Fear of ECV (long..sorry)

[DisneyFreaks]

Our trip to WDW is fast approaching and so far my doctor has not been able to diagnose the extreme pain I have when walking or just standing long periods of time. She is leaning toward RA in my spine now so more tests are on the horizon. I know in my heart that I will not be able to do all of the walking at WDW that is needed. I couldn't even walk half a block with my DGS trick or treating the other night. I am extremely depressed over this whole mess as I was once very active. I am 60 years old and overweight but have lost over fifty pounds recently and still losing. Funny thing is I didn't have this pain before losing the weight Now to my problem. My family wants me to rent an ECV while doing the parks. I haven't driven a car in years and I am terrified that I won't be able to drive it and will make a fool of myself or worse yet hurt someone. My DH says he will push me in a wheel chair but I hate to ask that of anyone. I am so upset over this whole prospect that I am seriously considering just bringing a bunch of novels and staying in the room. I guess what I'm asking is just how hard are these things to learn? Is there anyone here who has had this same fear and gotten through it? How? Also, I can get up and walk very short distances with a cane so I could get on and off of the rides and I can push DGS in his stroller inside stores. Will people be thinking I'm just lazy? I would never even consider using a scooter or wheelchair on the rides or getting any special kind of treatment. Would I be able to sit in the regular seats and areas with my family and just park the ECV or WC? This is very important to me as I do not want to be a bother to anyone. My apologies for this being so long. I'm just looking for advice from anyone who has had to deal with this fear. Thanks for listening.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi and to disABILITIES!

I would start off by going to a Wal-Mart (or similar) or a large Grocery store and trying out the ECVs they have there. Just realize that those ECVs are much more difficult to maneuver than the rentals at WDW or the off-site rentals becuase of the large basket in the front.

Next, you have to realize that it can be a very long distance from a door to an actual boarding area.

Please ask yourself the following questions. Here are the suggested answers to go with them.

1. Are you disabled (even temporarily)? Yes.

2. Do the people you are traveling with, such as your family, know you are disabled? Yes.

3. Do you expect to meet anyone you know during this trip who may not know you are disabled. Probably No!

4. Do you expect to meet a bunch of people who you will probably never meet again in your life? Probably yes!

5. Is there any reason at all that you should care what these people think about you? Absolutely No!!

6. Will using a wheelchair or ECV make for a better vacation for you and your family? Absolutely YES!

 

[Im_with_Dopey]

oh nooooo, please don't waste your precious time at Disney in your room with a book. You need to rent a ecv and enjoy Disney with your family. They are not hard at all. I rented one for the first time in 2005 after the first day, and getting shin splints and there was no way I was going to be able to walk the rest of the week. I had the same fears but it wasn't worth the pain I was going to be in. Don't worry about what others might think, thats their problem, and you will be having a great time. They have speeds on them so just start at the slowest and you will soon be a pro in no time. Have an awesome time.

 

[ireland_nicole]

Please, Please don't waste precious time with your family in the happiest place on earth!! Even if there is a trip in the future, you can't get this one back. Time with our families is priceless. ECV's are not that difficult to "drive" it's a lot easier than you think, just requires a lot of attention to the people around you. I would recommend renting from offsite as they move at more than just really slow turtle speed and you can rent one with three wheels instead of 4 so they're really easy to maneuver. My husband says that I was like a big kid at WDW this trip (he meant it in a good way). I wasn't having to plan avery step to avoid backtracking, I was more patient, I laughed and had fun, I didn't hurt every second. WOW, it was great!!! I even offered to "run" and get fast passes. If you do have RA, there are a lot of treatments available, but you don't know what your health will be like in a year, 5, 10... Don't miss this opportunity. You're gonna do great!!

 

[Luv Bunnies]

We got an ECV for my dad last year at Disneyland. He has sore legs from diabetes and also had bypass surgery. He was a little wary of using it at first but he quickly got the hang of it. I even tried it out in the hotel parking lot and it was very easy to use. The one we rented had a speed control dial ranging from turtle to rabbit (seriously, it had pictures of the little animals!). He would keep it slightly above turtle most of the time since the parks were crowded and he needed to go slow. He learned how quickly he could stop and watched for people jumping in front of him. ECVs don't have brakes. You stop them by taking your hand off the power bar and they roll to a stop. If he saw someone walking into his path, he would just stop and let them pass. When it got really crowded, my husband and I would walk directly in front of him to make a path for him. He was able to park outside of restaurants and walk in. He also rode the train with us. We just had to return to the same train station where the ECV was parked. The only other ride he really wanted to try was Soarin'. We used FastPass so we didn't have to wait in line for very long and he loved it!

My dad was very glad he came with us and used the ECV. He enjoyed watching my kids have fun at Disneyland! I hope you go ahead and get an ECV and enjoy youself, too!

 

[pumpkinboy]

Since you're nervous about driving, you might consider the wheelchair option. Hey, DH volunteered, so you might as well take him up on it. He clearly wants you to be able to spend time with the rest of the family. You say you "hate to ask that of anyone" but you're not asking - he's offering.
IMO DH and the rest of your party will have a far better time pushing you in a wheechair or guiding you on an ECV than if you hole-up in the room while they go to the parks. If you stay behind in the room, one or more of them will feel obligated to stay behind with you, so you might as well let them push your chair - they'll feel better, you'll feel better - it's a win-win proposition.

And don't worry about getting special treatment on rides - you won't get it automatically as most rides can accommodate an ECV or wheelchair in the regular line.

There is no shame in taking help when you need it and others offer it. Wheelchair or ECV should be the decision you're making, not whether to go to the parks or not.

Good luck!

 

[KPeveler]

btw the park wheelchairs are VERY uncomfortable! if you rent a wheelchair, rent one from off-site so it is more comfortable.

also, you can try out an ecv at your local walmart or target or supermarket - keep in mind off-site rentals are MUCH smaller than these, so if you can handle those, you should be able to do the parks...

 

[BroganMc]

ECVs don't have brakes.

Um, that is not true. ECV's do have electronic brakes. It's just that, as with all powered devices, they don't stop on a dime like pedestrians do. You need to be aware of your stopping distance, just as in using a car. The faster you go or the steeper the slope, the more distance you need to stop.

It's really not a big deal. If anything you just learn how much following distance to give yourself for maneuvering. Usually I give myself one full length of my chair.

You stop them by taking your hand off the power bar and they roll to a stop.

This is how you activate the brakes. It's a Dead Man's Switch.

I wouldn't fret one moment about using an ECV, nor would I be dumb enough to submit myself to a day in a manual "push" wheelchair. Seriously, just 15 minutes being in such a contraption and finding you only get to see or go where your pusher wants will have you contemplating murder or suicide. It's really only good for taking a nap while someone else drives you around.

ECVs are much easier to use than cars. You'll never go faster than a slow run. The DGkids will outrun you easily.

They can be driven one handed, if desired. Press one lever to go forward and another to go in reverse. To steer left or right you turn the tiller that way.

If you have any difficulty it is in tight maneuvering. Backing up is easier if you go slower. Your turning radius is the distance from your front wheels to your back wheels (about 2-3 feet). Getting on the older lift-equipped busses is more of a pain because you must back onto the lift, then the bus and then turn to the left to drive forward.

If it worries you, ask for help. Remember to turn your speed dial down to the slowest. (Scooters have a habit of going right to the fastest speed when you switch them off then on, so ALWAYS check your speed before moving.)

As for the crowd, just keep your eyes open. Peripheral vision saves you from a lot. Give yourself extra following distance. Let them pass in front of you and back off a step. Approach corners with caution, assuming someone will be rounding it just as you approach.

There may be times when ignorant pedestrians run into you, but even that disruption is not enough to outweigh the benefit of actually enjoying yourself in Disney, pain free.

I have JRA so walk very unsteadily and with pain. I'm always safer and happier in my chair than attempting to walk about in a Disney crowd. My 70+ yo dad loves his scooter. It always gives him a seat, a place to carry stuff and the ability to not sacrifice his life to the limits of his body.

 

[Creola]

Hi,
"Driving" an ECV is really easy....much easier than a car.

I used one for the last time last December on our trip to WDW and was depressed about it before we got there and worried about having to drive it.

The ECV was waiting at Bell Services when we got to the hotel. My husband walked around the hotel grounds with me until I felt comfortable driving it (took about 5 minutes!) and only then did we attempt a bus ride.

The only thing I had a problem with the whole week I used it was trying to parallel park it on the buses. I can't parallel park a car either! But I'd drive it onto the bus, get off and sit in a seat and DH would park it for me. He finally figured out that it was easier to just lift it into place.

We never had a bus driver who wasn't helpful nor did I ever hear any comments from other people waiting to get on the bus.

Next Wednesday we're again going to WDW (to celebrate our 40th anniversary) and I've already booked an ECV...but this time I feel better about the whole thing!

I think it's hard to cross that line for the first time and admit to yourself that you need some sort of help.

Enjoy your trip and don't spend any more time in your room than you have to! Please come back here after the trip and let us know how things went.

Carole

 

[DisneyFreaks]

You all have been so helpful. You've really made me feel more optimistic. I am absolutely going to try the ones at Walmart (at a very unbusy time) to see what I can do. pumpkinboy, thank you for helping take away the guilt I have been feeling if I have to choose the wheelchair option. I love our visits to WDW so much and the very thought of having to stay in the room or stop going was weighing heavily on me. Thank you all so much for the wonderful advice you have given me and the caring you have shown. You folks are just the greatest.

 

[ireland_nicole]

I'm so glad you're giving the ECV a chance- nothing is worth missing Disney for! Just remember, the walmart ones are wayyyy bigger/bulkier, esp. with the basket on them, so if you can drive that, you can definitely drive the easier ones at WDW!

 

[HonnyDipp]

I have a muscle disease that took away my ability to walk. I'm basically learning how to walk all over again. I have been using an ECV for about 2 years now. It didnt take me long to get used to the one I already own. Its very easy to operate and control. My advice is to go to Walmart or Target and ride one around the store. They are bigger in size, so if you can control that, the ones at DW shouldnt be a problem.

Also, dont worry about what others may think of you. This is your vacation, you need to focus on that and what would make you comfortable with your family.

If you rent consider renting off property!

 

[Figaro]

If your family is offering to push you in a manual wheelchair, then they are telling you that they do NOT see this as a burden and that they want to experience WDW with you, not leave you in a hotel room. I cannot use a power wheelchair or ECV due to depth perception and other issues, and my non-athletic spouse who works a desk job has never had any issue being my "pusher" at WDW.

I have also never felt as if I didn't have control whether in a manual wheelchair or not. It isn't like I'm going to go tearing off by myself, since the main point of going on vacation with my spouse is to spend time with my spouse. I know that this is an issue for some people, but it certainly is not an issue for all of us and definitely not an issue for me.

So, if the ECV doesn't work out for whatever reason, please don't refuse their offer to push you in a manual wheelchair and deny yourself and the people you love the pleasure of experiencing WDW together.

 

[DisneyFreaks]

If your family is offering to push you in a manual wheelchair, then they are telling you that they do NOT see this as a burden and that they want to experience WDW with you, not leave you in a hotel
So, if the ECV doesn't work out for whatever reason, please don't refuse their offer to push you in a manual wheelchair and deny yourself and the people you love the pleasure of experiencing WDW together.

Thanks Figaro. I was in the Lowes store yesterday and they had an ECV sitting inside the door and I stood there contemplating getting on for the longest time but just couldn't. I don't know what my problem is sometimes. I just kept visualizing knocking down store displays and I totally freaked and pushed a cart around the floor until I had to go sit in the car while DH stood in the check out. I guess I'm too darn vain?

 

[Nalla]

I can't drive a car, but I can use an ECV without a problem. They take a little getting used to but aren't that difficult. Don't spend your vacation in your room with a book, enjoy it with your family.

 

[wdwmickey]

We just returned from my first ECV trip to WDW and it was awesome!!!!! I could keep up with DD and I didn't have to worry about backtracking, etc. I rented from offsite and my ECV was waiting for me--I practiced "driving" at the resort and was ready to head to Magic Kingdom the next morning. I'm only 46 and I know how you feel about getting an ECV at a store (I was terrified until I tried it and discovered that shopping can still be fun, not painful ). My DH pushed me in a manual wheelchair on our trip in December and I felt I had lost my independence, however I loved using the ECV on my mother/daughter trip in October. I too can walk small distances so I was able to board the rides with DD. My ECV trip was better than I could have imagined

 

[Earstou]

I have also never felt as if I didn't have control whether in a manual wheelchair or not. It isn't like I'm going to go tearing off by myself, since the main point of going on vacation with my spouse is to spend time with my spouse. I know that this is an issue for some people, but it certainly is not an issue for all of us and definitely not an issue for me.

I switched to an ECV because my dh is rather clueless at times! He kept worrying about the wheelchair being in people's way, so he would shove it into a corner, or up against a wall. The only problem was, I was still in the chair!
I used an ECV for the first time on my last trip, and was surprised by how much fun I had! At the end of the day, I wasn't dragging my hurting, exhausted body into the hotel, hoping I had enough energy to make it to the room. I even became the fast pass runner, since I was wearing everyone else out! This was for my 50th birthday (but everyone thinks I'm 35-40).

 

[DisneyFreaks]

We just returned from my first ECV trip to WDW and it was awesome!!!!! I could keep up with DD and I didn't have to worry about backtracking, etc. I rented from offsite and my ECV was waiting for me--I practiced "driving" at the resort and was ready to head to Magic Kingdom the next morning. I'm only 46 and I know how you feel about getting an ECV at a store (I was terrified until I tried it and discovered that shopping can still be fun, not painful ). My DH pushed me in a manual wheelchair on our trip in December and I felt I had lost my independence, however I loved using the ECV on my mother/daughter trip in October. I too can walk small distances so I was able to board the rides with DD. My ECV trip was better than I could have imagined

I can't tell you all how awesome it is to know that I am not the only one afraid of using an ECV. I truly hope I can overcome this because it really does sound like my family will enjoy their trip alot better if I can. I am wondering though, where do you park an ECV or WC for the attractions if you don't want to use the HC entrances? Just anywhere near the attraction? Also for parades and fireworks can you park them on main street for viewing or is it mandatory to go to the handicap areas?

Earstou, I feel your pain. I used a wheelchair during our trip in 2005 after a knee injury and my wonderful kids kept doing the same thing. After only one day of that I hobbled around for the rest of the week. It actually felt safer than the way they were "driving". LoL

 

[mechurchlady]

CMs will help you with most questions and offer advice. Park the ECV/wheelchair in the stroller parking designated area. If not marked the outside in a safe area along a railing and out of the way of traffic. Not on the parade route. Make sure your name and room or something is on the ECV and make it look a bit unique like a a towel on the seat, junk in the basket or an old favorite is a baby diaper with dark soda on it then put in a bag.

You may watch the parade from a wheelchair or ECV anywhere on the parade route. Exceptions would be if you were blocking traffic like on Main Street in front of the shops but they even tell standing guests to not block the traffic lanes. See the line, see the curb, stay behind it, that is what CMs will say to any guest. Same with the fireworks. They have designated areas for those guests who are disabled so as to make sure they can see. At both parks I have never had a problem with parades from an ECV or wheelchair.

Getting mom into the house often means me carelessly smooshing her feet on a door, lol. Don't worry about the ECV as you will be fine and will enjoy the freedom. Today I do my monthly grocery shopping and after my latest fall am NOT up to walking around in circles in the store so I am going to be in their ECV speeding past the baby food and cat food as I speed on my way to the CHOCOLATE aisle. I love the ECV in the store because I get past the stuff I do not need and get to the CHOCOLATE aisle fast. I love my FREEDOM and will continue to use ECVs unless I am up to walking.

 

[DisneyFreaks]

Thanks for the valuable info mechurchlady!