ECV on the Fantasy, Yes/NO

[connie1042]

I keep going back and fourth on this. I have a bad hip, and it is not going to get fixed until next year.Gotta love insurance companies. Is an ECV useful on a ship. I am think;ing there is not alot of space in the hallways and on decks. I can walk, just will be slower than everyone else. I really cant decide. If you have used one on the Fantasy, or any of the ships, was it worth is, or just to much hassle.

 

[connie1042]

Anybody?

 

[FigmentSpark]

Have you thought about using a walker instead? I don't know much about ECVs, but I know my Mom uses a walker when we are doing things (like WDW or a big mall) that require a lot of walking.

If you are able to walk, but find it hard, you might want to choose a walker. At least it's more portable than an ECV and storable in your room if you don't have an accessible room. Also, you can sit down periodically, if you need a rest.

Obviously, if you're used to an ECV, that might be your best choice, but I just wanted to throw out another option, in case you hadn't thought of it.

 

[chirurgeon]

Haven't used an ECV onboard any of the ships, however I use them in the parks. If you don't have an accessible cabin, you won't be able to fit the ECV through the door. And leaving it in the corridor makes it hard for people to walk by. And even though DCL cabins are larger, there is very little room to park it in a regular cabin if you can get it in there. Just something to consider.

 

[Dug720]

I do know that I've read that the scooter will not be able to fit through the door of a regular stateroom - and you cannot leave it in the hallway. It has to go to wherever the designated charging spots are - so that would involve walking there (or sending someone else to get it). Or you could book an accessible cabin, which I believe will allow a scooter through the door and into the cabin.

 

[connie1042]

On the DCL site it says there is a charging station on deck 2. Our room is on deck 2. I just don't think I would get an ECV through the crowds on the upper decks. I do use them in the parks.

 

[gotomu212]

I don't use and ECV, but from overseeing people who do it seems hard to use the, on the actual ship when trying to get through the crowds. The pool decks can be crowded and there aren't wide pathways or open areas. The lobby can get crowded during events and after shows. By all means if you need one, take one, but if you were thinking about it as more of a convenience I'd think it would be a hassle for it.

(You may want to use one in port and just keep it parked onboard)

 

[moosecrouse]

Mom has used them on all 4 ships Never had any issues. Patience with large crowds is the key. If you've used one in the parks it is very similar when on the ships. One thing I would say is that it's better to have one and not need it then finding out after you leave thst it was necessary. They can also be used when you are in Port

 

[connie1042]

Thanks moosecrouse. I just think it would be so much more enjoyable for me. Did she have an assailable room, or did she park it at night? If I wanted to go into some shops, could I park it outside of the shop? What shore excursions did she do and where did she use the ECV?

 

[MickeyEarrings]

I keep going back and fourth on this. I have a bad hip, and it is not going to get fixed until next year.Gotta love insurance companies. Is an ECV useful on a ship. I am think;ing there is not alot of space in the hallways and on decks. I can walk, just will be slower than everyone else. I really cant decide. If you have used one on the Fantasy, or any of the ships, was it worth is, or just to much hassle.

I haven't used an ECV on the ships, but I did cruise three months before my second knee replacement. I would ask you to think about how much pain you will be in if you don't have an ECV. Perhaps you can easily make the run from your cabin up to Cabanas for breakfast on your own, but from Cabanas (far aft) all the way up to Satellite Falls?.... I was grinding bone on bone, and in incredible pain. I went to bed early every night, with painkillers on board. And the floors in the atrium are slick under my dress shoes- falling was a concern (glad I had my cane!). This is a huge decision, and all I have is my own experience to share. I can't give you the correct answer...it's yours to find on your own. But I hope you'll have a great cruise.

 

[shoes99]

We have used an ECV on the Fantasy and had an accessible cabin on deck 2. Deck 2 is also where the parking/charging area is. On the Wonder/Magic the parking/charging station is on deck 6. We get an accessible cabin all the time now, so charge it in the cabin. Some days DH didn't even need the ECV so he left it in the cabin. It depends on how you feel
that day. The newer ships were hard for him to go from aft to front without the ECV.

 

[moosecrouse]

Thanks moosecrouse. I just think it would be so much more enjoyable for me. Did she have an assailable room, or did she park it at night? If I wanted to go into some shops, could I park it outside of the shop? What shore excursions did she do and where did she use the ECV?

We have always had an accessible cabin. You could drive the scooter into the dining rooms & shops. In the dining rooms the waitstaff will park it for you and then retrieve it after dinner. She had used the scooter on Castaway Cay, the Bahamas, St Thomas, the day at Disney excursion from NY etc. Castaway involves a lot of walking and could be particularly rough without a scooter.

 

[Shanti]

I keep going back and fourth on this. I have a bad hip, and it is not going to get fixed until next year.Gotta love insurance companies. Is an ECV useful on a ship. I am think;ing there is not alot of space in the hallways and on decks. I can walk, just will be slower than everyone else. I really cant decide. If you have used one on the Fantasy, or any of the ships, was it worth is, or just to much hassle.

Yes, there is a lot of walking on the ship, so I recommend an ECV. My mother used one on her trip with us to the parks & it was a lifesaver. Easy to learn to use. Try to get an accessible cabin, but if you end up having to park it in the hallway don't feel guilty about others having to walk by it- housekeeping carts (bigger than ECVs) are constantly parked in the hallways, too, & that's never done anyone any harm.

 

[lanejudy]

... if you end up having to park it in the hallway don't feel guilty about others having to walk by it- housekeeping carts (bigger than ECVs) are constantly parked in the hallways, too, & that's never done anyone any harm.

Sorry but I disagree. Please have consideration for your fellow passengers, especially others with mobility needs. Have you tried to get past a parked ECV on another ECV? Some are simply too big. How would your mom have felt if she was stuck in a section of hallway because others had parked ECVs In the hall and she couldn't get past? Or would she appreciate being woken when another guest has to ask her to move her ECV because they can't pass? When a housekeeping cart is in the hall, a stateroom host is always very near and ready/able to move it if necessary; other guests may not be. Please abide by DCL's guidelines where to park an ECV that doesn't fit in your own stateroom.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[connie1042]

I think I am leaning toward the ECV. I would rather have the option to use it, if I need it. We do not have a Handicap Accessible room, but I would not mind putting it in the charging station. Does anyone have any recommendations for who to rent one from. Right now I am looking at Walker Mobility.

 

[Shanti]

I think I am leaning toward the ECV. I would rather have the option to use it, if I need it. We do not have a Handicap Accessible room, but I would not mind putting it in the charging station. Does anyone have any recommendations for who to rent one from. Right now I am looking at Walker Mobility.

CARE Scooter Rentals (also known as CARE Medical) was wonderful for my mother at Disney World (I coordinated & paid for her rental). The ECV was in perfect condition, functioned without a hitch and was easy to use. Customer service was friendly and the price was reasonable. Would rent from them again in a heartbeat.

 

[moosecrouse]

You can contact DCL Special Needs and they will recommend a provider they work with

 

[lanejudy]

I think I am leaning toward the ECV. I would rather have the option to use it, if I need it. We do not have a Handicap Accessible room, but I would not mind putting it in the charging station. Does anyone have any recommendations for who to rent one from. Right now I am looking at Walker Mobility.

I don't have first-hand rental experience, but these companies all deliver to Port Canaveral for cruises and I have read positive feedback about all:

Brevard Medical Equipment (http://www.brevardmedicalequip.com/) can deliver to Port Canaveral.
Walker Mobility (https://walkermobility.com/) now also rents for cruises out of Port Canaveral.
Special Needs at Sea (http://www.specialneedsatsea.com/) rents at various ports across the U.S., including Port Canaveral.

I heard CareMedical (http://www.caremedicalequipment.com/) was closing... I don't know if that is true or when, though. But I also don't believe they deliver to the port, only the Orlando area hotels.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[wombat_5606]

We do not have a Handicap Accessible room

If you decide to go with the ECV, let Disney know that you would now like an Handicap room, if possible. There could be guests in HA rooms that don't have to have them and they could upgrade those guests, freeing up a HA room for you.

 

[phinz]

if you end up having to park it in the hallway don't feel guilty about others having to walk by it- housekeeping carts (bigger than ECVs) are constantly parked in the hallways, too, & that's never done anyone any harm.

From the DCL site itself:

• • Due to safety regulations, wheelchairs, scooters, strollers and other personal belongings may not be stored in public passageways and must be stored inside staterooms or a designated public storage area.