Accessible taxi to parks? (From Contemporary)

[olive]

We have an upcoming summer family trip, everyone staying at the Contemporary with 3 days planned at MK which makes it much more convenient with an ECV. With the Epcot monorail down, we are now looking at taking the bus to three parks, and I have read that it has been a bit of a zoo at the CR bus stop lately. I'm wondering whether we may end up looking at alternatives like taxis that can accommodate an ECV. My father uses an ECV every day. He doesn't need to ride into a van or anything, but we would have to break down the ECV to stow for some vehicles, of course.

I know that I read on here about people requesting accessible taxis through the hotel. With covid and changes to the monorail, I imagine there could be more strain on those kinds of services. Have people had trouble getting accessible taxis/vans? Does anyone recommend a particular service (or warn against using a particular service)? Can you do this directly through lyft or uber yourself? Any idea of which service is most reasonable, cost-wise? I imagine there could be a premium for an accessible service over just calling an uber.

Thanks!!

 

[mamabunny]

We have an upcoming summer family trip, everyone staying at the Contemporary with 3 days planned at MK which makes it much more convenient with an ECV. With the Epcot monorail down, we are now looking at taking the bus to three parks, and I have read that it has been a bit of a zoo at the CR bus stop lately. I'm wondering whether we may end up looking at alternatives like taxis that can accommodate an ECV. My father uses an ECV every day. He doesn't need to ride into a van or anything, but we would have to break down the ECV to stow for some vehicles, of course.

I know that I read on here about people requesting accessible taxis through the hotel. With covid and changes to the monorail, I imagine there could be more strain on those kinds of services. Have people had trouble getting accessible taxis/vans? Does anyone recommend a particular service (or warn against using a particular service)? Can you do this directly through lyft or uber yourself? Any idea of which service is most reasonable, cost-wise? I imagine there could be a premium for an accessible service over just calling an uber.

Thanks!!

This is when I *really* miss the accessible Minnie Vans... We loved the Minnie Van service, and I hope it will come back once things are closer to "normal", but I'm not holding my breath!

It depends on a number of things - not the least of which is how many in your party, and also the ECV your family member will be using - does it break down easily, into small sections? Or is it a super-lightweight folding model? You may have to split into two ride-share/taxis if your group is very large; while folks here *do* use Uber/Lyft successfully (as well as Mears has an accessible taxi service) it will still probably be easier and faster to just use Disney transport.

Personally, I just take the Disney Transportation system; I have not heard of any problems at the CR bus stops recently? but even if it is a real stink-show over there, you have other options to minimize your bus travel at WDW, not the least of which is staying in the Yacht/Beach/Boardwalk/Swalphin and/or Riviera area - that gets you HS + EPCOT either via boat, sidewalk, or (depending on how adventurous you are feeling) Skyliner, leaving only MK and AK (and Disney Springs) for the buses.

That's just me... I prefer to keep things as simple as I can at WDW; the CM's that you will deal with when it comes to transportation are all veterans at dealing with personal mobility devices, and frankly, Disney makes it as easy as it can be to get around. Aside from a couple of the boat routes in the waterway system, the entire transportation network at WDW is wheels-friendly, and generally speaking, if you only have 1 mobility device in your party, you shouldn't find that it is too much of a problem.

If you do decide to go the taxi/ride share route, I'm sure that other folks here would be interested in hearing about your experience, and which service(s) worked best for you, and what the costs averaged, etc.

 

[olive]

We had a pretty easy time of it on our last trip, staying at Yacht Club. This turned out to be especially convenient when I broke a bone partway through and ended up in an ECV unexpectedly when the ER said I had to stay off my foot entirely! The monorail was still running at that time and we had hoppers, so we just rolled to DHS and Epcot, and through Epcot to hop to MK via the monorail.

This time we are planning more MK days so the family wanted to stay at CR, and with the Epcot monorail out, I am a little nervous! I read that the buses have been messy there. We are a group of 11, but I imagine if we end up with taxis, we will split up. We will try the buses first and see how that goes. Maybe it will be better by June!

 

[Selket]

I have read that it has been a bit of a zoo at the CR bus stop lately.

What has been the issue at the CR bus stop? Is the problem for people in WC/ECV or for everyone?

I've noticed that bus stop is a bit more confusing when I've used an ECV because there are not individual lines for each destination so I can't tell who in the ECV is waiting for what park (at least pre-covid).

If your dad would not mind splitting up from the rest of you then perhaps he could take some time in the morning to sleep in or enjoy the resort and take a later bus when the stop is not so crowded? I often do this with family members. Almost always my family waits with the regular riders when we all show up together. They sometimes get to the park before me but we like getting Starbucks so usually by the time I get there he is still waiting in line for coffee - haha! One time I actually got on the next bus since two ECV's were ahead of me and our bus beat them to the park. Not sure how that happened!

Of course dad may be as excited as everyone else for rope drop so in that case showing up for the earliest busses to that park worked well for us in the past. We were sometimes the only people on the bus!

We relied on Minnie Vans in the past to travel with the ECV so I'm not much help there. I hope you will post your experience using outside services. The final option I guess is to rent a car or van that you could use to transport the ECV and some of the family for those final days. This almost seems like the easiest option and maybe not as expensive. In the past I've rented a portable ECV and we'd break it down and take it in the car/van.

 

[Evita_W]

When we were at BLT last month, they had specific lines for each destination and a CM directing them where to go. They did have the ECVs wait in line, but brought them forward first when the bus came.

 

[olive]

This is really helpful, Evita. Thanks!!

 

[olive]

What has been the issue at the CR bus stop? Is the problem for people in WC/ECV or for everyone?

I've noticed that bus stop is a bit more confusing when I've used an ECV because there are not individual lines for each destination so I can't tell who in the ECV is waiting for what park (at least pre-covid).

If your dad would not mind splitting up from the rest of you then perhaps he could take some time in the morning to sleep in or enjoy the resort and take a later bus when the stop is not so crowded? I often do this with family members. Almost always my family waits with the regular riders when we all show up together. They sometimes get to the park before me but we like getting Starbucks so usually by the time I get there he is still waiting in line for coffee - haha! One time I actually got on the next bus since two ECV's were ahead of me and our bus beat them to the park. Not sure how that happened!

Of course dad may be as excited as everyone else for rope drop so in that case showing up for the earliest busses to that park worked well for us in the past. We were sometimes the only people on the bus!

We relied on Minnie Vans in the past to travel with the ECV so I'm not much help there. I hope you will post your experience using outside services. The final option I guess is to rent a car or van that you could use to transport the ECV and some of the family for those final days. This almost seems like the easiest option and maybe not as expensive. In the past I've rented a portable ECV and we'd break it down and take it in the car/van.

I had read that it has been a bit of a free for all in the bus area at CR. Honestly my dad is NOT an early bird anyway, so sleeping in is generally preferred, but I think he is planning to get up earlier during the trip so he can see the grandkids' reactions to everything. This trip was his idea! We used to go to Disney a lot when my sisters and I were younger and he is really excited to go back for the first trip in a few years.

I know he rented an ECV for the trip, but I am not sure which model he will be getting.

 

[Selket]

I had read that it has been a bit of a free for all in the bus area at CR. Honestly my dad is NOT an early bird anyway, so sleeping in is generally preferred, but I think he is planning to get up earlier during the trip so he can see the grandkids' reactions to everything. This trip was his idea! We used to go to Disney a lot when my sisters and I were younger and he is really excited to go back for the first trip in a few years.

I know he rented an ECV for the trip, but I am not sure which model he will be getting.

Yes that bus stop is a bit confusing pre-covid for sure. They could use a CM out there it sounds like. That's very cool that your dad wants to roll with the grandkids! If you did decide to transport the ECV in a car perhaps check to see that he has a portable one. I'm not sure regular ECV can be taken apart for transport (or the company would allow it perhaps?). I hope you have a wonderful trip!!

 

[olive]

My mother is a pro at breaking down his "home" model ECV, but they are just traveling with a manual chair and renting on site. You're right that the companies may not want people breaking them down, though! Maybe taxi's will be out, in that case. Even if the buses are rough, we'll manage. We will just keep reminding the kids that they are at Disney so it's all okay, even if there is some waiting.

 

[Selket]

My mother is a pro at breaking down his "home" model ECV, but they are just traveling with a manual chair and renting on site. You're right that the companies may not want people breaking them down, though! Maybe taxi's will be out, in that case. Even if the buses are rough, we'll manage. We will just keep reminding the kids that they are at Disney so it's all okay, even if there is some waiting.

Every company I know of rents a portable model that isn't too bad to break down and transport. I think it could go into a taxi trunk but perhaps someone could comment. We put it into an SUV/minivan trunk when I rented a portable. The only caveat to the portable could be battery life - when I rented they said that it is more likely to need a charge during the day so bring the cord - and I did usually need to charge it. Also a person's weight affects how long it could go and the company didn't recommend it for people over 200lbs - not sure if that has changed in the past few years but something to keep in mind if he wants to try a portable. Now I generally rent a regular ECV from Gold Mobility and it has gone 18 hours without even losing a dot of battery power which is really nice.

 

[olive]

That is super helpful, Selket. I will try to find out if they are renting a unit that is portable and that we are allowed to break down for transport. I think my parents are mostly concerned with it being sturdy. I know my dad is well under 200 lbs, so the weight limit wouldn't be an issue.

Have you been able to plug in to charge in the parks? If so, where were you able to do that? It is such a good idea, just as back up in case somehow the charge ever runs out, regardless of model. I can imagine at least at the First Aid stations this would work.

 

[mamabunny]

Have you been able to plug in to charge in the parks? If so, where were you able to do that? It is such a good idea, just as back up in case somehow the charge ever runs out, regardless of model. I can imagine at least at the First Aid stations this would work.

If the ECV is plugged in and allowed to fully recharge overnight, every night, you shouldn't need to worry about recharging during the day! Yay!

 

[Selket]

That is super helpful, Selket. I will try to find out if they are renting a unit that is portable and that we are allowed to break down for transport. I think my parents are mostly concerned with it being sturdy. I know my dad is well under 200 lbs, so the weight limit wouldn't be an issue.

Have you been able to plug in to charge in the parks? If so, where were you able to do that? It is such a good idea, just as back up in case somehow the charge ever runs out, regardless of model. I can imagine at least at the First Aid stations this would work.

I think people have posted lists of places to plug in for the parks but I bet it changes because Disney is always changing and moving things. I would scan for outlets - and they are just randomly around on walls. Ideally you find a place to charge where you're eating lunch or dinner so it can charge while you eat.

@mamabunny noted that you should be able to go all day so... I know for me that was definitely true with the regular ECV I rented from Gold Mobility but I remember often having to charge the portable scooter because the battery was smaller. The last time I rented a portable was maybe 4 years ago so perhaps batteries have gotten better or maybe the company I rented the scooter from (Buena Vista) had older batteries that didn't hold as much of a charge. There's usually a pocket or basket on the scooter for taking the cord if you need to do so.

I'm sure if you rent portable that you are allowed to break it down for transport since that's really the only reason to go with that one vs. the full size. A full size is more comfortable however. Also....I much prefer a 3 wheel vs. a 4 wheel because the turning radius is WAY better. This is very noticeable in the many lines with switchbacks and also when parking it inside the Disney bus and you need to make sharp turns (like parallel parking).