Read this review, but know that Gray Line is already working on correcting this problem so it does not happen to anyone again. Ms. Tori, manager, will insure that others will not have this experience. We will try again after the holidays and pray all will go well the third time!
If you are dependent on a wheelchair or mobility scooter, DO NOT plan to take a Gray Line tour. We purchased a groupon for the Miami Day tour and have scheduled twice for the trip, including taking a day off work each time. But we HAVE NOT been to Miami yet. The first date was rescheduled as the CSR advised there were no handicapped buses available with a lift. I was told the buses were in for service and none available. He still lost a day of work because he had already scheduled off for the day.
Then we rescheduled for Sunday, Oct 25. Again, he scheduled a day off as the trip would return too late for him to get enough sleep to drive for work on Monday. Because we have a trailer to transport my mobility scooter, we went out to the Four Points Sheraton (first pick up point for the Miami tour) on Saturday and spoke with the hotel manager and got a parking pass for Sunday, therefore, insuring that we would not delay the trip waiting for the pass.
We arrived early, at least 45 min before loading time, and waited for the bus, Two other couples arrived and we chat and wait. Bus is supposed to be arriving at 6am, however, before it arrives, a Gray Line van arrives and Mike (our guide) steps out and explains the bus had to return to base, but another is on the way. Meantime, he is going to pick up at the other close locations (Rosen Inn, Rosen Pointe Orlando, Doubletree) and bring those passengers to the Sheraton. That will save time, so off he goes.
I feel frustrated as I know the reason the accessible bus is required is due to my mobility scooter and me not being able to walk. I call and speak to CSR Dana, who advises that another van is picking up the Disney/Kissimmee (Crossroads Plaza, All Star Hotel Disney, Maingate Hotel, Disney and The Big Orange Gift Shop) passengers to bring them to the Four Points Sheraton, so the tour can get immediately on the turnpike and back on schedule. Again, the CSR (Dana) states the bus should be there shortly. I pass this on to the others who are waiting. Mike returns with other passengers from I-Drive pickups, but the bus has still not arrived. A few minutes and the other van arrives. Now there is a large group waiting!
At 7:13 am, I call again and I am told the bus is almost there, a few more minutes and our bus finally arrives!! Oh, no, the driver cannot get the lift to open. I am so embarrassed! I even ask if he is a trainee, thinking this might explain things, but he says NO, This isn't a Gray Line bus, it reads Stylus, the driver is in a Stylus uniform and there is another man on the bus who tries to help the driver get the lift open. Mike is told to start boarding the passengers.
They sit on the bus and wait. At 7:40 am, I am so embarrassed about making the other passengers wait that I say to forget everything. The two of us leave and head to our car. I am in the car and he is loading the scooter into the trailer before the Stylus bus pulls out of the parking lot. I am not that fast, so it must have taken additional time for him to close the lift door and get up on the bus to start driving.
I have heard a lot of positive things about this trip and we were excited, especially as the trip had been rescheduled. I have taken Gray Line tours in the past, before I became disabled, however, IF YOU ARE DISABLED, RELY ON MOBILITY TRANSPORTATION (wheel chair or scooter) AND MUST STAY ON BOARD THAT DEVICE AT ALL TIMES, DO NOT TRUST THAT YOU WILL EVER MAKE THIS TRIP or any other Gray Line tours.
I spoke to a Gray Line rep on Monday afternoon and was assured I would hear from the manager early Tuesday. It is almost noon and my phone has not rung. Wonder if it will ring at all today!! At 12:35 pm, I called them and things will be changed and, hopefully, no one else will go through this experience. read more