ECV questions again

[sleepingbeautymama]

With a week and a half left until our trip, I'm trying to get myself organized and trying to think of those last minute things. With my pain worsening here lately I'm probably going to have to rent an ECV. From what I've read on here it sounds like they get rented very quickly, so I'm wondering has anyone had trouble getting one if you have arrived at opening or shortly after at the parks? I'm not really wanting to rent from an outside company. I really don't know how much I'll be at the parks anyway. If for some reason we do rent one from the outside, how will that work in the parking lots? I'm assuming you can't get on the tram with one? I don't have a handicap parking plate. How would that work for us? At this moment I'm probably going to just try and get one at the park, but if while we are there, I want to rent one from an outside company, is it easy to get one or would I have had to do it in advance? Thanks...I just really wish I didn't have to worry about these things.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

First of all f you click on where it says "disABILTIES" at the top of this page it will take you to the Index. The fourth item down is the "disABILTIES FAQ" which will gives lots of useful information, including where people rent ECVs.

To park in medical parking you have to have a handicap plate or hang tag. The lots are patrolled by the Orange County Sheriff's Office. You might see if you can get a temporary tag.

You are not going at a crowded time, so there should not really be a problem in renting at the parks, but the earlier you arrive the better you chances of getting an ECV.

 

[SueM in MN]

If for some reason we do rent one from the outside, how will that work in the parking lots? I'm assuming you can't get on the tram with one? I don't have a handicap parking plate. How would that work for us? At this moment I'm probably going to just try and get one at the park, but if while we are there, I want to rent one from an outside company, is it easy to get one or would I have had to do it in advance? Thanks...I just really wish I didn't have to worry about these things.

I agree with Cheshire Figment that you should not have much problem with getting one at this time of year, especially if you get there early.

I would suggest taking some numbers along with you so that if you want to rent from an off-site place, at least you have some numbers to try.

For parking, let each CM you come to that you have an ECV but don't have a handicapped parking permit. The ECV would not be able to go on the parking lot trams, so you can't park in the regular parking lot. The CMs do save some spots on ends of rows and toward the front for situations like yours. If they do direct you to the handicapped parking, make sure not to park in any spots that have a handicapped sign, a wheelchair symbol or blue paint.

 

[MNDisneyFan]

Excellent information - we noticed that there were plenty of ECV's in the parks last fall as well, but felt better going with an off-site rental company as we weren't sure what to expect. They were wonderful - they dropped off the ECV and picked it back up, when it was convenient for us!

 

[arminnie]

I was so up in the air about renting an ECV for myself that I put it off until the night before I left. I called Randy's, and they had great service. They deliver to you personally which I wanted as I had never used one before and wanted real live instructions - especially about the dismantling part.

I was a little nervous about using the bus, but the drivers were great - especially when I told them that I was new and didn't know what I was doing. I am a dedicated car driver (born in Southern CA - it's in my blood to drive) so using Disney transportation was new for me. I really did not have any problems with the buses - even the ones you had to back in. Much easier than it sounds to a novice.

I would highly recommend one even if you don't go to the parks that often. The very first morning I LOVED being able to take a ride from Beach Club to Swan and Dolphin to the Boardwalk and then complete the circle back the BC. It was a beautiful morning. I could never have walked that. If I'd even tried I'd have been in my room for 2 days.

I only took it apart and used the car on the day I wanted to go to the Florida Mall. It was great to be able to cover the whole place - and not to have to worry if I took a wrong turn that I would be too tired to get back to my car.

It was great to be able to go all over Downtown Disney - from the Marketplace to West Side and back again. I probably put as many miles on it out of the parks as inside.

 

[Schmeck]

two children ages 3 and 7. My father in-law then rode it (with our kids onboard!).

That is soooo dangerous! I believe the rental companies have strict regulations about children not being allowed on ECVs. I know WDW won't let kids ride on the ones you rent at the park. Obviously, your kids were OK, no one got hurt, but if an accident did occur?

 

[MNDisneyFan]

My father-in-law used it in the parks, but also anywhere else where there were long lines or long walks. We found it to be invaluable at Downtown Disney, and he also used it to go to the corner store or to the community center in our housing area, so renting off-site can be nice if you are doing those things as well.

 

[Schmeck]

I'm sorry that my pointing out something illegal/dangerous was taken as not a warm welcome - and I'm glad no one was injured. I'm also hoping others that read my previous post find out before someone gets hurt that having kids on an ECV is not permitted on WDW ECVs and is most likely written into contracts from offsite rental companies as well.

 

[dpratt68]

I'm jumping in to say we rented from walker mobility for my dad 2 years ago and they were wonderful!!! delivered and picked up from the hotel and even only charged a 1/2 day on our last day. Great service

 

[MNDisneyFan]

We used Walker too and they were absolutely fantastic. Would definitely use again, as they were so kind and helpful.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I'm also hoping others that read my previous post find out before someone gets hurt that having kids on an ECV is not permitted on WDW ECVs and is most likely written into contracts from offsite rental companies as well.

I'm fairly certain it is (I won't have a computer with me when I'm at WDW next week, but if someone wants to call me...)
At any rate, I don't think inexperienced ECV users are aware that transporting an additional person on the scooter changes its center or gravity and puts the machine and its passenger/s at higher risk of tipping over. It really doesn't matter what size the additional rider is, or how slow the ECV is going. This doesn't mean it WILL tip, but it makes that more likely.

 

[Nanajo1]

I know a lot of people don't read the contract or small print but the contracts I have received from both Walkers and Care state only one person is to be on the ECV and if the company finds out that more than one person is on the ECV they will confiscate the ECV. I know there will always be someone with an exception as to why they had to allow a child to ride with them but it is dangerous. The ECV is not a toy and can really do damage if misused.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Nanajo1 - that's an advantage to renting from Randy's Mobility. Since they deliver the ECV (or wheelchair) directly to the customer's room instead of to Bell Services, they make sure the renter understands not only how to use - and disassemble/reassemble if necessary - the ECV, but also understands the contract and the terms.

 

[SueM in MN]

Nanajo1 - that's an advantage to renting from Randy's Mobility. Since they deliver the ECV (or wheelchair) directly to the customer's room instead of to Bell Services, they make sure the renter understands not only how to use - and disassemble/reassemble if necessary - the ECV, but also understands the contract and the terms.

We rented an ECV last March from Randy's and they did indeed go over all those things. Plus, they quickly covered the points of the contract - including that no one under the age of 18 was allowed on the ECV (driving or riding) and that only one person was allowed on the ECV. They also made sure that I knew I was legally responsible for the ECV since I had signed for it.

I have seen ECVs go out of control when a child was sitting on the driver's lap, got excited and tried to point at something. In the course of doing that, the child hit the drivers hand and the ECV tiller got hit.

 

[sleepingbeautymama]

Thanks for your replies. I think I'm going to try and just rent at the park. I will be sure and take some numbers along though in case I change my mind about an outside rental company.