ECV and going solo

Simba's Mom · Oct 21, 2016

I wrote a review of my great first experience using an ECV, but this time DH was with me. I have one question if you're solo. How do you get in and out of your room, I mean opening the door? Do solos leave their ECV in the hall so they don't have to deal with the problem? Do some solos "drive" their ECV without riding on it, while they hold the door open, kind of like I saw bus drivers "drive" scooters around on buses by manipulating the handles but not actually riding the ECV? Or is there something people use to hold the door open, like I think someone mentioned rubber door stops? Who does what?

Gilrond · Oct 21, 2016

I have gone solo with ECV many times. At the resort room door, I usually open the door and "drive" the ECV out without riding it because my arms are too short too reach over the front. I am a frequent ECV user at home so this isn't difficult. The spring loaded doors do make it harder than my doors at work and the rubber door stop is a good idea.

mamabunny · Oct 22, 2016

I don't travel solo, but I do sometimes go back to the Resort without any family. Depending on the room and the Resort, I have a couple of methods I use.

First, at Values and Moderates, your room doors are facing to the outside walkway, and typically there is a threshold you will have to "bump" over. At these Resorts, if I am alone, I will ride up to the door, then get off the device, open the door and use my doorstop to hold it open while I move the ECV through the doorway and in to the room

At Deluxes, with the inside hallways there is typically either no threshold to speak of, or a very low, easy to cross one. Here I will again dismount and prop the door open - it's just easier without the big "bump" over the threshold.

I actually carry 2 standard rubber doorstops on my ECV when I am at WDW because some of the room doors just seem "stronger" than others (the built in return that automatically closes the door) so I can use one at about the middle and another at the edge. If the gap at the bottom is pretty tall, then I will "stack" the doorstops so that I don't have to worry about it slipping over the top of the doorstop.

It takes a tiny bit more time when you are alone, true, but it's certainly do-able!

Bete · Oct 23, 2016

Although, costs will be more you can rent at the parks if you can get back and forth from the resort ok.

I have opened the door and got the scooter partially in by not riding it and then I get on it to get into the room all the way. The same is true in reverse with getting out of the room.

All the methods mentioned are doable, easy not so much.

fostrmom2mny · Oct 23, 2016

My solo trip with an EVC was hard at quick service meals! They don't make the check out lines very friendly, then carrying your food to a table was not very easy. I'm all ears if anyone has another way to suggest.

Selket · Oct 23, 2016

I pull the ECV up to the door and turn it off - and then put it in neutral (a switch down on the base). When it's in neutral it's really easy to roll the ECV so I then open the door and roll it in to the room. This does require you to be able to walk and do a little pulling and pushing so it may not work for everyone.

I'm able to park the ECV and walk to get QS meals but I'm wondering if you can ask them to have someone help you carry a tray with food? That's a really good question.

Simba's Mom · Oct 24, 2016

Selket said:
I pull the ECV up to the door and turn it off - and then put it in neutral (a switch down on the base). When it's in neutral it's really easy to roll the ECV so I then open the door and roll it in to the room. This does require you to be able to walk and do a little pulling and pushing so it may not work for everyone.

I'm able to park the ECV and walk to get QS meals but I'm wondering if you can ask them to have someone help you carry a tray with food? That's a really good question.

Oh, yes! I totally forgot about that-what a great idea! As far as putting it in Neutral, that's another funny thing as a first-timer. I didn't know anything about putting it in Neutral and rolling it around until about the 3rd day. When I was on Kilimanjaro Safari, I came back to find that they'd moved my scooter, not far but enough for me to know there had to be some neutral switch. So I asked the CM there, and she pointed out the neutral knob thing.
As far as dealing with trays at quick serve, I was solo several times, and every time before I could think "What am I going to do?" someone appeared and offered to carry my tray for me.

toocherie · Oct 24, 2016

I have done both the putting it into neutral and the door stops. I have "heard"--but never tried--that some resorts will disable the automatic closing mechanism if you ask. Not sure if they will given the fire laws. On quick-service, I have always just asked if they will assist me (usually they ask first) in getting the food to the table--and now that I am more mobile I'm thinking I would park near a table and go get my food and come back if necessary.

mamabunny · Oct 24, 2016

fostrmom2mny said:
My solo trip with an EVC was hard at quick service meals! They don't make the check out lines very friendly, then carrying your food to a table was not very easy. I'm all ears if anyone has another way to suggest.

When it comes to getting someone to carry my tray for me, I have found that it often depends on how busy the QS is, so I have gotten in the habit of asking for everything "to go", then I don't have to worry about dealing with a tray.

If you can park and walk at the QS, it's fine to do so - don't feel like you *have* to stay on your ECV simply because you have one.

LEsherick · Oct 25, 2016

I have used ECV's while in vacation in Utah and at Disney last year. Most times I am able to drive it out the door just by reaching back and pulling the door open slowly while going forward then when the door is open switch hands and keep the door pushed open while backing up. But if the door is exceptionally heavy I just prop open the door with my backpack or whatever other type of carryon bag or even a suitcase. For a tray at quick service I would place it on the bottom of the ECV where your feet go but I put my feet up by the wheels until I get to a table. and with drinks I usually put my drink in my front basket and put something like my purse around it to keep it from spilling. You do what you have to do and you learn these tricks after time. I am pretty good at opening all doors by my self and negotiating tight turns like in lines and on the bus.

Bete · Oct 29, 2016

For dining you may have enough strength to leave the scooter parked and not use it in quick service. I do it this way.

ECV and going solo

Simba's Mom

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Gilrond

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mamabunny

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Bete

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fostrmom2mny

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Selket

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Simba's Mom

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mamabunny

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LEsherick

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Bete

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