WDW Resort Bus question/issue

[DisneyAddictTom122]

Ok I feel like this is can be a little touchy subject because it can be taken wrongly so before I start I want to say that I completely understand people with disabilities or who are elderly definitely need to use motor scooters, much like parents with younger kids need strollers. That being said I do have an issue I noticed while recently visiting WDW.... we were there for a week, actually just returned a few days ago, and noticed something during our stay regarding the buses to and from parks and resorts on property. On two separate occasions we were in a line that was very long for a bus back to our resort, we were close enough to the front to get on but the line was obviously long enough that people towards the back would not be able to fit. On the first occasion a couple had a stroller to fit their two kids and when they got to the door they talked to the bus driver and as a result he folded up the seats normally meant for a scooter by the back door and they parked the stroller there. Every time we have been strollers were always required to be folded up, not sure why this was an exception but the point is that it took up a good amount of space where maybe some, not all, of the people in the back of the line could have got on. I shrugged it off but the second occasion got me pretty annoyed. After a hot day in AK, we got in line for our bus back to our resort, after waiting about 25 mins our bus arrived, again the line was long to the point where the back of the line wasn't getting on this bus however we were first in line. One motor scooter pulled up about 5-10 mins before the bus and it was an older guy and his wife, not a big deal. The issue was as the bus literally was parking and opening the doors to let us in, so did a second woman in a scooter. As I’m sure most know the scooters go on first ahead of the line. Again not an issue with this happening, I did have a problem during this situation only because the second woman who happened to show up as the bus parked was with her husband and 9 other family members. I'm not exaggerating either because I counted as I watched all 10 additional members with the woman in the scooter get on the bus even though they were not in any type of scooter or wheelchair, simply because they were with one person in a motor scooter. Again I completely understand people in need of motor scooters, and this woman was in need, however it becomes an issue when those of us waiting in line for a long time now wait for and watch 10 additional people who happened to show up at the right time essentially jump the line. (even the bus driver was visibly annoyed by this).

My question or possible solution i guess - Is there any type of standard Disney has when it comes to these situations? such as those in motor scooters may board the bus first with only one other adult in their party and any other children who need attending too? In the situation I described above I was so annoyed by this because the group of 10 plus the woman in the motor scooter were all above the age of 18, so why not allow the woman and her husband board the bus and have the remaining party members wait in line, worst case the rest of her party has to board the following bus and meets her at the resort. Am I in the wrong here or is this a good reason to get annoyed?

Curious what others reactions would be and also if there are any standards I am not aware of that Disney has when it comes to the bus system.

 

[Carriemel]

For the first situation, Disney does allow the use of strollers as wheelchairs. This may have been what was done.

With the other situation...I think Disney has a limit of 5 people plus the wheelchair user...but some choose not to follow that.

 

[maxiesmom]

Disney does allow people in scooters or wheelchairs to have up to 5 other guests board with them. I'm guessing some bus drivers just don't feel like starting a fight over it.

For me, I am just thankful I don't have to use a scooter or have a family member who has to use one. Compared to using one it is a small inconvenience to have to wait for another bus. And I say that as someone who realizes that the next time my dad goes to WDW he will most likely need some sort of help getting around. It is annoying to have to wait for another bus, but I'd rather be annoyed waiting for another bus than the person in the scooter.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

If you get annoyed by this the next time you may want to rent a car and pay the resort parking fees.

First situation: stroller tagged as wheelchair.
Second situation: parties shouldn't have to break up.
Bottom line is devices used as wheelchairs must go on first and only a couple can fit on each bus so regardless of when they come up they are getting on the bus and so is their party.

Now what I feel is something to get upset about is when people choose not to stand in the line but instead sit back on a bench and then expect that just because they were "there" it means they were in line.
Or people on the bus that put their bag on the seat next to them so you can't sit there.

 

[tobikaye]

I will say that the first case may have bean a medical situation with the stroller. Usually the stroller as a wheelchair does not extend to buses, but some strollers are setup like a wheelchair with the downs.

As for the second, that would upset me as well and I travel with someone that uses a mobility device at WDW. I was at WDW last year with a group of seven and we split up in lines. I would line up with my sister in her ECV while the rest would get in line. Usually, we were on the same bus. I know there are signs indicating 5 guests can load with the person in the device. If we wanted to be on the same bus, we just waited to get in line when we would all be loaded on the same bus.

 

[FCDub]

Post is a little hard to follow, but as I understand the situation, it's really not worth getting upset over something like this.

Is it inconvenient? Sure. But it would leave my mind the second I got off the bus. Forget it and move on with life. The sooner I do that, the happier I am.

 

[North of Mouse]

With you 100% OP! If the group doesn't want to split up, wait for the next bus like any other large group. Personally, have never seen them tie down a stroller, so cannot attest to that.

As for the bus drivers, I really feel for their situation when they are sort of put on the spot by inconsiderate guests. If there are complaints, they get called on it. Not fair, but-------

I would be so embarrassed to come up at last minute and expect that large a group to board first when so many others are already waiting - that's not fair and equable treatment, but 'above' others.

 

[mousehockey37]

I would be so embarrassed to come up at last minute and expect that large a group to board first when so many others are already waiting - that's not fair and equable treatment, but 'above' others.

There's a ton of people who go to Disney that have no shame. Remember... "We paid all this money to come here, we'll do what we want".

That said, we had a similar instance. However, when on the bus, the lady casually stands up, walks around the bus and up the steps to the raised seats in the back. Now I know disabilities come in all visual and non-visual forms, but that was just odd to me. Again, like others have said, I let it go cause we got back and went on with our night, but it's still something that stands out.

So how many other people do you think know how to play the system? Obviously "service" dogs are becoming a hot button. Double strollers that are shopping carts and not strollers. ECV's that are "front of the line" devices. The list can go on...

 

[bumbershoot]

I was so annoyed by this because the group of 10 plus the woman in the motor scooter were all above the age of 18, so why not allow the woman and her husband board the bus and have the remaining party members wait in line, worst case the rest of her party has to board the following bus and meets her at the resort.

They do have a number limit. The driver was the one that made that choice.

But really REALLY think about it. Put yourself into the family’s shoes. Every single bus ride during your big family trip to Wdw is now delayed because the party has to split up. Every morning, each way of each afternoon break, every evening. Really really think about how that would impact your trip and if you really want to do that to other families.

If the group doesn't want to split up, wait for the next bus like any other large group.

Except that doesn’t work with wheelchairs and scooters. The driver needs to know they are there so they can be loaded first. A wheeled conveyance can’t be put onto a half loaded bus when it and its driver appears in the line.

However, when on the bus, the lady casually stands up, walks around the bus and up the steps to the raised seats in the back. Now I know disabilities come in all visual and non-visual forms, but that was just odd to me.

Not sure of the issue here. It’s actually not safe for people to stay on their scooters if transferring is possible.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

I wish I could have the only reason I use my scooter be that I want "front of the line" access. Boy, I wish it, really bad. So does my family.

But alas, not only is it not a reason, it doesn't get me front of the line access for anything but possibly the bus. In fact, most times, I am stuck behind other scooters trying to get on, and I have to wait for another bus, even though I have been waiting for longer than those able bodied people in line.

 

[mousehockey37]

I wish I could have the only reason I use my scooter be that I want "front of the line" access. Boy, I wish it, really bad. So does my family.

But alas, not only is it not a reason, it doesn't get me front of the line access for anything but possibly the bus. In fact, most times, I am stuck behind other scooters trying to get on, and I have to wait for another bus, even though I have been waiting for longer than those able bodied people in line.

There are plenty of good mannered people that follow the rules, able bodied or not. However, it's the abusers and cheats that you remember and ruin it for everyone.... able bodied or not.

But really REALLY think about it. Put yourself into the family’s shoes. Every single bus ride during your big family trip to Wdw is now delayed because the party has to split up. Every morning, each way of each afternoon break, every evening. Really really think about how that would impact your trip and if you really want to do that to other families.

But really REALLY think about it... Everyone who's already standing in line, waiting their turn and a group of 10 people with 1 in a scooter then takes up a decent portion of the only bus that's been around in 25 minutes... knowing that the next one is about the same distance out. If you all can't fit on one bus, that's the price you pay with taking a large group to Disney... sorry, not sorry.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

There are plenty of good mannered people that follow the rules, able bodied or not. However, it's the abusers and cheats that you remember and ruin it for everyone.... able bodied or not.

Part of my point was, a scooter doesn't get you "front of the line" access. With one possible exception, the bus. But of course you are last off of the bus.

And I guess I shouldn't mention that I can also go up and down stairs, at least a few. I'm sure that means that I don't deserve to use a scooter. Or I am an abuser.

 

[mousehockey37]

Part of my point was, a scooter doesn't get you "front of the line" access. With one possible exception, the bus. But of course you are last off of the bus.

And I guess I shouldn't mention that I can also go up and down stairs, at least a few. I'm sure that means that I don't deserve to use a scooter. Or I am an abuser.

I'm not trying to fight about it, but guilty conscience?

Does it matter if you're the last off the bus? You're still where you wanted to get to... ahead of those folks that couldn't get on the bus. Maybe Disney should be all-inclusive and take away that ability that scooters board first.... Or how about a dedicated bus for just scooters/wheelchairs? Or is that crossing the line.

 

[AngiTN]

They do have a number limit. The driver was the one that made that choice.

But really REALLY think about it. Put yourself into the family’s shoes. Every single bus ride during your big family trip to Wdw is now delayed because the party has to split up. Every morning, each way of each afternoon break, every evening. Really really think about how that would impact your trip and if you really want to do that to other families

while not convenient, there is a limit on the number that is to board with a scooter. It should either be followed or eliminated. It should not be up to the bus driver. Because how does that help the big group out. One trip all can board next they can't. How would they know what to plan for. Rules help everyone. Drivers have rules to back then up. A guest goes like it, driver simply points to the rule

 

[goofy4tink]

Ok, can we try to be polite and civil here???
The law is that ecvs and wheelchairs are supposed to be boarded onto an empty bus...not Disney rule, but state of Fl. I do sometimes wish that each bus could take one family using ECVs. That way, even if there are two people using ECVs, in one family, they can be boarded together. But, if another group arrives as the bus is driving up, they don't get to jump ahead of a long line of waiting guests...which can be annoying.
Strollers can sometimes be used a wheelchairs and are not unfolded. They need to be tied down though
And those large groups boarding together? There is signage at every bus stop that states..'groups larger than six persons are encouraged to divide and reunite onboard or at your destination'. Do groups pay attention to this? Not always. Can a driver force them to divide up? Nope. 'Encouraged' is much different than 'must'.
If I were the one making the rules? I concede to the 'everyone is equal' mentality. But, if someone gets to jump to the front of the line because someone in their group is using a wheelchair or ecv, I don't think that more than 5 should be able to board together. I would make it so that the person using the ecv and 4 others could board together. More than that would have to get in line. It's not always a great thing to be using an ecv...I've seen many instances of those using ecvs having to wait for buses that can accommodate them to arrive, waiting through 3 buses being boarded because the mechanism to allow them to board wasn't working.

The existing system is really the most fair system. There just aren't that many instances where it is abused. Yes, it does happen, and when it does, it's hugely annoying. With so many more guests using ecvs and wheeling around huge double strollers, the buses are really impacted.

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

@goofy4tink thank you for your post. I just don't get why people have to get post such negative responses. I have to say the buses alone are enough to get anyone upset. Especially at the end of a long hot day at a park. Waiting for that long and then not being able to get on the bus especially with exhausted children. Whatever the rule is - it should be posted at each stop so people know. Let's all try to understand the other side without getting nasty.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

I'm not trying to fight about it, but guilty conscience?

Does it matter if you're the last off the bus? You're still where you wanted to get to... ahead of those folks that couldn't get on the bus. Maybe Disney should be all-inclusive and take away that ability that scooters board first.... Or how about a dedicated bus for just scooters/wheelchairs? Or is that crossing the line.

No, when my doctor gave me a permanent handicap tag and my husband spend $2000 on my scooter and a way to carry it, I left feeling guilty about having a disability. It is just the way it is, and I can't do anything about it.

In case you didn't know, Disney doesn't say that scooters board first. The law does. And it is for everyone's safety.

 

[North of Mouse]

The OP's post was nothing about scooter users or their needing to board first @MaryLovesPoohBear, so this thread has gotten side tracked. She specifically noted this FIRST.

It was about inconsiderate people (no matter their status) coming up to a bus 'after' it arrives with a party of '10 extra' to board first, before others that were waiting.

I still agree with OP on this, but realize it is the bus driver's call to deal with this, but I don't think she, or most of us, will lose sleep over this, but it is very frustrating. Inconsiderate is inconsiderate, no matter who you are.

 

[goofy4tink]

The OP's post was nothing about scooter users or their needing to board first @MaryLovesPoohBear, so this thread has gotten side tracked. She specifically noted this FIRST.

It was about inconsiderate people (no matter their status) coming up to a bus 'after' it arrives with a party of '10 extra' to board first, before others that were waiting.

I still agree with OP on this, but realize it is the bus driver's call to deal with this, but I don't think she, or most of us, will lose sleep over this, but it is very frustrating. Inconsiderate is inconsiderate, no matter who you are.

Ohhh, this type subject always gets sidetracked. ECVs and strollers on the buses is a very heated topic!!! In many cases, it's a case of 'you first, right after me'!!!

 

[Simba's Mom]

As one who uses an ECV at WDW, I'm a little bothered by the fact that bus drivers often allow so many to accompany the person on the mobility scooter. Last time I wouldn't have blamed people for getting upset! There were 6 of us-DH, DS, DDIL, and 2 DGDs. Yet, DS feels guilty about getting on early, so DH was the only one in line with me. However, the bus driver leaned out and motioned for all of them to get on. Then, the other ECV had 8 people with her, and again, the bus driver motioned for them all to get on. So when he opened the front door, the bus was already almost half full-the 2 scooters requiring seats up. and about 12-14 other people sitting on the bus. I wouldn't be happy if I'd been in line!