ECV how easy/hard to use??

[cove61]

Ok so i not due to come on holiday until October 2011. But after ready this site i have slowly come to the decision that i may actually need to use a ECV, due to my MS.

I had thought i would do what i did in Paris and just plod my way around but the more i read the more worried i become. My husband thinks i should hire an ECV and see how i get on, my questions are are they easy to learn to use, at home i walk with my elbow crutch, is it possible to take my stick with me also so that if i need to get off for lines i have something to balance me.

Is getting on and off the bus easy?? i mean is the thing light enough that perhaps my husband can lift it on and off for me, or is it a must that they are driven on. will people think i am a fraud if they see me drive up hop off and walk to the line. I would hate hate the idea of a wheelchair i am still youngish at 33 and want to stay as independent as i can, but i also want to enjoy my holiday with my kids.

any helpful advice is more than welcome.

jen

 

[cove61]

also forgot to ask, i will prob need to make sure that i am on the ground floor of the hotel, we staying in pofq. i have told my travel agent, but do you think kit best to call the hotel before we travel and confirm this, and can i get the ecv into thee room or do i have to leave it somewhere out side?

sorry but i have heaps and heaps of questions

 

[Bete]

If you have driven a car at sometime, then you'll probably do all right with an ECV. Here in the US we can get free scooters to use in our retail stores; so, we can practice ahead of time for free and get a feel for what it is to use one. If you don't have that same privelege at home, then could you rent one for a day? We have them available for hire in such places as a zoo. Then, you could try one out back home and be more prepared for it.

You do need to use your hands for a scooter. There are levers on the handlebar that you hold down to go and you let up on them when you want to stop or slow down. You steer with your hands to move the handlebars in the direction you want to go. If you are NOT confident with making turns with it (ride queues can do a lot of zig zagging and it can be rather tight on turns) or reversing you may want hubby to take over in harder scenarios. It's the same with the bus; he may be better to get it on and off the bus. We did it for our MIL that way.

The biggest concern with a scooter is all the crowds in the parks and such. People will dart out at a scooter and you have to have faster reactions at times to stop and such to not hurt someone. Disney World is an exciting place and many get carried away by the moment and they don't pay attention to you on a scooter.

If you rent a scooter off site then by all means practice with the scooter around the resort first. Get a feel for it that way before entering a park. The outside ECV rentals are usually available at the luggage area of the resort; they are held there for you. You pick the scooter up there and drop it off there when your trip is done. In between, you keep the scooter in your room.

As long as you get a portable, transport ECV you should be all right getting the scooter in your room. It's really not a good idea to leave one outside your room. You have to charge your battery ever night; this is how it runs. You should bring your battery charger with you to the parks just in case.

I believe there's no guarantee for a ground floor room even if you have the need for a scooter, but you can make a request and Disney usually honors it especially when there's a good reason. There are elevators (lifts) for the resort's higher level rooms and a scooter can use the elevators.

Others will chime in with info, too. Good luck.

 

[disney david]

you will not have a problem with the buses the bus driver load and unload wheel chairs and ecv all day so they know what to do. when you waiting for the bus try to wait where the back door of the bus will be. the driver will load you first so just give him a signal that you need that bus ussally a bus driver will get up and check evevn if you dont need that bus just to make sure they dont forget you. he will lower the bus so you can drive on and direct you where to park it then he/she will strap you for your safty. when you get to your stop he/she will unstrap you and then they will lower the bus and help you off.you might just have a little trouble during rush hour in the morning or park closing because the buses will be crowed but disney bus driver are good with moving people so you can get on they will let you on first then load how many people they can hold and when you get back to your resort it might take a little while because the driver has to get through the crowed then make them move so you can exit. if they are full with ecv they will call for another bus to pick you up it only be 5-10 min to that bus get there most buses can handle three wheel chair or ecv if not they can handle two. the newer buses dont have stairs these buses dont have any where to hold the chair underneath the bus your best bet is to just drive on to the bus it be the easest and you should be comfortable and enjoy your time so you should feel like you have to get out of the chair stay and enjoy the trip. if i ride the disney bus and seating in the chairs they need to left up to put a wheel chair i get up before the bus stop if i see someone in an wheel chair/ecv and i either move to another seat or stand becuse every one should have a safe trip. plus we all going to the same places so it dosent matter if people have to stand or seat.

 

[maroo]

I used an ECV for the first time on my last trip and was so glad I did! My feet had been having issues with plantar fascitis and my dr made me get one, but it was such a better trip than my last several because my feet did not hurt the whole time.

There are two types of bus lifts - one will start on the ground and actually lift you up to the bus. You have to drive the ECV on backwards (or have someone do it for you). The lift, honestly, is a bit scary at first (or at least it was for me). The other just folds out a ramp and you just drive up it - it is easy.

Then you have to park the ECV, which can be tricky. You want to do it exactly like you would parallel park a car. Most bus drivers will drive it over for you, if you ask.

Overall the waiting in lines is about the same with an ECV than it would normally be - some lines are longer (some much longer) and a few lines are shorter. But getting around the parks in one through the crowds is a real problem - people will dart right across you. Also...you may want to turn your speed down considerably - the faster you go, the more you drain your battery. If you turn it down to the exact pace that people are walking around you (which is pretty slow), then there is less chance of running into someone else. I found this hard at times, because I was alone part of my trip and found myself wanting to go full speed, but I finally figured out that it was going to slow me down in the long run to try to go too fast - and it drained the battery.

Always bring your battery charger with you. The battery can down fast with little warning (depending on where you rent it from and how old the ECV is, etc).

You can rent one in the parks and not have to worry about the bus, but it is a long walk at some parks to just get to the place where you can rent an ECV and it is more expensive per day to do that. The parks can also run out, too.

I hope you have a great trip!!!

 

[peemagg]

You can also rent with your ECV from most companies a holder for the back of the ECV for your forearm crutches. There is no problem with bringing them with you, in fact I would definitly bring them with you to the parks and use them where you need.

In January, I will be bringing my forearm crutches along with my ECV. There will be no questions asked at all about them.

Do you have issues with your hands? If you do it could be hard on you to use a ECV. You have to be able to hold a lever down in order to make the ECV go.

Check out the FAQ's section at the start of this forum for more info about ECV's and buses and most anything else you might need to know.

Also I wouldn't recommend having your husband lift the ECV onto the bus. They weigh 100lbs plus. Just use the lifts. They can be a bit scary at first, but they aren't that bad once you do it once or twice.

 

[POOHsie]

If you look at Disneyland Paris on Google Maps, then look at Walt Disney World on Google Maps, you could not begin to compare the difference in size. I am not sure I am stating this correctly, but I have heard that Walt Disney World property in Orlando, Florida is more than twice the size of Manhattan (NY City). You will be well beyond plodding in your first afternoon.

I use a scooter at home, and have brought it to Disney at least 6 times. We are going again in September, staying at POFQ. I hope you will love it, we absolutely do! We request a handicap room; we explain that we will have a scooter and that we need a roll-in shower. We have always been placed on the first floor. I can't say for absolute sure, but I believe the handicap rooms are all on the first floor. I do know that the handicap rooms at POFQ are all king bed rooms. The outside doors to the lobby and food court have handicap buttons you press to automatically open the door. If you don't see them, just ask someone.

As you get near arrival day (less than 10 days out), I would call the hotel to make sure your reservation is for a handicap room on the first floor. If you have special room needs, make sure the hotel has made a note of them.

By all means bring your elbow crutch, at least the first day of using the scooter. You may be able to get a crutch holder with your scooter rental. There are times it is easier to travel without the scooter, like in the ladies room, or getting ready to board a ride. The CM at the ride can take the crutch and scooter from you and have them ready when your ride is done.

The bus will be easy. Wait by where the back door of the bus will be and wave to the bus driver as he approaches. You may be self-conscious the first time, but in a few, you will be like an old pro! Some people have their loved ones park the scooter for them. Don't worry about the able-bodied thinking unkind thoughts. Personally, and thankfully, I have never encountered this. But I am always smiling ... this always makes things better!

 

[pbrim]

I used an ECV for the first time last October at DW and had no problems. Bear in mind that DW Orlando is very large -- most people walk 6 to 8 miles a day (10 - 12 kilometers), and I just wasn't able to do that. I was with a friend who often uses a wheelchair but was also in an ECV for the trip. I had no trouble with the bus, but she did sometimes. The bus driver will load and park it for you if you need it. POFQ should be a good hotel, because the buses stop there first. Most buses will hold no more than 2 wheelchairs or ECVs (a few will hold 3) and being the first stop means it is likely you won't have to wait to get a spot.

The hotel room should not be a problem either. We fit 2 ECVs comfortably in ours, but we had a kingsize bed, not two queens. If it turns out to be too tight a fit for you, you can ask them to take away the some of the furniture like the table and chairs. As long as you have an elevator/lift in the building, (which I am pretty sure POFQ does) you don't need to stick to the ground floor. We found that the elevators would handle one ECV and 2 or 3 people, or two ECVs.

Ask the cast member at the front of the ride where you need to go and they will always help you. At some rides you go through the normal line all the way, at some you get diverted at the end to a place where you can load more easily, at some you will be diverted to a different route to avoid stairs. At a few, you will need to transfer to a manual wheelchair to go through the line, or use your crutches and walk. You will have to park the ECV and transfer to the ride car for the rides. If you don't end the ride at the same place you started, the cast members will move your ECV so it's waiting for you at the end.

October is pretty light on the crowds, at least when we were there. We didn't have much of a problem with people running in front of us. You do need to watch out, however. Most people are so absorbed in watching all the wonder of Disney they aren't really paying attention to other guests, and you are low enough you don't register on their unconcious avoidance detectors.

 

[cove61]

thank you all so much for all your advice, our holiday a while away yet but i do like to find out early as it makes me worry less

Realistically i know i would never make it around the parks, and i want to enjoy my holiday and let my kids enjoy it too, without me lagging behind or having to rest because i am tired, so i def think the ecv is the way forward. Glad to know i can also take my stick so i happy with that.

may be back with further question at a later date but anyway thnas again

 

[LindaBabe]

I recommend "backing" practice! If you can drive your car well backwards, parallel park, etc, you will do just fine with the ecv. Like anything else, it takes practice.

If you can stay in an "accessable" room, it will be easier - the door opens out rather than in.

I always rent from Walker, and request a scooter with an on-board charger or a small charger that will fit in the back pocket. The older ones, the charger has to ride in the basket and you'll need that for 'stuff'.

Also, I take a small duffle bag with a shoulder strap, and loop the handle around the seat back so it hangs down in back to provide a "trunk" for the inevitable sweaters, purchases, ponchos etc.

 

[WheeledTraveler]

I don't think you should have any issues with an ECV.

You could always get one from Shopmobility and try it there now to give you some practice. I'm not sure what the ones are like in your area, but I've used Shopmobility in a couple places and it's generally pretty good and would be a decent way to practice.

 

[KPeveler]

I suggest practicing for a while at the resort, since it will be less crowded than the parks. It really is fairly easy, just remember to take your time. There is no reason to rush getting on buses or parking in shows and such - that will just make it more likely you will have problems. Just take your time and practice at the resort a bit and you will be fine.

 

[ttfn0205]

I have RA and traveled a week before I was due for my hip to be replaced so I knew I couldnt walk the parks. The ECV allowed me to keep up with my 5 children and husband. WHat I found to work best for me wa to rent it frojm an outside agent. The cost was far less and I knew Ihad it for the whoel trip.
The rentals at the park are only used at the park and can not go to off site locations like water parks, shopping etc. I looked up scooter rental disney on the net and contacted a few for prices. When I arrives at the hotel my ecv was chgd and waiting. It definatley made a huge difference for me. ENjoy your trip.

 

[SueM in MN]

, at home i walk with my elbow crutch, is it possible to take my stick with me also so that if i need to get off for lines i have something to balance me.

For most attractions, you will be able to bring your elbow crutch right on the ride with you. Some of the seats are a long way down and the elbow crutch will help you in getting up and down.The types of rides where the CMs will take the crutch from you would be primarily ‘thrill type’ rides.

All of the queues are wheelchair accessible and most are also ECV accessible. For those that are not ECV accessible, you can ask if they have a wheelchair at the entrance of the queue that you can transfer to.

also forgot to ask, i will prob need to make sure that i am on the ground floor of the hotel, we staying in pofq. i have told my travel agent, but do you think kit best to call the hotel before we travel and confirm this, and can i get the ecv into thee room or do i have to leave it somewhere out side?

sorry but i have heaps and heaps of questions

Since you dealt with a travel agent, you will need to have the travel agent contact the hotel for you. The travel agent technically owns your reservation until a short while before you check in and generally if you call the hotel, they will tell you to call your travel agent in that situation.

As others have already mentioned, POFQ does have elevators in each building and you should be able to get the ECV into the room without difficulty.
The handicapped accessible rooms with roll in showers are the same total amount of space as the other rooms - because they need more space in the bathroom for the roll in shower, the bedroom part is actually smaller (that is where they ‘take’ the space from). So, unless you need a roll in shower, there is no advantage to a requesting a room with a roll in shower. There are also not that many of them, so people who do need one should make that known when they make their initial reservation.

There is more information, including links to some bus pictures, in the disABILITIES FAQs thread, which is near the top of this board or you can use the link in my signature to get there.

Although several posters have said that the bus drivers can drive the ECV onto the bus for you; bus drivers have posted in the past that they are technically not allowed to do that. So do plan that you or your husband will need to drive it into the bus and park it.
Guests riding in wheelchairs can stay seated in the wheelchair on the bus. It is recommended that guests using ECVs get off and sit in a bus seat. ECVs are very heavy, have a high center of gravity and don’t have a lot of places to secure them - that means they can tip if someone is sitting on it.

There are two types of bus lifts - one will start on the ground and actually lift you up to the bus. You have to drive the ECV on backwards (or have someone do it for you). The lift, honestly, is a bit scary at first (or at least it was for me). The other just folds out a ramp and you just drive up it - it is easy.

If you are very uncomfortable about using the lifts, you can tell the driver that you would prefer to wait for a bus with a ramp. The lifts are older and there are less of them than there are buses with ramps.

ttfn0205

I have RA and traveled a week before I was due for my hip to be replaced so I knew I couldnt walk the parks. The ECV allowed me to keep up with my 5 children and husband. WHat I found to work best for me wa to rent it frojm an outside agent. The cost was far less and I knew Ihad it for the whoel trip.
The rentals at the park are only used at the park and can not go to off site locations like water parks, shopping etc. I looked up scooter rental disney on the net and contacted a few for prices. When I arrives at the hotel my ecv was chgd and waiting. It definatley made a huge difference for me. ENjoy your trip.

If you look in post #2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread, you will find phone numbers and links to some of the companies that DIS posters use most often. Some of them have contact information for the UK as well as in the US.

 

[mom3girls2000]

I have mobility issues and use an ECV in Disney World. I am comfortable driving it on and off of the bus, but each time I do, I still feel a bit anxious. I usually am directed to back it onto the lifts but go head-first onto the ramps. When you back the scooter onto the lift, you put the speed switch on it's slowest setting, and back it up until you tap the rear of the lift, that way there will be plenty of space for the front of the lift to raise up and close, which if it is impeded, prevents the lift from operating. Many safety measures are thus built in to the proper lift and ramp operation. I often joke to the driver once my scooter is on the bus, that I don't need Space Mountain when I can do this at least twice a day . Smiling and laughing go a good way to promoting a conciliatory attitude both for yourself and travel partners, as well as the bus driver and your fellow passengers.

Some bus drivers will insist you not stay on the scooter on the bus, others don't mind. I go with the flow. Although when we're there over Christmas, I often ask the drivers who say I have to get up, if I really have to, because there are usually so many people who want to sit. I sometimes feel guilty that my scooter takes up two seats, why should I then get off of it and occupy a third seat, kwim? If I can stay on the scooter while belted in, then I'm still only using the two seats (they get raised up against the wall to make space for the scooter).

You are going at a non-peak time, so you may not encounter any real bus crowding IMO.

One thing of importance, as incredibly helpful as I find having the scooter, my family likes it too; they don't have to carry so much in the parks! I usually reserve the front basket for my purse and water bottles, but they drape their jackets on the seat-back, and my hubby also uses that seat-back to hold his camcorder/camera bag. We also have a soft cooler (keeps our bottled water cold all day), it has backpack-style straps, which we also hang backwards off of the seat-back. You must ensure that nothing hangs off the SIDES of the scooter, though. Besides making it more difficult for you to operate the scooter on uneven terrain (which there can be lots of), it can impede the wheels, and it can bump into people, and in the shops it can knock over merchandise!

I have rented from Randy's Mobility, I have found them to be the most economical. Ask for crutch holders for your scooter. Also, if you do use Randy, ask them what website has a coupon, it can help save a little money. In fact, I rented from Randy's so often, that my hubby decided we should buy one, and we bought the one I was renting at the time! If you call as soon as you check-in, Randy's will deliver the scooter to you in your room within the hour; when you check-out, you just leave it at the check-in area (the hotel clerks can show you where) and call Randy's and they'll pick it up.

My last tip is this: the steering column of most scooters is where the electronics are, and the batteries are under the seat. If it rains, these must be kept dry. I keep a rain poncho in the back-of-the-seat pocket (along with my charger) for rainy days. Also, if you park your scooter outside while you are in a show, restaurant, or ride, you can cover the whole thing with the poncho.

The ECV will definitely enhance your enjoyment of your trip!