ECV use in resorts, etc

[WLDDCD]

What is the advantage, other than price, of renting outside instead of in each park? Can you make use of the ECV at the resort or places like Downtown Disney, Boardwalk, etc?

I suspect if I use the ECV all day at the park, and just do one of these other places at night for a couple hours, I may be OK. Also, what about ECVs on the Disney transportation??

Thanks

 

[eeyorefanatic]

I have rented an ecv from Walker Mobility for my stay this week, and will post a full report when I get back. I plan in using it to get around the parks, fort wilderness and some at downtown disney (namely Disney Quest).

 

[Talking Hands]

I have rented from Care Medical in the past and the advantage is having the ECV whereever I needed it. At the campground distances can be far and in the hotels you may not be close to the elevatror. I allowed me to enjoy the parks and not be in pain the entire time. The only place I have found it a nuisance is PI so this trip I am going to try to do without there since I am only going to 2 clubs.
I have not had a great deal of problems with Disney transportation with an ECV. Now with my power wheelchair is another story. Just be aware that a few drivers really don't like to deal with them but most are terrific. After the first couple of times you will get used to it.

 

[SueM in MN]

Another advantage is knowing that you will have one. There is a limited number of ecvs available at the parks, so if you get there after they are all rented out, you are stuck using a wheelchair.
We have never rented one (DD has a manual wheelchair and just got a power wheelchair), but people have posted on the boards that the ones you can rent from outside companies are generally in better shape, drive better and are nicer to use. We have used the buses a lot with DD's wheelchair and had few problems. ECVs are very common at WDW and the drivers are used to them. Most of the drivers are nice. If you plan to use WDW transportation, let the company know when you arrange to rent it. SOme ecvs are too long to fit on the bus lifts, so you want to rent one that the company says will not be a probelm.

 

[JudithM]

We just returned from WDW. This was my fifth trip using an ECV. I have always rented one at the WDW parks. Well, next time I think I will try Walker! Disney tends to run out of ECVs - on Mother's Day at EPCOT there were no ECVs availalbe at either entrance at 10:30 in the morning. Also, if you change parks during the day, you are not guaranteed an ECV at the next park. In December a CM suggested she call ahead to the next park, check availability & have one held for me. This worked well. Last week at WDW the CMs would not do this. One manager told us Disney is researching options for guests renting ECVs from Disney like how to handle changing parks.