Wanted to report about loading an
ECV onto the Disney buses while we were there in April. This is the only Disability thread I'm on that I can do that, but if it is not appropriate to this thread, mods, please move to more appropriate one.
My friend and I both had rented scooters from ScooterBug. She had never had a
scooter at WDW except for the park rental ones, so loading and unloading on buses what totally new to her.
I have to say, that overall, the bus drivers were wonderful... they gave you time to attempt the load and unload yourself, but almost all would jump in to help if that wasn't working. All but one driver was glad to "take over" the driving and parking on the bus, and assist with unloaded to expedite the process.
I've loaded/unloaded a scooter many times, and usually can do it pretty well, but sometimes I get a bit too crooked, and it's just helpful for the driver to jump in and help.
One driver, however was less than helpful and would not only wouldn't help, but seemed unable to tell my friend how to get the scooter loaded and parked. He seemed averse to touching the scooter. When I told him that she had never done it before, he actually told me that they are "not allowed to touch the scooters" which is totally bunk. He would not even help her "make the corner" from the ramp to the aisle, and she had to get off the scooter and try to lift the back end over the little lip that some buses have. She at least was capable of doing that, but not everyone using a scooter would be.
Every other driver assisted by either disengaging the power with the little switch in the back and pushing it into place, or by getting in the front and "driving" for her.
So, if you need a scooter yourself, or are traveling with someone who does, be aware that 99% of the bus drivers are friendly, helpful and very knowledgeable about getting them on and off their buses quickly. However, you may run into one that seems "challenged" by the whole scooter loading process.