wheelchair use on magic express

[catm]

Hi everyone,
I broke my foot and just had surgery two weeks ago. The recovery time is going to be long. I may or may not still be non weight bearing when we go to Disney World in the first week of July. Either way I won't be allowed to put full weight on the foot. I'm planning on ordering an ECV for when we are at the resort but using the wheelchair we are currently renting to get to and from the airport here and in Orlando. Does enyone know if Magic Express is wheelchair accessable. From my memory, I don't recall a ramp and the aisles are very narrow. So wondering if they have a few buses they use for this or if we will have to get other transportation.
Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[disney david]

Hi everyone,
I broke my foot and just had surgery two weeks ago. The recovery time is going to be long. I may or may not still be non weight bearing when we go to Disney World in the first week of July. Either way I won't be allowed to put full weight on the foot. I'm planning on ordering an ECV for when we are at the resort but using the wheelchair we are currently renting to get to and from the airport here and in Orlando. Does enyone know if Magic Express is wheelchair accessable. From my memory, I don't recall a ramp and the aisles are very narrow. So wondering if they have a few buses they use for this or if we will have to get other transportation.
Thanks in advance for your help.

Call them and request the accessible bus they don't have many so you need to tell them so it their at the airport and at the resort for the return trip. Their tour style buses so they don't all have to be accessible they just have to have a percent of them it a lift that comes out the side of the bus where wheelchair go on then the lift lift her up she wheel onto the bus in a row already so no need to go done the isle. But it important to let them know ahead of time because if you don't have it noted you my have to wait awhile for them to get a bus for you.

 

[SueM in MN]

Many of the Magical Express buses are accessible.
This is copied from the first post on page 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread. You can find that thread near the top of this board or follow the link in my signature.

Orlando - terminal maps and layouts; You can find DME on the Terminal Layout map, one Level One, look for the letter "S"

Here is a picture of the DME bus lift in its highest position:

DME Bus steps

Someone using a wheelchair can ride it up the lift and then the wheelchair will be fastened down to the floor of the bus.
A wheelchair or ECV can also be placed underneath the bus in the luggage storage compartment.
People have posted before that they were allowed to stand on the lift and ride it up for boarding because they were unable to climb the steps.
A DME bus driver posted in late 2008 that this was not allowed and only a person with a wheelchair or ECV is allowed on the lift. No one may stand on the lift.

If you feel you can't climb the steps, let the CM know when you are making your reservations for DME and again when you check in. They will need to come up with some alternative for you.
I have seen people using an airport wheelchair to ride up the lift, get out of the wheelchair to sit in a seat and then borrow a wheelchair at the resort to get out.
On our last trip, I noticed that there were 2 wheelchairs in the under bus storage area. Since we were the first on, the wheelchairs were on before the bus arrived at the stop.

 

[pugdog]

Over 2/3's of the buses now have the lifts. Getting one with a lift at MCO is not a big deal but sometimes getting the right one at the resorts can be. Make sure you have them mark you need the lift. And when you get the return notice the day before departure call the 800 number and make sure they still have it noted you need the lift.