wheelchairs on Disney buses

[goofy4tink]

ENOUGH!!!!! There is no need for a PhD in any situation here. Either stop with the inane posts or the posts will be deleted and points given. There is no help being handed out.
Stay on topic.
Happy 4th!!!

 

[seashoreCM]

Scenario 3. The two of you in the wheelchairs wait by the back door. The rest of you wait in the regular line.

When the driver opens the back door, the two in the wheelchairs get up and walk aboard and take seats leaving the chairs behind. At the same time you get out of line, go to the back door, fold up the chairs and carry them in. Also works when there are other wheelchair guests ahead of you.

The significance of your starting out in the regular line is this. If the driver does not open the back door (both wheelchair slots taken) and you get on board seeing empty seats, you ask the driver to open the back door so they can climb on board and you fold up the chairs. Best with at least five in your party, two to save seats, two outside in the chairs, and one to ask the bus driver to open the back door. Worst thing that can happen is if you all have to wait for the next bus.

 

[POOHsie]

If my 78-yo mom was in a wheelchair, and waiting at the back door position for the next bus, I would not leave her alone there while I went in the regular line. I am sure the same sentiment would be expressed by parents of a child in a wheelchair. Leave their child alone waiting while they get in the regular line?

I think Disney's rules for bus loading are crystal clear, and there is no need for second-guessing. The wheelchair or ecv, plus up to 5 others, wait at the back door position so the bus driver can see the situation as the bus approaches the stop. The bus driver will keep the front door closed, go to the back door, open it, and load those people first if there is room, or deny loading if there is no room or if there is equipment malfunction. The place for asking the bus driver if you could fold up your wheelchair and still board is there at the back door.

Making a show of being in the regular bus line, to the point of leaving your disabled loved one waiting alone in the wheelchair bus line, is unreasonable and heartless. The Disney approach is sensible.

 

[Inkmahm]

If my 78-yo mom was in a wheelchair, and waiting at the back door position for the next bus, I would not leave her alone there while I went in the regular line. I am sure the same sentiment would be expressed by parents of a child in a wheelchair. Leave their child alone waiting while they get in the regular line?

I think Disney's rules for bus loading are crystal clear, and there is no need for second-guessing. The wheelchair or ecv, plus up to 5 others, wait at the back door position so the bus driver can see the situation as the bus approaches the stop. The bus driver will keep the front door closed, go to the back door, open it, and load those people first if there is room, or deny loading if there is no room or if there is equipment malfunction. The place for asking the bus driver if you could fold up your wheelchair and still board is there at the back door.

Making a show of being in the regular bus line, to the point of leaving your disabled loved one waiting alone in the wheelchair bus line, is unreasonable and heartless. The Disney approach is sensible.

My 76 year old mom IS in a wheelchair and there is no way I would let her wait at the back of a bus without me while I went to the regular line. Not a chance.

What we really do is rent a minivan so that we can drive ourselves to each park and park in the handicap spots. Then we put mom in the wheelchair and wheel her in. It's much easier to not have to deal with Disney transportation at all.

 

[Chuck S]

What we really do is rent a minivan so that we can drive ourselves to each park and park in the handicap spots. Then we put mom in the wheelchair and wheel her in. It's much easier to not have to deal with Disney transportation at all.

I would agree, except for the Magic Kingdom, where the HA parking requires you to use a somewhat steep walkway under a roadway to get to the TTC, then up a steep ramp to the monorails or down a slope to the boats, and more ramps or slopes when you get to the park. The busses are easier for the MK for us.

And there is no way I would expect someone in a wheelchair to wait alone at the back door of a bus. They always need help boarding, whether by ramp or lift.

 

[SueM in MN]

I would agree, except for the Magic Kingdom, where the HA parking requires you to use a somewhat steep walkway under a roadway to get to the TTC, then up a steep ramp to the monorails or down a slope to the boats, and more ramps or slopes when you get to the park. The busses are easier for the MK for us.

And there is no way I would expect someone in a wheelchair to wait alone at the back door of a bus. They always need help boarding, whether by ramp or lift.

Totally agree

 

[Inkmahm]

I would agree, except for the Magic Kingdom, where the HA parking requires you to use a somewhat steep walkway under a roadway to get to the TTC, then up a steep ramp to the monorails or down a slope to the boats, and more ramps or slopes when you get to the park. The busses are easier for the MK for us.

And there is no way I would expect someone in a wheelchair to wait alone at the back door of a bus. They always need help boarding, whether by ramp or lift.

The nieces like pushing grandma up and down those steep ramps. I agree though that MK is the least convenient for HA parking.

 

[goofy4tink]

Thanks. to those who actually have some experience in this type situation, for posting here. It is a huge help!!!