2 ECVs instead of sharing (update post 18, 1 ECV!)

[Forevryoung]

DBF and I just spent 2 nights in Atlantic City and it is clear that he is not going to be walking around Disney like he claims Apparently his knee injury is getting worse/more painful (he needs surgery but is too stubborn/smart to walk away from current work situation).

I'm feeling the same as I have been since Sept, good days and bad days. Doing anything (sitting, walking, standing) for too long is painful and/or exhausting to the point of tears and there still is no "diagnosis"

Prior to this weekend, I was going back and forth about renting an offsite ecv (versus renting in the parks) and sharing it with DBF for the trip as we can both walk and either one of us sitting for too long wouldn't be good either.

Now I'm realizing that sharing might not work- we both might need one for more time than I imagined unless I'm feeling like myself again! I'm trying not to think about the assumptions that will be made, a perfectly healthy looking 23 year old female in a rented ECV next to an obese man in another rented ECV but if they only knew right?

Do we rent one offsite and rent one in the parks when we need it? Rent 2 offsite and from where? What size rental car for 2 offsite ECVs without luggage? We currently have a midsize. Any hints or ideas? I'm starting to worry with the trip approximately 6 weeks away.

Thanks!

 

[OneLittleSpark]

Well done for making the decision to use two ECVs, it sounds like it'll be best for you guys. I'm glad the fella's finally realised that he does need a little help (correct me if I'm wrong, but it was you who was worrying about your man a little while back, wasn't it?).

I'd say rent two from off-site, to make sure you have then when you need them. Otherwise you might hit a situation where you both need one, but the rental place has run out. Not fun!

As for transport, I'm afraid I've no idea about car sizes. Are you staying on property? If so, you could try tackling the Disney transport from time to time. Admittedly, this would be a challenge with two ECVs, but might at times prove easier than using a car (especially at MK where you have to take the monorail or ferry from the car park anyway). Do you have a HA parking tag or not?

I know it's easier said than done, but never mind the people who waste their holiday judging random strangers. If someone thinks you're using the ECVs just for fun (because we all know how much fun it is to be kicked, walked in front of, glared at and ignored in equal measure and of course having the all important view of people's backsides), let them worry themselves sick if they want to, it's not your concern. You guys know you need them so [insert expletive] the rest of them.

I'm feeling the same as I have been since Sept, good days and bad days. Doing anything (sitting, walking, standing) for too long is painful and/or exhausting to the point of tears and there still is no "diagnosis"

Much sympathy to you my dear. I'm in a similar situation myself, with unduagnosed joint pain going on for over a year (though I've had problems with one ankle since about 13) and now have the ever entertaining fatigue to contend with too. As I've said in other threads, make sure you look after yourself at Disney and have a wonderful, wonderful time!

 

[Forevryoung]

Thanks OneLittleSpark, your post made me smile.

You are 100% right, he didn't want/thought he needed one and I posted previously (months and months ago I belive! Good memory ) I haven't approached him but tough cookies, this is MY trip and this is the way things are going to be- I'm NOT sharing I don't want to see him limping, hear about how much pain he is in... especially while I'm trying to enjoy myself!

And that is that.

Once I get my mind convinced that this idea is the right approach (2 ecvs) I'll talk to him about it again. Things have certainly changed since I brought it up the first time.

 

[OneLittleSpark]

Yay! My foggy brain can sometimes surprise even me!

Good luck convincing him. Men can be stubborn sometimes, but then, we can be just as stubborn right back!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Several years ago Judy and I were going to WDW with some friends (who had two teenage daughters). About ten days before the trip the other wide broke her ankle and also required an ECV. I checked with the car rental people, and examined many cars, up to an including Cadillac sedans. There was nothing that could handle two rental ECVs. I did rent a Buick Park Avenue (largest Buick available)

When it was necessary to buy a second ECV for Judy (mine is a former rental Ranger Solo and Judy's was a Pride Go-Go), we made sure that we could fit both in the car at once. In the Taurus we found that we had to keep the batteries from mine on the floor in back and both ECV seats on the back seat of the car. We were able to fit the base of mine and the motor/wheel assembly as well as Judy's, and the battery from Judy's in the back seat.

When we were with the friends, we would split and some people in the car and two people taking a bus. If we were going to dinner (and not a park) we would drive and leave one ECV back in the room (and the wife with the broken ankle would use the ECV).

If it is just the two of you it would probably work to use a full size four door sedan. Bring something to protect the rear seat and you could probably get everything into the trunk and rear seat.

 

[Forevryoung]

Great!

Ok, "problem" # 2: DBF is pretty close to the 300 lb mark (probably around 275 lbs). Buena Vista Scooters suggests the revo for up to 300 lbs while Scooterama says 250 lbs for the same model.

If we need a "heavy duty" one for DBF we will rent it and I'll rent a second one for me in the park if I need it (and we will rely on disney transportation) as there will be no way to get it into the car easily.

Any thoughts to being close or over the provided "maximum" (clearly the rental company's established weight)

 

[OneLittleSpark]

If you're using Disney transport the whole trip, there's no reason why you can't both rent from an outside company. You'll be going during an extremely busy time (if I've counted the weeks correctly) and it would be awful to end up miserable on the trip because you couldn't get an ECV when you needed one (and you can't even use the normal standby of 'get someone to push you in a wheelchair' if it's only the two of you). They really should make tandem ECVs

Using 2 ECVs will mean that if there is already a wheelchair user on the bus or at the bus-stop, you will have to either split up or wait for the next bus, but it will also reduce the stress and strain on you (an especially important thing with fatigue). If you had to wait, the driver of the part-full bus may well radio for another one to come get you.

I'm afraid I don't know about the limits, but I'm sure someone here will.

 

[Jennasmomma]

When my family went last december my mom and I both had an ECV. We also relied on disney trasnportation. It is tricky getting them on the buses sometimes but its doable.

We rented off site with Care medical. We are heavier my mom and I. Im around 230lbs and my mom is around my size. We had no problems with the ECVs.

yes some people are rude with ECV users. My mom and I dont "look" sick. We just ignore the rude people. They arent worth the time/energy it takes to give them a second thought on OUR vacation.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

The ECV we bought for Judy was a Pride Go-Go. I will use it sometimes although I am about 40 pounds over the limit. For example, I had it on the Magic for the cruise for its smaller size. When the weight is overlimit it will slow the ECV down, especially on hills, and also run the battery out of power much faster. I know if there is a day I will be using it in a park I will bring the small charger with me and make sure it is plugged in when I am eating or in a show.

And as far as weight limits, I went to the Pride Mobility web site (the manufacturer of the ECVs BVS uses) and they say 300# for the Revo, 350# for the Celebrity-X and 500# for the Maximus.

 

[freemore]

DH and I both rent the Heavy Duty from Walker at $39 each per day. They are wonderful comfortable chairs and worth every penny. We use the Disney buses and my husband and the bus driver put them on. WE haven't noticed or worried about what other people think, we are too busy enjoying ourselves.

 

[earthfaries]

I'm trying not to think about the assumptions that will be made, a perfectly healthy looking 23 year old female in a rented ECV next to an obese man in another rented ECV but if they only knew right?

My sister is 30 and looks healthy on the outside. She is 260 but like I said looks healthy. She is disabled in that she can't walk even a little without major pain in her hips and legs. Even when she was a child her legs would throb and hurt after walking. She wasn't overweight until about 8 years ago, so it is not the weight that bothers her. I am larger than her and have no problem walking. Even at Disney after a day of walking besides being tired I am fine. She HAS to use an ECV or she couldn't litterally go. People always stare and talk about her when we are at zoos, WDW, etc. because I know they are thinking she is abusing the system and is just fine and lazy so that is why she uses the chair. That belief was confirmed last night when I came across a post on the WDW theme park strategy board. Someone just returned from the world and was complaining about all the rented ecv's and all the healthy young people riding around in them. Then posters continued to assume all the people in the ecv's couldn't walk because they were overweight and lazy and that they actually didn't need an ecv, they needed to walk and get exercise. I didn't reply to the post because it made me so mad!
People do assume you are lazy if you have an ecv and are overweight. We don't care. They have no idea of the pain my sister or everyone else is in. It is not fun using an ECV, esp. at Disney where people don't like ECV users and don't watch what they are doing and walk in front of the ECV and let their kids do it too. I just had to mention this because I couldn't beleive they were ecv bashing and it turned into a big awful thread bashing overweight people and young healthy looking people using ecv's.
Be like my sister~don't care what they think~they don't know anything about you or her or anyone else. The pain is on the inside, not the outside~and as for being overweight, I sure he is used to people assuming he is unhealthy , etc. already so just ingnore it, enjoy you vacation and have fun

 

[freemore]

Don't waste a minute of your life worrying about what judgmental people think! Bad health happens to all kinds of people and we are all going to get old, And when I run into rude people, I just think to myself, wait until something bad happens to you or someone in your family and then you will have more understanding and won't be so quick to judge others. Don't worry about what other people thing, Go and enjoy yourselves and have a blast!

 

[earthfaries]

Don't waste a minute of your life worrying about what judgmental people think! Bad health happens to all kinds of people and we are all going to get old, And when I run into rude people, I just think to myself, wait until something bad happens to you or someone in your family and then you will have more understanding and won't be so quick to judge others. Don't worry about what other people thing, Go and enjoy yourselves and have a blast!

 

[ntsammy5]

We just ignore the rude people.

They're not worth wasting your time on. Have a great time!

 

[Forevryoung]

Well I just got back from a new doctor... finally someone is listening that there is really a problem.

She has a feeling it sounds like lymes disease, bloodwork will show it, and antibiotics will cure it

So, fingers crossed she is right and I'm back to my old self by the trip! Then I just need to convince DBF that he needs the ECV

 

[Mickiethepooh]

I just got back yesterday from WDW using two scooters. I brought my own and we rented one from Buena Vista Scooters. We rented a stow and go van through ALAMO by calling there special medical service line. with this all the rear seats fold into the floor leaving room for the two scooters. We put one in from the back and one in from the side. Had a King size HC room at POR with plenty of room for both scooters in the room.

 

[SueM in MN]

I just got back yesterday from WDW using two scooters. I brought my own and we rented one from Buena Vista Scooters. We rented a stow and go van through ALAMO by calling there special medical service line. with this all the rear seats fold into the floor leaving room for the two scooters. We put one in from the back and one in from the side. Had a King size HC room at POR with plenty of room for both scooters in the room.

glad to hear you were able to work it out with 2 scooters in one van.

 

[Forevryoung]

Update:
Well, blood test results are in! It's officially Lyme disease and Mono

I go on antibiotics starting tomorrow and I have approximately 5 weeks until my trip so hopefully the Lyme disease will not be causing the aches and pains and I will be feeling young and spry again

Who knows about the mono- I've probably had it for months at this point (symptoms since September). I haven't been as tired lately so I'm guessing it's getting better slowly but surely.

My new assumption is that DBF and I will rent one ECV and either he will be the only one using it or we will switch off once in awhile to get him walking and to give me a rest.

Thanks everyone for their help. It definitely made me feel better about my trip!

 

[OneLittleSpark]

Oh honey, it's wonderful news that you're fixable ! Sorry you had to go through this rubbishy stuff before they found out what was wrong, but at least you're on the road to getting better now.

Wishing you a speedy recovery and a magical holiday!!

 

[evenpar4me]

The Reva can handle 300lbs easily. The celebrity is a little faster and from Buena Vista its the same cost.