ECV Rental, Anyone done this?

[Mom to 2 Girls]

Preparing for the worst praying for the best seems to be what I am getting good at.

Has anyone rented an ECV for their cruise? If you have, any recommendations or tips? Has anyone tried to get one into an oceanview w/verandah room (not an accessible room)? Will they fit through the door? How much room do they take up in the stateroom?

I have an injury that I am now finding may be another 8 - 10 months before I recover and our cruise is before then. I'm starting to get nervous that I'm going to not be able to get around on our cruise. I am getting around ok, for short distances, on crutches so I don't need a handicap stateroom (I don't think), I would like to keep the one we have. I was debating renting an ECV for a "in case" the walking becomes to much and I can't do it, as I do still have a little time before the cruise to hopefully walk longer distances on the crutches.

My concern is that the ECV won't be able to get in the room and I am sure it can't be left in the hallway. I am sure a standard wheelchair would be no issue as it is collapsible; however I don't want someone obligated to push me - it is our vacation so it shouldn't be spent taking care of (or helping) me.

Any tips, advise, suggestions, anything please.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Preparing for the worst praying for the best seems to be what I am getting good at.

Has anyone rented an ECV for their cruise? If you have, any recommendations or tips? Has anyone tried to get one into an oceanview w/verandah room (not an accessible room)? Will they fit through the door? How much room do they take up in the stateroom?

I have an injury that I am now finding may be another 8 - 10 months before I recover and our cruise is before then. I'm starting to get nervous that I'm going to not be able to get around on our cruise. I am getting around ok, for short distances, on crutches so I don't need a handicap stateroom (I don't think), I would like to keep the one we have. I was debating renting an ECV for a "in case" the walking becomes to much and I can't do it, as I do still have a little time before the cruise to hopefully walk longer distances on the crutches.

My concern is that the ECV won't be able to get in the room and I am sure it can't be left in the hallway. I am sure a standard wheelchair would be no issue as it is collapsible; however I don't want someone obligated to push me - it is our vacation so it shouldn't be spent taking care of (or helping) me.

Any tips, advise, suggestions, anything please.

No, an ECV will not fit through the doorway of a standard room. That's one thing the accessible rooms are set up for. You'll have to park it in a designated parking spot onboard (could be a couple of decks away from your room).

Many people have rented wheelchairs/ECV scooters for their cruises. It's your call, but I'd suggest looking into an accessible room, if you go that route.

 

[lanejudy]

As PP mentions, most ECVs will NOT fit through the doorway of a standard stateroom. Some smaller models might, but once you get into the stateroom...there's nowhere to go as you won't get it past the queen bed in an oceanview or verandah room. So it's then "stuck" in the little hallway, blocking access to the door, the closets, and the bathrooms. It might be OK (again IF it fits through the doorway) with an inside cabin that has the bed at the far end.

There are only a couple of designated areas on each ship to park ECVs that don't fit into the standard stateroom. These may not be close to your stateroom or even on the same deck. That may be fine if you have someone to be a "runner" for you to get it and then park it, or if you can do enough walking with the crutches to traverse that distance at least twice a day. There isn't space to leave it in the hallway outside your stateroom even temporarily because it blocks everyone else (stateroom host carts, wheelchairs, other ECVs, strollers, etc.).

Since you are several months out from your cruise, I suggest you call to see if you can switch to an HA stateroom. If your situation improves enough in the coming months, you could probably move again (pending availability at that time). But HA staterooms can be hard to come by and I'd hate for you to wait and then not have one available later. The HA staterooms tend to feel larger due to the different layout, but it won't have a tub only a roll-in shower.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[Mom to 2 Girls]

As PP mentions, most ECVs will NOT fit through the doorway of a standard stateroom. Some smaller models might, but once you get into the stateroom...there's nowhere to go as you won't get it past the queen bed in an oceanview or verandah room. So it's then "stuck" in the little hallway, blocking access to the door, the closets, and the bathrooms. It might be OK (again IF it fits through the doorway) with an inside cabin that has the bed at the far end.

There are only a couple of designated areas on each ship to park ECVs that don't fit into the standard stateroom. These may not be close to your stateroom or even on the same deck. That may be fine if you have someone to be a "runner" for you to get it and then park it, or if you can do enough walking with the crutches to traverse that distance at least twice a day. There isn't space to leave it in the hallway outside your stateroom even temporarily because it blocks everyone else (stateroom host carts, wheelchairs, other ECVs, strollers, etc.).

Since you are several months out from your cruise, I suggest you call to see if you can switch to an HA stateroom. If your situation improves enough in the coming months, you could probably move again (pending availability at that time). But HA staterooms can be hard to come by and I'd hate for you to wait and then not have one available later. The HA staterooms tend to feel larger due to the different layout, but it won't have a tub only a roll-in shower.

Enjoy your cruise!

Thank you for the reply and info. I checked after the PP and I am not seeing a HA even available now. I select an HA room then when I try to select the only section of the ship available it tells me the room is no longer available. They may be available in a different category but I really don't want to pay the added cost of concierge, and a physical door that opens to a balcony (not just a porthole) is important to DH. Our room isn't far from Mid ship elevators, where are the "parking areas" typically? If not far, I could see me being able to leave it near the elevator take the elevator to our deck and walk the short distance to our room. With all of this being said, should I consider delaying the trip? How much walking do you truly do on a ship? I know in the parks we do at least 15 miles a day and there is no way I could do that, but this being our first cruise I don't know how much walking to plan for.

TIA for any additional help

 

[lanejudy]

I believe the designated ECV parking areas are on deck 6 on the classic ships and deck 2 on the newer ships, but I'm having trouble confirming that info on the new website. I do suggest you call the DCL Special Services line at 407-566-3602 just to be sure.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[Mom to 2 Girls]

I believe the designated ECV parking areas are on deck 6 on the classic ships and deck 2 on the newer ships, but I'm having trouble confirming that info on the new website. I do suggest you call the DCL Special Services line at 407-566-3602 just to be sure.

Enjoy your cruise!

Thank you. I will give a call and find out.

 

[MickeyEarrings]

You didn't say which ship you are on, but I will throw this out there. On our September Fantasy sailing we befriended a couple staying in #7190. One of them was on a scooter so I assumed this was a handicapped room, but it is not! The Dream should be the same way...

 

[Mom to 2 Girls]

You didn't say which ship you are on, but I will throw this out there. On our September Fantasy sailing we befriended a couple staying in #7190. One of them was on a scooter so I assumed this was a handicapped room, but it is not! The Dream should be the same way...

I am on the Dream I will have to look at map at see where that room is compared to where we are. Thank you for that information.

 

[Cali Cat]

My Grandparents always get a scooter when going to the parks . They would never be able to make it without one. However, they don't get one while on the ship. The hallways and elevators are pretty small. Not to say you couldn't drive a scooter, but add even a small crowd and it makes it very hard to navigate. They usually bring a walker with a seat and even that can be hard at times.

You definitely will not need to walk as much as in the parks. I'm not sure what your injury is, so I'm not sure if this will help. But, have ever considered renting one of those steerable knee walkers? A friend of mine rented one when she broke her ankle and said it was so much easier then crutches.

 

[Mom to 2 Girls]

My Grandparents always get a scooter when going to the parks . They would never be able to make it without one. However, they don't get one while on the ship. The hallways and elevators are pretty small. Not to say you couldn't drive a scooter, but add even a small crowd and it makes it very hard to navigate. They usually bring a walker with a seat and even that can be hard at times.

You definitely will not need to walk as much as in the parks. I'm not sure what your injury is, so I'm not sure if this will help. But, have ever considered renting one of those steerable knee walkers? A friend of mine rented one when she broke her ankle and said it was so much easier then crutches.

Thank you!!!

This is why these boards are great... The out of the box thinking! That would definitely work better and I'd probably be able to walk enough for even the parks. My injury is to my ankle/foot and I'm not able to bear weight.

Now for the next question does anyone know where near port these can be rented?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Thank you!!!

This is why these boards are great... The out of the box thinking! That would definitely work better and I'd probably be able to walk enough for even the parks. My injury is to my ankle/foot and I'm not able to bear weight.

Now for the next question does anyone know where near port these can be rented?

I believe you need to do this before your cruise. They will deliver to the ship. I Special Needs at Sea does rentals, and Brevard Medical Equipment is another one.

 

[thinkoflaura]

my mom has had a scooter on every disney cruise -- even the european ones. she's been lucky enough to have HA rooms, but we see scooters parked in some hallways at night... maybe your companion could park it for you after you get settled in the room?

have a great cruise, whatever you end up doing.

 

[shoes99]

We have rented a scooter for DH for the last 3 cruises. For the Panama Canal one way
cruise we rented from Special Needs at Sea. We did have an accessible cabin on the Wonder on deck 6. Since we were so far forward, sometimes we used the scooter parking lot midship
on deck 6. On the Fantasy or Dream we used the scooter parking lot on deck 2 but we did have
the accessible cabins on deck 2 inside, very convenient for DH. Next month we are
on the Fantasy deck deck 6 forward and will rent a scooter from Buena Vista when at our Disney Hotel and bring it on
the DCL bus to the port. As posted, you cannot park the scooter in the hallways.

 

[Wish I lived in Fl]

My Mom had used a scooter at the theme parks with no problem. But when she rented a scooter delivered to the Dream for a cruise it was too large and she wasn't adept at using it so it remained parked, expensive and useless.
I would recommend finding a skinnier travel scooter like the Luggie, Travelscoot or the Knee scooter mentioned above. My Mom bought a Travelscoot and she can stay in a non HA room with that. She also brings a cane and a rollator with a seat so she can choose what she needs.

Good Luck!