Go Go elite Traveler Plus and WDW

[honugirl]

So I think it's come to me having to break down and buy an ECV. The one I'm looking at is the Go Go Elite traveler Plus. It's supposed to get about 12 miles to a charge. Is this long enough for a day at WDW or DL? I'm planning on getting the 3 wheeled model which may not be as stable, but has a good turning radius. Has anyone used one of these in the parks? Did you feel safe on it?

Any ideas on how to "bling" it out? I'm only 31, almost 32, I don't want to look like an older person. It's hard enough to admit that I need this.

Thanks!

 

[SueM in MN]

I don't know much about this ECV, but I have some ideas for blinging it out.

Glow in the Dark Paint - I wanted to try some of this on DD's wheelchair, but she recently made me take some stars off (because they upset her world of order or something).
She does have some glow in the dark stars on her tires where she can't see them. Those are pretty cool and are useful because you can see the wheelchair better in the dark.

I also made some seat covers for her wheelchair seat. I used patterned stretch swimsuit material and also dance costume material. She currently has hot pink with black shiny dots, sparkly aqua and a sparkly bright green with a small square pattern. They help keep the seat cool as well as dressing it up.

I also found a Tinkerbell car decal that I added to the back of her wheelchair seat. You can find all sorts of decals, from girly to punk to sporty. On the wheelchair, the only surface area large enough for a decal was the seatback, but there are lots of big spots on an ECV where one would fit.

Have fun with your new set of wheels

 

[soarinfan]

You can buy a Yoda puppet in the store at Star Tours. It's the cutest thing ever and he sits on my arm rest facing backwards. Everywhere we go people remark on how cute it is.

 

[honugirl]

I don't know much about this ECV, but I have some ideas for blinging it out.

Glow in the Dark Paint - I wanted to try some of this on DD's wheelchair, but she recently made me take some stars off (because they upset her world of order or something).
She does have some glow in the dark stars on her tires where she can't see them. Those are pretty cool and are useful because you can see the wheelchair better in the dark.

I also made some seat covers for her wheelchair seat. I used patterned stretch swimsuit material and also dance costume material. She currently has hot pink with black shiny dots, sparkly aqua and a sparkly bright green with a small square pattern. They help keep the seat cool as well as dressing it up.

I also found a Tinkerbell car decal that I added to the back of her wheelchair seat. You can find all sorts of decals, from girly to punk to sporty. On the wheelchair, the only surface area large enough for a decal was the seatback, but there are lots of big spots on an ECV where one would fit.

Have fun with your new set of wheels

Thanks Sue! Here's a pic of the new ride.

I needed something with serious portability. At 31, I don't want to have to add the whole car attachment accessory thing, this breaks down and the heaviest piece is 38 pounds I believe, so not too bad. It also seems to have the longest range of all the travel scooters out there. I'm going to test drive it next week.

A friend of mine commented that it looked like a computer chair on wheels, so I think I'm going to name it the nerd mobile.

The glow in the dark stars rock! And the glow in the dark paint! Perfect!

I also got the idea from the family board to put lights on like the lady with the stroller did so I'm going to try to get some purple street glo.

Do you have a pattern for the seat covers? I'm just beginning to sew so this might be a good project for me.

I like the decal idea too. I'm hoping my favorite band comes out with some bumper stickers so I can slap one of those on the back too.

You can buy a Yoda puppet in the store at Star Tours. It's the cutest thing ever and he sits on my arm rest facing backwards. Everywhere we go people remark on how cute it is.

OMG! Yoda puppet? Rock on! I need one of those. Do you have a pic so I can see how you attached him?

Hopefully I'll have my wheels in time for my next trip to DL in May. It's going to be my big blowout before my next surgery.

 

[SueM in MN]

Nice ride!
The person who has a rather nicely decorated out ECV is Cheshire Figment. He has custom Cheshire Cat and Figment Purple with character decals.

I didn't have a pattern for the seat covers, but I'm a fairly experienced sewer (although my sewing recently has been mostly curtains, Roman Blinds and wheelchair seat covers).
You can use newspaper or (my favorite, freezer paper on a roll) to make a pattern by looking at the seat on your ECV and following where they have put seams. Remember to leave enough room for a seam allowance. I finish the bottom edge with clear elastic tape. It's quite stretchy and will go underneath the seat.

On our last WDW trip, DD had some solar powered fairy lights on her wheelchair. I put the solar light gathering thing on the back of the wheelchair where it would be exposed to the sun. I wound the cord with the lights along the wheelchair frame. That might be a little harder for you, since you would need to make sure the lights were only on the pieces that stayed together when you break it down for transport.

 

[honugirl]

Nice ride!
The person who has a rather nicely decorated out ECV is Cheshire Figment. He has custom Cheshire Cat and Figment Purple with character decals.

I didn't have a pattern for the seat covers, but I'm a fairly experienced sewer (although my sewing recently has been mostly curtains, Roman Blinds and wheelchair seat covers).
You can use newspaper or (my favorite, freezer paper on a roll) to make a pattern by looking at the seat on your ECV and following where they have put seams. Remember to leave enough room for a seam allowance. I finish the bottom edge with clear elastic tape. It's quite stretchy and will go underneath the seat.

On our last WDW trip, DD had some solar powered fairy lights on her wheelchair. I put the solar light gathering thing on the back of the wheelchair where it would be exposed to the sun. I wound the cord with the lights along the wheelchair frame. That might be a little harder for you, since you would need to make sure the lights were only on the pieces that stayed together when you break it down for transport.

Thanks! I remember seeing something a long time ago about Cheshire's ECV... I'll have to see if I can find that thread.

Thanks for the tips on the seat covers. Elastic is good...

Where did you get the solar power lights? That's cool! Where I would really bling it up would be at Disney and I wouldn't break it down there, I use the trans system at WDW or I get a close hotel at DL. So that might not be an issue.

 

[honugirl]

OK, I was mistaken, they're not Tinkerbell lights, they're fairy lights... I had to go look those up. I was like, whoa, I can't find any Tinkerbell lights. Duh! Sigh. OK. I should just go to bed, obviously it's too late for me!

 

[Sazuburns]

My dh has had the 4-wheeled model of the Go Go Elite for a couple of years. We have taken it to Disneyland Paris very successfully and to Malta which it didn't like very much due to the steep gradients in Valetta.

We're taking it with to WDW this summer.

You can always top up the charge when you break for lunch - I'm sure there are places in WDW where you will be able to plug it in.

I was able to lift the heaviest part in and out of the car even when pregnant, and it is certainly more manageable than the one we hired from Randys Mobility last time we went to WDW. It's probably not as comfortable though. I must look into the seat cover thing, as the seat does get sticky in the heat.

I keep threatening to 'bling' dh's up. I fancy the fairy lights, and I'd also like to put rear-view mirrors and a decent horn on it to get people out of the way!

 

[honugirl]

My dh has had the 4-wheeled model of the Go Go Elite for a couple of years. We have taken it to Disneyland Paris very successfully and to Malta which it didn't like very much due to the steep gradients in Valetta.

We're taking it with to WDW this summer.

You can always top up the charge when you break for lunch - I'm sure there are places in WDW where you will be able to plug it in.

I was able to lift the heaviest part in and out of the car even when pregnant, and it is certainly more manageable than the one we hired from Randys Mobility last time we went to WDW. It's probably not as comfortable though. I must look into the seat cover thing, as the seat does get sticky in the heat.

I keep threatening to 'bling' dh's up. I fancy the fairy lights, and I'd also like to put rear-view mirrors and a decent horn on it to get people out of the way!

Thanks!

Wow! You've been a lot of places with it. Cool! I honestly have no plans for it to leave the country unless we're going to Canada which is a 20 minute drive from me. We do have a lot of hills here, but I don't think I would take it into Seattle anyway. Too much of a hassle!

How is it to fly with it? Did you have to take off any of the extra parts? Have the airlines been nice to it?

I had forgotten about topping up the charge at lunch. Great idea!

I liked the one I had from Randy's too. It was very comfortable, I just can't fathom the idea of lifting one of those really big ECV's in and out of my car on a bad day.

I think I'm going to go buy some rearview mirrors from the bicycle store along with a horn and some lights. I really wish I could get one of those old time "ooga" horns (you know the ones that go ah-oooh-ga!). I'll have to look around.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Here is a picture Sue was referring to

 

[honugirl]

Sweet ride Cheshire! I'd like to get mine done in purple. Currently I'm looking at the street glow website because they've got purple LED lighting. I'm trying to figure out how to put that on it.

Where did you get it modified?

I'm hoping the Go Go Elite Traveler Plus still comes with the silver paneling. I'm not a big fan of blue or red. Silver looks good with purple, lime green and hot pink.

 

[Sazuburns]

Thanks!

Wow! You've been a lot of places with it. Cool! I honestly have no plans for it to leave the country unless we're going to Canada which is a 20 minute drive from me. We do have a lot of hills here, but I don't think I would take it into Seattle anyway. Too much of a hassle!

How is it to fly with it? Did you have to take off any of the extra parts? Have the airlines been nice to it?

I had forgotten about topping up the charge at lunch. Great idea!

I liked the one I had from Randy's too. It was very comfortable, I just can't fathom the idea of lifting one of those really big ECV's in and out of my car on a bad day.

I think I'm going to go buy some rearview mirrors from the bicycle store along with a horn and some lights. I really wish I could get one of those old time "ooga" horns (you know the ones that go ah-oooh-ga!). I'll have to look around.

It was fine to fly with. One of the reasons we chose that model is because it has a solid gel battery rather than a wet cell one, so it is accepted on aeroplanes and cruise liners. The airline people were very good to it, and it was waiting for us when we disembarked. The only thing we had to remove was the basket in case it got damaged. Then, the seat back was put down, the steering column folded towards the seat and in went into the hold as it was.

I might take myself off to a bicycle store and see what I can get to 'zing' it up a bit!

 

[soarinfan]

Yoda's hands are attached to each other, so I just slip his arms around the arm rest. His arms encircle the arm rest. The arm rest stays upright, since I don't really like using it, and yoda just hangs on looking back behind me, and smiles at everyone. Sorry I don't have a picture. He's a real cutie.

I have a go-go elite myself and it's super convenient. I do admit that I'd be more comfortable in one of the more substantial chairs, but there's no way for us to transport one of those right now with the car situation. I've used the go-go at 3 of the 4 disney parks and never ran out of power. Once it did get low after a full day and night at Epcot, but you can just bring your charger and charge it while you're dining.

 

[honugirl]

It was fine to fly with. One of the reasons we chose that model is because it has a solid gel battery rather than a wet cell one, so it is accepted on aeroplanes and cruise liners. The airline people were very good to it, and it was waiting for us when we disembarked. The only thing we had to remove was the basket in case it got damaged. Then, the seat back was put down, the steering column folded towards the seat and in went into the hold as it was.

I might take myself off to a bicycle store and see what I can get to 'zing' it up a bit!

That's so good to know! I was worried about that. Now I know that I need a solid gel battery too. Thanks! I'm so glad you've had good experiences.

Ooh, do post pics if you zing it up. Let me know what you find!

Yoda's hands are attached to each other, so I just slip his arms around the arm rest. His arms encircle the arm rest. The arm rest stays upright, since I don't really like using it, and yoda just hangs on looking back behind me, and smiles at everyone. Sorry I don't have a picture. He's a real cutie.

I have a go-go elite myself and it's super convenient. I do admit that I'd be more comfortable in one of the more substantial chairs, but there's no way for us to transport one of those right now with the car situation. I've used the go-go at 3 of the 4 disney parks and never ran out of power. Once it did get low after a full day and night at Epcot, but you can just bring your charger and charge it while you're dining.

Thanks! I'm going to have to go look for him in May.

I'd rather have a more substantial one too, but I don't want to get the lift for my car. I'm too young for that.

Good to know you haven't run out of power either.

 

[nobodies36]

I painted my go go with lime green glow in the dark paint (which looked great inside Spaceship Earth and the CMs there loved it) and my mum pimped hers with paint too. Here is a pic of the ECVs (my brother is driving mine):

 

[peemagg]

Honugirl,

The model you are looking into is the one I have (I think though that the picture you posted is the Traveler Elite, but not the plus. Mine is just a bit different). I also have the 3 wheeled version and have never felt unsafe on it. I have put it to some abuse too this past year and "Scoots" takes it like a trooper.

I have flown with it now 2 times and not one bit of damage to it (down and back twice with one trip having a layover). When I fly with it I take the baskets and the armrests off of it and any pins to hold things like the basket or armrests on and place them and the charger and anything else that I might need to keep it safe, into a duffle bag and take it into the plane with me. My scooter and I just got back from a cruise and the only issue it had was going over parts of the ramp getting off of the boat. It wasn't the scooters fault it was because of the angle being too steep and the scooter bottomed out.

I have never had an issue with the batteries lasting for as long as I need for anywhere. I love my scooter and I can't imagine being without it.


I would try and get one that has the rating of at least 300 lbs for more battery power.

p.s. I am only 40 and don't care what people think of me using this.

 

[Sazuburns]

Honugirl,

"Scoots" takes it like a trooper.

Lol, I'm glad we're not the only family to have given the scooter a name. Dh's one is called 'Joseph' (because it's a Go-Go... geddit?)

 

[peemagg]

I also have a tractor named "Betsy". LOL Some things just naturally have names that stick to them.


I just rechecked the picture that was posted and my scooter and it is the same one that I use except for the different front basket. That must be what threw me off. I like the fact that the foot area on it is quite generous for such a small scooter too. I sometimes have to use some equipment to get around that the extra foot room comes in handy with.

 

[Bete]

We rented one on our last trip in Dec 2009 and it was quite satisfactory. It was pretty easy getting it in and out of our room, as well as, the Disney buses.

We charged it every day and we didn't have to recharge it on any day. We were very diligent to shut it off when not riding. You have to remember to shut it off for parades, fireworks, shows, etc. if you want the battery to last. The heavier you are and the more inclines you ride through the more the battery gets drained. You have to look at total weight including anything you will be carrying in the basket, etc. We found a way to jimmy up a back pack on the outside of the back seat.

I rented this one because I believe we will be buying one in a few years.

The only downside is there's not a lot of leg space and the seat is a little less comfortable than bigger models. We had no trouble getting it in and out of a towncar trunk. I would suggest not taking sharp turns with it; try to do wide turns for more stability. In ride queues we went way slower.

 

[icouldlivethere]

I too have been thinking of purchasing a scooter for myself. I spend close to $400 a year in scooter rentals. We were just at Disney a few weeks ago and I rented the Revo travel scooter from Buena Vista scooters which is bigger than the one you are looking at but smaller than the ones I usually rent.

I really liked the Revo a lot. It was comfortable and very maneuverable. It is heavier than the one you are looking at but it does have a bigger battery with a longer battery life. My son and husband were able to lift it into the back of our mini van without taking it apart but when it was just my husband he had to take the battery off before lifting it into the back of our van.

I see that the one you are looking at is about $400 less than the Revo which would be a nice cost savings for me considering this will be an out of pocket purchase. I think I would get a lot of use out of it and it would enable me to go a lot more places and do a lot more things.

My biggest concern with purchasing a scooter is my fear that I will get one that will break down a lot and then I will have to pay to have it repaired. I know the first Revo I got when I arrived at Disney had issues where it kept slowing down and then stopping on me and I would have to turn it off and back on and it would go for a while again. It was very erratic and so I called the rental place and they brought a replacement right away and the second one worked perfectly.

Did you do a lot of research before deciding on the Go Go Elite Traveler Plus? I know I want a 3 wheeler for its better maneuverability. I see that the Plus model is a little longer but still not as long as the Revo I used at Disney. If I went with the Go Go I would definitely want the Plus for the bigger battery size and the longer length for my legs. I'm just wondering if I will be sorry I didn't get the Revo which has an even bigger battery and even more leg room.