Disney Buses

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

All of their buses should be able to load a mobility device. That is something that most certainly should be taken up with Disney. As for the ADA not allowing it, do they have different rules for Disney? Because other places do have people with mobility devices wait their turn for a bus. They are loaded first on the bus they ride but they don't go in front of people that have already been waiting when they arrive to the bus stop.

I 100% agree that every bus should be able to load mobility devices even though the ADA doesn't say every single bus has to have a lift. But as a practical matter, tis many a slip betwixt the cup and the lip. And over the years, certain models of bus did better than others. There were some for a time, that trust me, you simply didn't want them loading you even though they technically could in the academic sense. Their lifts went up and down when they were cooperative and provided a nice ramp, when the lift decided it wanted to. But they were incredibly slow and malfunctioned frequently. So would you have expected Disney to take those busses out of service and make everyone wait more just so they would always have a good lift bus every single time? There is no right or wrong answer to my question but as long as they could provide otherwise reasonable service to us, I never sweated that. And I certainly never sweated that those without mobility devices just got a leg up on us. Disney doesn't always have one line for everyone because it was built before the ADA and often they can't. Well they could if they razed certain areas and rebuilt them. But we know that isn't going to happen. So sometimes chairs get a leg up. But most of the time, they are just about even and more often than they get a leg up, they get a leg or two down. But all in all, I think Disney does a better job than most even though they don't do as good a job as some.

Why are people so insistent that wheel chair users never ever ever get even one leg up on them ever? Sometimes they do but when the day is all done and all legs throughout the day up and down are tallied, they'll end up 5 legs or more down to those without one. And here people are complaining those with mobility devices didn't end up 6 legs down on the day instead of 5. 911 what is your emergency? Quick. Send the waaaaaaaaahmbulance because some scooter got on the bus ahead of me. Again it is far faster on the day not to have any people in the party on mobility devices. And it isn't even close. So those grouching, making snide remarks to those on scooters, or deliberately making them loud enough so those on scooters can hear them are just being petty and small. And I'm quite sure the vast majority of those with mobility devices would gladly trade places with those without if they could.

 

[luvsJack]

I 100% agree that every bus should be able to load mobility devices even though the ADA doesn't say every single bus has to have a lift. But as a practical matter, tis many a slip betwixt the cup and the lip. And over the years, certain models of bus did better than others. There were some for a time, that trust me, you simply didn't want them loading you even though they technically could in the academic sense. Their lifts went up and down when they were cooperative and provided a nice ramp, when the lift decided it wanted to. But they were incredibly slow and malfunctioned frequently. So would you have expected Disney to take those busses out of service and make everyone wait more just so they would always have a good lift bus every single time? There is no right or wrong answer to my question but as long as they could provide otherwise reasonable service to us, I never sweated that. And I certainly never sweated that those without mobility devices just got a leg up on us. Disney doesn't always have one line for everyone because it was built before the ADA and often they can't. Well they could if they razed certain areas and rebuilt them. But we know that isn't going to happen. So sometimes chairs get a leg up. But most of the time, they are just about even and more often than they get a leg up, they get a leg or two down. But all in all, I think Disney does a better job than most even though they don't do as good a job as some.

Why are people so insistent that wheel chair users never ever ever get even one leg up on them ever? Sometimes they do but when the day is all done and all legs throughout the day up and down are tallied, they'll end up 5 legs or more down to those without one. And here people are complaining those with mobility devices didn't end up 6 legs down on the day instead of 5. 911 what is your emergency? Quick. Send the waaaaaaaaahmbulance because some scooter got on the bus ahead of me. Again it is far faster on the day not to have any people in the party on mobility devices. And it isn't even close. So those grouching, making snide remarks to those on scooters, or deliberately making them loud enough so those on scooters can hear them are just being petty and small. And I'm quite sure the vast majority of those with mobility devices would gladly trade places with those without if they could.

I would gladly give up my ride on any bus for someone with mobility issues. Again, (and again and again and again) its NOT about the person in the ECV or the wheelchair. My issue comes from the 25 family members that go with that person all of who are perfectly able to stand, wait and walk.

I expect a Multi-billion company to PURCHASE buses so that all of their buses are equipped since it IS a problem and we all know it. No one should be sitting in a wheelchair for 40 minutes in the heat waiting on a particular bus. There is really absolutely no reason for Disney to have to put anything out of service without a sparkling new one to take its place immediately.

I don't care about lines and rides and all of that. I don't care if anyone gets a leg up. Not something I care about. But the Disney buses are getting more and more inefficient. Quite simple.

And fyi, I would NEVER make a snide remark to someone on scooter or in a wheelchair and would be tempted to slap anyone that did.

 

[kaytieeldr]

There is only room for one bus at the pick up spots at the parks. They aren't loading two buses at one time. IF there are more than one bus for a resort, they sit and wait until the first is finished loading.

Second bus pulls up next to the existing bus. Not in front of or behind. Passenger door is adjacent to driver seat/door of existing bus, with enough space for people to step into the bus, but not enough to deploy the wheelchair ramp.

Maybe there should be a blanket rule that anyone loading first due to ECV/wheelchair gets two people to go with them for assistance

the existing blanket rule is the mobility device user and up to five additional people. It needs to be enforced.

I have seen it too. And we STILL had to wait extra due to ECV loading with family.

if you were waiting for the first bus, yes. But the second bus is too close to the first for the ramp to be deployed. Hence, no mobility devices on the second bus. Is there a particular reason why guests waiting for the first bus didn't instead board the second, ECV-free bus?

 

[kaytieeldr]

My issue comes from the 25 family members that go with that person all of who are perfectly able to stand, wait and walk.

So, again, with your issue being with Disney's not enforcing its own rules, complaints should be addressed to Disney. And guests should be willing to step in and defuse the situation when the bus driver is verbally assaulted for enforcing said rule.

I expect a Multi-billion company to PURCHASE buses so that all of their buses are equipped since it IS a problem and we all know it.

They did. They do. But equipment breaks down, or drivers claim the ramp won't work, or it will deploy but not reach the ground no matter how wildly the driver bounced up and down on it...

There is really absolutely no reason for Disney to have to put anything out of service without a sparkling new one to take its place immediately.

You don't purchase a sparkling new anything while you existing one is being repaired, do you? Why do you believe Disney (or any business) should?

 

[luvsJack]

So, again, with your issue being with Disney's not enforcing its own rules, complaints should be addressed to Disney. And guests should be willing to step in and defuse the situation when the bus driver is verbally assaulted for enforcing said rule.

They did. They do. But equipment breaks down, or drivers claim the ramp won't work, or it will deploy but not reach the ground no matter how wildly the driver bounced up and down on it...

You don't purchase a sparkling new anything while you existing one is being repaired, do you? Why do you believe Disney (or any business) should?

Again, this thread is ABOUT Disney and the problem THEY have. I certainly don’t have a complaint to the person needing the ECV!

Uhmmm. . . no. I am not paying $$$$$$ for a Disney vacation to protect their employees. They can make sure there is a CM or two at the bus stops for this purpose.

Wait, first you said all buses aren’t equipped and now you are saying “oh they bought them bust they don’t work”. So if you buy a new car and something on it doesn’t work, what do you do?

I am not in a business that is supposed to be guaranteeing guest comfort. They are. Having buses to provide what is needed is part of that comfort. It’s all part of their business plan. We aren’t talking about a little Mom and Pop business here that is just starting out and having to cut corners. Disney can most certainly replace the buses.

 

[lorenae]

Genuinely curious, how many times did this happen, out of how many bus rides did you take?

Mostly, I drove because of these issues. But leaving MK at park closing November 28-December 6, 100% of the time it was like this. So, maybe 3 times because other days were in Epcot/etc. 3 for 3. So call me done.

Maybe there should be a blanket rule that anyone loading first due to ECV/wheelchair gets two people to go with them for assistance and the rest of the party has to wait to board the bus. It really doesn't make much sense why an entire party gets to board first. If you don't end up on the same bus, meet up when you arrive? I'm blanking on why the additional people in the party get to skip out on having to wait at all but the people who don't get to board the bus because a large party boarded ahead have to wait extra.

That's what other families do. If all 12 don't get on the first bus, the others take the next bus.

I myself have a disability, and I'm NOT beating up on the ECV users at all. And I know they have to be loaded first. What I am not happy with is Disney taking more and more and more of my money, and having less and less "magic". The CEO is making a killing, while the buses don't even have a cast member to help control the chaos. They can't possibly enforce the rules if there is no one there. '

 

[luvsJack]

Second bus pulls up next to the existing bus. Not in front of or behind. Passenger door is adjacent to driver seat/door of existing bus, with enough space for people to step into the bus, but not enough to deploy the wheelchair ramp.

the existing blanket rule is the mobility device user and up to five additional people. It needs to be enforced.

if you were waiting for the first bus, yes. But the second bus is too close to the first for the ramp to be deployed. Hence, no mobility devices on the second bus. Is there a particular reason why guests waiting for the first bus didn't instead board the second, ECV-free bus?

In our situation the buses pulled up one behind the other.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Again, this thread is ABOUT Disney and the problem THEY have. I certainly don’t have a complaint to the person needing the ECV!

No, you have a complaint about how mobility device users and their parties are accommodated on buses. Issues like these need to be addressed directly to the company. Complaining on internet forums does zip.

Uhmmm. . . no. I am not paying $$$$$$ for a Disney vacation to protect their employees. They can make sure there is a CM or two at the bus stops for this purpose.

You must mean Security CMs? Again, tell Disney.

Wait, first you said all buses aren’t equipped and now you are saying “oh they bought them bust they don’t work”. So if you buy a new car and something on it doesn’t work, what do you do?

Where did I say all buses aren't equipped? Things. Break.

As for the car comparison, what do you do if something on your car breaks? Surely you don't go buy another new car? Are you aware broken items on buses can be repaired, too? Probably not at that moment, given that the bus probably has additional routes to run?

I am not in a business that is supposed to be guaranteeing guest comfort. They are. Having buses to provide what is needed is part of that comfort. It’s all part of their business plan. We aren’t talking about a little Mom and Pop business here that is just starting out and having to cut corners. Disney can most certainly replace the buses.

Do you have a source specifying that Disney guarantees guest comfort? That specific wording, not marketing blurbs.

 

[kaytieeldr]

That's what other families do. If all 12 don't get on the first bus, the others take the next bus.

Yep. Some parties are considerate. Others believe the world revolves around them.

Mostly, I drove because of these issues. But leaving MK at park closing November 28-December 6, 100% of the time it was like this. So, maybe 3 times because other days were in Epcot/etc. 3 for 3. So call me done.

Wow. That's incredibly genuinely bad luck, especially since it probably wasn't the same two parties each time.

 

[luvsJack]

No, you have a complaint about how mobility device users and their parties are accommodated on buses. Issues like these need to be addressed directly to the company. Complaining on internet forums does zip.

You must mean Security CMs? Again, tell Disney.

Where did I say all buses aren't equipped? Things. Break.

As for the car comparison, what do you do if something on your car breaks? Surely you don't go buy another new car? Are you aware broken items on buses can be repaired, too? Probably not at that moment, given that the bus probably has additional routes to run?

Do you have a source specifying that Disney guarantees guest comfort? That specific wording, not marketing blurbs.

You do realize what their business actually is right? It’s literally in the name: “hospitality”. Oh I see, your one of the Disney fans that excuses everything they do. Do you seriously think that all those people pay $5000 for a week for just a hope to be comfortable? Seriously?




If I bought a brand new car and an important part did not work it would go back to the dealer pronto. And replaced.

 

[lorenae]

Yep. Some parties are considerate. Others believe the world revolves around them.


Wow. That's incredibly genuinely bad luck, especially since it probably wasn't the same two parties each time.

Oh, definitely- but I think leaving at park closing means that there are scores of people leaving, and a percentage of them are in ECVs. It's the same percentage as at other times, of course, but at park closing it's much more crowded than leaving at 6 PM (and of course, some times were MVMMCP party days and that was a crowded time also!).

So my plans for the future: avoid ALL party days, so that means August- early January. (Halloween parties in August????? Really???? But I digress).

Early closings for regular guests, and high crowds at park closing on non-park nights (only 2 or 3 a week) I think combined for a perfect storm of crowds on those non-party nights. To watch the fireworks at MK, we only had 2 evenings that were non-party nights. That was a huge part of it, I'm sure.

So, sure, I can work around these things. However, I also think that having an expectation of somewhat better-than-mediocre service should be received for the price I pay. The prices for tickets are outrageous, the hotels are equally so (and even for values!), and my expectation is that at park closing there would be better management. Sure, I heard "Tell Disney and not the internet!!!". I have. But guess what? Disney is not changing their high profit business model, and I think people should be aware of the chaos that park closing means.

I mentioned that for me, this time I'm staying at SOG. Monorail to Poly or TTC (bad enough) but less buses.

 

[LSUmiss]

Again, this thread is ABOUT Disney and the problem THEY have. I certainly don’t have a complaint to the person needing the ECV!

Uhmmm. . . no. I am not paying $$$$$$ for a Disney vacation to protect their employees. They can make sure there is a CM or two at the bus stops for this purpose.

Wait, first you said all buses aren’t equipped and now you are saying “oh they bought them bust they don’t work”. So if you buy a new car and something on it doesn’t work, what do you do?

I am not in a business that is supposed to be guaranteeing guest comfort. They are. Having buses to provide what is needed is part of that comfort. It’s all part of their business plan. We aren’t talking about a little Mom and Pop business here that is just starting out and having to cut corners. Disney can most certainly replace the buses.

And to add to this, as usual, the original intent of thread has morphed. OP asked if ppl used the buses &, if not, why not. Most of the ppl who are complaining are simply explaining why they don’t use the buses. I despise the bus system so I try to avoid using it even it costs me more $$.

 

[Tigger in a kilt]

That must be new, because it wasn't like that in March.

It was like that in October. I wonder whether it is not always enforced.

 

[Uncle Coaster]

I totally get the idea that people avoid and strongly dislike the buses. I’ve heard some rough stories and don’t blame anyone who doesn’t like them if that isn’t their thing.

However, I can’t buy into the notion that it is necessarily a “problem” that Disney has to fix. Looking at the poll on this thread as of my post more than 80% of respondents either tolerate, enjoy, or are somewhere in between. That’s a decent percentage for something that isn’t intended to be used by everyone staying onsite. Disney has provided options (at a cost).

Let Disney know what you don’t like about them. Discuss it online and maybe we’ll all learn more about workarounds. Those I can understand. But expecting Disney to fix something that might not even be a problem I don’t get.

 

[luvsJack]

I totally get the idea that people avoid and strongly dislike the buses. I’ve heard some rough stories and don’t blame anyone who doesn’t like them if that isn’t their thing.

However, I can’t buy into the notion that it is necessarily a “problem” that Disney has to fix. Looking at the poll on this thread as of my post more than 80% of respondents either tolerate, enjoy, or are somewhere in between. That’s a decent percentage for something that isn’t intended to be used by everyone staying onsite. Disney has provided options (at a cost).

Let Disney know what you don’t like about them. Discuss it online and maybe we’ll all learn more about workarounds. Those I can understand. But expecting Disney to fix something that might not even be a problem I don’t get.

Well honestly I think you would have to do a poll of Disney goers at the parks/resorts, not here on the Dis. Too many here would excuse Disney for anything they do/did and sing their praises no matter what.

A lot of people use those buses. That’s one of the perks of paying too much for a bed to sleep in. But how many actually in the resorts on any given day are happy with those buses?

Those who do have to use an ECV or wheelchair have spoken of the eye rolls, the under breath mumbling or the straight out comments when they get to the bus. Seems to happen pretty frequently. Now, how many of those eye rollers would roll their eyes in their every day life when they saw someone with mobility issues? I would hope very few. So how much of it is out of frustration because Disney doesn’t enforce its own rules (and we all know they are famous for that) on the number that can load with the person? How many times in their trip have they had to wait for a second or third bus because of the ECV loading with their huge family?

And then you have the overcrowding, too many people standing, small children having to stand or be held while the parent stands, etc. that frustrates the heck out of pretty much everyone.

Now should all these people who get frustrated at the buses complain? Probably. Are they? probably not. Perhaps the bus system is one of those things that they should be monitoring on the constant to see if it’s working as well as they hope or if it needs some revamping.

 

[Uncle Coaster]

You’ve described a lot of reasons to not like Disney buses. I concede that. You didn’t necessarily describe a problem that needs fixing.

Well honestly I think you would have to do a poll of Disney goers at the parks/resorts, not here on the Dis. Too many here would excuse Disney for anything they do/did and sing their praises no matter what.

Before I started lurking on any Disney fan boards I had always heard the opposite...that Disney fans were more critical of all things Disney than the average actual park visitor. I would tend to believe that a more scientific poll might be in line with this win or even skew more tolerable.

 

[snappy]

Well honestly I think you would have to do a poll of Disney goers at the parks/resorts, not here on the Dis. Too many here would excuse Disney for anything they do/did and sing their praises no matter what.

A lot of people use those buses. That’s one of the perks of paying too much for a bed to sleep in. But how many actually in the resorts on any given day are happy with those buses?

Those who do have to use an ECV or wheelchair have spoken of the eye rolls, the under breath mumbling or the straight out comments when they get to the bus. Seems to happen pretty frequently. Now, how many of those eye rollers would roll their eyes in their every day life when they saw someone with mobility issues? I would hope very few. So how much of it is out of frustration because Disney doesn’t enforce its own rules (and we all know they are famous for that) on the number that can load with the person? How many times in their trip have they had to wait for a second or third bus because of the ECV loading with their huge family?

And then you have the overcrowding, too many people standing, small children having to stand or be held while the parent stands, etc. that frustrates the heck out of pretty much everyone.

Now should all these people who get frustrated at the buses complain? Probably. Are they? probably not. Perhaps the bus system is one of those things that they should be monitoring on the constant to see if it’s working as well as they hope or if it needs some revamping.

I agree that Disney should be monitoring the bus situation more closely. I receive emails with the masses from Disney for feedback about your vacation experience. I don’t believe I have seen a question RE: busses but maybe I misremember. Also, I admit I haven’t read every one they have sent. When I make FP’s 60 days ahead for one of the rides that are currently open and require booking at 60 days, I would like to think you would not have to get to the park 2 hours earlier because of bus backups and long security lines. Usually it’s not an option to change the time of FP unless the party is maybe 1-2 guests. But sometimes it happens. I schedule mine late morning, early evening to get there in that 1
hour window. I don’t shop or have huge sit down lunches and the meals might back fire too since the ADR’s are just a request and not a reservation anyway from what some have posted on threads here. I think Disney does have to step up the bus game but I expect the opposite once the skyway is operating.

 

[LSUmiss]

I totally get the idea that people avoid and strongly dislike the buses. I’ve heard some rough stories and don’t blame anyone who doesn’t like them if that isn’t their thing.

However, I can’t buy into the notion that it is necessarily a “problem” that Disney has to fix. Looking at the poll on this thread as of my post more than 80% of respondents either tolerate, enjoy, or are somewhere in between. That’s a decent percentage for something that isn’t intended to be used by everyone staying onsite. Disney has provided options (at a cost).

Let Disney know what you don’t like about them. Discuss it online and maybe we’ll all learn more about workarounds. Those I can understand. But expecting Disney to fix something that might not even be a problem I don’t get.

I agree I don’t see it as a problem Disney needs to fix mostly b/c I don’t think they will. I think the way they “fix” it is by offering alternatives (that cost more $$ course). But, that’s just how things work. A mediocre service is free or cheap & upgrades cost more. Personally, I’m glad they have the other options & will gladly pay for them.

 

[Moliphino]

Second bus pulls up next to the existing bus. Not in front of or behind. Passenger door is adjacent to driver seat/door of existing bus, with enough space for people to step into the bus, but not enough to deploy the wheelchair ramp.

They weren't doing that at all on my last trip, it seemed like they weren't allowing it anymore. The second bus always waited elsewhere until the first bus left. At MK they could pull into the empty stop next to ours and load two buses at once.

 

[snappy]

You are right, I do effectively pay more by choosing to stay at BWV and Poly over other resorts when onsite and walk, use the boats or monorail or Uber rather than busses,