ECV rental in the parks for December

[DisZip]

Hi,

We are taking my in-laws to WDW this December (4th-10th), and now my MIL thinks she may need an ECV to get around the parks, due to some leg/ankle problems.

She can get around pretty good, but is concerned about the long distances within the parks.

So, we really don't need an ECV for getting around the resort or to/from the parks, so I would like to avoid renting outside the parks.

We won't be doing much, if any, park hopping, so I was thinking we would just rent one inside the parks, but I understand there is a limited number of units.

Given that the parks should be fairly quiet in early December, do you think we will have any problems renting in the parks?

Thanks.

 

[clkelley]

Even in slow times of the year, most of the ECVs are gone within an hour or two of park opening.

I would rent outside the parks as the cost is the same or sometimes even less and you have it 24/7.

There are also lengthy walks from your resort room to the bus/boat/monorail stops.

Also lengthy walks from the bus/boat/monorail stops to the entrance to the parks.

You will be glad you did!

My hubby has his own personal ECV, and I don't know how many times folks have asked how you can get one to go from park entrance to the bus!!

Carol

 

[LittleMermaidsMom]

I agree with Carol about renting your own ECV.. that is what we are doing for my mother this Dec.

On our last trip, we just rented from the parks.. if we did not get there within the first hour, they were all gone. And when we did do some park hopping and returned in the evening and were lucky enough to get an ECV, they were not fully charged and twice the battery died. The CM's are good about radioing to the desk and having someone bring a new ECV to your location, but it was a bit of a hassle.

Also, I remember my mother remarking that she wished she had one just to walk from the parking area to the front entrance. Even the handicapped parking can be a long walk. The ECV's are pretty lightweight and come apart easily. They can fit in the trunk of your vehicle.

But if you are staying onsite and using WDW transportation and plan on doing EE, you might be fine just renting in the parks.

Hope this helps!

 

[DisZip]

Thanks for the advice.

I was hoping that as the ECV would only be needed on the longer walks inside the parks, to rent there. It almost seems to be more effort than its worth to deal with keeping the ECV in the resort room and getting on and off WDW transportation.

We are staying on resort, at BCV, using WDW transportation and will probably keep it to one park a day, and will probably do EE.

I guess I will leave it up to my MIL to decide if she wants the ECV 24 hours a day, or if she is willing to risk not getting one in the parks if we decide to rent there. I just want to get all my facts straight so she can make an informed decision.

Right now she is not sure she needs one, but is getting nervous about "keeping up" with the rest of us.

 

[SueM in MN]

You can go to the disABILITIES FAQs thread at the top of this board to review all your options. If she doesn't really care whether she has an ecv or a wheelchair, you could take your chances of getting an ecv. Unless it's a really busy time, they usually do have wheelchairs, although, as was mentioned, they run out of ecvs often in the first few hours.
Since you are staying at BCV, you would be able to get to 2 parks (Epcot and the Studio) by either using the walkways or by using the boats (which are easier to use the ecv on than the buses).

 

[clkelley]

Can also get to Magic Kingdom by walking/riding through Epcot, then taking monorail which is very ECV friendly, if she has her own ECV or outside rental.

We never mess with the boats between Epcot/MGM and Epcot resorts.

My hubby just uses his scooter on the pathway and I walk. Actually quicker than the boats.

The only buses to deal with would be Animal Kingdom and Dowtown Disney.

Carol

 

[SueM in MN]

Originally posted by clkelley
Can also get to Magic Kingdom by walking/riding through Epcot, then taking monorail which is very ECV friendly, if she has her own ECV or outside rental.

We never mess with the boats between Epcot/MGM and Epcot resorts.

My hubby just uses his scooter on the pathway and I walk. Actually quicker than the boats.

The only buses to deal with would be Animal Kingdom and Dowtown Disney.

Carol

I agree about the Epcot/ MGM/ Resort boats. It is much faster to just walk/roll.