What are the Current bus scooter loading ‘rules’?

[Isthisnormalatdisney]

It reminds me of how on the cruise pages I'm on for the cruise line we sail a person went on a crusade to get several front rows of coach buses used for certain excursions reserved for those with reduced mobility but she didn't go about it in right way.

First she assumed all of the people are aged 75+ basically who would have mobility issues and harshly judged anyone "younger" who dared to sit there just assuming they couldn't possibly have mobility issues and went on a rant about how people don't do manners these days. Second when people attempted to explain other reasons why someone would sit up front namely motion sickness she prompted ignored that, lambasted anyone who said that and in not so many words called it essentially a fake issue. People still pushed back against her though which I'm glad.

In the end it was a relatively short-lived thing for this reserving of the front rows and reports I've seen are only sporadic. I think the cruise line temporarily indulged her. Indeed for me I get motion sick on cars but not on a cruise (in general) so a comment of "well don't cruise" is silly. Anyways on our March/April cruise there was one excursion that did have a reserved several first few rows and no one sat in them......except for me and another passenger who had motion sickness both of us using sea bands though the other passenger visibly was worse off than me. We waited until the bus fully loaded which in reality we really shouldn't have to do. And a passenger who had obvious mobility issues never wanted to sit up there. He was able to do more than I could in terms of what walking we could do even though he had two arm canes. And he was on multiple of our excursions in a variety of environments. I think the cobblestones in Ronda, Spain especially gave us other passengers, the tour guide and the cruise line rep much more cautious pause but he was emphatically telling everyone he was good and I think got annoyed (politely so though) with people after a time asking if he was good to go.

It's a fine line to walk when you look at someone and assume something about them.

So yea that lady really went about it the wrong way. Coach buses don’t even allow ECV’s on them, I think wheelchairs and certain other mobility devices can be stored below though.

I’m skeptical of her actual intentions because I don’t believe on airplanes people with mobility devices get automatic first seats, plus they have to get up the steps which could be difficult and steep.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

So yea that lady really went about it the wrong way. Coach buses don’t even allow ECV’s on them, I think wheelchairs and certain other mobility devices can be stored below though.

I’m skeptical of her actual intentions because I don’t believe on airplanes people with mobility devices get automatic first seats, plus they have to get up the steps which could be difficult and steep.

She wasn't talking about actual mobility devices she was talking about those with mobility issues (which can include people in a wheelchair but wasn't her main focus) in a thinly veiled way of saying older people like her should get first priority of the buses because they assuredly have mobility issues and young people can't have those same issues or any other issues that should necessitate being in the front. She absolutely went about it the wrong way. My telling of this was to draw the connection between assuming people based off what they look like. Her attempt as trying to make people use compassion and understanding ended up with her looking like the bad person due to her own inability to use compassion and understanding to other people's situations.

She has a point about how the coach bus second entrance in the middle may not be the easiest to get in and out of but that doesn't mean the first few rows should be exclusively reserved for those with mobility issues and if someone younger was there she would judge them even if they had mobility issues should would just assume they were younger and therefore don't.

Here's some of her quotes "..had concerns about the front couple of seats being taken by people who should NOT take those seats. We have many older and disabled Guests on the ships, who choose these Panoramic Tours as they are "Easy"..... AFTER I pointed this out a couple of weeks ago, the next tour we did, had SIGNS on about 3 seats, Reserving them for people who needed them....today? Nothing......" Her comment goes on and ends with this "CAN I PLEASE ASK ALL OUR MEMBERS, NOT TO TAKE THE FRONT COUPLE OF SEATS UNLESS YOU REALLY NEED THEM......."

A few people pointed out motion sickness as one, this person said "But some people also have motion sickness and need to be up front as well as those with mobility difficulties." and the person who made the post's response was "ok......haven't heard that excuse before......" (notice how she used the word excuse).

People had to literally explain to her not only what motion sickness is with respects to a vehicle (in this case a bus) but also why sitting near the front is best for that.

Her main problem was assigning just what she considered was "really need them" and in her case if it was motion sickness or other issue you didn't really need them, according to her. Much like the poster's comment I quoted where people chastised her husband for not getting up assuming he didn't really need it and others needed it more.

 

[Isthisnormalatdisney]

She wasn't talking about actual mobility devices she was talking about those with mobility issues (which can include people in a wheelchair but wasn't her main focus) in a thinly veiled way of saying older people like her should get first priority of the buses because they assuredly have mobility issues and young people can't have those same issues or any other issues that should necessitate being in the front. She absolutely went about it the wrong way. My telling of this was to draw the connection between assuming people based off what they look like. Her attempt as trying to make people use compassion and understanding ended up with her looking like the bad person due to her own inability to use compassion and understanding to other people's situations.

She has a point about how the coach bus second entrance in the middle may not be the easiest to get in and out of but that doesn't mean the first few rows should be exclusively reserved for those with mobility issues and if someone younger was there she would judge them even if they had mobility issues should would just assume they were younger and therefore don't.

Here's some of her quotes "..had concerns about the front couple of seats being taken by people who should NOT take those seats. We have many older and disabled Guests on the ships, who choose these Panoramic Tours as they are "Easy"..... AFTER I pointed this out a couple of weeks ago, the next tour we did, had SIGNS on about 3 seats, Reserving them for people who needed them....today? Nothing......" Her comment goes on and ends with this "CAN I PLEASE ASK ALL OUR MEMBERS, NOT TO TAKE THE FRONT COUPLE OF SEATS UNLESS YOU REALLY NEED THEM......."

A few people pointed out motion sickness as one, this person said "But some people also have motion sickness and need to be up front as well as those with mobility difficulties." and the person who made the post's response was "ok......haven't heard that excuse before......" (notice how she used the word excuse).

People had to literally explain to her not only what motion sickness is with respects to a vehicle (in this case a bus) but also why sitting near the front is best for that.

Her main problem was assigning just what she considered was "really need them" and in her case if it was motion sickness or other issue you didn't really need them, according to her. Much like the poster's comment I quoted where people chastised her husband for not getting up assuming he didn't really need it and others needed it more.

Yea she should not have done any of that. People shouldn’t judge or criticize other people so much either.

 

[Goldelpack]

So my question is - are the rules different for scooter/wheelchair loading @ park close? Could I have declined to move when the bus driver told us to in order to accommodate the wheelchair party? Also, I seem to remember that WDW at one point was supposed to limit preboarders to 2 folks w/ the wheelchair/scooter person - but I’ve never seen that enforced & the group I watched had 7 folks who boarded w/ the wheelchair & the CM said nothing about that to wheelchair group

Yes there can be different rules at different times - with park closing being the prime one. Since this is the highest demand time for guests to get aboard a bus - the transportation cast members will change the placement (closed off sections) of ropes and usually be on hand to direct people to the main, single line or to the "box". Although there's a huge lack of signage at the parks indicating # of people to board w/wheelchair or scooter - the resorts indicate up to 6 people can board together - but I'd guess there's driver discretion to allow 7.
some guidelines on loading

This last trip I took, I had to wait for 2 more buses to come because the ECV spaces were full of families with big strollers…no ECVs at all.

Strollers are supposed to be folded and/or completely out of the way. If it is a tagged stroller - indicating that it is considered the same as a wheelchair - then it can be treated the same as a wheelchair/ecv and loaded as such. The tag is usually attached and visible.

Again, being patient and showing grace is the best solution to dealing with an ecv "cutting" the line. And being grateful that it is not you in that ecv, having to deal with the looks and comments.

If only.....

And yet different bus drivers give us different rules!

This is overwhelmingly true. I've had drivers indicate where I should be waiting and when I go there subsequently I'm told by a different driver I should be elsewhere. Some drivers insist on using shoulder harness and lap belt, others just ask if I want to be seatbelted. I've had drivers take my scooter key instead of just telling me to power off. Some drivers claim that they are required to to operate my scooter on and off the bus while others ask if I need assistance..

I genuinely don’t care. They should always wait. The ECV situation is completely out of control.

I genuinely can not type the response I'd give you since it's even more horrible than your attitude. Just wow.

 

[lanejudy]

strollers can be used as wheelchairs

Strollers are supposed to be folded and/or completely out of the way. If it is a tagged stroller - indicating that it is considered the same as a wheelchair - then it can be treated the same as a wheelchair/ecv and loaded as such. The tag is usually attached and visible.

The vast majority of strollers at WDW should NOT be used on the buses, regardless of Stroller-as-Wheelchair tags. Those tags are only valid within the parks for attraction queues. Standard baby strollers and even most rental "special needs" strollers are not built to withstand the tie-down which is required on the buses. It can potentially damage the frame, ultimately causing a collapse and potential injury to the child/person in the stroller.

Coach buses don’t even allow ECV’s on them, I think wheelchairs and certain other mobility devices can be stored below though.

Not necessarily true. Accessible coach buses have a lift for wheelchairs and may allow ECVs (depending on size). Anyone who requires an accessible transportation would need to make sure they have contacted the transportation provider to discuss what vehicle is available for accommodation.

 

[Isthisnormalatdisney]

The vast majority of strollers at WDW should NOT be used on the buses, regardless of Stroller-as-Wheelchair tags. Those tags are only valid within the parks for attraction queues. Standard baby strollers and even most rental "special needs" strollers are not built to withstand the tie-down which is required on the buses. It can potentially damage the frame, ultimately causing a collapse and potential injury to the child/person in the stroller.

This is false, @Goldelpack is correct and so am I. The stroller as wheelchair tags can be used on the buses and throughout Disney property.

The same exact statement regarding the tie downs can be made to the various types of ECV’s and other mobility devices used, not all ECV’s are designed to be tied down, but yet they are all tied down. Anything can break from tie downs, it’s not exclusively a stroller as wheelchair issue.

Not necessarily true. Accessible coach buses have a lift for wheelchairs and may allow ECVs (depending on size). Anyone who requires an accessible transportation would need to make sure they have contacted the transportation provider to discuss what vehicle is available for accommodation.

based on @mackenzie Click-Mickelson’s post this was very clearly not that. This was a cruise tour so most likely not even in the United States and not subject to the ADA. But I guess coach buses could have that lift, but based on the story it doesn’t seem like the one in her story had it. She can of course correct me if I’m wrong.

 

[lanejudy]

This is false, @Goldelpack is correct and so am I. The stroller as wheelchair tags can be used on the buses and throughout Disney property.

The same exact statement regarding the tie downs can be made to the various types of ECV’s and other mobility devices used, not all ECV’s are designed to be tied down, but yet they are all tied down. Anything can break from tie downs, it’s not exclusively a stroller as wheelchair issue.

No, sorry, you are incorrect. Do bus drivers ignore that safety aspect and tie down strollers with a tag? Unfortunately some do. That doesn't mean it's allowed, acceptable practice, or safe. Special needs strollers that will be used on transportation can be purchased with a transit tie-down option -- typically such strollers cost >$1500. More basic models are not designed to be tied down. They aren't designed to withstand the forces of an accident, abrupt stop or sharp turn.

Sure anything can be damaged doing almost anything. But manual wheelchairs, powerchairs and ECVs are built with different materials and their frames are strong enough. The vast majority of strollers and other mobility devices (rollators, walkers, etc.) are not.

I guess coach buses could have that lift

I only responded as a general statement that coach buses do have lifts to make them accessible to those using mobility devices. It was not intended to comment about the PPs story.

 

[Isthisnormalatdisney]

No, sorry, you are incorrect. Do bus drivers ignore that safety aspect and tie down strollers with a tag? Unfortunately some do. That doesn't mean it's allowed, acceptable practice, or safe. Special needs strollers that will be used on transportation can be purchased with a transit tie-down option -- typically such strollers cost >$1500. More basic models are not designed to be tied down. They aren't designed to withstand the forces of an accident, abrupt stop or sharp turn.

Sure anything can be damaged doing almost anything. But manual wheelchairs, powerchairs and ECVs are built with different materials and their frames are strong enough. The vast majority of strollers and other mobility devices (rollators, walkers, etc.) are not.

This goes beyond bus drivers. All modes of transportation at Disney recognize the stroller=wheelchair tag and act accordingly. This isn’t about bus drivers ignoring or not, this is their policy. have you ever used a stroller=wheelchair tag ever, if so was it outside the park?

That’s a very broad stroke to just assume all manual wheelchairs, power chairs and ECV’s are build with different materials and frames and the like. Most ECV’s don’t even have brakes…….. last I checked most strollers have this basic safety feature. There are cheap strollers and there are cheap wheelchairs and ECV’s. There are also very well made strollers. It’s not one size fits all.

Also even tied down ECV’s are known to tip over on a bus

I only responded as a general statement that coach buses do have lifts to make them accessible to those using mobility devices. It was not intended to comment about the PPs story.

Well in the context of the story it did not have a lift. My comment was intended to comment about the PP story and was only made in relation to that story.

 

[lanejudy]

All modes of transportation at Disney recognize the stroller=wheelchair tag and act accordingly.

Correct, they act accordingly. And the stroller-as-wheelchair does not allow one to be tied down on a bus. No other transportation at WDW uses tie-downs.

have you ever used a stroller=wheelchair tag ever, if so was it outside the park

Yes and yes. But it was folded for the bus.

That’s a very broad stroke to just assume all manual wheelchairs, power chairs and ECV’s are build with different materials and frames and the like.

You're right here. I should not assume that all manual wheelchairs and ECVs can be tied down. Only those that are certified to meet safety standards, such as ANSI/RESNA WC/Vol. 4, Section 19/ISO 7176-19, which ensures the frame is strong enough to be secured and used as a seat during transport. There may be some which are are not.

Also even tied down ECV’s are known to tip over on a bus

Correct, which is why many users transfer to a seat.

There are cheap strollers and there are cheap wheelchairs and ECV’s. There are also very well made strollers. It’s not one size fits all.

It really has nothing to do with "cheap vs expensive." I mentioned the price to show it's not your basic everyday baby stroller. See note above about safety standards that must be met for a mobility device to be allowed for tie-down on transportation.

Well in the context of the story it did not have a lift. My comment was intended to comment about the PP story and was only made in relation to that story.

Actually, the PPs story didn't even mention ECVs (or wheelchairs or mobility devices). Your post did. Thus I was just responding to your statement.