ECV issues for solos

[Oleeka]

I was wondering if folks had any tips/ideas for a solo Disney guest using an ECV. Given the number of bad incidents that I've read about on this forum (broken down scooters, rude people, unhelpful bus drivers, etc.), I worry about doing Disney in an ECV without backup. I don't usually need a scooter, but I know my knees and back would not be able to do Disney World without one. (I have used one in the store when my back was particularly bad, but never all day.) I also WANT to go solo because of the freedom to choose to do what I want when I want to. I guess I'm looking for some reassurance that I'm not nuts to do this! Thanks in advance.

 

[GranJan]

I hope you get the reassurance you need...I think anyone using a scooter at WDW gets a little unsure about what to expect. I can't be of much help to you. I've used a scooter at WDW before but not solo. We've got a trip planned next May & I'm thinking about using the buses for the 1st time instead of renting a car. I'll be interested in hearing what other people's experiences are. I'm like you...reading some of the posts on here about scooters gets discouraging.

 

[Piper]

It is very doable to go solo. If you rent from offsite, let them know you are by yourself and need help asap. Also cast members have helped me in the past when I had a small difficulty with my personal ECV.

I do enjoy going solo because I can do things at MY pace and not worry about holding other people back when I need to skip rides or go back to the hotel before noon because I've worn out!

 

[toocherie]

I have gone solo with a scooter and had no major issues. Frankly, the biggest issue I have is getting in and out of the hotel room by myself--how do others manage to open the door and get the scooter out? The doors are really heavy and have self-closers. I've tried various door stops, then scooted outside and gone back to close the door--but those haven't worked so well. I've tried stuffing a washcloth under the door to keep it open--again, not entirely workable.

What do others do?

One other tip is the bring a large plastic bag and some alligator type binder clips with you to put over the tiller in case it rains (the clips keep the bag from flying off if it's windy). Getting the tiller wet can cause a lot of problems.

 

[pbrim]

Frankly, the biggest issue I have is getting in and out of the hotel room by myself--how do others manage to open the door and get the scooter out?

I have not done so myself, but I have heard someone on the board talk about requesting that the auto-close feature be disabled on the door, so you can open it and it will stay open. They can do, but you may have to be firm with them. It does put more responsiblity on you to make sure the door is firmly closed.

 

[Eeyore5]

Frankly, the biggest issue I have is getting in and out of the hotel room by myself--how do others manage to open the door and get the scooter out?

What i do to leave the room is lean forward and turn the handle. I have the ECV set on the slowest speed. I inch forward. As soon as the door is open enough that it won't latch I let go. I then use the ECV to open to door by driving slowly through to push the door open. To enter the room, I lean forward and grab the door handle. I back up and get the door all the way open. Then I maneuver the ECV so it is in front of the door and use the ECV to keep the door open as I go into the room. Hope that makes sense.

 

[mecllap]

Oleeka -- glad you brought up this topic. Looking forward to the advice it generates, since I'm likely to need it on a future trip. I think, since it sounds like you are somewhat ambulatory, you will be able to handle the issues that come up. If you get strange looks or comments because you are not totally tied to the ECV -- just remember that that's their problem, not yours. You are doing what you need to do to take care of yourself and enjoy your vacation. A lot of people don't understand that we are all only temporarily "enabled" -- and that their time (or a family member's time) is coming.

I have seen ECV's plugged in in hallways, as tho there isn't room inside the unit/room for them -- so you might want to check that out, for recharging needs. Sometimes you will have to wait for 2-3 busses, since they can only take 1 or 2 ECV's at a time (I once saw 6 people in ECV's waiting at AKV for a bus). You will be in back at some of the attractions (A Bug's Life, and Captain EO for example). Sometimes you get on a ride a little sooner, sometimes later than the "regular" line. Just be aware that it may take you longer to do some things, and you may not get as much done/seen in a day as you may have hoped to do.

There are CM's all over the place in the Parks, so if you have an issue, just holler one up with a "Please, I need some assistance" (in lodging areas, most people will also be willing to help, but not all when they're rushing around -- of course, sometimes that's because they don't speak/understand the same language).

Hope you report back on how your experience went, and that you have a great time!

 

[KPeveler]

All rooms can fit EVCs, so no need to worry about them in the hallway, especially if you are traveling solo.

Also, I travel solo with a wheelchair constantly and I have very few issues. You should be okay!

 

[Oleeka]

Thanks so much for responding so quickly! I hadn't even thought about getting in and out of the room! I guess I could leave it out in the hall and charge the battery separately, as long as the lodge wouldn't have a fire regulation against it. If they do, please let me know.

I'm not incredibly worried about dealing with obnoxious people, unless they become threatening. While it's not likely to happen, some of the posts make me wonder if it might. Right now I'm planning on putting some type of security number in my cell to speed dial if needed. Fortunately, I look pretty intimidating (large size, with my career Marine dad's looks,) but some people might take that as a challenge.

There's also waiting for the bus after dark; I'll be spooked a little already as a solo woman, just more so if I'm sitting down. I guess I could ram 'em or hit them with my cane; I just know I'm likely to do the deer and headlight kind of thing (looks can be deceiving.)

I guess I'm the most worried about the bus situation. Waiting a little while doesn't bother me; I know it's a pain for others, so I'll try to avoid the busy periods. It's letting large groups of walkers who arrive after I do pass me by that gets to me. Also, getting the ECV in the slot on the bus all by myself if I get an obnoxious driver. I'm already planning on using a scooter at the mall at Christmas to practice, so I hope to have lots of experience driving in wound up crowds. Anyone have any info on the size of the slot and/or tips on parallel parking to get the ECV in it?

Again, thanks for the suggestions; please keep them coming!

 

[POOHsie]

Oleeka, I have a full-time personal scooter, with a scooter lift in my van. I have traveled to WDW solo, as well as solo trips across the US. Everything about using a scooter in public is going to give you the willys until you get experience just doing it. If you think to yourself - others are able to park their scooter on the bus - then it goes without saying that you can handle it, too. Others are not some sort of scooter-prodigies.

Entrance doors to resort lobbies usually have a automatic handicap door. But last time at my resort (POR), the auto door wasn't working. I reported it, but it stayed broken. 90% of the time someone will be entering or exiting, and will get the door for you. But I can reach the door handle, set my speed on slow, then reverse slowly and pull the door open, or conversely, push the door slowly from the other side.

Your room doors are trickier, because they are heavy and set to self-close. My best advice is to put your scooter on a slow speed. Pushing the room door open with your scooter, while the door is fighting you and trying to close, is challenging. If you give your scooter too much acceleration it seems you might drive the door right off its hinges. Conversely, exiting your room, the door opens in, and you have to pull the door then try to go forward while the door is trying to close on you and scooter. A few times I have accelerated too much in that case, and almost driven off the sidewalk and dropped into a garden at POR AB, because there was no railing along the sidewalk in front of my room but there was a 18" drop to the ground.

So just take it slow, and all will be OK. There are thousands of scooters at WDW, so it can't be all that bad. The anticipation you're going thu now is the worst part.

 

[rabidstoat]

I am not an ECV-user, but I was walking around WDW a lot this week and wondering if maybe the Epcot area resorts would be easier for ECV users?

Worse comes worse you could drive back to any of those hotels from Epcot or Hollywood Studios without bothering with the boats -- not sure how practical that is, but I walked the DHS to Epcot path today and it was a bit over a mile. So less than 2 miles round-trip mileage to either park. I was fine walking the path solo during the daytime, though it was rather desolate between the Boardwalk and DHS especially. I took the boat at night because it creeped me out in the dark, even with lights.

And actually, you could probably get to MK without a bus, if you had park hopper passes. Just cut through Epcot. That'd add another mile each way, likely, but still could be less hassle than busses if you were really fed up with them.

I keep thinking that there has to be a better way to handle the increased capacity of wheelchair and ECV users when it comes to transportation. It seems like they do a superb job in the parks, and then they make a good effort with the transportation, but you still have the problem where sometimes you just get a glut of ECV users and then everybody has to wait. It happened tonight at Epcot. I left about an hour before EMH were done, going back to French Quarters. At Animal Kingdom Lodge there were EIGHT ecv users in line! I think it was a group of 4, and then 2 and then 2. I felt so bad, were they ever going to get home???

Maybe Disney could have some 'high capacity ECV' busses, and cast members could monitor the queues. Once the number of ECV riders exceeded, say, four (the number where you'd have to wait for not one, not two, but three or more busses) they could call in the special bus, which would have space for a larger number of ECV and smaller number of other guests traveling with them. Or something. I don't know. Obviously they don't need all the capacity all the time, but just like how they add extra busses when there are lots of walking guests, it'd be nice if they could add something extra when there are lots of ECV guests.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

I have gone solo with a scooter and had no major issues. Frankly, the biggest issue I have is getting in and out of the hotel room by myself--how do others manage to open the door and get the scooter out? The doors are really heavy and have self-closers. I've tried various door stops, then scooted outside and gone back to close the door--but those haven't worked so well. I've tried stuffing a washcloth under the door to keep it open--again, not entirely workable.

What do others do?

My health is such that I should not make any reaching movements that involve removing my upperarm away from my chest. I can do it if absolutely the case, but it will come with injuries. Doing so and then putting any force on my arm? Let's just say a lot of things move, but not the door. So; no opening doors for me using my arms. Never had a real problem with this, regardless of solo trip or not.

Call maintenance after arrival. You'll need to be there when they arrive to make sure they understand what they are doing, but it's worth the time spent. They can temper with the closing system so it is A LOT less tight. This will do the trick for most people. Also have them hang a note on the system stating this was done for the guest and will be put back to normal after "insert check out date". If they don't and you're at a resort where mousekeeping gets a bit too proper at their work you will find the system put back in place each time after they've serviced the room.

If this should not be enough; they can totally disable the system but this tends to involve getting it approved first because of fire codes etc. They can do it though, if needed (can take time however).

Very very once in a while I will stumble upon a worker who doesn't understand and goes "can not be done". Don't argue, simply go up the tree. It can be done and will be done. Have had 59 resort days so far and 59 of those with the system adjusted or totally shut down for me (ok, have run into some dilligent mousekeepers but that always got fixed asap).

Only one downside; the door WILL NOT close on it's own anymore. Because of the set up, the doors need quite some force or ehm...... intimate knowledge of how they operate to make sure you close them. They need to be helped over a last "hump" before actually shutting closed. ALWAYS check this!!!!!! This is a major reason why these systems are set up and without it doors do get left open unwillingly a lot. Can totally see it from experience and eah and many CM's have told me the same story when discussing the above change being made.

If you do find the system has been put back into standard norm when you get back; you can always open the door by slowly but securely driving forward. A proper ECV will have enough strength to open the door and when doing this cautiously enough you can easily do it without any marking left behind on the door. Again slowly but surely proceed, no stopping halfway through as that can result in the door pressuring on your body (depending on your specific location and type of aid). Proceed, be aware of the location of the doorhandle so you do not hit it and in you go. It'll shut on it's own. In the room call maintenance back and it tends to be fixed rather sooner than later when explaining it's a medical need and you can not leave the room without it being in place.


As far as a solo trip goes? As long as health doesn't make it impossible, the only thing that can stand in the way is yourself. You then make it the experience it is. Sure, others can make comments or whatever but ultimately it does come down to how you yourself deal with that and how you let it influence your day or not. I personally love solotrips.

 

[bedogged]

Thanks so much for responding so quickly! I hadn't even thought about getting in and out of the room! I guess I could leave it out in the hall and charge the battery separately, as long as the lodge wouldn't have a fire regulation against it. If they do, please let me know.

I'm not incredibly worried about dealing with obnoxious people, unless they become threatening. While it's not likely to happen, some of the posts make me wonder if it might. Right now I'm planning on putting some type of security number in my cell to speed dial if needed. Fortunately, I look pretty intimidating (large size, with my career Marine dad's looks,) but some people might take that as a challenge.

There's also waiting for the bus after dark; I'll be spooked a little already as a solo woman, just more so if I'm sitting down. I guess I could ram 'em or hit them with my cane; I just know I'm likely to do the deer and headlight kind of thing (looks can be deceiving.)

I guess I'm the most worried about the bus situation. Waiting a little while doesn't bother me; I know it's a pain for others, so I'll try to avoid the busy periods. It's letting large groups of walkers who arrive after I do pass me by that gets to me. Also, getting the ECV in the slot on the bus all by myself if I get an obnoxious driver. I'm already planning on using a scooter at the mall at Christmas to practice, so I hope to have lots of experience driving in wound up crowds. Anyone have any info on the size of the slot and/or tips on parallel parking to get the ECV in it?

Again, thanks for the suggestions; please keep them coming!

I use a scooter, but I have never traveled alone. I would not be too worried about people not being nice to you. In all the times I have gone with a scooter, I have never had anyone be obnoxious to me. I fit all the negative stereotypes that people complain about, but still everyone has been very nice to me. I do make it a point to smile and show that I am enjoying myself. I think that smiling and having a good time are very contagious.

I can't remember if you said you had your own scooter or you were renting one? I you rent one, get a small three wheeled model such as the Pride Go Gos. They are easier to maneuver on to the buses. If you get frustrated trying to parallel park on the bus, they have a button between the two back wheels that puts the scooter in neutral so that you can easily push it into place. The Go Gos only weigh about 117 pounds so pushing is not a problem. Just remember to put it back in gear before driving off the bus.

 

[toocherie]

I have not done so myself, but I have heard someone on the board talk about requesting that the auto-close feature be disabled on the door, so you can open it and it will stay open. They can do, but you may have to be firm with them. It does put more responsiblity on you to make sure the door is firmly closed.

I have heard of this being done too, but have never been brave enough to ask. Maybe I will this next WDW trip. Getting the door closed for sure will not be a problem--even with the auto-close doors I've been known to check two or three times to make sure it is secure and locked before I leave! LOL

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

I have heard of this being done too, but have never been brave enough to ask. Maybe I will this next WDW trip. Getting the door closed for sure will not be a problem--even with the auto-close doors I've been known to check two or three times to make sure it is secure and locked before I leave! LOL

It's not just checking, it does take more work than that. The door has to be pulled over a letch and "catch" the closingmechanism to actually close. It will look like it's closed, but as long as it's not actively pulled over that letch, it's not closed as in "nobody can just walk in without using a key". Normally the closing system will pull the door through the letch. When you have the system altered or even totally disabled, you will have to do that yourself. It has to be said; it does require quite some force/finesse which could be a problem for some with upperbody and/or arm issues. Took me a few days to figure out which trick in doing this works for my body but with that it can still easily take 2 or 3 tries before the door is closed securely.

It is a balance between which of the 2 is a lesser evil, there very well might not be a magical solution. For me it's to have the system severely loosened or disabled and fight my way in closing the door. While that still injures, the damage is less and succesrate is much higher. For others it might turn out to be the other way round.

 

[Bete]

and you should be fine. I agree with the other posters that the resort doors are tough. In addition to the hints above you have a couple of more options. I have walked the scooter in and out of the room by inching it out while I'm off of it. It's awkward to do it, but I manage. You can do a manual override of the scooter (no juice, like the battery is dead mode) and handle the scooter that way, too. In that instance, you need some pushing power; so, it depends if you can do it.

Smaller scooters are easier to handle. For one they take up less space. These are called portable travel scooters. They are the cheapest ones you can rent from outside sources.

I want to address some other issues, as well. You need to shut off your scooter whenever possible; so, the scooter's battery charge doesn't drain on you. This means you turn it off at a show or parade and so forth. If you have a bigger scooter with a stronger battery this becomes less of an issue.

Bring your battery charger to the park; so, if you have an issue with the battery you can possibly recharge at the park.

The buses will be a little tough, too with boarding and unloading. Don't panic in this case. Again, you can use the manual over ride if it helps you to position it on the bus.

Don't abuse your scooter. Many scooters die because the user will go in the rain (downpour is even worse). The electrical coponents cannot take the rain too much. Especially avoid rain puddles and going too fast. You should cover your tiller if you think it's going to rain when you have your scooter parked for whatever reasons like eating.

Be diligent and recharge your batter every night. Watch the battery gage when riding at the parks to make sure you have a good charge. If you are running low then you need to recharge.

Another factor is that everyone gets caught up in the magic of the parks and they won't pay attention to your scooter and they will possibly dart out at you. You need to pay attention to your surroundings. Don't be a speed demon and don't dart in and out of the crowds and you will be safer.

Finally, remember even though it costs more you can rent at the parks and avoid the resort hassle and bus hassle. If you can get by and walk at the resort and get to the buses and boats and so forth you may prefer having less aggravation. The Disney scooters are strong and will hold their battery charge. You do need to be early to get one at the parks; because, they can run out of them. The good thing here is if anything goes wrong it's pretty easy to get a cast member to exchange your scooter for another one.

 

[videogal1]

Ask guest services to undo the hydraulic arm at the top of the inside of the room door so that it will work like an ordinary non-self closing door. They should do this without a fuss for a room situated on an outside corridor. Doors on rooms within a building (interior corridor) takes a bit more convincing because of fire regulations regarding fire doors, which always had me asking them if they would rather come and open the door for me during a fire or enable me to open it for myself.

 

[Oleeka]

I just wanted to thank everyone who has contributed to this thread! The tips are great and I plan on adding the suggestions to my "planning diary." I stopped by a medical supply store the other day and looked at the Pride scooters. They are so much smaller than the ones in the grocery stores! I'm not nearly as worried about getting something that size on the bus. I was also able to pick up some of the broken-down pieces and don't have any more concerns about getting it in my car if needed.

 

[toocherie]

This thread has a lot of good info even for experienced ECV users!

 

[wdwnut76]

Frankly, the biggest issue I have is getting in and out of the hotel room by myself--how do others manage to open the door and get the scooter out? The doors are really heavy and have self-closers. I've tried various door stops, then scooted outside and gone back to close the door--but those haven't worked so well. I've tried stuffing a washcloth under the door to keep it open--again, not entirely workable.
QUOTE]

I laughed when I saw this...I thought I was a klutz, and that no one else had this problem!

Did the washcloth work part-way? If so, maybe a bigger towel might do it.