ECV Rental anxiety and Apple Scooter

[donkortajr]

I have a lower back issue which randomly cuts off circulation and feeling to my legs and causes severe pain when having to walk long periods of time. During our last trip to Walt Disney World in October, 2008 I rented an ECV for the very first time. It was hands down the most enjoyable trip in years.

On the last trip, I rented the ECV in the park each morning. We are now preparing for our next trip this January. I am planning on renting an ECV, probably from Apple Scooters (Their prices are just so much cheaper than everyone else.)

The problem is I am just scared to death of having to take this on the bus back to the hotel each day (at least the days we go to Animal Kingdom & Hollywood Studios). I have seen the dirty looks in the past and heard the comments from others when I saw other putting their ECV on the bus. I’m also terrified of having to get it up that ramp.

Anyone have any suggestions for dealing with my anxieties?

Also, this trip has us at OKW for 1 night and 6 nights at BLT. Does anyone know if Apple Scooter will drop off / have waiting at OKW when we arrive but pick up from BLT at end of trip?

THX

 

[Chuck S]

If you need an ECV for your enjoyment of the park due to physical issues, then it really shouldn't bother you when other people lok at you funny. Just pity them for being sorely uneducated and selfish. Remember that ECVs are loaded first for the safety of ALL guests. WDW busses carry two to 3 ECVs or wheelchairs, depending upon the bus design. So if you are going at a particularly busy time, or are staying at a very busy resort, you may have to wait for the next bus if others are already loaded.

I can't speak to the issues of loading onto the busses with an ECV, as Mom uses a manual wheelchair (I get to push ), but the rampbusses are very eay to load, as compared to the old lift style. Don't worry, the bus drivers have experience helping people in ECVs load and get parked on the bus.

One word of caution, some of the super larger ECVs are not allowed on the busses, even though some rental companies say they will work. But as long as you stick to the smaller or medium size units, you'll be fine.

 

[Mtnman44]

I think if you remember a few things, it will cut down on the dirty looks. I've found that many ECV'ers seem to forget that:

-The ECV is not a "cut to the front of the line" pass. This goes for busses, attractions, restaurants, parade watching spots, walkways, etc.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

I think if you remember a few things, it will cut down on the dirty looks. I've found that many ECV'ers seem to forget that:

-The ECV is not a "cut to the front of the line" pass. This goes for busses, attractions, restaurants, parade watching spots, walkways, etc.

Last trip DMIL had a scooter then switched to a wheel chair, because it was too stressful trying to avoid running into people and and be looking around at the sights at the same time. I was designated-driver most of the time and when we entered attractions we would by default be given "ahead of the line access".

A couple times we opted to wait in line, but the CMs would insist we enter through the HA entrance "for everyone's protection" as Chuck mentioned. The rider and driver were allowed through, but we had to wait for the rest of the group to work their way through the rest of the line. Unfortunately, some people see the quick access and get disgruntled.

 

[olwyngdh]

I understand--I *hate* using a scooter, even though I know I couldn't do the parks without one. I hate the fact that people don't see you, cut right in front of you, and then complain that you either ran into them, or that you are in their way. I hate that they force me to stop so that they can get through without me running into them, and then I lose my family (happened repeatedly in character meet lines, to the point I missed my dd meeting some of the characters). The treatment you get from Disney guests is horrible, even though the CMs are wonderful and try their best to see that everyone is safe and has a good experience.

I have read so much about the horror of the buses with an ECV that I am just going to rent in the parks again and use my cane for the buses. By the end of the day, hurting and exhausted, I am much less likely to end up in tears if I don't have to face the abuse, and if someone kicks my cane out from under me, at least I have the hope that they might feel a little bad about it.

 

[WDWFERN]

On our last family trip my father, who has a peripheral nerve disorder, used an ECV and it really made the trip not only possible but enjoyable for him. He did voice a similar sentiment as yours when we arrived home, however, that for him, the monorail transit was quite simple, but he too found the busses more challenging. I am in the process of planning our next family trip this spring and have a post on the disabilities board about the availability of handicap/ECV taxis in the WDW area that has been very helpful to me. I learned that Mears transportation (Yellow Cab) phone 407-422-2222 does have taxis that accommodate ECVs. I just called them tonight and the woman I spoke with confirmed this. She stated if we felt more comfortable, that we could call a day ahead and book a reservation or even just give a heads up of approximate times we might need the ECV accessible taxi and then just call back when we were ready for transport. She also said it was not really necessary to even call ahead, that we could just call at the time we needed service and let the dispatcher know we needed a vehicle that could accommodate an ECV. So my plan for my dad is that while we are at BLT he can use the monorail to MK or Epcot, but on the days we go to Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios, if he feels more comfortable, we will call the number above to arrange taxi transport for us. I hope this helps and that you have a great trip!

 

[kvogel11202]

My cousin uses a scooter on our trips- it's so much nicer than it was before he used the scooter. His wife gets far more enjoyment from the trips. All you can do is worry about your families enjoyment- not what others think. My only complaint about the bus system is that if you've been waiting in line for a long time and a group of 15 people walk up with one person in a scooter/chair and the WHOLE party hops right on the next bus- that's wrong. I think (solely my opinion) that the person in the scooter/chair should absolutely be on the bus, and maybe two members of the party go with them- and everyone else wait their fair turn for the bus. There just has to be a better system than the current one for the situations. One that is fair to all.

 

[Chuck S]

This discussion would be more appropriate on the disABILITIES! board. As we try to limit discussions on the DVC Boards to topic of interest specifically to DVC Owners, I'm going to close this thread, and invite you to continue on the disABILITIES! board.