Best option(s) for getting an EVC from off-site resort to a park

[LuvMyEAR]

This will be our first visit where I have rented an ECV for myself, compensating for age and physical limitations. DH & I are travelling with DD, DSIL, and our super-athletic grandchildren. The younger generations are ready for rope drop to closing days, but us oldsters, not quite so much. We’ll be staying at our favourite resort, Windsor Hills. DH is not a morning person at all, and I think it may be wisest let our rope-droppers head out early and we can join them closer to noon.

With only 1 rental car, DH and I would need a ride share or taxi with cargo capacity as well as a driver who is willing and able to assist DH to load and unload the ECV. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Bete]

Park scooters are based on first come first serve. Rope drop is usually the best way to secure a park scooter. I honestly feel this would be a more realistic option. To make this work it will require your daughter to secure the park scooter for you when they arrive at rope drop. Then, they can park it safely out of the way for your arrival. They should hold unto the scooter key. They can also use the scooter themselves until you get there. You will have to get them to meet them at the park entrance when you arrive; so, you will need to be in phone contact with them.

Similar to the above if there is room in their car you can rent an off site scooter (cheaper) with them taking the scooter to the park for you. Then, when you arrive at the park your daughter or son in law will have to meet you and get the scooter from the car for you and bring it to the park entrance for you.

Of course, the above options require you to coordinate with your family to do this and they have to be willing to back track to the entrance. Of course, one parent needs to stay with the kids.

There may be a shuttle bus service from your resort that will allow you to take your scooter but keep in mind they have a certain time schedule you need to follow to use their service.

I think Mears and there may be other companies that have handicap vans that may accommodate a scooter but you will pay dearly for that service.

 

[jo-jo]

Or take it out of car at rope drop, bring it into the park with you. And then park it by a ride somewhere sort of close to entrance. I'm assuming the OP can make it from parking/drop off to the entrance gate with only a cane. I have no idea where an uber would drop one off.

 

[LuvMyEAR]

I think I must have explained our situation poorly. I have rented the ECV from Gold’s Mobility, but we just would not have a vehicle to transport the scooter to the park if we opt not to travel with our family. I know my wonderful SIL would leave the park and drive back to the resort to pick us up later in the day, but as they only have 3 days in the park, I am not willing to ask him to interrupt this very precious vacation time with his family. The idea of sending the scooter ahead with them definitely has merit. Grandsons, 17 & 18, could even retrieve it from the car and drive it to the entrance or a ride share drop off point. No parental supervision required for the kids - LOL. Very responsible, both licensed drivers, and strong enough to carry an ECV, if they had to! DH and I could just Uber. Problem solved.

 

[SteveMouse]

Please note that at the MK the errand of unloading the ecv will take at least 40 minutes because the parking is not adjacent to the theme park.

You might suggest the driver of the vehicle request medical parking when arriving (tell the CMs directing parking). It’s usually neat disabled parking, but a disabled permit is not required. Do NOT park in a blue space without a disabled permit- you can be ticketed.

 

[dreamscometrue47]

Please note that at the MK the errand of unloading the ecv will take at least 40 minutes because the parking is not adjacent to the theme park.

You might suggest the driver of the vehicle request medical parking when arriving (tell the CMs directing parking). It’s usually neat disabled parking, but a disabled permit is not required. Do NOT park in a blue space without a disabled permit- you can be ticketed.

We used Mears. They can load one at a time. So one day I had to wait for the same driver to come back for me. I sent husband first with instructions do not move! Lol. Second day we were able to get 2 taxis at the same time. We had the same drivers come back for us for return trip home.

 

[lanejudy]

I have no idea where an uber would drop one off.

Drop-off at MK is at the TTC, requiring one to use either the ferry or monorail to MK. At other parks the drop-off is closer to the entrance.

 

[Lewisc]

To be clear Mears accessible taxi vans have a ramp. The scooter is driven directly into the van. Very easy. You can call Mears or request one via the Mears app. Leaving the MK, consider scootering to the Contemporary, can also use the monorail. Better location if you have to wait

 

[Goldelpack]

Just to add my personal preference for what it's worth: for me having the ecv waiting is important rather than waiting for delivery. I generally try to remain solo.
Since I bring my personal lightweight transportable scooter from home and generally don't use it at the parks,etc... I leave it with bell service but want to do so asap after I get to the resort. If my room is ready I take my scooter with my roll along with me luggage to my room. Then to bell services to exchange for the rental. If the room isn't ready I leave my scooter and luggage and whoop there I go. Even though I can make an appointment for this pick up, I don't know when I'll be there and honestly don't want to delay my vacation. Having said that I would completely agree that gold mobility has the best equipment BUT I must sacrifice that admittedly small amount of time.
There is exactly 1 vendor that delivers to bell services at wdw properties and I don't have to worry about losing precious wdw time..
Finally for those of you feeling some type of way for having to use a scooter... Way back when I did too.. Until I finally relented and realized how fantastic it was to have fun and enjoy a vacation instead of worrying if I was going to be able to walk, stand, etc

 

[Selket]

I think I must have explained our situation poorly. I have rented the ECV from Gold’s Mobility, but we just would not have a vehicle to transport the scooter to the park if we opt not to travel with our family. I know my wonderful SIL would leave the park and drive back to the resort to pick us up later in the day, but as they only have 3 days in the park, I am not willing to ask him to interrupt this very precious vacation time with his family. The idea of sending the scooter ahead with them definitely has merit. Grandsons, 17 & 18, could even retrieve it from the car and drive it to the entrance or a ride share drop off point. No parental supervision required for the kids - LOL. Very responsible, both licensed drivers, and strong enough to carry an ECV, if they had to! DH and I could just Uber. Problem solved.

I may have missed this...but is your rental scooter a portable one? Portable ones break down more easily than the regular ECV's. People have said they are able to break down a regular ECV but you may want to consider if it is a regular ECV if you're able to break it down and fit it in the vehicle you're using. I've rented portable ECVs and my other family members did the break down and rebuild for me. You can always discuss this with Gold Mobility and they can tell you the space requirements for transport, how easy it is to break down, etc.

 

[DisneyOma]

Just to add my personal preference for what it's worth: for me having the ecv waiting is important rather than waiting for delivery. I generally try to remain solo.
Since I bring my personal lightweight transportable scooter from home and generally don't use it at the parks,etc... I leave it with bell service but want to do so asap after I get to the resort. If my room is ready I take my scooter with my roll along with me luggage to my room. Then to bell services to exchange for the rental. If the room isn't ready I leave my scooter and luggage and whoop there I go. Even though I can make an appointment for this pick up, I don't know when I'll be there and honestly don't want to delay my vacation. Having said that I would completely agree that gold mobility has the best equipment BUT I must sacrifice that admittedly small amount of time.
There is exactly 1 vendor that delivers to bell services at wdw properties and I don't have to worry about losing precious wdw time..
Finally for those of you feeling some type of way for having to use a scooter... Way back when I did too.. Until I finally relented and realized how fantastic it was to have fun and enjoy a vacation instead of worrying if I was going to be able to walk, stand, etc

Your personal scooter is okay after you leave it with bell services? I'd be afraid it would get bumped and knocked around by luggage, shipments, etc, or hit by the rental ECVs back there.

 

[LuvMyEAR]

I may have missed this...but is your rental scooter a portable one? Portable ones break down more easily than the regular ECV's. People have said they are able to break down a regular ECV but you may want to consider if it is a regular ECV if you're able to break it down and fit it in the vehicle you're using. I've rented portable ECVs and my other family members did the break down and rebuild for me. You can always discuss this with Gold Mobility and they can tell you the space requirements for transport, how easy it is to break down, etc.

The scooter is a Victory model, and our rental vehicle is a full-size (7 passenger) SUV, so it has the required hatch. Transporting in our vehicle should not be an issue… I hope!

 

[RoseGold]

"ECV" can mean a lot of things. I have loaded a While Ci in a small SUV trunk more than once.

If you need real roll-on transportation it will not be easy. It will be Mears Accessible or your own accessible car. The able people can take a normal uber.

 

[Lewisc]

"ECV" can mean a lot of things. I have loaded a While Ci in a small SUV trunk more than once.

If you need real roll-on transportation it will not be easy. It will be Mears Accessible or your own accessible car. The able people can take a normal uber.

Uber, in Orlando, offers medical vans which will accomodate a scooter. Scroll to the bottom of vehicle options, MT Connect

 

[Goldelpack]

Your personal scooter is okay after you leave it with bell services? I'd be afraid it would get bumped and knocked around by luggage, shipments, etc, or hit by the rental ECVs back there.

They've kept it sort of separate in an area with an office like set up in the storage room as opposed to the metal storage area in the storage room. I've only been inside 3 of them.. Coronado springs, and 2 of th all Stars but I was able to see it separately because the day before I left I brought my charger over to make sure it was charged.