ECV in Restaurants

Glittercat said:

((I hope you try the buses, monorail, the MK ferry, and the large boats with your scooter.))
I have serious fear of buses there, the rest though will be good.

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Your fear of buses is perhaps fear of the unknown? Every scooter Newbie has that dread. Solution: Do it once. You'll see it's no big deal and your fear will go away. Same for Monorail loading/unloading.

Glittercat said:

((When at a theme park Quick Service restaurant with your scooter, don't ever enter an ordering line that doesn't have a blue handicap sign on it. Handicap lines are usually the first and last ordering stations on either end...))
I had no idea they even had different lines for handicap accessibility! Is this new? Has it always been like that?

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I don't know how far back handicap cashier lines started. They've been at WDW in my time, and probably since at least the 1990 ADA enactment. MK shows the most HA adjustments, since they opened in 1971.

Here's a partial shot of the Ordering Station layout at MK Columbia Harbor House. The Ordering Station on the left SHOULD have a Blue Handicap sign posted, but I don't see it. I've drawn in the HA sign and an arrow to show the HA ordering line. FYI, all Ordering Stations at WDW can be accessed from the right or left of the Cashier, though most people order from the right. Sometimes arguments about "butting the line" erupt when people go to the left. Oh well. Notice the other Ordering Stations have fixed railings separating people waiting for their order from those exiting with trays. It's that center dividing rail that will prevent scooters from making the turn to exit. You'd have to back out from the entry line (usually with a crowd behind you). However, the HA line has no center railing and the area is wider. The counter here is also lower. The HA Ordering Stations are on the ends, so you have lots of room to enter/exit without any barriers.

Glittercat said:

((When I used an ECV I would ride to the table and DH would park it outside.))
I know this is silly but I worry about a personal scooter being taken if it is outside.

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Your scooter will have a key. Take it with you when you park it. I've never read here or anywhere that someone's personal scooter was taken. If a park CM has to move the scooter, they put it in neutral. (Note, if your scooter doesn't start after you've left it unattended, check to see if it was put in neutral. That is the most likely reason for not starting.) I have my key on a key ring wristlet. It's that curly plastic kind that people wear at work. Buy at Walmart Office Supply dept.

The worry about leaving the scooter outdoors is weather. Always have a poncho or two to put over the electronics (and your seat).

Glittercat said:

((I now use a powerchair and I've taken it in to many TS restaurants BOG included.))
How do you like your power chair? Is it better for you than your scooter was?

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If you don't own a power chair now, there's little hope to rent one for use at WDW. If you're a Newbie scooter user you won't be considered for power chair rental. Only experienced power chair users are considered. Power chairs take getting used to, and WDW isn't the place to start learning.

POOHsie said:

Your fear of buses is perhaps fear of the unknown? Every scooter Newbie has that dread. Solution: Do it once. You'll see it's no big deal and your fear will go away. Same for Monorail loading/unloading.

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I think this one stems from using the bus a lot last visit and there were a lot of people angry about me being in the handicapped line, I'm not really sure why but it felt like because I could not get out of my chair I was taking up their precious time, and it made me feel shy and embarrassed. I do know I need to grow up and also feel okay taking up the same time and space as everyone else, but something about it was triggering. I ended up in tears after two of the bus rides. Liked the monorail and boats though!

POOHsie said:

I don't know how far back handicap cashier lines started. They've been at WDW in my time, and probably since at least the 1990 ADA enactment. MK shows the most HA adjustments, since they opened in 1971.

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I had no idea! How cool though.

POOHsie said:

Here's a partial shot of the Ordering Station layout at MK Columbia Harbor House. The Ordering Station on the left SHOULD have a Blue Handicap sign posted, but I don't see it. I've drawn in the HA sign and an arrow to show the HA ordering line. FYI, all Ordering Stations at WDW can be accessed from the right or left of the Cashier, though most people order from the right. Sometimes arguments about "butting the line" erupt when people go to the left. Oh well. Notice the other Ordering Stations have fixed railings separating people waiting for their order from those exiting with trays. It's that center dividing rail that will prevent scooters from making the turn to exit. You'd have to back out from the entry line (usually with a crowd behind you). However, the HA line has no center railing and the area is wider. The counter here is also lower. The HA Ordering Stations are on the ends, so you have lots of room to enter/exit without any barriers.

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This is really great information!

POOHsie said:

Your scooter will have a key. Take it with you when you park it. I've never read here or anywhere that someone's personal scooter was taken. If a park CM has to move the scooter, they put it in neutral. (Note, if your scooter doesn't start after you've left it unattended, check to see if it was put in neutral. That is the most likely reason for not starting.) I have my key on a key ring wristlet. It's that curly plastic kind that people wear at work.

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Good to know!

POOHsie said:

The worry about leaving the scooter outdoors is weather. Always have a poncho or two to put over the electronics (and your seat).

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another good idea! It will be so odd to get used to, but I'll learn.

POOHsie said:

If you don't own a power chair now, there's little hope to rent one for use at WDW. If you're a Newbie scooter user you won't be considered for power chair rental. Only experienced power chair users are considered. Power chairs take getting used to, and WDW isn't the place to start learning.

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Oh my doctor and I have had to have conversations about mobility devices as sometimes my joints are dislocated and I can't push my rims in my wheelchair. Next step is rheumatologist then we'll be able to better decide on power chair or scooter- I'm leaning toward scooter and keeping my manual chair for times that I can use it. I won't be renting at Disney World, I'll be bringing my own from home (across the country). Sorry, if I was confusing about that. Whichever we end up getting it will be fairly soon, and I'll have about a year of practice before arriving at WDW.

I used an ECV from an off site vendor for many trips. I was afraid to take my Power chair on the plane. A few years ago I started renting a Powerchair at WDW from Apple. I found having to extend my arms for long periods very tiring. Since I got a new Powerchair I take my old one to WDW. It is great. I am less tired. I go just about everywhere.

I used an ECV from an off site vendor for many trips. I was afraid to take my Power chair on the plane. A few years ago I started renting a Powerchair at WDW from Apple. I found having to extend my arms for long periods very tiring. Since I got a new Powerchair I take my old one to WDW. It is great. I am less tired. I go just about everywhere.

My mother is renting a scooter for our fall trip, mainly for her knee problems. She knows she won't be able to walk all day long. She will be able to wait in lines and go into restaurants by walking. Are there places to park the ECVs/Scooters outside the restaurants and attractions? Will this be near the strollers? We will have a stroller for my 4 year old. I assume we should do something to clearly mark her scooter just like you would strollers. Lots of good information in this thread.

As PPs have said take the key with you when you leave it. If the CMs have to move it they use the free rolling. I would tie a scarf or ribbon on it. I used to tie a lime green ribbon to denote I was a DISer.