Stroller question

[Wendydagny]

My dd is going on a MAW trip next week, but we are staying on Disney property, not GKTW. She is three, and has a bulky stroller, and is constantly connected to two IV pumps for TPN and one drainage bag . We also have six kids total.

With that background is it feasible for us to use Disney buses? Her stroller is not technically a wheelchair, so it doesn't have tie-downs. But removing her from the stroller and folding the stroller and carrying her with her bags and said stroller and corralling all my other kids on the bus might not be the easiest task.

I think I just talked myself into driving.

But seriously, is it even an option to not drive?

 

[peemagg]

You can use the lift to load her and the stroller onto the bus, then take her out of the stroller and into a seat. Then fold the stroller.

With that size group it might be best to let one adult and most of the kids go into the regular line, while the other adult and maybe one or two "helpers" get in the handicapped line. If it doesn't look like one party or the other is not going to make it on the same bus, then just hold back a bit and wait. I would think this would be the easiest way to do it.

 

[SueM in MN]

I agree with peemag.

If her stroller is not 'transport ready', it is not safe to tie it down with the wheelchair tie down straps. I have heard of people's strollers getting the frame bent by tying it down because the stroller frame is not made for that kind of stress. It would not be safe for her to ride in it on the bus unless it is transport ready, so you would have to fold it and hold it on the bus.

 

[dclfun]

I think you'll have an easier time driving, esp. since MAW should be providing the vehicle and you'll have free parking. You'll get to the parks sooner and can leave more quickly if your daughter gets tired. Technically only 6 people total can enter together through the w/c ramp/lift entrance on the bus, but hopefully if you do use the busses they will make an exception since most of the guests are children and part of your family. Are there 8 total guests or are you going solo with the 6 kids? I'm thinking that once you're on the bus you'll have to fold her stroller with someone holding it and there may be a challenge with securing her medical equipment that's attached to her body. Worst case scenario is that the bus will be crowded and someone will knock into one of her bags or damage them. At night when it's dark out ( and it is getting dark now around 5:30pm, you won't be able to see well on the bus to protect her.

Edited to add- you are going during the busiest time of the year, so there can be long waits for a bus coming/going if there are other guests needing the accessible option who are in front of you. While a bus driver will always call dispatch to send another bus if there are guests with w/c's or ECV's ( or a stroller being used as a w/c), you will still have to wait for that next bus, or possibly several of them. As Disney David posted below, I'm sure they will do what they can to help you but resources will be stretched during the Christmas week and the other resort guests will need to board the bus with your family.---Kathy

 

[disney david]

hopefully cranbiz or magicbus will come on they could give the best option and answer your questions regarding the bus side mybe you could pm magicbus. He like to answer questions about disney transportion (except for monorail) hope everything works out for you and have agreat trip.

 

[alaskanabbott]

Hi, we did our son's MAW trip last march, but we stayed at GKTW. My son is in a WC, so we didn't have that problem, BUT we do have 6 kids so I understand a little The first day of his trip we didn't have a car, but we realized very quickly we NEEDED a car! I would sugest getting the rental car. It is faster to get between the parks, to go take a break in the afternoon, etc... and to the store for things, just really really handy. Plus there we times that the bus already was full in the two WC spots so we had to wait- I know as a wish family we got free stroller rental at all the parks, and they let us use the free rental for our youngest two- just a side note. You can read my trip report in my signature. Have a great time!