EVC Rental: Disney vs. off-site

[jordgubben]

My grandmother and great-aunt are going on a trip to WDW after Thanksgiving. My GM gets around pretty well but as someone else put it, "there's everyday walking and then there's WDW walking" so we're concerned about fatigue.

We would like her to rent a ECV but we're not sure which route to take- disney or off-site.

My first thought was for her to rent at the parks. I think she would do ok getting from her room at POR to the bus and from the bus to the park entrance. Plus I figured then she wouldn't have to worry about getting it on/off the bus. Then another family member called someone in WDW (have no idea who) and they suggested renting off-site. So, now we're just confused.

Has anyone rented at the parks for the day? What are some of the pros/cons of doing so? What are your suggestions about renting an EVC?

Thanks for you help.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

My preference would be for the off-site rental. The fact that the cost ends to be less is not material.

The major points are the offsite rentals tend to be three wheel rather than four and are much more maneuverable and not as large as the Disney ECVs. This makes getting around easier.

It is available all the time, including at the Resort and Downtown Disney.

The walks from the bus stops to the rental location (especially Epcot) can be very long itself.

The downside is needing to be able to get on and off the bus, but that should be easy to learn. Also, you will be first on but last off as far as boarding.

 

[Mickiethepooh]

I agree off site is the way to go. you have it the entire time you need it, they are smaller and easier to handle, and you are assured of having it, where as in the park they may or may not be available when you need it, it is bigger and harder to manuver. Also the off sites are normally cheaper, and they drop them off and pick them up from your hotel.
I am using Walker for my upcoming November trip.

 

[jordgubben]

Does anyone have experience renting at the parks?

 

[SueM in MN]

Does anyone have experience renting at the parks?

My FIL used to rent in the parks. He did not want to use one on the bus and didn't want to use one at MK.
He was more comfortable on the park ones because he was used to driving ones in stores occasionally and was used to driving a golf cart. They are 4 wheeled, slower than the ones you can rent from off-site and are more similar in feel (at least from what he said) to driving a very small golf cart.

If you check out the WDW website, they do have information aboue renting at the parks, but recommend renting from off-site if you need one.

 

[Mickiethepooh]

Does anyone have experience renting at the parks?

I have rented them in the parks before and they are harder to drive larger more awkward and uncomfortable. But more to the point I have arrived at parks and there were no ECVs available, I have had them run out of "gas" in the middle of the park where I have to find a CM, and then wait for them to bring another one, [if they have one].
This is SOME of the reasons why I rent off site, also off site scooters are cheaper and generally better and with you the entire time you are there including resort which may have lots of walking.

 

[Jeffan1ca]

The year my father came we rented offsite. It was waiting in reception at Old Key West Resort when we arrived and when we left we dropped it back there. My father was a little conscientious about getting on and off the bus at first. As he can also walk short distances, I would hop on and load it for him. After he became comfortable with driving it, he was like a kid with a new toy and became a pro loading/unloading on the bus. We couldn't touch his beloved ECV and usually he was first out of the resort room, sitting on the ECV, waiting for us to go to the parks.

Pros:

Freedom for a ECV user to go everywhere without tiring from walking

The ECV user and everyone in their party get to load the bus before everyone else. We didn't feel comfortable with this so most times we left my son to wait with Grandpa in the disablility line, while the rest of us queued with the bus passengers.

ECV users and everyone in their party (numbers within reason) usually are ushered onto rides and theatres via the exit line(or brought forward) bypassing those queuing. I had a pang of guilt doing this, but thankfully it was low season and lines were almost non-existence.

Cons:
For me, being abled body, the thought of bypassing others in the queue to board with someone in a ECV

Additional expense. But if it means someone who would not have been able to enjoy Disney being able to partake, it is money well spent. In March when both my elderly in-laws come with us, I'm getting them both one so they can enjoy the parks with their grandchildren and daughter.

If the resort doesn't have elevators, you're stuck on the main floor. The Old Key West resort building we had didn't have an elevator and unfortunately some of the views from the ground floor windows were of bushes. We didn't much care though, we were at Disney.

 

[SueM in MN]

ECV users and everyone in their party (numbers within reason) usually are ushered onto rides and theatres via the exit line(or brought forward) bypassing those queuing. I had a pang of guilt doing this, but thankfully it was low season and lines were almost non-existence.

That is actually the exception rather than the rule because most lines for rides and attractions are wheelchair/ECV accessible.

When we have seen it happen more is during low season and it probably happens because the lines are short. When there are not many people, it's often easier for the CM to handle the ECV/wheelchair right away than make you wait. Since the lines are short during the low season, the amount of time 'saved' is probably actually very short.

 

[rascalmom]

I have tried both on-site and off-site rentals....I much prefer off-site.

Reasons:

I have had bad luck with the on-site ECV's breaking down on me. Once they were able to bring me a new one to the World Showcase area of Epcot, the other time we were at MGM back near Tower of Terror - they told me to have my dh push it back to the front of the park for an exchange.

The on-site ones move very slowly. I always felt my family was waiting for me. With the off-site model, I could easily keep pace.

Steering the smaller, 3 wheeled off-site unit is much easier.

We love DTD - they don't have ECv's available there.

I don't have problems loading onto the busses, but my family does prefer to have a car. We just quickly take the seat & battery off & load the rental in the car. That gives us flexibility to visit other places besides the Disney parks & still have a comfortable way for me to get around.

I can walk short distances too - but I much prefer not to make that sometimes long hike across the resort or to the bus stop at the end of a long day. My shattered ankle appreciates it!

 

[Marie14625]

I am renting mine from off site, also. The great thing is this. When I arrive at the Orlando airport, I am to call the delivery person. Then they will meet me at my WDW Resort with the scooter. Then they will pick it up at the end of my stay. I also would call the same number if I have any problems at all with the scooter.

 

[kimsuenew]

Does anyone have experience renting at the parks?

I rented at the parks. The WDW ECV's are very nice (I was informed they were new this year by a CM). The are easy to use and manuever. There is a basket on the front. They are 4 wheel models, not three. I always felt stable and secure. The cost is $40.00 daily, with $5.00 being returned when you bring it back. The only downside is it is "first come, first serve", so if you are not there early (when parks are busy) you may not get one. I will rent one from an outside company for our stay duration next time, as we are staying 13 days, and I will be able to use it on the resort grounds and at Downtown Disney and I won't have to be the first person at the parks daily (to ensure getting one). Having said that, I would not hesitate to rent one from WDW again, they are nice.

 

[evenpar4me]

we have gone both ways......the off site ones are faster...less expensive by $4.00,assembly is easy....would reccomend Buena Vista Scooter....Excellent service and new equipment

 

[kimsuenew]

we have gone both ways......the off site ones are faster...less expensive by $4.00,assembly is easy....would reccomend Buena Vista Scooter....Excellent service and new equipment

This is really good information to have, thank you! We plan on renting for the duration of our stay in 2008. Are they the 4-wheeled version? I have no interest in the 3-wheeled type, it just seems a bit unstable to me (and Lord knows... I need stability)!

 

[SueM in MN]

This is really good information to have, thank you! We plan on renting for the duration of our stay in 2008. Are they the 4-wheeled version? I have no interest in the 3-wheeled type, it just seems a bit unstable to me (and Lord knows... I need stability)!

There are links in the disABILITIES FAQs thread to the companies that DIS posters recommend. You can go to each website and look at the types of ECVs they rent out.
Most of the companies rent out the 3 wheeled types; you may have more luck with getting a 4 wheel type by asking for a heavy duty scooter.

 

[Mickiethepooh]

This is really good information to have, thank you! We plan on renting for the duration of our stay in 2008. Are they the 4-wheeled version? I have no interest in the 3-wheeled type, it just seems a bit unstable to me (and Lord knows... I need stability)!

I am curious have you actually tried the 3 wheel models the good ones not the more flimsy travel models. they are totally stable and this is what most places rent to you. they are smaller and much easier to manuver in tight situations.

 

[kimsuenew]

I am curious have you actually tried the 3 wheel models the good ones not the more flimsy travel models. they are totally stable and this is what most places rent to you. they are smaller and much easier to manuver in tight situations.

No, I honestly haven't. I have only seen them and they looked unstable to me, I am glad to hear that they are not. I did not realize that this was what most places rented. Thank you!

 

[kimsuenew]

There are links in the disABILITIES FAQs thread to the companies that DIS posters recommend. You can go to each website and look at the types of ECVs they rent out.
Most of the companies rent out the 3 wheeled types; you may have more luck with getting a 4 wheel type by asking for a heavy duty scooter.

Thank you Sue! I will check all of those out, and I truly appreciate the information!

 

[LindaBabe]

On my weekend trip, I just discovered several more reasons not to rent on site.

The off site ones - you squeeze right side to go forward, left side to reverse. With the park models, you actually have to flip a switch to go in reverse and then flip it again to go forward. NUISANCE!

The front wheel wells (because there are two front wheels) are above the platform where your feet rest, making it difficult to stretch your legs out unless you prop them on the wheel covers which means they stick WAY out.

The tiller is not adjustable, so if you have short arms, like me, you have to sit forward in the seat rather than bringing the tiller back to you. This means basically your back is not supported, and your feet are behind your knees, which is uncomfortable.

On the plus side, they are built like tanks - with bumpers fore and aft - you could mow down trees with these things, and that's fortunate, because they are NOT maneuverable. Second, the electronics mechanism is waterproof, so you don't need to cover them with a shower cap if it rains.

The bad outweighs the good, in my opinion.

 

[kimsuenew]

Does anyone have experience renting at the parks?

I did it daily on our September trip. The WDW ECV's are very nice (new this year I was told), easy to use, and end up only being $35.00 daily ($5.00 deposit is given back when you return the key). The only downside is that they are first come, first serve and cannot be removed from the parks (eg to the parking lot). I would not hesitate to rent them again!