Standing at bus stops

[usagibuffy]

We are heading out in 3 weeks with 4 kids and 3 grandparents. My mother in particular has trouble standing still for long periods of time (back problems); we plan to get the DAS cards for both her and FIL, who has knee problems, so they can avoid some of the longer lines. Neither are concerned about the amount of walking involved, just the standing. We aren't worried about the park time as much as the bus stops. Do the bus stops at the parks have benches somewhat nearby? I have looked at pictures of the bus stops at our hotels, and was happy to see benches there.

 

[Sandisw]

I don’t use the buses all that much, but I have severe back issues as well. I do not remember benches and hsve had to resort sitting on the ground.

 

[Mrsjvb]

DAS won’t be issued for mobility issues. And there are nearly no places to sit anywhere. There are no benches at the bus stops. The Ones at the resorts are few, and usually occupied

you will probably have to rent ECVs or wheelchairs if they have to have seating on demand

 

[gap2368]

We are heading out in 3 weeks with 4 kids and 3 grandparents. My mother in particular has trouble standing still for long periods of time (back problems); we plan to get the DAS cards for both her and FIL, who has knee problems, so they can avoid some of the longer lines. Neither are concerned about the amount of walking involved, just the standing. We aren't worried about the park time as much as the bus stops. Do the bus stops at the parks have benches somewhat nearby? I have looked at pictures of the bus stops at our hotels, and was happy to see benches there.

I would plane on getting then a mobility device as the DAS normal is not given for mobility problems if they need a place to sit they really do need to have something with then ( wheelchair roller ECV) as there is no gerinty a set will be open when they need one. there really is no place to sit at the park bus stop and the ones at the resorts might already have people sitting at them.

since they have no problems with walking I would look into a wheelchair you can fold when getting on the bus they can push them and sit inline or bus stop or lines for food or when waiting for the parade fireworks or any other time they need to sit

 

[DisneyOma]

There are very few benches at the parks near the bus stops. There are very few benches in the actual parks, and the benches at the bus stops at the resorts are way in the back, meaning you'd be one of the last people on the bus if you were sitting on the bench. Then you'd have a very slim chance of getting an actual seat on the bus, especially at busy times.

The best way to ensure your loved ones have seats as needed would be to utilize a mobility device like a rollator, wheelchair or ECV.

 

[MrsBooch]

DAS won’t be issued for mobility issues. And there are nearly no places to sit anywhere. There are no benches at the bus stops. The Ones at the resorts are few, and usually occupied

you will probably have to rent ECVs or wheelchairs if they have to have seating on demand

If DAS isn't issued for mobility what is it issued for? I looked at the actual Disney Parks website and saw: "designed to accommodate guests who aren’t able to wait in a conventional queue environment due to a disability (including non-apparent disabilities)". I am sincerely confused.

 

[redberyl]

Its used for a wide variety of disabilities. Some people with autism or severe anxiety might have meltdowns or panic attacks caused by waiting in line and need to wait elsewhere. My daughter has a trach that needs frequent suctioning which is really better done outside the line. Some people might have a condition that causes extreme bathroom urgency. And lotsvof other reasons. But all the lines are wheelchair accessible, so if it is a mobility related problem disney recommends getting a wheelchair

 

[redberyl]

Have you considered how they will manage standing on the bus? It is very frequently standing room only on the buses. The buses really dont work well for my family because of my kids' medical needs. Its a big added expense, but it is so much easier for us to rent a car. It takes a lot of stress out of the trip to have our own transportation

 

[anonymousegirl]

You will need some kind of mobility devices for your mother and FIL. I just got back from 4 days at Disneyland and I walked 34 miles. and Disneyland is smaller than WDW! I second the folding wheelchair or rollator option, as when traveling with two ECVs that each bus can only take two ECVs. If there is one person ahead of you in line, then only one of your party will be able to board and take the second spot. You could do a combined car and bus with mom and FIL going in a minivan with enough room for two folding wheelchairs while the rest of the party takes the bus.

 

[HarleenQ]

If DAS isn't issued for mobility what is it issued for? I looked at the actual Disney Parks website and saw: "designed to accommodate guests who aren’t able to wait in a conventional queue environment due to a disability (including non-apparent disabilities)". I am sincerely confused.

A bit lower in the FAQ you'll also find this question:

Does a Guest whose disability is based on the necessity to use a wheelchair or scooter need DAS?
No, a Guest whose disability is based on the necessity to use a wheelchair or scooter does not need DAS. Depending on the attraction, the Guest will either wait in the standard queue or receive a return time at the attraction based on the current wait time. For some attractions at Disneyland Resort, these guests will go directly to an alternate entrance. Guests with additional needs should discuss them with Guest Relations.

 

[OurBigTrip]

If DAS isn't issued for mobility what is it issued for? I looked at the actual Disney Parks website and saw: "designed to accommodate guests who aren’t able to wait in a conventional queue environment due to a disability (including non-apparent disabilities)". I am sincerely confused.

People with mobility issues can wait in the queue, they just may need a wheelchair or EVC to do so. Some disabilities make it difficult or even impossible for a guest to wait in the queue, although they can wait elsewhere - that's what the DAS assists with.

 

[Pooh2]

I have similar issues with standing still and trying to stand on a moving bus. The best solution for us was to rent a car to avoid the lines for the buses and rent a chair for the parks. The rental car has made a huge difference in our trips and we would not go without one again.

 

[TCRAIG]

remember - there’s a limited number of ECVs allowed on any bus (2-3) so you may end up having to split your group if more than 1 of the Grands gets one

 

[usagibuffy]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I honestly can't imagine that either grandparent would like the idea of having to push a wheelchair or some other device around, nor would they enjoy the hassle of an ecv. I'll have to work some more on our plans.

 

[Evita_W]

Honestly, ECVs aren't that much of a hassle and they would make your situation so much easier. Walking around Disney World is a lot different than walking around other places and they will be sore the next day.

 

[kaytieeldr]

And if they don't want to push a wheelchair around, I strongly recommend rollators. Amazon has one for under $60 (then a huge variety, going as high as $649 - but that's the extreme, typically they're $160 or less). You would pay more than $60 to rent one, but if you do want to rent, inner PMing @Evita_W for the company name would work.

 

[DisneyOma]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I honestly can't imagine that either grandparent would like the idea of having to push a wheelchair or some other device around, nor would they enjoy the hassle of an ecv. I'll have to work some more on our plans.

Can they walk 6-8 miles a day though? There's so much walking at WDW, and very, very few places to sit down. Just getting from the bus stop to the turnstile can be a quarter of a mile! (Last bus stop to the turnstile at MK, I measured it )

Also, a DAS does not shorten the distance you really walk - most parts of the indoor FP queue parallel the standby queue. There's also walking involved to find a place to sit and wait for the return time, as there aren't really any seating areas around the queue entrances.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

We are heading out in 3 weeks with 4 kids and 3 grandparents. My mother in particular has trouble standing still for long periods of time (back problems); we plan to get the DAS cards for both her and FIL, who has knee problems, so they can avoid some of the longer lines. Neither are concerned about the amount of walking involved, just the standing. We aren't worried about the park time as much as the bus stops. Do the bus stops at the parks have benches somewhat nearby? I have looked at pictures of the bus stops at our hotels, and was happy to see benches there.

very few benches in parks and even less near bus stops. also what will happen if you get to resort bus stop and benches are already full as there are not that many benches

 

[usagibuffy]

Again, walking isn't a problem. I'm not certain about FIL, but my mom goes on regular, several mile walks with my father. She has been to WDW several times before and is well aware of how much walking is involved. We'll rent something if we need to, but she doesn't even want to consider it right now.

 

[gap2368]

Again, walking isn't a problem. I'm not certain about FIL, but my mom goes on regular, several mile walks with my father. She has been to WDW several times before and is well aware of how much walking is involved. We'll rent something if we need to, but she doesn't even want to consider it right now.

I would have a few phone number of renter just Incase you need it. Also using the bus at slower times like not after fireworks would help a lot