Doing WDW sans ECV & rental questions

[SashaFarce]

My partner and I are semi-frequent Disney-goers (we usually go about twice a year) and normally we both rent scooters. This trip, however, we are taking along my youngest sibling, age 11, on his first Disney trip. He has special mental/emotional needs, so we had decided to rent only one scooter and alternate out using it by park to make sure we can interact/keep up with him.

However, my partner fell and tore her hamstring pretty badly a few weeks back eek and while she is once again able to move her leg the scooter is going to be all hers this trip as her need is greater than mine. So this poses a few questions...

01) I have some tenderness/discomfort in my feet due to nerve damage. My sneakers are nicely broken in and comfortable but I was wondering if anyone had any tips on inserts or other foot-type things to help ease the foot burden?

02) We have rented scooters in park and from an outside company in the past. The company we chose last time, Scooter Vacations, quite frankly did not turn out all that great. I don't want us to get in a situation where the park is all out of ECVs when we show up after lunch, but the SV scooters were so difficult to put together that I know I can't do it alone. Has anyone had any experiences with scooter rentals that were relatively easy to put together? I've seen the list of scooter rental places in one of the stickied threads, I was just wondering if anyone had personal experience.

I'm sorry this was so wordy! Thanks for any experiences you guys can provide.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi and to disABILITIES!

The companies recommended in the sticky thread are those who have consistently over the years given superior service to those of us who inhabit this forum. They do not pay to be listed. And normally a new provider will not be listed there until they have a track record on this forum.

 

[aubriee]

When we take my mom down there, we always use Walker's Mobility. We've always been very happy with them. Apple, Care Medical, Buena Vista, and Randy's also gets good reviews on here. Randy's requires you to be there when they deliver though, whereas the other companies just leave them at bell services with your name on them.

 

[GrammyJudy]

Used Apple in Jan and was VERY happy with them. I think you may want to still get the 2 scooters. I travel with my family and my 10 yr old DGS is like my shadow. He always walks right next to my scooter and sometimes has to tell me to slow down! Your trip will so much better if you are not in pain. Apple BTW is the cheapest also.

 

[SashaFarce]

Thanks for the input so far! GrammyJudy, I wish it were possible but with my brother's specific issues I'm not comfortable with it just yet. Maybe if he does well this time we'll feel better about it next time.

 

[jking6]

Just returned home last week from a 10 day vacation. I had to use a scooter (my first time) during this vacation due to recent surgery and minimal walking ability.
I used apple scooter and was VERY HAPPY WITH THEM. only once did I loose 1 bar of the charge and that was when I forget to charge it over night. i kept going all day and night one night to 3am.
I told them I got the info from the Disboards and I got 10% off.
My total was $184.50 for the total trip. I got the victory scooter not the gogo scooter.
I give them A++ for excellent service and would highly reccommend them.

 

[SashaFarce]

Just returned home last week from a 10 day vacation. I had to use a scooter (my first time) during this vacation due to recent surgery and minimal walking ability.
I used apple scooter and was VERY HAPPY WITH THEM. only once did I loose 1 bar of the charge and that was when I forget to charge it over night. i kept going all day and night one night to 3am.
I told them I got the info from the Disboards and I got 10% off.
My total was $184.50 for the total trip. I got the victory scooter not the gogo scooter.
I give them A++ for excellent service and would highly reccommend them.

Awesome! How was the assembly? That was our major issue w/Scooter Vacations.

 

[jking6]

sorry I can not help with that. The scooter was waiting for me at the resort when I arrived. and we actually switched hotels as my DD surprised me with a stay at the Contemporary Resort Theme Park View for the last few days of our trip. We used Disney transportation.
However the instructions were attached and looked simple. Have a great time...

 

[kaytieeldr]

If you're concerned about assembly/disassembly, please rent from Randy's. This is, I believe, the only company that delivers directly to you, not just to your hotel. The advantage? They make sure you know how to take apart the ECV and put it together.

I think Walker's and Scooterama are excellent too. But this added service from Randy's sounds like it would be perfect for you.

 

[Bete]

The lightest weighted scooters you can usually get as a rental are the Pride to Go scooters. If you are heavier in weight you may need the Elite model which weighs a little more. Those scooters come apart into 4 or 5 pieces depending on the exact model. These scooters weigh over 100 pounds and that's consider light. The base can be awkward to manuever by yourself in and out of a trunk. The battery is heavy. You can on most of these models just bring in the battery pack to your room to recharge and keep the rest of the scooter in the car. This would cut down on the number of times you have to build it and take it apart. The downside would be you can't use it at the resort if it stays in the car. This is the same downside renting from Disney at the park.

Apple and All Stars have the best rates for these Pride to Go scooters.

My best suggestion for learning about these Pride to Go scooters is to go to a local mobility store that carrys them; many places have these scooters. There are 3 and 4 wheel models. You can see which one works best for you. Anyway, the store will demonstrate everything for you. You can try it for yourself, too and take it apart and put it into your car. None of the stores mind doing this for you; they feel it means you will be buying one someday even if you don't buy one that day. Seeing a demo by the store really helps. If you are dead against doing this, then go to U-tube videos and search for Pride to Go and there should be some videos to show you how it works.

Some 11 year olds can be helpful and he may be able to assist you with the scooter in and out of the car and doing assembly with you.

These smaller scooters don't have long battery charges; so, you have to be very diligent about giving them a full recharge evey night. Also, you need to make sure to shut off the scooter when you are standing still like with parades, fireworks and shows.

As a park strategy, you should probably alternate between doing some rides and then some shows, then doing some rides and then a parade, do more rides and then eat, ecetera. By getting rest periods through the day; you should be able to last longer. Make sure the 11 year old understands this tactic before you leave. I think it will be a mistake to do ride after ride without having a break of some kind.

With regards to inserts, I think that's a better question for your doctor. Some better inserts may be covered under your insurance if you go through your doctor.