Evc question at Epcot

[dis2cruise]

Hi I'm giving my mom and her friend a little vacation in March. They'll be staying in a villa at the boardwalk. Now, my mom will need a ECV since with her breathing problems she can't walk long distances. I know they rent evc at the front of Epcot but since she will be going to Epcot by boat and entering in the back of Epcot do they rent them there too?

 

[lorigacc]

We just took my mom this past November and stayed at the beach club villas. She also needed an Ecv because of health issues. There are a few different companies that rent them and deliver them directly to your hotel. I am pretty sure Disney is able to do the same. We rented from an outside company and were very pleased with the service.

 

[amykathleen2005]

Disney only has in-park rentals which you cannot take out of a particular park.

 

[BroganMc]

Rent your mom an ECV from one of the 3rd party companies that service Disney. They're listed in the sticky for WDW.

Apple Scooters is one of the favored ones. We like Best Price Mobility.

If you rent from outside, the ECV will be available to her at check-in and she can use it at the resorts as well as the parks. Boardwalk with a scooter for someone with mobility issues is soooo much nicer than trying to huff your way down to a ferry.

The 3rd party scooters are cheaper too. And for me, the biggest factor, is that that those Disney 4-wheeled gray behemoths are just horrible to drive. They don't handle well at all. It's like driving a truck vs. car. I've seen far too many newbies get stymied by it.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Buena Vista Scooters isn't owned by Disney, but it's on the Boardwalk.

 

[SueM in MN]

Renting from an off site company means you will have an ECV and can use it both at the park and at the resort.
Rentals at the park are only for use in the park and there is no guarantee one will be available.

Follow the link in my signature to the disABILITIES FAQs thread. Post 2 of that thread has information about renting mobility equipment, including wheelchairs and ECVs.
It includes names, website links and phone numbers for off site rental companies as well as more information about renting in the parks.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

another vote for off site rental, so it can be used outside of park to get to and from transportation to room or park as it can be a walk. can also come in handy if you just miss boat and have to stand and wait for next one

 

[dis2cruise]

Thanks everyone for all the answers you were a great help! My mom is very excited about going to Disney with a friend from high school 60 yrs ago! Getting her an ECV will put my mind at rest.

 

[Andrew Bichard]

They'll be staying in a villa at the boardwalk. I know they rent ECV at the front of Epcot but since she will be going to Epcot by boat and entering in the back of Epcot do they rent them there too?

Boardwalk to Epcot is 'scooting' distance. Most scooters/ECVs have sufficient range to get from Boardwalk to Epcot, and all around Epcot with battery to spare to get back to Boardwalk.

Unless the boat is already at the Boardwalk dock, 'scooting' or walking to Epcot is faster as boat has to call at Beach/Yacht Club first.

Yes, Disney rents out wheelchairs at International Gateway.

Andrew

 

[Donut23]

Is this Mom's first scooter rental? If so, I have a tip. Tell her to take 15 - 20 minutes to practice. Be sure how to change from Bunny to Turtle (fast to slow speed), practice backing up and driving in tight spaces.

My first scooter rental was at POR years ago. I scooted over to the parking lot and backed up all over the place, parallel parked near the curb, etc.


Next, send Mom off with a preciously adorable backpack she can attach to the back if the seat for cameras, a sweater or light jacket for the evening.

Finally go to Walmart and buy a cute little bike horn or bike bell and cheap screwdriver. She can attach to her basket for some whimsy.


I always feel......I'm stuck in the bloody thing, I might as well have a little fun! LOVE my squeaky horn and bell----I take both, of course! The accident may have crushed my knee but NEVER my fun!


Remind Mom to plug in each nigh to begin the day with a full charge.

 

[Minniekins]

After reading threads and posts here, I chose Walker Mobility this year, well on our Dec trip. Previously rented in the parks. I recommend Walker Mobility very highly and will definitely use them again next Dec! The cost was a little less than half of renting in the parks. Plus, can't take the disney scooters from one park to another or anywhere outside the park. (If you save the receipt, and present at the next park, there is no further charge than what you paid at the first park).
Also, it insures you will have the scooter whenever you need it out of the parks. You can take it on the buses, boats or monorail and it's fairly easy to get the knack of driving onto these transportation. They are helpful in getting your scooter loaded and give helpful advise and can even park the scooter on the bus for you if needed, though I found it pretty easy. Since they are staying at boardwalk, it's probably faster just to drive the scooter over to Epcot so no waiting for a boat which can take some time. Not very far at all, and can also drive scooter over to DHS if they want, it's just a little farther the other direction.
She should bring the charger with her each day just in case, but I found that if I charged for 8 hrs overnight, the walker battery lasted the next entire day.

Practicing is a good idea, but it's fairly easy to get the hang of. Just gotta watch out for speed and for other guests stepping out in front of you.