ECV newbie

[samnbilly]

Hi-
I'm not sure I'm posting this in the correct place, so if not, please forgive me!
I will need an ECV this trip & it's my first time using one. I can walk on my own, but have a chronic, progressive nerve disorder that leaves me in Excruciating pain ;(
I'm a little worried, because I've never used one before & don't want to hurt anyone in the process!
The reason I need it is because I cannot walk the parks with the distance & last time my husband pushed me in a WC, but I would like to have some independence since I can't go on some of the attractions.
I'd just like some hints/suggestions. Are they fairly easy to operate? Is there difference between models, etc. hints for navigating thru the parks & not injuring anyone..
I've seen a lot of ppl in ECV's, so I figured someone could give me a few tips.
TIA

 

[CynJ]

They'll a little different than the ones rentable for WDW - but you could go to just about any Walmart or big chain grocery store (or even a mall) and practice with the ECV's they have there for free. It will at least give you a feel for how they move, turn, etc.

It took my mom a bit before she got really comfortable using an ECV, now she's an old pro and learned just that way.

 

[Happy 2 B Me]

I can walk but I to need to use an ECV at Disney and sometimes malls if it is going to be a long day. ( I have Nerve damage to my feet due to being on Dialysis for 6 + years -- maybe some day I will get a kidney)

Just start out slow when first getting on the EVC and starting out. There is a speed control that is set so cute rabbit for fast and turtle for slow. You can also slow down by letting up a bit on the hand control. Think driving -- when you want to slow down with out braking you just let up a bit on the gas pedal. If you take your hand off the lever that controls speed you will auto stop. Just go slow and you will be fine. Remember do not spend all your energy getting to the dance use your energy to enjoy the dance.

Have a great time. I do recommend renting from an off site so you can use the Evc getting to and from the Park to home resort especially at DL. WDW may not be so important to have the EVC at the resort.

 

[DisneyWisher]

Have a great time. I do recommend renting from an off site so you can use the ECV getting to and from the Park to home resort especially at DL. WDW may not be so important to have the EVC at the resort.

One of Disney's preferred vendors is Apple Scooter. I rented the one with a bigger battery and captains chair. Well I didn't get that. I got the small scooter with 1/2 chair. They claimed I had the bigger battery but no way for me to tell, we took a break each day and I pulled it in when not using it.. They claimed they were out of capt seat, never got an apology, or a call from them to say they were out. They stated when one became available they would call me, never heard from them. I'll never use them again!!

 

[msr709]

I don't drive a car but I can manage an ECV pretty well because I practiced! Its the only way really to adjust to them and they are super easy to operate. I would go to Walmart or Target and do my shopping with one to get the practice and it really works. I always rent from an outside vendor, they are cheaper and you can have them not only in the parks but at the resort as well. At WDW I try to stay out of the way of big crowds when possible. A lot of people are not very observant of anything below their noses so they tend to walk into your path, just be careful to go slowly when you are in the middle of a crowd. That is the most challenging part of operating them, watching out for the oncoming bodies! Study the park maps and try to go around the crowds when possible. I go very slowly when in one. Make sure to take a rain poncho or some type of tarp to put over it in case of rain. In the summer months when you leave it to get on rides always take the keys and put the back down on the seat so the seat isn't too hot when you get back to it, I learned this the hard way. I also always put a towel on the seat, keeps the seat a lot more comfortable. Always charge it in the room at night so you'll have enough power to go through the day. Enjoy your time at WDW and this will make your vacation so much easier. Have fun!

 

[samnbilly]

Wow!! Such great tips! I always feel bad about using one in the stores, because I worry that someone would need it much more than I do. I guess I'll see if when I go, they have a few.
Were going to WDW..can anyone recommend a reputable place? The Captains chair would be great for my back. I've heard something about Disney having preferred vendors?

 

[GeorgeG]

They all have speed adjustments so you should start out at a slower speed until you get the feel of it. You do have to be alert since you'll find folks stepping right in front of you in the parks. Patience will be much more than a virtue when it's crowded. If you're staying onsite I recommend renting from Apple since the will deliver to your resort and it's only about $25 a day as opposed to the $50 in the parks. You'll also avoid the hike to and from the scooter rental.

 

[samnbilly]

Can anyone tell me If it makes a difference (easier/harder/indifferent) between the 3 wheel or 4 wheel

 

[bidnow5]

3 wheel is easier to turn there is a section on ECVs in the FAQ at the top of the landing page for this board

 

[samnbilly]

3 wheel is easier to turn there is a section on ECVs in the FAQ at the top of the landing page for this board

Thank you..I'm on my phone..I think it will be easier on the computer

 

[Mouse7116]

We rent one for my aunt and have for at least the last 3-4 years. We have rented from scootarama. The scooter has always been the one we picked on the website, has been ready and waiting at the resort when we got there, and we can get a shade thing (don't know the name, lol!) that shades the seat.

It has helped our vacations tremendously and I think the worst thing was her learning how to park it on the bus.

Goof luck! I did get their information from the sticky thread and we are very grateful to have found the information.

 

[pbrim]

If you practice on a scooter at a store, be aware that those are larger, slower, and more combersome that what you will get at the park. If you can be halfway proficient with the scooters there, you can handle the ones at WDW easily.

Another alternative, (if that won't eat into your Disney Money too much) is to see if there is a zoo or some such nearby that rents ECVs. You can enjoy the zoo and practice your ECV. (I know here they are for rent at the State fair, the Zoo, and the rennasance fair. Or if you are in a major city, there may be someone there that will rent you an ECV for a day to practice around your neighborhood. Some will deliver and pickup, just as at Disney. Do a google search on "Moblity Scooter Rent <your city>"

 

[ttintagel]

They are super easy.

I think the three-wheelers are easier to steer that the four-wheelers.

No matter how it looks to outsiders, they don't always stop on a dime, and it can be both painful and exacerbating to your medical condition if you try to force them to.

You may have to look at a lot of adult ***** all day, but you get to look at a lot of cute kid faces, too.

Keep an eye on that battery and recharge before it's an emergency! There are outlets in a lot of flowerbeds, and CM's can direct you to a lot of "hidden" outlets.

Take your key and valuables with you whenever you leave the ECV.

There's only one tiny elevator in the Land pavilion. Send someone ahead to get FP's for Soarin' if you're using the old-fashioned ones.

Don't let it get to you if some jerk grumbles about you getting on a bus before him. Remember, HE gets to get OFF BEFORE you.

Disney bus drivers, boat pilots, and monorail attendants are some of the most helpful, courteous people you'll ever meet when it comes to making sure you get where you;re going.

There's a CM outside every attraction who will tell you where to go with your ECV, and whether or not you need to switch to a manual chair to board.

If you're able, I found some attractions easier to get into by leaving the ECV outside and hobbling in on my crutches (I'm looking at you, Haunted Mansion and Finding Nemo). But I have other medical issues, so YMM absolutely vary on that.

99.99 of pedestrian/ECV run-ins I've seen have been the pedestrian's fault - so many of them are so distracted they tend not to notice anything that isn't exactly at eye level and they walk right out in front of the ECV without giving the operator time to stop. There are a couple of ways you can make yourself extra visible: balloons, flashing lights, flags, decorations, etc. When my sister needs an ECV and I don't, I walk with my hand on the back of her seat so that I'm at eye level close to where she'd be if she was standing.

 

[GranJan]

I recently purchased a 4 wheeled after using a 3 wheeled for several years. I was upgrading mostly for a little more ground clearance & bigger battery. I hated the 4 wheeled & had already given away my old 3 wheeled. After 2 weeks the store let me trade it for the 3 wheeled but I had to pay the cost of renting for 2 weeks but at least I ended up with the right one.
The only person I've ever run into is my husband...his fault. We had visited WDW many times with our daughter & her family. I always rode close behind the group so they sort of kept a path clear for me & I never even bumped anyone. When we took our 1st trip without kids last year, I thought it was nice to ride beside my husband instead of behind everyone. Twice, we'd be traveling along & he'd suddenly decide to change directions & cross over in front of me. Of course, he never admitted to being at fault but I learned to watch out for him.

 

[samnbilly]

I have to say, that I think this board has been the most helpful & the most welcoming! I really appreciate all of the suggestions. I honestly wouldn't have thought of so many!
I've been afraid to admit to myself that this is what I really need!
I don't know why!! My DH even has to do almost all of the food shopping every wk in addition to working all wk in another State!
I'm definitely writing down all of your suggestions.
I'm finally going to reserve one this wk for our trip which is the end of Oct. will that be enough time?
TIA!!

 

[Piper]

I have to say, that I think this board has been the most helpful & the most welcoming! I really appreciate all of the suggestions. I honestly wouldn't have thought of so many!
I've been afraid to admit to myself that this is what I really need!
I don't know why!! My DH even has to do almost all of the food shopping every wk in addition to working all wk in another State!
I'm definitely writing down all of your suggestions.
I'm finally going to reserve one this wk for our trip which is the end of Oct. will that be enough time?
TIA!!

I understand. Every time the doctor has suggested an accommodation in my daily life, I resisted. First it was a parking permit, then a wheelchair, then an ECV. Every time I finally did what the doctor wanted, I asked myself why it took so long....life was so much easier. Now I listen and do what I am told. I have only had my current GP for the last 4 years and she says I am her 'dream patient" as I follow directions. My condition is still deteriorating and will continue to do so, but at least I know I am doing my part to be the best I can at the moment.

 

[WheeledTraveler]

You have plenty of time to make a reservation for an end of October visit. I've rented from Apple Scooters twice at the end of October/beginning of November and both times I didn't know until October 1 or later that I'd be going (depended on sponsorship to a conference in Orlando; WDW was just a "side" thing ).

If you rent an ECV with a captain's seat, you'll do far better if you only use WDW transportation (assuming you're staying on site). I believe there is an ECV with a captain's seat that does come apart for transport, but it's going to be unwieldy and heavy to do so. (Vans that are adapted with a ramp are so ridiculously expensive to rent that it's not worth even researching.) Even if you do end up using a car, but are staying on-site, I'd suggest taking the bus to MK because it's far more convenient than dealing with parking and then either the monorail or ferry.

If you're staying off-site at a hotel that provides complementary transportation to guests, they legally must provide complementary transportation for you even if they end up having to pay for an accessible taxi to do so. It can be a hassle to get them to actually do so, but legally they have to provide the service to you as close as possible to what they'd have to provide to someone with no mobility problems so don't be afraid to make them stick to the ADA on this. If all you're doing is going to WDW or other places they run shuttles to, the hassle is probably worth the money you'd save by not renting a car.

 

[msr709]

Just to add to Wheels Traveler post, if you are staying on site and want to go to Universal or SeaWorld and don't have a car, Mears transportation also supplies ECV accessible vans at the same cost and they are very nice about it.

 

[samnbilly]

We're not going offsite, but I'm so sorry this sounds dumb: Can I only take the buses for transportation in WDW? I thought someone said I could take the boat to DHS? Am I allowed to do that? How about the monorail?
We're staying @ BWI, so Epcot won't be an issue.
TIA..

 

[samnbilly]

I understand. Every time the doctor has suggested an accommodation in my daily life, I resisted. First it was a parking permit, then a wheelchair, then an ECV. Every time I finally did what the doctor wanted, I asked myself why it took so long....life was so much easier. Now I listen and do what I am told. I have only had my current GP for the last 4 years and she says I am her 'dream patient" as I follow directions. My condition is still deteriorating and will continue to do so, but at least I know I am doing my part to be the best I can at the moment.

I know! It's taken me so long of this suffering & I'm not sure why?
People say to me, you look so young, you don't look like there's anything wrong with you?
First of all, what does that even mean? Second of all, people can't see what you're feeling, what your medical condition might be...honestly-That's why I haven't done it & I need to stop caring what other people think!