ECV Rentals- any tips?

[goofy4wdw2]

I read through the FAQ on this thread, but I am posting to see if anyone has any other tips, comments, experiences with using ECVs in th parks? My dad will be joining us in October--he has left foot drop and is able to walk unassisted with his normal daily activities (and also works/deliveries 2 days per week), but probably can't do miles of walking per day for 10 days straight. He has always been very active until an illness last fall brought about this issue with his mobility, and he is still pretty active but has foot pain after walking for long periods of time. He is really worried about how his foot will slow him/us down so is thinking of renting an ECV. Do you recommend renting one from a private company to keep in your room each night? If so, do you have a favorite company you recommend? He can walk onto attractions, so my guess is that he'd want to park it in a general area and walk to a few attractions, then use the ECV to get to another section of the park. Does this work well for those of you who have used ECVs? Any tips, suggestions, etc are very much appreciated!! Thanks!

 

[peemagg]

I would rent from an off site company so that you always have it. If I didn't have my own scooter I would rent from Apple. They rent the exact scooter that I use and love!

On thing to watch out for is people playing with the speed controls when not on the scooter. You are mostly going to want it in the slowest speed. Much more than that and it can get dangerous, for the faster you go the longer it takes to stop. The scooters don't stop on a dime like most people think. Also people don't see you or if they do they ignore you and will walk into you or in front of you. You are really going to have to watch out for others, because they will not watch out for you.

If he is not used to driving a scooter, he should practice at the local grocery store. If he can handle these, he will be set for the parks.

 

[M5ward]

We had to rent an ECV for the first time in January. We rented from Walker Mobility, and I would certainly recommend them. The scooter was waiting for us at Bell Services when we checked in..charged and ready to go. The instructions for charging were clear..very basic. The people I dealt with were friendly, informative, and professional.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi and to disABILITIES!

The majority of attraction lines in WDW are "mainstreamed". This means that a wheelchair or ECV will use the regular entrance and line all the way to either a show seating or ride load area. If a line is not mainstreamed there will be signs and/or Cast Members to direct you where to go.

If a show, normally there will be spaces to park a chair or ECV and there will be seats next to the space for other members of the group.

If a ride, usually you will have to transfer to a ride vehicle, although some rides will allow a person in a wheelchair to remain in their chair. If you have to transfer to a ride, and unload is not at the same location as load, your ECV will magically appear at the unload area.

If you click on where it says "disABILTIES" at the top of this page it will take you to the Index. One of the top items is the "disABILTIES FAQ" which will gives lots of useful information. Note that Post #2 discusses mobility and equipment. Post #3 had a wide variety of information and links; it might be a good idea to look at the various park "Guidemap For Persons With Disabilities" for more detailed information.

Or, if you want an easier route to the FAQs, click on the link in my signature.

Many of the attractions unload is not close to load. He would be miuch better off taking the ECV all the way to load. If unload is at a different locaiton thery will move the ECV for him. And some of the queues, such as for Soarin' are over 1/4 mile from initial entry until you reach load.

 

[Bete]

and you can't beat the price. They have a few choices on scooter size. There's a weekly charge and then you add per day after the week. The scooter will be waiting at your resort. Depending on the resort there may be different locations where you pick it up. Usually it's done at the luggage area.

It's nice to have the scooter for resort use to the food court, pool, etc. That's the advantage of doing off-site renting. Taking the scooter on the Disney bus you will wait in the handicap line of the bus waiting queue. The scooter is brought up to the Disney bus by a lift. You get on first on the bus before the regular passengers, but you get off last when exiting the bus. If you are using a car, then you won't be doing it this way. Make sure you get a portable, travel scooter if you are going by car. With a scooter you get handicap privileges like special viewing areas for a parade, etc. You may not notice it very easily since it's your first time; so, ask a CM.

Make sure you charge the scooter every night. Make sure it's connected correctly for the charge and double check your gage for a full charge when done. Never keep the scooter on if you are viewing a parade, fireworks, or a longer show. Don't lose the key, but take it with you when your not on the scooter. Park the scooter when your away from it out of the way. If you don't you might find yourself with your scooter being moved away by a Cast Member. There is a manual override on the scooter; so, it can be pushed without having a key. Once, we parked our scooter close to a parade route and we got back it was not there. That was a little frightening, but we talked to a nearby CM and they helped us find it. After that experience I learned where to park and where not to park it.

The scooter will be a great help to your dad. Many people will practice using a scooter in a store like Wal-Mart, etc. to get a feel for the experience before they go to Disney.

 

[goofy4wdw2]

Thank you so much everyone!!! This information is SO helpful! I really appreciate all of your tips

 

[goofy4wdw2]

I just looked at Apple Scooters' website and I see there is a choice of 3 wheel scooter or 4 wheel scooter for the same price. Whichdo you recommend? He used a scooter a few times in the grovcery store, Wal-Mart in the fall when he first starting getting around, so he has a little (not a lot) bit of experience using one, if that matters.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I think the three is much easier to maneuver. The only time a four is really needed is if you are extremely heavy or if you are going to be riding on non-paved surfaces.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

I also recommend Walker Mobility, I have not seen anyone who can beat their prices and I have tried. If you arrive mid-day and will need it then, they don't charge for a whole day and the same with check-out day.

Be cautious with a 3 wheel ECV, my mom tipped hers over one time in MK, because she turned too sharply and she was a fairly experienced user.

Suzanne

 

[peemagg]

I have the 3 wheeled version and have never had an issue with it being tippy. It is a lot of being aware of how sharp it can turn and what you are driving on. Some people have almost tipped their ECV's by taking a slope crossways instead of up and down. This would cause it to tip if not aware of it.

 

[bearlyanne]

My MIL is very sensitive to bumps and did the mistake of renting a 3 wheeled scooter last year. She had a very hard time touring at AKL because the ground is not smooth. Infact it was so bad, that she left the park early that day.

I am sure that it is not an issue for everyone, but if you share that same sort of sensitivity, a four wheeler might be better.

 

[Walker Mobility]

Hello Everyone. Thought I would chime in regarding 3 wheeled scooters versus 4 wheeled scooters. We used them in our fleet up until 1996. Our conclusion follows: 4 wheelers are more difficult to maneuver in crowds at Disney. Their respective turning radius makes it more difficult to drive through and go with the flow of the walking. Secondly, there is less leg room. Hope this helps.
Thank you in advance.

John R. Walker
Walker Mobility

 

[Bete]

Hello Everyone. Thought I would chime in regarding 3 wheeled scooters versus 4 wheeled scooters. We used them in our fleet up until 1996. Our conclusion follows: 4 wheelers are more difficult to maneuver in crowds at Disney. Their respective turning radius makes it more difficult to drive through and go with the flow of the walking. Secondly, there is less leg room. Hope this helps.
Thank you in advance.

John R. Walker
Walker Mobility

This doesn't make sense to me; am I misunderstanding? You can't be talking width and length would have to be similar if not less for a three wheeler.

There's give and take with a 3 or 4 wheeler. With a 4 wheeler it's well known to be more stable; so, you may give up some on the turning radius but I rather be safer. Disney themselves rent out 4 wheelers, not three wheelers.

I can understand from your standpoint going with a three wheeler; because, they are cheaper to buy and when you buy fleets of them the $$$ add up.

I don't really want to start a debate about it, either but you are really confusing me about the leg room.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

On the four-wheeler since there is the tiller in the mniddle and the wheels on both sides, there is no real convenient place for your feet. Either they are sort of cramped vertically behind the wheels or your legs are out fairly straight with the feet sticking out forwatd of the ECV.

On a three wheel you have both the tiller and wheel in the center in front, and floorboards on both sides of the wheel.

If youy look here you will see two of the same model ( happen to own the three-wheel version) which is the size of many rental ECVs and so can see the comparison.

 

[Bete]

On the four-wheeler since there is the tiller in the mniddle and the wheels on both sides, there is no real convenient place for your feet. Either they are sort of cramped vertically behind the wheels or your legs are out fairly straight with the feet sticking out forwatd of the ECV.

On a three wheel you have both the tiller and wheel in the center in front, and floorboards on both sides of the wheel.

If youy look here you will see two of the same model ( happen to own the three-wheel version) which is the size of many rental ECVs and so can see the comparison.

Thank you for the great explanation. I understand better, now. However,

on the Pride to go elite travelller model the three wheeler has very little room on the sides of the tiller and really worthless for leg extension. I looked at pictures for both on this model. The 4 wheel version to me looks better in this model; because, the wheel covers can act as an elevated footrest so to speak.

I think it just depends on the model. I would say on the compact, portable, travel scooter I would still opt for a 4 wheeler including the leg room factor.

 

[icouldlivethere]

Thank you for the great explanation. I understand better, now. However,

on the Pride to go elite travelller model the three wheeler has very little room on the sides of the tiller and really worthless for leg extension. I looked at pictures for both on this model. The 4 wheel version to me looks better in this model; because, the wheel covers can act as an elevated footrest so to speak.

I think it just depends on the model. I would say on the compact, portable, travel scooter I would still opt for a 4 wheeler including the leg room factor.

If you are looking at purchasing a Go Go Elite I would recommend you go try them out because there are differences and it really makes a big difference to actually sit on one and ride it versus looking at a picture.

We had to go to several different places to see all the various different Go Go models. I can tell you that for the regular Pride Go Go Elite Traveller 3 wheel model there isn't as much leg room because there is a rim going across the front that prevents you from stretching out.

However, on the Go Go Traveller Elite Plus 3 wheel model the rim doesn't go completely all the way across leaving just enough room on either side of the wheel for you to put your feet and extend them off the edge a little which gives more leg room. If you're like me and have long legs then those few extra inches of leg room make a huge difference in comfort level. The Plus model is also a little longer and a little wider then the regular model to begin with.

I've used a variety of different scooters and have used both 3 wheel and 4 wheel models and the tighter turning radius on the 3 wheels makes them a lot more maneuverable. With 4 wheel models I end up having to back up and go forward a lot to try and maneuver into places and with the 3 wheel models I can usually maneuver into any spot on my first try.

All I can say is that when you are making a purchase of this size it is a big investment and well worth the time to track down medical supply stores that have some on display and to actually sit on them and ride them and make sure you are making the best choice for yourself.