ECV rentals

[mwes1231]

My husband has arthritis in his hip and may need an ECV on our upcoming trip to get through the parks. He won't need it "full-time", more just to avoid too much walking. I don't really want to deal with the hassle of taking an ECV on buses, etc. I know some are portable and can be taken apart or folded, but I am assuming they are still too bulky or heavy to carry? Does anyone know how limited the supplies are at the parks and how quickly they are usually gone? Would you recommend renting at the parks when needed or getting one for the week and having to lug it around?

 

[powellrj]

They are much too heavy and bulky to take apart and carry around. You can take them apart to put in a car trunk but to carry around would be to heavy.

They do run out in the parks and are much more expensive than they are to rent off-site. I would just go ahead and rent off-site so you can have it when you need it.

 

[SueM in MN]

Follow the link in my signature to the disABILITIES FAQs thread. You can also find it near the top of this board.

Post 2 of that thread is about renting wheelchairs and ECVs, both inside the parks and from off-site vendors.

If you choose to rent from the parks' there is no guarantee that any will be left when you arrive. There usually should not be a problem if you arrive by 10 am or so, but no way to tell for sure.

Rental companies do rent ECVs that can be taken apart for transport in a car trunk. The largest piece is typically around 40 pounds, but the shape may be awkward to lift.

 

[WheeledTraveler]

You definitely wouldn't be able to carry it on the buses. If you rent a car, you'd be able to transport it that way, for sure.

If you can bring yourself to rent offsite, while there will be hassle with the buses (although, I didn't find the buses a hassle as a wheelchair user, but that was definitely off season), there are some definite perks. ECVs from the offsite rentals are far easier to handle than the ones WDW rents. You'll definitely have the ECV if he needs it, which won't necessarily happen if you rent in the parks because they do run out often. You'll have it if he needs it at the resort; the resorts can be big and if his arthritis flares, that could be an issue. It's also not necessarily a close walk to get to the ECV rental once you do get to the parks. Also, it's substantially cheaper. An ECV rented from WDW is $50/day plus a $20 deposit that you get back at the end of the day. That means 7 park days is $350. You can rent from offsite for that long at a price under $200.

Especially if you rent onsite (but renting offsite as well), I'd really suggest you remind him to use it before he needs it. Yes, he might be able to walk more, but using the ECV will give him more energy and it's always better to try to not push to a level of pain/increased pain. It's much easier to keep a low pain level steady than to bring down a high pain level and pain does also drain energy. I know you didn't ask about this, but it really does make a difference and at WDW it's easy to walk more than you realize. I'm not saying he shouldn't walk, just that he should pick his times and pay attention to things like distance through a line (there are some that are about 1/4 mile from the entrance to the boarding point and then the same back out). Many people find that using an ECV between lands and walking in them (possibly with the exceptions of the rides with long distances in their queue), works well.

 

[mwes1231]

If we did decide to rent offsite, how would that work at hotel (i.e., where do we put it when not using it, does it fit in elevators, etc.)??

 

[Bete]

First, by going to a preferred outside vendor for scooters, they will deliver to the Disney resort usually at bellhop services. Not sure, what size scooter you need, but If you can get by with the smaller scooter it's much easier to handle and use. If your hubby is a bigger, taller man you may need a bigger scooter. Most Disney resorts expect you to keep your portable, travel scooter in your room. If you are concerned going in and out of your resort room with a scooter Disney can remove your table in your room to give you more room for the scooter. When you rent an offsite scooter you need to charge the battery every day. You would probably be better off asking for a first floor resort room for medical reasons. Then, you don't have to deal with an elevator. We have never had a problem with a scooter using an elevator, but usually you want to get on the elevator without anyone else being on the elevator. The bus situation is probably the toughest part with the scooter. There's a lift on the bus that gets you on and off the bus. The hard part comes with having to park the scooter on the bus. If you can't maneuver the scooter in place to park on the bus there is a manual lever that will allow you to manually move the scooter by hand which may be easier for you to get it in place on the bus or off. The bus driver is not required to do this for you. It's not to say that a driver would not help you, but it's not part of their job description. If you are really afraid of this part I would go the first time when it's a quiet time to the park and hopefully there will not be too many other guests on the bus. Then, you can take your time and learn the process under easier circumstances. The morning rush is not a good time to do this the first time; unless, you have the confidence you can do it without issue. You may end up doing this part for your husband if you feel you can handle the scooter better than he can on and off the bus. Going through ride queues have some zigzags that the scooter must do. You can take the scooter with you through the queues and then park it very close to the ride. You can park the scooter outside of the attraction and walk the total ride, too. The average walking for a day at a park is 6 miles. The good news is that you are not walking constantly for the 6 miles. If your hubby decides to walk plan your day with rest times. For example, do a ride; then a show so you can sit; do another ride and then see a parade; do another ride and then eat and do still another ride and then do fireworks. Please keep in mind that a scooter could have mechanical problems. When this occurs you will have to deal with getting the problem resolved. You don't want to use a scooter in the rain. Sometimes, this is unavoidable, but you need to seek shelter in the parks and wait for the rain to lessen or stop all together before proceeding. Renting at a Disney park usually costs double what a scooter would be from an off site vendor. You have to get to the scooter rental area, stand in line for your turn, and hope one is available. If you go early to the parks you should be okay getting one. Remember, if you take a break in the day away from the park and you want to come back you don't have to pay another Disney rental for the scooter, but you do need to get in line again to get another scooter. Later in the day is much tougher getting a scooter. These Disney scooters stay in the park. You don't have to get the Disney scooter in and out of your room or on and off the bus. You don't have to charge the battery everyday, either. These are the pros and cons. You may want to try a day at your local zoo and see how your husband handles the walking there. It will still be harder at Disney, but it will give you an idea of what it is to walk a park all day. Also, you can rent a scooter at the zoo and that many be good practice before you take on a Disney park. You will have to be prepared for people to rush out in front of your scooter and you having to stop suddenly. I believe the most important part of doing Disney is lasting the day at the parks. A scooter is a wonderful asset to have at a Disney park. In a way it pays for itself by allowing you to last longer at the park. You get more value out of your park ticket and more memories.