Hi all!
Just wrapping up a week vacation at the World, and as a recently injured runner, I was on crutches at home, but was dead set against getting a scooter/ecv for this trip.
Well, I have to say you on the disSABILITIES board were absolutely right. I am so glad I got an ECV. It was the first time I had ever used one, so I thought i'd share some newbie tips. For those of you who use one all the time, i commend and respect you! I only understand a fraction of what you go through.
The scooter: i rented from Walker Mobility online, even had some email questions promptly amswered, and had no problems with delivery to the Contemporary. (i dropped it off last night at bell services, so hopefully there will be no problems in pick up.)
I chose the pride GoGo Elite 3 wheeled scooter. The bell hop showed me how to use it. It has an on/off key, speed control dial, and hand trigger for forward/backward. Easy to use. Easy to charge.
Assembly/disassembly: there were printed instructions included, but i found it much easier to watch an instructional video on You Tube. Easy to assemble/disassemble into 5 pieces, but the pieces are HEAVY, you might need help.
They fit nicely into the trunk of our rented camry. Total time to disassemble and pack: once you do it once, about one minute really.
Getting to and from the parks: we rented a car and did not use disney transportation once, (even mk bc we stayed at contemporary), so i can just say having a car made things quick and convenient. At the parking lots, i did NOT have a handicapped parking tag, so we made sure to get to the parks earlier than early tonget a spot real close that we did not need a tram.
Getting around the parks: this is where any challenge was. Parks are crowded, and people are at higher than eye level to you. Try to cruise at a contstant speed and dont make any sudden turns, stops, and starts. Easier said than done. Theres some degree of frustration when you're stuck behjnd a slow group or a group that just stops and you can't just maneuver around them.
Toughest part: after parades, and trying to cross main street or whatever. Btw, be careful of the trolley tracks on Main Street, my front wheel got stuck once. Be also careful of curbs, you need to find a ramp.
Attractions: the faq on this board is complete and accurate. I'll just say that for the most part I just tried tp park my ecv in stroller parking and then entered the line pn a crutch. I know some are not able to do this, but for the most part disney is very accomodating. The faq on this is great.
Shops: ok, i always parked outside. I found shops very crowded and claustrophobic on the ecv, and was hard to maneuver, turn around, or see anythjng on a scooter. Just imagine the shoulder to shoulder people in World of Disney at Downtown Disney! Shudder.
The stares, comments, etc: i experienced none. Sure, some people don't see you ad they dart in front of you or they sigh loudly if they're stuck behind you or whatever, but really this was rare in my experience. Although for some reason they seemed to get out of the way, hold the door, etc more often if i was on my crutch!?
All in all it was a good experience. I had more energy than anyone else at the end of the day. Added perks was having a basket to hold all the souvenirs! Lol.
Yes the ecv can cruise faster than the average walker (at least the one i had). But because of crowds, you are often forced to slow down. And THAT was the unexpected benefit of having an ECV -- slowing down! And appreciating the theming and atmosphere of WDW!
Enjoy.
Just wrapping up a week vacation at the World, and as a recently injured runner, I was on crutches at home, but was dead set against getting a scooter/ecv for this trip.
Well, I have to say you on the disSABILITIES board were absolutely right. I am so glad I got an ECV. It was the first time I had ever used one, so I thought i'd share some newbie tips. For those of you who use one all the time, i commend and respect you! I only understand a fraction of what you go through.
The scooter: i rented from Walker Mobility online, even had some email questions promptly amswered, and had no problems with delivery to the Contemporary. (i dropped it off last night at bell services, so hopefully there will be no problems in pick up.)
I chose the pride GoGo Elite 3 wheeled scooter. The bell hop showed me how to use it. It has an on/off key, speed control dial, and hand trigger for forward/backward. Easy to use. Easy to charge.
Assembly/disassembly: there were printed instructions included, but i found it much easier to watch an instructional video on You Tube. Easy to assemble/disassemble into 5 pieces, but the pieces are HEAVY, you might need help.
They fit nicely into the trunk of our rented camry. Total time to disassemble and pack: once you do it once, about one minute really.
Getting to and from the parks: we rented a car and did not use disney transportation once, (even mk bc we stayed at contemporary), so i can just say having a car made things quick and convenient. At the parking lots, i did NOT have a handicapped parking tag, so we made sure to get to the parks earlier than early tonget a spot real close that we did not need a tram.
Getting around the parks: this is where any challenge was. Parks are crowded, and people are at higher than eye level to you. Try to cruise at a contstant speed and dont make any sudden turns, stops, and starts. Easier said than done. Theres some degree of frustration when you're stuck behjnd a slow group or a group that just stops and you can't just maneuver around them.
Toughest part: after parades, and trying to cross main street or whatever. Btw, be careful of the trolley tracks on Main Street, my front wheel got stuck once. Be also careful of curbs, you need to find a ramp.
Attractions: the faq on this board is complete and accurate. I'll just say that for the most part I just tried tp park my ecv in stroller parking and then entered the line pn a crutch. I know some are not able to do this, but for the most part disney is very accomodating. The faq on this is great.
Shops: ok, i always parked outside. I found shops very crowded and claustrophobic on the ecv, and was hard to maneuver, turn around, or see anythjng on a scooter. Just imagine the shoulder to shoulder people in World of Disney at Downtown Disney! Shudder.
The stares, comments, etc: i experienced none. Sure, some people don't see you ad they dart in front of you or they sigh loudly if they're stuck behind you or whatever, but really this was rare in my experience. Although for some reason they seemed to get out of the way, hold the door, etc more often if i was on my crutch!?
All in all it was a good experience. I had more energy than anyone else at the end of the day. Added perks was having a basket to hold all the souvenirs! Lol.
Yes the ecv can cruise faster than the average walker (at least the one i had). But because of crowds, you are often forced to slow down. And THAT was the unexpected benefit of having an ECV -- slowing down! And appreciating the theming and atmosphere of WDW!
Enjoy.
