ECV/scooter questions

cmfitz14 · Jul 7, 2015

My parents will be traveling with my family to WDW this August. My father is battling leg circulation issues (with surgery in the near future scheduled) and severe spinal stenosis. He has tried physical therapy for almost a year, with limited relief. He cannot walk for extended periods of time. He was originally resistant to having to rent an ECV/scooter for our stay (as he thinks of it as throwing in the towel), but if he doesn't, he won't be able to do the trip.
I have a few questions:
1) how long will the battery last? Will it withstand a rope drop, afternoon break, late evening touring plan?
2) we are staying at the poly, so monorail travel should be somewhat simple. When we do have to take buses, should be expect longer wait & travel times?
3) is there a company you recommend we book through?
4) is there a model you recommend?

Thanks in advance!

Bete · Jul 7, 2015

Battery life is dependent on the weight of the person to a large degree. The heavier the person the more the battery wears. Some scooters have two batteries and those will last the day, the whole day usually. Flat surfaces are easier on the battery than hills and such.

It's important to shut the scooter off during a parade, fireworks or shows. Conserving the battery needs to be your motto.

I would say bus time will increase your wait over the monorail.

I would use one of the Disney preferred vendors for scooter rental.

The Pride Victory is a two battery scooter model. Pride To Go is a popular one battery model.

JenniBugInPink · Jul 8, 2015

cmfitz14 said:
...I have a few questions:
1) how long will the battery last? Will it withstand a rope drop, afternoon break, late evening touring plan? As previous poster said, this depends on the weight of the person, but even more, it depends on the type of scooter. Heavy duty scooters' batteries tend to last longer than the smaller scooters that are lighter weight, but easier to take apart. If you are planning on using WDW transportation, then I recommend the bigger scooters.
2) we are staying at the poly, so monorail travel should be somewhat simple. When we do have to take buses, should be expect longer wait & travel times? I don't have a lot of experience with buses at the Poly (have only stayed there once, and don't remember using the buses a lot there - it was a split stay for us). I'll defer to someone more knowledgable.
3) is there a company you recommend we book through? I always use Walker Mobility. I love their people, their batteries last forever (all day, plus more, going full tilt all day), their scooters can be used in the rain, and their service is top notch. Also, always ask about the cost - it seems like I never end up paying as much as the prices on the web site.
4) is there a model you recommend? http://www.walkermobility.com/mobility-scooter-rental-orlando/11/, http://www.walkermobility.com/mobility-scooter-rental-orlando/12/
Thanks in advance!

kaytieeldr · Jul 8, 2015

Bete said:
I would use one of the Disney ~~approved~~ vendors for scooter rental.

These are now designated as Featured Vendor. The companies pay a fee to Disney to be able to use Bell Services as the transfer point for rented medical devices. Other companies, such as Walker Mobility and Randy's Mobility, are equally good if not better and simply opted to hand off directly to the client. Actually, that's been Randy's business model for years. I also like Scooterama because they remove the armrests for me. I don't need 'em, so have a tendency to leave them up and get them caught on things.

bushdianee · Jul 8, 2015

If you are taking a break you can recharge the battery then. There are supposedly a lot places in the parks where you can also recharge for a while. I recharged mine at Mama Melrose's in HS when we were there for the whole day. I had an issue with my scooter that resulted in getting a replacement from the rental company. I used Apple and had the replacement within 45 minutes of calling them. We stayed at Wilderness Lodge and used the boats and monorail whenever possible. The buses did add some extra time for loading and unloading. One nice thing about staying at the Wilderness Lodge is that they have outlets in the hallway and the CM said to park the scooter in the hallway to recharge rather than in the room. e just said that if there were other scooters in the hall to park on the same side to allow housekeeping to get their cars through.

Nanajo1 · Jul 9, 2015

Remember to charge battery at night. I have gone from RD to illumination on one overnight charge. Me, I needed a new battery.Turning it off while at parades etc. conserves the battery and also prevents inadvertent movement. I have used many of the vendors and have no complaints with any. Because we do like to hit the parks when we arrive I like having the scooter waiting for me. If we are not in a hurry then waiting for delivery would be fine or if your dad or you would like some instruction on its use/ assembly the meeting with the vendor is better.

ah10is · Jul 10, 2015

cmfitz14 said:
My parents will be traveling with my family to WDW this August. My father is battling leg circulation issues (with surgery in the near future scheduled) and severe spinal stenosis. He has tried physical therapy for almost a year, with limited relief. He cannot walk for extended periods of time. He was originally resistant to having to rent an ECV/scooter for our stay (as he thinks of it as throwing in the towel), but if he doesn't, he won't be able to do the trip.
I have a few questions:
1) how long will the battery last? Will it withstand a rope drop, afternoon break, late evening touring plan?
2) we are staying at the poly, so monorail travel should be somewhat simple. When we do have to take buses, should be expect longer wait & travel times?
3) is there a company you recommend we book through?
4) is there a model you recommend?

Thanks in advance!

Hi -

We rented a scooter in May for the 1st time for my mother! Best thing ever! We rented from Buena Visa Scooters and just got their base model. Scooter was there at concierge and at the end of our stay we just signed it back in to concierge! So easy! Not once did the scooter go down 1 blimp of power and we did rope drop leaving our resort at 7am and not returning until well after 11pm on several days of our stay! We were very impressed! We only charged it at night. We stayed at AKL, and had no issues waiting for buses! Was always able to get on the bus that came! Bus drivers were awesome and were all very helpful! We also road the monorail and they knew what stop we were getting off every time! Two tips that helped us a lot were, 1) buying a $5 door stop to get the scooter in & out of the room & 2) sticking a bright colored scarf on the handlebar of the scooter so we could pick it out quickly after a ride or meal!

Toffeewoffy · Jul 11, 2015

I use Florida Mobility Rentals; they're owned by some British ex-pats - a really lovely couple. Their equipment is clean and well-maintained and they keep an eye on their batteries. I usually hire the Pride Victory 10 as it's a good medium-sized scooter with long battery life and a comfy seat - oh, and I recommend you get a 3-wheeler as they're much more manoeuvrable than the 4-wheel ones. Plug the scooter in to charge as soon as you get 'home' and leave it on all night. In the morning it'll be ready to go again. I have NEVER needed to do a top-up charge. I also turn the power off whenever I'm immobile, even waiting in slow-moving queues. I haven't even dropped one light - and that was on a 10am - midnight day in the park!

Price is a huge factor for me: I'm not prepared to pay over $150 premium for the 'privilege' of having my scooter waiting at the resort for me. Besides, meeting your delivery man both ends of the holiday puts a face to the company and I prefer that.

Pappa Bear · Jul 13, 2015

ah10is said:
Hi -

We rented a scooter in May for the 1st time for my mother! Best thing ever! We rented from Buena Visa Scooters and just got their base model. Scooter was there at concierge and at the end of our stay we just signed it back in to concierge! So easy! Not once did the scooter go down 1 blimp of power and we did rope drop leaving our resort at 7am and not returning until well after 11pm on several days of our stay! We were very impressed! We only charged it at night. We stayed at AKL, and had no issues waiting for buses! Was always able to get on the bus that came! Bus drivers were awesome and were all very helpful! We also road the monorail and they knew what stop we were getting off every time! Two tips that helped us a lot were, 1) buying a $5 door stop to get the scooter in & out of the room & 2) sticking a bright colored scarf on the handlebar of the scooter so we could pick it out quickly after a ride or meal!

We too rented from Buena Vista in May and were just as pleased as you were. I wish I had thought of the door stop trick as it would have saved my younger GrandGirl's mashed fingers. The brightly colored scarf idea is helpful too.

KPeveler · Jul 13, 2015

I also suggest taking the charging cable into the parks with you. Most scooters use an on-board charger, which means the charging cable is no larger than what is used to plug in a computer or printer. If you conserve power when the scooter is parked (like in shows) and you charge overnight, you should not have a problem, but if you forget to turn it off or something like that, having the charger in park could be very helpful.

Also, I would bring whatever cane or crutches he may need to walk short distances. Some restaurants do not allow ECVs inside (I am thinking of Liberty Tree Tavern - some are just too small) and some attractions will require him to walk a short distance from the ECV to the ride. There are almost no ride attractions that you can take the ECV on (though you will not have a problem with shows), but those attractions will have a manual wheelchair there he can use if he wants to use the wheelchair-accessible ride vehicle.

Momofone92 · Jul 13, 2015

After price checking Buena Vista it is much higher than Walker so if price is an issue you might want to try Walker

mamabunny · Jul 14, 2015

cmfitz14 said:
My parents will be traveling with my family to WDW this August. My father is battling leg circulation issues (with surgery in the near future scheduled) and severe spinal stenosis. He has tried physical therapy for almost a year, with limited relief. He cannot walk for extended periods of time. He was originally resistant to having to rent an ECV/scooter for our stay (as he thinks of it as throwing in the towel), but if he doesn't, he won't be able to do the trip.
I have a few questions:
1) how long will the battery last? Will it withstand a rope drop, afternoon break, late evening touring plan?
2) we are staying at the poly, so monorail travel should be somewhat simple. When we do have to take buses, should be expect longer wait & travel times?
3) is there a company you recommend we book through?
4) is there a model you recommend?

Thanks in advance!

It looks like all of your other questions have been answered... so... This is for your Dad:

Dear Dad -

Hi. Just call me MamaBunny. Everyone else around here does.

I have spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, and a bunch of other stuff going on medically. It's a long, boring list - you don't want to know, trust me!

I was just at WDW in February of this year. Prior to the trip, I bought my own ECV. Here's why:

Think of it like this - the ECV is a TOOL, and nothing more. There are plenty of folks (not just at WDW, but everywhere) who use them. I'll bet that you have seen someone at your local Wal-Mart or Target or grocery store using one of those big lumbering beasts to go shopping.

I have a walking stick/cane that I use to maintain balance when I walk or stand. That's a tool - nothing more. The eyeglasses that I use? A tool - to help me see better. Hearing aids? Yep, a tool - helps with the hearing, right? I'll bet you have used a calculator at least once in your life... that is a TOOL to help with math. (I stink at math, so I always have a calculator handy). These are all tools that people use every day. So you can see - an ECV is also a tool.

It's not about throwing in the towel. It's about using the tools that are available - and appropriate - to make the most of your time at Disney World, with your beautiful family.

I use my personal ECV as a tool - to get out in the world, and do things, and go places, and be myself again.

So, get on that ECV and ride. Smile at everyone, and make eye contact. Wave like a handsome Prince at all the pretty girls! Don't worry about what anyone else thinks; the chances that you will see ANYONE from Disney World outside of your trip ever again? You have better odds betting on the lottery. You stand a better chance of getting struck by lightning! You will NEVER see those people at Disney World again, in all likelihood. So don't worry about them. They are all too busy worrying about themselves, and taking "selfies" anyway.

Have fun, and let us know how your trip went!

Wishing you all the Magic you can find for your next trip

stitchlovestink · Jul 14, 2015

bushdianee said:
If you are taking a break you can recharge the battery then. There are supposedly a lot places in the parks where you can also recharge for a while. I recharged mine at Mama Melrose's in HS when we were there for the whole day. I had an issue with my scooter that resulted in getting a replacement from the rental company. I used Apple and had the replacement within 45 minutes of calling them. We stayed at Wilderness Lodge and used the boats and monorail whenever possible. The buses did add some extra time for loading and unloading. One nice thing about staying at the Wilderness Lodge is that they have outlets in the hallway and the CM said to park the scooter in the hallway to recharge rather than in the room. e just said that if there were other scooters in the hall to park on the same side to allow housekeeping to get their cars through.

Topping off a battery as you suggest is REALLY NOT good for the battery as it damages it and ruins them. Often that is probably why people have problems with their rentals (too much topping off charging). The batteries are not designed to be topped off like that. Unless it is low, you really show only charge it at the end of the day. If you have an ECV and read the owners manual, it will advise this accordingly...and it is also why they don't guarantee the batteries but for a handful of months versus the equipment for at least a year or more.

bushdianee · Jul 14, 2015

I had to recharge the battery that one day as it quickly losing power and wasn't going to make it. The replacement worked fine.

Grandma G · Jul 16, 2015

Blush!

I have now actually read the post above that answered all of my questions. And revealed all of my ignorance about scooters ...

Nanajo1 · Jul 25, 2015

I am happy stitchlovestink posted about not topping off the battery. The battery has something like a memory and if it gets a small charge then it remembers that and doesn't fully charge the next time.

mamabunny · Jul 26, 2015

Nanajo1 said:
I am happy stitchlovestink posted about not topping off the battery. The battery has something like a memory and if it gets a small charge then it remembers that and doesn't fully charge the next time.

Actually there is GOOD NEWS about the "memory effect"!

Not all ECV/PWC batteries have the "memory effect" that we saw with older-style dry cells. Most of the newer Li-on batteries that are in use these days are specifically created to avoid that "memory effect". It depends, obviously, on the chemical make-up of the battery and the manufacturer, but my personal ECV can be "topped off" with no problems at all.

Nanajo1 · Jul 26, 2015

That is great news.

Hopefully · Jul 26, 2015

mamabunny said:
Actually there is GOOD NEWS about the "memory effect"!

Not all ECV/PWC batteries have the "memory effect" that we saw with older-style dry cells. Most of the newer Li-on batteries that are in use these days are specifically created to avoid that "memory effect". It depends, obviously, on the chemical make-up of the battery and the manufacturer, but my personal ECV can be "topped off" with no problems at all.

Customer Service at Walker Medical told me specifically yesterday, that their Ranger Scooter batteries CAN be "topped off"

Nanajo1 · Jul 27, 2015

I guess it would be good to know if your rental can take a top off.

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