Do I need a waterproof ECV?

[Kitty-chan]

I'll be at WDW for nine days in January, staying onsite some nights and offsite others. I'm recovering from a foot injury, and while I should be back to a reasonable amount of walking (hopefully without the "boot" by then), the amount of walking that one usually does at WDW will probably be too much for me. So, I plan to rent an ECV and use it part of the time, depending partly on how my foot is feeling.

I'd like to get the smallest, lightest ECV I can, for ease of breaking it down and putting it in my (full-size) rental car. But the other feature I wonder about is waterproofing. I hate the idea of being in the park, and needing to park my ECV somewhere covered while I wait for the rain to pass (even if I walk around without it, I guess I wouldn't be able to leave the park until I can take my ECV with me). But most models don't seem to be waterproof, at least from the descriptions on the rental sites.

I have only a tiny bit of experience with ECVs, so I ask you: Do you think I need a waterproof ECV? Do you usually get one? If you don't use waterproof ECVs, has it been a problem for you in any way?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[RubySue]

As far as I know, there are no waterproof ECVs. Some models might be better when wet than others, but I don't have that information.

I believe most rental places will provide a "shower cap" for the controls. I always bring a clear plastic bag that fits over the controls and tiller. I also have a nice big poncho. If I have to drive in the rain, I try to stay out of puddles. A shower is usually no problem, but a downpour is when you need to get it under shelter.

 

[Kitty-chan]

Thanks! And sorry, I should have said "water resistant" rather than "waterproof." Walker Mobility claims to be the only company from which you can rent water-resistant ECVs in the Orlando area. I wouldn't have even thought about needing a water-resistant ECV if I hadn't seen their claim. And as you can tell I'm not very familiar with ECVs in general.

 

[RubySue]

So I went to Walker's website, and they do indeed have this sentence there: "The only water resistant scooters in town".

I wonder if they have done something to the scooters to help with water resistance, because there are other vendors who carry the same brands and models as Walker.

I now have my own ECV that I bring to WDW from home, so I don't have any recent experience with the different vendors. Maybe someone else on the disABILITIES board would have more knowledge of the "water resistant" claim?

If you (OP) get more info on this, please post back here.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

So I went to Walker's website, and they do indeed have this sentence there: "The only water resistant scooters in town".

I wonder if they have done something to the scooters to help with water resistance, because there are other vendors who carry the same brands and models as Walker.

I now have my own ECV that I bring to WDW from home, so I don't have any recent experience with the different vendors. Maybe someone else on the disABILITIES board would have more knowledge of the "water resistant" claim?

If you (OP) get more info on this, please post back here.

I leave in just over a week. And I am renting from Walker.

So, I'll try to remember to let everyone know what they say.

 

[JenniBugInPink]

I rent from Walker exclusively when I go to WDW, and their ECV's ability to handle rain is one of the reasons. We go in the Fall, when rain is a problem, and I like to know that the ECV isn't going to die if it gets wet. It's not that they "waterproof" them in any way (as far as I know ), but that their ECVs are brands that can be run in the rain I think. I don't know if their rain 'survivability' applies to every ECV they rent, either. I always rent the heavier duty type of ECV which would be more trouble to break down. We stay on site, so it isn't an issue. I love the long battery life on those scooters, and the fact that all you need to keep going in the rain for those is the little shower cap that they provide to cover the controls. I usually also cover the whole tiller area with a folded poncho since I've always got stuff in the basket, and the seat area is covered with my poncho (since my behind is in said seat) but the rain never stops us. Good thing, since this year it rained for 4 days straight.

I'm sorry that I don't know more specifics, but the nice folks at Walker are always very willing to answer questions so just give them a call if you need to know more.

 

[Gilrond]

I rented a small (GoGo sport) from Buenavista. It worked well for me in the rain yesterday. I stayed out of puddles and used a folded poncho lying over this front basket and contrails. It stayed in place well - I did the Marceline to Main Street tour that way. I carry a small super absorbent towel in in a plastic bag in case I need to wipe the control area off. The ECV did fine.


The thing that saved day was the Goretex rainpants - seated people get their legs wet in the rain. An alternative is a folded poncho over the lap and legs.

 

[StirlingSilver83]

I wasn't planning on renting a water proof ecv bc I could always hang out inside and wait for the weather to lighten up. But I did manage to find an ecv place that says all their ecvs are waterproof. So I will be renting from them. I think it's just a bonus they are waterproof. I don't think u would need one.

 

[Kitty-chan]

Thanks everybody, this is all very helpful. I'm coming to the conclusion that I don't need a water resistant ECV, though if all other things are equal I'd probably get one.

The funny thing is, I'm probably going to rent the GOGO Elite from Walker, which is the only one of their models that's not water resistant! It's smaller and lighter, so I think that'll make it easier for me to break it down and put it in the car (I'm traveling partly solo), plus it's less expensive, which is a plus.

Again, I really appreciate your help. I knew I'd get useful info here!

 

[cmwade77]

As far as I know, there are no waterproof ECVs. Some models might be better when wet than others, but I don't have that information.

I believe most rental places will provide a "shower cap" for the controls. I always bring a clear plastic bag that fits over the controls and tiller. I also have a nice big poncho. If I have to drive in the rain, I try to stay out of puddles. A shower is usually no problem, but a downpour is when you need to get it under shelter.

There are waterproof ECVs that exist; however, I have not seen any rental location offer them. They are very expensive and I believe they may be too large for Disney.