ECV/power wheelchair CHARGING

[TiggerDad3]

We are planning a trip with my parents, both have power wheelchairs.
What happens if their batteries fail for them while at a park?
Are there locations they can recharge or any assistance in these matters?
Thanks

 

[jdb in AZ]

We are planning a trip with my parents, both have power wheelchairs.
What happens if their batteries fail for them while at a park?
Are there locations they can recharge or any assistance in these matters?
Thanks

DH and I both drive scooters in the parks and whenever one gets sluggish we stop for a meal and plug in. We keep the chargers and extension cords with us at all times. Just ask a waiter; they're very helpful about showing us where to plug in. One day we got the "deer in the headlights" look from the waitress but she checked with a manager then directed us to an outlet.

When we get back to the hotel each night we make sure to plug in and recharge all night. A fully-charged battery should last all day, but we make sure to turn off the scooters when we're going to be stopped/waiting in line for more than a minute or two.

 

[POOHsie]

If your parents' power chairs are their own, you should find out how old the batteries are. For scooters, the batteries last (reliably) about one year or less. Even tho they'll run after that time, they'll wear out quickly during use and need to be recharged frequently. Loss of battery power on a personal unit because the batteries are old, is a self-inflicted problem. It would be on you to track down where to get new batteries in the Orlando area and you'll lose park time. That's the only fix.

Best answer for you is to make sure your batteries are fairly fresh before taking the units to WDW. A trip to WDW will require battery power like no typical day ever calls for back home. If the batteries are fresh and the power chair is operating properly, the batteries will last all day--every day, with a full charging overnight--every night.

 

[Bete]

I agree that batteries don't last forever. They do need to be replaced. A new battery holds a charge better and therefore lasts longer.

If you don't heed that advice then keep in mind you can always rent from a vendor their power chairs in case you have a problem. The problem there is your parents may have some issues with a rented power chair if it doesn't match their own like with the controls and such.

You could do a practice run with them and go to a museum back home or a zoo and spend the day to see how long their batteries are lasting.

 

[gwb]

Go to where they purchased the wheelchairs and have them check the batteries out. They should have that as a complimentary service. Another idea is to go to the nearest Battery Plus and they will test it free. A good battery should last all day.
There are somewhat hidden power receptacles in the parks, they are covered with a plastic all weather cover and usually hidden (very well) in bushes. A number of them are used by the ice cream carts. I saw them being used by cleaning CM's also

 

[Bete]

Checking the battery charge power is a good idea before the trip.

There are outlets to use all over the parks. They can be hard to find. When you are inside like at Innoventions in Epcot usually you can find one near a restroom.
In the Living Land in Epcot there is one by the restroom on the Soarin' level.

Some cast members may be very good at directing you to a outlet and others may not have a clue.

 

[ttintagel]

There are often outlets hidden in flowerbeds, especially if there are also lights in there. A great hidden one is in the arches under the train station in the Magic Kingdom. Vending carts tend to be near outdoor outlets.

Maintenance CM's will generally be more familiar with the locations of outlets than other CM's, so if one of them happens to be in the area they'd be the first person I'd ask!

 

[Pooh Girl 71]

There is a huge charging wall at the back of the gift shop outside Space Mountain at MK. My mother had to recharge the ECV when we were there last month for the 24 hour event.

 

[SueM in MN]

There is a huge charging wall at the back of the gift shop outside Space Mountain at MK. My mother had to recharge the ECV when we were there last month for the 24 hour event.

Also by the Rapunzel restrooms in MK near Small World

 

[videogal1]

Also by the Rapunzel restrooms in MK near Small World

Most any of the scooter rental places listed in the ECV info here will repair or replace problem components of a personal chair or ECV, especially the battery. You could call one ahead of time or e-mail one to see if they would be available to help get an ailing wheelchair of the brand they use back in order. I had my scooter repaired twice by one company (different trips), which came by my resort, picked up the scooter, repaired it and brought it back within a day....similar pricing to home city repairs, too.

 

[SamIAm8]

When my electric chair dies or is slow, I take it to customer service and charge it there. I borrow a manual chair from Disney and they keep my chair in a back room for me. It works in a pinch.

 

[gap2368]

There is a huge charging wall at the back of the gift shop outside Space Mountain at MK. My mother had to recharge the ECV when we were there last month for the 24 hour event.

there are massage chair there now so really no room to plug in with out being in the way to much (I am not saying you can not try it you just may have to move)

 

[Pooh Girl 71]

We were just there over Memorial Day weekend. There are massage chairs on the side by the arcade. But at the very back of the shop there is a long row of outlets.

 

[gap2368]

ok good to know I never went that fair when I last went 14 days a go, I just sat be side one of the chair and plugged my phone in for a little next visit I will have to walk a little farther