Taking your own stroller on the buses?

[Roo's Kanga]

We are bringing our own stroller for our 2-year-old son for our February trip. Just wondering how much of a pain in the butt it is going to be to take it on the busses? Is there a place up front to "store" you strollers, or do you have to fold it up and put it in a seat next to you?

Our stroller is not huge, but a little bit bulky. Should we look at buying one of those cheap fold-up ones instead?

 

[browniemtb]

You will have to fold it up and either keep it with you or there is a little luggage shelf that you could put it on.

 

[dburg30]

You will have to fold it up and either keep it with you or there is a little luggage shelf that you could put it on.

luggage shelf?

 

[dmbfan]

We are taking my son's stroller, it is folds ok, but it is bulky cause it is a special need stroller. We will be using it as a wheelchair in the parks, would we be able to use the wheelchair ramp on the bus, or is not ever bus wheelchair accessiable?

Thanks

 

[happymommy]

I don't remember if every bus is wheelchair accessible, but we used to bring our own stroller. If it's a regular stroller, you just have to fold it and carry it on, then make sure you try to keep it out of other people's way (not in the aisle). I'd try to get it in between two seats in front of me or behind me. It does take some maneuvering, but I was always glad to have our own! Even when I had my 35 pound Peg Perego Tandem Twin double.

As far as the special needs one, I guess I'd ask the driver. It seems like if not all buses are accessible, the majority are! Many are so cool, as they actually lower down on one side, then the ramp comes out. Very cool for folks in wheelchairs and scooters!

 

[MinnieVanMom]

We are taking my son's stroller, it is folds ok, but it is bulky cause it is a special need stroller. We will be using it as a wheelchair in the parks, would we be able to use the wheelchair ramp on the bus, or is not ever bus wheelchair accessiable?
Thanks

I also wondered this as we are considering purchasing the Axiom 2 for DS who is SN. We don't know how bulky it is when it folds down? Would we be able to fold it up and get it onto the bus? It stands about 3 feet tall.

I believe all busses are accessible.

 

[Minniemouse07]

We had no problem bringing our stroller on the bus (an 8yo Peg Aria) during any of the three trips to WDW we used it on.

I much preferred having our own stroller with us than renting one (getting from the bus stop to our room would have been painful w/o it!) and my kids wouldn't have been as comfortable in an inexpensive umbrella stroller.

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

For those with special needs strollers, the "test" as to whether or not they need to be folded would be whether or not they are strong enough and designed to be tied down with the wheelchair straps. You may want to check over on the DISabilities board for more accurate info. Many people over there travel with SN strollers and can let you know what the rules are.

 

[Magicbus]

I also wondered this as we are considering purchasing the Axiom 2 for DS who is SN. We don't know how bulky it is when it folds down? Would we be able to fold it up and get it onto the bus? It stands about 3 feet tall.

I believe all busses are accessible.

Yes, all Disney busses are wheelchair, electric scooter, etc, friendly.

 

[goofy4tink]

luggage shelf?

Yup, you're right. There is no luggage shelf. In fact, if you look at it, there is signage that shows that nothing is to be put on that shelf.

The vast majority of buses are accessible. But.....you may find some to not be functioning correctly. I have seen several buses that had to leave diabled guests behind simply because their ramps weren't functioning correctly. So, it can happen.

 

[livndisney]

We are bringing our own stroller for our 2-year-old son for our February trip. Just wondering how much of a pain in the butt it is going to be to take it on the busses? Is there a place up front to "store" you strollers, or do you have to fold it up and put it in a seat next to you?

Our stroller is not huge, but a little bit bulky. Should we look at buying one of those cheap fold-up ones instead?

You will have to fold it up and keep it with you. The busses get rather full, so please don't put your stroller on the seat next to you.

 

[MICKEEP]

Yup, you're right. There is no luggage shelf. In fact, if you look at it, there is signage that shows that nothing is to be put on that shelf.

The vast majority of buses are accessible. But.....you may find some to not be functioning correctly. I have seen several buses that had to leave diabled guests behind simply because their ramps weren't functioning correctly. So, it can happen.

Absolutely correct. Some of the older buses, with the lift, may not be working, but the driver will call and get another bus to the location. The newer buses, can be operated manually if the ramps will not deploy.

TIP FOR LARGE STROLLERS - Ask the driver to open the rear door so that you can enter that way. Most drivers will be happy to accomodate you. But keep in mind that the rear door will only be opened for the stroller and the person carrying it. Everyone else in the party, should still use the front door.

 

[rrkman]

We've had a stroller with us on every trip. Just fold it up and find a place out of the way to either sit or stand with it. I usually head to the area by the back door and just stand with ours, seems to be easiest place to stay out of the way. You can also usually find some room by the 'hanicap' seats....usually some open areas where you could slide a stoller between seats, etc.....but be prepared to give this area up to someone in need of it.

One other comment. Just be mindful of others. I've had to climb over stollers (while carrying one) just to get on a bus because someone found it convenient for themselves to stand or sit by the front door with a stroller.

 

[goofy4tink]

We've had a stroller with us on every trip. Just fold it up and find a place out of the way to either sit or stand with it. I usually head to the area by the back door and just stand with ours, seems to be easiest place to stay out of the way. You can also usually find some room by the 'hanicap' seats....usually some open areas where you could slide a stoller between seats, etc.....but be prepared to give this area up to someone in need of it.

One other comment. Just be mindful of others. I've had to climb over stollers (while carrying one) just to get on a bus because someone found it convenient for themselves to stand or sit by the front door with a stroller.

Ding ding ding ding!!!! This post gets the award for most common sense regarding a stroller on the bus!!! Exactly correct, in every way.
Thank-you for your polite and considerate bus/stroller attitude.

 

[dburg30]

Ding ding ding ding!!!! This post gets the award for most common sense regarding a stroller on the bus!!! Exactly correct, in every way.
Thank-you for your polite and considerate bus/stroller attitude.

And there are some of them out there When we were there Dec 07, many nights on the way home I (didnt have a stroller, was just easier to stand up, plus I really didnt need a seat) was hanging out by the door with dad's-n-strollers. mom and the kids were up front and we'd be in the little cubby hole

Get off the bus sooner too So they were able to get the stroller all ready to accept their passenger when they de-bused

 

[cranbiz]

All buses are designed to be handicapped accessible. If the bus is having problems with the lift, then the blue wheelchair sticker will be removed. If a bus will be non accessible for more than 48 hours, it must be removed from service until the defect is repaired.

Your chances of getting a bus that you cannot be loaded from the back will be slim.

Is your stroller approved for transport? There are some special needs strollers that are not. Remember that if your DS has to stay in the stroller, it will need to be tied down. If it has tie points, please assist us in marking them. A brightly colored piece of fabric at the tie down points is a great way to mark them and make it easier for us to find them.

 

[ancestry]

Yes, all Disney busses are wheelchair, electric scooter, etc, friendly.

Are they? In June during the morning hours a few of the buses that took us to the parks were the typical Disney DME buses. I.E. They are like tour buses that have the higher stairs at the front and middle and the entire bus has front facing seats. Maybe my memory is failing but I don't recall this style of bus having a lift in it to accomodate strollers or wheelchairs. Granted it isn't the typical bus, but we did encouter quite a few of them (especially in the morning) this past summer.

 

[cranbiz]

Are they? In June during the morning hours a few of the buses that took us to the parks were the typical Disney DME buses. I.E. They are like tour buses that have the higher stairs at the front and middle and the entire bus has front facing seats. Maybe my memory is failing but I don't recall this style of bus having a lift in it to accomodate strollers or wheelchairs. Granted it isn't the typical bus, but we did encouter quite a few of them (especially in the morning) this past summer.

All Disney Transport buses are, RTS, Nova and Gilligs (white with the red Disney logo on the side). All motor coach style buses are brought in if there is a demand that Disney Transport cannot meet. Then Disney will charter Mears, Dynamic, Bus Finders, etc. to get enough buses for the demand. Those buses may or may not be handicapped accessible.

 

[ancestry]

All Disney Transport buses are, RTS, Nova and Gilligs (white with the red Disney logo on the side). All motor coach style buses are brought in if there is a demand that Disney Transport cannot meet. Then Disney will charter Mears, Dynamic, Bus Finders, etc. to get enough buses for the demand. Those buses may or may not be handicapped accessible.

Makes sense. Thanks for clarifying.

 

[TDC Nala]

Would also like to thank the ones who move the stroller away from the door and out of the path of disembarking passengers before they try to unfold it and put the child into it.