ECV on Disney Busses About This Page:

[ellaclaire]

We stayed at Shades of Green in 2009. I used an EVC for the first time, on their bus I just drove in thru the front door and parked. We are staying at Beach Club Villas this time and have read that on a Disney bus you load from the rear on a lift? I will be renting from Buena Vista again for the week, I know of the size questions that have been going around. Can someone give me encouraging words about using an EVC this time too!

[notjustamom]

What are your concerns? We stayed at BC when my mom was using an ECV so I can try to allay any fears.

[lauriep]

Loading from the back is actually easier, I think, than from the front. At home the buses load from the front and it can be tricky to maneuver the narrow space between the driver and the interior of the bus. Loading from the back you have much more room. There's really not much difference. Most of the buses do not have lifts any more, they have ramps that extend from the bus and you drive up. If you end up with a bus with a lift, though, it's no problem. Just drive onto the lift, wait for it to rise, then enter the bus.

[ellaclaire]

Thanks for answering! I was afraid of the lift. Looks like they don't use too many of them anymore. Were you able to have your family board the same bus. There will be 7 others with me. How did it work for you waiting in line? If you are in line with the EVC, where do you park it to board a ride? I have read that most lines accept them. Thanks for your help.

[lauriep]

Absolutely, yes-- your group can travel on the same bus with you. When you're at the bus stops at the parks, you'll see a winding queue set up with a handicap sign at one end, and that's where you wait. At most resorts you'll see a white box painted on the pavement with the handicap sign stenciled on it. If you wait there, the bus driver will see you. Because there are buses coming by for different parks, wave at the driver of the bus you want, and shake your head "no" at the others!

[lanejudy]

I've also heard that WDW recently (maybe in the past month or so) added some of the newer style, front-loading buses to the fleet. You probably have as much chance of getting a front entry vs a rear-entry bus now. And as a PP indicate, most of the rear-loading buses are kneeling with a ramp rather than the old lift style.

Technically, they may only allow up to 5 others to board with you. Others may need to go through the line. I suggest making plans when/where to meet in case you do get split up.

Enjoy your vacation!

[Her Dotness]

The amount of time it can take to secure the ECV once it's on the bus may be a pain if you get the occasional driver who's not very experienced at it or for some reason fumbles with the fasteners.

DH finds bus rides jarring sometimes, too, so we try to use the monorail almost exclusively for its roll up the ramp or down ease and overall riding comfort.

You may find the bus works just fine, though.

[Sandra Bostwick]

This is great info! Thanks so much for sharing all this!

[mechurchlady]

All Disney buses have roll on ramps.

EXCEPTIONS
The last 10 or so remaining buses from the 1980's or 1990's that are used when needed.

Mears and other contractors which is a pain. I was staying at Pop Century when I got a bus that would not take disabled guests. It is rare but does happen that you get lifts or no access when they use contractors. In that case be ready to hop on the next bus to a neighboring resort as in my case I scootered over to Art of Animation then went across the bridge to my room.

Some of the old style Shades of Green busses.
International Drive buses from what I last seen are still using lifts.