ECV parking

[ChiMom]

My partner and I are going to WDW in mid-Nov. We plan to rent ECV's due to endurance/fatigue issues related to chemo drugs and arthritis. However, we are capable of standing in short lines and getting in and out of the rides/shows independently, so we would prefer to park the scooters before entering the attraction. Are there special areas to park them or can we leave them with the strollers? Also, do the batteries last a full (8-hour) day in the parks? TIA

 

[blondietink]

Yep, park the scooters right with the strollers. Take a garbage bag or something to drape over it in case it rains so you won't have to sit on a wet seat. Can't answer your question about the batteries.

 

[bouncy54]

We're going in mid-November too!

I think the scooters you rent from the parks will last you all day as long as you don't keep them in warp speed.

Seriously... I rented them when I went to WDW a few years ago and didn't have a problem with the batteries at all.

I'm renting from Scootaround this time because of the long distances to walk just from the parking lots. I also need a scooter for other theme parks, plus they're cheaper to rent. I think I'm getting a Revo and I've heard nothing but good things about both them and Scootaround.

 

[KPeveler]

You will want to be VERY careful by what you guess are short lines. My guess is that you will want to walk into the Haunted Mansion b/c otherwise you have to skip the stretching room. But even if a wait time seems short, sometimes the line is long. The queue of Soarin is 1/4 mile in and 1/4 mile out. And the only easy place to park the ECV is even further away. I would definitely keep the ECV even if you have a FP or something.

Hope you have a great trip!

 

[bouncy54]

You will want to be VERY careful by what you guess are short lines. My guess is that you will want to walk into the Haunted Mansion b/c otherwise you have to skip the stretching room. But even if a wait time seems short, sometimes the line is long. The queue of Soarin is 1/4 mile in and 1/4 mile out. And the only easy place to park the ECV is even further away. I would definitely keep the ECV even if you have a FP or something.

Hope you have a great trip!

Soarin' is the same in CA. Very, very long walk to the ride and then it was up hill for a long ways when you exit. I was so glad to have my scooter with me!

 

[Bete]

If you are renting a non-Disney scooter then you must be diligent with recharging it every day. Make sure you did it right by checking the scooter for a full charge each time. If it's a Disney scooter they recharge; it's one of the reasons you pay more for a Disney scooter. It's a do nothing approach with them. If the Disney scooter died for battery reasons you simply get a replacement.

The most important factor for battery life each day is shutting off your scooter when you are not moving in the parks like with shows, live street entertainment, parades, fireworks, eating, etc. We go as far as shutting it off in long line queues like Toy Story Mania. This will preserve your charge the best.

Your weight and the terrain plays into the life of a charge. If you are maximum weight on any scooter it has to work harder. This includes items you place in the basket, etc. There are weight limits to each type of scooter. I believe the Disney scooters are rated for 350 pounds. The smaller scooters go 250 to 300 pounds weight limit. If you are going up a lot of hills especially higher ones that uses more power and therefore uses the battery up faster. You're pretty safe at Disney, but there are places in Busch Gardens, Tampa where it's not recommended to go with a scooter or even a wheelchair.

Obviously, the longer you stay in the parks the more your battery charge gets used up. If we took a break back at the resort with our NON-Disney scooter rental we gave it a boost recharge before returning to the park. Also, pay attention to the battery usage gage. If you are getting low you will see it.

By all means, if you rent a non-Disney scooter keep the battery charger with you in the parks. You can get a boost in the parks with Disney outlets. They are hard to find sometimes, but in an emergency a CM should be able to help you in this regard. There's a maual override with the scooter that allows you to push it if you completely run out of a battery charge.

Also, the bigger the scooter the longer the charge lasts in most cases. Some scooters come with two batteries and those scooters can go even 25 miles with one charge. Other scooters have a heavy duty single battery that can make to about 10 miles per charge. A single lighter duty battery will go usually 6 to 8 miles on one, full charge.

 

[ChiMom]

Wow! You folks are great! Thanks for the excellent info regarding waiting lines and battery power. I feel so relieved about our first time use of the ECV's. We ARE practicing driving the ones in Walmart so you don't see another thread about getting hit in the ankles by those darn scooter people

 

[M5ward]

We rented an ECV from Walker Mobility for our January, 2010, trip. Not knowing how long our days would be, we chose an extended range ECV just to be safe. We charged the battery night and never had a problem.