ECV's and Universal

[Ladybugsy]

How fast do the ECV's get rented out at Universal? I'll need 2...one for my aunt who has mobility issues and one for my quadrapalegic uncle. Can I take their Id's and rent 2 ECV's for their use? Will they let me take it to the car, or will I have to push them in a wheelchair to the rental place...and then what do I do with the wheelchair? And if so will I have time to do all of this before they run out? LOL. Can you tell I'm new at this? I'm used to renting from an outside company. But we are spending one day at Universal. Any help is appreciated.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Universal is exetremely difficult for mobility assistance.

You will start in one of the two parking garages, which are five stories high. Think of a capital "T", with the garages being the top of the "T". Disabled Parking is about the middle of the "T" on the left side on the third floor (so no elevators or escalators are neered). There are no courtesy wheelchairs.

You will walk to the center of the crossbar and then down the center bar. Just before Security will be a location on your left where you can rent wheelchairs (but not ECVs). Once you are through security you will enter City Walk.

You have to go all the way through City Walk to finally get to one of the parks. Once inside you can go to the rental area and upgrade from a wheelchair to an ECV. I do not have any idea of their stock or when they may run out.

When you are ready to leave you have to turn in the ECV and they will let you have a wheelchair to take back to the entrance to the parking structure and you have to turn in the wheelchairs there.

 

[Mickiethepooh]

So are you still renting one from outside? if so take it/them to Universal with you. It would be your best bet.

 

[Belle1962]

Just as an FYI--I can NOT navigate the New York & Amity sections (Amity is the worst) of Universal on my ecv. It is waaayyyy too bumpy and I feel every movement up and down my spine. Depending on their needs/abilities they may have an issue in these areas also. The best way I can describe it would be a slow motion roller coaster with a constant bump bump bump jiggle jiggle jiggle on your body.

 

[clkelley]

If you are staying at Disney and renting from an outside company there, I would recommend contacting Mears and requesting a disabled access van to transport you over to Universal. That way you have the chairs with you the entire time

 

[phamton]

Depending on whether it is a busy time or not, the ECV can often be rented out before noon. You can reserve two by calling Guest services at: 407 224-4233. Call as early as you can as reservations often fill up fast. If you do reserve them, you need to pick them up by 11:00 AM.

There are two ways to get from the parking lot to the park to pick up the ECV. You can park in disabled parking and have someone walk to the parking hub and pick up two wheelchairs and take them back to the car. Or you can drop the guests off at Guest Drop-off/Pickup area. That area is right at the hub where you can rent wheelchairs. Someone would have to still go with them at guest dropoff as there is an elevator they would have to go up to get the wheelchair.

Once you get the wheelchairs at the parking hub, you take them to either park and get your ECV. They don't have ECVs at the parking hub.

 

[friendnc]

If you are staying at Disney and renting from an outside company there, I would recommend contacting Mears and requesting a disabled access van to transport you over to Universal. That way you have the chairs with you the entire time

This a good idea. When I was at Universal a few weeks ago, I went by Guest Services and overheard a lady complaining that she had called GS just before she left her hotel room and was assured they would have an ECV for her. When she got there, there were none left (11am). We drive down, so I have my own personal scooter, which is a blessing. But if you're coming down without one, the suggestion above is the way to go IMO. Good luck!!!

 

[Ladybugsy]

Mears is sounding pretty good about now. I wonder why they make it so difficult!!!? Will Mears drop me off closer? What do they charge for a round trip? There will be 7 of us.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Mears will drop you as close to the Guest Pick-up area described in post # 6 as possible. I'm not sure of the size of the elevator, so the ECVs may have to go up together with maybe one person, while the rest of you use the escalator. Both bring you right into the Central Hub, you won't have any trouble connecting.

The Mears Shuttle is $16 per person round trip. I can't see that they could charge any more than that for a passenger in a wheelchair/ECV.

 

[Ladybugsy]

I called Mears today and they said that the shuttle could not carry 2 ecv's but I'm assuming that they would just send 2 shuttles if I needed them to. At least that's what the rep insinuated. She said that dispatch would take care of it. And I won't be charged more than 16 per person. Probably a little more expensive than renting them there, but hopefully a LOT less hassle. Thanks everyone for helping me make the right decision.