Has anyone rented the dream scooter?

[robb24]

I am taking my mother-in-law to WDW in January for 8 days and could really use some advice.

I am looking into renting a Dream scooter for her.

The last time we rented an ECV at Disneyland a few years ago, she was not that great of a driver.

Now that she is a few years older and would have to drive the ECV onto the bus, I am afraid that she will not be able to do this without getting frustrated.

I am looking for any advice as I do not know what to do. I am not looking to save money, but to ensure that she has a magical time.

What are the Pros/Cons with the "Dream" scooter?

Is it really better then the other ECV's?

When getting on a Disney bus, are you only able to back or can you drive forward onto the chair lift?

Does anyone have any current pictures of the Dream ECV?

Thanks for your time.

Robb

 

[brekin67]

I did a lot of searching for offsite rentals. Walker's mobility and Randy's were both very reasonable, and much cheaper than rentig on site. We are going to use Walker's......

 

[SueM in MN]

This is an update with links to 2 threads with experience with this scooter.

- post from someone who returned it because it was too big and difficult.

- post from an experienced user who liked the Dream Scooter. He posted many pictures and you can see from the pictures just how tight a fit it is on the transportation.

Also, note that the ADA definition of a "common wheelchair" includes that a "mobility device does not exceed 30 inches in width and 48 inches in length and does not exceed 600 pounds occupied." That size is the ADA standard for transportation, so that is the size that boats, buses, etc are set to accommodate.
The WDW website and Guidebooks for Guests with disabilities says that "Some motorized wheelchairs and ECVs are too wide or too long for the bus lift. The standard lift size is 32" x 48". The poster in the 3rd thread did find that he could use the Dream Scooter on the buses, but needed to turn the front wheel so that it did not exceed that length (you can see that on the bus picture he posted). You can see in his pictures that it is a pretty tight fit.

Also, be aware that the ADA definition for 'common wheelchair' includes a weight that "does not exceed 600 pounds occupied". This ECV with someone weighing 350 to 400 pounds on it would exceed 600 pounds since it appears from what I have found that the ECV without anyone on it weighs close to 300 pounds.

This is a picture I took in October of someone using a Dream Scooter in October 2008. We saw him in several shows and the ECV did take more space than the (very large) WDW park rental ECVs.

I would personally NOT recommend this scooter for anyone who does not already have considerable experience using an ECV. We have seen a few of them in the parks and they are very large. When we saw them in shows, they could only fit in certain spots for parking and even then, they extended further than the other ECVs.

This is a link to the company's website:
Scooter Orlando

Because they removed the videos that showed children as passengers on the ECVs (a big safety hazard), we will now allow links to the website.

 

[ShhhQ]

I am trying to decide whether or not to rent this scooter for our sept 2010 trip. I am curious as to positive and negative experiences. I have used reg. scooters in the past and have had issues only with them being very jerky... so was going to go to a heavy duty model this time (I am around 285 and although under the 300 limit, it seemed like the scooters just couldn't handle it). This one looks like it would be more fun, but maybe a bit more difficult.

BTW.... I saw the ad before reading this and they must have updated the video. I saw no children riding on the scooter or anyone encouraging others to ride with them.

 

[SueM in MN]

I am trying to decide whether or not to rent this scooter for our sept 2010 trip. I am curious as to positive and negative experiences. I have used reg. scooters in the past and have had issues only with them being very jerky... so was going to go to a heavy duty model this time (I am around 285 and although under the 300 limit, it seemed like the scooters just couldn't handle it). This one looks like it would be more fun, but maybe a bit more difficult.

BTW.... I saw the ad before reading this and they must have updated the video. I saw no children riding on the scooter or anyone encouraging others to ride with them.

Their first videos showed children riding on the ECV in almost all the videos and the audio suggested letting the children ride for a break.

Cheshire Figment had met the owners of the company and explained that it was not safe for children to ride and that was why the link was not being posted here.
The company did change their website and I edited the thread to include the links.

A plus for the Dream scooter is that the single front wheel makes it easy to turn. But, you have to balance that against the size. It is considerably larger than most ECVs. Some people have also commented that there is not much space for the legs/feet compared to other ECVs and that you need to keep your feet in the same spot while driving.

 

[SueM in MN]

AS OF MARCH 30, 2010, OVERSIZE SCOOTERS ARE NO LONGER ALLOWED ON THE WDW BUSES. THIS INFORMATION WAS POSTED on April 2, 2010 BY A WDW BUS DRIVER:
" Effective Sat. , March 27, a wheelchair/ECV measurement box will be tested at Disney's Port Orleans (Riverside South) and Disney's Pop Century resorts for apporximately 2 weeks. At those two resorts, guests using wheelchairs and ECV's will need to verify that their wheelchair/ECV is contained within the marked area (footprint is 30" by 48")

If the wheelchair/ECV fits within the measurement box, please load the guest(s) as documented in the Bus Transportation Operations Operating Guide and allow up to five additional guests to board with the guest with disabilities. Direct any additional guests in the party to load in the standard queue.

If the wheelchair/ECV does NOT fit within the measurement box, explain to the guest that the wheelchair/ECV won't be allowed on the bus and a Bus Guest Service Manager will be contacted to provide assistance. Then, contact the Operations Center using your radio to request a GSM response to the location."
End of Quote.
I have been advised by the rental company that the Dream Scooter will fit into the measurement box as long as the front wheel is turned.

It is important to keep in mind that the weight limit for the WDW bus ramps is 600 pounds; the limit for the ramps is 800 pounds according to the bus driver who posted the information. This is for the weight of the ECV/wheelchair, rider and any items being carried.

 

[SueM in MN]

This is a link to the current Transportation Guidelines for people with disabilities
In italics, this is the citation information and a quote with the definition of "common wheelchair" in the document:

[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 49, Volume 1]
[Revised as of October 1, 2007]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 49CFR37]
[Page 412-501]
*
*********************** TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
*
********* Subtitle A--Office of the Secretary of Transportation
*
PART 37_TRANSPORTATION SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES (ADA)
Sec.* 37.3* Definitions................
Wheelchair means a mobility aid belonging to any class of three or four-wheeled devices, usable indoors, designed for and used by individuals with mobility impairments,whether operated manually or powered. A ``common wheelchair'' is such a device which does not exceed 30 inches in width and 48 inches in length measured two inches above the 
ground, and does not weigh more than 600 pounds when occupied.
[56 FR 45621, Sept. 6, 1991, as amended at 58 FR 63101, Nov. 30, 1993; 
61 FR 25415, May 21, 1996; 63 FR 51690, Sept. 28, 1998]

Part 38, Accessibility Specifications for Accessible Transportation Vehicles lists the different sizes and spaces required in the vehicles. It does not list the "common wheelchair" size, but does refer back to the definitions in 37.3

The ADA Accessibility Guidelines for Transportation Vehicles uses the same "common wheelchair" definition.

The original ADA guidelines for the definition of common wheelchair did not consider/mention devices like this that can be made shorter by turning a wheel, so the definition could be interpreted to mean that as long as the device fits into a space no larger than 30 wide by 48 inches, it meets the definition.

There is a draft guideline, not in effect yet, which does not include a measurement for the common wheelchair definition.

Doing an internet search, I was able to find some bariatric (high weight capacity) ECVs that were shorter than the Dream Scooter, but also found a number that were longer and would not be able to be made shorter to fit into the 'measurement box.' I did not do a search of the WDW area rental places to see whether any companies rented any that were longer than would fit in the box.

 

[dclfun]

Sue, has anyone confirmed with transportation about these humongo ECV's needing to fit in the box WITHOUT the wheels turned? I am hoping this is the case. The Dream Scooter still takes up too much room in the bus as once on the bus, the driver has to put the front wheel fully forward. Someone who is inexperienced would have difficulty controlling the scooter and could potentially harm the bus driver or another guest ( or a service dog, says Skye!)---Kathy

 

[cranbiz]

Kathy, no. If it fits within the box it can ride. There has been nothing said about how it fits in the box. In 99% of the cases, the ECV will load before other guests so rider control is less of an issue. If they crash into the bus while trying to park it, they will be responsible for the damage to the ECV. Once in the bus, if the wheel is turned, it fits within the tie down area with about the same footprint as other ECV's. True, the overall size is large, the air space taken up is more but it still is within the 30"x48" footprint.

So far, I have had more issues with the rentals with the large canopies than the Dream scooters. Most Dream scooter riders has appeared to be more experienced users.

My take on it is this, the whole ECV must fit in the box, if there are accessories that hang outside the box, even if the wheelbase fits, it won't ride until it complies.

I'm very good at getting out of the way of inexperienced riders.

 

[justtobeme2]

I rented The Dream last year and LOVED it. It went on all the buses fine. All loaded before anyone else is on and tied down. I feel you must be adept at driving/parking it though because of it's size. The hardest part is actually driving off the bus as far as getting turned but it is definitely doable. It's really a fun scooter. I'd rent it this time but it's a bit more than I'd like to spend. I really like that you are as high as people walking beside you. You don't get overlooked with people/kids quickly walking in front of you. BTW I had GREAT experience with scootorlando.

 

[dclfun]

Kathy, no. If it fits within the box it can ride. There has been nothing said about how it fits in the box. In 99% of the cases, the ECV will load before other guests so rider control is less of an issue. If they crash into the bus while trying to park it, they will be responsible for the damage to the ECV. Once in the bus, if the wheel is turned, it fits within the tie down area with about the same footprint as other ECV's. True, the overall size is large, the air space taken up is more but it still is within the 30"x48" footprint.

So far, I have had more issues with the rentals with the large canopies than the Dream scooters. Most Dream scooter riders has appeared to be more experienced users.

My take on it is this, the whole ECV must fit in the box, if there are accessories that hang outside the box, even if the wheelbase fits, it won't ride until it complies.

I'm very good at getting out of the way of inexperienced riders.

Thank goodness you're good at getting out of the way! I always worry about bus drivers and new ECV drivers who admit they are scared and unsure. I'm sure they're nervous and under pressure to get in the bus and get situated. I've had my feeding pump broken by an inexperienced ECV driver and Skye has been hit. The driver panicked and drove forward into her vs. just stopping or backing up. I also find the canopies extremely offensive. I can't see over them at all which affects my viewing of shows, etc. in the parks. Of course I can try and get around them but it's not always easy. I'm sure it's nice for people to have shade but let's face it, no one else in the parks has personal shade as umbrellas aren't allowed due to safety issues. I also wonder how those drivers can see to back up with that shade in the way.---Kathy

 

[KPeveler]

Thank goodness you're good at getting out of the way! I always worry about bus drivers and new ECV drivers who admit they are scared and unsure. I'm sure they're nervous and under pressure to get in the bus and get situated. I've had my feeding pump broken by an inexperienced ECV driver and Skye has been hit. The driver panicked and drove forward into her vs. just stopping or backing up. I also find the canopies extremely offensive. I can't see over them at all which affects my viewing of shows, etc. in the parks. Of course I can try and get around them but it's not always easy. I'm sure it's nice for people to have shade but let's face it, no one else in the parks has personal shade as umbrellas aren't allowed due to safety issues. I also wonder how those drivers can see to back up with that shade in the way.---Kathy

I agree about the shades - I can't see around them at all! It annoys me most at night. What are they shading from at night???

I am thinking about getting a canopy for my powerchair for rain only, but why do some people get shades when people who are walking cannot? They block the view of others with wheelchairs, and they CANNOT see to back up.