First-timer on scooter - go or wait?

[kwdw]

Okay - looking for both opinions and concrete advice here. Due to an injury - I may not be able to walk WDW for my upcoming trip in 2.5 weeks. I can WALK, but not significant distances. I can get up and down out of chair and move around. Transfer to a ride would be fine. I'm debating about renting a scooter (probably off-site since by the end of day, walking from park entrance to transportation back to my resort might not be good). This trip is planned with others - but they would not be going without me - so if I don't go, the trip would be canceled/postponed.

I think a scooter rental would solve my walking any distance problems. BUT - here's the deal. I've never done that and I worry it would compromise the trip too much. I've never driven a scooter and I swore I would take care of myself enough to never need a scooter at WDW. Well..... some things aren't in our control. If I put the trip off - it would be until summer as this was a sweet spot for everyone - and the next time is summer that it works. I don't ride some rides - SM, TOT, EE, RnR in the first place. And I would be okay skipping some rides like BTMRR, Dinosaur. I see the awkwardness of loading a scooter on a bus, etc, and I'm just not sure what to do.

I still have about a week to decide. I was SO counting on going, but I also don't want it to be a compromised trip for my traveling companions. Sigh.

To add to it, I am headed to FL anyway for a work thing. For the work thing - with the exception of maybe the airport (TBD) - I will be able to handle the physical demands of that so that part won't get canceled.

 

[RoseGold]

Top concern is the injury, and that's a question for your doctor. Just because you can do all of this, doesn't mean you should. I wouldn't jeopardize healing an injury for a theme park that will be there this summer.

If you want to go, there are a lot more choices than massive rental scooters. Go to your local mobility store, and you will be shocked. I have a permanently disabled family member in a Whill. I am an able bodied person with a credit card, and I have rented a Whill locally many times, when chairs are in various states of repair. Chairs like this go all the way to the ride loading in most queues, as opposed to parking the giant scooter and standing in the line. Especially if you are driving and have a somewhat large vehicle, there are a lot of choices.

 

[kwdw]

The fact the park will be there this summer is a valid point I am thinking about. The problem is - I could be fine in 2 weeks - just a bit out of shape.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

Okay - looking for both opinions and concrete advice here. Due to an injury - I may not be able to walk WDW for my upcoming trip in 2.5 weeks. I can WALK, but not significant distances. I can get up and down out of chair and move around. Transfer to a ride would be fine. I'm debating about renting a scooter (probably off-site since by the end of day, walking from park entrance to transportation back to my resort might not be good). This trip is planned with others - but they would not be going without me - so if I don't go, the trip would be canceled/postponed.

I think a scooter rental would solve my walking any distance problems. BUT - here's the deal. I've never done that and I worry it would compromise the trip too much. I've never driven a scooter and I swore I would take care of myself enough to never need a scooter at WDW. Well..... some things aren't in our control. If I put the trip off - it would be until summer as this was a sweet spot for everyone - and the next time is summer that it works. I don't ride some rides - SM, TOT, EE, RnR in the first place. And I would be okay skipping some rides like BTMRR, Dinosaur. I see the awkwardness of loading a scooter on a bus, etc, and I'm just not sure what to do.

I still have about a week to decide. I was SO counting on going, but I also don't want it to be a compromised trip for my traveling companions. Sigh.

To add to it, I am headed to FL anyway for a work thing. For the work thing - with the exception of maybe the airport (TBD) - I will be able to handle the physical demands of that so that part won't get canceled.

a scooter will not compromise a trip for your travel friends. I would be more worried that without one could. with the rides you are planning not to ride what are you going to do while others ride? very few benches to sit on and rest. with scooter you always have a seat to rest. been there and done it. I do not use a scooter in every day life but at Disney have had to. hardest thing was remembering to take it easy on the others who had to walk. you can always park the scooter in stroller parking most times and walk if you want to

 

[Baytothemax]

Go to a local store that has the scooter shopping carts and drive around the store. It will give you a feeling on driving/turning/stopping. It’s not easy to do scooter in park, but if you keep your speed down and drive defensively, you’ll do fine


And as for loading on bus, just be upfront with driver. Vast majority will quickly “drive” for you if only to speed up loading process.

 

[china mom]

If the scooter will allow you to go on the trip now, rent the scooter. IMHO it will not detract from your friend's trip in fact, they will quickly see one glaring advantage - you will become the pack mule for your party. My family loves that they don't have to carry around a backpack or loaded pockets. Drinks and snacks end up in my basket and the discarded jackets get draped on the back of my seat.

Rather than slowing them down with my inability to walk well or the need for constant breaks, I can keep up with them which makes everyone's day more enjoyable.

Yeah, the bus thing can be a pain sometimes, especially when there is a line of scooters and you have to wait for the third bus, but in the big picture, that is not a significant amount of your day.

 

[kwdw]

Go to a local store that has the scooter shopping carts and drive around the store. It will give you a feeling on driving/turning/stopping. It’s not easy to do scooter in park, but if you keep your speed down and drive defensively, you’ll do fine


And as for loading on bus, just be upfront with driver. Vast majority will quickly “drive” for you if only to speed up loading process.

Great idea to try the carts in a store! I’m proud that I can get through a grocery store on my own two feet, but I can do this once.

 

[DeeBee3]

Other than advising you to discuss with you doctor, I will tell you my personal experience. For unforeseen medical reasons, I, too, had to use a scooter. It was a trip we had cancelled a few times due to covid closures and then my medical issue. Finally we were able to go and it was a huge source of comfort. I did not have a leg/foot injury, so that did not need to be considered. I was just not able to keep up with the energy required.

I had never used a scooter before. I am youngish and felt a little out of place, but it allowed me to enjoy a much needed break. It took just a bit of getting used to the speed and how to maneuver around people. The biggest issue I found was people walking in front of you with not a lot of time or space to stop. That happens when I'm walking as well!

I used off-site because I definitely needed it for the walk to buses or other transportation.

If you still plan to go, I would not worry about the scooter. Just be prepared to go a tad slower and if staying for something like fireworks, factor in waiting for crowds to subside. It's madness on a scooter. A man behind me told me I was very patient because people were just mobbing me and it was very had to go along the sidewalk. I laughed because I am not a patient person and from NY so I drive with my horn at the ready.

 

[Bete]

I think the good news for you is that you have options. You can delay your trip until you are better.

Since we don"t know the exact problem I will tell you there is responsibility involved with having a scooter. You need to get the scooter in and out of your room. You need to have the battery fully charged every day. If you plan on long days in the park you may have to consider a stronger scooter with two batteries. The crowds at Disney can make it cumbersome to travel with a scooter. You can have people especially kids darting out in front of you. You need to pay good attention, too: so, you don't hurt anyone. Even though you can use a scooter through ride queues you still need to park it and get to the ride on your own. For any shows there is designated parking for the scooters with the wheelchairs. Using Disney transportation especially the buses is challenging with a scooter. It's not so easy getting the scooter on and off the bus. Also, you have to wait for a while to get on the Disney transportation. There are only so many spots for wheelchairs and scooters to use. Buses have two spots, for example. If you use a car then you need a scooter that will come apart and you need to be able to get the parts in and out of the car. Scooters can break down and there can be a long wait to get a vendor to help you out.

If you go with a park scooter then it's first come first serve to get one. You also need to get in and out of the park on your own and back to your room on your own.

Foremost, you don't want to be in pain or hurt yourself further: so, a scooter can be a life saver. A good strategy is to have your group surround your scooter and protect you from others trying to cross your path. Unless someone is running you should be able to keep up with your group on a scooter.

You can practice on store scooters ahead of time. Get use to making turns and watching for people and such.

 

[jo-jo]

Great idea to try the carts in a store! I’m proud that I can get through a grocery store on my own two feet, but I can do this once.

Instead of grocery store, try bjs etc. Much bigger spaces to drive around. If you feel good there, then try grocery store.

If you feel a scooter might be more than you need, perhaps a rollator will work. It's a walker with a seat. You'll still do the walking, but have a place to sit if needed. If you go with a scooter , get one from off site vendor.

My DH just started using a scooter this past year. He has issues with bus parking, more than half the time, the driver takes the controls and backs it in the spot. The other times, the driver gave hints. About 10 times, DH managed to park all by himself. whoo hoo

 

[maryblanchard49]

I vote you should go. I understand I was hesitant at first about having to ride a scooter but, I know with the kiddos they like to be there from park open until park close and I didn't want to be miss a moment with them. It's important when you do order one that you make sure the company you're going with is going to have a scooter that lasts. I went with Walker Mobility and the batteries lasted all day without the worry of having to plug it in to charge throughout the day. Some company's I called would say there scooters only last 4 - 6 hours and that just isn't enough in my opinion when you're paying so much money to go to the parks. The scooters have a speed knob so, you can adjust to your comfort level. You can start off on slow and progress to faster speed as you get comfortable with it. They were really easy to maneuver with at the parks.