ECV RENTAL not Goldmobility

[Lewisc]

Only looking to rent for 4 days. Goldmobility tends to be pricey if you're not renting for at least a week.
I tried a search, almost all reviews are at least 4 years old.
BuenaVista is a more expensive then the other Disney featured vendors. Does anyone have any recent experience or knowledge with any of the featured vendors.

 

[Hopefully]

I am a satisfied Buena Vista renter. I have used them multiple times and have always had great experiences. I am booked again this Fall m

 

[dizneefan13]

Most all of them will charge more by the day if you are renting for less than a week.

 

[Starwind]

They charge a higher price for per day rentals [i.e. if you are renting under 7 days] - I used Aug 5-9 for pricing purposes below.

e.g. Buena Vista, standard scooter, for 4 days:
Total $186.38
$155.00 | Standard Scooter ($31/day)
$20.00 | Damage Waiver
$11.38 | FL Sales Tax 6.5%

e.g. Gold Mobility, Pride Go-Go Sport 3-Wheel Mobility Scooter, for 4 days [flat rate upto 7 days]
Subtotal $149.99
Taxes $11.25
Total USD $161.24

e.g. Gold Mobility, Pride Victory 10 3-Wheel Mobility Scooter Rental [has high back chair], for 4 days [flat rate upto 7 days]
Subtotal $179.99
Taxes $13.50
Total USD $193.49

e.g. Scooterbug - companion tourist resort model, for 4 days
Estimate Rental Price: $110.00
[presumably plus damage waiver and taxes, but it won't calculate that w/o putting in personal info]

I have used Buena Vista multiple times and the experience was fine: we've had nearly new-like scooters as well as some that have seen better days but still functioned fine. On one trip we rented a standard scooter but were given a Mxims, no explanation [charged for the standard]. On one trip the charger got quite hot - we called but they said not to worry about it; I was worried about it, and for the rest of the trip we only charged it when we were in the room in case overheating led to fire, unplugging it if we left [which we did to get drink refills]. Being able to pick up and drop off with Bell Services is certainly very convenient. I would rent from BV again based on the experiences we have had.

For our next trip we need the scooter for 2.5 days clock time. While I have used Buena Vista in the past, I am going with Gold Mobility this time even though it will cost more than BV [I am renting the more expensive Pride Victory 10 3-Wheel model, in part because I want/prefer the high back], due to the features and the excellent review GMS has gotten on this board. If we like them, we'll stick with them for future trips.

(for reference, BV's standard model rental for my rental period would be Total $120.35 while GMS high-back Victory Pride 3 wheel is total $193.49 for the same period due to their flat rate 1-7d pricing; here's hoping GMS is worth the extra $).

SW

 

[kaytieeldr]

RandysMobility is $30/night, or $125 for five nights, plus tax.
WalkerMobility is $160 plus tax for four nights.
Tax should be 6.5%.

 

[Lewisc]

Is the BV standard ECV the same as the gold mobility pride?
FWIW some Disney fan sites have a promotion offering a free accessory for BV renters. Other sites have a promotion offering a 10% discout, lowering 4 day price to $170.

Best Price charges $10 per day extra for damage waiver. Their savings disappear if you need damage waiver.

Sounds like posters have had the most recent experience with gold mobility and BV.

Going from DHS to the Boardwalk area. Is using a scooter instead of the boat a viable option? I'm asking about speed of scooter and effect on battery.

Does goldmobility supply a battery that runs longer the the ones batteries given by BV.
Thanks.

Edited to add I didn't compute revised tax on BV, using the 10% promotion. I'm a dollar or two off. Not a big deal but the PP did show the prices to the cent

 

[Starwind]

Is the BV standard ECV the same as the gold mobility pride?

Going from DHS to the Boardwalk area. Is using a scooter instead of the boat a viable option? I'm asking about speed of scooter and effect on battery.

Does goldmobility supply a battery that runs longer the the ones batteries given by BV.

No the BV standard scooter has the low back chair while gold mobility has two options: the high back chair, or gold's less expensive model to rent is the GoGo which is intended to be taken apart for transport and has the low back chair. Gold also has additional accessories they include in their price. So it is not comparing apples to apples. Both BV and GMS have info about, pictures of, and manuals for the scooters they rent on their websites, so you can compare them.

Yes the pathway from DHS to Boardwalk is paved. Many people enjoy the walk -- it is mostly along the waterway so is relaxing and has some nice views.

My understanding is the gold mobility batteries tend to last longer. THey use extended range batteries, but their scooters and batteries are also no more than 6 months old -- they replace each scooter after 6 months of use. So the battery is still "young" in its life, not potentially hitting the end of its life cycle and having issues retaining a full charge. That said, there are battery-sparing things you can do with any scooter to lengthen its power life in a day -- turning it off when not actively needing it on is one of the big ones.

SW

 

[Lewisc]

I understand the accessories and seating are different. Looks to me like both are offering the Pride Victory 10. I was asking if anyone knows if BV is also supplying units with the optional higher capacity battery.

I've walked, and taken the boat, between DHS EPCOT and the EPCOT resorts. I was wondering if the added hills and distance exceeds the range between charges. I called Gold, they said it shouldn't be an issue. Gold told me AK, long distances and hills, can wear down batteries.

Thanks for the replies. I'm probably going with gold. My wife has never used a scooter. The gold rep has a greater ability to give some basic instructions then an overworked Disney bellhop.

EDITED TO ASK: Do people typically tip the Goldmobility concierge? If so how much.

 

[Bjkandma]

Tips are at your descretion. I am planning on tipping $5 to $10. I've heard others tipping as much as $20. I need assistance throughout the airport, including aisle seat and Magical Express. If I tipped $20 (not that I don't appreciate everyone's service) I would be spending $100 plus just to get to resort!

 

[chainkid]

Gold also has the phone charging holder which was wonderful. Normally I have to take an extra battery charged device to extend life of phone but not with gold. They were best company I have worked with so far.

 

[Belle1962]

Walker

 

[Deanna404]

How much does using the phone charger run down your scooter battery? Did you leave it plugged in continuously, or just let your phone run down and then recharge it?

 

[CJN]

Going from DHS to the Boardwalk area. Is using a scooter instead of the boat a viable option? I'm asking about speed of scooter and effect on battery.

Does goldmobility supply a battery that runs longer the the ones batteries given by BV.
Thanks.

I used one of Gold’s ECVs and made that trip multiple times when it meant using the longer route through construction. No problems whatsoever with the battery charge.

 

[NYCrules]

Walker is the best, no worries and incredible ECV's.

 

[mamabunny]

How much does using the phone charger run down your scooter battery? Did you leave it plugged in continuously, or just let your phone run down and then recharge it?

In *theory* recharging a cell phone shouldn't affect the battery life enough to be noticeable. Recharge several large screen phones, a camera and/or an iPad and you might have a whole different experience!

Main thing to remember for ALL devices that are battery powered at WDW is to start the day with a full charge. Charge the ECV overnight in your room, as well as your phones, and you should be fine.