ECV question

[Clare Voince]

Sorry, I couldn't find an answer to this in the FAQ.. I'll be travelling to WDW with my 77 year old father this year. He is not disabled, but he cannot handle all the walking at Disney, so he wants to get an ECV for the parks only. Since he has no mobility issues, only a lack of stamina, he would like to be able to park the ECV while we are on attractions. Is there a place, as with strollers where he can park the ECV or a wheelchair (if ECVs are not available) at each attraction? Is it safe the leave them unattended? Or is he supposed to take the ECV through the queue and leave it with a CM? Thanks!

 

[KPeveler]

Yes, you can park an ECV outside the queues, but I would suggst bringing them in for anything you can, especially rides. The queue for Soarin is 1/2 mile long, and moves very slowly. It is not uncommon for rides to break down, so it may be better to bring the ECV in just in case.

If he wants to park and walk, I suggest it for shows like Muppets and Philharmagic. This means you will not have to sit in the back row. You may especially want to do this for American Adventure, where seating is very limited for wheelchairs and the party is always split up.

Also, if you rent in the parks, there is no guarantee to be enough scooters. It is not uncommon for them to run out on busy days. If you are going at a popular time, you pretty much have to be at the parks at Rope Drop. If you park-hop or leave the park, they will not hold an ECV for you, so you will have to hope there is one available afterwards (though you only have to pay once a day).

If he must have an ECV, I suggest renting offsite! This may help at the resort too. Last time, it was 1/2 mile each way from my room to the pool, 1/4 mile each way to the main building. Check out the fAQs for off-site rental companies.

 

[StregaNona]

If he must have an ECV, I suggest renting offsite! This may help at the resort too. Last time, it was 1/2 mile each way from my room to the pool, 1/4 mile each way to the main building. Check out the fAQs for off-site rental companies.

I agree! Renting an ECV from an off site company, like Walker Mobility, is well worth it. First, you pay less than renting daily from Disney. Secondly, you will have an ECV wherever you choose to go - parks, resorts, Downtown Disney, etc.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi and to disABILITIES!

The majority of attraction lines in WDW are "mainstreamed". This means that a wheelchair or ECV will use the regular entrance and line all the way to either a show seating or ride load area. If a line is not mainstreamed there will be signs and/or Cast Members to direct you where to go.

Some of the lines are very deceptive. For example, both Soarin' and Safari the lines for entry, and after exit, are more than ¼ mile long.

If a show, normally there will be spaces to park a chair or ECV and there will be seats next to the space for other members of the group.

If a ride, usually you will have to transfer to a ride vehicle, although some rides will allow a person in a wheelchair to remain in their chair. If you have to transfer to a ride, and unload is not at the same location as load, your chair or ECV will magically appear at the unload area.

If you click on where it says "disABILTIES" at the top of this page it will take you to the Index. One of the top items is the "disABILTIES FAQ" which will gives lots of useful information. Note that Post #2 discusses mobility and equipment. Post #3 had a wide variety of information and links; it might be a good idea to look at the various park "Guidebook For Persons With Disabilities" for more detailed information.

Or, if you want an easier route to the FAQs, click on the link in my signature.

 

[Clare Voince]

Thanks for the info, but as I said, doesn't need an ECV for the queues or the resort. I'm aware of the info in the FAQ, as I said I already read them. I just could not find any info about what to do with the ECV/wheelchair when it's not in use.

 

[KPeveler]

Thanks for the info, but as I said, doesn't need an ECV for the queues or the resort. I'm aware of the info in the FAQ, as I said I already read them. I just could not find any info about what to do with the ECV/wheelchair when it's not in use.

It can be left in any stroller parking area, just take the key with you.

Be aware that it may be moved by CMs while you are in the ride, so it may not be where it was left. CMs are rearranging wheelchair/stroller/ECV parking all the time.

Depending on when you are going in May, ECVs may not be available in the parks when you get there unless you are there at rope drop. Even then, I have heard of people still not getting an ECV. This is the biggest reason why we suggest renting off-site. Pretty much if you see it is a "8" or higher in a crowd calendar rating, you may have a hard time getting an ECV.

 

[Clare Voince]

It can be left in any stroller parking area, just take the key with you.

Be aware that it may be moved by CMs while you are in the ride, so it may not be where it was left. CMs are rearranging wheelchair/stroller/ECV parking all the time.

Depending on when you are going in May, ECVs may not be available in the parks when you get there unless you are there at rope drop. Even then, I have heard of people still not getting an ECV. This is the biggest reason why we suggest renting off-site. Pretty much if you see it is a "8" or higher in a crowd calendar rating, you may have a hard time getting an ECV.

Thanks. I'm aware that he might not get one, that why I say ECV/wheelchair. :> The biggest crowd rating we'll be facing will be about a 5.. unless it changes between now and then. I did suggest renting off-site to him some time ago, but he didn't want to deal with using it on transportation, especially since we usually rent a car and skip the Disney transportation. I think we'll be ok, unless we hop to another park, but I only anticipate doing that one day, and then I can just push him in a wheelchair.

 

[SueM in MN]

Sorry, I couldn't find an answer to this in the FAQ.. I'll be travelling to WDW with my 77 year old father this year. He is not disabled, but he cannot handle all the walking at Disney, so he wants to get an ECV for the parks only. Since he has no mobility issues, only a lack of stamina, he would like to be able to park the ECV while we are on attractions. Is there a place, as with strollers where he can park the ECV or a wheelchair (if ECVs are not available) at each attraction? Is it safe the leave them unattended? Or is he supposed to take the ECV through the queue and leave it with a CM? Thanks!

There was some information in links that are posted in the FAQs thread, but you are correct that there was nothing specifically written in the FAQs thread that says this.
I did add the information to accessibility information for each park in posts 18-21 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread.
Some of the attractions have lines that are quite a distance, as has already been pointed out by other posters. I added some additional information to those posts in the FAQs thread to help people decide which attractions they may want to keep the ECV or wheelchair in line for.

 

[Inkmahm]

Also, if you rent in the parks, there is no guarantee to be enough scooters. It is not uncommon for them to run out on busy days. If you are going at a popular time, you pretty much have to be at the parks at Rope Drop. If you park-hop or leave the park, they will not hold an ECV for you, so you will have to hope there is one available afterwards (though you only have to pay once a day).

I thought this, too, until last week. I left MK to go to dinner and mentioned to the CM on my way out when I was turning in the ECV that I hoped they'd have a scooter for me when I came back. The CM was great and asked when I would be returning. She noted the time on my Name card for the scooter and put the scooter in the back to be charged while I was gone to dinner. It worked great! When I came back for the parade and fireworks, "my" scooter was there waiting for me.

 

[KPeveler]

I thought this, too, until last week. I left MK to go to dinner and mentioned to the CM on my way out when I was turning in the ECV that I hoped they'd have a scooter for me when I came back. The CM was great and asked when I would be returning. She noted the time on my Name card for the scooter and put the scooter in the back to be charged while I was gone to dinner. It worked great! When I came back for the parade and fireworks, "my" scooter was there waiting for me.

I have heard of CMs doing this a few times, but it is not Disney policy to do so. I don't want people counting on Disney keeping their scooter for them, since it may not happen. I am glad they were so helpful with you, though!

 

[rj137]

I agree! Renting an ECV from an off site company, like Walker Mobility, is well worth it. First, you pay less than renting daily from Disney. Secondly, you will have an ECV wherever you choose to go - parks, resorts, Downtown Disney, etc.

I agree with Strega on renting from Walker, great company we've used for years. As to your fathers issues, at his age an ecv will be a blessing as I have been in the parks during warmer months and the heat/humidity is draining to say the least.