Disney ECV Rental or private

[maryann92201]

My Mom has Psoriatic Arthritis which is similar to rheumatoid. She knows she will need a ECV to keep up with me and the grandkids. We can't make the decision to rent one at the parks or use a private rental place and have it with us all the time. Her pain is mainly in her knees and right hip. She does have a hard time walking, but can usually walk short distances. Which do you think we would be better off doing? Plus, how easy is it to get the ECV's on and off the bus? She has never had to do that type of ECV driving. She just usually uses one at the grocery store or walmart. Do the boats allow ECV's? I know some don't, but thought I heard that some did. I was planning to take the boat from MK to do HDDR, but if she can't travel by boat I'll have to come up with another plan (if we rent one to have with us all the time). I think just one more question. How are the rooms at POR as far as space for an ECV? We will have myself (37 & pooh size), DS 8, DD2 and my Mom (57 & pooh size).

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Just about all of the off-site rentals are three-wheel ECVs which are much more maneuverable than Disney's four-wheel ECVs. The only time you may get a four is if the person's weight is more than 350 pounds and a heavy-duty ECV is needed.

Almost all of the buses now use ramps which are much easier than lifts. But even for the lifts the drivers tend to be nice and helpful.

Because of the way they are constructed, the Disney ECVs cannot get on the Friendships that cross the World Showcase Lagoon while any other ECV can.

Normally the boats between MK and FW can handle ACVs.

 

[baloo's girl]

We were in Disney last December with my mom. She rented an ECV off property (i can't remember which company, but she got the name off the disboards). She was in heaven with it. They delivered it to the hotel and picked it up at the hotel. She was easily able to get on the buses with it and the drivers were very helpful. It was a real life saver for her, because otherwise she wouldn't have been able to go.

I say go for for an off property rental and enjoy it!

 

[evedein]

I took my 74 y/o Mom for her 1st trip to WDW a couple of years ago. Since she normally walk with a cane, I knew an ECV was a must. I decide to go with an outside vendor since she would need help even outside the parks. Plus, the ones the parks rent are first-come, first-serve. If we had gotten to the park & they were sold out, it would have been a disaster.
I rented from Randy's & the service was great. They delivered right to our room the morning after we arrived. Since she had never used one before, it was very helpful that they showed her how to use it. Some of the companies will drop it off at check-in, so it's there when you arrive, but then you have to try to figure out how to use it your self. We had no trouble taking it on the buses & the boat to Ft. Wilderness. Mom was afraid to drive it on & off, so I did it for her. Since she was nervous about driving one, I put big neon pink signs on the front & back of the scooter. It said:"WARNING: ROOKIE DRIVER! HOW DO I STOP THIS THING?" It got a lot of laughs, but people got out of her way. It also got her recognized around the parks. She got a big kick out of it. One suggestion though, don't get the canopy if you're going to take it on the bus. It gets in the way. We ended up taking it off.

 

[Nanajo1]

I vote for the off-site rental. It will give your Mother freedom to explore the resort as well as shopping downtown. I have used both Walkers and Care Medical with great results. The three wheel scooter is easier to drive IMO.

 

[wdwmom0f3]

I am so glad that the OP posted this because I was about to ask the very same thing. I am in need of two, one for my mom and one for my dad. How do I go about getting the names and numbers for these companies off site? Would Disney tell me? Better yet, anyone here know how to get in touch? So far I see Randys, Walkers, & Care Medical. Who is the best and most reliable? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[kaytieeldr]

See the disABILITIES FAQ. Click on the link in Cheshire Figment's signature (post # 2).

All three companies, along with the others in the FAQ, are good; all have been used by various DISers, with good results. Randy's is quite obviously best when the user is not accustomed to an ECV, or if you will be taking it apart to transport in a private vehicle. They deliver it to YOU, not merely to the resort. Plus, the price is really good.

I've also used Walker's and Scooterama with equally good results.

 

[Tonya2426]

I vote for off-site rental. There is alot of walking around the resorts and just getting into the parks from the buses/monorail/parking lots/boats that will wear you out - especially after a long day in the parks.

 

[maryann92201]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I believe my Mom contacted Lake Buena Vista Scooters for pricing. I have never heard of Randy's. Has anyone used Lake Buena Vista with good results?

 

[mousey]

I have used Lake Buena Vista scooter rentals with no problems. I have used them about 5 times. I usually get the one that you can take apart and put in the rental car.

 

[OneBadApple]

I didn't read all the replies, but just wanted to say that last Decemeber we rented one from Walker Mobility for my dad. We all would highly recomment them. I must have emailed and called them with a million questions. They always got back to me quickly and were very friendly. The ECV was waiting at our resort when we got there and was in perfect condition. It cost less than if we rented one from Disney and there was no guarentee that one would be available at Disney.

I can't answer your questions about the boat or buses because we rented a mini van.