First time with a scooter, any advice?

[ammag]

Hi guys! So we have tow park days in which my mom will be using a scooter. She has never used one before and we want to make it as something as possible for her and don't want to be rude to others or do things that we shouldn't etc. so wouldn't ring if anyone has advice? She is using it primarily to get from land to land, she can only walk about one block but that's it. S she can go through lines ok. I am going to make her a cute sign for the front so it is easy to ID. We rented from apple scooters and are staying at the art of animation. We will be taking the busses ot the parks and possibly the boat at some point. Doing MK and then AK.

Thanks so much!

 

[disney david]

Hi guys! So we have tow park days in which my mom will be using a scooter. She has never used one before and we want to make it as something as possible for her and don't want to be rude to others or do things that we shouldn't etc. so wouldn't ring if anyone has advice? She is using it primarily to get from land to land, she can only walk about one block but that's it. S she can go through lines ok. I am going to make her a cute sign for the front so it is easy to ID. We rented from apple scooters and are staying at the art of animation. We will be taking the busses ot the parks and possibly the boat at some point. Doing MK and then AK.

Thanks so much!

Their no boat at the art of animation only buses which drop you right off in front of mk and ak. Why you could so is get practice at a target of Walmart it won't be the same but it give you a place where other people will be and place you can turn. And when you get to Disney have her try it out at the resort That resort has lots to see so even going from the card section to loin king will give her lots of practice. Before she gets to the park as longs as she comfortable and she feel safe then your good to go.

Are their specific questions you have about using one I am sure other disers will be around to give more tips and help.

 

[ammag]

Thanks! I was thinking we might just want to take the boat ride from MK for a park break. Probably not but keeping options open. I will mention the trying out to her, I have a feeling she will wait til the resort. It's a big place and we are staying in little mermaid, so I hear its. A lot of walking. Should she be afraid the battery will die on a long day?

 

[ammag]

Oh also I remember reading here awhile ago that if we have a stroller (we have double) we should walk in front of her a bit? To give her space from people?

 

[disney david]

Thanks! I was thinking we might just want to take the boat ride from MK for a park break. Probably not but keeping options open. I will mention the trying out to her, I have a feeling she will wait til the resort. It's a big place and we are staying in little mermaid, so I hear its. A lot of walking. Should she be afraid the battery will die on a long day?

Sorry about that yes it nice to take a boat every other boat will be accessible. I am not sure about the battery sorry I am sure their be some one who can answer that. It a very nice resort and lots to see their so she should be able to get a lobo practice.

 

[kathymu501]

I go to Disney frequently and rent scooter from Apple. Don't have a problem with battery as long as no rain. Must be careful stay out of puddles. No problem in park just go slow. Getting on the bus can be a challenge but all the drivers are very helpful esp. if you let them know it is first time. Carry the charger in the chair pocket if gets slow there on areas at the buildings to plug in to charge. Also good to have small flash light as most times light on scooter does not work, this just lets others see you more easier. Have fun say hi to Mickey I had to cancel my trip this year related to illness.

 

[Kristibo42]

My mom takes one when we go. One thing is no one moves out of the way. The bus drivers will help you put the scooter on and off the bus don't be afraid to ask. But for the most part it not too bad.

 

[TreeSapp]

I haven't read the rest of the thread. But wanted to share this.


I was told that the scooter is great for independence and steady use.
but if your party member doesn't mind being pushed in a wheelchair, then it's better to use because you can push it around empty when no one is using it.
If you choose to stop using a scooter, it can't be moved around empty - someone has to drive it. So you have to find an allowable place to park it - walk from there to where you wanna be - walk back to the scooter etc.

Don't know it that helps

 

[GrammyJudy]

I use a scooter at Disney and rent from Apple. Never had a problem with battery even when I forgot to charge it one night. MK can be tricky doing down Main Street because of the trolley tracks so if it is not too crowded go on sidewalk or near it as possible. They fit easily into room for charging at night. Make sure you take the key when you park it. Also turn it off during shows or parades to save the battery. And have a great trip!

 

[musicmama]

Recently back, and started out with a wheelchair but had to move to a scooter. Our Epcot day was the wheelchair day, and let's face it, Epcot is only wheelchair friendly if you stay away from The Land, The Seas and the east side of World Showcase. Those areas have significant hilly features, enough so that DD was exhausted from pushing and I felt horribly guilty. We won't even mention the hill that you climb just travelling between the gate and Spaceship Earth.

Rented a scooter for our MK day but found out that some of the lines are NOT scooter-friendly (for example, DD had to push me down and up those awful Space Mountain ramps, which was one of the reasons I rented the scooter to begin with).

Your mom should definitely practice at a Walmart or grocery store before you leave so that she gets the feel of stopping and starting, turning and just being in a crowd in general. There is a trick to stopping without hitting the person in front of you. Turning has its own set of challenges. And it can be kind of daunting if you're in the middle of a crowd.

Good luck with the trip!

 

[ammag]

Thanks everyone, I will see if I can get her to practice somewhere. A least the first day is a resort day so she can learn there. I think someone told me to push the double stroller in front of her to make sure people do not get in the way or that they move? Makes sense to me. I can't push her in a wheelchair, DH will have the double stroller and I am disabled myself, though I THINK I can do the two park days. B I definitely can't push her.

We will make it work, the flashlight is a great tip! I apologize I am forgetting who said it but the reason who had to cancel the trip I am so sorry and I hope you get to reschedule sometime soon

 

[dawnhaze]

I'm nearing the end of my first scooter trip. The main problem for me has been queues that require a wheelchair transfer since no one can push me - I almost rolled backwards into a bunch of people in the POTC queue but a guy caught my chair. I gave up and started walking certain queues with my cane. Star Tours has a steep wheelchair ramp and the Space Mountain queue is just unpleasant in general.

Getting in and out of the buses varies. I don't like the ones with the wall in between the seats, it's hard to back around without hitting it with the front of the scooter. But the bus drivers will help if you ask. I could manage it myself after the first couple of days, mostly.

People will dart in front of the scooter and stop abruptly in front of it. She should be prepared for that to happen over and over no matter what you try to do to prevent it

 

[curemyreed]

Thanks everyone, I will see if I can get her to practice somewhere. A least the first day is a resort day so she can learn there. I think someone told me to push the double stroller in front of her to make sure people do not get in the way or that they move? Makes sense to me. I can't push her in a wheelchair, DH will have the double stroller and I am disabled myself, though I THINK I can do the two park days. B I definitely can't push her.

We will make it work, the flashlight is a great tip! I apologize I am forgetting who said it but the reason who had to cancel the trip I am so sorry and I hope you get to reschedule sometime soon

My mother who was 60 with end-stage cancer used an ECV while at Disney. The thing she remarked about was people stepping right in front of the scooter. This made her tense because of the risk of potentially bumping them. It was made worse by people stepping directly in front of her and then stopping or abruptly slowing down---the ECV could not stop in time if they placed themselves too close. For this reason we did drive our stroller in front of her to try to eliminate this problem. She said it did help, but it was still an issue. Maybe your double-wide stroller would help more than our single did.