ECV on DCL

[Micki NJ]

Not sure if I should be posting on the cruise forum, but thought I would give this one a shot first.

My husband uses an ECV when we go to WDW. He has a partial foot amputation and while he can walk, he just can't walk extended distances nor is he very stable and gets tired easy due to a heart condition. I am familiar with the authorized vendors and how to order and pick up at resorts, but have no experience with ECVs on Disney Cruises.

We will be at WDW for 2 days (with rented ECV) then heading over to Port Canaveral for a 4 day Dream cruise. We have a regular room booked, but I think an HA room might be a better idea. I thought maybe I would just get a wheelchair for him, but then he's stuck with no one pushing him if I am away. He will not come on the excursions, so he'd be alone for most of the day during 2 days of our cruise. I thought the regular room would be fine for a collapsible wheelchair, but now that I am considering an ECV I know that an HA room would be better. I plan to call my TA and ask to switch rooms, since I saw online there were still some HA rooms available.

So I guess after all that rambling I would like to ask for any recommendations about ECV vendors and what to expect for drop off and pick up? Any similar experiences and/or tips/tricks for those with partial mobility, but who require ECVs on DCL?

Thank you in advance!

 

[lanejudy]

DCL doesn't have "featured vendors" like the resorts do. The vendors I am aware of that will deliver to the port are Brevard Medical, Special Needs at Sea, and I believe Walkers does both WDW and DCL. If you use that last option, you could do 1 rental for your full trip.

I highly recommend an HA stateroom. You will not be able to get an ECV through the hallway door of a regular stateroom, and even if you did it will be stuck in the little walkway between the closets and bathrooms as you can't get it past the queen bed. An HA stateroom has a much more open layout with space to move around in a wheelchair or ECV. Also note that you cannot leave the ECV in the hallway because those are very narrow and it blocks other passengers as well as the stateroom hosts' carts. You either need to get it into your stateroom to charge or park it on the designated deck/location for charging.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[Micki NJ]

Thanks so much for the information @lanejudy !

Do you know if the drop off is similar to what occurs at the WDW resorts? That they will leave it in an designated area or do you need to be present for delivery? Same with dropping it off after the cruise?

Do you know of any posts where people have discussed their recommendations for any of these vendors? I know there are tons of threads about the WDW resort vendors, but never seem much traffic for the DCL ECV rentals.

 

[NeverSayNever]

I have just rented from Walker for our upcoming cruise... They will drop off and pick up at the port to Guest Services you do not have to be present.

I am also trying to arrange for rental at the parks - can you tell me who you have used Micki NJ that you recommend that picks up drops off at the resort without you being present. Walkde you need to be present for.

Thanks and enjoy the trip!

 

[2Bnºoºt2B]

When I contacted Care Vacations, they stated that it is Disney policy that you are not allowed to store a scooter in your room if it is not HA. Hope that helps.

 

[NeverSayNever]

Not 100% sure of this - but I believe that DCL has special designated areas to "park" the scooters as they do not fit in a non-HA room. We, fortunately, have a HA room.

 

[2Bnºoºt2B]

Yes ... you are right ... found the following link ...

https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/.../faqs/guests-disabilities/personal-equipment/

 

[lanejudy]

Not 100% sure of this - but I believe that DCL has special designated areas to "park" the scooters as they do not fit in a non-HA room. We, fortunately, have a HA room.

Yes ... you are right ... found the following link ...

https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/.../faqs/guests-disabilities/personal-equipment/

Correct... but please be aware that the designated parking location (I believe there is 1 designated location per ship) may not be anywhere near your stateroom, likely not even on the same deck. If the member of your party using the ECV is unable to walk much distance, another member of your party would need to offer "valet service" to move the ECV back and forth. An HA room is advised.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[2Bnºoºt2B]

That would be me!! Valet here - at your service ... spoke to Care Vacations ... they confirmed they would drop off the ECV at the designated location on the ship and you would pick up the key from Guest Services

 

[shoes99]

I used Walker who brought the scooter to the Airport Hyatt, it was waiting for me at guest service. I took the scooter on the DCL bus the following morning after staying overnight at the Hyatt. I kept the ECV for the cruise and then back to WDW resorts for another 2 nights. The price was not bad, and DH could drive the ECV from the bus up the elevator to the terminal.
Our next cruise is from San Diego and we are renting from Special Needs At Sea. They told me the ECV would be waiting in our accessible HC cabin. DH will have to WC or WALK onto the ship, and I will go and get the ECV from the cabin. I've got to check with SNAC to see where the key will be located.

 

[Micki NJ]

I am also trying to arrange for rental at the parks - can you tell me who you have used Micki NJ that you recommend that picks up drops off at the resort without you being present. Walkde you need to be present for.

We used one of the authorized Disney vendors - Buena Vista. We were happy with the rental, but the battery was low and needed recharging often in the park. I am not going to fault them, since I could have called and they would have met us in the parks with a new ECV, but I didn't. It was nice to have it waiting when we arrived and just return it to the same alcove at POFQ that we got it at. No waiting on anyone and just ready to go. There are links to the other vendors at the following site: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/ecv-rentals/

I have heard good things about Walker and if they drop off / pick up at the port then I definitely would like to check them out. Thanks for the tip!

When I contacted Care Vacations, they stated that it is Disney policy that you are not allowed to store a scooter in your room if it is not HA. Hope that helps.

spoke to Care Vacations ... they confirmed they would drop off the ECV at the designated location on the ship and you would pick up the key from Guest Services

Thanks! I definitely would not try to stay in a regular room with an ECV. Even if they allowed it I am not sure we'd be able to get it through the doorway
I booked a regular room when I thought I would just have a regular collapsible wheelchair, but with an ECV I would need to all and ask for a room transfer.
You are too sweet - thanks so much! I will call them and Walker and let my husband pick which one he wants. So convenient that they leave the keys with Guest Services. One less thing to worry about!

Correct... but please be aware that the designated parking location (I believe there is 1 designated location per ship) may not be anywhere near your stateroom, likely not even on the same deck. If the member of your party using the ECV is unable to walk much distance, another member of your party would need to offer "valet service" to move the ECV back and forth. An HA room is advised.

Was thinking the same thing. With our luck I would spend half the time schlepping back and forth to the other side of the ship picking it up and back to park it. And for the days my daughter and I are off on excursions, it would be quite a walk for my DH which would defeat the whole purpose of trying to keep him off his foot. Thanks for the tip!

 

[2Bnºoºt2B]

Was thinking the same thing. With our luck I would spend half the time schlepping back and forth to the other side of the ship picking it up and back to park it. And for the days my daughter and I are off on excursions, it would be quite a walk for my DH which would defeat the whole purpose of trying to keep him off his foot. Thanks for the tip!

Lol - I'm so used to being DW's valet, I don't even notice it ... getting her drinks or snacks from Cabanas to the stateroom, taking care of all the luggage and so forth - a scooter would really help with her stamina as it's quite a long walk back and forth to the various locations on the ship for her. I'm pretty familiar with the Fantasy and with running around back and forth for the FE exchange, the additional exercise of going all the way to deck 2 from deck 8 will allow me to order that extra lobster or mickey bar