Have to say I just usually either leave before fireworks or stay WAY after to avoid this if I have to take a bus. Otherwise bring your patience and certainly don't do it if you're already exhausted. I think it seems fine to do it this way if they have a CM around to help people.
Usually there are more people needing WC/ECV spots than there are spots so you're not going to the front of any line if you need assistance at this time of day...so it seems like it would be easier to keep the separate line for us but
Patience is indeed required in equal measures for everyone if they leave directly after FW.
a couple things I noticed after a 2 night stay @ PoP thanksgiving weekend when waiting for DS bus around 4:15 pm…
the line was wildly long, we usually rent a vehicle to avoid the buses. The CM stationed at the stop indicated it tends to be that way on weekends, especially near Holidays. We didn’t get on a bus until almost 5:30 pm.
There were an extraordinary number of
ECVs. Going to guess many may have been first time visitors. Loud complaints from people unhappy at prospect of being separated from their party…both when in groups larger than two ECVs or when having another ECV guest ahead of them that was waiting to board.
to my eye, a high percentage of people in ECVs also had quite large parties with them...resulting in less availability for those in the regular line. I have no idea how many people are permitted to board with somebody in a ECV.
I do know people were getting increasing frustrated seeing repeated buses arrive for the other stops. Once it started to rain, the mood really soured. Finally, they started to send more buses after 5 pm.
it absolutely wasn’t magical experience. Can only imagine similar issues the end of the night from Epcot or MK directly after the FW, yike & double yike!
Glad I didn’t have kids along on that trip. Shouldn’t be an us against them sort of thing among guests, nor should we have to explain the law or ECV boarding process to wdw employees & other guests.
WDW needs to set a clear & consistent policy, follow it and have security on standby, if needed to calm down those who melt down over the process for the safety of all guests.