Transportation question?

[stephm0188]

Hi! First time posting here. I looked for an answer to this question but didn't see anything, so please bear with me.

I have an almost six year old child with special needs. He looks like any other kid, but needs some special accommodations. We use a stroller for him and do okay without any help in the parks and hotels, but bus transportation has been problematic. He has physical limitations and is not able to stand on the bus while traveling to our destination. In the past I've just sucked it up and held him when there haven't been seats available, but he's too heavy for me to carry and hold this time around. I'm a bit anxious about what we'll do about the buses this time.

Any helpful advice? We try not to travel during peak times but sometimes it can't be helped.

 

[cgncga]

My now 10 year old daughter is much the same way. We try to travel to and from the parks at off times so that the buses aren't full and she can be guaranteed a seat. We try hard not to get on to a standing room only bus, but if we do the other 3 of us try to basically surround my daughter so that she can lean on us if she needs to. Since my husband is usually holding the special needs stroller, my older daughter takes the backpack and I try to keep at least one hand on my 10 year old to help her keep her balance. Often, though, someone on the bus has offered her a seat once they see that she has balance problems. The fact the she is usually complaining loudly about standing no matter how much we try to shush her probably helps, too.

Catherine

 

[alizesmom]

Could you get him an order for a travel wheelchair with tie downs? Many just look like large strollers but he could stay in the chair while on the buses.

 

[peemagg]

What we would do when the grandkids were tiny and the bus was going to be standing room only, was to stand aside and let those who are willing to stand get on and we would wait for the next bus. Since we were then at the beginning of the line we were guaranteed a seat for those holding the babies.

I would do that or like someone else suggested travel at more off times. If it at park closing, hold back and mill around the parks while letting the greatest throng of people leave. Check out stores or just absorb in the atmosphere. If you wait about 10 minutes most of the crowd will be gone and you will have better chance getting on a bus that is not standing room only.

 

[Ms_Butterfly]

The buses should have Priority Seats for ppl with disabilities, so you (or the bus driver, if you're shy or people refuse to move) can ask someone who is sitting there to move so she can sit there. Most people won't have an issue moving for a disabled child, but they might not realize she is disabled if you don't say anything, so just politely ask and remind them they chose to sit in the Priority Seats (the label should be on the window).

Just don't barge on the bus screaming at people, like you own the bus, that they have to move - not that you would, but I have experienced a woman (whose husband was disabled) who did that, despite the fact that I am disabled myself (my mobility service dog makes it quite obvious) and my friend and I were the only people in the front half of the bus! The bus driver was awesome and told her to stop, it was his bus and nobody orders his passengers around like that! Gotta love some of those Disney drivers! That put her in her place and she shut up, then was kind for the rest of the ride.

 

[livndisney]

The buses should have Priority Seats for ppl with disabilities, so you (or the bus driver, if you're shy or people refuse to move) can ask someone who is sitting there to move so she can sit there. Most people won't have an issue moving for a disabled child, but they might not realize she is disabled if you don't say anything, so just politely ask and remind them they chose to sit in the Priority Seats (the label should be on the window).

Just don't barge on the bus screaming at people, like you own the bus, that they have to move - not that you would, but I have experienced a woman (whose husband was disabled) who did that, despite the fact that I am disabled myself (my mobility service dog makes it quite obvious) and my friend and I were the only people in the front half of the bus! The bus driver was awesome and told her to stop, it was his bus and nobody orders his passengers around like that! Gotta love some of those Disney drivers! That put her in her place and she shut up, then was kind for the rest of the ride.

I would not suggest expecting a bus driver to ask people to move. From what I have read on here those seats are not for the disabled without wheelchairs/ecvs. At one time there was one of two signs above those seats. Now most of the buses have the sign that says those seats must be given up for those in wheelchairs/evcs since that is where the tiedowns are.

 

[disney david]

Their signs above the seats with tie down points required by federal law saying you must give up the seats and their signs on the other seat asking you to give up your seat to guest with disabilities or the elderly. The driver is only required to ask people to move they can't make anyone as their could be guest that are sitting that need the seat just as much as the guest boarding. Above the the seats with ties downs their are two signs and above the other seats their is only one sign. now their three signs by the tie down spots saying guest in ECV should transfer to a seat.

 

[Schmeck]

How about renting a car, then you don't have to worry about the safety of your child?