Downtown Disney and ECV's

[StrwLady]

Hi Everyone,

This trip we will finally have time to visit Downtown Disney. I use an ecv because of endurance problems related to my asthma (it never fails no matter the time of year my asthma flares up in Orlando). I can walk but I slow down a lot with the asthma. So I'm wondering those of you who have used an ECV in Downtown Disney did you come across any problems? You know like getting in and out of stores or moving around the store? If I choose to leave the ecv outside of a store to go in is it as safe as it is in the parks?

Any opinions regarding Downtown Disney and ecv would be greatly appericated and will help me decided if I take the ECV when we visit Downtown Disney.

Take Care

[SueM in MN]

We haven't been there with an ecv, but we travel all the time with my DD in her wheelchair. Getting into the stores is not a problem, but getting around may be. The big stores (like the main Disney store) have adequate manouvering room, but they can be very busy and the layout is a little confusing the first time you go. That store is arranged into rooms and there are several ways you can get in and out of each. If you have been in the Disney Emporium on Main Street in the MK, it is not harder than that.
Some of the smaller stores, especially on the West side, are very tight, even with my DD's narrow wheelchair. She just waits outside at those; since she can'tr walk at all, leaving her wheelchair outside isn't an option. I don't think you would have trouble leaving an ecv outside. I believe they have a key that you can take with you so the ecv can't be moved.
If you are going to go from the East Side to the West Side or vice versa, ask someone how to get there. If you stay close to the road area, it is all ramped, but you will bypass PI. There is a set of steps between PI and the West Side. There is an elevator, but it's not easy to find if you don't have some idea where to look. It's under the stage area at PI.

[Andrew Bichard]

Originally posted by SueM in MN
There is a set of steps between PI and the West Side. There is an elevator, but it's not easy to find if you don't have some idea where to look. It's under the stage area at PI.

Sue,

I have used that elevator. I didn't know about it in advance, wasn't told about it, yet found it easily (at least I did approaching from the PI side). Its right next to the stairs.

Andrew

[SueM in MN]

It is pretty obvious if you know there is an elevator. We figured out (from the West Side) that there must be an elevator and were able to find it. It was OK to find, but wasn't well marked.
I have seen people get out of their (rented, folding) wheelchairs and walk up the steps though, so it's probably not obvious enough.

[lisapooh]

Sue I had no problem finding the elevator either. It was very clear from the PI side. I don't know about the opposite. Only gone from the PI side so far. My kids had the car down by Virgin and I met them there.

[SueM in MN]

i wonder if they re-marked the elevators since we first found it. The last time we were there was last March and we already knew where it was, so I didn't notice signs, etc. But when the West Side first opened up, we had to search a little to find it (from the West Side area).

[Cheshire Figment]

I have often used an ECV in Downtown Disney. I have had no problems in any of the stores, although often I wish I had an air horn. The only place with a problem might be getting out of the West End side of Pleasure Island. There have been times that I have gotten out of the ECV outside a store, but then I make sure I park out of the line of traffic, take the key with me, and leave nothing in the basket.