ECV accessibility

[Jenfrog79]

My DH has cerebral palsy and uses crutches to walk. so he'll be using an ECV to get around the parks. I was figuring on renting one from Scootarama or a place like that. not in the parks because then we won't be able to use it outside the parks and i read that there is a limited quanity so i don't want to be stuck without one.
anyway, I'm torn between the Best western lake buena vista and a reasonable off site hotel. we won't be renting a car so i was wondering how accessible the shuttles from the hotels are? my husband doesn't need to always be in the ECV and i've read that there are ones that are collapsable that can be rented. are the shuttles easily accessible for the ECVs?

 

[SueM in MN]

To start off:
- There is information about places to rent ECVs in the disABILITIES FAQs thread. All of the companies listed are ones that DIS posters have used and recommended over the years.

- Off-site resorts vary in how many shuttles they have per day, so that would be something to check out before making your reservation.

- Accessibility of shuttles from off-site resorts varies a lot. We have not gotten any reports recently, so hopefully someone who has stayed in one of the resorts you are thinking about will reply. What people have reported in the past was that often only some of the shuttles were accessible, so you may be kind of constrained in when you can go to the park and/or return to your resort.

- Best Western Lake Buena Vista is a Downtown Disney resort. I think (but I am not sure) that they use the same WDW transportation as the on-site resorts. If that is true, almost 100% of the buses will be accessible.

- Whether or not the ECV folds would only make a difference for transporting if you are renting a van or car. The buses would load the ECV put together, so folding it would not be helpful of you plan on taking buses.