A few quick ECV questions for MVMCP

[TigrLvsPooh]

I want to get my Mom a scooter for MVMCP. She's 78 and has bad knees for long periods of standing in one place. Last year she didn't get to see the whole parade and fireworks because she was in so much pain. So this year I want to rent a scooter for her at MK. My questions are:

1. Is it difficult to rent a scooter at MK on the day of MVMCP?
2. Since we have annual passes would it be smart to go to MK that morning and rent the scooter early?
3. Can I leave the scooter parked somewhere inside the park if we leave to go back to the hotel for a rest before party time?
4. Are guests on scooters allowed to park anywhere around the hub or main street area to watch the parade and fireworks? Or are there designated areas only?

Any other tips or info is greatly appreciated! Thank you so much!

 

[R&RsMom]

I would suggest getting to MK at park opening to get the scooter. They run out in the morning. However, the rider is supposed to sign the contract, so your mom would need to go. If you get one in the morning and want to leave for a while, just take it back to the rental place and ask them to it it on hold for you. They will ask you for a return time. Then scooter will be there waiting for her when you come back. Can’t speak to where you would watch fireworks from. I think there is a designated handicapped viewing area but not sure whole party would be admitted.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

I would suggest getting to MK at park opening to get the scooter. They run out in the morning. However, the rider is supposed to sign the contract, so your mom would need to go. If you get one in the morning and want to leave for a while, just take it back to the rental place and ask them to it it on hold for you. They will ask you for a return time. Then scooter will be there waiting for her when you come back. Can’t speak to where you would watch fireworks from. I think there is a designated handicapped viewing area but not sure whole party would be admitted.

thanks so much for this help!

 

[CAPSLOCK]

4. Are guests on scooters allowed to park anywhere around the hub or main street area to watch the parade and fireworks? Or are there designated areas only?

Pretty sure it would be discriminatory if she wasn't allowed to watch from anywhere that "standing" guests could watch from. As long as the ECV doesn't block a travel walkway.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Pretty sure it would be discriminatory if she wasn't allowed to watch from anywhere that "standing" guests could watch from. As long as the ECV doesn't block a travel walkway.

Thanks! This helps us a lot.

 

[Mousetopia]

anywhere you would stand is fine. I enjoyed the circle in fron of the train station..in front of it looking towards castle. Great view of parade and lits of elbow room!!

 

[aleria24]

Pretty sure it would be discriminatory if she wasn't allowed to watch from anywhere that "standing" guests could watch from. As long as the ECV doesn't block a travel walkway.

No, it wouldn't be as long as they are providing a disabled viewing area. From experience, its best to be in the disabled viewing area on a scooter. Your view in the standard area often ends up blocked even if you park right at the curb.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

No, it wouldn't be as long as they are providing a disabled viewing area. From experience, its best to be in the disabled viewing area on a scooter. Your view in the standard area often ends up blocked even if you park right at the curb.

Maybe I'm wrong, but pretty sure it is discriminatory to tell someone "you cannot stay with your family to watch the parade from this location, you MUST go to the disabled viewing area and may bring one companion." Someone on an ECV wouldn't necessarily have an acceptable view, but they're welcome to go sit on their ECV amongst the throng. Nor is there any obligation to improve the viewing experience elsewhere (such as making other people move, allowing the ECV user to the front, etc). Saying someone is not allowed to watch from their preferred location (and with their entire family) because they are disabled certainly sounds like discrimination.

That's not to say that the experience wouldn't be better from the designated disabled viewing area.

 

[Debbie Jean]

No, it wouldn't be as long as they are providing a disabled viewing area. From experience, it’s best to be in the disabled viewing area on a scooter. Your view in the standard area often ends up blocked even if you park right at the curb.

Very true.

You can, of course, watch from anywhere you like but the scooter will likely see very little besides people’s backs and bums… speaking from experience. The fireworks viewing area set aside in front of Crystal Palace has the advantage of an actual view of the fireworks and castle projections for the scooter. It does fill so arriving early is essential… but well worth it, I have found.

Parade viewing is more forgiving. There is a disabled viewing area across from the Hall of Presidents but it’s always packed early. I generally park my scooter up against the rope as soon as it goes up in Frontierland. Not perfect all the time, but usually works.

You can park anywhere you like, but remember the person in the scooter is seated so that’s their viewing angle.

 

[aleria24]

Maybe I'm wrong, but pretty sure it is discriminatory to tell someone "you cannot stay with your family to watch the parade from this location, you MUST go to the disabled viewing area and may bring one companion." Someone on an ECV wouldn't necessarily have an acceptable view, but they're welcome to go sit on their ECV amongst the throng. Nor is there any obligation to improve the viewing experience elsewhere (such as making other people move, allowing the ECV user to the front, etc). Saying someone is not allowed to watch from their preferred location (and with their entire family) because they are disabled certainly sounds like discrimination.

That's not to say that the experience wouldn't be better from the designated disabled viewing area.

Legally, that's not discrimination. They are ADA compliant as long as they offer a disabled area. An ECV in a crowd like that can be a safety hazard for both the rider and others so I can see why some locations would choose not to allow it. AS an ECV user I am definitely not comfortable in the middle of a crowd like what is on Main Street for fireworks. I am in danger of being trampled, or of running over someone else because I simply cannot see what is going on.

 

[elvispursley]

At MNSSHP we had a great location on Main Street where I sat on the curb and my mom parked directly behind me. There was so much room a family with a stroller came up behind her and we had there kids sit next to me. She had a terrific view of the parade.

This year’s party we watched from Frontierland and we did not have a great spot and it was hard for her to see.

Fireworks were another story entirely. We watched from outside Casey’s and she couldn’t see a thing. We’ve found watching from the walkway between Adventureland to liberty square was easier for her to see, even though it wasn’t a straight-on view

 

[g_ppetto]

We have gone to several of the Halloween Party events and like to view the parades from the HA area across from the Hall of Presidents. If you are planning to get an ECV at MK, make sure you get there early. On our last trip I realized I needed one too. They were out of scooters when we got there, but were told if one comes back we could get it. We waited by the tree for two hours... finally asked again. This time we were told the scooters are rented for the day and if someone returns their scooter it could not be rented in case they decide to come back. We were also told the number of scooters available had been reduced in order to prevent people from abusing them - renting a scooter when they didn't really need one. We left the park.

 

[sdk1231]

I like to watch the parades from the Handicap area by the Liberty Bell, across from Hall of Presidents. For fireworks, I enjoy the HA area in front of Crystal Palace. My family comes with me and stands behind my ECV. Have viewed from that area on regular days and recently during the MNSSHP. I do go early, as that viewing area does fill up. Once in the fireworks viewing area, you can leave and come back prior to fireworks. Usually I go in with my kids and then they run off to get snacks or whatever and then come back. There is also a restroom conveniently situated near Crystal Palace - bonus! I rent my ECV from Scooterbug, who drop off/pick up at the front desk of the resort (if you're staying on site). Day rate is cheaper than in the parks, and the ECVs are a bit more nimble.

 

[dizneedoll]

I like to watch the parades from the Handicap area by the Liberty Bell, across from Hall of Presidents. For fireworks, I enjoy the HA area in front of Crystal Palace. My family comes with me and stands behind my ECV. Have viewed from that area on regular days and recently during the MNSSHP. I do go early, as that viewing area does fill up. Once in the fireworks viewing area, you can leave and come back prior to fireworks. Usually I go in with my kids and then they run off to get snacks or whatever and then come back. There is also a restroom conveniently situated near Crystal Palace - bonus! I rent my ECV from Scooterbug, who drop off/pick up at the front desk of the resort (if you're staying on sight). Day rate is cheaper than in the parks, and the ECVs are a bit more nimble.

How soon did you go get a spot in the HA at MNSSHP? Im trying to plan out about what times we should show up for fireworks and parade in the handicap areas.

 

[sdk1231]

How soon did you go get a spot in the HA at MNSSHP? Im trying to plan out about what times we should show up for fireworks and parade in the handicap areas.

For MNSSHP, I went about 30-45 min prior. Another time during MNSSHP I stalked the yellow umbrella tables in front of the Plaza, got a table, and sent the kids to go get ice cream. We ate our ice cream and watched from the table. The bad thing about the Plaza tables is that you can't see the Jack Skellington puppet at all. But the fireworks view is great and you're seated. If this is your first time viewing, you'll probably prefer the Handicap area where you can see Jack. For Happily Ever After, I get over to the handicap viewing area an hour in advance.