WDW Resort Bus question/issue

[nkereina]

I have seen the posted signage that ECVs plus 5 guests are permitted to board at the same time, but agree with PPs that it's often left up to the driver's discretion rather than being strictly enforced. I imagine most drivers do allow it for the sake of avoiding confrontation and not to disrupt the guest experience, and its not big enough of an issue for Disney to do anything further. Anything further on Disney's part could be perceived as controversial and tick off a whole different group of people. So they're between a rock and a hard place.

I've yet to see or come up with a plausible solution that would make everyone happy. Maybe ECV only buses for ECV riders and family? Maybe have ECV riders go through the regular line with their family and when they come to the front, they get to board the next bus first when its empty with their whole family? Nothing is really fair to both sides of this.

 

[Uncle Coaster]

If you’re in a group of more than X people (5?) then some get in line while others sit on the side. When the people in line get to a point where they’d get in the next bus then the people in the scooter/whatever move into their line.

Not perfect but I used to see it frequently when riding coasters.

 

[bumbershoot]

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.

I have thought about it. A LOT. And I've decided that I, as an able-bodied person, with an able-bodied family, simply do not wish to inconvenience those who need wheeled conveyances any more than they are already inconvenienced.

Or how about a dedicated bus for just scooters/wheelchairs? Or is that crossing the line.

I'm certain that "separate but equal" was determined to be very much NOT OK in this country.

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

I do agree.

But disney doesn't.

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.

Except they aren't inconsiderate. They have to board first. If they hide in the line, or if they stay to the side and wait for their standing party to get up to the front, they might end up trying to board a half-full bus. They are following the rules that are in place.

Yes there might end up being some who are gleeful about it, but I think the majority of people who use scooters and wheelchairs just wish there were some perfect way to do it. But there isn't.

 

[bumbershoot]

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.

She noted first simply that she recognizes that people have to use wheeled conveyances. Ad that she knows discussions can get heated.

Then she talked about how unfair it is that they sometimes end up boarding ahead of their place in line. Which is exactly the topic that gets heated. So the post was very much about that. It's all part of the discussion, there's no side-track involved in discussing how it works.

 

[piccolopat]

I wish there could be a way for Disney to only allow one adult and any minor children to board at the same time as the ECV or wheelchair driver and then have the rest of the party board the same bus after others that were already waiting in line. This would eliminate the unfairness of large ECV parties getting all the seats before others that were already waiting in line for quite some time.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

I wish there could be a way for Disney to only allow one adult and any minor children to board at the same time as the ECV or wheelchair driver and then have the rest of the party board the same bus after others that were already waiting in line. This would eliminate the unfairness of large ECV parties getting all the seats before others that were already waiting in line for quite some time.

Maybe I'm in the minority, but I would never want a family or travel party to be split up. If that family staying together means my family waits for the next bus then so be it. I guarantee they will have more challenges throughout the day then my able-bodied family, so it's a sacrifice I'm willing to make.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

Except they aren't inconsiderate. They have to board first. If they hide in the line, or if they stay to the side and wait for their standing party to get up to the front, they might end up trying to board a half-full bus. They are following the rules that are in place.

Yes there might end up being some who are gleeful about it, but I think the majority of people who use scooters and wheelchairs just wish there were some perfect way to do it. But there isn't.

I think you are missing their point. When the scooter makes it to the front of the line, they then scoot off to the side and wait for the NEXT bus. It isn't enough to not board first, they should also have to wait longer than able bodied persons.

 

[AngiTN]

We can all be honest here, any one who truly needs to use an ECV isn't going to be one who is in this topic of this particular discussion anyway. I have had to do Disney with someone who did need an ECV. It was use an ECV or not go, so I do get it. They are not an easy way to go to the parks, not when you have a mixture of walking and ECV.

As for the ECV loading on an empty bus, I've seen them load on not empty buses many times. There is no other choice at Resorts where the Resort is not the first stop or at Resorts with multiple stops. So the law may say they have to load first but it isn't always possible. I can't be the only one that has had to have ECV load while you were on the bus. I mean, have none of you ever stayed at say, BWI and gone to AK? or even one of the MK resorts? They share over there too going to HS or AK. If you are on an ECV and at the 2nd Resort what happens?

However, if any of you can look at me with a straight face and say that no one has never gotten an ECV just because they want to avoid having tired feet I have some ocean front property here in Tennessee to sell you. And if that group comes along with their party yeah, you'd be annoyed. No, you can't tell by looking at them who needs one and who doesn't but because you know that there are some out there that don't, it is just human nature to let the annoyance seep in, especially when you are tired too. But you have enough fortitude to not get an ECV to save your feet.
Now, an ECV is no front of a line pass so whoever has mentioned that here is off base but you can bet that they are for certain used by some (a minority to be sure, but some) just because they are lazy.
I'd like to think karma will catch up to them someday but I've lived long enough now to know that sadly, it doesn't always happen. Sometimes bad people never do get their 'comeupance' as we old southeners say.

I wish there could be a way for Disney to only allow one adult and any minor children to board at the same time as the ECV or wheelchair driver and then have the rest of the party board the same bus after others that were already waiting in line. This would eliminate the unfairness of large ECV parties getting all the seats before others that were already waiting in line for quite some time.

It could work. And I've seen it happen. There are some drivers who do put a limit on the number of guests who can board with the ECV. I've seen it happen.

 

[North of Mouse]

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.

You are half right - they are usually loaded first, and understandable.

Except they aren't inconsiderate. They have to board first. If they hide in the line, or if they stay to the side and wait for their standing party to get up to the front, they might end up trying to board a half-full bus. They are following the rules that are in place.

'This' is how the thread got off track - the OP was not talking about the ones already there. This was about someone pulling up 'after' the bus was there with door opened. The scooter pulled up in it's spot with 10 additional people. Don't tell me they didn't know what they were doing!!! They saw the situation, could have held back and waited for the next bus!

She noted first simply that she recognizes that people have to use wheeled conveyances. Ad that she knows discussions can get heated.

Then she talked about how unfair it is that they sometimes end up boarding ahead of their place in line. Which is exactly the topic that gets heated. So the post was very much about that. It's all part of the discussion, there's no side-track involved in discussing how it works.

Read the OP's post! She was talking specifically about the late comer mentioned above with her 10 additional people after one scooter party that had been waiting was loaded and a long line of others that had been waiting. You twisted her words above - which she did not say, nor intended. One party was already boarding which she had nothing to say against.

Why are some people trying to make this out to be 'not' wanting scooters to board - nothing to do with it. In this particular instance could easily tell the driver - "we'll wait for the next bus, we have a large party" if he happened to see them holding back. No, they were totally inconsiderate.

Right, @AngiTN, one even admitted to it on these boards somewhere and it was immediately closed. Sad, but some will do such things.

 

[maxiesmom]

Maybe I'm in the minority, but I would never want a family or travel party to be split up. If that family staying together means my family waits for the next bus then so be it. I guarantee they will have more challenges throughout the day then my able-bodied family, so it's a sacrifice I'm willing to make.

Me either. And it raises my hackles when people think that is the solution. So because you have to use a scooter or wheelchair (which is already a huge inconvenience) and many times have to wait multiple buses because of the few spots for you on a bus, let's inconvenience you even more and make you split up from your family multiple times a day. Making a day full of inconveniences most people can't fathom even harder.

Yeah. I would never want to be the sort of person that thinks that is a great idea.

 

[maxiesmom]

You know what would be fair? Have everyone wait in the same line. If the scooter spots are all filled, and another scooter is next in line, then no one else gets on the bus! How many people would like that???? Make it totally wait your turn, but if the next in line can't board, no one gets to.

 

[Disneylover99]

It could work. And I've seen it happen. There are some drivers who do put a limit on the number of guests who can board with the ECV. I've seen it happen.

I think it’s awesome that you’ve seen it happen.

I have never seen a driver limit the number of people boarding with an ECV. The most people I’ve seen getting on with one ECV was 12 people. I have seen plenty of large parties follow the rule of maximum 5 on their own though and the rest of the party got in line. It’s nice when people can be considerate of others.

 

[kaytieeldr]

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

First situation: stroller tagged as wheelchair.

Stroller-as-wheelchair is valid only at attractions. No restaurants, no transportation...

I would be interested to know if the bus driver "tied down" the stroller.

Second situation: parties shouldn't have to break up.

Maybe Disney should be all-inclusive and take away that ability that scooters board first

It's logistics.

Or how about a dedicated bus for just scooters/wheelchairs? Or is that crossing the line

discriminatory, violates the ADA.

Maybe have ECV riders go through the regular line with their family and when they come to the front, they get to board the next bus first when its empty with their whole family?

I think Disney tried this, in the not too distant past.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Stroller-as-wheelchair is valid only at attractions. No restaurants, no transportation...

I would be interested to know if the bus driver "tied down" the stroller.




It's logistics.

discriminatory, violates the ADA.

I think Disney tried this, in the not too distant past.

My sister has used the stroller as wheelchair tag at restaurants. I've also seen a stroller as wheelchair a couple of times on buses. I'm unaware of how they were secured.

 

[Uncle Coaster]

Me either. And it raises my hackles when people think that is the solution. So because you have to use a scooter or wheelchair (which is already a huge inconvenience) and many times have to wait multiple buses because of the few spots for you on a bus, let's inconvenience you even more and make you split up from your family multiple times a day. Making a day full of inconveniences most people can't fathom even harder.

Yeah. I would never want to be the sort of person that thinks that is a great idea.

I guess it’s a matter of experience. My family has always had to split up because of physical makeup. Starting with when I as the youngest wasn’t tall enough I ride certain rides and now when my Father can’t handle spinning rides or my nieces can’t do drops. I just see large groups having to split up as part of a day at a park.

I don’t think somebody in a chair has to split their group for every single ride but if you are in a large group and at something low capacity like a bus where the next one may not come for 15-20 minutes I think splitting and waiting is one of the considerate options.

 

[goofy4tink]

Maybe I'm in the minority, but I would never want a family or travel party to be split up. If that family staying together means my family waits for the next bus then so be it. I guarantee they will have more challenges throughout the day then my able-bodied family, so it's a sacrifice I'm willing to make.

But, the issue is that it's not only those that truly need ECVs using them. I've seen way too many instances of guests using ECVs to get around parks more quickly, to not get tired out from all that walking, or to try to get front of the line access. They quickly find out that front of the line doensn't work anymore! But, there is ECV abuse. So, while I have no issue keeping families together on the bus, when someone is using an ECV, I do have an issue when the person using the ECV doesn't need it anymore than I do!!!

And red tagged strollers are allowed to remain unfolded, child in it, on a bus. They are considered a 'medical device'. But, the stroller has to have that red tag. And yes, they are tied down. At least every one that I have seen on a bus has been tied down, with the child in it. And in many cases, a parent has stood right next to it, not taking a seat!

There is no rule regarding how many can board with an ECV, there is a 'suggestion'. Big difference. I have seen very large groups split up, without anyone asking them to. And I have seen guests turn to those people and thank them for their consideration. It was so nice to see.

If there were to be specific buses/vans for those using ECVs, someone is going to have to pay for them. And that is going to be all of us. Let's be serious....loading an ECV with 10 people accompanying it just doesn't happen all that often. And to double that? Very seldom. And that huge wait that people complain about, to board an ECV? Probably 5 mins. I'm sorry, but I'm just not going to get all wound up over an addtl 5 mins. If that is going to bother me so much, I would probably just take uber/lyft, or rent a car and use that.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

But, the issue is that it's not only those that truly need ECVs using them. I've seen way too many instances of guests using ECVs to get around parks more quickly, to not get tired out from all that walking, or to try to get front of the line access. They quickly find out that front of the line doensn't work anymore! But, there is ECV abuse. So, while I have no issue keeping families together on the bus, when someone is using an ECV, I do have an issue when the person using the ECV doesn't need it anymore than I do!!!

Sure, but how do I, as a bystander, tell the difference between someone who truly needs the ECV and someone who is abusing it? I can't. So, I'll give them the benefit of the doubt, let that person and their party board the bus in front of me, and go on with my day. It's not worth getting worked up about, IMO, if I have to wait an extra 20 minutes.

 

[goofy4tink]

Sure, but how do I, as a bystander, tell the difference between someone who truly needs the ECV and someone who is abusing it? I can't. So, I'll give them the benefit of the doubt, let that person and their party board the bus in front of me, and go on with my day. It's not worth getting worked up about, IMO, if I have to wait an extra 20 minutes.

Absolutely, I agree. But, because I go to WDW so often, I probably see a lot more than most people when it comes to ECV abuse. Yes, I've been 100% sure it was abuse.....I overheard discussions. So, yes, it happens. And no, you can't always tell who is and who isn't abusing it. So, yes, it's better to just let it go and forget about it. I have better things to do than obsess over ECV use.

 

[I loveStitchnippyjon]

Only felt disgusted by this once. Waited in a long line as two buses got filled and departed. Waiting for bus #3, an elderly couple rolled up with the man in a scooter. Just as the bus pulled up, a group of 6 adults asked the elderly lady if they could be their "family" and board together! The lady looked very confused but said OK and all 8 boarded first! Now, those 6 were REALLY jerks!

 

[MinnieMSue]

Actually the only strollers on a bus that are supposed to be tied down are the very few strollers that have tie down frames. These are medical strollers and are very expensive. The frame has to be strong enough to withstand an accident. A regular stroller tied down would cause injury to riders and the frame would bend and or break in an accident. They should never ever tie down a regular stroller. Ever.