Calling to order the evc-any tips?

[fidoprincess]

I am going to call Deckerts today to order the ECV/Scooter because of my injury and read that I need to ask for a 4 wheel, not 3 wheel? Are there any other tips of what to order?

What do you do with the key? I heard I have to take it out and keep it, sometimes showing it to get on a ride so what tricks do you have for keeping the key handy? Thanks in advance!

For those of you who stayed at DLH, I read you used to be able to leave it somewhere downstairs to charge but that's changed? Can anyone confirm? I know they will have it at DLH when we arrive but any other tips would be great.

 

[fidoprincess]

This trip is a Christmas morning suprise for my dd and she just went out so I had to call while she was gone and they were so NICE! If anyone else is looking for a scooter rental, don't hesitate to call Deckert's. I spoke to Armando and he told me what I needed, 3 wheels as 4 would be difficult to maneuver. They ask for your height and weight so they can give you the right size.

He also said the key comes on a little stretchy bracelet so I don't have to buy anything else to keep the key. I did mention Disboards and he gave me a discount so now I feel better about having to rent the darn thing! Wish me luck!

 

[starshine514]

IWhat do you do with the key? I heard I have to take it out and keep it, sometimes showing it to get on a ride so what tricks do you have for keeping the key handy? Thanks in advance!

Take the key with you. Sometimes employees will need to move the ECV, but they won't need the key (there is a release that allows them to push it instead). Yes, if they ask for your GAC, show them the ECV key. My husband just keeps his key in his pocket.

 

[AndyLL]

My wife tore a meniscus and we went to Disneyland both before her surgury and after.

We used Deckerts both times and highly recommend them.

This last trip ( just got back tonight ) we didn't reserve a scooter but after friday and saturday morning she decided she just couldn't walk much and we called them about 12 Saturday and they had one delievered within 3 hours.

We had a 4 wheeler the 1st time and a 3 wheeler the 2nd. The 3 wheeler turns much better.

The key will come attached to a 'springy' band just slides on your wrist.

Driving a ECV in crowds is miserable. People step in front of you all the time. More then once my wife got off and walked and made me drive because she was afraid of hitting people.

 

[Eeee-va]

If you do lose your key, call Deckert's, and they'll tell you what to do (in our case, go to the Grand Californian, have them call to confirm you need a key, and then they give you a replacement key).

Also, it sounds like you're new to ECVs? If you're going to be out at night, I suggest you bring a blanket or throw, just in case. At LEAST a heavier jacket than you would otherwise use. My mom got very, very chilled being out in an ECV, even though she's normally hot. I think it's because you're not moving your muscles so much--moving makes you a lot warmer!

 

[fidoprincess]

Thank you for the tips!

AndyLL, I know that it will be a pain to drive it in the crowds that we are expecting but some here suggested that I might just be able to use it from the DLH through DTD and then park it at the different lands and hobble around to each ride/attraction. I am dreading it but I really can't walk much. So glad to hear the confirmation that a 3 wheel one is better. You've given me the best tip of all-make my dh drive it when I can't-lol! You are a good hubby to do that for your wife. I hope mine is as patient and understanding as you were.

Eeee-va, thanks for your advice too! So GCH has spare keys?! That is a good tip so I won't panic but hopefully I won't lose the key. How did your mom lose hers? I can imagine forgetting it in the scooter! Also, I did read that about getting cold but had forgotten so thank you and I'll be sure to bundle up at night. I wonder if it would be "safe" to leave a throw with the ecv if I walk on a ride? I guess it's like strollers, I'll bring one that I don't mind losing in case it gets stolen.

starshine514, If the CMs push the release button to move the ECV, how do I get it back "in gear"? Worried now-lol! They deliver it to the hotel so it's there when we arrive which is nice but I won't have any LESSONS-lol. The nice man tried to descibe how to drive it, but I know nothing about them. I thought it would be a pedal but he said you drive it by hand. I read here about the turtle and rabbit button! I can figure that part out and am glad it's not a pedal since I have a boot on my foot-lol.

 

[Malcon10t]

When the CMs move them, they will re-engage them.

I use Deckert's exclusively. The crowd comment is right on the mark. It is a real pain. Our group splits up because with the ECV it takes me longer to get places. Also, if you can walk, use the standby lines. If not, you can wait comfortably on the ECV, but be aware the lines are frequently longer. (IASW is usually 2-3 times longer than standby! Last trip we timed someone in the standby took 3 mins and the HA line was over 20.)

 

[Eeee-va]

Eeee-va, thanks for your advice too! So GCH has spare keys?! That is a good tip so I won't panic but hopefully I won't lose the key. How did your mom lose hers? I can imagine forgetting it in the scooter! Also, I did read that about getting cold but had forgotten so thank you and I'll be sure to bundle up at night. I wonder if it would be "safe" to leave a throw with the ecv if I walk on a ride? I guess it's like strollers, I'll bring one that I don't mind losing in case it gets stolen.

I have no idea how Mom lost the key; she may have taken it off while we ate, but we don't really know. We did like you're thinking of doing--park the ECV, then walk around the land--so there were stretches of time when she wasn't directly using the ECV, which would make it possible to misplace the key.

But if you lose the key I wouldn't bother looking for it for more than a few minutes before calling for help. We wasted probably 40 minutes looking for it--most CMs weren't really helpful at all, and a few tried their best (calling Lost and Found and City Hall, etc.) but still couldn't do much. I think Mom and I decided to call Deckert's ourselves; the CMs didn't suggest it--but I don't think it's a situation the CMs deal with much. (While Deckert's surely deals with it at least once a week!)

(Once we received the instructions, I had to walk to the GCH and back, but I spent less time doing that than we spent looking for the key!)

And yes, bring a throw/something warm you don't mind losing. Even a sweatshirt (to wear or keep in her lap) would have helped. Mom actually put my heavy bag on her lap to try to stay warm!

We did leave some minor stuff in the ECV (nothing intentional except some leftover food and my jacket sometimes) and never lost anything, including when Mom accidentally left a present she'd bought for me, still in the Disney bag. IMO theft is always a possibility, but if you don't leave anything that looks remotely valuable, I don't think it's a PROBABILITY. It's not easy to push an ECV like it is a stroller.

As for learning to drive it, I would suggest you go to a grocery store/Target/etc. and try out the ECV there first. Mom did that (maybe 30 minutes shopping at Target) and then test drove the rental in the hotel lobby (we arrived maybe 6 or 7 PM, so it wasn't busy down there) and she handled the ECV pretty well after that.

If you're in a large metro area, you can do what my mom did and go to an area of town you don't normally go to to try out an ECV, if you're worried about seeing someone you know.

 

[AndyLL]

AndyLL, I know that it will be a pain to drive it in the crowds that we are expecting but some here suggested that I might just be able to use it from the DLH through DTD and then park it at the different lands and hobble around to each ride/attraction.

We did that a lot. Tomorrowland is always bad and the Fantasmic area at night is bad. You do learn to take alternate routes.

Eeee-va, thanks for your advice too! So GCH has spare keys?! That is a good tip so I won't panic but hopefully I won't lose the key.

Deckert's gave us 2 last trip... only 1 the first trip

I thought it would be a pedal but he said you drive it by hand. I read here about the turtle and rabbit button!

Lever on the right handlebar makes it go forward... lever on the left makes it go backwards... rabbit/turtle buttons controls its max speed. Keep it near turtle in crowds... rabbit in open spaces.

At times you can use that knob kinda like an accelerator. Keep the forward lever down and use it to control your speed.

You just have to pay attention. There is no brake... you just release the lever. Don't try to use the reverse level to brake faster... it doesn't work very well.

 

[fidoprincess]

Thanks again Eeee-va! I'll hit Target and practice this week. I don't care if anyone sees me-lol. We are in a tiny town that only has a couple of stores that might have an ecv so I'm hoping Target has one or maybe one of the drugstores. I will be much more confident if I can practice.

Malcon10t, Thanks, I was worried about finding that button! I think you have been on this board as long as I have and I've read a lot of your posts. Are you the one with the guide dog too? I might have met you at DL years ago. I remember when my kids were little and in strollers thinking how hard it was not to hit the people that jumped in front of me back then and thinking how hard it must be for you in the ECV! I know it's going to be tough but I'll make the best of it and you are an inspiration to me. I don't know how much I will be able to walk but I went to practice on some ramps and was not very successful so we will probably have to split up with DH taking the kids so they don't miss anything. I've been to DL many times and this trip is for dd so I want to make sure she gets to enjoy everything! As long as no one physically pushes me over, I should be okay standing. It's just the walking that's the trouble-lol! I think I read a tip you posted about taking glow sticks or something to light up the ecv at night so no one walks into/over me? I have to get some of those!

Thanks again for all of your help!

 

[fidoprincess]

We did that a lot. Tomorrowland is always bad and the Fantasmic area at night is bad. You do learn to take alternate routes.

Lever on the right handlebar makes it go forward... lever on the left makes it go backwards... rabbit/turtle buttons controls its max speed. Keep it near turtle in crowds... rabbit in open spaces.

At times you can use that knob kinda like an accelerator. Keep the forward lever down and use it to control your speed.

You just have to pay attention. There is no brake... you just release the lever. Don't try to use the reverse level to brake faster... it doesn't work very well.

Thanks again AndyLL, that makes perfect sense to me. I didn't really understand what the Deckert's guy was describing about driving the ecv. I didn't know there was no break! I had a real scooter with the controls on the handle like you describe so I'm sure it will be no big deal but I DID have a break on the left side. Good to know you can't use the reverse to stop faster-lol. Yep, I would have tried that!

I am just planning on going slooooow and trying to walk as much as I can. I just had to get it knowing I can't walk from DLH to DL. I would be exhausted just from that part and when I thought about going up that ramp at Toontown, I knew I couldn't make that. It's really hard to go up the ramps but I can go up steps as long as there is a good hand rail. I can't come down the steps unless there is just one or two so it should be interesting. Luckily, Archowl and some others have given me tips and reminded me what attractions have stairs so I will be better prepared. I LOVE this board!

 

[Malcon10t]

Malcon10t, Thanks, I was worried about finding that button! I think you have been on this board as long as I have and I've read a lot of your posts. Are you the one with the guide dog too? I might have met you at DL years ago.

Yes, we raise service dogs and almost always have one with us. And yes, we use glow sticks to light both the ECV and the black service pups at night.

I have yet to lose a key, but I am glad there is an option if you do! I usually use it to get to a land, then walk the area. ANd yes, trying to drive through Fantasmic! areas at night can be very trying on your patience.

 

[starshine514]

starshine514, If the CMs push the release button to move the ECV, how do I get it back "in gear"? Worried now-lol! They deliver it to the hotel so it's there when we arrive which is nice but I won't have any LESSONS-lol. The nice man tried to descibe how to drive it, but I know nothing about them. I thought it would be a pedal but he said you drive it by hand. I read here about the turtle and rabbit button! I can figure that part out and am glad it's not a pedal since I have a boot on my foot-lol.

On the one we own, as well as the ones we've rented, it's been a lever on the rear quarter (usually the right rear quarter) that has a lock and an unlock position. It must be in the locked position to run and in the unlocked position if you are going to push it. The turtle/rabbit speed control is a dial that controls how fast you go when you use the handlebar controls to go forward/backwards. As long as you won't need to be taking the scooter apart to put it in the trunk of a car or something, I think you'll do just fine without any lessons.

 

[cindyland]

I actually got driving lessons from one of the people at the hotel (Marriott) because they are so familiar with them. My biggest problem was sticking my foot out to try to stop it (like a bike), and "almost" running people down. You can't win--can't go too fast, if you go slow people step right in front of you. Patience, patience and more patience required!

 

[BlueBayou]

rabbit/turtle buttons controls its max speed. Keep it near turtle in crowds... rabbit in open spaces.

Oh beware of the rabbit!

We took my mom to Disneyland on Oct and rented from Deckerts (LOVED them). My mom would leave us in the dust sometimes with that scooter. It was much more powerful than the ones at grocery stores.

When she would use the restrooms I would turn the scooter around so she could get out of the restroom easily. At DCA the handicap ladies toliets are at the far end of the restroom. There were a couple of time I got on the scooter and headed strait for the wall - because she was on 'Rabbit.' We were there for 4 days - so I eventually learned to turn to 'turtle' first. Let's just say my 8 and 11 DDs got a good laugh at me sailing toward the walls.

 

[fidoprincess]

Thanks again everyone!

I'm heading out to see if Target has one for me to practice on. It should be crowded today so good practice for DL.

BlueBayou, "Oh beware of the rabbit!" is very funny but I hope I won't be bashing into walls or worse, people!

cindyland, thanks for the tips too. I will be sure not to stick my good foot out! I can't afford to have a injury to that one too-lol!

Thank you too starshine514, it helps to know where that button is just in case the CMs move it and don't re-engage it. I would be lost!

Malcon10t, I found cheap glow sticks at the Dollar Store which is next to Target so I'll be picking up some more today. I think they had the pack with a necklace and bracelets so that should work well to attach them to the ecv. Thanks again!