ECV/Wheelchair Realistic Availability?

[Tbone17701]

I am in the midst of the recovery process from breaking my ankle and the resulting surgery. My hard cast will hopefully be removed 3/3 and we leave for WDW 4/2. I'm either in denial or trying to "Pollyanna" things, but IF we still make a go of this trip (big bday celebration, planned for years, dream trip, yadda yadda), I'm coming to terms with the likely need for either a wheelchair or ECV. I'm a very independent, "suck it up" kind of person, so using either won't sit well. However, I also don't want to cause irreparable damage or ruin the trip by being stubborn or pridefull. I hate the thought of all the added time and inconvenience involved (for my own family as well as other guests) with using the ECV on WDW transportation. I'm also not whacked about storing one in our room. I'm hoping to only use either when the leg tells me it's time to give up the ghost. So, despite the financial savings, I'd rather just rent something at the parks as needed and avoid those issues. The catch? We will be there over Easter and I worry about availability. We will not be rope dropping, but will probably do more evening and late night hours...though some late mornings and afternoons aren't out of the question. So, what do we think? Does renting something same day as needed sound feasible or more like a pipe dream?

 

[SteveMouse]

During any busy season at Disney, there is always the possibility of them running out of ECVs (probably less so on manual wheelchairs). As you might imagine, by an hour or two after rope drop, inventory could be low.

On busy park days, you'll probably find availability again late in the afternoon.

Another issue would be that you can't take a park ECV or wheelchair out of the park- that means if you're having a bad day, you could have a difficult time getting back to the resort- and that doesn't get you back to your room!

While the resorts have wheelchairs you can borrow (deposit required), they are often not in the best shape.

If you are planning on going places other than the parks (Boardwalk), DTD, etc), you probably should strongly consider renting one from offsite.

Safe travels!

 

[lanejudy]

That's an extremely busy time of year in the parks. I honestly would not expect an ECV to be available in-park as needed. A wheelchair would probably be available, though. But that will mean much less independence for you. Question... you had surgery and you've had a cast, presumably at some point in this process you used crutches. Would you have refused those crutches and instead insisted on hopping everywhere? No, you used the crutches without giving it much of a second thought because it was necessary for you to do what you had to do each day. Consider the ECV the same -- get one from off-site, the majority of the bus drivers are great at helping, park in stroller-parking for a bit if you wish to walk, use the ECV for the distances. And don't worry what others think!

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[soar2014]

I have rented scooters through Buena Vista. I am a very active healthy 49 year old but I have terrible Plantar Fasciitis. I LOVE renting a scooter. I have stayed at deluxe and value rooms and the scooter fits in them just fine. you should charge them at night anyway. Scooters are ubiquitous at WDW and the bus system is well prepared for you. Why go and risk not getting a scooter from WDW? You are correct, Easter will be busy and you likely will not get one if not there at RD. I really enjoyed BuenaVista delivering my scooter and the added time getting on/off busses is negligible. You will be glad you did IMO

 

[Tbone17701]

I appreciate the honest feedback. Maybe I'm making a mountain out of the ECV rental and transportation/storage issues. Can anyone answer if there are ample places to park it in the parks when I want to walk? An example would be parking it in Fantasyland and walking to each ride there or near Main St. to walk through the stores? When DD was little we did the stroller rental at the parks and had no problem parking that, but I honestly don't recall an ECV parking area. Do we even think it's safe to leave them unattended for periods of time?

 

[Carnator]

You can park the ECV in the stroller areas. Be sure to take the key with you. CM's know how to put ECV in neutral in case the need to move it along with strollers to straighten them up.

 

[ttintagel]

Any added time it takes getting the ECV on and off WDW transportation will EASILY be made up for because you won't be holding everybody else back by limping or stopping to rest.

 

[Toffeewoffy]

You'll be able to take the ECV into most of the ride queues (one of the reasons why you can't get a disability assistance card for mobility any more), but you can certainly leave the scooter outside most rides. You will be directed where to leave it and, as has been said, ALWAYS remove the key and take it with you! I parked up my ECV opposite Buzz Lightyear (one of the rides you can't take it into) and from there walked over to Carousel of Progress and then back and up to ride the TTT. Only once we'd finished in Tomorrowland did I retrieve the scooter and drive it to another land.