Hi there,
@LibrarianBecky!
Here's some info that all of us around here have contributed to over time - just a quick overview for folks like your hubby!
The controls on most of the rental
ECVs are pretty straightforward, and pretty simple. There is a "speed" knob (typically has a picture of a turtle on one side, and a picture of a rabbit on the other side... Hmmm...
) Around these parts, we recommend beginners start on "turtle" and go slow - especially until they feel more confident! Then there is the "throttle" itself - typically either you "squeeze" a handle back towards the tiller, or there is a thumb operated control that you push with your thumb to go. That's about it... no brakes, so you have to learn to watch other bi-pedals very carefully in case they step out in front of you! (and they will). Little kids especially have zero idea of how physics work, and will dart *right* in front of you. One way to help mitigate that is to have someone walk just a bit ahead to help create a "bubble" or a buffer zone. I tend to ride towards the right side of any path or "street" at WDW, and my family surrounds me in front and on the left to help keep people from walking into me.
Once the
scooter has been dropped off by the rental vendor, the Resort is a *great* place to practice! Here he can practice turning (especially get used to how tightly he can turn) backing up, maneuvering through food service and shops, curb cuts, different surfaces, and - of course - getting on and off the bus! Another great place for daytime practice (if you have some free time in your plans) is Disney Springs; during the day it is often not very busy, and those buses (again during the day) tend to not be as crowded, so it's a good first experience. He can just let the bus drivers know that he is a scooter newbie, and they will help him get parked. He will be surprised at how quickly he gets the hang of it.
First rule regarding buses is that mobility devices and their users (and their family) board first - but always disembark last. There may be a designated "wheelchair" lane at the bus stop, and that is where he should drive through and park while he waits to be boarded. For buses, the driver will pull up, and if there is anyone on board who is exiting at that stop, they will open both the front and back doors. (for our example, we will presume that there is no one on the bus currently who needs to disembark). Once everyone is off the bus, the driver will close all the doors, and the walk (inside) to the back doors. The driver will then "kneel" the bus, and then open the back doors, and deploy the ramp. (You *will* hear the sound of that beeping in your dreams for years to come...
)
General rule of thumb for ramps: Try to go up/down the ramp as straight and head-on as possible. The ramps that are used at WDW all tend to have a "lip" on either side of them - a small raised sidewall - that can cause problems if you catch it with the wheels. If he does have to go up the ramp from an angle, going slowly, and watching the wheels on the turning side will help prevent problems.
Boats and the Monorail all use a portable ramp that a CM will place, and then back away from. Typically, if you use a ramp to drive in, you will have to back out - there are a few boats that are an exception to this (The Friendships at Epcot, and the larger boats from WL to MK) but be prepared to back out whenever you use a ramp. Slow and steady will always be safer!
Boats and the Monorail you will line up with everyone else and a CM will guide you to wait for the portable ramp.
Regarding rain: Some vendors will have a clear "shower cap" to put over the controls; others include a poncho. Obviously, we try to keep our scooters (and especially the exposed electronic controls) as dry as possible, but it's Florida, and you will most likely get caught in a shower at some point. Don't panic - use what the vendor supplies, and he can always wear a standard Parks poncho, put the back of the poncho OVER the seat back (so it hangs down behind the scooter) and put the FRONT of the poncho OVER the front of the scooter to cover the controls, and go on!
As far as *who* to rent from, that's really subjective. I always reached out via phone to any company I was considering renting from. I would ask them questions to see how they treated their customers, and what their policies were, for example, if the rental unit had a problem after the office was closed for the night. Some vendors may try to sell you "insurance" - ask each vendor specifically what it covers (and ask to see the policy beforehand so that you have time to review it thoroughly - and then ask your insurance agent that supplies your Homeowner's and/or Auto insurance policy(s) if you would be duplicating any coverage prior to signing up) Ask them any questions you might have *now* on the phone. You can typically tell a lot about a company by the way they answer (or don't!) these kind of questions. And remember that price and quality are not always equal; when I was a purchasing agent, I learned very quickly that the highest priced vendor and the lowest priced vendor were often not the best choice; the former is often overpriced and ripping you off, and the latter is usually cutting corners and offering an inferior product or service. You might pay a bit more for the quote that falls in the middle, but it's also more likely to be a realistic quote and a solid offering.
And... having said all of that - Gold Mobility is currently the hands-down favorite of many folks here. They seem to have excellent customer service, good prices, and new equipment that is well-maintained. I cannot personally vouch for them, but the number of folks here who have had good experiences with them is certainly impressive.
Although it's been a few years since I rented from an external vendor (like some other folks around here, I have my own
ECV that I travel with), here's a few tips that might help - regardless of the vendor!
First of all - and I can't stress this enough -
charge the battery overnight, every night. A rental ECV should be able to go all day at WDW if it is properly and fully charged overnight. The exception to this is if a customer needs a larger weight limit unit, and tries to "get by" with an undersized unit, the battery will drain faster because it is under a greater strain than it is designed for. Make sure the ECV you rent is the right size for you!
(Plus it's just more comfortable!)
It's important to have the office hours & availability of your mobility vendor at hand. (Prior to owning my own ECV, I would make an address book or contacts entry in my phone for any mobility vendor I would rent from, so that I could access the number easily. In the "Notes" area, I would include information like office hours, and ask them about emergency after hours information.)
Do take the time to ask the vendor what their current after-hours policy is regarding an emergency - like if the unit stops working altogether (but the battery was charged) or if the battery won't hold a charge at all. Most of the time you will know if there is a problem well before they close the office for the day, but rarely, an ECV will fail later in the evening. If it should happen, find a Cast Member, tell them you need assistance (you may have to ask for a Manager to come help) and then leave a message for the vendor, and follow any emergency instructions they have given you.
Some people will confuse the *cosmetic condition* of the scooter with it's ability to perform. Rental scooters do receive a lot of abuse at the hands of either new users, or careless users ("It's not mine, so I don't care!") and often this shows in the cosmetic condition of the scooter - scuffs, scrapes, broken plastic covers, ripped seats, etc. As long as the unit *performs* - meaning it runs all day on a full charge, and gets you around safely - don't worry about how it looks.
Buy a cheap, colorful bandana, or a roll of brightly colored/patterned grosgrain ribbon from either
Walmart or Hobby Lobby (they both sell ribbon and bandanas - pick something you like!) and tie it somewhere on the ECV that is visible. It will help distinguish your rental from a sea of identical rental units outside of rides, attractions, dining, etc. The more you decorate your rental, the easier it will be to spot quickly!
Your hubby can "park and walk" whenever he feels like it; many people will leave their ECV in an approved area (if you don't know where to park, just as a CM, and they can tell you where to park) and then walk around that area for a bit. You can park outside most TS locations, as well as rides, attractions and shows. At the Resort, you can typically find places to park for both QS & TS food service, as well as Lounges and shops. You don't *have* to, but you can if you want.
There are a few places that the ECV shouldn't be. First, foremost and always: don't leave an ECV unattended in a Resort Hallway overnight to charge. You rented it, and you are responsible for it, and just like your luggage - it belongs in your room with you. (I saw your question about Poly - and don't worry, you should have plenty of room
) The other main area is pools, water parks and water features are obvious locations where the ECV should be kept at a distance - it should stay outside the "splash zone".
Last, but not least, snap a couple of photos of the ECV when it is dropped off (both sides of the unit) and keep your paperwork safe somewhere besides the scooter. Just like when you rent a car, you want to be able to prove the condition the unit was in when it was delivered to you. Make sure that the battery is fully charged when it is dropped off (it should be) and that the charger is with the unit.
And above all... have a great trip
