ECV speed?

[StacyAnnnn]

OK, so I have decided to swallow my pride, in hopes of increasing comfort and enjoyment. I will bring wheelchair to airport and rent ECV in Orlando. We are a party of five, renting a mid-size SUV, S/W rep at GM they recommended the Go-go, as the Victory will not fit in the SUV.

I went to Target and Walmart yesterday just to practice using an ECV, my only concern now is the speed, I can only assume the the ones from GM are going to be faster....as the rest of my party would go crazy waiting for me based on the speed of the store ones....please, tell me my assumption is correct....


Thank you for your help,
Stacy

 

[gap2368]

I believe you are right. The ones Disney has are very slow

 

[TCRAIG]

While the ECVs you rent from the parks are indeed very very slow (and ungainly and behemoth in size) - the GoGo ECVs from outside venders are fantastic! Top speed (Hare setting versus Tortoise) is @4MPH - plenty fast!!! My husband is a very fast walker and I keep my set about 1/2 way between the 2 characters but really closer to the Tortoise - once in the parks - it’s only about 1/4 off from Tortoise...

 

[Evita_W]

The ones from GM can easily outpace anyone in your party, especially if you are going with the Victory 10 model.

 

[Selket]

I've tried the regular size ECV at top speed in an area where there were no other walkers and my son couldn't keep up for very long - or maybe he just didn't want to - haha! It goes fast. The portable ECV's I've rented a few years ago seemed like a similar speed. I generally like to set it at the walking speed of my party but you could also set it for faster if you want to adjust your speed with the hand controls. You'd just need to be careful not to mash it unintentionally. I think you will be pleased with the speed so it shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Just wondering, with the ones at Target and Walmart, were you able to vary the speed? Or was it just kind of "pull the lever to go, pull the other lever to stop." That's how the ones around here are. But the ones from Gold Mobility have a dial. Repeat the mantra -"THE TURTLE IS MY FRIEND" The slow side of the dial has a picture of a turtle on it, the fast side has, I think, a picture of a rabbit. And be aware that actually you can go more slowly than when you point the dial at the turtle, you can usually turn the dial further down.. I found this out the hard way when I pointed the dial to turtle, and still felt like I was "zoom" ing off the bus. In my early riding days, I would sometimes ride with one hand on the dial, because it made me feel I could stop more quickly. But as I got a little better, I didn't feel the need to. Also, if you're going to take a turn, or need to slow way down, you may want to crank that dial way down a few seconds BEFORE the turn since ECVs often have a delay of a half second or so.

 

[StacyAnnnn]

The ones from GM can easily outpace anyone in your party, especially if you are going with the Victory 10 model.

Just wondering, with the ones at Target and Walmart, were you able to vary the speed? Or was it just kind of "pull the lever to go, pull the other lever to stop." That's how the ones around here are. But the ones from Gold Mobility have a dial. Repeat the mantra -"THE TURTLE IS MY FRIEND" The slow side of the dial has a picture of a turtle on it, the fast side has, I think, a picture of a rabbit. And be aware that actually you can go more slowly than when you point the dial at the turtle, you can usually turn the dial further down.. I found this out the hard way when I pointed the dial to turtle, and still felt like I was "zoom" ing off the bus. In my early riding days, I would sometimes ride with one hand on the dial, because it made me feel I could stop more quickly. But as I got a little better, I didn't feel the need to. Also, if you're going to take a turn, or need to slow way down, you may want to crank that dial way down a few seconds BEFORE the turn since ECVs often have a delay of a half second or so.

Thank you for all the advice, you are correct the ones in the stores do not have adjustable speed, just stop and go.

 

[Bete]

A few things to remember: The go go has one battery vs. the victory having two. This makes a difference on how long the scooter lasts with the Victory being the one that lasts longer. Second the victory scooter is more heavy duty meaning it can hold more weight. If you are heavier using a lightweight scooter your speed will be affected somewhat and your battery will drain quicker.

Also, the lever has to be pressed harder to maximize speed. If you have a light touch you will go slower. If you have arthritis in your hands it makes it hard to hold the lever all the way, for example.

Some rental victory 10 models come apart. If they come apart you can store some of the parts on a seat, too to fit the entire scooter in the SUV. This is harder work to dismantle and put together all the time. Some rental companies make it so you can't take the scooter apart. Finally, if you need the seats for actual other passengers than it may be tough to use that space for a scooter.

Grocery store scooters are slower and so are Disney scooter rentals. They set them that way.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Just to expand, the Go-Go lasts at least 1 1/2 days. I forgot to recharge my Go-Go one night (I don't recommend forgetting), so the next day I left the park after only a few hours, just because I couldn't stand the fear of my scooter running out of battery any more. Perhaps with the Victory, I would have had more confidence.

 

[StacyAnnnn]

Thank you everyone for your input. Let me give you all the info....MY mobility issue in in my lower back and hips...I cannot walk for more than about 15-20 minutes before the pain starts...then I cannot even stand...I do not have any issues with hands. I am 4'11' and weigh about 242, but I am having bariatric surgery next month. My trip is July10-17, not sure what my weight will be then.

 

[Selket]

I am 4'11' and weigh about 242, but I am having bariatric surgery next month. My trip is July10-17, not sure what my weight will be then.

I have rented a portable scooter from Buena Vista on trips a few years back - probably the same or similar to what Gold rents. BV told me that the heavier a person is, the less the battery will last. I think they said it was not as recommended for those over 200lbs. I suggest asking Gold what to expect from the battery life and performance for your situation just to see what they say. I was under 200lbs and found the portable rentals I got from Buena Vista were "ok" but not great in terms in battery life. I often had to recharge them once during the day. Generally not an issue with speed except going up the bus ramps now that I think about it. I don't know if the current portable rental models could have the same issues but it could be worth asking about.

 

[Evita_W]

I have rented a portable scooter from Buena Vista on trips a few years back - probably the same or similar to what Gold rents. BV told me that the heavier a person is, the less the battery will last. I think they said it was not as recommended for those over 200lbs. I suggest asking Gold what to expect from the battery life and performance for your situation just to see what they say. I was under 200lbs and found the portable rentals I got from Buena Vista were "ok" but not great in terms in battery life. I often had to recharge them once during the day. Generally not an issue with speed except going up the bus ramps now that I think about it. I don't know if the current portable rental models could have the same issues but it could be worth asking about.

gold rents the gogo sport, the big difference is they replace thier entire fleet every 6onths where Buena Vista doesn't, so the battery is generally going to be in better condition. Additionally Gold only uses the extended battery.

As for the Victory 10, if you can fold down the back row, it should fit in most SUVs, but if you need the back row it.would be a challenge. Although, I do believe thier victory 10 does break down.

We fit two of them in the back of a Dodge Caravan with the back row folded down.

If you are using your own vehicle (or renting a similar sized vehicle), most of your local medical supply supply stores should have Victory 10s in stock and I have found they are usually happy to help you see if you can get it to fit. Just keep in mind that Gold has the captains chair, so that is a factor.

What we did was lower the tiller, then fold down the seat. We then put it in neutral, lifted the front over the lip and then lifted the back up, pushed in. Then take it out of neutral (this is key) and reverse the process to get it out. It sounds harder than it is.

And under your circumstances, I would definitely try for the Victory 10 if you can figure out how to make it fit. It would be more comfortable and the batteries would last.longer during the day.

But the gogo sport will work, just watch the battery and possibly try to plugin when you go to eat, etc.

You might also be able to ask them to bring both and you can try the victory 10 in your vehicle and if it indeed can't fit, you can stick with the gogo sport.

But ultimately they generally know what can and can't work, I just think your circumstances would make the victory 10 a better choice.

 

[mamabunny]

Thank you everyone for your input. Let me give you all the info....MY mobility issue in in my lower back and hips...I cannot walk for more than about 15-20 minutes before the pain starts...then I cannot even stand...I do not have any issues with hands. I am 4'11' and weigh about 242, but I am having bariatric surgery next month. My trip is July10-17, not sure what my weight will be then.

Don't worry too much about your weight - only because most scooters are designed for riders of up to 250 pounds. You should be fine; even if you don't lose a pound between now and then! Given that you are petite, I would ask your vendor if the seat can be adjusted to fit your frame a bit better - if you have a bad back, hopping up into and down out of a scooter seat all day won't be as helpful; that's a lot of jarring to your back!

Be sure to tell your bariatric surgeon about your impending trip to WDW; they may have some helpful advice for you as well for specific strategies regarding dealing with meals.

If you have any specific questions about the unit you decide to rent, be sure to reach out to your rental vendor as well - often they have those answers right at their fingertips; they deal with the scooters every day!

 

[Evita_W]

Don't worry too much about your weight - only because most scooters are designed for riders of up to 250 pounds. You should be fine; even if you don't lose a pound between now and then! Given that you are petite, I would ask your vendor if the seat can be adjusted to fit your frame a bit better - if you have a bad back, hopping up into and down out of a scooter seat all day won't be as helpful; that's a lot of jarring to your back!

Be sure to tell your bariatric surgeon about your impending trip to WDW; they may have some helpful advice for you as well for specific strategies regarding dealing with meals.

If you have any specific questions about the unit you decide to rent, be sure to reach out to your rental vendor as well - often they have those answers right at their fingertips; they deal with the scooters every day!

That is a fair point on the seat at Gold, the seat they have for the victory 10 is more adjustable than the gogo sport, but the seat for the gogo sport may be lower. But the higher backed seat on the victory 10 captains chair is easier for most people with a bad back. But as with most things in life, your mileage may vary.

 

[Groot]

I believe you are right. The ones Disney has are very slow.

Yeah, if there was a race between a snail and a Disney scooter, I’d put my money on the snail.

 

[SG131]

My mom rented a Go-Go scooter and I've driven it a few times. It can get moving pretty well and the gold batteries have ALWAYS lasted us a full day in the park. One night we forgot to charge it and it lasted almost an entire second day.

 

[GorshGoofy]

I've used the "in-park" scooters a number of times and have had no problems with the battery. I'm at 5'2" and 250+ lbs. I did make the mistake of standing up and triggering the kill switch one time. Blocked a counter service exit line for a while until a cast member told me how to restart. Make sure to turn the battery off before standing up and you'll be fine. It acts like a riding lawn mower kill switch that stops the engine when pressure is removed from the seat.
I did notice that there were several times when I wanted to get out and push the scooter but, overall, I've been satisfied with the speed. I'm hesitant to go faster for fear that a child will run out in front of me. I did see a lady dart out in front of her husband's scooter and he almost broke her leg. I've resigned myself to a slower speed to avoid ruining someone else's day.