ECV Rentals

[MmmSuite]

Hi All,

My MIL has had two knee replacements and I think walking all day everyday for 4 or 5 months may be rough on her. But she doesn't want to be stuck in an ECV the entire time.

Should I rent for the week? If so, where? Or should we just wing it and let her rent at the parks as needed?

Any help or advice is appreciated!

 

[Nanajo1]

There is much more walking at Disney than just at the parks. She doesn't have to stay on the ECV all the time. She can park it (usually in the stroller area)and walk around for a while. It is great to have around the resort. Everyday rental is pricey. During busy times one might not be available.

 

[Nanajo1]

I meant to add that weekly rentals are more economical. There are several vendors listed on the disAbility stickies. I personally have used Care Medical,Walker,and Apple. They were all good.

 

[MmmSuite]

Thank you! Now I just have to convince her.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Thank you! Now I just have to convince her.

1) No problem.
2) There are several arguments that ALWAYS make your point and sways the discussion.
. . . for MIL/FIL: "Do this, or no more grandchildren visitation."
. . . for Husband: "Do this, or you do your own laundry and cooking."
. . . for Children: "Do this, or no more phone texting."
. . . for Wife: "Do this . . ." (forget it, nothing works on the wife).

 

[CJN]

Thank you! Now I just have to convince her.

Sometimes nothing can be done to convince a person ahead of time - they won't/don't understand the full scope of their situation until they get to WDW and reality smacks them in the face (or the knees as it were). We've found sometimes it's best not to create an issue with a lot of arguing ahead of time but, rather, just go armed with contact info for the rental places and make a quick phone call when mom/dad see what they're up against.

 

[Bete]

There are a few things you can do ahead of time to see if she needs a scooter or not. On a local level the best one is to a day at a zoo walking around and see how it goes. Most zoos have a scooter; so, if she gets tired there you can rent a scooter right then and there and she can get some practice in on scootering at the zoo. Another version of this is to go to a museum for a day. If you have a pedometer use one and see how much she can walk in a day at these places. Another factor is you will be walking many days in a row, not just one day; that takes a toll.

Below average walking in a Disney park is around 6 miles a day. I would say the average is like 8 miles a day. The diehard fan can go beyond 10 miles a day.

If she won't scooter you can alternate activities so she can have rest periods. For example, do a ride and then a show attraction where you can sit, do another ride and have a snack sitting on a bench, then do another ride and see an exhibit, and then do another ride and break for lunch. I would possibly avoid long waiting ride queues like with Toy Story Mania in Hollywood Studios. Soarin' in Epcot has a very long trek before you get to the actual ride and that might be a bit much. Some rides like Universe of Energy and the Great Movie ride provide a good rest while you enjoy the ride. You need to get a little smart on planning the day; so, she can survive the walking.

My husband uses a scooter and it's worth every penny. The cost is well worth it because you last so much longer at the parks; so, you get better value on your park ticket; so, it offsets the cost of the scooter. Also, he is much happier and less tired on a scooter and he lasts for a longer day that way.

The decision to rent offsite or on site depends on a few factors. If you are early to the parks chances are very good you will secure a park scooter. You won't have to worry about getting the scooter on and off Disney transportation or in and out of your car, and you won't have it in your resort room and you won't have to charge it every day. You get an advantage if something goes wrong with a Disney scooter you can get a replacement very easily at the park and a CM will help you at the Disney park. If you use an outside vendor scooter you have it to use every minute of the day. This can be helpful; because, you can do a lot more walking out of the park. You can get a smaller scooter which will be easier to use. You will have to charge it every night and get it into your room each time. If you do have trouble with the scooter you will have to contact the outside vendor and wait and wait for someone to come to help. If you are in a park many of the outside vendors if not all expect you to get the scooter to the entrance for service.

If the scooter is too hard to handle in certain situations like on and off Disney transportation then someone else could do it for her. As others have stated you can park the scooter and walk some at the parks. You are not married to the scooter.

If this is a monetary decision then maybe you could treat her for a rental scooter and give it as a birthday present or whatever.

I just tore cartilage in my knee and I'll be using a scooter when we go to Dollywood in a few weeks and that is a much smaller park. Being in pain is not my idea of a nice vacation; so, I will use a scooter.

 

[MmmSuite]

She definitely has the money. It's pride.

We don't do much with them. She declines zoo and museum trips all the time because of the walking. We live in MD and they live right outside DC, so we're always inviting them.

I know she's going to need it. I have never been and I don't want to spend valuable touring time dealing with her when her knees give up midday or midweek!

Thanks for the tips!

 

[Bete]

It may end up you will have to separate for a while. Maybe, they could come with you in the morning and spend the afternoon resting and returning in the evening. This way they would avoid the heat of the day and the worse crowds by avoiding the afternoon. Another twist would be to spend the day and retire early while you guys continue into the night.

The fact that she rejects invites to the zoo and museums is a big red flag that she can't handle the walking.

There may be another option by seeking advice of her doctor. There are so many injections now that they can use to ease pain in the knees. It may be enough to get her through it.

 

[MmmSuite]

1) No problem. 2) There are several arguments that ALWAYS make your point and sways the discussion. . . . for MIL/FIL: "Do this, or no more grandchildren visitation." . . . for Husband: "Do this, or you do your own laundry and cooking." . . . for Children: "Do this, or no more phone texting." . . . for Wife: "Do this . . ." (forget it, nothing works on the wife).

Hahahaha! So true! It's good to be the wife!

 

[WheeledTraveler]

If you can frame it as how using the ECV would help the rest of the family, she may be more open to the idea. Point out that they usually come with baskets so that she'll be able to help carry things, etc.

Also, if you go ahead and reserve an ECV from an offsite vendor (assuming you have an accurate idea of her weight, which is something you will need to know when deciding which scooter), it will be harder for her to reject after already being there.

It's also worth pointing out that no one she knows (outside the family, who clearly all know she needs the ECV) is likely to see her. Most people really aren't going to notice or care. She's not going to be the youngest ECV user and no one at WDW is surprised to see people using ECVs. As well, anyone that she does know who you happen to run into by surprise is more likely to say "it's so great to see you out" than to make a negative comment. So many people I know who fought using an ECV or wheelchair (whether just at WDW or in everyday life) discovered when they "gave in" how freeing it was to be able to actually do things. There's nothing inherently wrong with needing to use a mobility aid. Disability (of any type) is another form of diversity.

 

[Nanajo1]

Maybe if you word it as we want to share so much with you. We don't want you to miss anything! Good luck!

 

[MmmSuite]

If you can frame it as how using the ECV would help the rest of the family, she may be more open to the idea. Point out that they usually come with baskets so that she'll be able to help carry things, etc. Also, if you go ahead and reserve an ECV from an offsite vendor (assuming you have an accurate idea of her weight, which is something you will need to know when deciding which scooter), it will be harder for her to reject after already being there. It's also worth pointing out that no one she knows (outside the family, who clearly all know she needs the ECV) is likely to see her. Most people really aren't going to notice or care. She's not going to be the youngest ECV user and no one at WDW is surprised to see people using ECVs. As well, anyone that she does know who you happen to run into by surprise is more likely to say "it's so great to see you out" than to make a negative comment. So many people I know who fought using an ECV or wheelchair (whether just at WDW or in everyday life) discovered when they "gave in" how freeing it was to be able to actually do things. There's nothing inherently wrong with needing to use a mobility aid. Disability (of any type) is another form of diversity.

Thanks! Unfortunately, we cannot afford it financially. So she would have to be on board for us to reserve. A death in our family is the only reason we can go to Disney at all. The ILs are loaded. We are poor. Lol

So as selfish as it is, I know we won't be back and I want to enjoy it as much as possible.

Thanks for the talking points. I've got four months to convince her. So I'm going to have my hubby talk to her instead of me the DIL so maybe it'll be more acceptable coming from him.

Even my FIL is asking me about it behind her back. I think she just doesn't want to feel old. I can relate. My birthday last month was a bit rough.

 

[MmmSuite]

Maybe if you word it as we want to share so much with you. We don't want you to miss anything! Good luck!

When I mention the boys' excitement about her being there she gives in a little to that. Those are her 6 and 7 year old grand kids.

 

[WheeledTraveler]

I think you're right about your DH possibly being the better person to tackle it with her. Also, is there a chance your FIL would be willing to just reserve so that it's already there? I don't even think he needs to go behind her back to do so. He can just say "I'm renting it for us to use because I want to make sure we're able to spend as much time as possible making memories with our grandkids and other family members." You don't say anything about his health/fitness, but there's a chance that switching off using one may help both.

I also agree that pushing how much the kids want her around and how that will help is a good tactic. I don't know if they ever talk to her on the phone, but if they do see if you can get them to tell her how much they're looking forward to being able to spend so much time with her. Direct appeals from grandkids are usually fairly effective with grandparents who do care (and she sounds like she does). I wouldn't go with the suggestion (that I really hope was a joke) about threatening removing access to your kids if she won't get the ECV. I don't know if there's a tactful way to point out how much it would mean to get in as memories as possible, especially in light of the recent death in the family.

In a worst case scenario and she gets there and crashes, it's possible to call an off-site vendor and they usually can get an ECV to you within a day. There's also renting from the parks, but that's substantially more expensive and I'm sure she'd use that as an excuse to refuse. Also, if she continues to be stubborn once there, see if you can get your kids on board with sticking with grandma even if that means going slowly and possibly leaving the park early/not going one day. If you do get the kids on board with this now, you can just tell her as part of the rest of your convincing that the plan is to stick with her no matter what. From my impression of her, the possibility of the grandkids missing out will likely help convince her. She sounds like she's stubborn and proud, but not selfish. Also, depending on how much pain she's in daily, part of the pride and stubbornness could actually be frustration from pain (and anger about it). It sounds like she really hasn't accepted what is now "normal" and is still angry and, to some level, in denial.

 

[MmmSuite]

We live about an hour away and we see them fairly often. She used to come over once a week to watch our baby. So they have plenty of opportunities to talk to her about it.

I think the person above was joking.

My FIL is pretty fit. He still works on heavy machinery daily. He works for The Mint.

Planning for everyone has kind of fallen on me. His parents. His sister and her husband. Then us five. Considering that they have all been and me and my kids haven't seems weird they'd want me to do it. Lol

So I'm going to put convincing her on them. But I'll get the rental companies and prices.

 

[mkarizona]

She definitely has the money. It's pride.

We don't do much with them. She declines zoo and museum trips all the time because of the walking. We live in MD and they live right outside DC, so we're always inviting them.

I know she's going to need it. I have never been and I don't want to spend valuable touring time dealing with her when her knees give up midday or midweek!

Thanks for the tips!

We took DMIL age 90 to DL last fall and she insisted on using her walker even though we pleaded with her to rent an ECV or a wheelchair. I think your husband needs to make it very clear to her that it is not just about her and how she will feel; her refusal is going to negatively impact everyone else's trip especially the grandchildren. I can't imagine a grandmother not wanting her grandchildren to have the very best time they can.

 

[MmmSuite]

We took DMIL age 90 to DL last fall and she insisted on using her walker even though we pleaded with her to rent an ECV or a wheelchair. I think your husband needs to make it very clear to her that it is not just about her and how she will feel; her refusal is going to negatively impact everyone else's trip especially the grandchildren. I can't imagine a grandmother not wanting her grandchildren to have the very best time they can.

mkarizona, how was that trip?

 

[Beesma]

I hope you're successful in convincing your MIL! We just returned from DLR and it was my first time renting an ECV. I didn't want to do it--didn't want to feel weak and didn't want to feel old! I'm 55 and I feel like I should be able to keep up with my almost 19-year-old daughter! LOL. I wouldn't have rented the ECV if it weren't for upcoming foot surgery. Now, I'll never go to the park without renting one! I have severe arthritis in my hip and one of my knees and I'm usually in a lot of pain after a short time walking around. This time, I was able to spend three full days in the parks and it's the best trip to Disney we've ever had! I went back to the hotel each evening without being totally worn out and in terrible pain.

It was a challenge driving the ECV around--while most people are considerate, many aren't--but, it made such a huge difference and I enjoyed myself so much more than usual that I'll definitely rent again!

Good luck!!

 

[mkarizona]

mkarizona, how was that trip?

It was a good trip; we all enjoyed it. We knew going in that DMIL wouldn't be able to keep up and we would have to reduce our expectations, but we really wanted her to experience the parks with us. She managed all 3 days just using her walker. She proved she could do it but the rest of us would have preferred that she had caved and rented an ECV or wheelchair. We would have moved faster, gotten more done, spent less time resting and not have been as stressed. And that is just for 3 days at parks that are 20% and 35% smaller than MK (the smallest park at WDW.) There is no way we would even consider taking her to WDW without an ECV or wheelchair: that would be non-negotiable.