Broken foot, ECV rental

[cinnderly]

I took a fall last night and likely broke a metatarsal in my foot. Off to the ER shortly, but in the meantime I am freaking out about our trip which is a week from today. What are the benefits of renting an ECV from an outside company as opposed to Disney itself? Disney seems to be much cheaper. I think I would be able to take the buses and walk to the front gate just fine, but then would I have trouble getting one? Are they very limited at the parks?

Ugh, and I just remembered we have plans for the water parks. This is...quite inconvenient!

 

[bidnow5]

Outside rentals are about half the price of Disney check the FAQ at the top of the landing page for this forum there is a list of companies that members here have had good luck with

 

[GadgetTheInventor]

Renting from outside the parks saves time, is cheaper(at least when I rented), guarantees you a scooter when you want, and allows you to choose your style (three wheels vs. four wheels, size, basket style).

You should be able to find a scooter rental on such short notice still but I wouldn't suggest waiting too long.

The walk from the buses to the scooter rental location is often uphill and much longer if you are in pain. You will then have to repeat your path every day when you leave the park. Then you have to wait in line and fill out paperwork. Uuugghh...

The only perk I see to renting one in the park is not having to wait longer in the bus lines....which is only generally a problem early and late in the day.

I don't know if this ever affects anyone but me, but I have AVN in my ankle and can't stand on a moving bus for any length of time without ending up swollen and in a bit of pain. I always ride the bus with someone in a wheelchair and so I automatically get a seat so it has never been a problem for me. If you take a scooter on the bus though, you will be guaranteed a seat without grumpy passengers getting in your face about asking them to give you their seat and them possibly saying no to your request...you will just have those same grumpy passengers saying nasty things within earshot when you board with your scooter about how you are a lazy, posh visitor who represents everything evil in the world and the downfall of our once great nation.

If you think you might need to ice while in the park, make sure to bring your own bag(s). Restaurants and even food carts are great about giving you ice, but no one had a bag the one time I needed ice quickly to help prevent my corneas from being scratched due to all the swelling.

Hope your injury turns out to be less severe and that you heal quickly!

 

[cinnderly]

Outside rentals are about half the price of Disney check the FAQ at the top of the landing page for this forum there is a list of companies that members here have had good luck with

Thanks, yes I was originally looking at the rental prices for regular wheelchairs, not realizing... I made a reservation with Apple, but I will do some more research as well.

 

[Piper]

The ECVs that Disney uses are big, slow and difficult to drive--hard to maneuver. Apple has very nice ECVs. I used one when my sister didn't want to "Mess" with using my own. I got a model that was like mine, so I didn't have an adjustment phase.

 

[ttintagel]

I broke my foot on the first day of my Disney trip! Don’t worry; you’ll still have a great time!

I think offsite renting is better for these reasons:

You’ll have the ECV outside the parks
Disney often runs out of ECV’s and the offsite companies don’t
More choice of models at the offiste companies
Offsite companies are cheaper

 

[SueM in MN]

Here's a couple more things to think about now that you have rented an ECV.

If you have a cane or crutches, you may still want to bring them along to provide a bit more stability when transferring. The ECV rental companies can add a crutch or cane holder to the ECV for you.

Posts 18-22 on page 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread have some information about the types and difficulty of transfers to ride vehicles. That thread is near the top of this board.

All attractions are wheelchair accessible to the point of boarding or show. Most are also ECV accessible. For those that are not ECV accessible, you will have the option to park the ECV in the area where strollers are parked and walk in line or borrow a wheelchair from the attraction to use in line. Ask about an attraction wheelchair before parking your ECV.
The signs outside attractions, the regular park maps and special maps or guests with disABILITIES have an icon of a person getting out of the ECV and into a wheelchair.

 

[cinnderly]

Wow, great info. Thank you everyone!