Wheelchair Transport to parks for Blind Disabled son??

[Littlegem]

Hi all, I have been searching the threads for definate confirmation of Special Transport to the parks, for Disabled Wheelchair bound Children/Adults.

Would I be correct in thinking that WDW do not provide seperate transport for these needy individuals, instead expecting them to wait in line for extended periods of time, untill "Space" becomes available for them to fit onto a normal bus??

I was hoping it would be the same as Disneyland Paris, where a seperate shuttle comes down to the hotel in question to collect those special passengers.

In this case I am worried that myself and my little boy, would not be able to effectivly access the WDW transport system, as he cannot spend extended periods of time out in the hot sun, due to several complex medical conditions.

I was hoping as we are due to book SSR resort (with a DDD plan) for April 2013, that we would be able to travel for the first time without the need for a Car, and still get around quickly enough to make reservations for meals and such.

I am worried now that I will be paying a lot of £££'s for our trip, but will still have to pay Hundreds more for a car to sit in the parking lots, just to stand any chance of making our precious vacation work.

What are your thoughts???

Hazel

 

[rewardsinlife]

Hi Hazel,
Although I don't have the exact information you need, I believe that the busses are run the same at DL as in WDW.confused This being said, at DL there is a separate line for Disabled/Handicapped. Same type of bus as everyone else, but it stops at the handicap line first...gets everyone in and situated, and then moves onto the regular line if there is room left in the bus. Then at your destination(ie. the park or back to the parking lot), anyone from the regular line will get off quickly and the driver will again assist you and your party in whatever needs you may have. (Again, I am not certain it is the same, so anyone who has first hand knowledge of WDW bus lines regarding Disabilities please correct me if I am wrong)

I do recommend that you make a call down to WDW or send them an email about your situation. I emailed and received a call from them within 24 hrs. regarding a disability issue I had, and they were more than helpful and extremely nice!

Good luck!

 

[disney david]

Disney dose not have seperate buses for wheelchairs most bus stops have a canopy or something on top to block the sun. At the resort if you see te his you need you can alert the driver turn they will load you. If their no room they will call for another bus so you won't have to wait to long. Disney and their drivers work very hard to move a lot of people through out their property as quickly and as safely as they can. My only tips are to relax have fun Disney will be their to help you and your songs much as they can.

 

[disney david]

Hi Hazel,
Although I don't have the exact information you need, I believe that the busses are run the same at DL as in WDW.confused This being said, at DL there is a separate line for Disabled/Handicapped. Same type of bus as everyone else, but it stops at the handicap line first...gets everyone in and situated, and then moves onto the regular line if there is room left in the bus. Then at your destination(ie. the park or back to the parking lot), anyone from the regular line will get off quickly and the driver will again assist you and your party in whatever needs you may have. (Again, I am not certain it is the same, so anyone who has first hand knowledge of WDW bus lines regarding Disabilities please correct me if I am wrong)

I do recommend that you make a call down to WDW or send them an email about your situation. I emailed and received a call from them within 24 hrs. regarding a disability issue I had, and they were more than helpful and extremely nice!

Good luck!

If the op want they can call or email Disney and see not sure what they could do other then answer some questions she might have.

 

[SteveMouse]

All Disney buses have space for at least two mobility devices (wheelchair or ecv).

Riders queue up, with people in wheelchairs/Ecvs in the same line in some locations (Parks especially, subject to change).

Assuming you're using a non-collapsible device...
Depending on the model of the bus, the one with wheels might board through a rear set of doors: newer buses are at the front. The driver will tie down the device. One usually transfers, if possible, to a regular bus seat (safer). The driver will untie the device when you're ready to disembark.

If you are using a folding wheelchair and are ambulatory, you may find it easier to fold the chair prior to boarding, especially on the new buses that don't have stairs.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

If you cannot wait for the bus, you should probably rent a car. It will not cost "hundreds" of £££, unless you are renting for a month. Or you could consider traveling in the winter time, when there is a chance of cooler weather (if possible). An umbrella might be a good idea to pack for shade, as well as a portable fan, as even if you don't have to wait for the bus, you will certainly be waiting many times during the day at the parks in the sun.

 

[deegack]

Op is the trip around Easter time? If it is the parks tend to be crowded and the wait for a bus may be the least of your worries. Please read the FAQ particularly those about the gac so you understand how it differs from dlp.
As for the buses, like pp have stated the buses have room for at least two, some three, wheelchairs or ECv. You wait either in the mainstream line or in a separate designated spot. You should be loaded on the bus before ambulatory people and the driver will lock your chair down and then load the rest of the people. At the parks the reverse will happen.

 

[lanejudy]

I was hoping as we are due to book SSR resort (with a DDD plan) for April 2013, that we would be able to travel for the first time without the need for a Car, and still get around quickly enough to make reservations for meals and such.

Others have responded that the Disney transportation does have buses which accommodate at least 2 mobility devices (ECVs and/or wheelchairs).

With regards to your statement above about traveling "quickly" to reservations...Disney transportation is not really considered to be "quick" and I believe it is suggested that guests allow an hour to get from 1 location to another (it can be much quicker by taxi or private vehicle), and even more time if a transfer is necessary. My family always tries to have our ADRs at the same park where we plan to spend the day so as to avoid losing time traveling back-and-forth, or at least a hotel nearby (i.e. CR, Poly or GF when at MK). If you have park hoppers and would be planning to change parks, plan your ADR to coincide with the time you want to "hop" to the other park.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[Piper]

Just an added note. There is no front of the line access at WDW (even with a GAC.) Most of the lines are mainstreamed so you will go in the same line as the other guests. You should be sure to use fastpass to help keep waits shorter. Also, the few lines that do have a HC entrance, often have a longer wait than the "regular" line. Just a head's up.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

According to several drivers I have talked to all of the lift-equipped buses will be replaced before the end of January. So all buses will have ramps and be able to handle at least two wheelchairs or ECVs. And Disney buses run every 20 minutes throughout the day.

If your are going from SSR to/from a Park there should be no problems. If you are going to/from a different resort (such as for dining), the DTD Main Bus stop is vedry close to SSR.

 

[peemagg]

If you are staying at SSR and need to use the buses, I recommend that you try to get in the Grandstand section if possible. This is the first bus stop of many in SSR. The one that is last in the Springs section.

 

[anonymousegirl]

If you are staying at SSR and need to use the buses, I recommend that you try to get in the Grandstand section if possible. This is the first bus stop of many in SSR. The one that is last in the Springs section.

I second that! By staying in this area, you will have a better chance of having space for your son and his mobility device.

Having read your post, I really think a rental car is a better choice for you. No stress for you or your son about whether they will be room on the next, no waiting in a long, crowded queue, and the ability to go from resort to resort (for those ADRs) more easily than the buses.

A previous poster, LaneJudy, is correct when she says the buses aren't meant to be quick. They are efficient (for the most part--there are always glitches), and free, but you go on their schedule with the rest of the masses of Disney visitors.

WDW is a much bigger place than DLP--"a whole 'nother kettle o'fish" as my grandmother used to say.

good luck!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

WDW is a much bigger place than DLP--"a whole 'nother kettle o'fish" as my grandmother used to say.

good luck!

FYI - This will not be the OP's first WDW trip with her son.

 

[SueM in MN]

Hi Hazel,
Although I don't have the exact information you need, I believe that the busses are run the same at DL as in WDW.confused This being said, at DL there is a separate line for Disabled/Handicapped. Same type of bus as everyone else, but it stops at the handicap line first...gets everyone in and situated, and then moves onto the regular line if there is room left in the bus. Then at your destination(ie. the park or back to the parking lot), anyone from the regular line will get off quickly and the driver will again assist you and your party in whatever needs you may have. (Again, I am not certain it is the same, so anyone who has first hand knowledge of WDW bus lines regarding Disabilities please correct me if I am wrong)

I do recommend that you make a call down to WDW or send them an email about your situation. I emailed and received a call from them within 24 hrs. regarding a disability issue I had, and they were more than helpful and extremely nice!

Good luck!

The lines at WDW are not the same as at DL, just wanted to make that clear and verify that the other posters were correct. There is no separate handicapped stop.

If you are staying at SSR and need to use the buses, I recommend that you try to get in the Grandstand section if possible. This is the first bus stop of many in SSR. The one that is last in the Springs section.

That is usually good advice, especially for buses going to the park early in the day when not many will be coming back.
But, later in the day, if you are going to be leaving the resort at a time when many guests are coming back, you may find that the bus is full of returning guests. So, in that situation, it may not matter what stop you are at (although I would try to not be the last stop).

 

[Littlegem]

I really apprecite the time you have all taken to reply to my post.

My appoligies for not looking in sooner, but its been a bank holiday here in the UK, and I was too busy back home with my three baby girls and Big Travis, to log in !

Back at work today, I have had a good read, of everyones comments and have a lot to think about...

Travis does indeed have a Non collapseable Wheelchair, so either on the WDW buses or in a Hire car it must have space to tie down.

Thats why it costs me so much to rent a vehicle... Its about £400 All in, for a Mini Van, for our 12 night stay... Really Travis could do with a WAV now he is bigger, but the quotes I got were for £1000 ++ and I can't really justify the cost for just him and me to take a trip, so I lift him in and out of his special car seat, and have to do the same in and out of the Van with the wheelchair..

Part of me wonders if we could use the Disney transport to get to and from the Airport/resort, and just rent a Van for the middle of our trip??

I did use the buses myself a few times on unacompanied visits to WDW, and I found they were quite easy to use and didn't take that long.. After all its supossed to be a Vacation Right?? I shouldn't have to rush everywhere!

Just for reference, When we stayed at Disneyland Paris (August 2009), They used to Send a WAV specially to collect Travis and take him to and from the parks, that's how I know..
We never waited with any other familys, it was just for us

I do understand that WDW is HUGE in comparison, so that would be impractical considering the number of Handicapped people I have seen on my visits there, but its good to hear that most buses can fit at least two Special people on board, and that if you miss out, they will likely call for another bus ASAP.

I love the tip about planning your dining either in the park you are visiting that day, or at a nearby resort, as I hadn't used the DDP before, with Travis, and some of the places we want to eat, may be a bit difficult to travel too, depending on where we are in the "world".

I think that although we may be able to use transport some of the time, I will still have to have the Van on standby, which is not such a bad thing. At least that way I can pop out for grocerys, and any meds that Travis may need.

I will definately have a chat to WDW's customers service team, though before I make any firm descisions.

As regards the GAC, despite having one on the other occasions we have visited WDW, I am not sure Travis will need one this time round.
We mostly needed it before as he was just a baby/toddler and we needed to use his Stroller up to the attraction.
Its obvious now, that he is what we call "Special Needs", and from what I remember most of the attractions we would access, his wheelchair would be enough for us to gain entry.

Any more thoughts or ideas from you all would be great.

Kindest regards, Hazel

 

[SueM in MN]

WDW is more like the Disney Studios at DLP, where lines are wheelchair accessible and there are not different wheelchair entrances. So, if all he needs is to take the wheelchair into lines, then you do not need a Guest Assistance Card. The lines are all wheelchair accessible to the point of boarding and since the CMs can see the wheelchair, they will know that he needs to use it in line.
(As you pointed out, CMs can't always tell which stroller is being used as a wheelchair for a child with special needs. That's why thir strollers need to be marked to be allowed in lines).

If he has needs besides to have the wheelchair in line, that's what a GAC is for. See post 6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread or more information.

You could, indeed use WDW transportation to get to and from the airport and rent a van for in between. There are companies that rent with different pick up and drop off points than the airport. Check around. We have used some that have drop off at Swan or Dolphin or one of the Downtown Disney hotel locations.

 

[disney david]

at the dolphin they have a alamo plus their an alamo at the car care center that can pick you up at any resort. If you take me just let them know you need the accessible bus since they have stairs and it narrow entrance.

 

[Littlegem]

Thanks Sue....Maybe we could use a GAC after all.. I will give some thought to Travis's other issues and see if it's something we could use some help with.

Also Great tip David about Alamo collecting you from resort if we decide to hire mid vacation instead of at the airport.

That's why I love these message boards, everyone goes that extra mile to help if they have the knowledge

 

[disney david]

Thanks Sue....Maybe we could use a GAC after all.. I will give some thought to Travis's other issues and see if it's something we could use some help with.

Also Great tip David about Alamo collecting you from resort if we decide to hire mid vacation instead of at the airport.

That's why I love these message boards, everyone goes that extra mile to help if they have the knowledge

Yeah they can have a shuttle pick you up at ssr or you could take a bus to Dhs then walk to dolphin but they have much shorter hours then the car care center. You could rent it from the car care center and return it to the airport sometimes that cheaper but it what ever easier for you.



For the buses here some options but please do what best for you and take your time loading don't feel like you have to rush.

If the bus pulls up and is full It has other wheelchairs or ecv the driver will call for another bus. Or If they don't have seats the driver can also call for another bus so you don't have to wait as long.

For both new and old buses your kid stays in chair and gets tied down and enjoys a safe and fun ride to the park.

Second option is your kid stays in wheelchair use lift or ramp then transfer to a seat and you folder chair.

If he could walk a little then for the new buses he could stay in the chair untill the bus pulls up and I'd their a seat he could walk in an the wheelchair could be carried trough the front door.

 

[Littlegem]

Unfortunately my big Travis is unable to stand or walk, so he always has to ride tied down in his wheelchair, if we take public transport.

Lots of options though, so I am feeling much happier about our Vacation now.



Thankyou again everyone who has taken the time to reply..

Kind Regards, Hazel