First Timer ECV Renter

[EpcotQueen]

Recent knee surgery compels me to consider renting an ECV. I'm pretty sure I'll get from off-site. I really would prefer the smallest one for mobility reasons, not needing a pooh-sized one. We've rented from Walker before for my Dad so are familiar with their standard size. I would like to go smaller though. Any rental agency suggestions for smaller units? I must confess to having some anxiety about just navigating through the crowds. I have memories of my Dad, who speaks his mind, yelling to the crowds ahead of him to "Get the h--l out of my way!" We've reserved a car through National Emerald Isle. Typically an intermediate size though if we are lucky, can get a larger car if available for no extra cost. Can we break down the ECV to fit in a trunk of an intermediate? So many questions...so much anxiety about doing this. I KNOW I have to, but....I'm a stubborn PA Dutchman!

 

[Mickiethepooh]

Most of the three wheel scooters that are available by offsite rentals are not that big. they do break down but remember if you have luggage too that must fit in the car, people luggage and scooter don't fit in most cars, usually you need a minivan for all of it. you could take Disney Magic Express then pick up a rental care once there.
Buena Vista scooters is now onsite and rents out of the Boardwalk they have a travel size scooter available and also deliver and pick up to your resort.
I assume you are practicing at Walmart and the supermarkets, those are much bigger than the ones you rent "usually".
Sorry to hear that your dad yelled at people to get out of his way that is why we get so many posts on here about all the "horrible" people on scooters.
Don't get me wrong, most of the fault lies with the walking crowd as the stop dead in front of your or walk right in front of you or suddenly step backwards into you or turn suddenly and land in your lap.
Don't feel anxious, it is not that bad.

 

[disneynutz]

We rent from Scootarama. There service is good and they are $5 per day cheaper then others. The ECVs are small and easy to break down. We put it in the trunk of our mid-size rental car with no problems.

http://www.scootarama.com/index.aspx

 

[Cheshire Figment]

You might want to seriously look at Buena Vista Scooters, and ask about the Revo. Here is a link to my report about them.

 

[Mickiethepooh]

You might want to seriously look at Buena Vista Scooters, and ask about the Revo. Here is a link to my report about them.

I decided based on what was said here to book them for my upcoming trip instead of Walker who I have used in the past. I called last week to reserve a scooter for husband last week and asked for email confirmation. As of yesterday I still had not heard from them so I called again, spoke to Bob Smith, he did not seem to remember much about the reservation and asked me all the info over again, and said that last week some clerk was out sick and that was probably why I had not gotten an email confirmation. He said he would see it was sent right away.
Today I am still sitting here waiting for it and wondering if I made a mistake in changing rental dealers.
I will call again near the end of the day if it does not arrive by then, but I am not impressed so far.

 

[disneynutz]

I decided based on what was said here to book them for my upcoming trip instead of Walker who I have used in the past. I called last week to reserve a scooter for husband last week and asked for email confirmation. As of yesterday I still had not heard from them so I called again, spoke to Bob Smith, he did not seem to remember much about the reservation and asked me all the info over again, and said that last week some clerk was out sick and that was probably why I had not gotten an email confirmation. He said he would see it was sent right away.
Today I am still sitting here waiting for it and wondering if I made a mistake in changing rental dealers.
I will call again near the end of the day if it does not arrive by then, but I am not impressed so far.

You might want to think twice and use Scootarama. They rent the Revo at a $5 savings per day. Everything is done on-line and you get printed receipts. We rented two this morning for our trip next month.

 

[RNMOM]

Be aware the smaller "travel size" scooters usually operate on only one battery and often have a much shorter distance limit. My scooter (a heavy duty) has 2 batteries and can go 25 miles on a charge.

The regular sized scooters are really not that big and easy to handle.

 

[disneynutz]

The Pride Revo uses 2 batteries that are easy to lift off when you want to break the ECV down. I am height challenged. I am too short for my weight 292. The unit lasted all day. Should my situation continue to get worse, I would consider a Pride Revo for every day use.

 

[disneymarie]

Recent knee surgery compels me to consider renting an ECV. I'm pretty sure I'll get from off-site. I really would prefer the smallest one for mobility reasons, not needing a pooh-sized one. We've rented from Walker before for my Dad so are familiar with their standard size. I would like to go smaller though. Any rental agency suggestions for smaller units? I must confess to having some anxiety about just navigating through the crowds. I have memories of my Dad, who speaks his mind, yelling to the crowds ahead of him to "Get the h--l out of my way!" We've reserved a car through National Emerald Isle. Typically an intermediate size though if we are lucky, can get a larger car if available for no extra cost. Can we break down the ECV to fit in a trunk of an intermediate? So many questions...so much anxiety about doing this. I KNOW I have to, but....I'm a stubborn PA Dutchman!

Hi Dutchman,
I rented from Randy's last years trip and rented a Nissan Sentra. The EVC I just took off the seat, lay back the handle and it fit fine in the trunk.
As far as getting around, just to be alert to people and children that jump up from benches or make a U turn or dead stop in front of you. So adjust the speed to a walking pace equal to those in your party.

Randy;s does an excellant job explaining and assisting with the tips and use of the EVC. There is a $10 off coupon I posted on the forum in another thread. I di not know how to search for it. They are more expensive then the scooterama that I rented from last month, but scooteramma just does a drop and pickup with out any personal information.
Take the key out, charge at night, most buses are a ramp to pull onto and not have to back onto a lift. When going to Magic Kingdom it is so much easier to take the bus and drop at front avoiding the whole parking and monorail or fairie ride.

I would never recommend driving if bus is available to MK.

Relax, have fun. My 12 year old had a snap feeling in the calf muscle and spasm, to get her out of the park, I let her drive, and I walked along side to the right and Dad ahead a step to left front. This gave a clear shot and she made it out of the park.
dianne

 

[SueM in MN]

Relax, have fun. My 12 year old had a snap feeling in the calf muscle and spasm, to get her out of the park, I let her drive, and I walked along side to the right and Dad ahead a step to left front. This gave a clear shot and she made it out of the park.
dianne

Just a heads up - most of the companies have a part in the rental agreement where you agree only one person who is over the age of 18 will drive the ECV. If you were to have any problems with the ECV with someone else driving it, you would be out of compliance with the rental agreement.

 

[EpcotQueen]

Many thanks to all who replied! I ordered from Buena Vista. They called back right away and were very pleasant on the phone. Will let all know how their service stacks up. Thanks again!

 

[dwarven1]

Hope it works out for you, EQ.

I broke my ankle earlier this year, three weeks before going to WDW, on a DCL cruise and to Universal Studios - and I was terrified I'd have a miserable time because of it.

Thanks to the encouragement on this board, as well as the FAQs, I rented a scooter from Randy's Mobility and went anyway - and had a blast. Randy's was FANTASTIC.

Because of the complexity of the trip (4 days WDW, 4 days DCL, 2 days Universal) and the fact that I couldn't get a larger stateroom to accommodate the scooter, Randy's came out to deliver my scooter on the first day, picked up the scooter and dropped off a wheelchair the day I went to the port, came back again to drop off the scooter when I got back and pick up the wheelchair, and picked up the scooter on the last day - they always arrived a few minutes early, and they showed me everything I needed to know about the scooter.

I had called Walker and Care Medical, too - Walker didn't have any kind of holder for my crutches, and Care wouldn't let me take anything on the cruise ship, so that's when I called Randy's. I'm glad I did!!

Randy's didn't have a problem with letting me take the chair on the cruise (and out of the country, BTW), AND they had a custom crutch holder on the back of the scooter. Got to meet Adam (their usual guy for dropoffs in Orlando area) and Randy himself (and his wife, two) - great folks, great service.

If I ever need a scooter or chair in Orlando again, I'm not even going to call anyone else - I'll just call Randy's straightaway.

BTW... I met someone who had a Walker scooter in the parks - she had her crutches bungied to the back of her scooter seat. AND they'd forgotten to leave her the charger cord - the scooter from Randy's had a retractable cord.

She asked me for the number of Randy's Mobility.