EVC rental questions

[4our4kids]

Hi everyone,
I need some advice on EVC rental. After 6 wks in a cast and 8 wks using a bone stimulator and a walking boot, the stress fracture in my heel, is STILL not healed. We leave the end of Jan for12 days, and I'm starting to think I may need to use a wheelchair or EVC at times.
Where can these be rented? At the parks or resorts? Cost?
Thanks for the responses.
Laura

 

[Talking Hands]

Best advice I can give you is to rent an ECV from offsite. There is a lot of walking and the less stress you put on that foot the better.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

You may be better off renting an ECV, as pushing a wheelchair can get very tiresome, especially if
you are not used to it. Also it depends on the weight of the passenger and the condition of the
pusher(s). Some information for off-site rentals are:

Here are the URLS:

Care Medical:
http://www.caremedicalequipment.com/

Walker Mobility:
1-888-726-6837
www.walkermobility.com

RANDY'S Mobility is in Kissimmee 407-892-4777
http://randysmobility.com/

Colonial Medical
http://www.colonialmed.com/about_cms.html

I have used Walker a few times. They will ask for a credit card and charge it the day before arrival. They will deliver the ECV to your hotel bell services before your arrival and pick it up there after your departure. Their rates, especially for longer than a week, are much better than Disney's. Also, their scooters are much better. Also, they have different sizes and can handle up to about 400 pounds.

You don't say if you are renting a car or what. If you are using a car for getting around, the ECVs break down into five pieces, the heaviest about 39 pounds. They take about a minute or so to take apart and about two minutes (once you are used to it) to put it together.

Another suggestion is find out your state's requirements for a temporary disabled hang tag and get the paper work and have your doctor sign off on it. The tag will allow you to use any of the handicap parking areas (which will be a necessity). Also, with the policy of charging for valet parking, with a handicap hang tag the fees will be waived. Also the valets will usually volunteer to assist in loading/unloading an ECV. (I will normally tip the valets $5.00 if they assist in the breakdown and loading the trunk or unloading the trunck and putting the ECV back together instead of my normal $2.00 tip.) In Virginia I printed the required form from the DMV website. When I took the completed form to the DMV Office it took less than 15 minutes from the time I walked in until I had my tag.

If you are in a cast, you might want to have the person who puts it on you draw a line with a marker where it will be sawn off. Then bring a "Sharpie" type marker pen with you and have the Characters sign the cast. Warn them when signing to not cross the line. After the cast is removed you will have an interesting souvenir.

You can use a bungee cord to help keep crutches or a folded up walker on the ECV or wheelchair. Usually it would be a short walk with the crutches from the wheelchair or ECV to either an attraction to ride or a restaurant seat.

Currently Disney charges $30.00 per day for an ECV (you pay $40 and get $10 back when it is returned), with no assurance that you will get one if you arrive other than first thing in the morning. If you transfer between parks on the same day you only need to show your receipt (and put down another $10 refundable deposit) for them to give you another; however they may not have any available at midday.

I know Walker charges $30 per day but cuts off at $199.50 for the first week; after that the prices go down.

Off-site rentals tend to be MUCH better than for Disney as not only are you sure of having an ECV, but it is available at all times (such as if you go somewhere other than a Disney park).

Good luck and let us know what finally happens.

 

[4our4kids]

I have a few more weeks until I have to make a decision, but thanks to both of you, I now have the information I need and know my options.
Thank you sooo much for all of the suggestions and information!
Laura

 

[Puffy2]

Just wanted to say that you want the ECV over a wheelchair (WORLDS of difference - with an ECV you will have your independence and no one will have to tire themselves pushing the chair). I've rented from Walker Mobility twice - great service both times and the best $30.00 a day we spent.

 

[doombuggy]

I will also call Walker to rent one of their scooters for Grama to ride in May. I am renting a car and she's bringing her hang tag (she has Parkinson's). Glad to hear I will be able to take apart the scooter to put in the trunk!

 

[Erika Sanderson]

Thankyou for the helpful information and links.
We've needed the little cart before but hadn't known where else to get one besides just using the ones available at the parks.

 

[SueM in MN]

You already got the information you knew you needed, but here's some you may not have known you needed. Here's a link to the DIS page about touring with mobility disabilities. It includes inforamtion about which rides/shows can accomidate a wheelchair or ecv in line and ones where you don't need to transfer to enjoy the attraction.

 

[Erika Sanderson]

Wow, thanks again.
That link helps TONS! My mom won't come with us anymore to DW because she's slowed down so much that she's started to use a cart for distance stuff. The times we've checked into this for her at the parks she says she's embarrassed to use it in public and she struggles a lot to keep up even a slow pace.

 

[JudithM]

I ditto everything that has been said about renting an ECV from off site. I have not regretted using the ECV at WDW for the last two years. My last two trips I rented from Walker & I couldn't have asked for a smoother rental.