ECV Questions:

[Dallwig]

I am bringing my 81 year old mother with bad arthritis to Disney World for a few days. Was thinking about renting from outside company. Can anyone help with a few questions...

1. Best company to rent from?
2. Do all ECV's work on Disney Transportation?
3. Dumb question...but what do we do with it at night, staying at the Caribbean Beach Resort, bring it in the room? Park it outside the room?

Any other things to think about would be great.

Thanks for your help...

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi and to disABILITIES!

1. 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, Post #2 discusses mobility and includes where people rent ECVs.

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

2. With the exception of the "Dream Scooter" (available from only one company), any standard ECV will easily get on any Disney bus or monorail, and most Disney boasts. The only exceptions are the yachts between MK/Poly/GF and some of the Fort Wilderness boats.

3. I used one for many visits at CBR. Always parked it in the room, especially to charge it overnight. At worst you may have to move the table to get it to fit properly. One trip some friends were in the next room, married couple with two teenage girls and the wife had a broken ankle. They were able to fit the ECV in the room and survived.

 

[KPeveler]

What CF said!

I definitely do NOT suggest the Dream Scooter for new ECV users, as many people have said that is a lot to handle. All the other scooters are easy enough to get on the buses.

You may have to move the table, but you should be able to get the ECV into the room.

Something to consider: to drive an ECV you have to have good reflexes, and the ability to hold down the accelerator for long periods of time. You have to be constantly aware, as people will dart out in front of you, and it can be very tiring mentally (I use a powerchair full-time and it is tiring even when not in crowded areas). If she has arthritis in her hands, an ECV may be difficult to drive. I cannot drive one due to problems with my fingers. If you are unsure of her ability to drive one, have her try one at a local Target or Walmart. Usually you have to push down a lever on the tiller with a thumb, but some drive differently.

 

[ILoveMyGirls]

if you rent an off-site one like we did, you need to be able to take it apart and put it back together which means you need an SUV or a mini-van. we rented an SUV. without my DH taking it apart, lifting all of the parts into the SUV, taking it out and putting it together, i would not have been able to use one off-site. they are really heavy. we used "Walker". You have to re-charge it in your room at nights. "Walker" dropped it off at our condo door and then picked it up. We would rent from them again. I suggest renting the canopy as it really helped keep the sun off of me.

 

[KPeveler]

if you rent an off-site one like we did, you need to be able to take it apart and put it back together which means you need an SUV or a mini-van. we rented an SUV. without my DH taking it apart, lifting all of the parts into the SUV, taking it out and putting it together, i would not have been able to use one off-site. they are really heavy. we used "Walker". You have to re-charge it in your room at nights. "Walker" dropped it off at our condo door and then picked it up. We would rent from them again. I suggest renting the canopy as it really helped keep the sun off of me.

If they are staying on-site, then they can take Disney transportation to and from parks, which means no having to take apart the scooter...

 

[fostrmom2mny]

I don't mean to hijack this post, but I need to know?? Is the "Dream" really called that? I need to rent and don't want to make a mistake. Should I just make sure that I don't rent one that is called the "Dream?" Thanks for the help.

 

[KPeveler]

Yes, it really is called the Dream. It is larger than the sized defined by the ADA as a "common wheelchair" (though apparently it barely fits into that length if you turn the front wheel sideways), so it is difficult to fit into spaces on buses and in some shows. Many people have reported that they do not suggest it for someone who does not need a heavy-duty ECV (usually larger than 250-300 lbs) and it is usually not suggested for people who are not experienced and very good at driving an ECV.

 

[Donut23]

One word of ECV advice.

When you first arrive and find your little scooter.....take some time.....find an open space in the parking lot and practice. Make sure you are comfortable operating in reverse and in tight spaces. Learn where the speed controls are. I often see people getting into trouble because the speed control is set too high when they try to transit tight spaces.

Scootarama is our first choice and Pride Revo. We carry it in our trunk so we want one which will breakdown.

My preference is 3 wheels...seems more nimble to me.


Have a good trip.

 

[SueM in MN]

Just agreeing with what the others wrote.

And, I want to emphasize again, it will be important to see if she actually feels comfortable driving one and is able to drive one with arthritis in her hands.
Even if she does, from a tiredness standpoint, she would not be as physically tired, but may be more tired from having to be constantly alert. If she still drives a car, she may be OK and feel comfortable, but many older people find it is just more than they feel comfortable doing.

 

[Donut23]

Good point SueM in MN.

If Mom has arthritis in her hands, using the controls could become painful by the end of a long day. I know my right had is uncomfortable at WDW after a long day on "Seabiscuit". <--I name everything!

 

[maroo]

I just wanted to throw out there that we have had really enjoyed the service from Apple Scooters, if you are looking for a place to compare prices.