Boarding A Disney World Bus With An ECV Or Wheelchair
9 min read
Indicator For Wheelchair/ ECV Accessibility
Boarding a Disney World bus with an ECV or wheelchair is very easy. Both mobility aids can use the convenient ramp for loading and unloading at the rear side door boarding area. Furthermore, designated sections of seats fold up to provide floor space for mobility scooters or wheelchairs. Additionally, they have seat belts and contain tie-down features for securing scooters or wheelchairs plus riders during transit. Disney refers to them as securement areas. Securement means the act of securing or fastening, so I guess that Disney chose the appropriate term!
Guests with a folding wheelchair can also enter through the rear door ramp. Once onboard, fold up the wheelchair and then sit on a bus seat. The folded wheelchair does not have to be tied down, saving tiedown areas for ECV’s and occupied wheelchairs. However, these must always be securely tied down.
Also, Guests using canes, walkers, crutches, or who have difficulty walking can board via the rear side door. Guests should let the driver know they’d like to use the ramp or back door before general boarding begins.
Most Disney buses can hold up to two ECV’s or wheelchairs in the securement areas. However, some allow three. Disney recommends that Guests using an ECV or wheelchair transfer to a bus seat if possible but is not required.
Boarding A Disney World Bus With An ECV Or Wheelchair
Most of the transportation systems at the Walt Disney World Resort are accessible to Guests with disabilities. Disney World bus transportation is just one part of the extensive Disney Transport System. More than 400 buses operate within the Walt Disney World Resort. As a guest of the resort, you get complimentary use of any mode of transportation they offer. The Transport system consists of buses, watercraft, monorail, Skyliner gondola lift system, and parking lot trams. Click this link for a great map of the Transport System provided by magicguides.com.
Painted Sizing Boxes 30 Inches Wide By 48 Inches Long
Disney World has painted sizing boxes, on the ground, at the bus depots. Additionally, there is a sign showing where those in wheelchairs or ECV’s should go. They’re easily recognizable by a handicap symbol similar to this. ♿
The maximum size allowed on the buses for wheelchairs (electric and manual) and ECVs, as defined by the ADA guidelines, is 30 inches wide by 48 inches long. Therefore, mobility scooter riders and wheelchair users can use these boxes to assess whether they fit within the size guidelines. As you can see from the image below, the measurement is 30 inches wide by 48 inches long. However, these dimensions are measured from outside the white box lines, not inside.
If you fit within the box size, you will be allowed to bring the ECV or wheelchair onto the Disney bus. The size guidelines apply to any accessories or other items you have on the mobility aid, such as a basket, cane holder, bags, etc. The bus driver will most of the time make exceptions if the scooter or wheelchair slightly exceeds the allowed dimensions. However, I wouldn’t count on it. The decision is entirely up to the bus driver.
Boarding The Bus Signs
Every bus depot has Boarding The Bus signs similar to the ones below. They may not be the same color or shape, but the same message appears on all of these signs. Here are examples of what some of those signs look like in different areas. There are many styles, and they tend to blend in with the decor of the location.
Let’s Get Down To The Nitty-Gritty Of It
With some of the preliminaries out of the way, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty of it. A Disney cast member who directs bus boarding may be available at some but not all locations. It makes life easy because they will tell you where to position the ECV or wheelchair at that bus location. When the bus arrives, they will notify the driver that they have ECV’s or wheelchairs to board. The driver will then do their thing and prepare for boarding.
If a cast member is not available, you have to get the driver’s attention, much like flagging down a cab driver. No, I don’t suggest rolling off the curb and chasing after the bus either!! However, most of the time, the driver will see you while driving to the stop. When the bus arrives, you must indicate with a wave or nod that you intend to get on that bus. Sometimes the bus will arrive that’s not going to your intended destination. In that event, shake your head or hand to indicate no to the driver, so they don’t make the unnecessary preparations for your boarding.
Choose The Correct Bus Depot
Most times, you’ll be on your own. It means that you have to wait in the proper spot or be very close to it. Next, make sure that you are at the correct bus depot for your destination. Many resorts have multiple depots. Be aware of the signs indicating where the buses at that particular depot will go. For instance, these signs, shown below, denote where a bus will go from each stated bus depot. The orange one is one of several at the Caribbean Beach Resort bus stops. Similarly, the green sign is one of those positioned near the Port Orleans French Quarter bus stations.
Each of the Disney theme parks, Disney Springs, and the water parks have different signage. Incidentally, you’ll notice that they are much larger and more comprehensive. At the larger bus terminals, you will see a gate number corresponding to your destination. For instance, at the Disney Springs sign (the blue one below), you would head off to Gate 2 if you wanted to go to the Port Orleans French Quarter and Riverside Resorts. However, from the Magic Kingdom depot, you would go to Gate 18 for the PO French Quarter and 28 for the PO Riverside Resort. Refer to the cream-colored sign pictured below.
The Disney Bus Transportation System And Electronic Signs
As the bus arrives, take note of the front and passenger entry side marquee displays. For example, look at the images below. The marquees clearly state each bus destination. Pay attention; all those signs are there to help you find your way. In the past, I’ve seen several excited Guests get on the bus only to find out that they got on the wrong bus!
Bus depots also have electronic displays that provide real-time bus schedules for that station. The screen pictured happens to be at Port Orleans Riverside bus depot. For instance, suppose you are waiting for a bus going to the Magic Kingdom. The display indicates that it is currently 11:13 AM. The next bus to the Magic Kingdom is due to arrive, at that particular depot, at 11:16 AM. Use this information to anticipate its arrival. It’s another tool you can use to make sure you get on the right bus for your final destination.
The Bus Boarding Procedure For Guests With An ECV or Wheelchair
When the bus arrives, the driver will let everyone disembark before boarding anyone with an ECV or wheelchair. There still may be Guests on the bus who are getting off at other destinations. In any case, the driver will not board anyone else until the ECV or wheelchairs are onboard. Other members of your party can also board at this time. Refer to the specifics on the Boarding The Bus sign examples above.
You’ll be the first to get on and the last to get off the bus once it arrives at your destination. Of course, there are always exceptions to this, but I’m not going to confuse the issue with further explanations. Just know that it works!! Pay attention to the driver’s instructions. They have done this many, many times.
Now It’s Your Turn To Board The Bus
Once the bus is lowered and the ramp extended, the driver will direct you to drive up the ramp. To begin with, make sure that your speed control is at the lowest level, just enough to make it up the inclined ramp. Then, when you get to the top, turn right towards the front of the bus. Incidentally, you will always ride facing the front.
If you are the only one boarding with an ECV or wheelchair, the driver will instruct you to park in one of the securement areas that they have readied. When two mobility aids board, you may be asked to drive up closer to the front while the other ECV or wheelchair enters and is secured first. Each driver has their own particular way of performing the boarding procedure. Hence, please pay attention to their instructions.
Entering The Securement Area With An ECV Or Wheelchair
When it’s your turn to enter the securement area, you must back into the space as close to the sidewall as possible. It’s just like parallel parking a car. However, it may be helpful to practice backing up and turning before you try it on a bus. Practice makes perfect! If you cannot do it yourself, the driver may help you out by putting the ECV or wheelchair into freewheel mode and pushing you into the securement area. At the very least, they’ll coach you. Furthermore, try to relax and take your time! After a few tries, you’ll be a pro at this!!
Once the ECV or wheelchair is in position, the driver will secure it with tiedown straps at the front and rear. Tiedown straps keep it from moving during transit. That’s what the driver is doing in the image below. If you are seated on the mobility aid, you’ll have a seatbelt around you as a means for securing yourself. The procedure is simple, and it’s performed hundreds if not thousands of times per day. Hence, it’s nothing to stress over.
Disembarking The Disney Bus With An ECV Or Wheelchair
When you arrive at your final destination, the driver will let all the Guests get off. Then, they open the front and rear doors to use in disembarking the bus. When all the Guests are off the bus, the doors will close, and the driver will get those Guests with an ECV or wheelchair ready to leave.
The driver will lower the bus and deploy the ramp. The seatbelt comes off, the tiedown straps unfastened, and you are now free to go. To get off the bus, you’ll go onto the top of the ramp. Next, make sure that you square off at the top and go straight down to the bottom, clearing the ramp before making any turns. In this manner, you’ll avoid the potential for tipping over.
Boarding A Disney World Bus With An ECV Or Wheelchair Is Straightforward
In summary, the procedure for boarding a Disney bus with an ECV or wheelchair is pretty straightforward. Sure the first time that you do so might be a little intimidating. But there’s no reason to feel that way. Hopefully, you’ll find some of my suggestions helpful. Besides additionally, you’ll have the Disney bus drivers assisting you along the way.
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