ECV and buses to and from parks

[MousketeerMary]

DH and I are joining DD, DSIL, & DGD at WDW in late August. However, I am having major surgery in mid June and anticipate the need for an ECV while at the parks. I thought that the best thing would be to rent through Buena Vista Scooters, have them delivery to the All Star Music where we will be staying, and then use it on the buses and take it to the park. However, DSIL thinks that using the ECV may slow us down a lot on the buses, particularly coming back from the parks in the evening. I am worried about getting them at the parks, because if they are gone I will be SOL.

What has everyone's experiences been taking an ECV onto the buses going to the park? Have you ever had to wait for multiple buses to get back to the resorts, particularly the value resports? Any input would be appreciated.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

I have seen it from the POV of the CM busses (same busses driven by same drivers) and they do slow down things down a little bit due to the loading and unloading with the lift. The bus hassle is precisely why I'm not renting from an outside company. I've read some reports that were terrible, and some reports that were glowing.

 

[TriMom]

However, DSIL thinks that using the ECV may slow us down a lot on the buses, particularly coming back from the parks in the evening. I am worried about getting them at the parks, because if they are gone I will be SOL.

First of all for having to have a surgery that will nesecitate a EVC.

Second.... and this comes from a place of experience DH has RA and has to use a scooter at WDW.... if you will be SOL if you don't have an EVC than you need to rent one and deal with possible long waits at the bus stop. You can't count on Disney having one available unless you are there at rope drop, and you can forget about park hopping. (Again, this comes from experience.) When you break down the pros and cons, a possible long wait is better than you not being physically able to enjoy your vacation. And it is your vacation just as much as it is anyone else that is going with you.

I highly suggest renting an off site EVC and just dealing with any possible bus delays. Or for the money you would be saving by renting a EVC off site you could easily rent a car, and transport your EVC yourself.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi and to both DisBoards and disABILITIES!

You are definitely better off renting from BVS or one of the other vendors listed in the disABILITIES FAQs Post #2. There is a lot of information in the FAQ Post #4 concerning ECVs with buses.

All WDW buses are equipped to handle two wheelchairs or ECVs and there are special waiting areas for people in wheelchairs or ECVs for the buses at the parks.

If you click on where it says "disABILTIES" at the top of this page it will take you to the Index. One of the top items is the "disABILTIES FAQ" which will gives lots of useful information, including where people rent ECVs.

Or, if you want an easier route, click on the link in my signature.

 

[kaytieeldr]

With all due respect to your SIL - so what if needing/susing an ECV "slows you down a bit on the buses"? You're as entitled as she is to enjoy your vacation!

 

[MousketeerMary]

I want everyone to understand, my wonderful son in law is not in any way suggesting that I NOT get an ECV, he was just giving me input. He just thinks we might be better off trying to get one at the parks rather than dealing with bus problems.

We will be going with my three year old granddaughter, so I suspect the pace will be slower anyway. Most days we will be going back to the resort for a nap time. I'm thinking that if it takes too long to get a bus, they can go on ahead and my DH and I can come later.

 

[merryweather20]

I want everyone to understand, my wonderful son in law is not in any way suggesting that I NOT get an ECV, he was just giving me input. He just thinks we might be better off trying to get one at the parks rather than dealing with bus problems.

We will be going with my three year old granddaughter, so I suspect the pace will be slower anyway. Most days we will be going back to the resort for a nap time. I'm thinking that if it takes too long to get a bus, they can go on ahead and my DH and I can come later.

I honeslty don't understand how people staying on site would even manage at their hotel. I'm sure a couple of people mentioned that they rented at the parks but and they are few and far between. The hotels are HUGE, if you need one at the park you will need one at your hotel no ifs ands or buts. If the wait for the bus is long how are you going to manage without somewhere to sit? How are you going to get from your the bus stop to your room at the end of a tiring day at the park.

It just does not seem like a viable option to me

You can certainly request a room close to the bus stops and send one of your party to come get you at the bus stop with a hotel wheel-chair, but what if there is nowhere to sit when you get off the bus? It just seems like alot of extra worry and pain to go through

 

[HonnyDipp]

The main reason why I considered renting outside the parks is because I didnt want to risk standing in line waiting for the bus, hoping and praying that I will be able to find a seat on the bus, then standing in another line praying that there is an ECV available at the parks. Not to mention, we have the park hopper option, that would mean I would have to turn in the ECV everytime I leave a park, and I would have to stand in another line all over again. Renting from an outside company, means the ECV will be waiting for you at your hotel when you check in, its your for the entire trip. Its a peace of mind. You son in law needs to chill, you need to focus on your needs and what is better for you and your situation.

so what if he has to wait a few mintues to get his own MIL safely on a bus. This will be your vacation too, why do YOU need the extra stress and pain?

 

[bzzymom]

My mom has the same worries about the bus line and standing. What she does is rent a car and then she takes the courtesy wheelchair to the front of the park and then walks to the ecv rental area. When we want to go to MK, we often go first thing in the am, so that she can get one. If you get there too late, they run out. She hasn't had any trouble renting them in any other park.

 

[Earstou]

Also consider using TourGuide Mike, so that you might not have that rush to the buses at the end of the day. I used him last July and had a great trip. We used more boats than buses since we were at the Dolphin, but we never had to wait for a 2nd bus when we did use them.
If you rent at the parks, you will have to take the time every morning to rent the ecv, plus when you park hop. Renting offsite means you already have it, and don't take time out every day to get one.

 

[Carnator]

The time spent getting on or waiting for the bus is nothing compared to the probable wait having to rent one at the parks. Not to mention the distance just from the bus drop off at MK and AK to the gates are quite a long and I mean a long way.

Rent off site

 

[ireland_nicole]

I agree completely with everyone else who would say to rent offsite. We have done both, and you do not want to risk ruining your vacation if there isn't one available, let alone when you need it (and you will) at the end of the day or at the resort. Aside from that, there are no seats while waiting for the bus back to the hotel. Can you stand in one place for (sometimes very long) periods of time? IMHO, just not worth the chance.
Nicole

 

[PlainJane]

The time spent getting on or waiting for the bus is nothing compared to the probable wait having to rent one at the parks. Not to mention the distance just from the bus drop off at MK and AK to the gates are quite a long and I mean a long way.

Rent off site

That's what I was thinking. You're going to end up spending a little extra time either way. At least if you rent one offsite you know it will be cheaper, you'll be able to use it at your hotel, the offsite ones are easier to maneuver, and you don't have to hope that there is still one available when you get to the parks.

 

[meowmarie]

Hey guys I'm the DD of the OP. I was looking around for advice on the ECV issue too, I should have known she'd post here lol! I appreciate everyone's responses, we have no experience in this area at all. I just don't want everyone to think that we were unsympathetic of my parents' needs or anything. I can totally see how ya'll would think that and I'm not offended at all. The problem is that my folks and I haven't been to Disney in almost 20 years, but my husband has been like 5 times in the past 10 years, staying on and off site. I think what he is worried about is something would happen like in this post...

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1838867

His impression, even though it may be wrong, is that the scooters get less than preferential treatment on disney transportation and he's afraid they will be stuck for hours waiting for a bus, especially in the evening. It doesn't really affect us per se, if it's too late and our 3yo DD needs to go back and sleep then there is nothing to say we can't just jump on a bus ourselves and meet them later. He's definitely not worried about them ruining our trip or anything. Heck we'll have a 3 year old in a stroller, it will probably be the opposite! I think he's worried that THEY won't have as good a time. My mom is having the surgery and my dad has a spine condition which causes him pain if he stands or sits for too long, so I think they were planning on taking turns with the scooter. (Is that right mom?) We've been married for 5 years and he's never known either of them to NEED a scooter for a trip (we've taken cruises together and stuff) so I just think he's afraid they'll get it, not need it and be stuck with it since they rented off site. However I have now told him that they can turn it back in after 2 days if they are unhappy with the situation. Neither of us knew that getting an ECV in the park could be a problem, and since they probably won't need it at the resort it just seemed easier. We also have no idea how mom will feel 2 months after her surgery, but we definitely want them to have it if they need it

Anyways I appreciate everyone's input, I feel better about her renting off site now and I'll be sure to show the thread to DH. No matter what happens I know we'll have a magical time and I just can't wait for our trip!!

 

[MousketeerMary]

Thanks to everyone for the feedback! One more piece of information I could use. We will be staying at All Star Music, is anyone familar with the room sizes there, and will we have any trouble with finding a place to park and charge the ECV? I cannot find a floor plan for the rooms.

And no, meowmarie, your Dad CANNOT borrow my EVC, he will just have to get his own!!

 

[Mickiethepooh]

By all means went one delivered to the hotel. then either use the busses or a rental car if you have one. In fact renting even a small car just to transport you and scooter might be worth it. They are easy to take apart and transport assuming someone is with you to do it.

Or use the busses and If they are concerned with waiting then wait by yourself or with one other person, let the others get back on their own as well.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Based on the room sizes, you may want to bring a power strip or about a six foot extension cord with you. You may have to move the table a bit, but usually an ECV can easily be parks inside the door and alongside the window.

One thing is if you bring an extension cord make sure that it is rated for at least a 10 Amp capacity. When charging an ECV can draw 7 or 8 Amps and you don't want the extension cord to heat up.

 

[MousketeerMary]

Thanks sooo much for all the info!!

 

[meowmarie]

And no, meowmarie, your Dad CANNOT borrow my EVC, he will just have to get his own!!

Oh wait, 2 scooters? We might have to cancel the trip!