Electric Scooters

[tinawv]

Can anyone tell me if you can rent electric scooters at Walt Disney World, and if so where and what is the cost? My family including my brother and his wife, sister and her family, and my mom and dad will be visiting Disney World in December of this year. My mother has problems with her legs and can not walk long periods of time without pain. We were thinking a electric scooter or wheel chair would be the answer to this problem. Thanks in advance.

 

[TLinden16]

They do rent electric scooters at the parks. I'm not sure how much they cost (I want to say around $30 or $40 a day), but I could be wrong about that). They only have a limited number of them, and I hear that they can sell out. I've heard of people who rent them for a week from a company in the Orlando area (I think it's called Care Medical Equipment), and it winds up being cheaper for them, and they can use them around the resort.

Karen

 

[nataliesdaddy]

good question - we got one for my mother xmas of 2001 trip - was not a good idea for her 1) if they are not familiar with working one of those things than that does not work as they will be going to fast...too slow... bumping into stuff - also the electrics are quite larger then the normal ones you push from behid... making it more difficult to navigate your way around... frankly even though my mother had difficulties walking ... it was large enough that it was a significant hassle for all involved.. If I were to do it again I would get the smaller pushable wheelchair - they rent them all pretty much right at the front gate - as for me next time I will opt for the non electris - I mean think of it ... it is crowded and the your mother will have a drag of a time because the crowds are large enough and oblivious enough at times that it will be an unpleasant trip trying to get through the crowds with a large bulky object (which the electrics are)

 

[Penny2]

DH has had serious back problems and his legs can't take walking a long way because of some vascular issues caused by his back (I call it...goat tipping disease..he literally tips over when he's tired)...without the ECV's he'd stay in the hotel the whole time! Our vacation would be a really different experience without one! I have been looking for the company that rents less expensively for the week....we may take that option. Thanks!!

In any case, the ECV's are pretty easy to operate and have made his trips much more enjoyable. While they are a little cumbersome, as long as your mom can walk some, it should be pretty easy....just leave it outside to go on rides, etc.

Availability is a gamble, though, although we've never had problems getting one as we usually go during off-peak times. I bet it would be a different story during peak seasons, though. On our last trip it was $40 but they gave you $10 back when you returned it.

Because DH can walk, we don't take advantage of some of the priviliges like different lines for attractions and seating at parades unless he is really tired or his back is really acting up....it just isn't right.

If it will help her...do it! She (and all of you) will have a much easier time if you do! Once DH got over his pride and did it, he won't go any other way.....I say its his version of a theme park attraction in a more personal way!

 

[SueM in MN]

Here's a link to the DIS page about touring WDW with a mobility disability. It includes information about renting wheelchairs and ecvs (scooters) at the parks. Most lines have been "Mainstreamed" which means that people using ecvs and wheelchairs wait in the smae lines with everyone else. There are a few lines with different wheelchair access, but those are that way because they are not accessible thru the regular entrance or line. There frequently is an extra wait for boarding for people with disabilities.
It is less expensive to rent from off-site (and then you don't have to worry about whether or not one will be available). You'll also have it for other things like going to DD or getting around your resort (they can be large). Here's a list of the companies that DIS posters have reported good rental experiences with:
Care Medical:
http://www.caremedicalequipment.com/

Walker Mobility:
1-888-726-6837
www.walkermobility.com

RANDY'S Mobility is in Kissimmee 407-892-4777
http://randysmobility.com/

Colonial Medical
http://www.colonialmed.com/about_cms.html

I often suggest that people try a scooter out at their local grocery or discount store. The ones you will find in those places are very large and harder to manouver thatn the ones you will find at WDW or one of the rental places. If you feel comfortable driving a grocery store ecv, you should have no problem. People tend to ignore wheelchairs/ecvs and step out right in front of you though, so you do have to watch out.
Follow the link in my signature to the disABILITIES Board if you would like more info.

 

[tinawv]

Thank you everyone for the great input. A special thanks to SueM for all the web links. I will definetly check them out. I also like the idea about my mother trying one out like they have in the stores. I have seen the ones at Walmart, and you are right they are pretty big. We are going December 13-20th. Hopefully this is low peak as far as crowds go, and my mother won't have too much of a hard time getting around in one if that is the route we go.

Thanks again!