Sticky: Airports & The Special Needs Traveler About This Page:

[stonewall]

For all of you that are wondering how to navigate through airport security with your ECV, wheelchair or a youngster with special needs, here is the link to the Transportation Safety Authority's page:
TSA: Travelers with Disabilities and Medical Conditions

Check out the entire web site and don't hesitate to make use of their 800# and call them if you have any questions. Keep in mind that while TSA agents staff maost airports in the country (including Orlando's), some facilities hire independent agents (Rochester, NY, is one example). The indep. companies adhere to similar guidlines, but if you are traveling through an airport where you will encounter them, you can always call or visit them with questions too.
I have had to call the TSA several times and have always found the agents to be very polite and helpful and they also want to hear about any problems that you might encounter. Their web site is updated regularly and all new regulations are posted right away.
If any of you PassPorters have comments on your airport's security procedures, please share them here and identify the location and travel dates. We'll try to keep this up to date and add anything new that may crop up.

[mrsaboz]

My husband and I are flying down to Orlando for Disney, and he will be bringing his ECV with him. I understand that the Magical Express buses accomodate ECV's but where does he put it on the bus?

[stonewall]

You are right, Jen, ECVs and wheelchairs CAN be accomodated on Disney's Magical Express busses, but space is limited. Ideally, you should let them know when you make your reservation, but if you haven't done that, go ahead and call them ASAP! Also, make sure that you reconfirm, reminding them that you have an ECV, for your return trip.
Letting them know in advance permits the driver and anyone who is responsible for handling the baggage to know that you have an item that you'll need right away since your husband will need it when he leaves the bus. Please make sure that you have notified the airline in advance also (it doesn't hurt to call them two days before you leave and again the day before, since I've had them mysteriously "misplace" my information! ), and get to the terminal about 30 minutes earlier than you normolly would so that the ECV's batteries can be inspected and security tape applied across the battery pack itself. If he is planning to ride the ECV to the gate, make sure that the airline is aware of that in advance also, and tell them again at check-in, and someone will accompany you to the gate and take the ECV from there right to the belly of the plane. Since he'll have to leave the key with the ECV, PLEASE remember to bring an extra key (or 2! ), and I always leave a copy of the ECV's user's manual in the pocket on the back of the seat just in case someone has trouble figuring out how the tiller folds down or whatever.
Check out the TSA website for more tips on traveling with the ECV and don't forget to make that call to Disney for the Magical Express. Please let us know your experiences with using an ECV and the Magical Express so we can include it in the thread. Thanks!

[TNTWheels]

For those who been to Shade of Green at WDW. How would I get from the airport to the hotel without renting a van? I know their buses don't run to the airport. Do they have taxis that accommodate Wheelchairs?

[SueM loves WDW]

Originally Posted by mrsaboz

My husband and I are flying down to Orlando for Disney, and he will be bringing his ECV with him. I understand that the Magical Express buses accomodate ECV's but where does he put it on the bus?

ECVs can be put in the luggage compartment in the bottom of the bus, but I have heard that the drivers are not required to stow it there. So, if you choose to put it in that luggage compartment, you should be prepared to lift it in and out. Any bus can accommodate an ECV in the luggage compartment. If that's what you plan to do, you don't need to let them know/do anything special.

The other thing to consider is whether or not you will be able to climb the stairs to get into the bus. Because of the luggage storage compartment underneath, the seating on the bus is up very high. Here's a picture of the DME bus stairs.


The steps are the same on all the DME buses. Some buses are wheelchair accessible, by a lift at the rear of the bus. Since not every bus can carry wheelchairs, you will have a shorter wait if you request a wheelchair bus ahead of time.
The lift buses can accommodate 2 wheelchairs or ECVs. Because the seating area is very high, the lift does get quite high off the ground. That didn't bother my daughter, but I know people who were very afraid of the height and swear they were at least 15 -20 feet off the ground.

EDITED TO ADD:
I had heard that several people were allowed to stand on the lift and ride it up without a wheelchair. I have since been told by a DME driver that they are not allowed to let anyone ride on the lift unless they are seated on a wheelchair or ECV.

Here's a picture of the lift bus with the lift in the highest position.

Originally Posted by TNTWheels

For those who been to Shade of Green at WDW. How would I get from the airport to the hotel without renting a van? I know their buses don't run to the airport. Do they have taxis that accommodate Wheelchairs?

Mears has a taxi company that is part of their organization. They have wheelchair accessible taxi mini vans (Yellow Cab). Their website doesn't have easy to find accessibility info, but they would have to have accessible options for their other programs too under the ADA.
Orlando Airport Limousine, Towncar, Motorcoach, Passenger Van - Charter Rates

[TNTWheels]

I will do my homework before I propose the trip to my father who helps finance all of our trips. He would like to know how we would get to the hotel with out renting a van, since My folks will hop over to key west after I get settle in the hotel. (they are not Big on Disney parks they may go around the world show case but that about it and they sorta stay at the hotel all the time on everything else so for them to go key west let me not worry about what I'm going to do solo.)

[cocoa]

Hi Everone,
Now I am going try to get my wife to go with me.I hpe disneys magical express will accodate.I need her because of my medicinr,She too is worry about secuity and the attractions.Any thought please?
Jerry

[SueM loves WDW]

Originally Posted by cocoa

Hi Everone,
Now I am going try to get my wife to go with me.I hpe disneys magical express will accodate.I need her because of my medicinr,She too is worry about secuity and the attractions.Any thought please?
Jerry

What sort of accommodation does she need?
Is she worried about security at the airport or the parks?
What specifically makes her worry about security?

What is she worried about for the attraction?
What sort of help does she need?

More information would help us to answer your questions.

[TNTWheels]

Originally Posted by cocoa

Hi Everone,
Now I am going try to get my wife to go with me.I hpe disneys magical express will accodate.I need her because of my medicinr,She too is worry about secuity and the attractions.Any thought please?
Jerry

Also are you in a manual wheelchair or power? This well help us help you. If you have your own power chair let me know or those who are on here. We be happy to help you get info for your wife.

As Disney fan say Have a fun magical Day.