Do I really need a HC room with an ECV?

[lovetoscrap]

Long story, but I am just starting to accept that I may be permanently disabled due to severe PF in both feet. (we have done all options but surgery and I am not a good candidate for surgery so we aren't going to do it). I swore that I wouldn't go back to WDW until I could walk it as I have in the past, but that probably won't happen and DH and my kids want to go back--as do I.

So I need to start figuring out this whole thing of ECVs. So far I have only used the ones in the grocery stores and a manual WC for some shopping trips with DH or my kids helping to push. I am pretty new to how all of this works and what I need to know.

Oh yeah, I was here to ask a question.

If I rent an ECV from one of the Orlando companies for a week or so while we are there, do I need to have a HC room to accommodate it? We usually stay at the Disney values so I know how cramped the room is. Other than the space issue is there anything about the HC room that I would need--like a special plug? I am mobile other than walking and standing for long times (okay, beyond about 15 mins) so I don't need an accessible bathroom or anything else so I don't' want to take that from anyone that really needs that. Especially since there is only a limited number of hc rooms.

I guess what I am saying is that if there is no reason to have a HC room then I would rather just get a regular room and we will just trip over the ECV. We don't spend a lot of time in the room so it really woudn't be a problem as long as I can plug it in.l


I guess as long as you are reading this can you tell me anything else I should know about them? I read some of the FAQ's and are there any companies other than the ones listed that would be recommended? And how long does a battery charge last? We are commando tourists, usually only limited by MY feet and stamina and if I am not walking we should be able to stay out longer!

Okay, I will stop rambling now. Thanks for your help.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I have used an ECV when staying in everything from a value to the large deluxe. The worst you may have to do is shift the table. However, you should be able to park the ECV between a bed and the window.

Usually it comes with an external charger, and the cord to the wall is about six feet and the cord (which plug into the tiller) to the ECV is about six feet, so you should have no problem accessing an outlet to plug it in overnight.

And all the ourside doors are 36 inches wide, the ECV is only 23 inches wide.

 

[lovetoscrap]

Thanks, that is what I was hoping, that it would fit in a standard plug and fit through the door. It just seemed silly to take a hc room when I really don't need it.

 

[Michigan]

Not related to needing a handicap room but have you tried wearing Crocs for your PF problem? I had really bad PF problem in my right foot and a little bit of problem in by left foot. I tried Crocs because everyone said try them and boy am I glad I did after 7 months I no longer have any pain.

 

[lovetoscrap]

yep, I wear them as "slippers" around the house but only for a very limited time. I am beyond that. I have a very, very severe case that has gone on for over 5 years now. Last summer I wore Crocs quite a bit but now it is so bad I have to wear tennis shoes for walking more than just around the house.

 

[Shorty82]

I hate to sound stupid but what is PF? I tried Google, Acronym Finder, Stitch Kingdom's Disney Acronym Finder, and a glance at the disABILITIES FAQ but can't figure it out.

Is there anywhere the medical acronyms commonly used here are listed? I understand using acronyms but I hate not knowing what one means.

 

[daisyduck123]

Hi!

We stayed at SSR for a week in May & had rented an ECV from offsite for our entire stay. (My DH broke his big toe the day we left for WDW & could barely walk).

We just parked the ECV out in the hall & charged it using the outlet out there...this is what the front desk told us to do when we checked in.

This worked out great until about the 5th nite of our trip.
When DH went to plug it in that nite, the outlet did not work anymore.
He tried every outlet in the hall, & none of them worked!!

Then, he had to bring it in the room & we charged it in there for the rest of our trip...what a pain!! We meant to tell the front desk about the outlets (and ask them what was up with that) but we never got around to it.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I hate to sound stupid but what is PF? I tried Google, Acronym Finder, Stitch Kingdom's Disney Acronym Finder, and a glance at the disABILITIES FAQ but can't figure it out.

Is there anywhere the medical acronyms commonly used here are listed? I understand using acronyms but I hate not knowing what one means.

Plantar's Fasciitis (may be only one "i" between the 'c' and the 't', but this is the most recent spelling I've seen).

 

[dclfun]

Thanks for the definition as I didn't know what PF was either. The OP has already been given advice about the HA room but I just wanted to add that they don't have any more square footage except in the bathroom and that because the bathroom is larger in a HA room there's less space then in the rest of the room. You can still request a room with tub and rails if you need some support. Those aren't considered "fully accessible" but might have features you need for safety and stability. I'm glad you've decided to rent an ECV and hope you enjoy your vacation!---Kathy

 

[lovetoscrap]

I hate to sound stupid but what is PF? I tried Google, Acronym Finder, Stitch Kingdom's Disney Acronym Finder, and a glance at the disABILITIES FAQ but can't figure it out.

Is there anywhere the medical acronyms commonly used here are listed? I understand using acronyms but I hate not knowing what one means.

Ooops, I am so sorry, I should have spelled it out in the OP. My bad.

Hi!

We stayed at SSR for a week in May & had rented an ECV from offsite for our entire stay. (My DH broke his big toe the day we left for WDW & could barely walk).

We just parked the ECV out in the hall & charged it using the outlet out there...this is what the front desk told us to do when we checked in.

This worked out great until about the 5th nite of our trip.
When DH went to plug it in that nite, the outlet did not work anymore.
He tried every outlet in the hall, & none of them worked!!

Very weird! I am sure they figured it out when someone went to vacuum and none of the plugs worked!

We usually stay in the Values and I wouldn't want to leave it outside. We are used to tripping over the stroller anyway, but won't need one anymore (my baby is 7 now ). As long as it doesn't need a specialized plug and fits in the door I am fine with shoving the table all the way over to fit it in or putting it by the window. We really only use the room to sleep and shower.

Thanks for the definition as I didn't know what PF was either. The OP has already been given advice about the HA room but I just wanted to add that they don't have any more square footage except in the bathroom and that because the bathroom is larger in a HA room there's less space then in the rest of the room. You can still request a room with tub and rails if you need some support. Those aren't considered "fully accessible" but might have features you need for safety and stability. I'm glad you've decided to rent an ECV and hope you enjoy your vacation!---Kathy

Good to know. I am fine on my feet as long as I am not walking or standing for any length of time. I can get in and out of the tub just fine, especially since I take my shower in the AM when I am in the least amount of pain. I just hated taking any of the few hc rooms when I don't really need it. If there is no need for me then I want to leave them for those that really need them.

I am stubborn and know I will try to do some of the lines standing until I am in too much pain and have to stay in the ECV. I can transfer to all the rides, it is just the walking and standing that I can't do. As long as I stay off of my feet I am fresh as a daisy!

In fact another DISer friend of mine had knee surgery and has also resisted using an ECV for years despite her knee pain, but her sister wanted to go to Disney several weeks after her surgery. When she got back I asked her how it went. She said it was GREAT! The first time she has never been tired and sore at the end of the day. The family was tired but she could have kept on going!

 

[Redbudlover]

I am wondering what it is as well. But I wanted to tell you what a great trip I had two years ago when I was suffering from a herniated disc and had to rent an ECV. Everyone at WDW treated me like a queen. I had so much help getting on buses and the monorail. I loved being able to go as long and hard as I wanted without my back or feet aching. I loved the ease of getting on rides and the special treatment you get when you are using an ECV. I would never hesitate again in the future if I thought I needed one. Since then I am back in great shape and can get around well without one, but it sure was sweet not having to stand in lines.....

 

[Ladybugsy]

Both my aunt and uncle need ECVs and we put them both in their room at POP. A little crowded, but we spend so little time there...so they DO fit!
Have a great trip!