Couple of little questions about ecv

[CAJUNBLAZE]

1) Do the stores at dtd have automated doors for ecv users?

2) If you are able to walk a certain distance, do you park the ecv outside the restaurant or is there a place inside?

3) How much additional time should you allow for bus transportation?

Thanks again MODS!!!!

 

[Earstou]

Used an ecv for the first time 2 weeks ago, for 9 days.
1) I don't remember! Sorry, but we didn't spend much time in DTD.

2) You can park the ecv inside or outside. When inside, I always asked where they would like me to park it. I recommend inside so it stays cool (those seats can really get hot sitting in the sun ) and dry (daily showers!).

3) Transportation time was pretty much the same for us. We never had to wait for another bus. Loading and tying down the ecv takes a little longer, but not much. Say 5 minutes, maybe 10 for someone training.
I did use Tour Guide Mike this trip, so maybe that helped us avoid needing to wait for a bus that could accomodate us!?!

 

[mcco5543]

Big BIG BIG thing......Go to your local grocery or big super convenience store and request an ECV (yes i know you dont need it in a grocery store and I promise you won't be taking it "away " from someone else for long... PRACTICE..practice backing up. paralell parking, speeding up, slowing down...PRACTICE...otherwise you'll waste time in Disney learning and that's not what Disney's for. Plus it makes it nicer for those waiting for you to figure out how the thing works.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Most of the stores in DTD do not have fully automatic openers. Generally there is no problem for a person to volunteer to open the door for me.

If it is a not-crowded time, and the door opens out, I will pull to the door, reach forward and grab the handle, and then slowly back up the ECV until the door swings clear of the ECV, then I will go forward. If I am on the way out I just run the ECV up to the door (very slowly) and then drive forward.

And as far as the grocery ECVs, they are even larger and harder to maneuver than Disnye's, so if you can drive them you can drive any.

 

[Piper]

I would not leave the ecv outside an attraction. I did at dinner one evening and came out to find some kids playing on it while the parents just watched! Not a good thing!

 

[mcco5543]

My wife found out the very hard way that if you park your ecv outside, covering it with a poncho is neccessary. We didn't, it rained when we were inside a ride and my poor wife had a soaking wet bum and back of her legs for hours..she was miserable.


Just a suggestion.

 

[StrwLady]

I use an ECV in Disney because of my asthma. It really flares up in Orlando. After using it many times I have developed a few tricks! If you are entering a building that does not have automatic doors, reach out as far as you can to grab the handle. Slowly move the ecv toward the door as you pull it open. Once the front of the ecv is past the front edge of the door slowly pull forward letting the door rest on your body or ecv. It hopefully will slide along your body when as you enter the store. When leaving a building (if your legs are good), as you come up to the door straighten out your leg letting your foot push against the door. Slowly (very slowly) move forward pushing the door open. Once your ecv is part the way through the door way do the same as when entering. Let the door rest on you or the ecv and move slowly out. I emphasis SLOWLY!! If you have a speed setting lower it as much as possible then control the throttle to move very slow.

One tip about ecv's. I find that in a lot of placed the arms cause more problems then they do good for resting your arms. They often get caught on things in either the up or down position. I always remove the arms. I suggest if possible that you do the same.