DH & I both disabled, both need ECV help. A few questions please?

[Tink'sMommy]

I'm not sure where to begin. I apologize in advance if this runs long. I have read many of the past threads on the ECV posts, but still have a few concerns.

BOTH my husband and I are permanently disabled due to spinal and neck issues, each having MULTIPLE surgeries. My DH also has heart issues and we're on a lot of pain and other medications. We live in FL and have been to the parks a few times, but NEVER just the two of us ALONE. DH & I are spending our FIRST trip together without friends, other healthy family or our adult kids. We have been planning for a while, but we're only a few weeks out and now I'm starting to worry a bit.

We both need the use of an ECV. We own a like new Jazzy. We only have room in the car for one. I figured we'd just rent one at the parks.

We're staying at the French Quarter for a week, traveling during the end of September. We can walk for short distances, with the use of a cane or walker, but even the distance from the Monorail to the rental office in Epcot can be too long. Ideally, I would like to rent TWO ECV's at the parks but getting from the hotel to the ECV rentals just isn't doable without walkers and on a bad day, we couldn't even do that distance. MY thoughts are that this way, if our battery died on a rental unit, as in the past, a cast member makes a radio call and they would bring us another one. That's only happened to us only once in the past, but it's in the back of my mind.

Our ECV's battery is brand new but would run dead on us with my husband using it. He's heavy, 275 and I'm thinking of using our unit this time in hopes the battery will last longer? IN THE PAST, it would die after about 8 hours. We'd charge it every chance we'd get, at dinner for example. BUT our last two visits, our 22 year old son pushed him out of the park at the end of the night. WE felt horrible, but our 6'5, 230LB son thought nothing of it.

We tried renting from an outside agency in the past too, and that had a number of issues. Getting unreliable rental units, batteries dying on BOTH units after only a few hours, etc.

I'm having a hard time getting it all into words....ANY advice or input would be appreciated. Do I rent one ECV, bring ours...use the buses, or rent TWO from an outside agency? Do I use our unit and rent ONE at the park gates? OR is it better to just rent TWO at the park entrances?

This is our FIRST TRIP alone, we never even had a Honeymoon. It's our 30th Anniversary and my DH's 50th Birthday. I DON'T wish to ruin this trip worrying about getting around, dead batteries, etc.

MANY THANKS in advance.

 

[Minne's Friend]

My husband and I will also be using ecv's we are renting from walkers and have done this on our last to trips. The equipment hash been just great no problems. If you are staying at FQ it is a long walk to the bus so you will also need the ecv at the hotel. They will deliver the units to the FQ it is very convient. We will also be there the end of Sept.

 

[peemagg]

I would bring your own and rent one from an outside company. I don't know what the weight limit is on the Jazzy, but if either of you are close to that weight (within 30-50 lbs) and if you are running the scooter in the fastest mode all the time, it will kill the battery faster than not. I would make sure that the scooter that I rent would have a weight limit at least 50lbs higher than the rider. This should help with the battery lasting. Also be sure to turn it off when sitting still for a while, like at parades or shows. This will also help with the battery lasting.

I know that Apple Scooters rents a Pride Victory 10 that holds around 350lbs. I think it rents for under $200 for a week with insurance and delivery.

 

[canopynut66]

I'm not sure where to begin. I apologize in advance if this runs long. I have read many of the past threads on the ECV posts, but still have a few concerns.

BOTH my husband and I are permanently disabled due to spinal and neck issues, each having MULTIPLE surgeries. My DH also has heart issues and we're on a lot of pain and other medications. We live in FL and have been to the parks a few times, but NEVER just the two of us ALONE. DH & I are spending our FIRST trip together without friends, other healthy family or our adult kids. We have been planning for a while, but we're only a few weeks out and now I'm starting to worry a bit.

We both need the use of an ECV. We own a like new Jazzy. We only have room in the car for one. I figured we'd just rent one at the parks.

We're staying at the French Quarter for a week, traveling during the end of September. We can walk for short distances, with the use of a cane or walker, but even the distance from the Monorail to the rental office in Epcot can be too long. Ideally, I would like to rent TWO ECV's at the parks but getting from the hotel to the ECV rentals just isn't doable without walkers and on a bad day, we couldn't even do that distance. MY thoughts are that this way, if our battery died on a rental unit, as in the past, a cast member makes a radio call and they would bring us another one. That's only happened to us only once in the past, but it's in the back of my mind.

Our ECV's battery is brand new but would run dead on us with my husband using it. He's heavy, 275 and I'm thinking of using our unit this time in hopes the battery will last longer? IN THE PAST, it would die after about 8 hours. We'd charge it every chance we'd get, at dinner for example. BUT our last two visits, our 22 year old son pushed him out of the park at the end of the night. WE felt horrible, but our 6'5, 230LB son thought nothing of it.

We tried renting from an outside agency in the past too, and that had a number of issues. Getting unreliable rental units, batteries dying on BOTH units after only a few hours, etc.

I'm having a hard time getting it all into words....ANY advice or input would be appreciated. Do I rent one ECV, bring ours...use the buses, or rent TWO from an outside agency? Do I use our unit and rent ONE at the park gates? OR is it better to just rent TWO at the park entrances?

This is our FIRST TRIP alone, we never even had a Honeymoon. It's our 30th Anniversary and my DH's 50th Birthday. I DON'T wish to ruin this trip worrying about getting around, dead batteries, etc.

MANY THANKS in advance.

We have always rented from Walkers there in Orlando and they have it at my resort when i arrive off Magical Express and then I have it to and from each park the whole time I am there and recharge it in the room each night. then day I leave Walkers pick it back up at bell services. I could never make it from resort room to bus stop or from bus into say MK without it so renting one in the park is out for me. it is much cheaper as well from walkers or scooters than day rate as the longer you have it the cheaper it is. they also ask height and weight for their scooters so they really easier to drive.

 

[Bete]

and I don't think there's an easy answer for you.

I think I would rent at the parks for both of you. I know there's added expense, but you won't get tired taking care of the battery charging every night. If something wrong happens like you said it's an easy fix at Disney with their rentals. It won't be a hassle getting the scooter(s) in and out of the car if you use that mode of transportation to get around; because, you're renting at the parks. If you use Disney buses, you won't have to get scooter(s) parked onto the buses. The downside is without a handicap vehicle you will wait in the regular line at the buses; you won't get on first and you wait your turn. If you need to be seated on the bus, it may mean you have to wait for a second bus if there's only standing room left for the bus. There are pros and cons, here. If you take your car to each park then you don't have to worry about this aspect.

I would get collaspisble canes if you opt for renting scooters in the Disney parks; so, you'll have room to place them in the scooter basket. This might give you enough support to walk the parking lot. If you go with your own regular canes I'm not sure if you couldn't buy a cane holder and bring it with you to put on a rental scooter at Disney. Just make sure you have the right tools to do it. We do this with headlights. The smaller pride to go scooter models we rent have no lights; so, we bring bike lights and attach them to the scooter. Where there's a will there's a way.

There are wheelchairs in the parking lots at handicap parking that might help, too if one of you can push for a while to get to and from the parking lots. You may even be able to take turns doing this for each other. If you have to rest a little then stop and catch your breadth and then continue.

You may want to skip the more difficult parks like MK; since, it's so difficult to get in and out of this park under your circumstances.

You may want to upgrade to a monorail resort. I know it's expensive, but it would make it easier.

Unfortunately, there's give and take with each of your options. You probably know what's best with what will work for you better.

 

[jworkkul]

I would rent from an outside company. I have used Randy's mobility and they are excellent. I had no problem with the battery running low. I am not a light-weight (203 lbs.) myself and I find that putting the ECV on a slow, walking speed is best and not at the top level. It usually rents for around $30/day. Just make sure you turn it off when you are not using it (parades, resting, waiting for anything, etc).

 

[Tink'sMommy]

Thank you all for the FANTASTIC idea's and advice, thank you so much. I really do appreciate it.

DH took a fall yesterday and now has a hair line fracture in his ankle. The Dr. wasn't sure just how long it may take to heal, and suggested we rent an ECV right from the hotel room to the bus just to play it safe.

I'm going to make a few phone calls to the suggested rental places tomorrow and see what their policy is. I'm hoping they have extra life batteries for their rentals. Just a shot in the dark. This complicates things a bit being he was able to walk longer than I.

 

[Tink'sMommy]

Just posting this update....

We called Apple scooters, and they were great over the phone!

They ordered a 3 wheel scooter for my DH with EXTENDED LIFE BATTERIES!
They said the scooter should run from 8am to 11pm if we take it easy on the speed and shut if off during non use.

Not only that, we asked them about our Jazzy. I was told that they carry long life batteries for my personal scooter! IF we have a problem, just call. The person I spoke to said there are 4 men running around in the parks most of the opening hours. They can install the batteries on site and just charge my CC OR deliver another scooter if we have issues and drop my personal scooter off at the hotel.

I was blown away. I told them about our last experiences with another rental agency. We'll see how it goes, we're really getting excited!