What is public transportation like?

[Sarahsmom85]

We just returned from a visit to Las Vegas (the adult DisneyLand), we used the bus and it was awful, wheelchair van where available, but one night we waited over 2 hrs to get back to condo and when we tried to go to the airport the cab went to the wrong door and left and when I called they said they where sending him back but he never came. I won't go back until the monorail system is in place.

My college age daughter wants us to go with her in May to Disney. We are looking into renting a wc van, its $80 a day plus tax. I hate to spend all that money just to have it sit in the parking lot all day. But then again the freedom is worth it.
Any opinions?

 

[SueM in MN]

Are you staying at one of the Disney resorts?
If you are, I think you will be pleasantly surprised.
The monorails all have at least one wheelchair car. They have a small ramp that can be brought to the car to help you roll in. The only problem is that the monorail station at MK and the TTC are at a second floor level - up a very steep ramp.
The boats at Epcot and the Epcot resorts are also wheelchair accessible - roll right in. The boats at WL are sometimes not wheelchair accessible because of the water level, but if they are not, you can take the buses.
Almost 100% of the buses are wheelchair accessible with either lifts or ramps. They have wheelchair tiedowns for securing up to 2 wheelchairs or ecvs in each bus. The buses are very convenient to go to MK - you are delivered very close to the turnstiles. We have occasionally had bus problems, but this is most likely to happen at closing time when the buses are very busy.
We've been traveling to WDW with DD in her wheelchair since about 1989 with very few problems.

 

[Sarahsmom85]

We've been to Disney several times, in 1985 my husband used a push chair and we just rented a car and tossed him in. LOL
Over the years he prefers his electric chair.
The other times we visited we drove our own van and that made it easy. Now our van is getting old and I don't know if I trust it to go all the way to Florida. Plus wear and tear on me. I like going on the plane and being there.
We are planning to rent a condo or villa from a friend so we will be off grounds.
After Vegas my husband just wants to rent a van.

We drove to Florida last yr to take a cruise and I worried the whole way that I'd break down. Ended up the family we where meeting, (who has a newer car) had their van broke down.
They got it to a repair shop and some nice lady a customer went home and got her van and took them to the cruise line. Now tell me there are not nice people in the world. You can be late for a hotel reservation but when a ship leaves a ship leaves.

 

[dizzyintx]

Where did you find a wheelchair van rental for 80$$$. That's a great price! We were quoted a lot more, so we are not renting a van. Just going to WDW with Mears Wheelchair transportation. Then we will use Disney transportation. I have been to Vegas and Disney in a wheelchair. There is no comparison. vegas was awlful, but disney is very, very wheelchair friendly. Good luck with whatever you decide. Kim

 

[Andrew Bichard]

If your daughter cannot transfer out of her wheelchair, your best option is to stay 'on-site' at a Disney Hotel. Disney transport between the hotels and the parks, boats, monorail & buses is all wheelchair accessible.

If you are staying off-site and can rent a wheelchair vab for $80, do so. Public transport in Orlando is also wheelchair accessible. The public buses are called Lynx, and a couple of routes serve Disney from offsite. However, they only stop off at the Ticket & Transport centre, which only has direct links to Magic Kingdom & Epcot. Other destinations at Disney involve time consuming connections.

In theory, there are also wheelchair accessible cabs operating in the area. Beware that there are very few, and most of those will be off the road at off-peak hours. Be prepared for very long waits and many calls to the despatcher to find out why your cab has got to.

Mears, a private bus company also pick up from many Orlano hotels and serve all the parks, including Sea world, Universal & so on.

Andrew

 

[Sarahsmom85]

Both these links have vans for $80 a day plus $2 and tax but I guess it does depend on when you go.


http://www.discountmobilityusa.com/vanre

http://www.medicaltravel.org/ntals.html