Putting a folded wheelchair onto bus.

jo-jo

DIS Veteran
Joined
Feb 28, 2011
Just want to be ready for getting on buses. DH has used a disney wheelchair past two trips only in parks , of course. This time we are renting off-site, so we will have chair with us all the time.I'm pretty sure DH will sit in chair in line and when bus comes get up to walk onto bus. I know DH is not going to want to the lift thing. Can we just fold up the wheelchair and roll it on the bus like a stroller? Does the driver have to secure it? Do we go thru back door?

This is new ground for us.
 
you will go thought the back door using the ramp and they will secure it. I think if you just want to fold it and hold it like a stroller then you can do this.

I would wait in the handicap area for the bus and when the buss comes if you would like to hold your wheel chair I would ask the bus drive this. If there is room to secure it I would.
 
Just want to be ready for getting on buses. DH has used a disney wheelchair past two trips only in parks , of course. This time we are renting off-site, so we will have chair with us all the time.I'm pretty sure DH will sit in chair in line and when bus comes get up to walk onto bus. I know DH is not going to want to the lift thing. Can we just fold up the wheelchair and roll it on the bus like a stroller? Does the driver have to secure it? Do we go thru back door?

This is new ground for us.
you will not be able to roll it on bus as strollers must be carried on. ps it is not a lift but a ramp now and strollers must go thru front door
 
Seems like we were able to fold it and stow it near the WC section...I do not remember my Mama sitting in it much on the bus because she hated having to use it ( not that she didn't appreciate it). I think we only loaded her seated once or twice until we got use to the routine. I think Daddy may have been able to hold it in front of him if the bus wasn't crowded, but maybe he had to load it from the back. Seems he would stand with it empty when the bus pulled up and Mama just used her cane to enter at the front with us guarding/guiding her . They just got back from a month in Europe with my brother and four grandchildren touring. She got a scooter for that trip that comes apart and folds down. Have you thought about getting one of those so he can have a bit more independence? Daddy is able to take it apart and put in trunk at home ( he is 80) and then on flights they just check it at gate and easily slip out the battery. She would ride it to the airplane door and they would take it from there. She was gung ho to take the WC to Europe after the positive experience at WDW...but knew they would be moving at a much faster pace with kids ages 9-18. She says she could never have made it without I.E. ( her scooter's name). Just wanted you to know that they make smaller scooter's like that now and maybe that would be a good option too.

She said anytime she got out the scooter on the trip...a grandchild was on it when she turned around :rolleyes:
 
We were very nervous too as it was the first time with someone who needed a WC but could still ambulate short distance with a cane..we were unsure of the "protocol" like you but it only took a couple of trips and we were experts. Have a wonderful trip and know that you are not alone in your wondering about the process. LOL!
 
We were very nervous too as it was the first time with someone who needed a WC but could still ambulate short distance with a cane..we were unsure of the "protocol" like you but it only took a couple of trips and we were experts. Have a wonderful trip and know that you are not alone in your wondering about the process. LOL!

Thank you for your kindness. DH is fine at home, grocery store, etc. But disney is about a thousand times more steps than a typical day. DH does walk some with the WC. No way I can push him up some of those hills.

Another good thing is, there are many outdoor shows we would never stop to watch, but now we because DH has a chair. Without someplace to sit or at least move a little, his back would act up.
 
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Seems like we were able to fold it and stow it near the WC section...I do not remember my Mama sitting in it much on the bus because she hated having to use it ( not that she didn't appreciate it). I think we only loaded her seated once or twice until we got use to the routine. I think Daddy may have been able to hold it in front of him if the bus wasn't crowded, but maybe he had to load it from the back. Seems he would stand with it empty when the bus pulled up and Mama just used her cane to enter at the front with us guarding/guiding her . They just got back from a month in Europe with my brother and four grandchildren touring. She got a scooter for that trip that comes apart and folds down. Have you thought about getting one of those so he can have a bit more independence? Daddy is able to take it apart and put in trunk at home ( he is 80) and then on flights they just check it at gate and easily slip out the battery. She would ride it to the airplane door and they would take it from there. She was gung ho to take the WC to Europe after the positive experience at WDW...but knew they would be moving at a much faster pace with kids ages 9-18. She says she could never have made it without I.E. ( her scooter's name). Just wanted you to know that they make smaller scooter's like that now and maybe that would be a good option too.

She said anytime she got out the scooter on the trip...a grandchild was on it when she turned around :rolleyes:

DH is not ready for that, plus his is afraid he'll run someone over. A year ago ,first trip with wheelchair, no no no no, not going to get one. By the time we walked to the airport gate, he said, we'll get a WC.

Thanks for the help.
 
DH is not ready for that, plus his is afraid he'll run someone over. A year ago ,first trip with wheelchair, no no no no, not going to get one. By the time we walked to the airport gate, he said, we'll get a WC.

Thanks for the help.

Just remind him that regardless of *what* he uses - at the end of the day it is just a TOOL, no different than using eyeglasses to see better, or a hearing aid to assist with hearing, or even a calculator to do math! :)

Even if he won't consider an ECV at first, you might just ask the rental company "if he decides to switch to an ECV part-way through our rental, can we do that?" to plant the idea in his mind. That way, if either of you get too tired with the wheelchair - or he decides he wants a bit more independence - you already know that, yes - we just call the rental company, and they will swap out the wheelchair for the ECV.

As you already know, there are many, many people who don't need any kind of mobility device for their daily lives at home, but WDW is a different story. Given the average distance that the average Guest walks daily, it's actually kind of amazing more people don't use wheels at Disney World.

Last but not least - if he wants to walk more, but just have a seat when needed, you can always consider a Rollator. Those are typically cheaper to buy than rent, and can easily be taken right down to the door of the plane, as well as through most lines at WDW.
 
Last but not least - if he wants to walk more, but just have a seat when needed, you can always consider a Rollator. Those are typically cheaper to buy than rent, and can easily be taken right down to the door of the plane, as well as through most lines at WDW.

We actually had one that my late sister used. (It has now moved to another sister) I think the WC seems more comfortable to sit in. As far as walking more. It's not walking 80% and sitting here and there, but the other way around. Last trip with WC only in park, little bit of walking in park and the walk from the park/transporation to resort (BCV), needed ice for knees.

As far as lines, there are a few we haven't tried due to either I'm a chicken or they were down for rehab. But we do ok.

One ride I don't understand. We have gone on Toy story several times with me pushing him. Only once did CM direct us to the left. Even when I told CM, my DH can walk, they still sent us to the right and to wait for the special car. Sometimes there were 3 or 4 people waiting to ride. We really didn't need to use that car and make others who do need it , wait even longer.
 
We actually had one that my late sister used. (It has now moved to another sister) I think the WC seems more comfortable to sit in. As far as walking more. It's not walking 80% and sitting here and there, but the other way around. Last trip with WC only in park, little bit of walking in park and the walk from the park/transporation to resort (BCV), needed ice for knees.

As far as lines, there are a few we haven't tried due to either I'm a chicken or they were down for rehab. But we do ok.

One ride I don't understand. We have gone on Toy story several times with me pushing him. Only once did CM direct us to the left. Even when I told CM, my DH can walk, they still sent us to the right and to wait for the special car. Sometimes there were 3 or 4 people waiting to ride. We really didn't need to use that car and make others who do need it , wait even longer.

The magic words for Toy Story are "He can transfer to a regular ride vehicle". Even if they direct you to the accessible loading are, just let the CM who approaches you know that he doesn't need the wheelchair car - he can use a regular car just fine.

There's a dedicated space at that loading area to park chairs, ECVs and other mobility devices, so that is probably why you are being sent that way.

Toy Story is probably my most favorite ride, ever! I hope y'all have fun next visit! :)
 
One ride I don't understand. We have gone on Toy story several times with me pushing him. Only once did CM direct us to the left. Even when I told CM, my DH can walk, they still sent us to the right and to wait for the special car. Sometimes there were 3 or 4 people waiting to ride. We really didn't need to use that car and make others who do need it , wait even longer.

there might have been a lot of people that just went left and they know there was not many people in the wheel chair area on the right 3 people infant of you really is not that many
 
also, the regular line at toy story has a flight of stairs up and a flight down.. (cause it goes over the track) you can't bring a wheelchair through the regular line at all.
 
also, the regular line at toy story has a flight of stairs up and a flight down.. (cause it goes over the track) you can't bring a wheelchair through the regular line at all.

The regular line has a no stairs section now. That is the to the left. It is the 3rd track expansion. They may sent you to the wheel chair load/unload area anyways if you have a mobility device because there is not always a CM available to walk the decice all the way around to the right side for exit so it is easier to go to the right where load and unload is on the same side.
 
The regular line has a no stairs section now. That is the to the left. It is the 3rd track expansion. They may sent you to the wheel chair load/unload area anyways if you have a mobility device because there is not always a CM available to walk the decice all the way around to the right side for exit so it is easier to go to the right where load and unload is on the same side.

I did not know this! thanks! (and sorry for spreading false info)
 

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