Hebbynan:
I don't need an ECV at home, only WDW [way too much walking distance]. I find it FREEING and it GIVES me independence. I don't spend the trip in a great deal of pain. I can enjoy the parks and the resort. I have flexibility of whether I use it or not, and how, which gives me control vs being in pain and havign no choice but to sit down or cut short a park visit.
One of the downsides of the ECV is that I LOVE taking the boat launch between WL and MK, it is so relaxing and peaceful. Sometimes that launch is the small boat, which cannot accommodate an ECV (it can't physically get onto the boat + no room even if it could), and sometimes it is the larger boat, which can handle an ECV as long as the water level is not too low (and, er, the captains can get creative in how they can shift the boat to adjust for all but the lowest water levels). While the captain of a small launch can radio and let boat control know an ECV-capable boat is needed -- and one will be sent -- you have to wait. Sometimes that is ok (I like just sitting on the dock and watching the lake as long as there are not lots of bugs), but sometimes you are on a schedule... So we end up taking the bus to/from MK when I have the ECV (the bus ride is faster than the boat anyway). BUT we will usually take a run to MK and back on the boat without the ECV just so we can do it
My sister likes to take the boat WL to MK, then the monorail to Epcot (she likes the loop it takes into the park) then go right back to MK and boat back to WL. Also, sometimes we will do something like this: leave ECV in the room, take launch to Contemporary, then monorail to Poly or GF and eat there (or watch fireworks, or shop or just go visit holiday decorations), then reverse to get back, or take the launch from the resort to MK then MK back to WL. While there is some walking, for me it is manageable and nicely broken up with some good sitting down time.
One thing I really like with WL is it being indoors (well, plus a sheltered walkway to VWL, but then it is indoors too). If the distance involved is ok to walk, you can explore within the buildings with or without the ECV. And the seating that is all over the place is AWESOME to rest in
And generally IME enough that one can find a seat.
I haven't tried taking the ECV on the trail/path between WL and FW -- has anyone done that ? How rough is the pathway or is it nicely and well-flat paved ?
SW
I don't need an ECV at home, only WDW [way too much walking distance]. I find it FREEING and it GIVES me independence. I don't spend the trip in a great deal of pain. I can enjoy the parks and the resort. I have flexibility of whether I use it or not, and how, which gives me control vs being in pain and havign no choice but to sit down or cut short a park visit.
One of the downsides of the ECV is that I LOVE taking the boat launch between WL and MK, it is so relaxing and peaceful. Sometimes that launch is the small boat, which cannot accommodate an ECV (it can't physically get onto the boat + no room even if it could), and sometimes it is the larger boat, which can handle an ECV as long as the water level is not too low (and, er, the captains can get creative in how they can shift the boat to adjust for all but the lowest water levels). While the captain of a small launch can radio and let boat control know an ECV-capable boat is needed -- and one will be sent -- you have to wait. Sometimes that is ok (I like just sitting on the dock and watching the lake as long as there are not lots of bugs), but sometimes you are on a schedule... So we end up taking the bus to/from MK when I have the ECV (the bus ride is faster than the boat anyway). BUT we will usually take a run to MK and back on the boat without the ECV just so we can do it

One thing I really like with WL is it being indoors (well, plus a sheltered walkway to VWL, but then it is indoors too). If the distance involved is ok to walk, you can explore within the buildings with or without the ECV. And the seating that is all over the place is AWESOME to rest in

I haven't tried taking the ECV on the trail/path between WL and FW -- has anyone done that ? How rough is the pathway or is it nicely and well-flat paved ?
SW