Confused on ECV rentals - looking for opinions

[WIDisneyFan]

My family will be at Disney in August for our annual trip and this year my dad will be along to spoil his grandchildren. He gets around pretty well but having had both knees and a hip replaced he recognizes his limits and wants to have a scooter to cut down on the walking.

I have read through a number of threads and see the pros and cons to many of the suppliers, including some of the recent concerns with Apple. I want to stay with one of the Disney featured providers as we are staying on-site and the flexibility of them being able to drop-off and pick-up from bell services is important to me. With that in mind here are my thoughts and concerns.

Apple Scooter - long history of good reviews, some less than positive reviews in the last year, concerns with pushing customres to provide a positive review on the DIS. Big positive rate includes insurance.

Best Price Mobility - Overall seems to have solid reviews but terms of rental include the following " At no time should Renter operate the equipment in the rain " with this being Orlando in August that is a limitation I have an issue with.

Buena Vista - seems to have good reviews but I cannot make their website work which leaves me less than confident with them

CARE Medical - not finding much in the way of scooter reviews

Scooterbug - not finding much in the way of scooter reviews

Any opinions on the above companies would be appreciated. Thanks for the help.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

granted they are not on your list but because of the rain in Aug is why we went with Walker Mobilty. the one time mine quit when damp, they were able to get me back on the road over the phone in minutes

 

[Gilrond]

I havE uSed Buenavista twice and pleased both times. I have always booked by phone to discuss details to get the smallest possible model (I'm really really short)

 

[Bete]

We have used Apple for the last 10 years and have been happy overall until our last trip in Dec 2013. We had problems with both scooters we rented this last time. One scooter hesitated and jerked and the other did not hold a battery charge.

 

[jlesch]

I have booked 3 times with Randy's and have been extremely pleased.

 

[Sandmanswife9]

We have used Apple for the last 10 years and have been happy overall until our last trip in Dec 2013. We had problems with both scooters we rented this last time. One scooter hesitated and jerked and the other did not hold a battery charge.

I also have used Apple many times without any issues. Last September 2014 I had to have the scooter replaced 5 times due to batter dying after a couple hours. It would also be in the midst of moving then all of a sudden stop. I would wait a minute and it would start up and go again. Very hesitant to use again for this Sept. Wondering what other companies have battery issues.

 

[olwyngdh]

I've used Apple a number of times, and never have had a problem with them. Last January, my scooter certainly didn't look new, but it ran fine. I am considering someone else for my next trip because it looks like they no longer carry the style scooter I like, but I can't see that anyone else is carrying it either...

 

[Checkers]

My DH has used Apple Scooters for the past several years and has always has a good experience. Last year the one he had was rather beat-up but he had no problems with it. Just reserved one for our Dec. trip so hoping they have updated their inventory.

 

[Bowman432]

I used Walker Mobility. The scooter I had was pled er but it worked good. Now, I did have problems one time with the battery so I called Walker Mobility and within 15 minutes they brought me a different scooter! My husband and daughters was just about to get on Test Track and by the time they were done my scooter was exchanged! I will definitely be renting from them next time!!!

 

[ttintagel]

We used Walker Mobility in 2011, and were fairly happy with the service. The only issue was that one ECV kept breaking down and the battery wouldn't hold a charge. They replaced it promptly, but the new battery had the same problem and needed to be replaced again.

Also, when the second breakdown happened, it was at 10:00, and when we called Walker for help the offices were closed for the day and we had to leave voice mail. MK Guest services literally laughed in our faces when we asked them if there was anything they could do to help us get to where we could get a taxi. We had to abandon the broken ECV in the middle of Main Street, U.S.A. and make it to the bus stop as best we could on our own. The one of us with worse medical problems took the one functioning ECV, and the one of us who could still self-propel a little stole a MK manual wheelchair and went really slowly, stopping often to rest. We JUST managed to catch the last bus to our resort. Walker brought a new ECV to the resort first thing the following morning, but it was still a rough night.

Walker sent us a coupon for a discount on our next rental, but by the time we made our next trip they were no longer on the list of approved companies to drop off equipment at Disney resorts without the guest being present, so we decided to go with Apple.

That time, only one of us needed an ECV. We were happy with both the service and the equipment. The battery tended to not last a whole day in the parks, but it wasn't a big deal to recharge it a couple of times while we were resting.

One night, again in the MK, the ECV broke down on a non-battery related issue, and Apple sent a rep with a replacement immediately even thought it was late at night. Unfortunately, it was parade time and he couldn't get through Main Street to meet with us in Adventureland until the parade ended and the crowds cleared. But that wasn't the company's fault - Disney really needs to do something about impassable Main Street crowds. We rode Aladdin's Magic Carpets over and over and ate Citrus Swirls until he got there. He was super nice and apologetic.

 

[Pats Dragon]

We always use Apple and are satisfied with them. Love the free insurance. Last trip was May 2014. One tip that involves the scooter holding a charge. If you are close to the weight limit get the larger scooter. Worth the extra money. No, they never asked me to post a good review!