Advice/Tips for a first time ECV user?

[DisRoss]

Hi! My mom will be using an ECV for the first time when we head to the parks in April we’re trying to wrap our heads around what the experience will be like. Our biggest questions are around 3 vs 4 wheel, and whether the ECV charge will actually last a whole day. We’re renting from ScooterBug, as delivery/pickup at bell services was critical for us.

1. 3v4 wheel - from what I’ve read, the 3 wheelers are better for turning in a tight radius and may generally be more maneuverable, while the 4 wheelers are (or maybe feel) more steady. My mother needs the ECV for distances but is able to get up and walk around, and expecting to walk thru queues, so I don’t think she’ll need the maneuverability for that. Are the four wheelers that much more stable? Is the 3-wheeler better for getting around in general?

2. The ScooterBug representative I spoke to today said that the 3/4 wheelers were considering both have a 4-6 hour constant run time, but with turning off for time at attractions and meals, that 4-6 hrs could last all day. She also recommended charging at the park during meals. Are there easy-to-find places to charge the ECV at the parks? By restaurants? Rides? Other areas? On our first full day we’re planning on MK for early entry, taking the boat over to Hoop De Doo review, and then heading back to MK after. Do we have a fighting chance of the ECV lasting all day? Can you put it in neutral and manually push it if it runs out of charge?

What else should we be thinking about?

Thank you all for your help!

 

[Selket]

Hi! My mom will be using an ECV for the first time when we head to the parks in April we’re trying to wrap our heads around what the experience will be like. Our biggest questions are around 3 vs 4 wheel, and whether the ECV charge will actually last a whole day. We’re renting from ScooterBug, as delivery/pickup at bell services was critical for us.

1. 3v4 wheel - from what I’ve read, the 3 wheelers are better for turning in a tight radius and may generally be more maneuverable, while the 4 wheelers are (or maybe feel) more steady. My mother needs the ECV for distances but is able to get up and walk around, and expecting to walk thru queues, so I don’t think she’ll need the maneuverability for that. Are the four wheelers that much more stable? Is the 3-wheeler better for getting around in general?

2. The ScooterBug representative I spoke to today said that the 3/4 wheelers were considering both have a 4-6 hour constant run time, but with turning off for time at attractions and meals, that 4-6 hrs could last all day. She also recommended charging at the park during meals. Are there easy-to-find places to charge the ECV at the parks? By restaurants? Rides? Other areas? On our first full day we’re planning on MK for early entry, taking the boat over to Hoop De Doo review, and then heading back to MK after. Do we have a fighting chance of the ECV lasting all day? Can you put it in neutral and manually push it if it runs out of charge?

What else should we be thinking about?

Thank you all for your help!

I'll first say that I rent from Gold Mobility and I can go all day (12-15 hours) and not need to charge. I use it the ride lines. Some of the lines are very long and she will be standing for a long time. Some are a long walk (Soarin - ugh). I just take the darn thing with me usually in the line. I park it for stores usually. I haven't rented from Scooterbug. You may wish to compare prices. Gold includes insurance I think and I've always had good service from them.

1) 3 wheel is just SO much more more maneuverable. I absolutely hated the 4 wheel....it was like trying to drive a bus vs. a nice little car. I found it easier in crowds to have that maneuverability like when someone stops in front of you and you want to go around them, etc. Getting in and out of elevators. All that. I've not one time felt unstable in a 3 wheel. I don't know why anyone would want a 4 wheel....haha!

2)You can find places to charge in the parks but it is getting harder to do. I just generally never charge mine cause I didn't need to. Restaurants are usually where I've found one. Perhaps someone will comment who rented from Scooterbug on how long their ECV would last.

 

[elvispursley]

My mom used a 3-wheeled scooter (I think from Gold, but can't remember since she booked it herself). She never had a problem with charging. Even though my mom is quite tiny (5'4, 100-lbs), she had to be somewhat careful in queues taking the turns too sharp because she did nearly tip the scooter a few times. She could definitely transfer, walk ok but given her congestive heart failure/cardiomyopathy, she fatigued easily. I don't recall that we ever changed her ECV in the parks and we were staying off-property at a VRBO (never-ever again, only on-site from now on)! She always brought the charging cord, just in case, but never needed it. We generally were in the parks for a good 12-hrs. But of course that wasn't running it solid the whole 12-hrs. I think this next trip we are ordering another 3-wheeled ECV for her as she definitely needs it for the queues.

 

[maryblanchard49]

Hi! My mom will be using an ECV for the first time when we head to the parks in April we’re trying to wrap our heads around what the experience will be like. Our biggest questions are around 3 vs 4 wheel, and whether the ECV charge will actually last a whole day. We’re renting from ScooterBug, as delivery/pickup at bell services was critical for us.

1. 3v4 wheel - from what I’ve read, the 3 wheelers are better for turning in a tight radius and may generally be more maneuverable, while the 4 wheelers are (or maybe feel) more steady. My mother needs the ECV for distances but is able to get up and walk around, and expecting to walk thru queues, so I don’t think she’ll need the maneuverability for that. Are the four wheelers that much more stable? Is the 3-wheeler better for getting around in general?

2. The ScooterBug representative I spoke to today said that the 3/4 wheelers were considering both have a 4-6 hour constant run time, but with turning off for time at attractions and meals, that 4-6 hrs could last all day. She also recommended charging at the park during meals. Are there easy-to-find places to charge the ECV at the parks? By restaurants? Rides? Other areas? On our first full day we’re planning on MK for early entry, taking the boat over to Hoop De Doo review, and then heading back to MK after. Do we have a fighting chance of the ECV lasting all day? Can you put it in neutral and manually push it if it runs out of charge?

What else should we be thinking about?

Thank you all for your help!

I went with Walker Mobility Scooter Rentals and they have the 3 wheeled scooters that come with anti-tip wheels so, you get that extra security. The turning radius was a lot better than a 4 wheeled one. I went with Walker Mobility because, they have the biggest battery life compared to all the other scooter company's in Orlando that I called. When Scooterbug told me the same thing I was like they just aren't the right fit for me. I just can't imagine having to take the charger with me to the park to have to charge it and let alone try to find an outlet. My scooter was also water resistant which was an added bonus as to why I went with Walker. I was able to ride in the rain while others where scrambling to find shelter or there scooter would die in the rain. I was at the park from open to close with my kids. My scooter came with damage insurance, 2 usb ports, a cellphone holder, 2 cup holders, a basket and a horn. Hope this helps your mom out! I know I couldn't had made it without my ECV.

 

[maxiesmom]

A 3 wheeled scooter is much easier to drive, and I've never felt as if I was going to tip.

I've only rented thru Golds Mobility, and have never had to charge in the park. I do take it along just in case. It fits nicely into the front basket.

 

[NLKim]

We did rent with scooterbug because of the convenience of having them/us able to leave it with the bell desk at Disney hotels. The battery CAN be an issue at times. The battery was in the green for the first 3-4 hours but then plummeted fairly quickly after that. Another time we rented with them it was fine all day but was in the orange as we were leaving the park a couple of times. We have been recently renting with Gold Mobility and their batteries seem to last all day with no problems. That being said we have received "duds" at times with any company we've used (about 4 different ones over the years) but both Gold Mobility and Scooterbug have given us excellent customer service and brought us a replacement scooter to whatever park we were at.

 

[Jake]

Any scooter that only last 3 to 4 hours. Is bad. Needs to be repaired or replaced. ASAP. You should of called scooter company and complain… and having them fix the problem..
You really don’t used the battery’s that much. Taking in account of the stop sitting time. You can be on line for an hour and only go two hundred feet