wheelchairs on Disney buses

[mamamelody2]

So, I have posted a couple questions on here before regarding my MIL and our trip to WDW next month. She has decided to get a wheelchair instead of a scooter. No problem, we have 7 possible "pushers" and I think it will be nice for her to just relax and be able to look around and not have to worry about running into people, etc. She does not use a mobility device in every-day life, but can not walk far. She has severe arthritis in her feet, knees, hands. Her ankle was replaced twice and had to be fused. Walking is not easy for her and gets harder as the day goes on.

I am wondering about taking the wheelchair on Disney buses. She will need to sit in it to wait, but can get out of it to get on the bus and sit in a regular chair. Would she be able to get on the bus even if there is an ECV on it already if she (or FIL) folds it up?

There are 13 of us in our group. From what I understand, the person in the wheelchair plus 6 can go together. So perhaps we could take turns going with her while the others wait in the regular line. Does this make sense??

Any other hints regarding wheelchairs on WDW buses or in the parks/resorts? Any advice from those "in the know" would be greatly appreciated as this is new to all of us!

 

[Mrsjvb]

I would not transfer if the 2 spots are taken, as by then so will all the actual seats as well( and you lose 4 additional seats minimum when the handicapped benches are raised. now, if the bus is empty when it pulls up, by all means inform the driver that she can transfer and she will still be loaded first() I suggest going ahead and loading form the rear in the chair and just transferring once she is on the bus).

be advised that only one person can stand with her in the HA loading bay. the rest of the party will have to wait in the main line and it is possible that some or all of them could be denied the same bus she is on. you MIGHT get a driver willing to let some additional family members on ahead of main boarding but do not count on it and do not count own everyone being allowed access.

 

[SueM in MN]

So, I have posted a couple questions on here before regarding my MIL and our trip to WDW next month. She has decided to get a wheelchair instead of a scooter. No problem, we have 7 possible "pushers" and I think it will be nice for her to just relax and be able to look around and not have to worry about running into people, etc. She does not use a mobility device in every-day life, but can not walk far. She has severe arthritis in her feet, knees, hands. Her ankle was replaced twice and had to be fused. Walking is not easy for her and gets harder as the day goes on.

That's one of the main reasons people might choose to use a wheelchair rather than an ECV. Using an ECV requires attention and concentration, which some people find anxiety producing. Others would just prefer to sightsee and let someone else do the manouvering.

I am wondering about taking the wheelchair on Disney buses. She will need to sit in it to wait, but can get out of it to get on the bus and sit in a regular chair. Would she be able to get on the bus even if there is an ECV on it already if she (or FIL) folds it up?

yes.
Each bus has 2 wheelchair/ECV tie down spots, a few have 3 and a couple have 4.
Even if she is planning to fold the wheelchair, she would still load thru the back door. The bus driver will tell her before boarding whether or not there is a tie down spot available. At that point, if all the spots are full, the driver may suggest waiting for the next bus or folding the chair. If it's not offered, you can ask.
You would want to make sure that there will be a seat for her to transfer to before committing to folding the wheelchair.
She can choose to be pushed up the ramp in the wheelchair or have one of your group push it up and she would walk up. The driver will load the chair first, then invite the rest of your group to load (up to a total of 6, including her).

There are 13 of us in our group. From what I understand, the person in the wheelchair plus 6 can go together. So perhaps we could take turns going with her while the others wait in the regular line. Does this make sense??

You are correct. This information is posted at every resort bus stop (themed for that resort).
The information is not posted at the park bus stops, but they do follow the same guidelines. If you are leaving the park when it is busy, it will be more 'popular' (to use one of my daughter's favorite words) to have only 1 or 2 board with her and the rest go into the line.

Any other hints regarding wheelchairs on WDW buses or in the parks/resorts? Any advice from those "in the know" would be greatly appreciated as this is new to all of us!

Resorts - each bus stop has a rectangle with a wheelchair symbol painted on the ground at the bus stop.
She should park near that so that the driver can see her.
If buses for more then one location stop at that bus stop, it's very helpful to make motions that let the driver know whether or not you want that bus (exaggerated head shaking; pointing at her and nodding).

Parks - there is not a painted box or any signage at the parks or Disney Springs bus stops.
The bus stops in those locations are not entirely consistent. All have a wheelchair 'gate'. In some, you can go directly there to wait for the bus. At others, you will enter the line with everyone else and there is a wheelchair gate at some point in the line.

 

[stitchlovestink]

be advised that only one person can stand with her in the HA loading bay. the rest of the party will have to wait in the main line and it is possible that some or all of them could be denied the same bus she is on. you MIGHT get a driver willing to let some additional family members on ahead of main boarding but do not count on it and do not count own everyone being allowed access.

Not true about only one person being able to stay with her in the HC loading area. You are allowed up to 5 guests. Beyond that, they would need to wait in the standard queue. When traveling together, our family of 4 waits together in the HC boarding area. We have NEVER been denied the right for my family to board with me as we are under the POSTED limit of 6 guests. Have been doing this for dozens and dozens of trips for years.

 

[gap2368]

I am not sure where you are staying but I know that if you are staying at one of the all star resorts and it is late or there is a long line where the last person in line will for sure have to wait a few buses then they ask every one to wait in the one line and further up in line they will pull out people with mobility devices and load them first. not sure all resorts do this but this is what is done at the MK when every one make the mass exodus for the all star

 

[mamamelody2]

Thank you so much for the information! It is very helpful!