ECV Strategy for Mom

[Dis_Fan]

My mom shattered her ankle a while back. She can walk, but long distances are painful.

If my mom rents an ECV at the park, do they offer wheel chairs to transport her to the bus stops at the parks? We are staying onsite, but the bus stops can be a long walk!

I suggested that she rent an ECV from a third party vendor and keep it with her, but she does not think she needs it. I am afraid after a week of theme parks, she will be miserable. If she changes her mind while we are there and wants an ECV she can take to the hotel with her, are the vendors able to get her an ECV quickly, or is it something we would have to decide ahead of time?

 

[wilkeliza]

They will tell you there are complementary wheelchairs but to be honest I've never seen then actually in their spots through out the day. Also even though you are staying onside it can be a long distance from your room to the bus stop and form the bus stop to the parks. My grandma use to fight my cousins on using an ECV when they cruises together until finally someone rented one for her and she realized she got so much more done and had so much more fun with it.

 

[gap2368]

I would look at getting an ECV off site one should fit in your room and it will save money and I do not think you realize how much walking st the resorts you do.

I hope your mother has a great trip and heals quickly

 

[Bete]

Outside of the park wheelchairs are scarce. I agree getting an offsite scooter is best. Even standing can be painful and you can have a long wait for buses when it's busy. Getting to the bus loading from your resort room can be a long haul, too depending on your location.

You may have to takeover the scooter and help mom with getting the scooter on and off the bus; to me this is the hardest part.

You do have to get the scooter in and out of your room. Also, you have to charge the battery each day. You may have to help your mom on this part, too.

 

[powellrj]

It is so much cheaper to rent an ECV from an off-site vendor. Its also much handier to have it with you at the hotels. They use to have wheelchairs for use at the resorts, but I don't think they offer those anymore.

The parks also run out of ECVs early in the day, and you can't take them with you out of the parks if you want to leave during the day.

 

[RubySue]

Another vote for getting an ECV from an off-site vendor. The distances from park entrance to buses or from bus to resort room can be quite long. At the top of this page, there is a sticky - disABILITIES FAQ - with tons of ECV information. You could call some vendors and ask what the chances would be of getting a last minute rental.

 

[Mrsjvb]

not only are the WC outside of the parks an endangered species( close to extinct) they are often in really crappy condition( wheels wobble, one time a wheel fell OFF halfway up the ramp to the monorail for us) and usually filthy.

she needs to get one off site.

 

[Dis_Fan]

Thanks! I will keep trying to convince her to rent one from off site. It sounds like it is the way to go. Any recommendations on offsite vendors?

 

[gap2368]

As of November 1, 2012, WDW Resorts began a new policy regarding ECV and wheelchair delivery to their resorts:

• 
  
  • Featured Vendors are welcome to check equipment with Bell Services for guest retrieval and return.
  • Non-featured vendors are welcome to do business on Disney property, but they must hand the equipment directly to the guest, and collect the equipment directly from the guest.
    
  • Here's some key facts:

• Disney is trying to limit their liability for leased property on their property.
• Disney used a 3rd party company to collect information about companies that do rental business on Disney property.
• Bid packets were sent to a number of primarily ECV rental companies.
• The approval process included business verification, insurance verification, and equipment inspection.
• I have also heard that Disney had 2 other goals - one was to limit the speed of the scooters and the other was to limit the size (to make sure they fit on buses and in queues).
  I have heard that the Featured Vendors also agreed that a certain percentage of their scooters would meet the speed and size guidelines.
  Some very well known and recommended companies were not able to replace their fleet of scooters at this time and did not meet the guidelines for Featured Vendor for that reason.
• Some chose not to apply (Randy's always delivered and picked up in person, for example, and was not interested in being able to drop off)
• Contrary to 'popular opinion', the Featured Providers don't pay a fee to Disney (from my contact with many of the companies and with Disney Disability Srvice).

++ power wheelchairs for experienced renters
This is a list of the Featured Vendors in alphabetical order:

• Apple Scooter
  321-726-6837
  http://www.applescooter.com/
  Apple rents scooters, manual wheelchairs, single and double strollers.
  They do rent smaller, 16 inch wide wheelchairs, suitable for smaller people (and children) between 80 and 135 pounds.
  Apple has many good reviews from DIS posters and is a long time favorite. There have been some recent (2015 and early 2016) negative reviews.
• Best Price Mobility
  321-402-5955
  Toll Free: 866-866-3434
  http://www.bpmobility.com
  Best Price rents scooters, manual wheelchairs, power wheelchairs ++, single and double strollers. Little feedback from DIS posters
• Buena Vista
  (407)938-0349 or toll free (866)484-4797
  www.buenavistascooters.com
  Buena Vista rents scooters, manual wheelchairs, power wheelchairs ++, transport chairs, single and double strollers, lift chairs, knee walkers and some respiratory equipment.
  They also service and repair personal equipment.
  Buena Vista has many good reviews from DIS posters and is a long time favorite.
• CARE Medical:
  Phone (407) 856-2273 " Toll Free U.S and Canada (800) 741-2282
  http://www.caremedicalequipment.com/
  CARE is a full Service Medical Company, has many good reviews and has been a long time favorite of DIS posters.
  They rent ECVs, manual wheelchairs, power wheelchairs++, walkers, companion chairs, strollers, special needs strollers, bath equipment (including pediatric bath chairs), commodes, reclining chairs, hospital beds, oxygen & respiratory equipment, among other things.
  CARE also repairs personal equipment.
• Scooterbug
  1-800-726-8284
  Scooterbugmobility.com
  little feedback from DIS posters.
  They rent ECVs, standing ECVs, manual wheelchairs, single and double strollers (weight limit to 60 pounds).
  From what I can tell, this company provides strollers, wheelchairs and ECVs for the WDW parks; and probably pool chairs. They also rent the large grey ECVs that can be rented in the parks, plus a form of Standing ECV that guests can drive from a standing position. Here is a link to a thread about them, with pictures.

Vendors not on the Featured Provider List:
The specific companies are listed because DIS posters have used and recommended them over the years. The companies with little feedback are listed along with that information.
We will NOT list a company on the FAQs thread without a significant number of recommendations from established posters. Also, some companies encourage/promote allowing children to ride as passengers on scooters. We will not knowingly post a link to any company that encourages behavior that is unsafe and companies that manufacture ECVs specifically warn against in their instruction manuals.

• Randy's Mobility
• According to information from Randy, they have a London, England phone # that connects directly to their US. Office.
  US. & CAN. (321-281-6603)
  UK. (02030062368)
  http://randysmobility.com/randysmobility/rentals/

 

[Dis_Fan]

Thanks for the rental info, Gap!

 

[gap2368]

the above was taken form ( I think) post 2 ( it is kind of long) but there are more vendors that my phone did not copy. There is also some helpful tips too that you mingle find useful so I would take a look if you have not

https://www.disboards.com/threads/d...disabled-1st-trip-next-trip-wish-trip.595713/

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

I have used Apple twice and had a bad experience twice. Just to let you know. I think your Mom will def need her own rented scooter as PP have said. Might it be worth booking an accessible room also to put the scooter in? The doors are wider and with more space to accomodate it.

Worth talking her into a rental for sure! I was stubborn at first but then I rented one years before I needed a wheelchair and saw the light!

 

[gap2368]

I have used Apple twice and had a bad experience twice. Just to let you know. I think your Mom will def need her own rented scooter as PP have said. Might it be worth booking an accessible room also to put the scooter in? The doors are wider and with more space to accomodate it.

Worth talking her into a rental for sure! I was stubborn at first but then I rented one years before I needed a wheelchair and saw the light!

I think ( and some one please correct me if I am wrong) but isn't the door the same with with the non assessable rooms and the assessable room. I think the only difference is that the assessable room ( for mobility need) that bathroom is bigger making the room smaller. There is a roll in shower. and one king size bed. ( this is at the value resorts at lest)

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

I think ( and some one please correct me if I am wrong) but isn't the door the same with with the non assessable rooms and the assessable room. I think the only difference is that the assessable room ( for mobility need) that bathroom is bigger making the room smaller. There is a roll in shower. and one king size bed. ( this is at the value resorts at lest)

Oh really that I apologise I thought the door was a little wider my bad. I have had an accessible room for so long I wasn't sure what the other rooms were like. The doors are wider are the cruise and automatic. I wish they had those in resorts!

 

[gap2368]

Oh really that I apologise I thought the door was a little wider my bad. I have had an accessible room for so long I wasn't sure what the other rooms were like. The doors are wider are the cruise and automatic. I wish they had those in resorts!

I am not too sure I am hoping someone can come and long to let use know, But Have heard they were the same, and the room is smaller due to the bathroom being bigger. and if the OP can walk some they may want a bigger ( none accessible room)

 

[mamabunny]

I think ( and some one please correct me if I am wrong) but isn't the door the same with with the non assessable rooms and the assessable room. I think the only difference is that the assessable room ( for mobility need) that bathroom is bigger making the room smaller. There is a roll in shower. and one king size bed. ( this is at the value resorts at lest)

Actually, there are different configurations of beds/bathrooms, depending on what you need. There are the infamous "Florida Special" rooms, rooms with hearing accessibility features only, rooms with an accessible bathroom, but a tub (with grab rails) and rooms with a roll-in shower. And there are all kinds of combos - some have 2 Queens, others have 2 Full size beds (at some Values), some have one King size bed, and a few at the Values even have the odd "one King, one Full combo". At Moderates, the bathrooms have pocket doors instead of curtains; at Deluxes, they also get a pocket door. At Wilderness Lodge, and the Cabins at Fort Wilderness, they have a Queen + bunk bed combo!

Typically, the true accessible rooms have a slightly different bathroom layout, and in every case, the bedroom area gives up some space to the bathroom to accommodate a wheelchair.

The main door to the room itself tends to be the same size (I believe there are some wider doors still at some Resorts - I think the room we had at Poly was a wider, wheelchair friendly door) and the bathroom access tends to be the same width as the room door.

Hope that helps clear up a bit of confusion!

 

[gap2368]

Actually, there are different configurations of beds/bathrooms, depending on what you need. There are the infamous "Florida Special" rooms, rooms with hearing accessibility features only, rooms with an accessible bathroom, but a tub (with grab rails) and rooms with a roll-in shower. And there are all kinds of combos - some have 2 Queens, others have 2 Full size beds (at some Values), some have one King size bed, and a few at the Values even have the odd "one King, one Full combo". At Moderates, the bathrooms have pocket doors instead of curtains; at Deluxes, they also get a pocket door. At Wilderness Lodge, and the Cabins at Fort Wilderness, they have a Queen + bunk bed combo!

Typically, the true accessible rooms have a slightly different bathroom layout, and in every case, the bedroom area gives up some space to the bathroom to accommodate a wheelchair.

The main door to the room itself tends to be the same size (I believe there are some wider doors still at some Resorts - I think the room we had at Poly was a wider, wheelchair friendly door) and the bathroom access tends to be the same width as the room door.

Hope that helps clear up a bit of confusion!

Yes I knew there was a difference in the bathroom/bed room set up I was wondering if the door for the room was wider.

 

[ConnecticutFlea]

We usually stay at Shades of Green and have no difficulty storing the scooter in the room. We have also taken the scooter to Royal Pacific Resort and while the rooms are much smaller we had no problem getting the scooter in.

Last October I switched my reservation last minute due to Hurricaine Matthew. I goofed and made the reservation at Shades one day short. There was no availability at Shades, but luckily I was able to make one at POR that morning. I didn't think to mention the scooter, because it has never been a problem. Well the room was on the second floor, no elevator. The raised walkway around the building was narrow and leaving the scooter there would block others. I finally found an alcove under the stairs where we could park the scooter without it causing a problem.

My point is to let Disney know if you have a scooter so you can get an accessible room. Not all rooms can accommodate a scooter. And BTW, this is not meant as a complaint. I was happy Disney could accommodate me on such short notice and gave me a military discount. We enjoyed POR. My DH is able to walk up stairs, he just can't walk Disney miles, so it all worked for us. But I suspect it could be hard with a shattered ankle.

 

[lanejudy]

My point is to let Disney know if you have a scooter so you can get an accessible room. Not all rooms can accommodate a scooter.

Just to clarify -- yes, it is a good idea to let WDW know if you are using a mobility device and are unable to do stairs; especially if staying at one of the few resorts without elevators. However, a notation on the reservation will not get someone an "accessible" room as those are a separate booking category. There are different types of accessible rooms, depending on the guest's needs. An accessible room should not be necessary just because one has an ECV or wheelchair to bring into the room; the doorway into all WDW resorts rooms should be wide enough and there should be space to park at least 1 ECV in any room including the values. If you or a member of your party actually requires the "accessible" features, which are mainly in the bathroom, please be sure to book an accessible room as a request on your reservation will not necessarily get that for you.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[seb65]

Thanks! I will keep trying to convince her to rent one from off site. It sounds like it is the way to go. Any recommendations on offsite vendors?

My mom was resistant at first. She wanted to rent one on site. I convinced her otherwise because I feared there would be no ECVs left. My mom was very glad I rented her one because the bus lines were so far away. I am glad you are doing this for her!