ECV's at Epcot question

[tcb2317]

Hey everybody,
We're leaving for WDW next week and my in-laws are accompanying us. Staying at Pop Century. My father in law is in otherwise good shape, but has some hip issues. We're encouraging him to rent an ECV to get around. We're spending our first day at EPCOT. We learned the ins and outs of WDW ECV rentals on our last trip with my dad. We were trying to put a loose itinerary together, and I was trying to figure out how we were going to EPCOT. The bus obviously woud be the most efficient route. However, it's my father in law's, my sister in law's, and her boyfriend's first time in WDW and I want to expose them to as much as possible. A longer route would probably be the bus to TTC, then the monorail to EPCOT. I was thinking we could take a bus to MGM, then take the boat to EPCOT. This way, they could see MGM, Boardwalk, Swan & Dolphin, Beach Club & Yacht Club on the way.

My big question is do they have an ECV or wheelchair rental at the Intl. Gateway entrance to EPCOT,if we take the boat and backdoor it into EPCOT? I'd hate to go that route, then have to walk all the way to the front of the park to the main entrance to rent one.

 

[fla4fun]

They do have ECV and wheelchair rentals at International Gateway. Sometimes there is a CM outside taking care of the paperwork, and sometimes you have to go inside the gift shop to do it (at least, that's been our experience when renting here).

I understand there is also a length of stay scooter rental operating out of a concession on the Boardwalk, so if he finds he needs more than just a park rental, you could stop there and check them out, as well as contacting some of the recommended rental companies.

 

[SueM in MN]

They do have ECV and wheelchair rentals at International Gateway. Sometimes there is a CM outside taking care of the paperwork, and sometimes you have to go inside the gift shop to do it (at least, that's been our experience when renting here).

I understand there is also a length of stay scooter rental operating out of a concession on the Boardwalk, so if he finds he needs more than just a park rental, you could stop there and check them out, as well as contacting some of the recommended rental companies.

The ECVs at the International Gateway are limited quantity, like at the other park rental places.

The scooter rental place that is actually at the Boardwalk is Buena Vista Scooters and there is some information about the company in the disABILITIES FAQs thread. The rental counter is the same spot where they rent the bikes right in front of the Boardwalk Hotel. It's sort of right in front of the boat dock.

 

[lovetoscrap]

Keep in mind that the ECV rentals in the parks are limited and by the time you take the long way around they may all be rented out. In fact if you don't get to the park early they may all be gone. If he will definitely have to have one in order to tour you might be better off going ahead and renting one from an offsite place. The biggest problem will be getting it on and off the bus, but most of the drivers are very helpful.

 

[evenpar4me]

The concession at the Boardwalk is not Disney operated.it is a company called Buenva Vista Scooters.....Disney has no length of stay for ECVs,have rented from BVS,was very pleased.