ECV Help

[MyFourTreasures]

I will be 7 months pregnant when we hit WDW in three weeks. I'm not thrilled to be going in September heat while 7 months pregnant (we NEVER go any other time but the second week of December) but I also couldn't cancel the trip. We planned our trip for December after our three year old passed at the beginning of this year to be a distraction for the other kids and also for the family to have something fun to look forward to/plan/talk about. So a few days later when we found out we are expecting, we could NOT take the trip away from the kiddos. September is the latest my doc will let me travel, so it's that or nothing.

I have been agonizing over getting/not getting an ECV. I cringe when I think about using one, but I know there is no way I can go to the parks and walk. I am wearing a maternity belt already because the muscles on the right side of my stomach constantly feel like they are being shredded. It's super fun. I have literally made myself sick over this trip. I just need to get.over.it.

So, yesterday started looking at the five rental places that deliver to Disney. Some of the scooters list their run time, or distance on a full charge. Some don't. Can anyone direct me to the longest lasting scooter? I am 5'3" and 140 pre-pregnancy, 160 right now, probably a few more pounds in three weeks when we leave. We are staying at BoardWalk and I would like to be able to ride the thing to Hollywood Studios, use it at the park and then make it back to the room again. Epcot is obviously closer, so I worry less about that, but is it realistic to think I can ride it all the way to HS? I would like to avoid transportation as much as possible. I know I can't avoid it totally.

We will have our mini-van with us on the trip, but we have two adopted special needs daughters who both use wheelchairs(manual). We are putting them together this time in a double stroller because we are down one pushing adult (me). So I'm not sure that the fold-up/take apart scooter is really going to benefit me as I'm not sure I can get it and a double stroller in the back of the van?

Sorry for the long post, I obviously still have anxiety over the ECV and how all of this is going to work. I just want my family to have a great vacation, I feel like a burden because I can't help with anything, and I think I am also feeling really sad because this was supposed to be our angel's first trip to Disneyworld. She was also adopted, and also had major health issues, and her nurse was coming with us and everything. Sigh.

So, again, looking for guidance on the ECV rental, and if you happen to be at the World in three weeks, you will NOT be able to miss our crew. Believe me. I'm already trying to get mentally prepared for the stares.

 

[lanejudy]

Wow, I think you need a hug! Your family has been through a lot in the past year. My condolences on the loss of your little one.

I don't have personal experience with an ECV from Boardwalk to DHS -- but I know you can take the Friendship launch. That might save some battery on the ECV. ECVs each have max weight limits -- that includes the rider plus any bags/items you will carry. If you are close to the max weight, you'll want to go "up" a model, which will give you a more powerful battery that should last longer. I don't think your weight is particularly near the max. Don't worry about what other people think - they don't matter, you do!

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[WheeledTraveler]

Unless you gain substantially more weight, you should be good with any of the ECV rentals. You + anything you have with you on the ECV is going to be within a reasonable weight range for any of the ECVs rented anywhere (one company does list the weight limit for their lightest model at 175, but that's the most they suggest a guest actually weigh before any additional bags and the ECV itself is made to carry 40 or 50 more pounds).

I don't have experience with a double stroller so can't really advise much about whether it's worth getting one of the scooters that will break down into smaller parts. One thing is that depending on the configuration of the van and what else is in it, you might be able to store parts of the ECV in places other than the back.

If you decide to go bigger than the Pride Go-Go or Go-Go Elite (which are generally the smallest/easiest to transport of the ECVs available), I would probably go with the Pride Victory 10 or BVS's standard (which looks like it may be a Pride Victory model). While larger ECVs than those are going to have bigger batteries, the ECV itself is going to be heavier and bigger (so possibly less supportive for your body). The smaller ECVs are easier to maneuver, as well. I think some of the rental companies will rent an extra set of batteries with Go-Go/Go-Go Elite rentals. I'm not sure if they do for the larger models.

Much of making a battery last for a long period of time comes down to personal actions. Plugging the ECV at night and leaving it until the light on the charger is green indicating charge (the charger is more accurate than anything on the ECV itself) will make a huge difference. The ECV won't overcharge and it will take several hours to recharge if the battery is low so usually it's easiest to just put it on as soon as you get back for the night When you aren't moving, turn it off even if it's only for a minute or two, is also surprisingly effective. You can bring your charger with you into the parks, but it can hurt the battery to take it off the charger before there's the green light. The other major factor, which unfortunately you can't control, is condition of the batteries in the ECV when you receive it. There's no way to really know until you use it, however, if you are having a problem with it running out quickly, call the rental company and they will exchange the battery or the entire ECV.

In my experience, boats are the easiest type of WDW transportation with a wheelchair or ECV. With actually boarding/unloading the monorail is second, but the monorail ramps are steep and only one (at EPCOT) has an elevator. Buses are the hardest, but my experiences with them at WDW has been that they're easier to use than most others.

One thing to note is that there are more than 5 rental companies that can deliver to WDW. The 5 Featured Providers are just the only ones who can leave ECV with bell services. Other companies deliver, you just have to meet them at your resort for drop-off and pick-up. Otherwise, the Featured Providers aren't any better/worse than the other companies; they're just the vendors who have a deal with WDW about bell services (it used to be all companies who could leave with bell services, but they got overwhelmed).

While you may feel like a burden, I doubt the rest of your family feels that way. Once you actually get there, hopefully it will all go smoothly and you'll stop feeling that way, as well. Among other things, not walking means staying cooler longer. I very much understand feeling like a burden due to physical impairment of any cause, but I've also learned that my family/friends don't see me that way even when they have to help me with really basic things.

I hope your trip goes well! You all definitely deserve some fun

 

[Minniekins]

First of all, I'm so sorry to see what rough year you have had, especially in the loss of your little girl! I can't even imagine how you get through the days, but I guess it's one day at a time. But, congratulations on the new baby you are having! Aside from what sounds like a rough pregnancy, that's some joyful news that helps when life is so tough at times.

I just thought I'd share my experience with the Ecv. We were at Beach Club last December and I rented a scooter from Walker Mobility. They are not a preferred vendor, but as noted above, it just means you will meet the person from the scooter company at your resort to get your Ecv instead of them just leaving it for you. I chose Walker after reading many recommendations here and talking with them. They were so easy to work with, they met me right as I got off the ME bus and I was all set! I did have a little problem with the first scooter, which wasn't a big deal but just to be sure I called them and asked to switch and they arranged to meet me at DHS and it was super smooth and easy! I did drive the scooter from BC all the way to DHS and thru the park all day without any problems. I think we ended up taking the boat back which was easy as well. Used it all day in Epcot, and MK as well, or going from BC to MK thru Epcot, using the monorail, and then back to Epcot and BC and it went great, and a day between AK/Epcot. Never a problem with the battery failing or running out of power, I just charged it every night and it was ready to go when we were! Well, there was the one night I forgot to charge the scooter! Eeks! But, I took the charger with me so we could get going, figuring we'd just see how things went. Even without overnight charging, the scooter battery lasted through like two-thirds of the second day. Eventually I pulled over to an outlet and had to charge awhile but it was good to know I had a little leeway and the battery was long lasting! I was surprised at how easy to maneuver the three wheeled scooter was compared to renting the four wheel ones from the disny parks. The nice, tight turning radius made it pretty easy to get on and off the busses, as well as the monorail and boat. So, our rental experience couldn't have been better, the scooter worked great and made things much easier!

Good luck with your trip and getting around. I hope your ecv use goes well for you and helps you enjoy the trip as well as relax a bit with your family! Using an ecv won't make you a burden, and I don't think they'll see you that way. I'm think they will be glad to see you feeling good and relaxed, and not stressed trying to keep up while not feeling too great and over doing! Spend plenty of time in the AC when you can, and stay very hydrated, especially if it's hot that week! I know they have those cooling cloths you can use but can't remember what they are called, but the misters work well for keeping cool as well! Ok, sorry to be so long winded, lol.

Hope you and you're family have a wonderful vacation enjoying the magic of Disney. Hopefully it will be a healing time for you all, with your beautiful angel watching over you!

 

[ttintagel]

You shouldn't be cringing! It's a tool you need, just like the maternity belt!

We've always brought the charger into the parks with us just in case, after being stranded one night with a bad battery. IMO it was worth the peace of mind.

 

[disneymom3]

Oh goodness...you need a big hub" take a nice deep breath..it's all going to be okay. I have rented from Care Rentals and Walker and both were great. I am a heavier person and got the appropriately sized scooter. I never had an issue with the battery running low. I went from Beach Club to DHS and spent the day on the park and then ran a few errands back and forth btwn the front desk and our villa and still had plenty of battery.

As for it fitting with the double stroller, I seriously doubt it. This last time we stayed offsite and got one you could take apart and while that was great and easy (my 13 year old could do it by himself) it did take up the back of the van. We have a split backseat and had to fold the 2/3 side onto the floor. Can't imagine it with a stroller, especially if you need all the seats.

And don't worry about the looks, just have a wonderful time with your family.

 

[alexrules14]

I never had issues with the battery! I ran mine ALL day! It never went down past 7/8ths battery power! I just made sure to turn it off when I wasn't moving, so waiting in lines, at parades, shows ext. just make sure to charge the battery every night. We had a rental van, a crysler town and country, and with only my parents, sister and I, we put the back bench down and put the scooter in no problem. Depending on the type of double stroller, you could put it in next to the three wheel gogo we had no problem. We had tons of Room. But only if you had the space to put the back seat away stow and go style... It was fairly easy to put in and out with the battery out.
I hope this puts your mind at easy a little bit. This is just my experience, but you should be fine!

 

[JenniBugInPink]

One of the reasons I rent from Walker Mobility is their batteries - they last forever. Their people are also really nice and they have folks nearby to help if you ever have a problem. I've used them on every trip but my first one (learned my lesson!).

I don't think a single soul will give you a look. They'll think, "oh, I bet she's got pregnancy complications, I hope everything's ok." and that will be the end of it. At least they can see something obviously going on with you, unlike many of the rest of us. Just give em your best 'I'm trying to bear up under difficult circumstances' look and carry on. What they think doesn't matter one way or another.

 

[MyFourTreasures]

Thank you everyone for your thoughts/advice/encouragement. I am feeling better about renting a scooter because I know there is no way I can do the parks without it. I took two of our kiddos to the childrens museum yesterday and we were there for four hours, in the AC, and I couldn't even stand to make dinner last night. I will definitely be using the scooter.

I'm going to make a reservation today. I feel much better about the batteries after y'all's advice. I'm really looking forward to this vacation, despite the fact that I think I will be crying a bunch! I'm already prepared that everything is going to remind me/make me think of little d. The kids came up with an idea though... Right after she passed, we bought those little teddy bears from Walmart photo that are wearing a hoodie sweatshirt and you can print a photo onto the hoodie. We put a picture of her on the hoodie and the kids want the bear to ride in the ecv with me! They even want me to tie a balloon to the Teddy's hand! We'll see about the balloon part as I can't imagine riding with a balloon flying in my face the whole time, but it's sweet of them.

Thanks again everyone who responded.