Wheelchairs and busing

[gap2368]

Has the procedure for waiting in line changed? DH will be using a wheelchair this trip , but he can walk. I was thinking we'd use the fold up the chair and sit in normal seat procedure. But will it cause issues if we entered the normal line? We won't need the special spots for tie downs.

I believe for buses you have to enter the back door if you have a wheel chair or ECV. So I think you have to wait in handicap line.

 

[sunset7132]

We bought our 17yo dd a wheelchair for this trip rather than renting each park day like last year. She needs the chair outside of the parks as well. So my question is how does this work with busing. She can transport out of the chair and onto the bus on her own but after a long park day, it'd certainly be easier to just stay seated. Is that an option or does she have to get out of the wheelchair? I remember seeing people using ECV's stay on those but cannot remember anyone staying on a WC. If she has to get out, is there a place to store this on the bus? We will probably have a stroller also.

I stay in my wheelchair and they strap me in

 

[sunset7132]

Has the procedure for waiting in line changed? DH will be using a wheelchair this trip , but he can walk. I was thinking we'd use the fold up the chair and sit in normal seat procedure. But will it cause issues if we entered the normal line? We won't need the special spots for tie downs.

I have a cane that opens to a seat , be careful when you use it because you're not allowed to use those at Disney per their rules.didn't bring mine but people wrote that they used one and got away with it

 

[gap2368]

I have a cane that opens to a seat , be careful when you use it because you're not allowed to use those at Disney per their rules.didn't bring mine but people wrote that they used one and got away with it

I saw someone fall out of one and break their arm. talk about a bad way to end a trip. I have also seen CM and manager go up to people and ask them not to use it as a set and point out places to sit.

 

[lanejudy]

I have a cane that opens to a seat , be careful when you use it because you're not allowed to use those at Disney per their rules.didn't bring mine but people wrote that they used one and got away with it

Used as a CANE for balance and support when walking is perfectly acceptable at WDW. However, they probably will not allow you to use the SEAT part due to concerns with crowds and instability of the tripod legs. If you need to have a seat with you, the acceptable devices are rollator, wheelchair or ECV. You shouldn't have any trouble bringing a cane-seat for use as a cane.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[sunset7132]

Used as a CANE for balance and support when walking is perfectly acceptable at WDW. However, they probably will not allow you to use the SEAT part due to concerns with crowds and instability of the tripod legs. If you need to have a seat with you, the acceptable devices are rollator, wheelchair or ECV. You shouldn't have any trouble bringing a cane-seat for use as a cane.

Enjoy your vacation!

When I heard it wasn't acceptable at Disney I just decided to stay in my wheel chair because I can't stand for more than two minutes ,I didn't want to take a chance,and those seat canes are not very good as canes, I have a regular cane and then my Seat one ,it's very unstable I only use it at the supermarket when I get to the checkout line and I can't stand

 

[DisneyOma]

Has the procedure for waiting in line changed? DH will be using a wheelchair this trip , but he can walk. I was thinking we'd use the fold up the chair and sit in normal seat procedure. But will it cause issues if we entered the normal line? We won't need the special spots for tie downs.

Somehow someone interpreted this to mean you'd be using a cane/seat, but I think you mean folding up the wheelchair, right? You can fold the chair up before you board and go in the front, but do you want to maneuver the chair through the narrower front entrance? You can wheel it onto the bus from the ramp, and then have your husband transfer to a regular seat and fold the chair, if you want to.

 

[jo-jo]

Somehow someone interpreted this to mean you'd be using a cane/seat, but I think you mean folding up the wheelchair, right? You can fold the chair up before you board and go in the front, but do you want to maneuver the chair through the narrower front entrance? You can wheel it onto the bus from the ramp, and then have your husband transfer to a regular seat and fold the chair, if you want to.

Yes, I mean a wheelchair. I'm asking do we go into the regular line, since we don't have the need of having a tie down spot.

 

[gap2368]

Yes, I mean a wheelchair. I'm asking do we go into the regular line, since we don't have the need of having a tie down spot.

It is much easier to go through the back door ( and I do not think they let wheel chair in the front door, or at least one CM did not) so I would just wait in the handicap spot you can tell the driver that you do not want to use a tie-down spot and just fold your wheel chair up and hold it.

 

[DisneyOma]

It is much easier to go through the back door ( and I do not think they let wheel chair in the front door, or at least one CM did not) so I would just wait in the handicap spot you can tell the driver that you do not want to use a tie-down spot and just fold your wheel chair up and hold it.

If it's folded up, it can go through the front. It can't be wheeled through the front though.

 

[SueM in MN]

I have seen people bring a folded wheelchair thru the front door. That is OK if you want to do it, but you will have lift it about 6 inches up into the bus.

 

[123SA]

Today the bus driver gave me no option but to fold up the wheelchair. This bus was nearly empty. My son had to come back off the bus with his broken foot and crutches to help me lift it in. I was furious that the driver wouldn't let me roll it in the back door. He also wouldn't let me roll it out. My son had fallen asleep on the bus and was not alert enough to help. (we left MK because he was feeling ill) Fortunately another guest helped me get the chair out.

Is it supposed to happen this way? Had I realized it would be that difficult, I would have asked my husband to accompany him back to the resort.

 

[DisneyOma]

Today the bus driver gave me no option but to fold up the wheelchair. This bus was nearly empty. My son had to come back off the bus with his broken foot and crutches to help me lift it in. I was furious that the driver wouldn't let me roll it in the back door. He also wouldn't let me roll it out. My son had fallen asleep on the bus and was not alert enough to help. (we left MK because he was feeling ill) Fortunately another guest helped me get the chair out.

Is it supposed to happen this way? Had I realized it would be that difficult, I would have asked my husband to accompany him back to the resort.

He got out of the wheelchair to get on the bus? I think he should have stayed in it?

 

[SueM in MN]

Today the bus driver gave me no option but to fold up the wheelchair. This bus was nearly empty. My son had to come back off the bus with his broken foot and crutches to help me lift it in. I was furious that the driver wouldn't let me roll it in the back door. He also wouldn't let me roll it out. My son had fallen asleep on the bus and was not alert enough to help. (we left MK because he was feeling ill) Fortunately another guest helped me get the chair out.

Is it supposed to happen this way? Had I realized it would be that difficult, I would have asked my husband to accompany him back to the resort.

No.
He should have been allowed to stay in it. The only thing I can think that would change that is if it was a transport chair (with 4 small wheels) or looked like a stroller. Even then, with cast and crutches, the driver should have put down the ramp and let you wheel it in and out.

Were you in the regular line or in the wheelchair area? Was your son sitting in it when the bus arrived or not?

Since you are on site, look on your phone and see if there is a button for Transportation. If there is, use that button to call and make a complaint. Have ready information like what park you were at, the resort you were going to and approximately what time you left the park. If you've got the driver's name, that is helpful. Otherwise a description is helpful.
Most drivers are great, a very few don't want to be bothered by putting a wheelchair on. If his ramp was broken for some reason, he should have told you so that you could choose whether to get on or wait for the next bus.
(The ramps can be operated manually, but the kneeling mechanism can't from what I know.

 

[wendow]

OP here...so after reading the previous response from @SueM in MN I realize I should clarify that we bought my dd a transport chair. She cannot maneuver herself due to low strength. Is this going to be a problem if she wants to stay seated while on the bus? She says right now that she wants to just fold the chair and take a seat on the bus but after a long day in the park, she may feel differently.

 

[seashoreCM]

... My son had to come back off the bus with his broken foot and crutches to help me ...

Not good. At least he should take it easy on his foot and also not work up a sweat. Could you have managed alone even if it took more time (and perhaps others might have jumped in to help)?

 

[mamabunny]

OP here...so after reading the previous response from @SueM in MN I realize I should clarify that we bought my dd a transport chair. She cannot maneuver herself due to low strength. Is this going to be a problem if she wants to stay seated while on the bus? She says right now that she wants to just fold the chair and take a seat on the bus but after a long day in the park, she may feel differently.

That should not be a problem at all - just let the driver know if she prefers to - or needs to - sit in the chair, and not transfer.