ECV's and the Rainy Florida weather....

[CatNipRules]

Okay, so I decided to rent my ECV for our upcoming trip from Buena Vista. Price seems great and the people are nice. However, one thing has me concerned. The part about them getting wet.

So I know that I shouldn't leave them outside in a downpour. But this is Florida we are talking about and everyone knows that rain can come from out of nowhere. I'm worried that if it gets even a little wet I'll be left pushing the ECV rather than riding in it. Is it everything we are talking about or just the box in front that we use to steer? Is it a little bit of rain or a lot?

I've never had this issue in the past and am wondering if I should maybe change to another company. Mostly because I don't want to be stuck inside the same building for half of our trip....

 

[GranJan]

I don't understand how a different company would have anything to do with concern about it getting wet. I've always heard it was mostly the controls you had to worry about. Of course you'd want to keep the seat dry too. I'm not sure how important the rest is.

 

[The Hunchback]

Walker Mobility claims their scooters are water resistant. But I am not sure what makes the difference either. Theirs have a lot more plastic on them. I own a repurposed scooter from Walker and am careful to cover the powe box if it looks like it will rain.

I also know where I can "hid" if rain starts. Rain is often brief in FL. At MK Laugh Floor and Hall of Presidents are good. The cast members will let scooters stay for a couple of shows if not too busy. In EPCOT Seas, Energy, China and American Adventure are good spots to hid. In AK Nemo and Lion King are good. DHS the Great Movie Ride and Muffets work for short storms. I usually leave the scooter outside at CS restaurants but you can get a scooter inside most places if you must.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I also know where I can "hid" if rain starts. Rain is often brief in FL. At MK Laugh Floor and Hall of Presidents are good. The cast members will let scooters stay for a couple of shows if not too busy. In EPCOT Seas, Energy, China and American Adventure are good spots to hid. In AK Nemo and Lion King are good. DHS the Great Movie Ride and Muffets work for short storms. I usually leave the scooter outside at CS restaurants but you can get a scooter inside most places if you must.

Thanks, this has been very helpful. I've been lucky-it hasn't rained during the days when I've been at the parks-yet!

 

[Disney_traveler]

They usually give you one of those flimsiness disposable shower caps to cover the controls on the steering column. We bought some of the heavier reusable ones and use them instead.

 

[CatNipRules]

They usually give you one of those flimsiness disposable shower caps to cover the controls on the steering column. We bought some of the heavier reusable ones and use them instead.

That's a great idea. I remember Walker gave us a tiny one that barely lasted half a day. LOL!! I know I'm overthinking this. LOL!!

 

[Gilrond]

I use a partially folded extra poncho over the controls when I'm scooting to get under cover. Any of them can short out from below if the rain is heavy enough and a lot of splash up from puddles - been there, done that with a Disney rental ECV. I was all morning in light rain on a Buenavista rental 2 years ago with no problem. (very grateful for my Goretex rain pants, though)

 

[Bete]

I agree with previous posters with using shower caps or ponchos. Also, check forecasts and be prepared. If there is certainty of rain be prepared. If you leave your scooter for a while make sure it's parked where it won't get wet if rain comes. Fortunately, most of the time you have short showers.

Be prepared by knowing different parts in the park where you can seek shelter like quick service restaurants and gift shops and shows.

This may sound silly but if rain is in the forecast I look up at the sky like every hour. You can see clouds coming. You can see it getting darker when it should be light outside. If it starts looking bad we head for a show.

 

[CatNipRules]

I agree with previous posters with using shower caps or ponchos. Also, check forecasts and be prepared. If there is certainty of rain be prepared. If you leave your scooter for a while make sure it's parked where it won't get wet if rain comes. Fortunately, most of the time you have short showers.

Be prepared by knowing different parts in the park where you can seek shelter like quick service restaurants and gift shops and shows.

This may sound silly but if rain is in the forecast I look up at the sky like every hour. You can see clouds coming. You can see it getting darker when it should be light outside. If it starts looking bad we head for a show.

I'm the same way. I used to live in Florida and know that storms can come out of nowhere. LOL!!

On our last trip we were in Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor. We came out and it was pouring. Tomorrowland was literally a pond. LOL!! We waited for 20 minutes or so and it finally let up, but it was wow.... LOL!!

 

[mamabunny]

Don't forget - if you are going to have your smartphone with you, just download an app that will have live radar, and then check that periodically.

I found an app for my iPhone, called MyRadar that is free, (but has add-ons you can purchase) that also gives me a local radar on my Apple Watch. I'm old enough that it still kind of blows me away when I flick the front of my watch and the local radar appears... Dick Tracy, anyone? LOL

When we are at WDW, we always keep a weather app open to live local radar so that we can alter our plans if need be.

 

[Hopefully]

I questioned Walker Mobility about their claim to be water resistant after reading Buena Vistas warning. Walker states they do not use Pride Scooters, like most other vendors do. But I really would prefer to use a Preferred Vendor. I have been afraid of rain and have used Walker on my last 2 visits. Other than the inconvenience of pickup day I have been very happy with them. But I wish it was a perfect world and I could use Buena Vista again First World problems, I know

 

[mamabunny]

I questioned Walker Mobility about their claim to be water resistant after reading Buena Vistas warning. Walker states they do not use Pride Scooters, like most other vendors do. But I really would prefer to use a Preferred Vendor. I have been afraid of rain and have used Walker on my last 2 visits. Other than the inconvenience of pickup day I have been very happy with them. But I wish it was a perfect world and I could use Buena Vista again First World problems, I know

There are pros and cons for both; if you have the time to build into your schedule to wait for Walker (at the start and the end of the trip), then you will worry less about rain.

If, on the other hand, the ability to grab your scooter from Bell Services and go... and then drop it off on the way out the door is more important than worrying about the rain... Buena Vista it is!

I know. Not at all helpful LOL Regardless of who you use, I do wish you the most sunny, magical trip!

 

[EpcotQueen]

We rent all the time from Buena Vista. We come prepared for rain both for ourselves and the scooter. I pack several clear 30 gallon garbage bags. When it rains we pull those over the tiller and snug down the drawstrings on the bags. We also pack older Disney rain ponchos that we put over the seat which helps a bit to protect the battery. We wear long rain coats purchased from LL Bean which effectively protect us to mid calf. If the weather is cold, we also pack rain pants. Over the years we ridden the ECVs thus protected and never had an issue. BTW, we also purchase Buena Visa's protection plan with our rentals.

 

[CatNipRules]

We rent all the time from Buena Vista. We come prepared for rain both for ourselves and the scooter. I pack several clear 30 gallon garbage bags. When it rains we pull those over the tiller and snug down the drawstrings on the bags. We also pack older Disney rain ponchos that we put over the seat which helps a bit to protect the battery. We wear long rain coats purchased from LL Bean which effectively protect us to mid calf. If the weather is cold, we also pack rain pants. Over the years we ridden the ECVs thus protected and never had an issue. BTW, we also purchase Buena Visa's protection plan with our rentals.

That's a good idea. I'm going to have to buy some garbage bags. I'm assuming that you pull it over the entire tiller. Top to bottom. I'm definitely going to do that when we go.

For the seat, do you drape it over the seat bottom? Sorry for the crazy questions. LOL!!

 

[EpcotQueen]

We do drape across the seat to cover it and much of the battery. But be careful you don't get it caught in the wheels! And we do pull the bag over the entire tiller.