Are ECV's always available in the parks?

[Lewisc]

Guests who want to rent an ecv and find they're sold out shortly after park opening should complain to Disney.

Scooterbug should have at least enough scooters to handle normal demand around park opening.

 

[Evita_W]

Guests who want to rent an ecv and find they're sold out shortly after park opening should complain to Disney.

Scooterbug should have at least enough scooters to handle normal demand around park opening.

Scooterbug provides the Scooters and maintenance, they dont handle how many Disney has on hand or the rental process. Additionally, even if Disney wants to order more, all scooter models are in high demand and most manufacturers are completely sold out.

 

[Lewisc]

Enough people complain Disney will have to attempt to get more ECVs,. Switch to a different vendor if someone else can better handle Disney's needs.

 

[lanejudy]

I hear what you are saying, and in normal times it would be true. Unfortunately there is a global supply issue with not only ECV units but also the parts needed to repair and maintain them. Since in-park supply hasn't been such a tight issue until recently, I suspect they have several units out of service - either awaiting repair or in need of replacement. It's been reported as an issue impacting some of the offsite vendors as well.

 

[Bethctraveler]

At the end of the day it sounds like there is no solution in sight at the moment with the global shortage. I wouldn't depend on Disney to have them if you can't go without a scooter. I would suggest finding a good offsite vendor with a GOOD reputation and plan and book ahead of time. Make sure you get a guaranteed reservation.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

I've read the same thing but it seems a paradox....if you cant reserve them and they are only on a first come first served basis, how do they sell out before they open? Do they open and rent them before the park opens?

if you still decide to go with park rental I would have a plan B in case they are out. they sell out before park opening because people are allowed in before opening. bet there is a longer line there than park gate

 

[Evita_W]

if you still decide to go with park rental I would have a plan B in case they are out. they sell out before park opening because people are allowed in before opening. bet there is a longer line there than park gate

Yes, and keep in mind offsite vendors, even Scooter ug cannot deliver to the theme parks, only hotels and they have to meet you if you are at a Disney hotel.

 

[Evita_W]

At the end of the day it sounds like there is no solution in sight at the moment with the global shortage. I wouldn't depend on Disney to have them if you can't go without a scooter. I would suggest finding a good offsite vendor with a GOOD reputation and plan and book ahead of time. Make sure you get a guaranteed reservation.

The guaranteed reservation is essential, as many of the vendors are overselling right now and then calling people the day of or day before and telling them they can't provide their rental.

 

[Goldelpack]

The guaranteed reservation is essential, as many of the vendors are overselling right now and then calling people the day of or day before and telling them they can't provide their rental.

Are there specific companies that have done this and is it something that is being done often - this is of huge concern if it is the case that people are being called the day of or day before and being cancelled.
Years ago, I had an ECV reserved with a company I'd used many times - the day before I was scheduled to have it delivered I got a phone call from them saying there had been issues with several of their ECVs and to be safe they were going to reserve an ECV for me from a different company that day and deliver one as promised - but the contract would essentially be with them and the place they were renting from so I'd have to sign something acknowledging I took responsibility from such a time to such a time... it was handled professionally and no issues at all.

It seems absolutely incredible that a company would just oversell and cancel - so personally I'd like to know what companies do that!

 

[Evita_W]

Are there specific companies that have done this and is it something that is being done often - this is of huge concern if it is the case that people are being called the day of or day before and being cancelled.
Years ago, I had an ECV reserved with a company I'd used many times - the day before I was scheduled to have it delivered I got a phone call from them saying there had been issues with several of their ECVs and to be safe they were going to reserve an ECV for me from a different company that day and deliver one as promised - but the contract would essentially be with them and the place they were renting from so I'd have to sign something acknowledging I took responsibility from such a time to such a time... it was handled professionally and no issues at all.

It seems absolutely incredible that a company would just oversell and cancel - so personally I'd like to know what companies do that!

Talking with people, the worst offenders has been Scooterbug and Apple Scooters. But there have been various smaller companies doing it as well. A lot of the companies are renting their entire inventory rather than keeping a few back for issues that occur, so if one breaks and parts aren't readily available, it messes up their entire system. Or they are overselling planning on a certain percentage cancelling before hand or being no shows.

The problem is almost everyone is selling out, so a creative solution like you had before isn't possible, not that they wouldn't try to do it, it just isn't possible.

And they can't get more inventory, the manufacturers are sold out and can't get parts to make more while demand is higher than ever because of long term side effects from COVID (especially from early on infections) that many continue to suffer, making it necessary for more people to use them.

Overall, it is a problem that has no quick solution.

Hence why it is important to rent from a company that will guarantee the reservation and guarantee you will get the model you rented.

 

[mamabunny]

Most travel-related companies oversell; hotels, airlines, and now... scooter vendors.

They do it because there are a lot of people who cancel plans at the last minute, and a certain percentage that are just no-shows. They don't call, don't get online and cancel... they just don't show up for the flight, or the hotel, or whatever, and later you will find them on the phone with customer service, yelling at some poor innocent person about how they should be refunded because they never used the (fill in the blank) and if you don't I'm going to yell at your supervisor until you do...

So, yeah. They overbook. It's how the hotels and airlines, and yes... scooter vendors too - make sure that they come close to maximizing their revenue.

If everyone routinely showed up for their reservations, overbooking would stop instantly.

Don't blame the companies for trying to make money - they are not a charity, nor do they pretend to be. Blame the repeat offender no-show customers.

 

[Evita_W]

I know Gold doesn't oversell, literally when you book, they schedule the exact unit you will get unless something happens to the unit between when you rent and when you arrive, then they update the unit you will get. They also keep extra inventory that doesn't get rented just in case there are issues and a few for people with last minute emergencies like other vendors cancelling last minute.

DH also doesn't think Buena Vista overbooks either, as we have heard anyone say anthing about this happening with them.

 

[Evita_W]

Most travel-related companies oversell; hotels, airlines, and now... scooter vendors.

They do it because there are a lot of people who cancel plans at the last minute, and a certain percentage that are just no-shows. They don't call, don't get online and cancel... they just don't show up for the flight, or the hotel, or whatever, and later you will find them on the phone with customer service, yelling at some poor innocent person about how they should be refunded because they never used the (fill in the blank) and if you don't I'm going to yell at your supervisor until you do...

So, yeah. They overbook. It's how the hotels and airlines, and yes... scooter vendors too - make sure that they come close to maximizing their revenue.

If everyone routinely showed up for their reservations, overbooking would stop instantly.

Don't blame the companies for trying to make money - they are not a charity, nor do they pretend to be. Blame the repeat offender no-show customers.

To a certain degree there is that, but a vendor shouldn't rent ever unit they have, after all what happens when a scooter breaks down? Or the bus driver improperly secures the scooter and causes damage?

Speaking of DH is always transferring now because of the number of times he has seen the bus drivers improperly tie down the Scooters down on this trip. One literally used the metal brackets on the seats to tie them down and one of the tie-downs fell off mid trip. Another time, they used the plastic handle on the back of the Victory 10 to tie down. Both of these times, he even made me transfer as he didn't feel like those would be safe to remain on the ecv. Did I mention that since we are staying at the Riviera that we have only been on 5 busses so far? Another time, the scooter kept moving on me during the trip, so guessing it wasn't tied down properly then either, but he wasn't sitting where he could see if it was or not.

There are clearly marked tie down locations on the Victory 10, at least in the back. Gold Mobility puts the metal bar on them, so that works for the front very well

But the point is the improper tie downs may be causing more damage, especially if people aren't transferring and may be making the problems even worse.

He even said something to the one that used the seat and the driver said he preferred using the seat.

 

[Bethctraveler]

To a certain degree there is that, but a vendor shouldn't rent ever unit they have, after all what happens when a scooter breaks down? Or the bus driver improperly secures the scooter and causes damage?

Speaking of DH is always transferring now because of the number of times he has seen the bus drivers improperly tie down the Scooters down on this trip. One literally used the metal brackets on the seats to tie them down and one of the tie-downs fell off mid trip. Another time, they used the plastic handle on the back of the Victory 10 to tie down. Both of these times, he even made me transfer as he didn't feel like those would be safe to remain on the ecv. Did I mention that since we are staying at the Riviera that we have only been on 5 busses so far? Another time, the scooter kept moving on me during the trip, so guessing it wasn't tied down properly then either, but he wasn't sitting where he could see if it was or not.

There are clearly marked tie down locations on the Victory 10, at least in the back. Gold Mobility puts the metal bar on them, so that works for the front very well

But the point is the improper tie downs may be causing more damage, especially if people aren't transferring and may be making the problems even worse.

He even said something to the one that used the seat and the driver said he preferred using the seat.

We always transfer on the busses. We don't feel comfortable taking a chance the driver has secured the scooter well enough with all the distractions he/she has loading and unloading.

 

[mamabunny]

To a certain degree there is that, but a vendor shouldn't rent ever unit they have, after all what happens when a scooter breaks down? Or the bus driver improperly secures the scooter and causes damage?

I'm not saying I agree with the practice of overselling or overbooking; it's not something I would ever endorse or do as a businessperson. And, to your point, yes - they *should* be keeping a certain amount of inventory in reserve to handle such situations, however, I presume that after a certain number of years in business, they know to a fairly accurate extent exactly what percentage of their fleet they need to hold in reserve and not rent, and what percentage of the fleet in any given day/week/month will need to be replaced during a rental.

Overbooking isn't necessarily about renting out every single scooter in the fleet; it could be that they are still holding a certain number/percentage of the fleet in reserve, but still booking past that number in a calculated gamble that probably pays off more often for them than not. If they only get "caught" overbooking a few times a year, they (all vendors in general) will continue to do it, since it helps maximize their income. As time goes on, and overbooking continues to reward the vendor because customers can't be bothered to take the time to cancel, there is less and less incentive for the vendor to not overbook.

Again - not saying I agree with the practice, just a reminder that as customers, we can help prevent it by making sure we cancel reservations of *all* types, rather than just shrugging it off. Overbooking happens for a reason; I try really hard to never contribute to that.

 

[Evita_W]

I'm not saying I agree with the practice of overselling or overbooking; it's not something I would ever endorse or do as a businessperson. And, to your point, yes - they *should* be keeping a certain amount of inventory in reserve to handle such situations, however, I presume that after a certain number of years in business, they know to a fairly accurate extent exactly what percentage of their fleet they need to hold in reserve and not rent, and what percentage of the fleet in any given day/week/month will need to be replaced during a rental.

Overbooking isn't necessarily about renting out every single scooter in the fleet; it could be that they are still holding a certain number/percentage of the fleet in reserve, but still booking past that number in a calculated gamble that probably pays off more often for them than not. If they only get "caught" overbooking a few times a year, they (all vendors in general) will continue to do it, since it helps maximize their income. As time goes on, and overbooking continues to reward the vendor because customers can't be bothered to take the time to cancel, there is less and less incentive for the vendor to not overbook.

Again - not saying I agree with the practice, just a reminder that as customers, we can help prevent it by making sure we cancel reservations of *all* types, rather than just shrugging it off. Overbooking happens for a reason; I try really hard to never contribute to that.

Or we can prevent it by only using companies that don't use such practices and making it clear to those that won't guarantee the rental will be there that is why we aren't renting from them.

 

[Lewisc]

Overbooking is done to compensate for rude customers who double book, book on spec and don't cancel. How many posters on DIS have car rental reservations with more then 1 agency?

Gold requires payment in full when booking. Reduces the major reason for overbooking. Even Gold can have an issue if too many guests extend (weather related flight cancelations) or damaged scooters.

 

[Evita_W]

Overbooking is done to compensate for rude customers who double book, book on spec and don't cancel. How many posters on DIS have car rental reservations with more then 1 agency?

Gold requires payment in full when booking. Reduces the major reason for overbooking. Even Gold can have an issue if too many guests extend (weather related flight cancelations) or damaged scooters.

Gold keeps excess to a point where it would be very difficult for them to have an issue. They actually set aside well over 100 units for emergencies, repairs, etc. As a result, they would know well in advance if there was going to be an issue, but the way they set everything up, it would be hard, as they assign each person a specific unit when they reserve the rental and update the assigned unit if there becomes an issue with the one assigned. Further reducing the potential for issues.

Gold will also provide a full refund if you need to cancel, which further reduces the need for overbooking, as it encourages people to cancel and not be no shows.

Extending could be an issue, but again unlikely.

Damage is also likely not an issue, as an example the airline damaged DHs scooter on the way here, Gold picked it up when dropping off my rental, provided a loaner and had his repaired and back to him, looking brand new within about 4 hours and they took care of all the paperwork with the airline. The airlines insurance company was shocked with how fast the repair was, as they said other local companies said they wouldn't be able to get the parts for about a month. And they were further shocked by how well Gold communicated with them and how inexpensive the repair was (about half of what everyone else was). The insurance company actually thanked DH for introducing them, as they plan to use them for all their repairs in the future. The point here is they are able to get parts the other guys can't get readily. This also helps prevent issues, as they can fix a lot of damages quickly and get them back out there.

Yes, DH does his research on companies and tries to find out as much as he can to know who is good to work with. There really is a reason Gold has all 5 star reviews everywhere.

Not saying an issue can never happen,because never say never, but it is highly unlikely and if it does, they will do all they can to fix it and fix it right. Tonight he was speaking with someone who rented from Scooterbug and the scooter was refusing to go up hills after four hours, the battery still showed fully charged and all Scooterbug said was that they should charge the scooter. Yes, after only 4 hours in the park.

 

[Jezwood]

You are likely to end up spending as much if not more to rent in-park for a few half-days (no half-day rate) as you would for the full trip rented from off-site. I'd rent it, bring it to the park each day -- any adult in the party can drive it if the one family member prefers not to do so. Park it somewhere and walk for a while. I suggest parking it in a "land" while you do attractions in that area, then drive to the next "land" and park. No need to sit on it all day every day, but having it with you may help that family member make it further through the day before getting tired, instead of pushing themselves to keep going on foot and ending up exhausted.

This is a great idea. I have 2 small tumors in my right foot and will be renting a ECV off site for the 5 days I'm there. I can walk a park for 1 day on my own but not all 5. Parking it for awhile at each park sounds like a great idea.

 

[Bethctraveler]

Gold keeps excess to a point where it would be very difficult for them to have an issue. They actually set aside well over 100 units for emergencies, repairs, etc. As a result, they would know well in advance if there was going to be an issue, but the way they set everything up, it would be hard, as they assign each person a specific unit when they reserve the rental and update the assigned unit if there becomes an issue with the one assigned. Further reducing the potential for issues.

Gold will also provide a full refund if you need to cancel, which further reduces the need for overbooking, as it encourages people to cancel and not be no shows.

Extending could be an issue, but again unlikely.

Damage is also likely not an issue, as an example the airline damaged DHs scooter on the way here, Gold picked it up when dropping off my rental, provided a loaner and had his repaired and back to him, looking brand new within about 4 hours and they took care of all the paperwork with the airline. The airlines insurance company was shocked with how fast the repair was, as they said other local companies said they wouldn't be able to get the parts for about a month. And they were further shocked by how well Gold communicated with them and how inexpensive the repair was (about half of what everyone else was). The insurance company actually thanked DH for introducing them, as they plan to use them for all their repairs in the future. The point here is they are able to get parts the other guys can't get readily. This also helps prevent issues, as they can fix a lot of damages quickly and get them back out there.

Yes, DH does his research on companies and tries to find out as much as he can to know who is good to work with. There really is a reason Gold has all 5 star reviews everywhere.

Not saying an issue can never happen,because never say never, but it is highly unlikely and if it does, they will do all they can to fix it and fix it right. Tonight he was speaking with someone who rented from Scooterbug and the scooter was refusing to go up hills after four hours, the battery still showed fully charged and all Scooterbug said was that they should charge the scooter. Yes, after only 4 hours in the park.

We had had a similar situation happen with the same vendor for multiple scooters with dead batteries after 3-4 hours. That's why we switched to Gold Mobility, and now we never run out of battery even when we go from rope drop to fireworks.