Ecv or wheelchair

[muushupork]

Hi! I am able bodied but have had 4 knee surgeries and have a bad back because of an odd disease called pigmented villonodular synovitis. I will be on my honeymoon at wdw later this month for 9 days and will be fine the first few days. However, I want to consider the mental health of my wife and I as this is her dream honeymoon.

I think i only really need a wheelchair for a back up when the pain and swelling go way above and beyond the daily levels i live with. But i dont mind splurging for en ecv if it really is just as easy to transport as a wheelchair when considering it will be easier for both of us while getting around the parks. Also should i just look for the best deal on rentals or are there any companies to avoid?

Thanks and my fiancé thanks you!!!

 

[Betty Rohrer]

is your wife going to be able or willing to push you? I would look at offsite ECV rental. only one that I would avoid is the big park ones, harder to drive in the crowds

 

[muushupork]

is your wife going to be able or willing to push you? I would look at offsite ECV rental. only one that I would avoid is the big park ones, harder to drive in the crowds

She is but I doubt Either of us will be ok with her pushing for long. Im 6'2 215 and was hoping i could fit in a portable four wheel ecv but not sure how well ill fit.

 

[lanejudy]

WDW has more hills than most of us realize -- until trying to push a wheelchair all day!

There are portable ECVs. If you will have a car/rental car, just let the ECV rental company know that so they reserve the right model for you. I suggest you check out the disABILITIES FAQ sticky near the top of this forum for vendors. There are both "preferred" and "non-preferred" -- though I personally think that's a bit of a misnomer. Preferred vendors have an agreement with WDW to utilize Bell Services at the resorts for pick-up and return. Non-preferred are not necessarily inferior to preferred, they simply will not be using Bell Services but instead will arrange to meet you personally. Some very highly recommended vendors on both lists.

Remember the ECV can always be parked if you wish to walk some.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[pbrim]

I'd reccommend an ECV just for the independence. Transportable ECVs work just fine. My personal scooter is a Pride Go-go Elite Traveler Plus three wheel. I am 5'7", weigh around 250 and have found it perfectly comfortable riding all day. It breaks down into 4 pieces, the heaviest around 30 pounds, and I can fit it and a weeks groceries for one in the trunk of my Hyundai Sonata. I can easily get 8-10 hour days in the parks, sometimes more. The secret is to make sure you charge it every night and turn it off when not in use, even if just sitting for a parade. If you find you don't need it at the resort at night, you can leave it in the trunk and just carry in the battery to re-charge (but the battery weighs 30 pounds, so I have a little fold-able luggage cart to tote it to my room). There are other brands that are comparable, talk to the renting company.

The only real reason I have heard for a four wheel scooter is some people want to be able to prop a foot up on the front fender while riding. I don't know if that's a consideration for you -- you wouldn't be able to prop it up very high. I feel as though a 3 wheel has more leg room

 

[I Love Pluto]

I agree that an ECV would be the best choice. A wheelchair is fine if you have a huge family with you who can take turns pushing your chair. Assuming that you are not sharing your honeymoon with relatives, your wife will be exhausted!

An ECV will also give you the feeling of independence. Your wife will thank you for sparing her the pain of being the pusher! The company you rent from will give you the proper size for your height & weight.

Relax - you will be fine!

 

[muushupork]

Wow thanks for the awesome responses!! I definitely think an ECV is the way to go and especially if I can leave it when Im feeling sorry for myself

I liked the idea of a 4 wheeler for stability but Im sure I would prefer the leg room of the 3 wheeler much more.

Thanks again for your help everyone!!

 

[Gilrond]

Have just been scooter shopping so have tried several types. At your height, would recommend a 4 wheel for stability.
I am 4'10" and have rented a 3 wheel GoGo Sport before which was fine for me. I just bought the GoGo Elite which is 6" shorter and is narrower and realize that I definitely will have to be more careful on turns. Also not enough leg room for tall person on the Elite

 

[trishwal]

Our dad is scarcely 170 pounds and there are five of us in good shape who can take turns pushing him. We've talked about getting him a scooter but if he's absolutely exhausted do you think it may be better for him just to totally relax in a wheelchair and not have to worry about navigation? Also would he be able to enjoy the park more because someone is pushing him and he's not just having to watch out for the butts of other guests?

I really don't know the better choice. He's 67, just finished a hard round of chemo and radiation so he looks like he's at least 15 years older now and gets tired very easily. Taking all his kids and grandkids is the carrot he needs to keep positive and looking ahead.

Are the hills that bad? And if we go at rope drop will we stand a good chance to get a chair at each park each day?

Thanks in advance!

 

[JillyBean1899]

Our dad is scarcely 170 pounds and there are five of us in good shape who can take turns pushing him. We've talked about getting him a scooter but if he's absolutely exhausted do you think it may be better for him just to totally relax in a wheelchair and not have to worry about navigation? Also would he be able to enjoy the park more because someone is pushing him and he's not just having to watch out for the butts of other guests?

I really don't know the better choice. He's 67, just finished a hard round of chemo and radiation so he looks like he's at least 15 years older now and gets tired very easily. Taking all his kids and grandkids is the carrot he needs to keep positive and looking ahead.

Are the hills that bad? And if we go at rope drop will we stand a good chance to get a chair at each park each day?

Thanks in advance!

If 5 of you can switch off, I'd say a manual chair for him would be fine. There are hills, but most of them aren't that bad if you're not the only one pushing all day. But instead of renting a park chair every day, I'd look into renting one from an off-site vendor, that way he has it available after he leaves the parks.

 

[muushupork]

I have to agree, its far too easy to rent off-site. Dont worry and have it ready whenever you need it.

 

[trishwal]

If 5 of you can switch off, I'd say a manual chair for him would be fine. There are hills, but most of them aren't that bad if you're not the only one pushing all day. But instead of renting a park chair every day, I'd look into renting one from an off-site vendor, that way he has it available after he leaves the parks.

The only place this would be helpful is getting him to the parking lot. He has a handicapped tag so we could park close, but if he were too tired to even get that far is there a place where he could wait for us to pull the car up? He has a cane with a built-in seat that he uses for normal activity, and definitely wants to bring that. He also has a terrible back so he will be getting up and walking from time to time. We can put my step-mom in the chair those times - she will probably need a break now and then too!

Cost isn't as much of a concern as the convenience. If it's pretty easy to pack the wheelchair then the offsite is a no-brainer. Has anyone rented a wheelchair offsite? Are they the heavy duty like the ones in the park seem to be? Glad to know that a wheelchair is a good option; I'd all but convinced Dad that he HAD to have an ECV but I don't want him to miss out on any of the fun happening around him in the parks.

 

[trishwal]

Thanks guys for the responses so far.

 

[JillyBean1899]

The only place this would be helpful is getting him to the parking lot. He has a handicapped tag so we could park close, but if he were too tired to even get that far is there a place where he could wait for us to pull the car up? He has a cane with a built-in seat that he uses for normal activity, and definitely wants to bring that. He also has a terrible back so he will be getting up and walking from time to time. We can put my step-mom in the chair those times - she will probably need a break now and then too!

There is a load/unload area, but I'm not sure how to get to it from the parking lot. You might try parking in the regular lot area, and asking the parking attendants if you can have the end of a row near where the shuttle drops off, but that's kinda hit or miss if they'll let you.

 

[muushupork]

Final just in case.... Is there any need to tell disney that im bringing a scooter in from offsite vendor? No form to fill out or approvals necessary?

 

[powellrj]

Final just in case.... Is there any need to tell disney that im bringing a scooter in from offsite vendor? No form to fill out or approvals necessary?

No, nothing is needed

 

[JillyBean1899]

If you want to tell them one is coming and will be delivered, you can. They probably can make a note to call your cell when it arrives, so you don't have to be stuck in your room waiting for it to arrive, but you don't *have* to tell them it's coming.

 

[mamaloya]

The ones from offsite are much more comfortable and easier to maneuver than the Disney ones. My son hated pushing me in the Disney ones. I found the Disney ones to be very uncomfortable to sit in.

 

[trishwal]

The ones from offsite are much more comfortable and easier to maneuver than the Disney ones. My son hated pushing me in the Disney ones. I found the Disney ones to be very uncomfortable to sit in.

Thank you! This is good to know. Is there a vendor you've used in the past that you would recommend?

 

[muushupork]

Thank you! This is good to know. Is there a vendor you've used in the past that you would recommend?

Never done this before but i rented from apple and they were the cheapest and have great customer service. Cant say anything about the actual equipment though.