Apple Scooter or Buena Vista Scooter

[mom2agirlandboy]

Hello Everyone,

Finally convinced my dh to rent an ecv for our upcoming trip. Little background: he hurt his knee in June, have been in physiotherapy sessions since July. Having trouble when he stands for a long period of time. He can walk but not sure if his knee will take all the walking at Disney so finally convince him last night. I guess he was thinking that he can walk and have this mentality that people might think that he is just faking it. I told him to stop worrying about what other people might think. We have been to Disney twice where we did all the walking and at the end of the day, have tired legs and feet so I know that this time, with his situation, he will be in pain and will be grumpy and miserable.

This is our 3rd time to go to Disney but first time going with ecv. So need all the help and tips as I don't really know where to start

How do we go about this: we will be driving to/from the hotel so we are looking at the portable ecv. How does it work when we get to the park? I know for MK, we needed to take the shuttle tram from the parking area and take either the train or boat to get to MK. How will my dh bring his ecv?

Also, will the battery of the ecv lasts as until the end of the day? Do we also need to fill up a form before hand to justify us having an ecv in the park.

We are thinking to rent off-site and considering Buena Vista and Apple Scooter. Any one used them and feedback?

Thank you all.

Also, if it is not too much to ask, anyone tried the portable ecv to US and IOA? We are spending 2 days there as well.

 

[WantToGoNow]

We used Apple one time, when we got there the scooter had been canceled with no notification. We called Buena Vista and they delivered within the hour. Have used them since.

 

[mom2agirlandboy]

We used Apple one time, when we got there the scooter had been canceled with no notification. We called Buena Vista and they delivered within the hour. Have used them since.

Thank you for the information.

 

[Bete]

The weight of your husband will dictate the size of the scooter you need. The portable, travel scooters have a weight limit. If you can get by on the smaller ECVs then it should fit into your car, as long as, you don't have a small car. The smallest sized ECV and a bigger person can drain the battery. You need to get the appropriate sized ECV.

You need to make a choice between a 3-wheel or 4-wheel scooter. Most feel the 3-wheel is easier to make turns. The 4-wheelers are more stable and a little more tip proof. The scooters have a speed control usually designated by turtle or hare. Turtle speed is the slowest.

When you get an offsite rental you will have to charge the battery every night. You should be able to only have the charger and battery to do this; so, you can keep the scooter in the car until you use it. If you need the scooter at the resort then you will have to find a location in your room for the scooter to be parked. Take the charger with you to the parks, in case, you need an emergency battery charge; there's a pouch on the back of the seat where the charger will fit. You will need to find an outlet in the park in an emergency. Ask a cast member if you have trouble finding one.

The step above the smallest scooters have two batteries and they will last longer. These scooters will be slightly bigger and heavier to handle. You need to keep this in mind with your car size. These scooters last longer.

You may want to practice with the scooter a little at the resort before starting out to the parks. Get a feel for the scooter.

For Disney transportation you will be treated as a handicap person for the scooter. For example, on the monorail you would board in the handicap section like a wheelchair. You need to do this because the cast member will have a portable ramp; so, you can drive the scooter on the monorail. We like taking the boat to MK.

When using the scooter in the parks again you are treated like a wheelchair and use the handicap access. Remember, you need to use the ramps for the sidewalks. You don't want to go off a curb. MK has a lot of curbs by the castle, for example.

When you park a scooter to go to a restaurant make sure you park in a safe area. For example, you can't block a parade route. The cast member will manually move your scooter if you are a safety hazard parked any where. Also, if there's a chance of rain I would park where the scooter cannot get wet. Do not, I repeat, do not, drive the scooter in the rain or through water puddles.

To conserve the battery on the scooter you want to turn it off when you are seeing a show, parade or fireworks. Even some long, ride queues you should turn the scooter off as you are waiting to move up the ride line.

I felt using a scooter at Universal or Islands of Adventure to be easier than Disney World. There will be different opinions, here. Again, you will use the same access as wheelchairs.

There can be mechanical issues with a scooter beyond having a battery usage problem. Make sure you have your scooter company phone number in case you have to call for help.

We have used Apple and I've been pleased with them most of the time. As of late, for us it has not been the best experience; our last rental had issues like the battery not charging up properly and therefore not lasting as it should.

 

[mom2agirlandboy]

The weight of your husband will dictate the size of the scooter you need. The portable, travel scooters have a weight limit. If you can get by on the smaller ECVs then it should fit into your car, as long as, you don't have a small car. The smallest sized ECV and a bigger person can drain the battery. You need to get the appropriate sized ECV.

You need to make a choice between a 3-wheel or 4-wheel scooter. Most feel the 3-wheel is easier to make turns. The 4-wheelers are more stable and a little more tip proof. The scooters have a speed control usually designated by turtle or hare. Turtle speed is the slowest.

When you get an offsite rental you will have to charge the battery every night. You should be able to only have the charger and battery to do this; so, you can keep the scooter in the car until you use it. If you need the scooter at the resort then you will have to find a location in your room for the scooter to be parked. Take the charger with you to the parks, in case, you need an emergency battery charge; there's a pouch on the back of the seat where the charger will fit. You will need to find an outlet in the park in an emergency. Ask a cast member if you have trouble finding one.

The step above the smallest scooters have two batteries and they will last longer. These scooters will be slightly bigger and heavier to handle. You need to keep this in mind with your car size. These scooters last longer.

You may want to practice with the scooter a little at the resort before starting out to the parks. Get a feel for the scooter.

For Disney transportation you will be treated as a handicap person for the scooter. For example, on the monorail you would board in the handicap section like a wheelchair. You need to do this because the cast member will have a portable ramp; so, you can drive the scooter on the monorail. We like taking the boat to MK.

When using the scooter in the parks again you are treated like a wheelchair and use the handicap access. Remember, you need to use the ramps for the sidewalks. You don't want to go off a curb. MK has a lot of curbs by the castle, for example.

When you park a scooter to go to a restaurant make sure you park in a safe area. For example, you can't block a parade route. The cast member will manually move your scooter if you are a safety hazard parked any where. Also, if there's a chance of rain I would park where the scooter cannot get wet. Do not, I repeat, do not, drive the scooter in the rain or through water puddles.

To conserve the battery on the scooter you want to turn it off when you are seeing a show, parade or fireworks. Even some long, ride queues you should turn the scooter off as you are waiting to move up the ride line.

I felt using a scooter at Universal or Islands of Adventure to be easier than Disney World. There will be different opinions, here. Again, you will use the same access as wheelchairs.

There can be mechanical issues with a scooter beyond having a battery usage problem. Make sure you have your scooter company phone number in case you have to call for help.

We have used Apple and I've been pleased with them most of the time. As of late, for us it has not been the best experience; our last rental had issues like the battery not charging up properly and therefore not lasting as it should.

Thank you for the tips. Very helpful. Hubby is around 180lbs and we are renting an intermediate car.

 

[Gizmo1951]

We will never use Apple again.
The last two times we used Apple we have had terrible experiences with scooters breaking down. One trip they had to bring replacement scooter and after an hour that broke down and it had to be replaced. Our trip this May also had to have it replaced on two separate days. Once late at night when the front control fell off, the monorail operator had to help get it off and then had to have it pushed it back to hotel We tried calling Apple but no answer as it was in evening when parks were about to close and we had to wait until morning for a call back from them.

We will be using Buena Vista next trip

 

[Lindava]

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.

Linda

 

[mom2agirlandboy]

Thank you all for the replies. I have made our reservation through Buena Vista.

Hoping we won't run to any problem with our rental.

 

[nydancemom]

I rented from Apple last year for my first time renting offsite and it was horrible. The first scooter was broken after only a couple hours use and then we lost a half day of our three day visit waiting for them to replace it, being told they would be there "in a couple minutes" which turned out to be several HOURS. And that scooter was very beat up with parts broken, but at least it did run.

Since then I have rented three times from Buena Vista, for 6 to 11 day visits, and never had any problem at all. Scooter was at bell services when it was scheduled, in nearly new condition, great battery charge with little need to recharge, and I rented the portable scooter which fit in my minivan without even having to dissemble it.

 

[mom2agirlandboy]

I rented from Apple last year for my first time renting offsite and it was horrible. The first scooter was broken after only a couple hours use and then we lost a half day of our three day visit waiting for them to replace it, being told they would be there "in a couple minutes" which turned out to be several HOURS. And that scooter was very beat up with parts broken, but at least it did run. Since then I have rented three times from Buena Vista, for 6 to 11 day visits, and never had any problem at all. Scooter was at bell services when it was scheduled, in nearly new condition, great battery charge with little need to recharge, and I rented the portable scooter which fit in my minivan without even having to dissemble it.

Thanks for the input