EVC - rent or use Disney's?

[Blessed_wth_Triplets]

It seems many rent an ECV outside of Disney instead of using the ones Disney parks rent? Is this correct? Is there a reason to do this? Isn't it more work? We are staying on WDW property and I thought it would be easiest to just rent one when we get to the parks. thanks!

 

[Barbday62]

We rented a power chair and the main reason is my husband needs it beyond the parks. The walk to and from the TTC and around Downtown disney and even the walk from the bus stop to the hotel room is too much for him. Renting off site and having it all the time made all this more comfortable for him. Was it a pain, yes, but we did get to be boarded first onto buses and when there was a line they still boarded us. (I never took a seat from anyone as I chose to stand when I got boarded before anyone else) We was always last off the busses and monorails.

We also need a power chair not a ECV because of his muscular dystrophy he cannot reach forward all day long so for us it was another reason to rent off site. I suspect my reason above is why most rent EVC off site though. Its the "beyond the parks" that give some problems. Unfortunatly the disability never leaves when we leave the gates. :-(

 

[KPeveler]

not only what the above poster mentioned, but also the park ecvs are bigger and sometimes harder to maneuver. plus the ones off site are much less expensive.

also, during crowded times, it is not uncommon for them to run out of ECVs.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

The park rentals are very large four wheel (I think 450 pound capacity) and cannot go faster than 2 mph. The off-site are smaller (unless you need a large one) generally with a 350 pound capacity, have three wheels and so are much more maneuverable, and can attain a maximum speed of about 4½ mph.

And if you are staying at a deluxe hotel some of them have very long corridors, and at the other hotels it may be quite a distance from parking (or where the bus stop is) to your room. So an off-site is available for you at all times.

And they cost less than what Disney charges.

 

[5dwarves]

I have done the internet search thing and the phone call thing and researched several companies about an ECV for my DH. We decided on off site rental for a few reasons:

1.) Availability...we know that we will have an ECV every day we are there, no matter what time we arrive at the theme parks.
2.) Park Hopping (it is my understanding, although I may be wrong) that you can not take an ECV from one park to the other...you have to turn it in and get new one at the next park...I could be mistaken though
3.) Long parking lot walks.
4.) It is also my understanding that Downtown Disney doesn't rent ECVs
5.) We are also going to Universal, and again, you can't take an ECV from one park to the other.
6.) We have also read on this site that the Disney ECV's have governors on them that control their speed, and they go much slower than other rentals. We are not looking to race around WDW, with me pushing a double stroller, and our 3 other walking kids in tow, but if my DH needs a little more power to get up an incline, it is nice to know that he will have it.

Hope this helps...BTW, all the companies that I talked to would deliver it to your WDW resort and pick it up. It should be there waiting for you, if you choose this option.

 

[SueM in MN]

I have done the internet search thing and the phone call thing and researched several companies about an ECV for my DH. We decided on off site rental for a few reasons:

1.) Availability...we know that we will have an ECV every day we are there, no matter what time we arrive at the theme parks.

2.) Park Hopping (it is my understanding, although I may be wrong) that you can not take an ECV from one park to the other...you have to turn it in and get new one at the next park...I could be mistaken though

You are correct. The park ECVs are not allowed to leave the park where you rented them. If you park hop, you can get another at the next park with no extra cost, if they have any available. Keep your receipt and you will not have to pay a second time.

3.) Long parking lot walks.

If you rent an ECV at the park and park in the regular lot, explain to the CM directing the parking that you have a mobility problem and will be renting an ECV in the park. They will direct you to a spot close to the tram pick up point.
If you are parking in the Handicapped Parking lot, there is no tram service and it can be a long walk.

4.) It is also my understanding that Downtown Disney doesn't rent ECVs

According to WDW's website information about DD, they do have a limited number to rent. I'm not sure if the website is up to date though and someone who had rented one there in the past had posted that they only had a few.

5.) We are also going to Universal, and again, you can't take an ECV from one park to the other.

Also, Universal has a parking ramp that is located a fair walk from the park entrance. There is no tram, only some moving sidewalks similar to what you often find in airports. The times we have been to Universal, the moving sidewalks were not operating.

6.) We have also read on this site that the Disney ECV's have governors on them that control their speed, and they go much slower than other rentals. We are not looking to race around WDW, with me pushing a double stroller, and our 3 other walking kids in tow, but if my DH needs a little more power to get up an incline, it is nice to know that he will have it.

The park ones are powerful, just not as fast or manouverable as the ones you can rent from off-site.

Hope this helps...BTW, all the companies that I talked to would deliver it to your WDW resort and pick it up. It should be there waiting for you, if you choose this option.

There are phone numbers and links to the companies that DIS posters have most often had good experiences with in the disABILITIES FAQs thread. All of them will deliver and pick up from your resort. I would feel comfortable renting from any of those companies.