What to do at Disney bus stops

[Mazzy]

Hello

For those of you who use ECVs, can you tell me what you do at the bus stops?

Do you get in the normal queue for the bus (don't even know if this is possible at the theme park stops) or do you wait somewhere else?

We are staying at the Dolphin.

For the theme parks, the bus stops have winding railings don't they? Where would you wait? Would you get an ECV to turn round the corners OK?

I will be with DH and two children, would they wait with me if I'm waiting in a different place or would they have to stand in the normal queues?

Sorry for all the questions, just trying to sort things out in my head before we arrive, as it's my first trip using an ECV.

Thanks for any advice on this.

 

[Nanajo1]

Mazzy,
You should make yourself as visible as possible. You can wait by the curb near the rear of the stop,don't get lost in a crowd, I or my DH wave, signal, jump up and down to alert the driver that I want to board that bus. The driver usually acknowledges me. If there is any doubt about the driver seeing me my DH goes to the front door and tells the driver. If it is not the bus I want I shake my head NO thanks so the driver knows I won't be boarding that bus. My DH and family usually wait with me and have been let on through the back door after I'm secured. I transfer out of my ECV. I find it more comfortable a bus ride. My only irritant is that sometimes it is difficult to read the marquee so I'm no sure what bus it is until it is very close.

 

[SueM in MN]

Nanajo gave a very good explanation.
I'd add a little clarification - wait about where the rear door of the bus will be when it stops. The theme park stops don't have a curb, it's all flat. For the resorts, most of them do have a surb. Some of them have a cut out, lowered curb area. That's the general place where you would wait, but make sure you are not in the street; stay on the sidewalk area.
your family should wait with you. Most bus drivers will let them in as Nanajo described. From personal experience, I know that if they get into the line, you may end up on one bus while they are on the next one. That has happened to us already when older DD and I waited near (but not with DH and younger DD). When Dd and I went to get into line, no one would let us by (even though we had been waiting longer than most of the people in line ahead of us) and we were left to take the next bus. That's only happened once in many trips on the bus, though.

 

[Mazzy]

Thanks Nanajo and Sue for your help - what a pair of Guardian Angels you are!

I was just a little concerned about people thinking I'm queue jumping just because I will have the ECV.

I'm sure I will be along soon with another question - as the trip gets nearer the more questions I seem to have!

Thanks again

 

[Talking Hands]

Mazzy,
I also helps to have a compnion relay information that the driver is saying to you as you have to back onto the bus and can't speech read. Many of the drivers seem not to know how to deal with a person who is in an ECV who is also hearing challenged. Your companion can face you and either signal, sign or repeat what the driver is saying so you are aware of what he wants. Also let him know you have hearing issues.

Hi from the Wonder

 

[SueM in MN]

Ask as many questions as you can think up. Each question puts more information out there that may be helpful for someone else.

 

[JudithM]

Mazzy, you received some really wonderful replies already ... I ditto what has been said. I used the WDW busses with an ECV last May for the first time. My experience was wonderful! A couple of suggestions - be sure to use turtle/slow mode when entering & exiting the bus. Also, turn off your ECV once you are in place on the ramp. That way you won't accidentally try to go forward.

All the bus drivers I encountered were more than gracious to me. They made it perfectly clear that I should take my time & not worry/be concerned about the guests waiting to board the bus. The other guests boarded after the ECV was in place.

Only once did I stay seated in the ECV & that was a late night after park closing & there was quite a crowd. I didn't feel it was right for me to take up another seat when I already had one on the ECV .