Always used Walker, now using Buena Vista. New question added!!

[SeaSpray]

I'd love to still use Walker, but the idea of having to meet them personally to receive and then return the scooter when there are companies where I don't have to do this, then I guess I have to choose a new company.

It looks like Buena Vista is the best, from what I've read. I really need a reliable company with pleasant customer service, and no stress.

So is Buena Vista the new favorite amongst the DISers??

Thanks.

 

[AGoofykindagirl]

I'd love to still use Walker, but the idea of having to meet them personally to receive and then return the scooter when there are companies where I don't have to do this, then I guess I have to choose a new company. It looks like Buena Vista is the best, from what I've read. I really need a reliable company with pleasant customer service, and no stress. So is Buena Vista the new favorite amongst the DISers?? Thanks.

We used Buena Vista for a weekend visit in August for my sister. She and I are taking our dad in October for 3 days and we're happy enough with them to use them again. Her ECV stayed charged very well. We didn't have any issues or problems so I can't say anything about their service if one arises. But it was at the resort when we got there at 8am just like they promised. Hope you have a great visit.
Sarah

 

[SeaSpray]

After reading a few good reviews about Buena Vista, I called them and made my reservation for next year. I'm renting the "Standard", and it's $30 per day. I asked him if there was a discount for a specific amount of days, and he said there's a 10% discount for 7 or more days, so my charge will be $27 per day.

He asked if I wanted to pay $20 for an "insurance" against damage either caused by myself or someone else in the park. He said he doesn't mean bumps or scratches, it covers major damages. I told him to add it to my reservation but asked if I could remove it before my trip if I decide against it, and he said yes, I could.

Do any of you buy this ECV insurance when you rent???

 

[disney's daughter]

Yes. I buy the insurance...for "just in case". I just feel a bit more confident doing it. Also...I have used Buena Vista for years. One time I had issues with my scooter. I called them and they brought me another one within an hour.

 

[Shamrock88]

Buena Vista does a nice job

 

[JenniBugInPink]

I'd love to still use Walker, but the idea of having to meet them personally to receive and then return the scooter when there are companies where I don't have to do this, then I guess I have to choose a new company.

It looks like Buena Vista is the best, from what I've read. I really need a reliable company with pleasant customer service, and no stress.

So is Buena Vista the new favorite amongst the DISers??

Thanks.

I've always used Walker, and I just refuse to let Disney's new featured provider list and new rules change my preference. It's inconvenient not to have the ECV just waiting at Bell Services, but I kind of feel like I can be at least one customer that Disney isn't going to tell who I can rent from and who I can't. Walker has always been super to work with, and their scooters have been clean, reliable, and the longest lasting batteries I've ever seen. The one time I had a problem they were there in a flash to help me out (it was like they were hiding in the bushes just in case I had a problem!). They've been patient when we had a "user error" problem the first year as well. So, I'm going to put forth the extra effort to rent my scooter from the company I prefer.

So I just wanted to say, Walker is my favorite, PERIOD. I don't need a new favorite, no matter what Disney does.

And yes, I always get the insurance.

 

[SeaSpray]

I've always used Walker, and I just refuse to let Disney's new featured provider list and new rules change my preference. It's inconvenient not to have the ECV just waiting at Bell Services, but I kind of feel like I can be at least one customer that Disney isn't going to tell who I can rent from and who I can't. Walker has always been super to work with, and their scooters have been clean, reliable, and the longest lasting batteries I've ever seen. The one time I had a problem they were there in a flash to help me out (it was like they were hiding in the bushes just in case I had a problem!). They've been patient when we had a "user error" problem the first year as well. So, I'm going to put forth the extra effort to rent my scooter from the company I prefer.

So I just wanted to say, Walker is my favorite, PERIOD. I don't need a new favorite, no matter what Disney does.

And yes, I always get the insurance.

Thanks for your reply. I totally understand how you feel and I agree with it. But due to time and logistics, we need to have the ecv waiting for us at the resort, and then on the last day leaving it with bell services is a big convenience for us because we don't know what time we'll be leaving the Polynesian to go to the Renaissance the night before we fly home.

I think that Walker always did a great job and they were very nice to work with.

When I called Buena Vista the other day, the man that I spoke to was very nice and helpful and answered all of the questions I had and was nice and polite. Believe me, if I had detected a hint of impatience or anything like that, I would've ended the call and chose a different company. So that's why we're going to give Buena Vista a try.

 

[aribelle]

I've always used Walker, and I just refuse to let Disney's new featured provider list and new rules change my preference. It's inconvenient not to have the ECV just waiting at Bell Services, but I kind of feel like I can be at least one customer that Disney isn't going to tell who I can rent from and who I can't. Walker has always been super to work with, and their scooters have been clean, reliable, and the longest lasting batteries I've ever seen. The one time I had a problem they were there in a flash to help me out (it was like they were hiding in the bushes just in case I had a problem!). They've been patient when we had a "user error" problem the first year as well. So, I'm going to put forth the extra effort to rent my scooter from the company I prefer.

So I just wanted to say, Walker is my favorite, PERIOD. I don't need a new favorite, no matter what Disney does.

And yes, I always get the insurance.

So if Walker can't deliver to Disney hotels, if you've got one of their scooters and it breaks down inside a park, is Walker able to come and fix it or bring a replacement?

I'm researching for a friend who is staying off site, so being able to have it delivered at Disney hotel is a non-issue for us.....but not wasting time trying to get a dead scooter to the front of a park or into our car to have to take it back to them, that makes a big big big difference.

I'm new at researching this type of thing, so anything else I should be looking for before we make a decision, would be most appreciated!

 

[dayvewc]

So if Walker can't deliver to Disney hotels, if you've got one of their scooters and it breaks down inside a park, is Walker able to come and fix it or bring a replacement?

I'm researching for a friend who is staying off site, so being able to have it delivered at Disney hotel is a non-issue for us.....but not wasting time trying to get a dead scooter to the front of a park or into our car to have to take it back to them, that makes a big big big difference.

I'm new at researching this type of thing, so anything else I should be looking for before we make a decision, would be most appreciated!

I can't speak to Walker specifically. But the company I use (AA Tourist Rentals) have met me at the back of World Showcase in EPCOT when the battery died unexpectedly. It died around the African Outpost, I called and explained where I was and what had happened. About 30 minutes later, he showed up driving a replacement scooter for me, with a spare battery that he used to get my original out with. It wound up being just a faulty battery, but he brought a whole replacement just on the off-chance it was a different issue.

I have used or attempted to use Buena Vista 2 different times, and the customer service was severely lacking to the point that I will never use them again.

 

[JenniBugInPink]

So if Walker can't deliver to Disney hotels, if you've got one of their scooters and it breaks down inside a park, is Walker able to come and fix it or bring a replacement?

I'm researching for a friend who is staying off site, so being able to have it delivered at Disney hotel is a non-issue for us.....but not wasting time trying to get a dead scooter to the front of a park or into our car to have to take it back to them, that makes a big big big difference.

I'm new at researching this type of thing, so anything else I should be looking for before we make a decision, would be most appreciated!

Walker most certainly CAN deliver to Disney resort hotels!! They can't leave your ECV/scooter for you at Bell Services. They will meet you at a predetermined time to deliver your scooter to you at your hotel. Then, when you're checking out, they will meet you to pick the scooter up.

And yes, they maintain backup scooters that they can have to you within what seemed to me to be minutes if you need to swap out a scooter due to a problem during your stay. They aren't banned from the property or anything!! They just aren't one of the featured providers. That means all they have lost is the ability to leave scooters/ECVs, etc. with Bell Services.

I can't speak to Walker specifically. But the company I use (AA Tourist Rentals) have met me at the back of World Showcase in EPCOT when the battery died unexpectedly. It died around the African Outpost, I called and explained where I was and what had happened. About 30 minutes later, he showed up driving a replacement scooter for me, with a spare battery that he used to get my original out with. It wound up being just a faulty battery, but he brought a whole replacement just on the off-chance it was a different issue.

I have used or attempted to use Buena Vista 2 different times, and the customer service was severely lacking to the point that I will never use them again.

And that, boys and girls, is why I don't use Buena Vista or Apple, or a number of other companies.

 

[aribelle]

Walker most certainly CAN deliver to Disney resort hotels!! They can't leave your ECV/scooter for you at Bell Services. They will meet you at a predetermined time to deliver your scooter to you at your hotel. Then, when you're checking out, they will meet you to pick the scooter up.

And yes, they maintain backup scooters that they can have to you within what seemed to me to be minutes if you need to swap out a scooter due to a problem during your stay. They aren't banned from the property or anything!! They just aren't one of the featured providers. That means all they have lost is the ability to leave scooters/ECVs, etc. with Bell Services.


And that, boys and girls, is why I don't use Buena Vista or Apple, or a number of other companies.

Ok, thanks for clarifying that, I thought they weren't "approved" or whatever word, to service the hotels, so I wasn't sure if they weren't allowed into the parks either.... sounds they just can't drop and run, lol. I'm ok with that because we'll be staying off site, so we'll have to arrange with whatever company we use to actually be there....and even if we WERE staying at a hotel, we'd want that too, because we've never used one before so I need lessons in how to get it apart and into the car, but more importantly, how to get it back together again!

Looking at reports it looks like all the companies have a few complaints, but Buena Vista did seem to have a relatively larger number.....not sure if that's because they're bigger and therefore more customers, or if they're truly lacking. Customer Service is going to be a big deal to me since we've never used these, I am fairly sure I'll be calling more often than I want with silly questions or "failure by user" questions, lol.

Is there a sticky or current thread somewhere that explains the CURRENT rules of use of these in the parks? I'm seeing many threads talking about "new" and I want to be sure I'm only learning the current rules, not old stuff to confuse me more! Thank you.

In case it matters, her problem is that she has COPD and uses oxygen.....here at home she's slow but able to get around even a large shopping mall on her own.....but not for long periods and we rest at nearly every bench in the place, lol....for Disney we wanted to give her a bit more lasting power so riding just seemed the better idea. She can get out of her chair if needed to get aboard rides, so long as her oxygen tank can come with her. One of the rides I am worried about is IASW and Pirates because of how you have to kinda lower yourself into the boats....she's not steady and I'm not sure about her strength to pull herself out of it either...so those two we may opt to stay in the scooter.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

one thing to be prepared for at Pirates is you have to change to a wheelchair for the line. the chairs are there at the ride and free. it is because they can not get ECV to where you exit. seems like there was another one but I do not remember which ride

 

[JudithM]

I've always used Walker, and I just refuse to let Disney's new featured provider list and new rules change my preference. It's inconvenient not to have the ECV just waiting at Bell Services, but I kind of feel like I can be at least one customer that Disney isn't going to tell who I can rent from and who I can't. Walker has always been super to work with, and their scooters have been clean, reliable, and the longest lasting batteries I've ever seen. The one time I had a problem they were there in a flash to help me out (it was like they were hiding in the bushes just in case I had a problem!). They've been patient when we had a "user error" problem the first year as well. So, I'm going to put forth the extra effort to rent my scooter from the company I prefer.

So I just wanted to say, Walker is my favorite, PERIOD. I don't need a new favorite, no matter what Disney does.

And yes, I always get the insurance.

Well, I could have written the above comments because I feel the same way except I have never gotten the extra insurance. I have used Walker many times since Disney's preferred list came out. I will say they go out of their way to be as flexible as possible to meet me for delivery and pick-up.

 

[Lindava]

To quote my post from another thread " We are currently on vacation and originally rented from Apple, big mistake, after 2 scooters failed we decided to try Walker Mobility and have had 8 more days with no problems.
This is our first "scooter" experience and will definitely use Walker for our future needs."

Walker delivered our scooter to our room in the Contemporary Resort. The delivery person took their time to explain workings set/up and take/down and was very patient as being 1st time scooter renters we did have a few questions. We will use Walker Mobility in the future.

Linda

 

[The Hunchback]

We always use Walker Mobility. They are wonderful people. We stay off property. I would go to their store and pick-up my scooter before I would allow Disney to force me to use a preferred vendors.

I buy the insurance. Always have. I was forced off a path at AK by a herd of south American kids one time. They pushed the scooter and I over a brick edging and into a bird of paridise bush. I was not hurt but the plant and the scooter were badly damaged. American tourists helped me get out and Disney removed the scooter from the bush. I called Walker and they were their in 30 minutes with a new scooter. They brought a two man crew to move the damaged scooter out. Disney said the bush would be fixed in no time. It was. I paid nothing extra as I had the insurance. Did not even have to fill out any forms.

I rent from Walker Mobility again in two weeks and buy the insurance every time.