ECV Help please for a first-timer

[Mazzy]

For our trip in December I was originally going to have DH push me round the parks in a wheelchair, but have now changed my mind as I think I would prefer to go round the parks 'under my own steam' in an ECV and hope the extra $200 it will cost is worth it!

I have a few questions now about using an ECV in the Resorts and Parks.

We will be staying at the Dolphin. Is it acceptable to use the ECV all round the hotel or would I have to leave it at the hotel entrance? Where would I be able to leave it at night to recharge it?

In the parks - can you take an ECV into the shops and restaurants or would it be better to leave it outside (I would be able to walk round a shop or into a restaurant, it's just the long distances on concrete which are a problem for my foot).

Are there certain places in the parks you shouldn't park the ECV? And should you stay on the 'road' rather than ride on the pavement (sidewalk in US!), for example, in MGM or Magic Kingdom?

If I wanted to ride the Walt Disney World Railroad would I have to leave the ECV at the station and return back to that same station, or would the ECV be able to go on the train so I could do a one way journey if I wanted to?

Sorry for so many questions - I have never used an ECV before so just need some advice so I don't cause any problems (for myself and anyone else!)

Thanks for any help you can give me!

 

[Talking Hands]

Originally posted by Mazzy
We will be staying at the Dolphin. Is it acceptable to use the ECV all round the hotel or would I have to leave it at the hotel entrance? Where would I be able to leave it at night to recharge it?

You can use it in the hotel and you will need to take it to your room to charge it each night.

In the parks - can you take an ECV into the shops and restaurants or would it be better to leave it outside (I would be able to walk round a shop or into a restaurant, it's just the long distances on concrete which are a problem for my foot).

You can take it into the shops. You may want to park it for restaurants but it is up to you. See how you fell

Are there certain places in the parks you shouldn't park the ECV? And should you stay on the 'road' rather than ride on the pavement (sidewalk in US!), for example, in MGM or Magic Kingdom?

Any place you can walk you can take the ECV on the pavement. Please do not drive on the grass.

If I wanted to ride the Walt Disney World Railroad would I have to leave the ECV at the station and return back to that same station, or would the ECV be able to go on the train so I could do a one way journey if I wanted to?

I believe you would need to do a round trip on this

Also there are a few rides that you cannot use the ECV and will need to transfer to a manual wheelchair. The castmembers will inform you of these. Winnie the Pooh and Pirates of the Carribbean pop into my mind at MK.
Have a great time.

 

[SueM in MN]

And should you stay on the 'road' rather than ride on the pavement (sidewalk in US!), for example, in MGM or Magic Kingdom?

We try to stay on the 'road' at WDW as much as possible with DD's wheelchair for a few good reasons:
- the sidewalk (pavement) tends to be rather crowded and it's harder to pass people who have stopped in your path because it is fairly narrow
- the sidewalks have curbs on the 'road' side, so there is another thing you have to worry about, getting too close to the edge
- when you are on the sidewalk, you tend to get a lot of people darting in and out of shops without looking

If I wanted to ride the Walt Disney World Railroad would I have to leave the ECV at the station and return back to that same station, or would the ECV be able to go on the train so I could do a one way journey if I wanted to?

Someone using a manual wheelchair (and some power wheelchairs) can ride the train and get off whereever they want. A person using an ecv would need to take a round trip because the ecv can't be loaded on the train.

 

[Mazzy]

Thanks Lisa and Sue for your help, what would I do without folk like you?

Lisa, I'm a bit concerned about taking the ECV up to the room at the Dolphin, as we've stayed there before and I think the ECV would make the room crowded. There are 2 adult and 2 children in a room with 2 double beds. Have you actually stayed at the Dolphin and had an ECV in your room? If so, whereabouts did you put the ECV?

It's a shame about the Railroad but I thought that might be the case. We have often used the train just one way to get back to the park exit, but I guess we won't be able to do that this time round.

Thanks again both of you for your detailed replies.

 

[Talking Hands]

Never have stayed at the Dolphin, but when I had my ECV I never had any problems at any of the resorts I stayed at.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I would suggest contacting the hotel in advance.
Their web site is http://www.swandolphin.com . At the bottom they have a site map and you should be able to get e-mail information.

Let them know how many people there are (inluding ages of the children), and that you will have an ECV. Ask them if you can be booked into a room large enough to handle the needs. The worst that could happen is they would say no; the best could be a very pleasant surprise.