ECV Question - what do you prefer

[lpoeppelman]

I am research ECVs for both my parents. We are going in early March.

My mom can't be in the sun long... a hat will do the trick most of the time and I am hoping that this won't be an issue with the ECV, and we are choosing March specifically to avoid heat and enjoy the Flower and Garden festival. What do you think?

Here's my question:

* There seem to be 2 types of ECVs... one that has a lower back supporting seat and one that they called a "captain's chair" seat. The captains chair seat cost more--but it is higher. Do you like having a higher seat? Do you find it "limiting" in your view around you/behind you?

BTW--both my parents are of pretty average weight for their height. Under 200 for sure... probably 150-175 ish my Mom is tall.

Thanks. We are new to this and I have no idea and I appreciate ALL comments/suggestions/opinions these boards are always so helpful for me.

Thanks again!

 

[mmbl]

Unless they absolutely, positively need them, DON'T! They will slow you down tremendously. They make maneuvering difficult and we've seen someone get their foot broken by someone rolling over them.

 

[lpoeppelman]

Unless they absolutely, positively need them, DON'T! They will slow you down tremendously. They make maneuvering difficult and we've seen someone get their foot broken by someone rolling over them.

Well, the only way they will be able to go with us is if they have an ECV. They are 80 years old and perfectly able to walk 200 feet and around and about but navigating through Disney on foot would be impossible for them. I want them to have some independence as well and be able to explore Epcot on their own at their own pace.

Does anyone know about these ECVs and the back on them. Some are lower and some are higher (what they call captain's chairs". Curious is you would like to set your head back on that captain's chair or if you would rather be able to turn 180degrees behind you. I thought the captain's chair might make it a little less visible when turning your head to see behind you. But having a captain's chair might be nice to rest your head when waiting.

Thanks!

 

[WheeledTraveler]

You may get some better answers to this if you post this on the general disAbilities Board rather than the disAbilities Community Board.

First, an ECV may not slow them down at all. No, they probably can't commando tour, but they wouldn't be able to do that anyway. I also tend to think commando touring takes some of the fun of experiencing WDW away, but that's just me. If they're at all worried about driving, many stores have ECVs you can borrow while shopping and they could use those to practice. If they can get to a point where they can drive those comfortably, they won't have any problem with either type of ECV you're talking about. I'm in my late 20s and haven't been able to tour WDW (or do most other things) without a wheelchair or ECV for most of the last 10 years and while they take some getting used to it sounds to me like your parents are with it enough that they should be okay. They can also practice around the resort when you get there and they get the ECVs so that they know how that specific model works. I can also say honestly that I've never felt like I missed out or slowed the people I was with at WDW down. I've also never hit or rolled over anyone anywhere who was paying attention (and never done either to anyone at WDW). The only thing about March is that you might want to check against the popular college vacation weeks, but I don't think even those get as bad as K-12 vacation weeks.

As far as lower back vs. higher back, I think it really depends on their comfort level. Yes, you can turn a little bit more to see behind you with a lower back, but my experience has been that you won't be able to turn 180 degrees even in the scooters with a lower back. If either of them has back pain, they may find the ECV with a captain's chair seat more comfortable. I used an ECV with the lower back style for a year in college and it only really worked because I was able to transfer to relatively comfortable seats in classrooms most of the time. (I do have back pain and other problems as part of my impairments.)

They may find with either type of ECV that it's better to ask someone to spot them when backing up when possible, just because then there's a person who will have a very clear view. You can check a hundred times while using the ECV to make sure no one's behind you and it makes no difference if someone darts out without looking once you're moving. Having another person doing the guiding also means another person who can yell out when someone else does walk through without checking. My impression is that you'll be with them at least some of the time so that's something you can assist them with. When they're on their own, they could either take turns spotting each other or ask for a hand from another guest or CM. The worst that could happen is that person could say no, but since they aren't asking for anything other than a set of eyes, it shouldn't be that hard to find someone.

The only other thing to think about is whether they'll be using anything like a car or a cab. You definitely wouldn't be able to fit 2 of the larger ECVs in most regular vehicles, but 2 of the smaller ones may fit with some creativity. 2 ECVs on the buses and monorails shouldn't be too bad (I don't know very much about the boats). I don't know if that makes any difference, but I wanted to bring it up just in case.

 

[lady3jane]

I've used ECVs many times, and found the seat padding to be more important than the back. The lowest-backed seats tend to have very little padding. Since there is very hard plastic supporting the seat, not having enough padding will make you very sore at the end of the day. The mid-back seats come with a variety of padding thicknesses, but usually are better than low-backed ones. The captain's seats always have thick padding. You really need to see a picture of the seat to be sure.

I've never found the high back that helpful because they don't recline at all, and they were too upright to really relax against. ALso, while you are driving you will have to lean forward, and won't be touching that much of the seat.

Another thing - your mother will have her arms out in front of her holding the tiller, and they really get the sun. She should use good sunblock or cover her arms.