EVC and Rope Drops

[Joey128]

Due to plantar plantar fasciitis and hip bursitis, I may have to end up renting an ECV during our trip in December. I still have time to work with more therapy, so I'm hoping I can get well enough to be able to walk the parks.

However, if I end up in one, I am wondering how an EVC works during a rope drop? My understanding is that Disney now kind of 'walks' the guests back quickly while the CM's hold the rope, at least up to a certain point. I don't want to hold DH and DD back during a rope drop, so is it better that I just forego riding whichever ride they are racing toward or can an EVC keep up (assuming I don't run anyone over in the process!)?

Thanks for any information.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

If you are using an off-site rental they will have a hard time keeping up with you at full speed. Depending on the model, the top speed is between 4¼ and 5½ MPH while the Disney rentals are about 2.0 MPH.

 

[Schmeck]

Hopefully the CMs will be able to control everyone from making the mad dash to whatever attraction the crowds are heading to - but even if the crowd mentality happens, if your family stays right beside you, and you go at a proper speed, you'll still get on the ride quite quickly, so no need to worry.

The key perk about rope drop is that even though the crowd seems huge, it's really not a lot of people for the park. Also, the seemingly large crowd disperses (except for TSM!) and so even if it seems like there are a hundred people ahead of you, by the time you get to your choice attraction, some of those people have headed off another way.

Just relax and have your family stay together - no need to rush!

 

[OneLittleSpark]

Don't worry about whether you'll be able to keep up with them; as CF said, it will more likely be them having trouble keeping up with you! The only issue you might find, is that it can be harder to stay together as a group in large crowds, when one of you is on wheels. There are lots of different 'techniques' you can use, to try and keep the group together.

Some people in ECVs like to follow their family, so that those on foot can clear a path for them. If you do this, make sure you leave a bit of stopping distance between you and your family, so you don't run up their heels if they have to stop suddenly. That said, do be warned that some people will see your 'stopping distance' as a good path to cut through, to save a fraction of a second .

Another option is to have your party flanking you, walking about level with your handle bars (depending on what is most comfortable for everyone, and the design of the ECV). This way it's easier to stay together, and you can all talk to each other as you go along. It also means that your family can help provide a 'first line of defence' against people who decide to suddenly wander in front of you. The disadvantage is that this makes your party quite wide, so you'll have to keep pace with the slowest person in the crowd.

We tend to go for the second option, but mostly because it means the fella and I can hold hands (I use a manual chair, not an ECV). However you choose to play it, keep up a running dialogue between you and them, as this gives others a bit of a clue that you're together. It doesn't mean you won't get idiots, but it at least means that you only run over idiots, not sensible people who didn't realise you were together *

I don't mean to scare you, you only tend to find the odd idiot here and there, rather than a whole pack of morons. That said, do be prepared for the odd numpty who may drift, wander or bolt in front of your scooter. ECVs have breaks that activate the moment you let go of the gas, and will come to a reasonably quick stop.


*Just in case anyone missed the fact, all the comments about running people over were jokes

 

[jm-mom]

I have found that the ECV's I've rented actually go much faster than my family can walk. Often they are running behind me to keep up! Our basic rule is "we are all going to the same place and we'll get there eventually, if not all together at the same time" so we each go our own pace. One of the perks of being on the ECV is that many of the rides will let you pull right up to the ride in the wheelchair lane and avoid having to wait in the long lines. This may not get you onto the ride a whole faster than those in the long line but at least it's not as congested. Some rides will put the handicap people on right away and others make you wait your turn.

Also, depending on when you go in December, you are unlikely to encounter a great deal of waiting at most of the rides. We were there for a week leading up to Christmas last year and I don't recall waiting for anything. We were able to get fast passes for some of the busiest attractions and most others were walk-ons. In one day we rode Splash Mountain 4 times with no trouble at all. I think the worst fast pass wait was for Toy Story. On that one we got a FP mid-morning for a 6 pm return time.

Have a great trip!

 

[Joey128]

ok. that is all good to know, but I do fear running into someone's heels. I also fear others making rude comments because I don't look handicapped but if anyone has ever had Plantar's, they know how extraordinarily painful it is to walk for long distances.

I am glad to hear we can go together as a group. I almost feared that they wouldn't allow the ECV's in the throng of all of that because of the danger of accidentally running someone over (like the PP said, that's kind of a joke, but you get my point.) Someone made a good point that the crowds to spread out and it probably isn't what I envision because I haven't been to a rope drop in 12 years.

Thanks for your input.

 

[Jeanieblue114]

I just got back (similar heel problem as you and the ECV was GREAT to have).
I found that if i just lightly touch the lever, it putts along very slowly regardless of the speed setting I have it on. I got pretty good with it by the 3rd day.
Mine had a turtle and a bunny on it for speed.
Just keep in mind...TURTLE power!

My family was constantly asking me to slow down (when I had open space). We stayed at OKW with lots of space and the CMs were telling me to "just OPEN IT UP..lol".
It was the first time in my life that anyone was ever asking me to not move so fast.
I didn't have the scooter the last 2 days.
My family was running everywhere with me far behind. They said they were so used to racing me that they forgot I was no longer on wheels.

All I can say is, don't even question or debate it...RENT IT!!