ECV Advice Needed

[ZehnJahren]

Hello!

I see a lot of information here, so I'm going to read through, but I do want some specific information to our situation.

My mom will be getting a scooter this trip. We're looking to rent and have it delivered to the resort; we'll be staying at Beach Club.

She has had knee surgery on the right leg, and is now about to have it on the left. She just can't walk the distances required for Disney, but we're not ready to give up our trips and we're going back in October. She can walk some distances but not for long periods of time, once she stops moving she can't get her legs moving again as her knees lock up.

We were planning on having her ride the scooter to HS or Epcot, then parking it and walking until she can't any more. Then we were planning on getting a collapsible scooter so we could actually drive to the other parks instead of using the bus.

I'm concerned about the scooter getting taken and I'm concerned about battery life. How far can she get at a time on one of these? Will it be a problem to scoot to HS, then scoot around the park, then get back? Is it very possible someone will steal it if we leave it unattended for hours at a time? What about if it rains? Should we rethink our plan?

Any tips or information would be helpful, this is a first for us.

 

[jdb in AZ]

Hello!

I see a lot of information here, so I'm going to read through, but I do want some specific information to our situation.

My mom will be getting a scooter this trip. We're looking to rent and have it delivered to the resort; we'll be staying at Beach Club.

She has had knee surgery on the right leg, and is now about to have it on the left. She just can't walk the distances required for Disney, but we're not ready to give up our trips and we're going back in October. She can walk some distances but not for long periods of time, once she stops moving she can't get her legs moving again as her knees lock up.

We were planning on having her ride the scooter to HS or Epcot, then parking it and walking until she can't any more. Then we were planning on getting a collapsible scooter so we could actually drive to the other parks instead of using the bus.

I'm concerned about the scooter getting taken and I'm concerned about battery life. How far can she get at a time on one of these? Will it be a problem to scoot to HS, then scoot around the park, then get back? Is it very possible someone will steal it if we leave it unattended for hours at a time? What about if it rains? Should we rethink our plan?

Any tips or information would be helpful, this is a first for us.

The scooters have a key, so no one can just drive off without the key. If the battery is in good shape (they usually are) you can go all day without recharging it. Just make sure to turn the key off whenever you stop somewhere. The scooter comes with a plug-in cord so if the battery starts to act sluggish, just plug it into any outlet when you stop for a meal or at a show. The battery should also be plugged in to recharge all night over night at the hotel. She's going to want to drive it around the hotel anyway -- those resorts are huge!

If it rains, as it often does in Florida, just cover the tiller controls with a shower cap or other plastic. You can cover the seat with a poncho or other plastic. We try to head in doors when it rains, but that's not always possible. You'll also want to avoid driving through puddles.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

as someone who uses a scooter at Disney but not much else, I have her use scooter as much as possible. if you park it and have her walk it can be a long, long walk back to it. I will use EPCOT as an example, say you came in the International Gate and park the scooter and she makes it walking to Norway, it is a long way back to her scooter. someone will have to get it for her. to me a better idea would be parking it in the stroller parking near each country tour that country then move to next. also remember that at MK you will still have to park at TTC, she will not be able to ride that parking lot tram to either the monorail or ferry boat loading. for me it is easier to use the bus the drivers were very helpful getting on and off the bus and getting dropped off near the gates was nicer than using car and putting together every time I went to the parks. if she is not used to driving a scooter I would have her practice at walmart or the store before you go. bring an extra poncho for covering the seat when you park the scooter. make sure if caught in rain that her poncho covers her and the back of seat so rain does not run down where she is seated. on extra long days I did bring the charger with me and plugged it in while we ate our table serve meal but most days did not need to charge and I used it hard. just plug in overnight in the room