ECV Advice

[melissa37]

Help….I need some advice. I have been reading the boards for a long time and really appreciate the advice and opinions that are expressed.

I’m traveling to Disney in Jan. with my DS(6) who has autism, DD(4), and both sets of grandparents. This will be a first time back for the grandparents in probably 20 years and the first trip for my kids. We know we are going to need at least one ECV as my MIL has rheumatoid arthritis and my FIL has been having some nerve issues that are causing numbness in his feet. My question is…how easy is it to rent an ECV in the park if we’re not planning on being there until later morning….probably by 11:00am?

Since we still haven’t decided how many days we’re going to spend in the parks I have been a bit reluctant to recommend renting an ECV for the whole week, because the only place they will agree to use it is at the park. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi and to disABILITIES!

If you are going in January it shoukld not be a problem to rent ECVs at the parks, even if arriving later in the moring.

However, I would suggest you make a copy of the contact information for the off-site vendors from Page 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs and take it with you in case a decision is made that one (or two) are needed for more than the parks.

 

[mechurchlady]

WElcome to the board and January is normally the slower time of year. I would recommend renting form offsite even if you will not know until the last minute when you are going to be in the parks.

Renting offsite saves money. You have one credit card bill instead of one for each time you rent from the park. If you park hop then you would need your park paperwork. There is the chance for the person to test drive the ECV and work on using one at the resort. There is the saved energy from walking from the restor to the bus. Also pain burns more energy and faster so it seems. Even if the person is dropped off at the very front of Animal Kingdom they have to walk walk half a block or more just to get into the park then wait for the family to get them an ECV. Two kids is a handful in itself so save yourself one less thing to do in the parks. Get your GAC for FiL for the trip then storm the parks each day without having to wait in line for an ECV rental and do paperwork. Call up the ECV places and say you need certain dates and what if you have to cancel or shorten the trip

Good luck on your trip.

There are FAQs at the top of the Disablitly Board or click on the link in Cheshire Figment's signature. They have great tip for dealing with GAC, autism, travel, ECVs, and planning for your trip. I could write half a chapter just on airlines and airports and what to and not to do.

 

[Dawn68PA]

I agree. Rent offsite and have it for when you want it. I own my own ECV but I only need it in the parks. I kept it in the room whenever we wandered around the resort. It was so nice to have it right there, not have to waste time waiting to rent one at the park. We just strode through the gates and off we went.

 

[melissa37]

Thanks so much for all of the advice! I knew I had come to the right place. I am worried about getting to the parks from the parking lots, so my preference would be to bring the ECV with us. I'm just not sure I can convince the in-laws of this

I'm hoping I can make the argument that the cost will be close to the same since most of the off site locations have a weekly rental rate that is probably less than what we can get at the parks (depending on how many days we spend). I'm also thinking about DTD and any other places we go that may include a lot of walking.

I guess I'll really be leaving the decision up to them...I just don't want anybody to miss out on all of the fun

One final question...if they end up not making a decision until we get to Orlando, is it difficult to arrange an offsite rental without advance reservations?

 

[Carnator]

I agree to rent off site. There is a lot of walking just around the each resort and as you mentioned DTD. If you have a local Wal-Mart, Target or (some) grocery stores have ECV for shopping convenience. Take them there and let them practice. They have a big ole basket on the front and are bigger than the ones you rent off site. If they can drive them, the ones off site and even the ones in the parks will no problem. Once they see how convenient they are it might help to persuade them.



You sholuldn't have any problems renting when you get to Disney. I have called 1 day ahead of time but have read many comments here on DisBoards about people deciding at the last minute to get them and having no problem getting them that same day in a very short reasonable time.

As Cheshire advised, take a list of off site rental companies with you. Maybe program them in your cell phone.

Good luck and have a great trip.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

The Disney daily rate is $45.00 (plus a refundable $20.00 key deposit). Most of the off-site locations will charge in the $30 - $35 daily rate with a cutoff for a week of about $200. I do not think any of the off-site people have any minimum or delivery charge.

 

[mechurchlady]

http://www.randysmobility.com/Scooter_Pricing.html
Note that Randy now has a UK phone number which shows how much he cares.
The pooh sized ones are $20 a week more.

For People under 300 LBS. or 21 stone
are $35.00 a day or $180.00 a Week
A Second continuous Week, is only an Extra $100.00
And as always Free Delivery & pickup in the Disney, Orlando area
( There is a 2 day minimum charge )
The picture to the right shows this type of scooter this one breaks apart in about 60 SEC. and fits in the trunk of a midsize or larger car. The Canopy is an additional charge of $15.00 a week when requested.

Walker says for a lightweight one they charge $30 a day.

Either way you spend $225 at WDW for 5 days whereas off site you you pay $180 to $210 for a whole week. Both those companies are recommended. January is the off season pretty much so you won't have trouble with last minute rrentals.

 

[melissa37]

Great suggestions. I think I'm going to take the list with me and let them decide when we get there.

You never know, they might surprise me and ask about it before we get there

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

SCOOTARAMA

We just returned and I have a little detail on a separate thread I just wrote.
Try the Pride Revo....you will NOT be unhappy.

I could not have been more satisfied with my little red scooter, Dolly.


Checkout some decorations. If you are going to be stuck in a scooter....you might as well make it FUN!!!


Scootarama far EXCEEDED our expectations!!!

Seabiscuit vs. mules!