Getting around DLR with an EVC

[Leash]

This morning when I was getting off the elevator at work I dislocated my knee. The doctor got it back in and put me in a brace for a couple of weeks but he said I should be able to go on our DL trip as long as I feel up to it but I will not be able to walk. So I need to rent an ECV and I think it would be best to rent one from a company in California rather than just from the park so that I can get around outside the parks.
So I need the help of the DISboard sages on what is invloved in renting an ECV from an outside company and what I am going to need to know about getting around DLR since I have never had to do anything like this before. It will be DH and I and we are staying at the Candy Cane Inn, since my leg is in a brace I cannot bend it (it is completley straight right now) so I know there are going to be some rides I can't go on. Any information will be really helpful, I am determined not to let this stupid accident ruin our trip so I am going to the best source of Disney information! Thanks in advance.

 

[Vala]

I'm so sorry to hear about this. Hope you feel better soon!
I like your way of thinking: don't let this ruin your trip.

I ruined my foot during our last trip (end of October) and had to rent an ECV too, so this information should be pretty acurate.

The DLH people got me into contact with a company named Deckert, their phone number is 714-542-5608.

I paid $ 45 for a day, but was told they had weekly rates available. Not sure how much these are.

We got the ECV from the bell desk and left it there for pick up too. I think they deliver ECVs directly to offsite hotels as well.

The service was very good, I'd definitely recommend them.
They even contacted the hotel directly to get my billing information because they noticed the cell phone number I had given them was not an American one and it would have cost me a pretty penny if they had called me there.

Other things you need to know...

I got an ECV from Disney later - we went back after some days. The CM handing it over showed me some things, and the thing that stuck to my mind most was "here's the horn, use it at free will, but don't count on anybody moving."

City Hall has a list of rides which contains all info like which way to use to enter a ride and where you have to transfer and all that stuff.

Also there's special reserved areas for parade seating for wheelchair users and people with ECVs, one in front of the Plaza Inn and one near the Mad Hatter. You don't have to use those, but we found them very helpful.

Getting around is fairly easy. The ECV does have a speed setting which ranges from turtle to rabbit or something similar. Don't set the speed too high and you'll be fine.

I'm German, and ECVs are very, very uncommon here. I was terrified at the thought of using one. I can't park my car sidesways if my life depended on it, and now I had to maneuver with an ECV.
It took me 5 minutes to get out of the room alone. I was sure I'd run over Mickey or something.
My friends had offered to push me in a wheelchair, but I am Pooh sized and they are more Tinker Bell sized, so after some hours it was clear that wouldn't work. So I had no other choice.

I had some difficulties at first, but when we had reached bag check I was doing okay.

To sum it up: go at your own pace and don't be scared. I'm sure you'll be doing great.

You might even have some fun encounters due to the ECV. Pluto pretended to chase after me one day when I passed by, and Donald gave me signals for positioning the ECV when I had my picture taken with him.

 

[Leash]

Thanks so much for all the information! I too am pooh sized so I don't want Dh to have to push me around in a regular wheelchair. I will give Deckert a call to see how much it would be to rent an ECV for 5 days and I'll just have to practice driving so I don't end up on here as one of those "crazy" ECV drivers who runs over people!
The only down side I see is that I usually rationalize eating lots of treats by thinking I will walk off all the calories, now I won't be walking so I may have to cut back on the delecious treats.

 

[Vala]

Thanks so much for all the information! I too am pooh sized so I don't want Dh to have to push me around in a regular wheelchair.

Glad I could help.

That's all I remembered from the top of my head. If there's anything more you'd like to know, just ask.

Getting a normal wheelchair will really only do the trick if you limit your walking. My friends were all like"we'll manage", and I saw how much even the 4 hours that we tried exhausted them. There was no way I'd have let them deal with several days of doing this.

I will give Deckert a call to see how much it would be to rent an ECV for 5 days and I'll just have to practice driving so I don't end up on here as one of those "crazy" ECV drivers who runs over people!

Don't worry about being ony of those "crazy" ECV drivers. From what I noticed, those are often the long time users who don't care and not the newbies who are still training. I may have got the wrong impression here, but that's the feeling I got.

I can tell for sure that I got hit by one of these users the evening before my foot played up. He made me lose balance when he hit me in the hip. Just went on despite my friend's yelling.
I had an impressive bruise, and I know my ankle went over. This may or may have not been the reason for my foot ultimately giving in, but it still sticks to my mind.

 

[Brady's Mom]

My mom is going to DLR with us in 4 days!! She has mobility issues (fibromyalgia) and will be using an ECV this time. She called Deckert's on the recommendation from people here. They are charging right around $150 for 6 days including delivery and pick up and are delivering it right to the HoJo for her. It was a much better deal than renting one at Disneyland and she can use it to get back and forth to the hotel.

She used a wheelchair when we were at DLR last March and my dad pushed her, but she feels like the wheelchair was too low, and all she saw were people's behinds! And she felt bad about my dad having to push her all the time. So I convinced her to rent and ECV. I hope it works out as well as we hope. She won't have to wait for anyone to go anywhere and maybe sometimes she can be the leader! (Wait, I don't think I can give that up!!!)

 

[fairycat]

I sprained both ankles at the same time a few years ago (dont ask ) I rented a wheelchair in my area since I was not able to walk for weeks and was going stir crazy!!

I had my sister push me part of the day and I manually pushed myself the rest and it stank!!! You realise real quick how uneven DL really is. Then it also rained which made it slick and a little scary, but that may have been my sister trying to kill me

ECV tend to be really easy to use and very helpful if you have issues getting around. There are few rides you will have issues with because of the straight leg but DL is really grat about working with disabilities. You won't have the trip you planned but you will have a blast!!!

 

[DizneyDogs]

Just another recommendation for Deckerts - my mom used them a couple of years ago when another company (can't even remember the name now) we had scheduled to rent from failed to bring the ECV to the hotel and never even bother to call and when we called them to find out where it was they told us they could deliver it the next day so we ended up going with Deckerts and they delivered one within the hour

My mom had no problem maneuvering around DL and all the CM's were extremely polite and helpful and told us right where we need to go - you do have to be careful of other guests esp children not paying attention (or parents not watching their children) darting out in front of you - after a couple of days my mom wanted to put a sign on the EVC that said "BEWARE I MOW DOWN SMALL CHILDREN" I think people would have moved faster out of our way when they saw us coming

 

[Leash]

Thanks for all the really helpful responses. I was nervous about the ECV but I think it will be the best thing to make the trip work as best it can.
I told DH that he can go on rides without me but he insists he will stay with me, I don't want to keep him from having fun because I'm a klutz. I'm actually glad we are going to Disneyland because I'm sure they will be really helpful getting me on rides.
It has only been a day and a half and I'm already going nuts with this stupid brace I can't imagine how people who are permanently disabled deal with this stuff. I'm goin to try to go back to work tomorrow so that should be fun, I actually think it will be easier to get around on vacation than in my office.

 

[ballarinamom]

Thanks for all the really helpful responses. I was nervous about the ECV but I think it will be the best thing to make the trip work as best it can.
I told DH that he can go on rides without me but he insists he will stay with me, I don't want to keep him from having fun because I'm a klutz. I'm actually glad we are going to Disneyland because I'm sure they will be really helpful getting me on rides.
It has only been a day and a half and I'm already going nuts with this stupid brace I can't imagine how people who are permanently disabled deal with this stuff. I'm goin to try to go back to work tomorrow so that should be fun, I actually think it will be easier to get around on vacation than in my office.

There is no reason for your husband to go on rides without you. My DMIL had a ECV for her arthritic knees. She walked onto the rides through the traditional ques the first 4 days. But Space, Indy, Splash and others have crazy long ques to walk throug, even if they are walk ons with no waiting. Her knees gave out by day 5 of 6. Our tour guide from the Holiday tour gave us a brochure that has how to get on the rides if you are in an EVC. She rode her EVC tight up to the car on Indy, Splash, Jungle Cruise, IASW and Space. We parked it right outside of the exit doors for Star Tours. In Fantasyland, She only had walk to the exit door for the for rides (PP, Pinochio, Snow, and Mr Toad) show her EVC key and they let her on. Only about 15 feet of walking for each ride. Same for Alice/ Please feel at ease about using it. DMIL was very unsure about using one before the trip. She didn't feel she was "handicap" and felt guilty. Well, after 4 days- she changed her mind

 

[Leash]

There is no reason for your husband to go on rides without you. My DMIL had a ECV for her arthritic knees. She walked onto the rides through the traditional ques the first 4 days. But Space, Indy, Splash and others have crazy long ques to walk throug, even if they are walk ons with no waiting. Her knees gave out by day 5 of 6. Our tour guide from the Holiday tour gave us a brochure that has how to get on the rides if you are in an EVC. She rode her EVC tight up to the car on Indy, Splash, Jungle Cruise, IASW and Space. We parked it right outside of the exit doors for Star Tours. In Fantasyland, She only had walk to the exit door for the for rides (PP, Pinochio, Snow, and Mr Toad) show her EVC key and they let her on. Only about 15 feet of walking for each ride. Same for Alice/ Please feel at ease about using it. DMIL was very unsure about using one before the trip. She didn't feel she was "handicap" and felt guilty. Well, after 4 days- she changed her mind

Yeah I pretty much feel the way your DMIL did, I'm not "handicap" so I shouldn't use one but I know there is no other way for me to get around the park. Just using my crutches to get around the house has worn me out and my arms are killing me (good motivation to lose some weight, if I wasn't heavy I wouldn't be so tired) and I'm not good on the crutches and keep over reaching them so there is no way I could get around DL on them.
I really appreciate everyones assurances, I am feeling better about this idea and am encouraged that the trip might not be totally messed up.

 

[Vala]

Yeah I pretty much feel the way your DMIL did, I'm not "handicap" so I shouldn't use one but I know there is no other way for me to get around the park.

You are handicapped. Thankfully you're only handicapped temporarily,but your handicap gives you every right to use an ECV at the moment.

That's the response my friends gave me when I had the same thoughts, thought I'd pass it on.

 

[kiwitravel]

I'm thinking there are going to be a lot of rides you can't go on if you have a straight leg..... Nearly all of the rides I can thing of involve sitting down which means bending that knee, you might want to ask the doc if there is any way it can be locked into a bent position?

 

[bumbershoot]

Just using my crutches to get around the house has worn me out and my arms are killing me (good motivation to lose some weight, if I wasn't heavy I wouldn't be so tired)

FWIW, even when I was a thin, in shape teenager, using crutches hurt, was tiring, and clumsy. Crutches are awful. That said, make sure they actually fit you. Mine were about a half inch too tall, and that made it so much harder!

I'm thinking there are going to be a lot of rides you can't go on if you have a straight leg..... Nearly all of the rides I can thing of involve sitting down which means bending that knee, you might want to ask the doc if there is any way it can be locked into a bent position?

I'm thinking the same thing.

 

[silence]

I had to rent an ECV on the last day of my 3 day trip last week.

I'm a big person and I guess I wore the wrong shoes this trip, but the bottoms of my feet felt completely bruised, I couldn't put any weight on them, let alone walk around from 8am-midnight.

I HATED having to get one, I was pretty embarassed most of the day. I only used it to get around, not to get out of standing in line (I either skipped rides or we used fast pass mostly this day).

My thing was, there were SOOOO many people that day, you really couldn't drive the thing anywhere. It was scary. I was stopped, not moving at all, people were running into me giving me dirty looks. UM HELLO, I'm not moving, learn how to walk!

Anyways. It did save my feet. It was much easier to drive that day in DCA.

 

[Leash]

I'm thinking there are going to be a lot of rides you can't go on if you have a straight leg..... Nearly all of the rides I can thing of involve sitting down which means bending that knee, you might want to ask the doc if there is any way it can be locked into a bent position?

Yeah the list I'm making in my head just keeps growing. But I'm gonna try to convince DH that he can go on things without me and it won't hurt my feelings. Really the fact that I will be in Disneyland and soaking up the magic will be good enough for me.

 

[arliepooh68]

I spent almost nine months on crutches, yes I had some really nice shaped arms by the end (I even spent new years there on crutches) and that was a step up, started with a wheelchair, then walker, so for me to use the ECV it isbecause I am having a nasty bad day with my hip. . I had one lady walk by me and mutter something about how lazy I was. . . I truly believe in Kharma . . .. . one day she may just know what is it like to need to use something.

they are super easy to use, unless you drive it like my MIL did. . . then WATCH OUT for everyone at DL!!!! make sure when you call the company to explain that your leg is in a straight leg brace, so they accommodate you, i have seen some really cute small ECV's that just would not work for you. .

and ignore any of the "lookers". . . remember, Kharma. . it'll come back to the eventually!

and most importantly HAVE FUN!

 

[Leash]

Just wanted to thank everyone again for all the encouragement and information. I called Deckert this morning and set up a rental for 5 days for $145. When I told him that I had gotten the reccomendation for his company from the DIS he gave me $5 off the price.

make sure when you call the company to explain that your leg is in a straight leg brace, so they accommodate you, i have seen some really cute small ECV's that just would not work for you. .
I let him know when I called about my leg and he reccomended I get a four wheel ECV so that I can prop my leg on the front fender, so thank you for this tip because I never would have thought of it.

 

[arliepooh68]

You are most welcome for that tip. . . Its a side effect from working in healthcare But seriously for me it is a no brainer to ask these things. . not all wheechairs/ECV are treated equally. . . Have fun!

 

[FourM's]

Be sure to stop at city hall on main street and ask for a brochure that tells you how to access the disabled entrances for all attractions. Some are confusing if you don't know where you are headed. I found all of the cast members to be extremly helpful. DH was using an ECV on our last trip to DL due to unexpected knee surgery.
Only other tip I would have is to charge your ecv whenever you stop to eat .(Which means bring the power cord with you to the park, we learned that the hard way.) We would stay in the park all day and the ecv would lose power about 2/3 of the way through the day if we didn't charge it.
I also second the Deckerts recommendation. They were great to us.
DH also could not bend his knee very far. A few rides were difficult or immpossible, but cast members were great about trying to be accomodating.
Good luck and have fun!

 

[Leash]

Be sure to stop at city hall on main street and ask for a brochure that tells you how to access the disabled entrances for all attractions. Some are confusing if you don't know where you are headed. I found all of the cast members to be extremly helpful. DH was using an ECV on our last trip to DL due to unexpected knee surgery.
Only other tip I would have is to charge your ecv whenever you stop to eat .(Which means bring the power cord with you to the park, we learned that the hard way.) We would stay in the park all day and the ecv would lose power about 2/3 of the way through the day if we didn't charge it.
I also second the Deckerts recommendation. They were great to us.
DH also could not bend his knee very far. A few rides were difficult or immpossible, but cast members were great about trying to be accomodating.
Good luck and have fun!

Thanks for the charging tip I will remeber to bring the cord. I have made a little list of rides I know I can go on and some that I think I can go on. I figure as long as I can poke my leg out in front or to the side I should be fine as long as I can actually get in and out of the ride vehicle. I've accepted that there is a lot I can't go on so I will try to get DH to go on things without me so I can live vicariously through him, meanwhile I will sit in my ECV and console myself with holiday snacks!