ECV Question!

[BayouMickey]

Here's the deal, I'm getting up there in age and my body is telling me daily (bad back and left leg). I just returned from a weekend trip (to finalize our DVC membership) and went to MK one day and then a half day in epcot. By the end of each day I was in so much pain I couldn't move. But I won't give up without a fight! In June we're going for a week and I'm thinking about getting a ECV. But, I don't want to use it until I get bad off. Is there anywhere I can park an ECV rented outside WDW inside the parks so when my body says that's enough I can go retrieve it?

 

[Earstou]

Sure, just park it with the strollers and go!
But I recommend driving it to the area you are touring in, doing everything there, then driving it to the next area.
Example: drive to Fantasyland, do Fantasyland attractions, then drive ecv to Tomorrowland, tour there. If you park in Fantasyland and leave without the ecv, it could be a long walk back to retrieve it, and you will be in pain.

 

[SueM in MN]

I agree with Earstou. Use it to get to an area, park it and walk around that area. When you are ready to move on, move it to the next stop. That way, if you decide you need it, it's not that far away.

A couple of things to keep in mind though -
Some of the queues are a very long walk, even if the wait is very short. Some notoriously long ones include Bug's Life and the Safari at AK, Pirates at MK and Soarin at Epcot. We were just behind 2 ladies in the Fatpass line at Soarin who had left their ECVs outside because they figures they would have a very short wait in the Fastpass Line. What they didn't realize was that the path to get in is almost 1/4 mile long!
It also goes up and down (ramps that are fairly steep). They found it difficult to stand on the uneven surfaces and were hurting by the time we got in. When the ride was finished, they had an equal distance to walk out

Any attractions that are movies or in theaters will have a preshow or 'gathering area' where you will be standing from a time just after the last group were let into the theater until they exit and the theater emties to let your group on. Most of those waiting areas have few or no seats, so you will be standing during your wait.

Once pain has gotten to the 'I really need to do something about it' point, it is going to be much harder to control. So holding out may mean more pain.

 

[pudge the fish]

as I tell the kids- if you want to go around to Germany for Lunch from space ship earth and then back to ride test track again for the 12th time today, I AM NOT walking, we are taking the little boat. YOU can walk but mom is riding on the boat.

ITA w/ Sue and others- once you get to somewhere you gotta walk back to get to the ECV- if you leave the EVC in frontier land and go to even fantasy land you have to walk back to frontier land...

 

[misshilda1]

I have had 3 back surgeries, 2 knee surgeries and 1 foot surgery and I am here to tell you I could not make it around the parks without an ECV and I'm just 33 yrs. old. I admire you for wanting to hold out just don't wait too long and like the others have already said take it to whatever area your going to. As a little added info every time we have ever went I have always used a company called Walker Medical they have a website and you can call ahead and to reserve one for your stay. They will have it at your resort or motel when you arrive and they pick it up when you leave so their are no hassels. One time I even got the bright idea to try and go and not use one. After the 2nd day I had to either get and ECV or be confined to the resort I called Walker and they had the ECV at my resort in 1 hour and it was charged and ready to go. They are very friendly down home people who talk to you and treat you well I highly recommend them... Hope you have a great trip and good luck

 

[janiejake]

By the end of each day I was in so much pain I couldn't move. But I won't give up without a fight! In June we're going for a week and I'm thinking about getting a ECV. But, I don't want to use it until I get bad off.

Your body is talking to you--please listen to it! Get the ECV-your body will thank you. Moving around on all of those hard surfaces is very taxing, and then not moving in the lines...ouch. Let the ECV do your major walking for you, and then choose where you want to cruise around on your own two feet.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Basically a person has a certain amount of energy available to them daily. If they relax during the day the amount of energy available will increase; when they sleep at night they recharge their system,

However, when in pain energy is used up much faster than in normal conditions. If you become exhausted, with by what you have done or, more importantly, what you have done while in pain your system will not recharge to the original energy level overnight and you are starting the next day with a lower amount of energy available.

You might pick a location at least a half mile from where she lives and ask her would she like to walk there. If she hesitates, then say "and back", and of she is still not sure then add "at least three times in a row".

Once around the World Showcase Lagoon Promenade is more than 1¼ miles; most people tend to average 8 - 12 miles per day at WDW.

Please ask the following questions. Here are the suggested answers to go with them.

1. Are you disabled (even temporarily)? Yes.

2. Do the people you are traveling with, such as your family, know you are disabled? Yes.

3. Do you expect to meet anyone you know during this trip who may not know you are disabled. Probably No!

4. Do you expect to meet a bunch of people who you will probably never meet again in your life? Probably yes!

5. Is there any reason at all that you should care what these people think about you? Absolutely No!!

6. Will using a wheelchair or ECV make for a better vacation for you and your family? Absolutely YES!