we're getting a scooter - what to expect with...

[mccathy]

So, I've convinced my husband (broken foot - just now being able to put some weight on it) to get a scooter for our anniversary trip. We're planning on parking it in stroller lots whenever he feels like walking for a bit, but now I'm wondering what to expect with...

busses - Do we wait in the back of the line or stand/wait somewhere else for the next bus?

ride lines - If he is in the scooter do we just walk/scoot into the line and wait for a CM to direct us somewhere else? I know some lines are scooter accessible and others are not. Should we seek out a CM before getting into line?

restaurants - Should we park the scooter outside? Scoot it in?

Like I said - he can do some walking - there was just no way he could do 8-10 miles a day.

 

[peemagg]

I have always parked my scooter outside, just made sure it was covered for inclement weather, when in restaurants.

As far as lines for rides and shows, see a Cm about what to do. Most of the lines are mainstreamed, but those at MK have different lines in some places. The CM can point you in the right direction.

When ever I have used the buses with the scooter, I always waited toward where the ramp or lift would be when the bus is there.

In the DisAbilities FAQ's sticky at the beginning of the forum will be able to better answer your questions for you.

 

[mccathy]

I have always parked my scooter outside, just made sure it was covered for inclement weather, when in restaurants.

As far as lines for rides and shows, see a Cm about what to do. Most of the lines are mainstreamed, but those at MK have different lines in some places. The CM can point you in the right direction.

When ever I have used the buses with the scooter, I always waited toward where the ramp or lift would be when the bus is there.

In the DisAbilities FAQ's sticky at the beginning of the forum will be able to better answer your questions for you.

Thanks! We're staying at the Beach Club and will only need the bus for our MK and AK days - hopefully they won't be too crowded!

I did read the FAQ, but it didn't seem clear to me where to wait for the bus. I think we'll just play it by ear.

 

[SueM in MN]

To add to what peerage wrote

So, I've convinced my husband (broken foot - just now being able to put some weight on it) to get a scooter for our anniversary trip. We're planning on parking it in stroller lots whenever he feels like walking for a bit, but now I'm wondering what to expect with...

busses - Do we wait in the back of the line or stand/wait somewhere else for the next bus?

There are some bus lines that are now “Mainstreamed” so that the line is accessible. There is a bit of confusion right now about what to do. I agree with peemag that waiting toward where the back door of the bus will be is usually going to work fine.

ride lines - If he is in the scooter do we just walk/scoot into the line and wait for a CM to direct us somewhere else? I know some lines are scooter accessible and others are not. Should we seek out a CM before getting into line?

If you look at the disABILITIES FAQs thread, post 11 of that thread has a list of where the 'mobility access’ for each attraction. You can find the disABILITIES FAQs thread near the top of this board or follow the link in my signature.
There is a special park map for guests with disabilities for each park. You can pick one up at Guest Relations at the park, at your resort in the Concierge area if you are staying at a WDW resort and some of the parks have these maps in the same place you pick up regular maps when you enter the park (MK was the only park that didn’t have them there on our last trip in October).
Occasionally, a CM may route you somewhere other than the location listed in the map, but in general, the map will tell you where to enter.
If you see an icon of a person getting out of an ECV and into a wheelchair, that means the line is wheelchair accessible, but not ECV accessible. For those, he would have the choice of parking the ECV with the strollers and then walking in line or using an attraction wheelchair.

restaurants - Should we park the scooter outside? Scoot it in?

He can choose what he wants. Some people prefer to walk in and transfer to a chair. SOme of the restaurants are kind of tight and would be easier to walk in.
As peerage mentioned, if you leave it parked outside, make sure to protect the seat in case of rain.

 

[mccathy]

To add to what peerage wrote
There are some bus lines that are now “Mainstreamed” so that the line is accessible. There is a bit of confusion right now about what to do. I agree with peemag that waiting toward where the back door of the bus will be is usually going to work fine.

If you look at the disABILITIES FAQs thread, post 11 of that thread has a list of where the 'mobility access’ for each attraction. You can find the disABILITIES FAQs thread near the top of this board or follow the link in my signature.
There is a special park map for guests with disabilities for each park. You can pick one up at Guest Relations at the park, at your resort in the Concierge area if you are staying at a WDW resort and some of the parks have these maps in the same place you pick up regular maps when you enter the park (MK was the only park that didn’t have them there on our last trip in October).
Occasionally, a CM may route you somewhere other than the location listed in the map, but in general, the map will tell you where to enter.
If you see an icon of a person getting out of an ECV and into a wheelchair, that means the line is wheelchair accessible, but not ECV accessible. For those, he would have the choice of parking the ECV with the strollers and then walking in line or using an attraction wheelchair.

He can choose what he wants. Some people prefer to walk in and transfer to a chair. SOme of the restaurants are kind of tight and would be easier to walk in.
As peerage mentioned, if you leave it parked outside, make sure to protect the seat in case of rain.

Thank you! We'll be sure to grab a map from the resort for rides.

He's more nervous about the bus - doesn't want people to think we're "cutting." I told him we've got some good bus karma coming to us - and not to worry.

 

[SueM in MN]

Thanks! We're staying at the Beach Club and will only need the bus for our MK and AK days - hopefully they won't be too crowded!

I did read the FAQ, but it didn't seem clear to me where to wait for the bus. I think we'll just play it by ear.

It is a little unclear right now just what to do, so I’m sorry the FAQs part about the bus is not the clearest right now.
I am in the process of re-writing it (started about 2 months ago - LOL - but life got in the way).

 

[mccathy]

It is a little unclear right now just what to do, so I’m sorry the FAQs part about the bus is not the clearest right now.
I am in the process of re-writing it (started about 2 months ago - LOL - but life got in the way).

Ah - no problem. Life can do that.

It sounds like we really need more direction from Disney on where to go so that everyone (people in scooters/wheelchairs and all the other people waiting) aren't confused/don't think anyone is trying to cheat the system - or whatever. We've never been bother by waiting for someone to load onto a bus, but we've overheard others complaining about it. (that's why I keep telling my husband we've got good bus karma - we'll be fine.)

 

[djblu883]

Thanks! We're staying at the Beach Club and will only need the bus for our MK and AK days - hopefully they won't be too crowded!

I did read the FAQ, but it didn't seem clear to me where to wait for the bus. I think we'll just play it by ear.

When my back locked up I was forced to use an ecv. The hardest thing was getting on and off the buses as there are NO brakes on the ECV!!!! :-(

 

[mccathy]

When my back locked up I was forced to use an ecv. The hardest thing was getting on and off the buses as there are NO brakes on the ECV!!!! :-(

Yeah - he's going to have to practice!

 

[SueM in MN]

Thank you! We'll be sure to grab a map from the resort for rides.

He's more nervous about the bus - doesn't want people to think we're "cutting." I told him we've got some good bus karma coming to us - and not to worry.

The resort should have the special maps, but may not.

If they don’t, they will have regular park maps which have the icons that tell whether the attraction is:

• totally wheelchair and ECV accessible (an icon of a wheelchair),
• wheelchair and ECV accessible, but requires a transfer (wheelchair icon with person getting out of wheelchair)
• wheelchair accessible, but not ECV accessible (ECV icon with person getting out and getting into a wheelchair)
• wheelchair accessible, but not ECV accessible and requires a transfer (ECV icon with person getting out and getting into a wheelchair, then out of the wheelchair)

And, then you could pick up the guidemaps for guests with disabilities at the park.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

as there are NO brakes on the ECV!!!! :-(

There are brakes on all ECVs. They just do not have a separate control. When you let off the throttle it both applies regenerative braking, where the motor becomes a generator and adds power to the batteries as well as there are brakes.

I know this as a absolute fact as I had a problem with my own ECV a couple of years ago where the brakes would not properly release and I both burned them out as well as damaged the batteries. Luckily it was covered by the warranty.