EVC rental

[ljcrochet]

We are planning a last minute WDW trip to hopefully celebrate my cancer scan. I know I will not be able to make it through the day without a scooter/EVC.

I have read a few threads but I'm getting overwhelmed. We are staying at the Swan. I'm trying to figure out the best company to rent from and if we need to be there or can they leave it with Bell Services?
Anything I should be aware of?

 

[Groot]

Gold Mobility has the best track record of any of the rental companies. Their scooters are Never more than 6 months old and when they reach 6 months, Gold replaces the fleet with a brand new one and sells the retired scooters to people who need them.

 

[Evita_W]

Another vote for Gold Mobility here. They also offer the captains chair on the Victory 10 model, cup holders, a fan, cell phone holder, USB port and other extras the other companies don't offer or charge more for.

Also, at the Swan they can drop off with bell services if your prefer. If you have used an ECV before, that may be fine to do, but if not, having them drop off in person can be nice so that they can help show you how everything works and adjust everything for your comfort.

Either way is good, just what makes you the most comfortable.

 

[Bjkandma]

Guess what? Another vote for Gold Mobility. I rent one with the captains chair and get the sunshade as my free accessory. If you are comparing prices among companies, Gold includes the insurance in their price.

(Grandkids call my scooter from Gold "Grammie's Cadillac".

 

[Selket]

Our last Disney trip (sadly October 2019 lol) we stayed at the Dolphin and I had no issues getting my scooter. I used Gold and they left it with bell services. I think all companies can leave ECVs with the bell services desk at the Swan/Dolphin so you don't have to rent from any particular vendor. I've had great service and super nice ECVs from Gold so I recommend them. I think their standard scooter has the captain's chair and that is not the case with all companies.

I personally don't get any of the free accessories because I haven't needed or wanted them. The sunshade has been discussed on other threads and I'm personally not a fan of them or the extra (rear) basket because for me they make the ECV seem so much larger/bulkier and harder to maneuver on busses or in the lines, etc. I think any of the accessories can be removed however if you don't like them so no harm done to try them out, but ask about it when you call to rent your scooter.

**edited cause I meant to say that I LOVED staying at the Dolphin - more than I thought I would love it. I generally stay at the Disney hotels but the Dolphin just had an amazing location for such a great price. The Swan will be the same (I stayed at the Swan many years ago before I used an ECV). It's very easy to get around - perhaps plan to take an hour or two to explore the hotel and Boardwalk and figure out where the doors are that you can open automatically for the ECV to go outside.

 

[KPeterso]

Not that it should be a surprise. But yet another vote for Gold for all the reasons above!

 

[olwyngdh]

Since I am always the troublemaker-I use Apple. I have for years, have never had an issue with them, find their prices to be the best with the combination returning user and military discounts, and the people wonderful to deal with. The only time I had a battery problem was at the back of Epcot about 10 years ago and they brought me a new battery and met me in Germany with it. You can request either the captains chair or the lower backed chair. I get the Captains because it is less stressful on my back.

 

[Evita_W]

Since I am always the troublemaker-I use Apple. I have for years, have never had an issue with them, find their prices to be the best with the combination returning user and military discounts, and the people wonderful to deal with. The only time I had a battery problem was at the back of Epcot about 10 years ago and they brought me a new battery and met me in Germany with it. You can request either the captains chair or the lower backed chair. I get the Captains because it is less stressful on my back.

Just a quick not of caution, several of the mobility companies, including Apple are close to having to shut their doors for good. Apple is in one of the worst positions because they also have locations in California and New York which were hit even harder with closures than Florida.

After looking again at most of the mobility companies in Florida, the only ones that seem like they aren't in this position are:
Good Mobility - During the closures they had a lot of unique Disney memorabilia that they were able to sell to keep afloat, otherwise I fear they would have been in this boat too.

Buena Vista - I'm guessing since they have an onsite warehouse they were likely able to negotiate better terms with Disney during the closure.

Scooterbug - Chalk this up to being the preferred provide and the provider for mobility equipment to most theme parks and zoos across the country. The issue here is their equipment is garbage.

I am not saying you shouldn't rent from the other companies, but I am saying be cautious and have a backup plan if the fail. Also make sure you have a way to recover any money you give them before delivery.

Also, please note that I hope that all companies make a full recovery, as there are people that work for all of them that depend on those jobs. But I am saying to be cautious and have backup plans if something does go wrong if you do rent from one of the other companies.

 

[KMarston]

First experience here but I have rented from Gold based on recommendations here. The called the day after I placed the order just to ask if I had any questions and to make sure I was getting what I needed. And they called to say to confirm that there hadn’t been any changes in our travel plans and to say they would be delivering a day early so it would be waiting and ready when we arrive a Dolphin. Actually two different people called. I can’t tell you how incredibly kind and professional they are! Definitely deserve those five stars!

 

[olwyngdh]

Just a quick not of caution, several of the mobility companies, including Apple are close to having to shut their doors for good. Apple is in one of the worst positions because they also have locations in California and New York which were hit even harder with closures than Florida.

After looking again at most of the mobility companies in Florida, the only ones that seem like they aren't in this position are:
Good Mobility - During the closures they had a lot of unique Disney memorabilia that they were able to sell to keep afloat, otherwise I fear they would have been in this boat too.

Buena Vista - I'm guessing since they have an onsite warehouse they were likely able to negotiate better terms with Disney during the closure.

Scooterbug - Chalk this up to being the preferred provide and the provider for mobility equipment to most theme parks and zoos across the country. The issue here is their equipment is garbage.

I am not saying you shouldn't rent from the other companies, but I am saying be cautious and have a backup plan if the fail. Also make sure you have a way to recover any money you give them before delivery.

Also, please note that I hope that all companies make a full recovery, as there are people that work for all of them that depend on those jobs. But I am saying to be cautious and have backup plans if something does go wrong if you do rent from one of the other companies.

As long as they are in business, I will stick with them. They have been good to me for many years and I will return that loyalty.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Lots of people prefer having a scooter that can be left at Bell Services, but here's my experience with Gold Mobility's drop off and pick up, and you can decide how inconvenient (or not) it is. They texted me the night beforehand, then again when we texted when I was on the DME bus. As I got off the bus, I told them I'd be on the nearest bench to the DME bus stop. and a few minutes later, up they arrived with my scooter. They explained everything to me and answered any questions. For pick up, they texted me a few hours before and at the appointed time (a few minutes before I was due to leave), I went back to the same bench, a few minutes later they arrived, got the scooter, and one time, it was a few minutes until my bus arrived, another time I called for my Uber.
The time I had a scooter from a company that left it at bell services. When I went over to pick up my scooter, they couldn't find my key, so I waited close to 1/2 hour while they looked for a key that would fit. Then, that night, when I went to plug in and charge my scooter, it took several extra minutes as I tried to remember, "Now, how did they say last time that I change this?
You can decide which is easier, but for me, I prefer Gold Mobility.

 

[Evita_W]

Lots of people prefer having a scooter that can be left at Bell Services, but here's my experience with Gold Mobility's drop off and pick up, and you can decide how inconvenient (or not) it is. They texted me the night beforehand, then again when we texted when I was on the DME bus. As I got off the bus, I told them I'd be on the nearest bench to the DME bus stop. and a few minutes later, up they arrived with my scooter. They explained everything to me and answered any questions. For pick up, they texted me a few hours before and at the appointed time (a few minutes before I was due to leave), I went back to the same bench, a few minutes later they arrived, got the scooter, and one time, it was a few minutes until my bus arrived, another time I called for my Uber.
The time I had a scooter from a company that left it at bell services. When I went over to pick up my scooter, they couldn't find my key, so I waited close to 1/2 hour while they looked for a key that would fit. Then, that night, when I went to plug in and charge my scooter, it took several extra minutes as I tried to remember, "Now, how did they say last time that I change this?
You can decide which is easier, but for me, I prefer Gold Mobility.

Yep, and as I said before with Gold, if you prefer they can leave with Bell Services at the Swan.

 

[Evita_W]

As long as they are in business, I will stick with them. They have been good to me for many years and I will return that loyalty.

As I said, I hope they don't go out of business, I am just saying be cautious and have backup plans. When dealing with mobility issues that is always a good idea, as it is one of the items that could completely ruin a trip if something goes wrong.

 

[mamabunny]

As I said, I hope they don't go out of business, I am just saying be cautious and have backup plans. When dealing with mobility issues that is always a good idea, as it is one of the items that could completely ruin a trip if something goes wrong.

Exactly; even though I own my personal mobility devices now, I *still* carry the names/phone numbers for my personal top 3 vendors in Orlando in my phone's contacts. If you truly depend on a device to make your travels to Disney World work well for you, then it's a good idea to be prepared, just in case your preferred vendor overbooked, they had a fire at the warehouse, or they misplaced your reservation. Things happen to even the best of companies that can be out of their control - but you can control your outcome by being prepared.

 

[Evita_W]

Exactly; even though I own my personal mobility devices now, I *still* carry the names/phone numbers for my personal top 3 vendors in Orlando in my phone's contacts. If you truly depend on a device to make your travels to Disney World work well for you, then it's a good idea to be prepared, just in case your preferred vendor overbooked, they had a fire at the warehouse, or they misplaced your reservation. Things happen to even the best of companies that can be out of their control - but you can control your outcome by being prepared.

Right, for example, if you were on vacation the next couple of weeks and something happened with your device, As great as they are, I believe Gold may be sold out. Luckily they don't overbook, but as you say there are factors that can be outside their control.

Now depending on what goes wrong they might be able to help you with getting it fixed, but that will take time and I don't know if they have loaners available as I have never needed to do that.

DH is getting his own device in the next couple of weeks, but being from California he likely won't take it when we go to WDW, options to rent instead that way if something does go wrong there is someone that can be easily called.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Exactly; even though I own my personal mobility devices now, I *still* carry the names/phone numbers for my personal top 3 vendors in Orlando in my phone's contacts. If you truly depend on a device to make your travels to Disney World work well for you, then it's a good idea to be prepared, just in case your preferred vendor overbooked, they had a fire at the warehouse, or they misplaced your reservation. Things happen to even the best of companies that can be out of their control - but you can control your outcome by being prepared.

Thanks, that's a great suggestion! Even though I'm already booked with Gold Mobility for my next trip. I think I will keep another name/phone # in my phone, "just in case".

 

[ljcrochet]

Thanks. I ordered an EVC from Gold Mobility