ECV Disney Rental vs. Outside Rental

[MablePines24]

Hi all!!

I'm planning a new trip to Disney for the whole family (or at least a good chunk of it) and it'll be a 4 generation trip to Disney! My grandmother will be joining us this trip, and she will be 71 when we go. She is still pretty darn mobile, doesn't need a cane, but walking for extended periods of time does aggravate her knees. She and I decided that for her to fully enjoy this trip with minimal aches on her part, we are going to get her a scooter. Now, my question for all of you is it better to rent daily at the parks, or just rent something for the week through an outside company? We're going to be there a Sunday- Saturday, likely Coronado Springs, with a side trip to Universal. Is there an outside company we should look at? What are your tips and advice for beginner ECV users.

Thanks a bunch!

 

[tobikaye]

If you rent off-site, then you have the use of the scooter for days outside of the park and for a cheaper price. If you look in the FAQ thread there are lists of possible rental locations. When I took my sister in 2010, she mostly used a rollator and only needed the scooter for 1 day so we rented on site. In 2011, she had developed some issues and needed a scooter for all the parks so we rented off-site for 6 nights for the price of 3 days of WDW rentals.

If your grandmother has never used a scooter before, find a store that has them and have her try using one there to get used to driving one around. Usually these are the big and bulky kind that WDW rents at the parks. As long as your grandmother is good at paying attention to what is around her and can react quickly she should be fine.

 

[Gracie09]

To add to the previous poster, if it's her first time using a particular ecv, have the delivery person meet her and go over the basics. It's convenient to have it dropped off but the ten minutes it takes to go over how things work can be a great help later

 

[gap2368]

I have never used an ECV but I have heard that having some time to practice some where that it is not crowded helps a whole lot like the resort before going to the park or your local walmart before leaving for disney

 

[Mo Disney plz]

My mom could not steer in the crowds and got stuck on tight turns. She is mobile so she ended parking and walking to save her sanity. I traded it in on day three for a wheelchair which worked out for us better.

 

[Tozzie]

Hi all!!

I'm planning a new trip to Disney for the whole family (or at least a good chunk of it) and it'll be a 4 generation trip to Disney! My grandmother will be joining us this trip, and she will be 71 when we go. She is still pretty darn mobile, doesn't need a cane, but walking for extended periods of time does aggravate her knees. She and I decided that for her to fully enjoy this trip with minimal aches on her part, we are going to get her a scooter. Now, my question for all of you is it better to rent daily at the parks, or just rent something for the week through an outside company? We're going to be there a Sunday- Saturday, likely Coronado Springs, with a side trip to Universal. Is there an outside company we should look at? What are your tips and advice for beginner ECV users.

Thanks a bunch!

i rented a Scooter for my last trip for 9 days and it was Cheaper than 4 days at Disney's rental prices. I don't think they are hard to operate but are difficult on Disney Transport, I luckily had a great bus driver who showed me how to park it on the bus.
To Practice I would take grandma to Target or some other store that has them to try it out.

 

[Bete]

Outside rental is cheaper by far and you have constant use of the scooter including the resort area. The con is you are responsible for battery charging every night. Also, you have to get the scooter in and out of your room; unless, you can store it in your car. The battery can be charged without the scooter. If you use Disney transportation to the parks especially the buses you may have to take over on the scooter for her to get the scooter on and off the bus for her. You do need to get an appropriate scooter for her weight. If she is heavier you will need a stronger scooter like a 2 battery one. There is a list of outside vendors provided in the FYI post.

Disney rentals are expensive. They are large scooters. Usually, you need to get to the park early in the morning to secure one. They can get sold out. If something goes wrong with the scooter you can get a pretty quick exchange for another one, if available. You don't have to charge the Disney scooter and you don't have to deal with Disney transportation with it.

I would get her to practice on the free store models available at the local grocery stores and so forth. Those are actually harder to maneuver than the ones you will rent. To conserve the battery you need to remember to shut the scooter off while you are in a show or viewing a parade. You may have to remind her to shut it off. Also, she needs to be attentive to her surroundings. The park will be crowded and she has to be aware of people darting out in front of her all of a sudden. To guard against this it's often a good idea for someone in your party to be shotgun up in front of her and the scooter leading her through the park. It's even a better idea if you can surround the scooter and protect her from the park guests if you have enough people in your party.

One more thing is to make sure you use the handicap ramps everywhere with the scooter. You don't want to jump a curb. Most of the parks are safer this way, but Magic Kingdom can be tricky especially around the castle.

 

[disgram]

I have been using a scooter for the last 8 years...I have rented off property ones. They are a little different from the ones in the stores...the steering is a little better IMHO than the store ones...also, and this is a "biggie", they are MUCH faster moving than the store! Be careful!!!

 

[EvilQueenT]

We used Walker Mobility for a 7 day trip with my then 70 y/o dad in Oct 2014. They delivered it and picked it up from the resort. It was less expensive than from disney and we didn't have to worry we'd get to the park and they'd not have one available. He also chose a model that had some cover overhead for him which helped for when we went on rides that he didn't...instant shade since it was still summer temps that trip. He followed their advice about charging/turning it off whatever to conserve battery life and we never had a single problem. Would use them again if the need arises.

 

[TexMomma]

I'm going solo at the end of the month, staying on property for a conference then moving to another resort to be with family. Is it possible to get an ECV on buses at off-property resorts? It would probably be easier to rent at the parks but I'm worried they might be sold out & I wouldn't be able to do much. Any suggestions?

 

[EvilQueenT]

I'm going solo at the end of the month, staying on property for a conference then moving to another resort to be with family. Is it possible to get an ECV on buses at off-property resorts? It would probably be easier to rent at the parks but I'm worried they might be sold out & I wouldn't be able to do much. Any suggestions?

My dad had one rented from an outside company (walker mobility). It was less expensive than the daily park rate and we too couldn't risk there not being one available at the parks. They get driven right up onto the buses. If you're not big on taking the bus I was standing in line at a resort concierge and they arranged for a cab that could accommodate an scooter.

 

[tobikaye]

Is it possible to get an ECV on buses at off-property resorts? ... Any suggestions?

Without knowing which off-site resort you are referencing, it is hard to say. Some resorts offer direct, but others share as part of a shuttle service with multiple resorts sharing a shuttle. I believe if the resort offers a shuttle, then they have to have availability for mobility devices. They may require you to set this up ahead of time though. I would contact the specific resort and check with them to see how to proceed.

 

[TexMomma]

Thanks. I will be staying at Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek. I will check with them.

 

[elmoandzoey]

Thanks. I will be staying at Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek. I will check with them.

I have called the Hilton about this last week since we are staying there for a couple days as well on our upcoming trip. They told me their transportation to Disney is a regular coach that can handle a WC but not an ECV (something about the lift not being able to handle an ECV because of size and weight). The lady on the phone wasn't sure what to about an ECV and said she'd get back to me - which she hasn't yet. So if you get any answer from the Hilton, can you please post the info?

 

[TexMomma]

I have called the Hilton about this last week since we are staying there for a couple days as well on our upcoming trip. They told me their transportation to Disney is a regular coach that can handle a WC but not an ECV (something about the lift not being able to handle an ECV because of size and weight). The lady on the phone wasn't sure what to about an ECV and said she'd get back to me - which she hasn't yet. So if you get any answer from the Hilton, can you please post the info?

I ended up renting offsite from Scooterbug. They delivered to Hilton Bonnet Creek and the bellmen offered to store it there each night since I was by myself and getting it in & out of the room was going to be a challenge. The bus from HBC easily accommodated the scooter - no problem whatsoever. They use full size buses with cargo area underneath. They put strollers under there as well as ECV's. They even have a ramp for easy loading. All of the drivers were very nice about it and I did tip them every time. It was hassle free and I wouldn't hesitate to stay at HBC with an offsite scooter rental.

 

[Webbie]

I'm going solo at the end of the month, staying on property for a conference then moving to another resort to be with family. Is it possible to get an ECV on buses at off-property resorts? It would probably be easier to rent at the parks but I'm worried they might be sold out & I wouldn't be able to do much. Any suggestions?

I used Disney's ECV in August 2015. Not a problem with supply. Many available from the look of it. I plan on using them again in May. I do not want to battle with transportation so for me Disney is the better option.

 

[BeerMe]

Ask the delivery person to show you how to unlock the wheels so the cart can be moved by hand. We did that with my wife's rental and it made a huge difference. We used Walker too. We have used them several times.

 

[GrammyJudy]

I rent from Apple Scooter and have never had a problem. I find the 3 wheel model easier to steer. The ones in the stores are bulkier but it will give her an idea of how to drive. And make sure she puts it on low speed. And charge it every night.

 

[Melissa_E]

I used Disney's ECV in August 2015. Not a problem with supply. Many available from the look of it. I plan on using them again in May. I do not want to battle with transportation so for me Disney is the better option.

Thank you for posting this, we are debating whether to rent from Disney or battle with transportation.