Anyone take an ECV on Disney Cruise line?

[Candace]

I am sure many have, but we haven't. We will be needing one for my husband on an upcoming March 2010, cruise. This is a situation that has come up rather suddenly, and I am so ignorant about these issues. I am sure that we can take it on the ship, but is there room to charge it every night in the cabin? I am particularly concerned about having to possibly "skip" the day at Castaway Cay (Disney's island). Can anyone shed some light on this for me? And does anyone have recommendations as to who you can rent from? I know who we rented from just recently, when we were staying at WDW, but if we rent from an agency in Orlando, can we take it on the Diseny transportation from the airport to the ship? Too many questions, I know, but I would really appreciate any info you can give me. Thank you.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

First question is will you be getting an accessible room? If you are not, most ECVs will not fit through the doorway.

I did take an ECV on DCL but I was in an accessible room so I could get it in and there was enough space to park it and recharge it in the room.

Also, the corridors are very narrow, and it may be impossible to get by the housekeeping carts.

If you are using the DCL buses they will either have a lift or the ECV can be transported (without breaking it down) in one of the baggage compartments under the bus.

None of the tours use vehicles which can transport an ECV. It is possible to arrange tours which will have an accessible vehicle, but I believe that has to be arranged aboard ship.

There should not be any problem on CC for use of the ECV; the problems will be the other ports.

 

[videogal1]

There should not be any problem on CC for use of the ECV; the problems will be the other ports.

Well, don't venture off the paved areas anywhere, CC included...your ECV won't thank you. You can rent an ECV to be delivered to the ship for the cruise and picked up at the port afterward. I believe it was Brevard Medical that offered that service. I have taken mine on most cruises and can tell you that your success at navigating will probably be unique to your cruise. (Be sure to take a power strip with a really long cord on it for charging too.)
I've had more unexpected problems (like the ship's gangway not being properly aligned when the ship docked, preventing the scooter from being able to be used on it...big gap or too steep) and, see if you can tuck a small board in your suitcase that can be used as an emergency ramp. You can lay it flat on the ECV deck under your feet just in case. Many of the shops have steps in front to keep the heavy rains out...works on ECVs that way too, though...

 

[Chickadee]

DH used a ECV on our cruise last month and had very little problems. If you can't get the ECV in your room, there are places he can park it at night to charge, if he can walk down the hallway to his room.
The elevators are small, and hallways are narrow when the service carts are in the way, which is almost always, but DH always got through.
I took a lot of pictures because I couldnt find much info about cruise accessiblity either. DH had one of the biggest ECV's they make so keep that in mind when viewing our photos.
Hope this link works


http://http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2320602

 

[Nanajo1]

Thanks for the great pix. It gives me a better idea what the cruise would be like with an ECV. What excursions are scooter friendly?

 

[Candace]

DH used a ECV on our cruise last month and had very little problems. If you can't get the ECV in your room, there are places he can park it at night to charge, if he can walk down the hallway to his room.
The elevators are small, and hallways are narrow when the service carts are in the way, which is almost always, but DH always got through.
I took a lot of pictures because I couldnt find much info about cruise accessiblity either. DH had one of the biggest ECV's they make so keep that in mind when viewing our photos.
Hope this link works


http://http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2320602

Thanks so much for your reply and the many pictures! My husband, like yours, is able to walk; he just recently has had some problems come up which make him unable to do a whole lot (at all!). I am so glad to know we can still go to Castaway Cay! Thanks!

 

[dclfun]

If you don't have an accessible stateroom there will be places in the elevator lobbies to charge the ECV. You do need to let DCL know you are bringing one even if not requiring an accessible stateroom as they need to know how many will be onboard. The elevators can be a challenge depending on how many other guests try to rush in front of you- often there will be a crew member in the area though who will assist you with that issue. I had a bit of trouble in October in Nassau with the water level affecting the steepness of the ramp. I had to back up the ramp and then several strong men had to push me over the hump to descend back into the ship. Castaway Cay was fine, as usual. There are sand wheelchairs he can use on CC too.---Kathy

 

[Minnie Monellen]

Should I rent a wheelchair for my mother (mobility limited, can walk some) for the Bahama excursions or will Disney let us use one of their wheelchairs that day? We will be renting an ECV for use on the Dream and for Castaway Cay. We've booked a handicapped accessible room.