Doctor's Note to Rent ECV

[LizAgna]

I have a friend who will be traveling to the world after Thanksgiving with her parents. Her dad has some mobility issues and my possibly need an ECV for part of the trip. Someone told her that he would need to bring a note from his doctor so he can rent the ECV...is this true? I told her I didn't think he would need this but I would check with the experts for her. Thanks!

 

[Tweevil]

My Mom used one for the first time this October for MNSSHP - she wasn't asked for anything. I don't think you need one at all. She fought using it forever but recently had 2-3 surgeries that has left her weak so it was very helpful.

Hope this helps,

 

[melisandes]

I have never needed a Dr note to rent an ECV. They can not ask you why you are renting it legally. Even if they could, they do not want to do so. Its a lot of money going into their pocket.

I would actually also advise your friend to rent one from an outside source where it is brought to you at the hotel. There are a lot of availability issues in getting ECVs at the parks.

 

[SueM in MN]

As was already mentioned, you don't need a doctor's note or prescription to rent one.
If they will be at the parks each day before 10am, they are likely to not have a problem getting one. But quantities are limited and there is always a chance there will not be any left when they arrive. We just came back from WDW, were not usually there before 10 and could see they still had at least a few left at each park. But, you never know when they might run out.

If you want information about renting from off-site, check out post #2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread. It includes names, numbers and website links to companies DIS posters recommend moist. That thread is stuck to the top of this board or you can use the link in my signature to get there.

 

[OneLittleSpark]

If he's got ongoing health issues, he may be able to get a prescription for the ECV, so he can get it on his insurance. People here have reported mixed success with this, but it's worth a try (I'm a Brit, so have no first-hand knowledge of this)!

I second (or third, or fourth) the idea to rent from an offsite company. It tends to work out cheaper this way; you don't need to worry about availability at each park; the external rentals tend to be easier to drive; and you've got it for the whole trip, including around the resort and at DTD. It will also give him a chance to practice driving it at the resort, before you hit the parks. To get it on the buses, he will need to be able to reverse up and parellel park. Someone else in your party can take over and do it for him if he's really not comfortable doing it, but they're useful skills to have around the parks as well.

Hope you guys have a great trip!

 

[LizAgna]

Thank you all!! I will make sure she knows about the off site option for renting one.

 

[jmartinez1895]

We tried to give a doctors note for a different need our first time at Disney and they told us they are not allowed to look at them.