Wheelchair on ME

[LisaBi]

We will be traveling with our own wheelchair for the first time next month, but I am a little concerned about ME to and from the airport. DS does not need to stay in it, and I'll be perfectly happy to stow it under the bus with luggage. I am concerned because one time we were there they were using ME buses for overflow between the resorts and the parks. The driver refused to let us on because he said he was not allowed to store wheelchairs under the bus. And it was not an accessible bus.

So I have two questions. Do you think I will have any issues? And should I call ME and let them know we're traveling with a wheelchair, even though we don't need an accessible bus?

 

[OurBigTrip]

We will be traveling with our own wheelchair for the first time next month, but I am a little concerned about ME to and from the airport. DS does not need to stay in it, and I'll be perfectly happy to stow it under the bus with luggage. I am concerned because one time we were there they were using ME buses for overflow between the resorts and the parks. The driver refused to let us on because he said he was not allowed to store wheelchairs under the bus. And it was not an accessible bus.

So I have two questions. Do you think I will have any issues? And should I call ME and let them know we're traveling with a wheelchair, even though we don't need an accessible bus?

I've seen others here state that calling ahead to let them know you have a wheelchair is best. That way, an accessible bus can be provided, even if your son chooses not to sit it during transit.

 

[SueM in MN]

We will be traveling with our own wheelchair for the first time next month, but I am a little concerned about ME to and from the airport. DS does not need to stay in it, and I'll be perfectly happy to stow it under the bus with luggage. I am concerned because one time we were there they were using ME buses for overflow between the resorts and the parks. The driver refused to let us on because he said he was not allowed to store wheelchairs under the bus. And it was not an accessible bus.

So I have two questions. Do you think I will have any issues? And should I call ME and let them know we're traveling with a wheelchair, even though we don't need an accessible bus?

They will allow you to store the wheelchair under the DME bus without any problem send either no need to have an accessible bus.

The question would be whether or not he can make the climb up the stairs, which may not be an issue for your family.

The DME type buses doing resort to park service are a different issue. They have specific reasons why they won't put wheelchairs in the storage area.
The first reason is that they are overflow, so their role is to fill large numbers of people quickly and then leave.

The other big reason is if they put a wheelchair in the storage area under the bus, they will also have people wanting their strollers put under.

 

[fabfemmeboy]

They will allow you to store the wheelchair under the DME bus without any problem send either no need to have an accessible bus.

The question would be whether or not he can make the climb up the stairs, which may not be an issue for your family.

The DME type buses doing resort to park service are a different issue. They have specific reasons why they won't put wheelchairs in the storage area.
The first reason is that they are overflow, so their role is to fill large numbers of people quickly and then leave.

The other big reason is if they put a wheelchair in the storage area under the bus, they will also have people wanting their strollers put under.

Because this came up in my trip planning and I was about to ask a similar question, I'm going to jump in and ask it here: Is this also the case for power chairs that disassemble or otherwise get smaller but don't fold flat like a manual/push wheelchair? We're doing a few days in Orlando first (with a powerchair from Walker) then returning a car to the airport and taking the DME down to start the Disney leg of our trip, so we'll have the chair with us. I have no problem with the steps up into the bus even on bad days so I wouldn't need to wait for an accessible bus, but will the driver be allowed or able to store the disassembled chair beneath the bus?

 

[SueM in MN]

Because this came up in my trip planning and I was about to ask a similar question, I'm going to jump in and ask it here: Is this also the case for power chairs that disassemble or otherwise get smaller but don't fold flat like a manual/push wheelchair? We're doing a few days in Orlando first (with a powerchair from Walker) then returning a car to the airport and taking the DME down to start the Disney leg of our trip, so we'll have the chair with us. I have no problem with the steps up into the bus even on bad days so I wouldn't need to wait for an accessible bus, but will the driver be allowed or able to store the disassembled chair beneath the bus?

The issue for a power wheelchair would be the weight. My DD's power wheelchair can have the back and seat cushion removed, but the base with the batteries, motors, etc can't really be taken apart any further. The total weight for that part would be over 200 pounds.

It's possible they might have a ramp that it could be pushed in, but I don't think so. Usually workers are not allowed to lift more than 50 pounds. Some disassembled ECVs might be be OK because the heaviest piece would be less than 50 pounds.

 

[disney david]

They will allow you to store the wheelchair under the DME bus without any problem send either no need to have an accessible bus.

The question would be whether or not he can make the climb up the stairs, which may not be an issue for your family.

The DME type buses doing resort to park service are a different issue. They have specific reasons why they won't put wheelchairs in the storage area.
The first reason is that they are overflow, so their role is to fill large numbers of people quickly and then leave.

The other big reason is if they put a wheelchair in the storage area under the bus, they will also have people wanting their strollers put under.

Yes Disney still has to handle guest in wheelchairs and ecvs. So their supposed to call their dispatch let them know they have a guest in a ecv or wheelchair and then they let Disney know and Disney will have to send one of their buses.

 

[SueM in MN]

Yes Disney still has to handle guest in wheelchairs and ecvs. So their supposed to call their dispatch let them know they have a guest in a ecv or wheelchair and then they let Disney know and Disney will have to send one of their buses.

Yes.

The DME buses used for park to resort are basically to handle large crowds quickly. Since the regular buses are all accessible, they would handle guests with ECVs and wheelchairs with those regular buses.

 

[LisaBi]

Thanks everyone. Sue...that perfect sense about the MDE busses being used for overflow. All the driver said (gruffly) was that he couldn't put the chair under. We should be OK on the bus steps...this is the first trip we are taking our own chair, so he's done it before. It's a bit difficult but ok as long as he is holding the railing (like we all should anyway!)