ECV Rental at Downtown Disney

[Elevationist]

Hi, all! The last time I visited DTD, they had wheelchair rental, but not ECV, so I've never really spent much time there. (I do daily rentals in the theme parks, as I struggle with walking long distances or standing for extended periods due to Lupus & Fibromyalgia.) But I see that they now offer ECVs, hooray!

However, that being said, I just learned I from another post that DTD is a whole lot more walking than I even thought. I have dinner reservations at Raglan Road on a Thursday night, followed by tickets to La Nouba at 9pm. I intend on arriving in the late afternoon/early evening from Pop Century via Disney bus transportation.

Has anybody used the daily ECV rentals at DTD? If so, I have a couple of questions...

1.) Will I have trouble getting one later in the day (3-5pm or so)? I never have a problem in the theme parks when park hopping, but does DTD have less availability?

2.) How late is the rental location open for returns? I wouldn't be returning it until the 9pm showing of Cirque lets out, and then I have to ride all the way from the theatre back to the rental location to return it.

Thanks in advance for your help and advice!

 

[SueM in MN]

I don't know why you have chosen to rent in the parks rather than from an off-site company, but this may be a good trip to rent from one.
There is more information in post 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread (follow link in my signature or look near the top of this board).
That would be especially true if you need an ECV and would not be able to manage with a wheelchair. Availability of wheelchairs is not an issue, but ECVs are in limited supply.

There is not an updated map of the Downtown Disney area! which is now called Disney Springs. If you have the My Disney Experience on a smartphone, you will have the most updated map, but even that shows some things like parking areas that no longer exist.

You are correct that the places you are going are widely spread out.
The wheelchair/ECV rental is near the Toy Store. Raglan Road is a little less than half the distance to the theater for La Nouba. After the show, you are correct that you would need to go back to the same place as you rented it (unless something has changed recently, ECVs are only rented in that one location).

There are 2 wheelchair rental areas - one is near the Toy Store, on the back area of the shop called TrendE. The other is by Disney Quest in the west side. Only the one by TrendE rents ECVs; I don't know if you can return one to the other place after hours, but that would still leave you needing to get to the bus stop.
Shopping is open most weekdays until 11pm, so Guest Relations would be open at least that late.

ECVs have been available for rent at Downtown Disney for at least the last several years, but have been listed as 'limited' number. You have been lucky being able to get one later in the day when park hopping. Many people have found none available.
Downtown Disney is a little more unpredictable - if it's rainy, it may be busier there because people don't want to waste a park day. On the other hand, some people are avoiding the area because of the construction. Plan extra time for getting around - when we were last there in April, it was very congested.

So, if you can manage with a wheelchair if no ECVs are available, you should be OK and would be able to return a wheelchair at the Disney Quest location.

Good luck and let us know how you do.

 

[Elevationist]

I don't know why you have chosen to rent in the parks rather than from an off-site company, but this may be a good trip to rent from one.
There is more information in post 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread (follow link in my signature or look near the top of this board).
That would be especially true if you need an ECV and would not be able to manage with a wheelchair. Availability of wheelchairs is not an issue, but ECVs are in limited supply.

There is not an updated map of the Downtown Disney area! which is now called Disney Springs. If you have the My Disney Experience on a smartphone, you will have the most updated map, but even that shows some things like parking areas that no longer exist.

You are correct that the places you are going are widely spread out.
The wheelchair/ECV rental is near the Toy Store. Raglan Road is a little less than half the distance to the theater for La Nouba. After the show, you are correct that you would need to go back to the same place as you rented it (unless something has changed recently, ECVs are only rented in that one location).

There are 2 wheelchair rental areas - one is near the Toy Store, on the back area of the shop called TrendE. The other is by Disney Quest in the west side. Only the one by TrendE rents ECVs; I don't know if you can return one to the other place after hours, but that would still leave you needing to get to the bus stop.
Shopping is open most weekdays until 11pm, so Guest Relations would be open at least that late.

ECVs have been available for rent at Downtown Disney for at least the last several years, but have been listed as 'limited' number. You have been lucky being able to get one later in the day when park hopping. Many people have found none available.
Downtown Disney is a little more unpredictable - if it's rainy, it may be busier there because people don't want to waste a park day. On the other hand, some people are avoiding the area because of the construction. Plan extra time for getting around - when we were last there in April, it was very congested.

So, if you can manage with a wheelchair if no ECVs are available, you should be OK and would be able to return a wheelchair at the Disney Quest location.

Good luck and let us know how you do.

Thank you SO much for taking the time to write such a helpful reply, Sue!

It's a solo trip for me, so I don't see a wheelchair working out. I just don't have that kind of upper body strength for wheeling myself all over DTD. (Kinda wish I did, though! That would be super convenient in LOTS of areas of my life! )

I've always avoided renting from off-property because I'm terrified of trying to load on and off the busses with it, and upsetting people waiting.

I know it sounds silly, but I've just read SO many nasty comments on these boards since joining up in 2004, and have even personally endured a few unkind looks/comments in-person in the parks, despite the fact that I go out of my way to be the most polite and invisible ECV user out there... Going so far as to opt for only renting them while in the parks, at a higher personal expense and sacrifice, as it's always made it difficult/impossible to truly explore my resort or DTD.

So. Today I decided to do it. I secured an off-property rental. I used Buena Visit Scooters, as I've booked their services in the past for my clients (I'm a travel agent), and have always had really good experiences with them professionally. And the girl I spoke to today to set it all up was WONDERFUL, and even gave me a discount off the online rate.

I'm still very NERVOUS about the bus situation. Extremely. I have this vision of a line of tired cranky angry judgmental people staring me down as I load up. Just thinking about it is enough to give me an anxiety attack. I have read so many ugly, negative comments on these boards over the last 10 years. People ranting about ECV users, especially how "unfair" it is that they get right on the next bus when it arrives instead of waiting in line, and how they all have to stand there on their aching feet and wait while the ECV user loads onto the bus, how sick they are of seeing overweight people (like me) using ECVs, etc.

It brought to startling clarity that many people see me on the ECV, see me inconveniencing them, and all they see is a fat lady who is too lazy to walk. They don't see that I have Lupus and Fibromyalgia, they don't see that the one and only time I tried to do a week at WDW without an ECV, and this was back when I was average sized... I was in constant chronic pain the entire time, threw my Lupus out of remission, got home and spent 3 weeks in the hospital, and two YEARS after that recovering and getting my illness back into a state of remission and regaining some level of health and normalcy in my crazy life.

Never again will I put my body through that, despite what people say/think/glare. However, that being said, I still find myself extremely apologetic about it all, I do my very best to stay out of people's way, stay out of crowded zones, drive VERY VERY carefully and conscientiously, and always rent the in-park scooters as to avoid holding up busses. Even though doing so limits me from being able to enjoy things outside of the parks.

However! I think I've made the right decision for this trip. This will be an experiment! If dealing with getting the getting on and off the busses is much of a hassle as I've always imagined, then I'll know for next time. But admittedly, there's definitley a little part of me that is REALLY REALLY excited to be able to finally explore DTD and my resort without being in pain. So thank you for ALL of your advice and encouragement!!

One last question on this topic... the busses to/from DTD do run until midnight, right? I know the 9pm show is an hour and a half long, so that should be plenty of time to make the bus, assuming I don't dawdle upon leaving. (I'll be more that ready to be back in my room by that hour anyhow! )

 

[SueM in MN]

I know it sounds silly, but I've just read SO many nasty comments on these boards since joining up in 2004, and have even personally endured a few unkind looks/comments in-person in the parks, despite the fact that I go out of my way to be the most polite and invisible ECV user out there... Going so far as to opt for only renting them while in the parks, at a higher personal expense and sacrifice, as it's always made it difficult/impossible to truly explore my resort or DTD.

So. Today I decided to do it. I secured an off-property rental. I used Buena Visit Scooters, as I've booked their services in the past for my clients (I'm a travel agent), and have always had really good experiences with them professionally. And the girl I spoke to today to set it all up was WONDERFUL, and even gave me a discount off the online rate.

I'm still very NERVOUS about the bus situation. Extremely. I have this vision of a line of tired cranky angry judgmental people staring me down as I load up. Just thinking about it is enough to give me an anxiety attack. I have read so many ugly, negative comments on these boards over the last 10 years. People ranting about ECV users, especially how "unfair" it is that they get right on the next bus when it arrives instead of waiting in line, and how they all have to stand there on their aching feet and wait while the ECV user loads onto the bus, how sick they are of seeing overweight people (like me) using ECVs, etc.

Good for you.
It may be a scary proposition, but sounds like it is the only way you can do this trip.

There are people out there who might comment or roll their eyes, but not in the number that you might be led to believe from comments online.
People who are anonymous do tend to say things online that they would not say in person.
You also have to keep in mind that there are people who actually say things online because they are looking for the reaction that will occur. They actually like creating drama for their own enjoyment.
It doesn't really matter what you look like, some people just don't like sharing the park with people with disabilities. It doesn't matter to them what the person looks like - they just don't like it and figure anyone using a wheelchair or ECV is 'cheating'. We've heard some doozy of comments over the years about our DD. Not that many, but I will admit they hurt. Just keep in your head that those commenters have more issues than you do. You may be lacking some physical abilities - they are lacking empathy.
We've heard comments (meant for us to hear) about how "disgusting it is that people rent wheelchairs just to get ahead in lines" when we are waiting in the regular line with them and everyone else.
It's also pretty obvious for any observant person to see we didn't just rent a wheelchair - it's DD's personal one with a headrest, a very supportive seat back, a thick seat cushion, a substantial seatbelt and her feet strapped down.

If they somehow missed noticing all that, it's really a stretch of belief to think that someone who moves like this when they are excited is somehow 'faking' it (this is kind of like a time lapse series of movements)

But some people are so self absorbed, that they do think just that. We have been lucky and have also met some really nice people, so don't let the growling bears get you down.

You will run into some people like that in real life, but you have experienced it before, so it won't be totally unexpected to you.
You also have a big advantage for using the transportation - you are used to driving the very large in-park rental ECVs. The off site rental ones are more manouverable (even the 4 wheeled ones) than the park ECVs.
Practice the skills you need for the bus before you leave your resort. Getting on the bus is driving on, making a pretty sharp turn soon after getting on and then parallel parking (but like you are parallel parking on the left side of a street).
Keep your speed turned down and after the first time, you should do fine.

One last question on this topic... the busses to/from DTD do run until midnight, right? I know the 9pm show is an hour and a half long, so that should be plenty of time to make the bus, assuming I don't dawdle upon leaving. (I'll be more that ready to be back in my room by that hour anyhow! )

You don't have to worry about being left behind. Buses run for at least one to 2 hour after everything is closed. The restaurants on the West Side (where Cirque du Soleil is located) are open until midnight, so you can count on buses running
Until at least 1 to 2 am on a weeknight.

 

[disney david]

Thank you SO much for taking the time to write such a helpful reply, Sue!

It's a solo trip for me, so I don't see a wheelchair working out. I just don't have that kind of upper body strength for wheeling myself all over DTD. (Kinda wish I did, though! That would be super convenient in LOTS of areas of my life! )

I've always avoided renting from off-property because I'm terrified of trying to load on and off the busses with it, and upsetting people waiting.

I know it sounds silly, but I've just read SO many nasty comments on these boards since joining up in 2004, and have even personally endured a few unkind looks/comments in-person in the parks, despite the fact that I go out of my way to be the most polite and invisible ECV user out there... Going so far as to opt for only renting them while in the parks, at a higher personal expense and sacrifice, as it's always made it difficult/impossible to truly explore my resort or DTD.

So. Today I decided to do it. I secured an off-property rental. I used Buena Visit Scooters, as I've booked their services in the past for my clients (I'm a travel agent), and have always had really good experiences with them professionally. And the girl I spoke to today to set it all up was WONDERFUL, and even gave me a discount off the online rate.

I'm still very NERVOUS about the bus situation. Extremely. I have this vision of a line of tired cranky angry judgmental people staring me down as I load up. Just thinking about it is enough to give me an anxiety attack. I have read so many ugly, negative comments on these boards over the last 10 years. People ranting about ECV users, especially how "unfair" it is that they get right on the next bus when it arrives instead of waiting in line, and how they all have to stand there on their aching feet and wait while the ECV user loads onto the bus, how sick they are of seeing overweight people (like me) using ECVs, etc.

It brought to startling clarity that many people see me on the ECV, see me inconveniencing them, and all they see is a fat lady who is too lazy to walk. They don't see that I have Lupus and Fibromyalgia, they don't see that the one and only time I tried to do a week at WDW without an ECV, and this was back when I was average sized... I was in constant chronic pain the entire time, threw my Lupus out of remission, got home and spent 3 weeks in the hospital, and two YEARS after that recovering and getting my illness back into a state of remission and regaining some level of health and normalcy in my crazy life.

Never again will I put my body through that, despite what people say/think/glare. However, that being said, I still find myself extremely apologetic about it all, I do my very best to stay out of people's way, stay out of crowded zones, drive VERY VERY carefully and conscientiously, and always rent the in-park scooters as to avoid holding up busses. Even though doing so limits me from being able to enjoy things outside of the parks.

However! I think I've made the right decision for this trip. This will be an experiment! If dealing with getting the getting on and off the busses is much of a hassle as I've always imagined, then I'll know for next time. But admittedly, there's definitley a little part of me that is REALLY REALLY excited to be able to finally explore DTD and my resort without being in pain. So thank you for ALL of your advice and encouragement!!

One last question on this topic... the busses to/from DTD do run until midnight, right? I know the 9pm show is an hour and a half long, so that should be plenty of time to make the bus, assuming I don't dawdle upon leaving. (I'll be more that ready to be back in my room by that hour anyhow! )

Remember you have ever right to board the bus through te back door how ever long it takes you. The most important thing is your safety who cares what anyone else thinks your their to enjoy your vacation with your family and that it. Unless everyone wants to chip in and pay for your trip they have no right to say anything make antsy looks or anything. The driver their to help load you safely and quickly and make sure you have an enjoyable trip. They forget you might be first in but your last off so yes your getting in first for safety reason not to be special or get a perk it for your and the driver safety.


Listen please don't let those people who say comments or give you dirty looks win. Once you let it get to you or not go to Disney or not rent an ecv because your afraid if the comments or to use the bus. They win don't give them that rent the ecv have fun use the bus as many times as you can with your head held high have the best vacation you can. And if they say something say I rather be in a ecv then be a jerk who feel the need to say something to some one else. I am sorry to ramble and most likely dose not make sense and have a lot of grammar and spelling mistakes but just don't want you to think all is able bodies guest are bad we not. I also will never ever under stand a guest complain that Disney expansive and it is but then spend their time making rude comments to other guest. Go and enjoy the trip you spent the money on you complained about.


Well again sorry for the ramble and spelling mistakes and bad framer have a great trip and have fun in the buses their not bad. The drivers will take good care of you.