News New Buses Debut With Features to Better Accommodate ECV/Wheelchair Users

[SaucyBoy]

We were at Saratoga this past week and more than once we were serviced by these new busses. They are absolutely amazing, particularly for guests who need the assistance of a mobility device. There really wasn't a loss of capacity (in my view) and the new ECV load/unload process did appear to be faster than I recall in the past. I think sometimes those of us who are fortunate enough to not need mobility assistance don't realize how much a more efficient system like this can make a difference. I had no idea these were a new addition or I would have snapped some photos.

 

[Dcgc28]

No one said they were, but in this case, the difference is stark. (Has been for a few years, now.)

Right in order to keep the thread on topic I'll say I disagree and the busses look great!

 

[Movielover]

 

[MisterPenguin]

Disney Officially Announces Addition of 90 New Buses & All-New Themed Wraps

Walt Disney World has officially announced the purchase of 90 new buses to the Walt Disney World fleet, confirming our earlier reporting

blogmickey.com

 

[GinaD613]

I think you're greatly overestimating the "convenience" of riding an ECV all day at Disney. Where the switchbacks are so tight that crashing is easy, crowds are so dense they can be tough to navigate even walking, and they get dirty looks from random guests who just think they're lazy. And paying $70 a day for the privilege. All for the benefit of what? Sometimes slightly better seating at Finding Nemo the Musical, a place to hang a backpack that is not a back, and possibly getting on the first bus instead of the second?

I absolutely can't imagine there is a large amount of people getting ECVs just for funsies. Much less enough to have a serious impact on Disney transportation

Not to mention the morons who love to cross in front of a moving vehicle! At first, I let off the throttle for them, but after a few very uncomfortable (for me) short stops, I just kept going and hoped they were quick enough to get out of the way.

 

[Raxel7851]

The new buses definitely have fewer seats on the lower level for Non ECV users. That means more people standing when they could be seated. Also the new buses don’t make loading them any faster. Personally I’d like to see Disney upgrade to electric buses if feasible rather than these newer models.

 

[MagicHappens1971]

The new buses definitely have fewer seats on the lower level for Non ECV users. That means more people standing when they could be seated. Also the new buses don’t make loading them any faster. Personally I’d like to see Disney upgrade to electric buses if feasible rather than these newer models.

I don’t think it’s very feasible for Disney to upgrade to electric busses. FWIW, Disney mostly uses bio-diesel created from food waste from WDW.

 

[IanDLBZF]

I don’t think it’s very feasible for Disney to upgrade to electric busses. FWIW, Disney mostly uses bio-diesel created from food waste from WDW.

I think IMHO Disney should consider CNG or Hydrogen buses.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

I don’t think it’s very feasible for Disney to upgrade to electric busses. FWIW, Disney mostly uses bio-diesel created from food waste from WDW.

It’s quite feasible if they wanted to.

 

[DisneyDreamer08]

I have a question about these new buses. The seats in the front fold up to accommodate ECV users correct? So what happens at a resort like Caribbean Beach that has several bus stops? If people get on at the first few stops and sit in the seats but later in the internal bus loop, there are ECV users waiting, would the people sitting be asked to stand to fold up the seats? Or would they tell the ECV user to wait for the next bus?

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

If people get on at the first few stops and sit in the seats but later in the internal bus loop, there are ECV users waiting, would the people sitting be asked to stand to fold up the seats?

Yes, that’s nothing new. That’s how it’s always worked. The seats are labeled as such.

 

[JoeCamel]

I have a question about these new buses. The seats in the front fold up to accommodate ECV users correct? So what happens at a resort like Caribbean Beach that has several bus stops? If people get on at the first few stops and sit in the seats but later in the internal bus loop, there are ECV users waiting, would the people sitting be asked to stand to fold up the seats? Or would they tell the ECV user to wait for the next bus?

As is custom you always offer your seat to ones that may need it more than you

 

[DisneyDreamer08]

Yes, that’s nothing new. That’s how it’s always worked. The seats are labeled as such.

As is custom you always offer your seat to ones that need it more than you

Thanks! We are staying at CBR this August and it will actually be our first time staying at a resort with multiple bus stops. So I’m just curious how it works. I would imagine if the bus was already fairly crowded, people would have to get off the bus to make room and then get back on? Definitely planning lots of extra time on our MK and AK days!

 

[JoeCamel]

Thanks! We are staying at CBR this August and it will actually be our first time staying at a resort with multiple bus stops. So I’m just curious how it works. I would imagine if the bus was already fairly crowded, people would have to get off the bus to make room and then get back on? Definitely planning lots of extra time on our MK and AK days!

I don't think they will strand passengers

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Thanks! We are staying at CBR this August and it will actually be our first time staying at a resort with multiple bus stops. So I’m just curious how it works. I would imagine if the bus was already fairly crowded, people would have to get off the bus to make room and then get back on? Definitely planning lots of extra time on our MK and AK days!

So you’ve got the skyliner that you will use for Epcot and studios.

For MK - the Caribbean Beach route often uses the larger articulated busses.

So that leaves DAK and Springs. It’s not usually much of an issue - they send extra buses when needed.

 

[cranbiz]

It’s quite feasible if they wanted to.

It's only marginally feasible given current electric bus design is. On a low floor, all the infrastructure is on the roof and that makes them just a bit too tall at MK to fit under the monorail beam. Because of ADA, all Disney is buying is low floor transit buses because they load so much faster than any other style of bus. There was a pilot program that tested electric buses at the Fort and they worked OK but they were Fort Only buses.

Because they can't be used everywhere is why you won't see them at WDW until the designs change.

Could they be used elsewhere? Yes, they could. Would it be an operational headache? Absolutely.

 

[AndyS2992]

Surely Disney should be investing more in long bendy buses and double deckers? Hell of a lot more capacity in those for everyone than these things.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

It's only marginally feasible given current electric bus design is. On a low floor, all the infrastructure is on the roof and that makes them just a bit too tall at MK to fit under the monorail beam.

There’s only 5 slots that use that turnaround that go under the beam.

 

[cranbiz]

There’s only 5 slots that use that turnaround that go under the beam.

Didn't matter when I was driving. Any Disney bus (with the exception specialty buses and there are only a handful of those) of need the ability to go anywhere on property. Once you start adding buses to the fleet that cannot fulfill that function, it becomes an issue that can affect scheduling and customer satisfaction.

Also add in the cost. A Gillig electric low floor bus is about $1.2M. I don't see these appearing at WDW in any quantity any time soon.

 

[donaldtoo]

Not for the low bridge at MK before it gets to the Contemporary..

Also, it looks like those double decker busses might have issues with the current height of many WDW bus stop roofs/overhangs…

Plus, Disney probably doesn’t want to have to worry about all the drunks (or other folks) stumbling/falling up and down the flights of steep stairs to the upper deck, at the end of the night…!!!!!