A newbie ECV'er-please help me!

[deanie]

I have really hurt both my knees and I am awaiting knee replacement surgeries. I had been hoping to walk at WDW but that is impossible so I will be renting an ECV and I will also need it to get to and from buses. As this is all new to me, I have a few questions:

1. I love Thunder Mtn. How do I manage those ramps? Is there another way to get to the trains?

2. I also love Splash Mtn. Is there an elevator to get up to the log level?

3. We are planning for 2 days at USF/IOA. We had been planning on using a cab. I would need to take my ECV. Are some cabs equipped for this?

4. Any suggestions on where I should rent from?

I am quite nervous about this but if I cancelled my trip then neither of my sisters would be able to go either. I will be 56 when we go. Any help or suggestions are GREATLY appreciated. TIA

 

[KPeveler]

There is a list of rental companies in the FAQs. People on the boards have had good experiences with them.

There are accessible entrances for both BTMRR and Splash - get the Guidemap for Guests with Disabilities in each park, and it will tell you where to find the accessible entrance in each park.

 

[bedogged]

I have really hurt both my knees and I am awaiting knee replacement surgeries. I had been hoping to walk at WDW but that is impossible so I will be renting an ECV and I will also need it to get to and from buses. As this is all new to me, I have a few questions:

1. I love Thunder Mtn. How do I manage those ramps? Is there another way to get to the trains?

2. I also love Splash Mtn. Is there an elevator to get up to the log level?

3. We are planning for 2 days at USF/IOA. We had been planning on using a cab. I would need to take my ECV. Are some cabs equipped for this?

4. Any suggestions on where I should rent from?

I am quite nervous about this but if I cancelled my trip then neither of my sisters would be able to go either. I will be 56 when we go. Any help or suggestions are GREATLY appreciated. TIA

I took my first trip using an ECV in May and like you, I was a bit nervous. Don't worry you will have a wonderful time and you will LOVE the ECV! In answer to some of your questions, Thunder Mtn. you drive up the exit ramp as I recall right to the trains, very easy. There is always a cast member to direct you if you have questions about where to go. At Splash Mtn. you drive through the regular line until you get to an handicapped emblem attached to the chain fence. A cast member will let you in there and you drive up the ramp that people exit from right to the ride itself, again, very easy. Keep in mind that your entire party, up to six people, can go with you using the handicapped entrance so no need to separate. I rented from Walker and was satisfied with them. Sorry, but I can't help you with Universal.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

At BTMRR instead of going in the entrance, walk to the right and you will see a blue disabled symbol with an arrow. Follow that to a rope and a CM will come to give further instructions.

For Splash you will follow the regular or Fastpass queue to a certain pint and then you will be directed off to the side and will end up boarding on the Unload side and having missed the stairs.

And the taxicabs should have a big enough trunk to disassemble the ECV and put it in. Make sure that you know how to take it apart and put it together. You might want to look at Post #5 in the disABILITIES FAQs (and maybe even print it) which will assist you.

If you click on where it says "disABILTIES" at the top of this page it will take you to the Index. One of the top items is the "disABILTIES FAQ" which will gives lots of useful information, including Post #2 where people rent ECVs.

Or, if you want an easier route to the FAQs, click on the link in my signature.