Good/safe areas to park ECVs for a while?

[ameetee]

I will be renting an ECV for a 4th time (5th if you counting renting two days in the parks on a previous trip). I have lost a lot of weight since my last trip, and normally try to walk 10000 steps a day. But I know I still need the ECV because Disney is too much for me, and standing in lines hurts even more than walking. But I still want to do some walking and don't want to be stuck in a chair all day. Does anyone know any good spots to park, while exploring nearby areas?

The 3 spots I know of are:

• Epcot, The Land: straight in the front entrance by the railing, there is always a bunch of ECVs parked there
• Epcot, The Seas: if you ride the Nemo ride they will park the ECV inside the aquarium area. I am thinking of trying to go in through the gift shop and parking it there myself, cause it is a pain to navigate an ECV through the Nemo line maze.
• MK, Tomorrowland: next to the exit of Peoplemover there is a designated ECV parking area.

Anyone have any other good spots?

I really would like to do the walking trails at Animal Kingdom without the ECV cause it is hard to get in any doors or through chain curtains. (I am solo.) I would like to be able to park near the exits to those.
Also would like good spots in the World Showcase section of Epcot.

 

[SueM in MN]

The safest way is to ask a CM in the area. That way you know it’s in a place that is OK to leave it and it won’t be moved.

The specific 3 that you mentioned are designated parking areas.

 

[mamabunny]

I will be renting an ECV for a 4th time (5th if you counting renting two days in the parks on a previous trip). I have lost a lot of weight since my last trip, and normally try to walk 10000 steps a day. But I know I still need the ECV because Disney is too much for me, and standing in lines hurts even more than walking. But I still want to do some walking and don't want to be stuck in a chair all day. Does anyone know any good spots to park, while exploring nearby areas?

The 3 spots I know of are:

• Epcot, The Land: straight in the front entrance by the railing, there is always a bunch of ECVs parked there
• Epcot, The Seas: if you ride the Nemo ride they will park the ECV inside the aquarium area. I am thinking of trying to go in through the gift shop and parking it there myself, cause it is a pain to navigate an ECV through the Nemo line maze.
• MK, Tomorrowland: next to the exit of Peoplemover there is a designated ECV parking area.

Anyone have any other good spots?

I really would like to do the walking trails at Animal Kingdom without the ECV cause it is hard to get in any doors or through chain curtains. (I am solo.) I would like to be able to park near the exits to those.
Also would like good spots in the World Showcase section of Epcot.

And to add to what @SueM in MN said above, don't worry - lots of folks "park and walk" at WDW. Just be sure to take your scooter key (if supplied) with you, and of course don't leave anything of value on the scooter when you aren't around.

Take along a brightly colored bandana, or length of grosgrain ribbon to tie onto the scooter - that way if a CM does have to move it around you can say "Hey, have you seen the scooter with the bright green & pink ribbons tied on it?". It also makes it much quicker and easier to stand out in a sea of similar looking black seated rentals!

Have a great trip!

 

[Selket]

I park and walk - sometimes more than others depending on how the old knees are doing. For Epcot I've parked in France as you first come in from the "England" area over the bridge to the right - seems like there's some railing there out of the way. I could be off on that one tho. I've also parked in Japan around the department store area. There's an overhang all along the outside of it and people often park strollers and ECV's there. Also around at Norway - across the walkway towards the lake under the trees that is a designated stroller parking area and I generally leave the ECV there. I don't usually leave it parked at Epcot except while I'm in the land - just the distances are too far and I don't backtrack as much as I do the other parks.

At the MK near Tony's I believe there is stroller parking as well as by the carousel in Fantasyland.
Generally the stroller parking areas have good spots for ECV's as well. I haven't had any problem actually with having the ECV moved anywhere I've put it. I make sure not to block entrances/exits and try to not put it where people would want to sit (like on a ledge or bench or what not) or in a space where it feels like it takes away from the look of an attraction or fountain or something. What's hard is if you're trying to park cause there's torrential rain - a bit harder to find those dry spots.

I've not parked and left it for the trails in AK although I have done the trails with the scooter by myself. I somehow managed to moved those hanging things - it was a little tricky tho! I agree with Sue to ask a CM if you are concerned and with MamaB to tie something unique on it like a bandana or make a bow with some ribbon. I'm there next week so I think I might pick up some Halloween ribbon - love that idea @mamabunny !

Congrats on the weight loss!!

 

[Carol_]

Right next to Pater Pan. I’m forever trying to park a stroller there only to realize it’s only for ECVs.

 

[eeyoreandtink]

Thank you for asking this. I had the exact same question. I will likely have an ECV again on our upcoming trip. I injured my knee pretty severely a little over a year ago, and did WDW just after with an ECV when I was completely dependent on it. This trip I will be much better, able to do some walking, just not as much as Disney requires. I was wondering about safe areas to park as well.

 

[slyster]

I'm glad for this thread too. This will be my first trip using an ECV. I just realize with my bad back and knee, I can't walk and stand like I used to. After an hour, I'm feeling the pain. I'm glad to know we can park and walk through as I don't want to depend on the ECV the entire time either. I can't imagine spending an entire day without it though and add 6 more days to that and it would be very difficult. I hadn't thought about places to park either so thanks again for this thread!

 

[bopper]

In MK, I would park it in a "Land" and walk around that Land. In Epcot, park it in a country and then walk around that country.

 

[Jake]

There are many places you can park and walk. I can walk some. Not the hold day. Parking by Buzz , SM. By SW then by SM. Over by PC . Just ask CM or see where scooters are parked.

 

[Bete]

Don't block parade routes. Don't block path walkways. Don't block entrances or exits to anything. Stay away from meet and greet areas.

The more out of the way you can be the better it is.