ECV newbie questions

[1m1b]

I'm trying to read through the FAQ, etc. and get up to speed, but I still have some questions. Sorry if they're obvious! We're looking at renting my dad an ECV when we come to WDW. We're planning two different days, not necessarily connected (Thurs and Sunday). Can a rental ECV fit into a car? Into Uber or a cab?

We have a res for Shades of Green and another at Saratoga Springs. Obviously I need to cancel one or the other! If we try to make an 8:20 PPO reservation at BOG for breakfast (MK) from SoG, how would we do that with the ECV? It's slightly cheaper to have the ECV delivered to SoG, but how do I get it to MK that early? Their buses don't start till 7:30.

The other day is Epcot and we were assuming he would sleep in, call us when he was ready, and just use the normal bus to TTC to monorail, which is smooth and fine, yes? So I guess it's really that PPO at MK that is confusing me. The other variable would be deciding to go to Disney Springs. Honestly, if SoG can activate our tickets, we may skip Disney Springs entirely. The walking looks horrible for him, and the shops won't interest him. Hmph, I forgot about T-Rex. I really wanted to get down there one afternoon to take ds8 to T-Rex for lunch. That was a perk of staying at SSR, that it would be close and easy, but SSR is turning out to be $800-1000 more than SoG, even with the military discount, sigh.

Fwiw, dad *can* walk. It's just that he fatigues. We took a 3 mile walk on a park trail for his b-day and did a boat ride, and he was wiped for a week! So I'm just trying to make plans that let him have a good time and keep having a good time. He's onboard with the ECV, so it's just figuring out how this works.

Thanks!

 

[gap2368]

some ECV you can take apart and put in a trunk of a car so when you call the rental company ask if the ECV will fit in the the car can be taken apart and how heavy the heaviest part is so you know you can lift it up.

for BOG I would use a taxi if SOG dose not run that early. you can have them drop you off at the contrary and walk over,

Dose SOG only drop off at MK if so then yes the monorail is very easy to do ( he will have to back out if the car but he just need to go straight

as fair as DS can he just bring his ECV to dinner there with you all.

Have a great time

 

[Selket]

I'm not sure I'm following all the details in your thread for your plans so apologizing in advance if I say something that is irrelevant or you're wondering why I am bringing it up - lol!

If you rent offsite I THINK you have to rent for 3 nights minimum - or at least 2 - so you couldn't rent offsite for Thursday, return it, then get it Saturday - you'd have to rent consecutive nights. At least it's that way for the companies I've seen.

I don't know how the busses work for SOG but for SSR - that should be like any Disney resort right? So the ECV could go on the bus anywhere and should work for getting down to early morning breakfast ressies and so forth. He could definitely take the ECV over to Disney Springs - either on the bus or if you are at SSR he might just want to ride it over there. You may want to note on the reservation that you'd like to keep him in the ECV while you dine if the walking is especially fatiguing - although he SHOULD be able to sit in the ECV outside the restaurant until the buzzer goes off and you're seated.

I rent a portable scooter from Buena Vista - I think other companies have a similar model - and it is fairly easy to break down and put in the car but my husband and son does it for me. I've watched them and I think I could do it but there are some parts that would be heavy to lift if you have back issues (or bad knees like me). If you're planning to break it down and put it into a taxi - I'm not sure the taxi driver would do that for you and so on but I don't have experience with that.

I can walk too but my knees are sometimes exceptionally painful so some trips I'm mostly seated in it and not out much and sometimes I'm able just to use it for long distances and park and walk (into FP ques and into stores) - and I'm in my early 50's so I'm sure no one could tell. Kudos to him for using it - I hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[1m1b]

Ooo, I hadn't thought through multi-day. Well it's fine. The cost is so low per day, it's no biggee. I'm kind of nervous about the idea of breaking this thing down and putting it in a cab. And I'm looking at the breakfast menu at BoG, and it's really sort of overpriced and odd. We have this nice buffet already paid for at SoG. It doesn't make sense. I was trying to get him in to MK while it was still quiet. I'm not sure it's worth it. I don't know.

 

[1m1b]

I'm looking this up on Amusement Park Rentals, because they offer a military discount. https://www.amusementparkrentals.co...do/products/mobility-scooter-for-rent-orlando

This is the product I'm looking at. It has 3 wheels, which I suppose would be more nimble. He's 6'4" and pretty stocky. He's here visiting, but I'm not asking his weight, lol. I'm just guessing at least 250. I don't think the lightweights make sense for that. There's just a lot of him, given the height. Will his legs fit in it?

Then it has options like a rear basket and worry-free coverage. Any tips there? I read about people personalizing their ECVs. I was thinking at the very least we could throw water in there. He stays healthier with plenty of water, and that's a lot of weight to carry in the park. Making him the mule with the ECV is perfect, hehe. And I suppose morning jackets, etc. could go in there. Does the rear basket get in the way or cause hazards?

And the worry-free coverage for loss and damage. It adds $25 over the 4 days. Don't bother or definitely do?

 

[1m1b]

I think I'm going to call the vendor and ask about the height thing...

 

[Selket]

The portable scooters are lightweight of course and usually have a weight limit. The heavier a person is - the less the battery will last throughout the day too. I'm thinking for the scooter I rent - I'm about 5'8" and I cannot think it would be comfortable for a 6'4" guy. Not saying he is overweight either! Just the height and weight combined he'd probably be more comfortable in a bit larger scooter. I get the portable one because I like it - even when we don't need to break it down - but the regular one might be best for him. If I had to choose it for him - I'd get a regular size. Of course it isn't portable.

Also I THINK that you cannot load a scooter with a rear basket on the Disney bus - they will make you take it off. Just from experience it would be darn hard to park it if it had a basket on the back. They come with a basket on the front and that should be sufficient. You don't want to have to be taking the basket off for the bus either - especially if it is loaded with water - lol! Perhaps someone else knows the answer to the rear basket on the bus issue. I am the pack mule now with the front basket - lol! You can always get a back pack to hang on the back of the scooter if you need more space to carry stuff.

I always get insurance on my scooter (I rent from Buena Vista Scooters) and I think whatever vendor you go with that insurance is a good thing. I hope this helps!

 

[1m1b]

That was incredibly helpful!

 

[SueM in MN]

I'm looking this up on Amusement Park Rentals, because they offer a military discount. https://www.amusementparkrentals.co...do/products/mobility-scooter-for-rent-orlando

This is the product I'm looking at. It has 3 wheels, which I suppose would be more nimble. He's 6'4" and pretty stocky. He's here visiting, but I'm not asking his weight, lol. I'm just guessing at least 250. I don't think the lightweights make sense for that. There's just a lot of him, given the height. Will his legs fit in it?

Then it has options like a rear basket and worry-free coverage. Any tips there? I read about people personalizing their ECVs. I was thinking at the very least we could throw water in there. He stays healthier with plenty of water, and that's a lot of weight to carry in the park. Making him the mule with the ECV is perfect, hehe. And I suppose morning jackets, etc. could go in there. Does the rear basket get in the way or cause hazards?

And the worry-free coverage for loss and damage. It adds $25 over the 4 days. Don't bother or definitely do?

No one has ever posted using that company, so we have no feedback for you on that.

The 3 wheeled ECVs are more 'nimble', but can tip easier. They also tend to have less leg room than the 4 wheeled models.

I have heard that the rear baskets sometimes/often need to be removed for the buses. Loading a wheelchair frequently on the buses, I can see that the rear baskets would be in the way.

 

[1m1b]

http://raymobility.blogspot.com/2012/04/best-scooter-for-tall-person.html

I found this article and it says to measure him for seat to deck. I'm having my husband do that and then we'll see what units fit. It looks like the maxima has a couple little wheels in the front to help with tipping.

We'll definitely skip the rear basket. I don't want to have to deal with taking that on and off, mercy.

 

[ConnecticutFlea]

The buses at SOG leave a half hour before the parks open. The buses for MK and Epcot go to TTC and from there you take the monorail. If going to MK the boat is another option to travel from TTC to MK.

So if MK opens at 9, the bus leaves SOG at 8:30. The bus heading to TTC will only leave SOG at 7:30 if either MK or Epcot opens that morning at 8.

Another option is walking to the Poly (about 7 min walk) or to TTC (about a 15 min walk) which is just on the other side of the Poly.

There is a bus from SOG to Disney Springs. It runs hourly leaving SOG on the half hour. I think it leaves DS at 10 before the hour.

 

[Bete]

For a man his size and weight you need a bigger scooter. If you have to have a portable travel one that breaks down then you need a model like Pride Victory. That scooter has 2 batteries which really helps to last the day. That scooter will give him more leg room and it will have more of a captain's chair. It's not the largest scooter; I would call it a medium one. To go larger I doubt you will find one that will breakdown.

I would go with a featured vendor. If the scooter has a breakdown you should be able to get quicker service, at least in theory.

You need to be careful with uber or lift services that the car will accommodate the scooter. Also, I wouldn't expect the driver to get the scooter in and out of the car. Heck, they may refuse passage with one. There is video available on u-tube to show you how a scooter breaks down and gets put back together again. Keep in mind the base of the scooter is heavy like 35 pounds or more and very awkward to handle.

You may want to consider renting a scooter at the park. Those scooters are large. They remain in the park. Your dad would have to make it to the park and back to the resort. If you went anywhere else with him then he would have to walk. The cost is $50/day.

I'm not sure I quite understand what you are saying about your Epcot day, but I would not let your dad be on his own getting there. Hopefully, you are going back to the resort; so, you will be with him getting to Epcot.

 

[GrammyJudy]

You can walk over the Poly and take the monorail from there to MK for breakfast. Take bus to Disney Springs from there too. Get the insurance it is cheap so why worry. I am renting from Buenos Vista scooters. They have been very friendly and helpful on the phone.