What are the names of the 2 to 3 WDW Buses used during 2020 reopening & floorplans with social distancing 6-zones?

[RaySharpton]

What are the names of the 2 to 3 WDW Buses used during 2020 reopening & floorplans with social distancing 6-zones?

I've Googled and researched several WDW blogs for their photos.

But, I have seen buses with three colors of seats.

Blue, Orange, and Purple colors with possibly the Blue seats being the newest version and Orange seats the oldest with a different seat floorplan.

That's another thing.

I'm trying to find the seat floorplans of the three buses if any bus drivers can help me out.

The problem I'm having with the Googled research photos is trying to organize the front entrance seats on the left and right sides of the bus seats.

Plus seeing all of the Six Zone number labels on the seatbacks and the not available labels on the seats of the other seats.

I've included examples below.



This is a photo of the first seat seats on the left entering the bus.

But don't know how many zone 2 seats are to the right in the photo.



Second photo, rotating to the right.

I can see the #2 zone seat on the left, but I still don't know if there are three or two #2 zone seats or more.

I'm going to assume the next two seats on the left behind the partition are zone #3 seats.

Then the caution floor tape around the fold-out ramp exit that wheelchair and mobility scooter use to enter and exit the bus.

Then the steps up to the rear section of the bus. (I've really had a hard time seeing all of the seats in this area. I just can't connect all of the dots with all of the seats in each of the last 3 zones with all of their number labeled zone seats and not available seats and the parttions.

And finally, rotating to the right the two fold-up type seat sections with tie-down and seat belt sections if needed for wheelchair or mobility scooter users.



Rotating to the right again,

I can see at least one seat with the zone #1 label but i don't see how many other zone #1 seats.

I thought it was unual to see these three fold-up seats with Not Available label on the seats because other photos show they are listed as zone #2 seats which are available to guests.

Or when folded up makes room for a wheelchair or mobility scooter to be parked and tied down. (these three seats fold up as one unit instead of three separate units unlike other seats thar are not foldable.

A bus driver told me that in the first photo, if the mobility scooter drive got up, they would sit in one of the #2 zone seats on the left. Otherwise they are buckled up with a car seat strap tied down with their mobility scooter.

Most bus drivers ask mobility scooter guests to move to a seat in case of an bus accident causing their heavy mobility scooter tips over.

The next three seats should be #3 zone fold-up seats



Partial photo of the rear section of the bus.

The bus wheel wells raise some of the seats.

I can not seat zone numbers on the seats except for rear of the bus seats (but I can't make out the numbers.)

I can see the seats with not availbl labels.



What this area looked like before SARS-CoD-2.

Looks like five rear seats. Then matching two side seats, three raised bus wheel well seats. I not sure is hiding any seats, but then two more matching two side seats.



Switching from the blue seat to the orange seat bus.

On the right is the left front bus tire wheel well.

Two zone #1 orange seats near the right entrance or the bus then with the gray fold-up seats.



The purple seat bus in front of the left front bus wheel well.



Purple seat zone #1 behind the left front bus wheel well.



Another purple seat bus photo showing the rear of zone #4 on top of a bus left rear wheel well. Notice to the right a builtin ramp to get to the bus rear section instead of steps that the blue and orange seat buses use.

*********************************************************************************************************************

I had one bus driver tell me the following information.

First the buses are divided into 6 sections.

The largest section on any bus is 5 seats and the smallest is 2 seats.

Second these 6 sections seat only 25 people and there is no standing on any of the buses.

If a party is larger than 5 people (and by people we mean heartbeats including infants) the party is seated in 2 sections.

Only 1 party in each section is allowed. So if your party is 6 people you will be seated in a section with 5 seats and the section closest to it thereby "filling" 2 sections.

It is possible to have a bus where there are 6 parties of one person each.

All guests are treated equally, meaning

if you're in a wheelchair or scooter you no longer automatically get boarded first.

This is in full compliance with ADA laws which guarantees equal access.

Third every 2 hours we wipe down the bus with a disinfectant and every half hour we air out the bus for 4 minutes with the doors open and the escape hatch on the roof at the back of the bus open.

The company conducted tests with smoke to see how long it takes for the bus' air to circulate out and that's what they found.

Most WDW bus configurations are as follows:

Zone 6 - 5 seats
Zone 5 - 4 seats
Zone 4 - 4 seats
Zone 3 - 5 seats (with 3 being for the wheelchair pod)
Zone 2 - 2 seats
Zone 1 - 5 seats

Another configuration is:
Zone 6 - 4 seats
Zone 5 - 4 seats
Zone 4 - 4 seats
Zone 3 - 3 seats (with 3 being for the wheelchair pod)
Zone 2 - 5 seats
Zone 1 - 5 seats

There are plastic barriers between each zone.

The lower numbers are in the front of the bus.

If there are 2 wheelchairs/scooters traveling together we do accommodate them, but that does take up both zones 3 and 2.

A wheelchair/scooter guest can most certainly opt to sit in a regular seat.

And no we do not allow seats marked not Available for your protection "do not sit here" to be used.

************************************************************************************************

So do you have any bus names for each of the blue-seat, orange-seat, and purple-seat buses?

Do you have any diagrams, seat floorplans, and photos?

I am a wheelchair user and I am just trying to help newbies what to expect when and if they visit WDW.

Thank you in advance.

RaySharpton

EDIT TO ADD WDW Bus with orange seat configuration placement with zone #s seats, not available seats and partitions.

Entering the bus with orange seats.
Zone #1 - On the left, 3-seats each available with #1 labels, then partition.
Zone #2 - On the left, 4-seats two middle seats available with #2 labels, outside seats with a sign, "For Your Protection This Seat Not Available", then Side Door Exit, then two steps up to the bus rear seat sections.
Entering the bus with orange seats.
Zone #1 - On the right, 2-seats each available with #1 labels, then no partition.
(Note: Zone #1 has a total of 5-seats. Three on the left and two on the right)
Zone #2 - On the right, 3-seats. The first seat has a sign, "For Your Protection This Seat Not Available". The next two seats each available with #2 labels, then a partition.
(Note: The 3-grey seats on the right fold up to make room for a mobility scooter or wheelchair to be tied down. If the guest can walk, in case of an accident, the bus driver suggests that they sit in a seat instead to avoid being hurt by their mobility device.)
Zone #3 - On the right, 3-seats each available with #3 labels, then partition.
(Note: The 3-grey seats on the right fold up to make room for a mobility scooter or wheelchair to be tied down. If the guest can walk, in case of an accident, the bus driver suggests that they sit in a seat instead to avoid being hurt by their mobility device.)

(Note: Mobility scooters and wheelchairs usually parallel park on the bus and require more floor space to park and exit. This why an empty bus is loaded first with mobility scooters and wheelchairs and exit last after all guests leave the bus.)

Next, the two steps up to the rear section of the bus.

Zone #4 - On the left and right side are a pair of seats each available with #4 zone labels, then each with partitions for a total of four #4 zone seats.

Zone #5 - On the left and right side are 5-seats. Only two seats on each side has a #5 zone label. These seats are raised sitting on top of the bus wheel wells. The first seat has a sign, "For Your Protection This Seat Not Available". The next two seats each available with #5 labels. The next two seats have signs, "For Your Protection This Seat Not Available". There is a partition on the fifth seat. Zone #5 has a total of four available seats.

Zone #6 - All 5-seats are all available with #6 labels.

 

[Ross Kratter]

What are the names of the 2 to 3 WDW Buses used during 2020 reopening & floorplans with social distancing 6-zones?

I've Googled and researched several WDW blogs for their photos.

But, I have seen buses with three colors of seats.

Blue, Orange, and Purple colors with possibly the Blue seats being the newest version and Orange seats the oldest with a different seat floorplan.

That's another thing.

I'm trying to find the seat floorplans of the three buses if any bus drivers can help me out.

The problem I'm having with the Googled research photos is trying to organize the front entrance seats on the left and right sides of the bus seats.

Plus seeing all of the Six Zone number labels on the seatbacks and the not available labels on the seats of the other seats.

I've included examples below.

View attachment 525250

This is a photo of the first seat seats on the left entering the bus.

But don't know how many zone 2 seats are to the right in the photo.

View attachment 525251

Second photo, rotating to the right.

I can see the #2 zone seat on the left, but I still don't know if there are three or two #2 zone seats or more.

I'm going to assume the next two seats on the left behind the partition are zone #3 seats.

Then the caution floor tape around the fold-out ramp exit that wheelchair and mobility scooter use to enter and exit the bus.

Then the steps up to the rear section of the bus. (I've really had a hard time seeing all of the seats in this area. I just can't connect all of the dots with all of the seats in each of the last 3 zones with all of their number labeled zone seats and not available seats and the parttions.

And finally, rotating to the right the two fold-up type seat sections with tie-down and seat belt sections if needed for wheelchair or mobility scooter users.

View attachment 525252

Rotating to the right again,

I can see at least one seat with the zone #1 label but i don't see how many other zone #1 seats.

I thought it was unual to see these three fold-up seats with Not Available label on the seats because other photos show they are listed as zone #2 seats which are available to guests.

Or when folded up makes room for a wheelchair or mobility scooter to be parked and tied down. (these three seats fold up as one unit instead of three separate units unlike other seats thar are not foldable.

A bus driver told me that in the first photo, if the mobility scooter drive got up, they would sit in one of the #2 zone seats on the left. Otherwise they are buckled up with a car seat strap tied down with their mobility scooter.

Most bus drivers ask mobility scooter guests to move to a seat in case of an bus accident causing their heavy mobility scooter tips over.

The next three seats should be #3 zone fold-up seats

View attachment 525258

Partial photo of the rear section of the bus.

The bus wheel wells raise some of the seats.

I can not seat zone numbers on the seats except for rear of the bus seats (but I can't make out the numbers.)

I can see the seats with not availbl labels.

View attachment 525260

What this area looked like before SARS-CoD-2.

Looks like five rear seats. Then matching two side seats, three raised bus wheel well seats. I not sure is hiding any seats, but then two more matching two side seats.

View attachment 525263

Switching from the blue seat to the orange seat bus.

On the right is the left front bus tire wheel well.

Two zone #1 orange seats near the right entrance or the bus then with the gray fold-up seats.

View attachment 525267

The purple seat bus in front of the left front bus wheel well.

View attachment 525268

Purple seat zone #1 behind the left front bus wheel well.

View attachment 525271

Another purple seat bus photo showing the rear of zone #4 on top of a bus left rear wheel well. Notice to the right a builtin ramp to get to the bus rear section instead of steps that the blue and orange seat buses use.

*********************************************************************************************************************

I had one bus driver tell me the following information.

First the buses are divided into 6 sections.

The largest section on any bus is 5 seats and the smallest is 2 seats.

Second these 6 sections seat only 25 people and there is no standing on any of the buses.

If a party is larger than 5 people (and by people we mean heartbeats including infants) the party is seated in 2 sections.

Only 1 party in each section is allowed. So if your party is 6 people you will be seated in a section with 5 seats and the section closest to it thereby "filling" 2 sections.

It is possible to have a bus where there are 6 parties of one person each.

All guests are treated equally, meaning

if you're in a wheelchair or scooter you no longer automatically get boarded first.

This is in full compliance with ADA laws which guarantees equal access.

Third every 2 hours we wipe down the bus with a disinfectant and every half hour we air out the bus for 4 minutes with the doors open and the escape hatch on the roof at the back of the bus open.

The company conducted tests with smoke to see how long it takes for the bus' air to circulate out and that's what they found.

Most WDW bus configurations are as follows:

Zone 6 - 5 seats
Zone 5 - 4 seats
Zone 4 - 4 seats
Zone 3 - 5 seats (with 3 being for the wheelchair pod)
Zone 2 - 2 seats
Zone 1 - 5 seats

Another configuration is:
Zone 6 - 4 seats
Zone 5 - 4 seats
Zone 4 - 4 seats
Zone 3 - 3 seats (with 3 being for the wheelchair pod)
Zone 2 - 5 seats
Zone 1 - 5 seats

There are plastic barriers between each zone.

The lower numbers are in the front of the bus.

If there are 2 wheelchairs/scooters traveling together we do accommodate them, but that does take up both zones 3 and 2.

A wheelchair/scooter guest can most certainly opt to sit in a regular seat.

And no we do not allow seats marked not Available for your protection "do not sit here" to be used.

*********************************************************************************************************************

So do you have any bus names for each of the blue-seat, orange-seat, and purple-seat buses?

Do you have any diagrams, seat floorplans and photos?

I am a wheelchair user and I am just trying to help newbies what to expect when and if they visit WDW.

Thank you in advance.

RaySharpton

The Disney Transport article on Wikipedia has some great information about the entire fleet of buses. Hopefully this will lead you in the right direction.

 

[RaySharpton]

The RTS originally produced by GM and later MTS the Disney bus fleet was at one time completely comprised of this model bus. Although the production of the RTS ceased in 2009. high-floor buses... had the side door with metal steps that changed into a lift.

Nova bus low floors



Gillig Low Floors




Flyers

The Gilligs are perfectly rectangular boxes, and have steps between the front & rear sections. The Novas have curved windshields, and a ramp up to the rear section. After all the new buses arrive, Gilligs may be all that's left. The articulated (accordion) buses are Novas and New Flyers. Same deal: Novas have a curved windshield, New Flyers don't.

 

[gatour]

Not sure why the concern about the models of buses. The bus shows up and either you are allowed to board or not based on distancing rules/wheelchair requirements. It is not like you can can pick and choose the bus as they may be randomly assigned to different routes.

 

[RaySharpton]

Not sure why the concern about the models of buses. The bus shows up and either you are allowed to board or not based on distancing rules/wheelchair requirements. It is not like you can can pick and choose the bus as they may be randomly assigned to different routes.

Gatour, I am not "concerned about the models of buses."

Yes, I always take the bus that shows up if it is available and it is my turn.

I never said nor did I insenuate that I wanted to chose a bus.

Your words and your statements are yours and not mind.

Instead of assuming what I was writing, you could have just asked me a question of why.

I like Walt Disney World Transportation whether it be by bus or water taxi or ferryboat or monorail or Skyliner. I even enjoy their wide sidewalks that I use traveling on a pretty day or nice evening at the resorts. I especially like rolling from EPCOT to Disney Hollywood Studios wide, smooth sidewalks

I also like to reminize the early years when their WDW RTS Bus offered an unusual side wheelchair/moblity scooter lift on their bus. The metal three steps would morph into a flat wheelchair/moblity scooter lift. I found it fascinating to watch.

And I was interessted in the way WDW placed the six different zones in their Gillig Buses as far as how wheelchair/moblity scooter are zoned.

I didn't realize there were same zone number bus seats sitting across from each other.

Some of my DISer friends were asking what it was like now on the WDW Gillig Buses.

I noticed that the WDW Gillig Bus with orange seats that I Googled was slightly different from the newer WDW Gillig Bus model with blue seats.

Most WDW drivers ask mobility scooter guests to move and sit in a bus seat if they can. I've never been in a bus accident, but even though a mobility scooter is tied down and the guest that remains on their mobility scooter is 3-point belted to the bus, their have been incidences where the mobility scooter tipped over hurting the guest wast was strapped in separately.

Not a safe situation although rare.

The two wheelchair/mobility scooter fold-up section consists of three seats.

There are mainly two spaces located in zone #2 and #3.

Both of the WDW Gillig Buses blue and orange seat configurations have a zone #2 corresponding seat for the mobility scooter guest to move to and sit in.

But the zone #3 orange seats don't The zone #3 blue seats do.

And I'm not sure about the purple seat bus.

I normally don't venture out of the DISability Forums.

But I thought this one time I might get some helpful answers.

As far as the bus model names like RTS bus and Gillig bu, I just wanted to be accurate with words or names instead of just saying "bus" or "blue seat" bus.

I've had a lot of friends ask me if I could help their senior familiy members feel better about going to Walt Disney World and using a mobility scooter for the first.

And they want their senior father or mother or grandmother or grandfather to enjoy their grandkids experiencing Walt Disney World together as a family.

This may be their first time.

Or maybe their last time.

Information helps overcome some fear for folks if they know what to expect.

Most newbie seniors have already read about how some guests can be rude and verbally assault and accuse them of cheating getting on the bus first not knowing the valid reasons mobility scooter get on an empty bus an get off last, etc.

I just like information.

And from the responce of only one kind poster's helpful info shows me not many people have the info.

I have been collecting information that might be helpful for awhile now for wheelchair/mobility scooter.

I know I appreciate helpful information using my wheelchair.

I never try to pick or chose. If anything I try not to get in anybodys way.

 

[MinnieMSue]

I forgot I took a photo when we were in the back row of a bus.

 

[MinnieMSue]

Sorry could not rotate it for the life of me

 

[joelkfla]

Sorry could not rotate it for the life of me

Here ya' go:

 

[DL1WDW2]

Thank you . I always thought a day of being in a wheelchair should be part of the training for castmembers.
It is surprising to discover Disney property is not flat and seems to be a lot more uphills than down.
I was able to enjoy DL& WDW with my mother in wheelchair and all of the policies have changed.
Once upon a time , somebody had published a guidebook with all the info you would need but that was about 10 years ago. There really is a lot to understand and it can be confusing. Your words and pictures are appreciated.

 

[RaySharpton]

I forgot I took a photo when we were in the back row of a bus.
View attachment 525981

Sorry could not rotate it for the life of me

Here ya' go:
View attachment 526019

Thank you, MinnieMSue and joelkfla.

I think this Gillig blue seat bus is my favorite configured bus with a flatter wheelchair ramp area surrounding the yellow floor warning area.

The earlier Gillig model had a higher lip area that my front wheelchair wheels would get stuck on sometimes when turning around in certain situations and exiting the bus.

Nice view from the rear of the bus. I never get to see this view because of the stairs.

Thanks.

 

[RaySharpton]

Thank you . I always thought a day of being in a wheelchair should be part of the training for castmembers.
It is surprising to discover Disney property is not flat and seems to be a lot more uphills than down.
I was able to enjoy DL& WDW with my mother in wheelchair and all of the policies have changed.
Once upon a time , somebody had published a guidebook with all the info you would need but that was about 10 years ago. There really is a lot to understand and it can be confusing. Your words and pictures are appreciated.

You're welcome, DL1WDW2.

I agree.

If you haven't seen this thread below, there is a lot of helpful info.

disABILITIES FAQs - temporary & permanent disabled, 1st trip, next trip, Wish trip

 

[gatour]

Gatour, I am not "concerned about the models of buses."

Yes, I always take the bus that shows up if it is available and it is my turn.

I never said nor did I insenuate that I wanted to chose a bus.

Your words and your statements are yours and not mind.

Instead of assuming what I was writing, you could have just asked me a question of why.

I like Walt Disney World Transportation whether it be by bus or water taxi or ferryboat or monorail or Skyliner. I even enjoy their wide sidewalks that I use traveling on a pretty day or nice evening at the resorts. I especially like rolling from EPCOT to Disney Hollywood Studios wide, smooth sidewalks

I also like to reminize the early years when their WDW RTS Bus offered an unusual side wheelchair/moblity scooter lift on their bus. The metal three steps would morph into a flat wheelchair/moblity scooter lift. I found it fascinating to watch.

And I was interessted in the way WDW placed the six different zones in their Gillig Buses as far as how wheelchair/moblity scooter are zoned.

I didn't realize there were same zone number bus seats sitting across from each other.

Some of my DISer friends were asking what it was like now on the WDW Gillig Buses.

I noticed that the WDW Gillig Bus with orange seats that I Googled was slightly different from the newer WDW Gillig Bus model with blue seats.

Most WDW drivers ask mobility scooter guests to move and sit in a bus seat if they can. I've never been in a bus accident, but even though a mobility scooter is tied down and the guest that remains on their mobility scooter is 3-point belted to the bus, their have been incidences where the mobility scooter tipped over hurting the guest wast was strapped in separately.

Not a safe situation although rare.

The two wheelchair/mobility scooter fold-up section consists of three seats.

There are mainly two spaces located in zone #2 and #3.

Both of the WDW Gillig Buses blue and orange seat configurations have a zone #2 corresponding seat for the mobility scooter guest to move to and sit in.

But the zone #3 orange seats don't The zone #3 blue seats do.

And I'm not sure about the purple seat bus.

I normally don't venture out of the DISability Forums.

But I thought this one time I might get some helpful answers.

As far as the bus model names like RTS bus and Gillig bu, I just wanted to be accurate with words or names instead of just saying "bus" or "blue seat" bus.

I've had a lot of friends ask me if I could help their senior familiy members feel better about going to Walt Disney World and using a mobility scooter for the first.

And they want their senior father or mother or grandmother or grandfather to enjoy their grandkids experiencing Walt Disney World together as a family.

This may be their first time.

Or maybe their last time.

Information helps overcome some fear for folks if they know what to expect.

Most newbie seniors have already read about how some guests can be rude and verbally assault and accuse them of cheating getting on the bus first not knowing the valid reasons mobility scooter get on an empty bus an get off last, etc.

I just like information.

And from the responce of only one kind poster's helpful info shows me not many people have the info.

I have been collecting information that might be helpful for awhile now for wheelchair/mobility scooter.

I know I appreciate helpful information using my wheelchair.

I never try to pick or chose. If anything I try not to get in anybodys way.

Based on your reply you ARE concerned about the model of buses. However I understand how you want to relate information to other people.

Back to the point I was trying to make...

Their is no guarantee about what model of bus will show up at each stop. There could only be one model of bus show up repeatedly at one stop.

So a rider looking for a particular model of bus, could be stranded.

So they (your family included) needs to be prepared for that.

The bus driver no matter the model will take care of them.

 

[RaySharpton]

Based on your reply you ARE concerned about the model of buses. However I understand how you want to relate information to other people.

Back to the point I was trying to make...

Their is no guarantee about what model of bus will show up at each stop. There could only be one model of bus show up repeatedly at one stop.

So a rider looking for a particular model of bus, could be stranded.

So they (your family included) needs to be prepared for that.

The bus driver no matter the model will take care of them.

Bless your heart.



.

 

[Dug720]

Sorry could not rotate it for the life of me

Unrelated to transportation but related to the photo: they REALLY need to figure out how to let us post pictures from phones or computers that will be oriented correctly without having to do crazy manipulations. It's clearly NOT so simple to manipulate them as most of us post sideways pictures and only a few seem to be able to rotate them. It cannot be THAT hard - I've never seen this on other forums I visit.

 

[MinnieMSue]

Unrelated to transportation but related to the photo: they REALLY need to figure out how to let us post pictures from phones or computers that will be oriented correctly without having to do crazy manipulations. It's clearly NOT so simple to manipulate them as most of us post sideways pictures and only a few seem to be able to rotate them. It cannot be THAT hard - I've never seen this on other forums I visit.

yeah good point. I would say about half of mine post rotated incorrectly and I have no idea why. I spent 10 min at least trying to rotate the bus photo before throwing in the towel lol.