ecv + dd4???

[autumnsmommy]

It will be just me and dd4 on my upcoming trip to DW. I strained my knee ligaments and am limping around, 4 weeks to go til we leave. Will I be able to rent a ECV without having issues with dd4 in tow? Has anyone ever had this problem? Normally I would bring her stroller, but don't know how to manage this time around. It would be really nice to heal quickly, but Murphy's law seems to prevail in these situations.
Any advice appreciated!

 

[Michigan]

You can not take the 4 year old with you on the ecv if that's what you are thinking about.

 

[SueM in MN]

You can not take the 4 year old with you on the ecv if that's what you are thinking about.

First of all, the park rental ECVS and most of the off-site rental places specificially have in the contract that only one person (over the age of 18 years) can ride on the ECV.

Second, it's not safe. A small child on the lap of the driver can easily be in the way of the driver operating the ECV (even if they sit perfectly still). They can also inadvertenly hit into the driver's hand or controls and cause the ECV to go where the driver is not intending it to go. I've seen that happen, and luckily no one got hurt, but could have.
If you had your own ECV, it's your liability, but the rental companies are not willing to take that liability. Even if it is your own ECV, your homeowner's insurance may not be too happy to pay out on a claim if the accident was related to a child riding with you.

If you are not asking about the child riding on the ECV and just wonder how you will keep up with the 4yr, first of all, I'd suggest renting from one of the off-site places. The ECVs are smaller, have a greater range of speed and many people feel they are easier to operate than the ones you can rent in the parks. Also, if you rent from off-site, you know you have one and you will have it when you are at the resort as well as at the park. It's possible for the park rental ones to be gone when you get there and then you would have to rent a wheelchair and try to push it.

I think whether you can "do" WDW by yourself with a 4 yr old depends on your 4 yr old. If you can count on him/her to stay with you, not get in the way of the ECV, it could be doable. But, many people find driving an ECV for the first time to be a daunting task in itself. Driving one for the first time with a 4 yr old would be harder.
If you are going soon, the crowds should be much lower than they were in the summer, which will help. I don't know how much you are able to walk around, but if you can, you might want to use the ECV for distances and park it when you get to an area and then walk around. You might want to see if you can get another adult to go with if possible.

Other things to think about besides an ECV are using the child's stroller as a support. Many people with knee or hip problems find that pushing a stroller gives them support so they can walk more easily. My FIL sometimes used to push my DD's wheelchair for that reason. And, taking things slow, lots of rest periods and not trying to do too much will help too.

 

[autumnsmommy]

Wasn't asking about riding with, just if anyone had tried to manage both small child solo and an ecv. She's walked along side in stores like Target and Walmart with no problem and we went to Busch Gardens Williamsburg this weekend and that was a little much on my knee with no ecv. Then again, BG is hilly in places and WDW is thankfully quite flat in comparison. The up and down is much more painful than flat, and WDW is more accessible. DD4 is fairly obedient considering the Disney excitement. I've already tried to get another relative to go. Husband is disabled. Last time he went with us he stayed in the room the whole time.
Tried the rest of the family, no go there. You would think the room being paid for would be an incentive, but noooooo. Maybe the stroller will be enough support.

 

[Belle1962]

Does your DD have a regular sitter? Maybe they would like to come along?

With DGS--I explained to him every morning that Gma has to ride in the ecv and he has the very very very important job of making sure I am going the right way (straight ahead) and telling me if anyone is in the way so I can stop. We have been doing this since he was 3 1/2. (I do allow him to sit with me in shows and for parades). This keeps his hand lightly on the basket. (He thinks he's guiding me). That being said---you have to train DD to not walk too close to you and you need to be aware of her feet at all times. It can be mentally draining to always be worrying about little feet. Take your time, go slow, let the other people go ahead of you, and enjoy the things you "see" going slower.

If you can use her stroller for support then I would go the stroller route. The upside to the stroller is you can bring more "stuff" with you. (ice and heat wraps for your knee,water, etc etc). The baskets on the ecvs are small.

 

[zumbergc]

Just want to mention that Animal kingdom has lots of little hills,
on the paths in the park.

They aren't that big, but they so add up when walking w/ and injury.
I've done myself in on walking sections at AK, I get so excited w/ all
the animals and don't pay enough attention to all the ups and downs.

Good luck on your trip.
Also, its obvious, but make sure your DD doesn't hang out behind the
chair. Always have her cross in front of you, and not behind you.
As w/ no rear view mirrors, you could smoosh her and not realize she is there.
Plus, the whole feet thing when walking beside you.
Some kids/people are more alert to their surroundings, hopefully she is one.

Connie

 

[hmmchowell]

I will be doing the same thing with my DD7 in October this year. We did it 2 years ago when she was five. She is so used to me riding them in Walmart that we had no problems. I guess it just depends on your child. I think that you will be able to handle it. I recommend renting from on offsite place like Walker Mobility because they deliver and pick up right from your hotel. They bill your credit card the day before delivery. It's like $30 a day. Well worth it. Good luck. Enjoy your trip.

 

[autumnsmommy]

Knee is slightly better now, can bend a bit, still very achy/painful after a 10 hour day at work. I may just try to hoof it at MK and MGM, and scoot it at AK and Epcot. Seems like those parks you walk the farthest without a resting place.
I know you can preorder from walker, but can you call from the resort if the need arises?? I hate the idea of planning for 9 days of scooter if it turns out I feel well enough to do it. I also hate the pain-in-the @*! of loading onto the buses. Wouldn't be a big deal if we were staying in a monorail resort, but the pop buses are always crowded.
I tend to be stubborn and try to suck it up as much as possible. Take it easy doesn't always happen. I think I need "jiffy rehab" haha

 

[SueM in MN]

I know you can preorder from walker, but can you call from the resort if the need arises??

I would take all of the numbers along. It's possible that the first one you call might not have any available (although not too likely sin ce you are going when it's not that busy).

 

[kaytieeldr]

I agree with Sue - plus, the telephone book in your room will have additional, local listings.

 

[disneyandme]

Have you thought about doing a sitter from one of the off-site places? I've heard that some of them have Passes and will do the parks with you. Maybe have someone everyother day to push a stroller and help out.

 

[SueM in MN]

I agree with Sue - plus, the telephone book in your room will have additional, local listings.

yes, although the ones that are listed in the disABILITIES FAQs thread are local to Orlando and they are ones that DIS posters have reported frequent good experiences with, so I would probably advise sticking with them.

 

[autumnsmommy]

I'll have to be sure to print off the list before I leave. With my luck if I don't I'll get a fly-by-night hooptie ecv company.

 

[noodleknitter]

We just ambled along with my mom's ecv. She kept it on turtle, and we stayed out of people's way. My youngest would have been about four that first year.

 

[kaytieeldr]

yes, although the ones that are listed in the disABILITIES FAQs thread are local to Orlando and they are ones that DIS posters have reported frequent good experiences with, so I would probably advise sticking with them.

I dunno - I'm thinking of living dangerously this trip... Seriously, I'm considering renting from an agency not listed on the FAQ. I'll let you know before I go, and if I did use the other company, I will post a report here. They've already answered all my questions,,,

 

[Mom of 3]

I was in an ECV this trip and have kids 2, 6 and 10. DH took care of the kids. I think it would be difficult to manage by yourself.

After day one my 6 year old was limping so bad from all the walking that we had to rent a double stroller so he could rest his feet (he's flat footed and just plain wore his feet out). There is a LOT of walking at the parks and the little ones legs and feet wear out unless you are planning short days at the park.

 

[Nanajo1]

How about a manual w/c at the parks? You could push it for support but if your knee got too sore you could sit and wheel yourself. If your little one got tired you could use it for the 4yo to ride. Please don't go into the "I don't want to look like I'm abusing the w/c" mode. You need some assistance so take whatever you need.
Best wishes for a great trip.