Transportation question

[mickeymom1]

Just wondering if I could get some advice

We are staying at POR for our next trip over Easter break and I am trying to convince myself that we can survive without a rental car. The cost is just sky high and I am trying to keep costs down for the trip.

There are 6 people in our travel party (3A & 3kids, 4yo, 7yo & 9yo). My oldest son has Down syndrome and we use a Maclaren Major with him because he doesn't have the stamina to walk all day and he is much more compliant and feels "secure" when he uses it.

I am just worried about the Disney transportation buses to get from the resort to the parks. We usually rent a car and have only ridden the buses a few times and he doesn't understand that sometimes you need to stand on the bus if it is crowded and I see potential melt downs. Add to that the other 2 kids plus the stroller and I am just getting a little stressed thinking about it ! Although sometimes he can completely surprise us and handle situations without a problem. As another option I am really thinking it might just be cheaper to take taxis if the buses seem to crowded or difficult for him to handle.

Does anyone have any words of encouragement, options or advice they can share about riding the buses with their disabled child???
Please share

 

[jmartinez1895]

You can and will survive. We do it all the tiem and have lived so far ( of course as with anything in life sometimes it can be intersting). First off be sure to get a GAC to use your stroller as a wheelchair because that its after all what you arae using it for and may special need strollers get mistaken for a regular. Your son can stay in his stroller the entire time on the bus if it is transportation safe, if it is not then they will lower the ramp and help you board so that he can stay in it as much as possible. Also try to plan your park visits about an hour or so after they open so the busses will be less crowed and then leave about an hour before they close or if you wish to stay for firewrorks or whatever then take your time leaving the park and let the bulk of he crowds get to the bus first. We drag our feet while leaving and try to be among the last out and it seems to work well for us. If you try to take the busses at park opening and closing then you have a good chance of having to stand. Be sure to let the bus drive know that you have a speical needs child if there is standing room only because I have seen them ask people to let a special needs person have a seat when the buss was full. I hope that you have a safe and wonderful trip.

 

[SueM in MN]

Guest Assistance Cards are technically just for use in the parks, although most bus drivers will see the strollers as wheelchair sticker and handle it like a wheelchair for the bus (allowing you to use the ramp/lift to load).
The Maclaren Major Special Needs Stroller is not designed or safe to stay in for bus transport, so he will need to get out and have the stroller folded on the bus. As was mentioned, he can use the ramp or lift ot get on the bus and then transfer.
We also wait before leaving the park. Besides making it likely we will be getting on a bus that is not very full, it's also much easier to get out of the park because it will be less crowded.

 

[cranbiz]

Get the red stroller as a wheelchair tag, use the wheelchair entrance at the bus stop and tell the driver that your DS can transfer. That way, you will get to board first thru the back doors and get seats. At POR, depending on which stop you use, you still may have to stand if the bus is full but most drivers will try to find your DS a seat.

Best stops for a seat at POR are the West depot for MK and DTD (this is the first stop for these destinations) and South depot for all others (again, first stop at Riverside).

 

[Schmeck]

I'm thinking the four year old is going to need a stroller too!

 

[SueM in MN]

Get the red stroller as a wheelchair tag, use the wheelchair entrance at the bus stop and tell the driver that your DS can transfer. That way, you will get to board first thru the back doors and get seats. At POR, depending on which stop you use, you still may have to stand if the bus is full but most drivers will try to find your DS a seat.

Best stops for a seat at POR are the West depot for MK and DTD (this is the first stop for these destinations) and South depot for all others (again, first stop at Riverside).

Thanks, cranbiz
it's always good to have input from a wearer of the purple pants.

 

[mickeymom1]

thanks everyone for sharing your insight!