travel between resort and airport with motorized wheelchair

[DekrRini]

My nephew is a quadriplegic and will be traveling to WDW with is wife and daughter next month. They are staying at CSR. Under normal circumstances they would take the DME between resort and airport, but I've never seen handicapped accessible buses on my trips. This is their first trip and I'd like to give as much advice as I can. I know that transportation within the Disney bubble won't be a problem, but I'm wondering how they get to the bubble in the first place.

I also wonder if there are specific room requests they should make. He can use an non-accessible room so that's not an issue, but being close to buses might be beneficial. Any advice you can give me to pass along will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Chip_Dale]

Just let DME know that you require a bus that has a wheelchair lift. Not familiar with CSR so can not give you any input on better locations for room request

 

[maxiesmom]

DME does have buses that can accommodate scooters, I've seen them. But I think you need to call ahead.

 

[Nanajo1]

When you make the DME reservation tell them you need a lift bus. I have used one several times.

 

[Gracie09]

I would also call Magic Express the night before you leave Disney to confirm that you have a lift bus for the return airport trip. If you're at the airport it is inconvenient to wait for a lift bus if they don't have one right there. If you are at the resort, you could miss your flight.

 

[SueM in MN]

Thi is a copy of post 16 from the disABILITIES FAQs thread; that post is about DME.

There are DME -Disney Magical Express - buses available with lifts to lift a wheelchair into the bus. It is recommended that you request a lift bus when making your DME reservations if you will need one.
If you didn't prearrange it for your trip from the airport to your resort, they will still provide one, but your wait may be longer. If you need one when returning to the airport from your resort, it is vital to prearrange getting one. If you don't, you might risk getting to the airport on time. My family usually asks to leave for the resort extra early to allow for any issues - like a wheelchair bus not coming or the equipment not working.

Here is a picture of the DME bus lift in its highest position:

DME Bus steps

Someone using a wheelchair or ECV can ride it up the lift and then the wheelchair will be fastened down to the floor of the bus.
A wheelchair or ECV can also be placed underneath the bus in the luggage storage compartment, but the person will need to climb the steps.
People have posted before that they were allowed to stand on the lift and ride it up for boarding because they were unable to climb the steps.
A DME bus driver posted in late 2008 that this was not allowed and only a person with a wheelchair or ECV is allowed on the lift. No one may stand on the lift.

If you have mobility problems or other disability, but can climb the stairs, the first row of seats is reserved for guests with disabilities.

If you feel you can't climb the steps, let the CM know when you are making your reservations for DME and again when you check in. They will need to come up with some alternative for you.
I have seen people using an airport wheelchair to ride up the lift, get out of the wheelchair to sit in a seat and then borrow a wheelchair at the resort to get out.
On our trips in the last 4 years, I noticed that there were 2 wheelchairs in the under bus storage area. Since we were the first on, the wheelchairs were on before the bus arrived at the stop.

 

[seashoreCM]

A timely request for a Magical Express bus back to the airport earlier than the normal 3 hours before flight time is always granted.

For good measure check your confirmation (normally delivered to your room morning of the day before the day you will leave) to be sure the requested time and also notation you need a wheelchair capable bus.

Unfortunately you may need to leave your resort 4 to 4-1/4 hours before flight time instead of the usual 2-3/4 to 3-1/4 hours, particularly when you may need more time to get from the DME dropoff to your gate on top of a time allowance for getting replacement DME buses or dealing with other DME issues before leaving your resort.

Shoot to be back at your resort an hour before you are due on the DME platform.

 

[DekrRini]

Thanks so much everyone! I know this information will be very much appreciated by my nephew and his family.

 

[SueM in MN]

We ask to leave about 1 hour earlier than we would without the wheelchair.

Keep in mind that the DME pick up time is the time that bus is scheduled to leave the resort. Guests planning to ride that bus are expected to be at the DME stop at least 15 minutes before the DME time.