair parking spots for attractions.

 

[teachallday]

I would definately recommend folding it for the airplane.

As for getting into the park, the one you got is a common Special Needs Stroller many people use while going to Disney, so you will have no trouble getting into the park with it.

Enjoy your Trip. It is only a few days now. I look forward to your report when you get back, about how all your pre-planning worked out. I am sure your Princess with have a wonderful time. Don't forget to stop occasionally and see the joy and pleasure in your daughter as Disney Magic works its powers on her.

 

[mechurchlady]

I think you may have measured wrong. Put the open pushchair against a wall then measure from the wall to the very front of the pushchair, either the footrest or the wheels. It is not length from handle to wheels but the amount of floor space you take up. 58 inches is half a foot shorter than me and i just cannot picture a pushchair that long.

 

[berries]

I didn't measure it. But yes it is very long! I got the measurements from the website www.adaptivechild.com. It is the Axiom 2. For her height, it had to be the Axiom 2 although it is too long for her legs yet. Been practicing driving it around the house! Not only is it long, it is very tall too. Can't tell much about the actual size from the picture of it on the site but if you google it, pictures come up of a woman pushing her son in one.It will allow for growing room.

 

[teachallday]

Oh, you didn't get the one I thought you were getting. Oh well. You are using it as a Special Needs accommodation. You will not have a problem getting it into the park. The only place you might have a problem with it if it is bigger than Disney's recommendations is in certain locations you might need to park it and have DD walk the rest of the way. But from reading on here, I don't think you will run into the problem very much, if at all.

 

[berries]

I was planning on the other one (mclaren) but could not find it in stock until after July. Then looked at spec tomato but she would have outgrown it in no time. Others I looked at were $2000+ so decided on this one. I am definitely going to be looking for the mclaren once it is in stock for easier traveling and just use the big stroller at home since it is so hard to fold up and down. Dd loves it! The side pockets for her are her favorite thing.

 

[SueM in MN]

Just so everyone is on the same page, this is the special needs stroller that the poster has (the Axiom 2, not the smallest one).

and a link to the website.

I will be gatechecking it. Yes I called and asked so I would have it already folded up if needed and was told it did not need to be folded. You think I still should fold it up even if gatechecking so it won't be damaged?

I agree with teachallday.
YES, I would not take any stroller on the airplane without folding it. The longer and more difficult the stroller is to lift unfolded (size, not weight) the more important it is to fold it. Anything that sticks out is a potential place for damage to occur. If it's folded, there is very little sticking out; unfolded, there are many points.
If you are gate checking it, imagine the baggage handlers trying to carry it down a steep narrow set of stairs. That's what they need to do to get in out of the gate area. Then they have to get it from the ground up to the belly of the plane. It will be in there with other strollers, luggage, etc. Strollers and wheelchairs are put on last, but they do go into a bagage compartment with other luggage and could get damaged by anything else that is in that compartment. Things can shift during transport and your stroller may end up with things on top or to the side of it.
Because of its size, unfolded, it will be too tall for the baggage compartment door and will likely be loaded and travel on its side.
If you are checking it with the baggage, it will go onto the conveyor belt with checked bags that will weigh up to 50 pounds. If there is a backup in the luggage handling, your stroller may pushed up against a lot of bags in front and behind it. Again, because the baggage handling areas are designed for bags not tall things, it will probably be placed in its side. Most people avoid baggage checking strollers because people have had damage even to folded regular strollers.

Thank you for the information. Do you think it might be a problem because of the length? To get it into the parks? If so, I need to check and make sure before taking it along. I didn't think of that as I was thinking double strollers are around the same length.

Yes the magical express but also a shuttle from the hotel to the airport too.

Thank you for all of the information!

They will let you into the parks with it since it is a special needs stroller, but keep in mind that strollers longer than 36" x 52" are on the list of items that should not be brought to the parks because of their size. Most double strollers would be up to 52 inches, but not longer than that. Baby Jogger double stroller shown here would be one of the longest at 52 inches, although most people with those kind of strollers don't use the large front wheel; there is an option for a set of smaller front swivel wheels that tuck under the front foot area and make the stroller at least 6 inches shorter. Also, while people might be using a stroller like that to get around the park, most will not be using them in any lines.

I'm not clear on whether your stroller has a single front tire that swivels. If it doesn't have a swivel front tire, it will be very difficult to use in the parks. Strollers with non-swiveling front tires are made for jogging, where you don't need to change direction that much. In order to turn, even a little bit, you need to bump the stroller onto the rear wheels, kind of shimmy the back wheels into the new direction and then you can go. Most people don't realize how many small changes of direction you need to make in a day at WDW. As you walk along, you have to adjust for people who suddenly stop ahead of you and other disruptions to you going straight forward.
A hard to turn stroller will tire you out a lot more.

I think you may have measured wrong. Put the open pushchair against a wall then measure from the wall to the very front of the pushchair, either the footrest or the wheels. It is not length from handle to wheels but the amount of floor space you take up. 58 inches is half a foot shorter than me and i just cannot picture a pushchair that long.

You would need to measure from the handle to the front of the wheels because sometimes there is a wall or something else that would limit the space.
For the bus lifts, if you can swivel the front wheel once you have backed onto the lift, you may be able to make the stroller short enough to fit. That still doesn't help with what to do with it once you are on the bus.

Some of the 'parking spots' for wheelchairs in shows would not be big enough to get something that size into the space allowed unless it can turn really sharply. For lines, a wheelchair accessible line is considered to have a 5 foot area for turning when the line goes around a corner. If an ECV or special needs stroller can't turn in that amount of space, that line may not be accessible for them.
For the OP, I'd suggest making yourself a spot marked out with something (furniture, books, food cans, etc) with a path that is 5 feet wide. Put a 90 degree turn in your path and see whether or not you can make it with your stroller. If you can, you won't have too much trouble in the lines using your stroller as a wheelchair. If you can't, you will probably have to leave the stroller outside for attractions where it says ECV users need to switch to a wheelchair.
Another option that would make our stroller shorter and also turn more sharply would be the swivel wheel attachment I saw on the website where you bought the stroller.
I didn't see a price or whether or not those wheels are included, but that type of wheels would be much easier to use and stick out less. (One of the problems with the jogging type stroller is the large front wheel sticks out so far and you can't see wherre the front wheel is).
If you have the set of 2 smaller wheels, I would put those on and use them. They would make your life much easier.

I didn't measure it. But yes it is very long! I got the measurements from the website www.adaptivechild.com. It is the Axiom 2. For her height, it had to be the Axiom 2 although it is too long for her legs yet. Been practicing driving it around the house! Not only is it long, it is very tall too. Can't tell much about the actual size from the picture of it on the site but if you google it, pictures come up of a woman pushing her son in one.It will allow for growing room.

Here's a picture of someone pushing one:

Practice as much as possible inside the house to get comfortable with it.
It's a big plus that your DD likes it.

 

[SueM in MN]

Here's a picture of the Axiom stroller with the smaller front wheels. They would make it much shorter and much easier to deal with.

 

[berries]

Yes the swivel wheels are in place on it. I have been practicing going around corners and moving it in tight spaces. But I have been debating whether it would be better to just use this one at home and rent one while traveling...because I will be upset if we bring it and aren't allowed to use it. At least until we can get a smaller one for travel that folds up easily and isn't as long! One issue I had in deciding is no store stocks them where we live so I couldn't see the stroller before purchasing. There are many great aspects to this stroller but traveling with it being so big is a concern. Looking at the TSA website last night, I wondered about it going through security.

I called orlandostrollers and she will fit into one of theirs, the cost would be $75 for a week.

I did call Disneyworld and really no one could tell me for sure what would happen. One said I might need a note from a doctor. (I have one about her having special needs but not one saying she needs a stroller) One said it shouldn't be a problem. But what if it is and we get stopped?