Electric wheelchair vs ECV

[allie_to_you]

I know that for a lot of the rides at Disney that can accommodate a standard wheelchair (Ellen, Seas w/ Nemo, Pooh, etc)...if you are in an ECV, you have to transfer to a standard wheelchair and then your wheelchair can go on the ride vehicle. Has anyone had any experience with an electric wheelchair going on these ride vehicles? From what I can tell, the electric wheelchairs are about the same size as a regular wheelchair, they are just motorized.

On our next trip, we will be bringing our young daughter, so I will be pushing around a stroller, which won't leave me available to help push my DH who is a paraplegic and uses a manual wheelchair. We are looking at renting him an electric wheelchair so that he can maneuver himself around the parks, but weren't sure how that would work with getting on the rides since he can't transfer himself. He doesn't really want to have to do multiple transfers a day from an ECV into a regular wheelchair, which is why we thought an electric wheelchair might be a possible option that he could remain in all day and for the accessible rides

 

[Gracie09]

I know that for a lot of the rides at Disney that can accommodate a standard wheelchair (Ellen, Seas w/ Nemo, Pooh, etc)...if you are in an ECV, you have to transfer to a standard wheelchair and then your wheelchair can go on the ride vehicle. Has anyone had any experience with an electric wheelchair going on these ride vehicles? From what I can tell, the electric wheelchairs are about the same size as a regular wheelchair, they are just motorized.

On our next trip, we will be bringing our young daughter, so I will be pushing around a stroller, which won't leave me available to help push my DH who is a paraplegic and uses a manual wheelchair. We are looking at renting him an electric wheelchair so that he can maneuver himself around the parks, but weren't sure how that would work with getting on the rides since he can't transfer himself. He doesn't really want to have to do multiple transfers a day from an ECV into a regular wheelchair, which is why we thought an electric wheelchair might be a possible option that he could remain in all day and for the accessible rides

Electric wheelchairs are difficult to maneuver and rental places will usually not rent them unless they know the person is experienced in using them. They also need certain measurements to set them up correctly.
I don't think it's a viable option for you. I don't know how old your dd is, but can he carry her in a sling or other carrier and you help push when needed? You could park the stroller in an area do the rides there while dh hold dd, then move to the next area.

 

[allie_to_you]

Electric wheelchairs are difficult to maneuver and rental places will usually not rent them unless they know the person is experienced in using them. They also need certain measurements to set them up correctly.
I don't think it's a viable option for you. I don't know how old your dd is, but can he carry her in a sling or other carrier and you help push when needed? You could park the stroller in an area do the rides there while dh hold dd, then move to the next area.

She'll be 4 when we take her so him carrying her is not an option. We'll probably end up just having to rent him a scooter and just transferring him to a manual wheelchair as needed...we were just trying to avoid that if possible.

 

[Gracie09]

If you look at the FAQ above in post two there is information about electric wheelchairs and Ecvs

 

[SueM in MN]

Just agreeing with the other poster.
The rentál companies will generally not rent a power wheelchair unless the person is already skilled at using one.
There is a higher learning curve with a power wheelchair because the joystick controls everything at the same time, instead of the separate throttle, turning, reverse that you have with an ECV.

 

[allie_to_you]

Ok thanks for the info everyone...everything helps

 

[Nanajo1]

If you do get a power chair know that they do fit in the accessible ride cars, busses,boats and lines.

 

[allie_to_you]

If you do get a power chair know that they do fit in the accessible ride cars, busses,boats and lines.

Thanks, this is what I most wanted to know. I wasn't sure because I know they are a lot heavier than standard wheelchairs

 

[SueM in MN]

Thanks, this is what I most wanted to know. I wasn't sure because I know they are a lot heavier than standard wheelchairs

They will generally fit, but if he wants to use one at WDW, I'd suggest renting one at home so he can practice. He would need to be able to manouver precisely, often in a small or tight space, including backing up and turning at the same time. Those skills would be better practiced at home and then he could rent one from one of the offsite companies with experience.