Has anyone rented the dream scooter?

[MELISAZACK]

Thanks for your thoughts-- her is weighted for the extra weight so it won't tip. We got her a ecv for heavier people when she isn't that heave anyway so the extra weight of the child doesn't interfer..

I see you point about hitting the controls (we haven't had that happen) but can clearly see it...

As for not allowing more than one person on it even at disney - this will be our 4th time going with it.. had the child on it everytime and never had a word said to us.. also not sure how they could inforce that on your private vechile - nowhere did I sign or read something saying I had to adbid by that rule.. I could see it I was renting their ECV but I am not.

 

[MELISAZACK]

Disney rules do not allow for children riding tandem with you on your scooter. While they enforce this rule RELIGIOUSLY with their own scooters, I have also seen them tell other people (with their own scooters) to remove the child (guilty--me be one of them--one and only time DGS tried to tried with me)

There have been reports of:

---children accidently hitting the forward or backward switch and hitting people.

---children catching their feet on store shelves, curbs, strollers, walls as they let their feet hang off

---children falling off a scooter when it comes to a sudden stop (and at Disney there are plenty of sudden stops as people cut you off)

---children causing damage to the scooter when they try to stand on it to get a better view for parades/shows


I am sure there are others.

well again just trying to get opinions not trying to argue points.. since ours is oversized we dont' have the feet hanging issues must sit on seat if you can't then you don't go on it with grams... we dont' stand on it ever ever ever..
I guess since it isn't a novalty for us in the family rules are followed..

 

[Belle1962]

I understand--your kids are used to what they are used to. My DGS is used to walking beside me--a little ahead and not quite even and keeping a small distance so I don't accidently hit him. He is my "eyes" forward as I tell him.

As I said he tried to ride one time with me and a CM asked him to get off.

 

[MELISAZACK]

When we go I will follow our normal routine with it and if someone tells me he can't I will polite respect it, but also ask to please show me where it says he can't be on our personal one for my own knowledge... BUT WILL respect the park wishes.(just to be clear).

 

[KPeveler]

ok, i realized i sounded a little harsh before - i was upset about something else, and i think it leeched into my post a little bit.

I think in recent months there has been more of a crackdown on multiple people on ECVs, due to the increasing numbers of ECVs.

I think disney is able to enforce it on personal ECVs, because the ADA only protects the person who's ECV it is, not "passengers" as it were. They have the right to intervene if someone is operating hte ECV in an unsafe manner, and in disney's opinion, having more than one person in an ECV is unsafe. that is also why you cannot tow anything behind your wheelchair or ECV, even though such things exist - they feel it is unsafe... that is my guess...

 

[MELISAZACK]

Kp - Oh I didn't think you were harsh before -just stating opinions that I DID ask for and knew I may not like what I hear... but everyones responses were fine..

I guess I am really wondering -- if this "dream" ECV is made to poss. carry 2 and adult and child -do you think disney would have to allow it???
if is designed to be safe to use that way - what would the problem be?

Not that our ECV is that type.... I also think all the points being made a good ones for the record.

 

[mgilmer]

Thanks for your thoughts-- her is weighted for the extra weight so it won't tip. We got her a ecv for heavier people when she isn't that heave anyway so the extra weight of the child doesn't interfer..

I see you point about hitting the controls (we haven't had that happen) but can clearly see it...

As for not allowing more than one person on it even at disney - this will be our 4th time going with it.. had the child on it everytime and never had a word said to us.. also not sure how they could inforce that on your private vechile - nowhere did I sign or read something saying I had to adbid by that rule.. I could see it I was renting their ECV but I am not.

FWIW, On our recent trip to WDW we saw many instances of people on scooters with a child. I did not see any accidents and I also did not see any CMs telling them to stop, either.

 

[toocherie]

FWIW--when I was at Disneyland last week I rented a scooter. While I was out and about in the park I saw a man on another rented scooter letting his child ride and go around and around in circles driving it. I didn't say anything, but I did give him the stinkeye--he knew he was breaking the rules from the way he turned his head . . . . .

 

[SueM in MN]

I guess I am really wondering -- if this "dream" ECV is made to poss. carry 2 and adult and child -do you think disney would have to allow it???
if is designed to be safe to use that way - what would the problem be?

There is a "dream" ECV from the manufacturing company I linked to earlier that is made for 2 people, sitting side by side. That one is way too wide to comply with size requirements for ADA (it actually looks like a small golf cart with 3 wheels), so it would not fit where a regular ECV or wheelchair would.

I have seen CMs stopping people and have seen situations where an accident almost happened because of a child on the lap of the driver. The most recent ones I saw were one barely missed running into another guest and one time where the scooter just missed hitting into a wall. In both cases, the child had just gotten excited and was pointing at something to show the adult. I also saw a situation where a toddler decided he wanted down - while the ECV was running.
On our last trip, I saw something I could hardly believe. There was a 2-4 yr old child sitting on the lap of an adult on an ECV. The adult had her arms around the child's waist and the small child was actually the one steering the ECV while the adult was looking all over.

If you look at the owner's manual for any power wheelchair or ECV, it will state that the ECV should be operated with only one person on it, no riders.
If the driver of the ECV was involved in an accident that caused an injury, I would expect the injured person would sue the ECV driver. Someone driving with a child would not be following the directions and the owner's manual could be used as evidence of that in a lawsuit.

I'm surprised that the company that rents the "Dream ECV" not only allows a child to ride, but encourages it. They are opening themselves up to a lot of extra liability IMHO.
And, not only from other guests, but also from the renter/driver of the ECV if their own child is injured.

I'm sure one of the reasons other rental companies have renters sign a rental agreement is to limit their liability. In a lawsuit after an accident, they could produce the rental agreement as proof that they told the driver "no passengers".

 

[Momelie]

I've got one that takes the cake!!!!

The 4th of July weekend there was a man on a scooter at the Studios, and he kept letting his wife sit on his leg and was scooting HER around the park - a 50 something lady that definitely buys her clothes in the plus department! I saw them all over the park - at one point we were parked next to each other at GRM, and he was asking me about my scooter and if I owned it. I nearly told him there was no way 2 people would fit on mine, but decided not to start something (they had their 3 twenty-something sons with them).

It looked hilarious, with her hanging off the side like that!

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

I've got one that takes the cake!!!!

The 4th of July weekend there was a man on a scooter at the Studios, and he kept letting his wife sit on his leg and was scooting HER around the park - a 50 something lady that definitely buys her clothes in the plus department! I saw them all over the park - at one point we were parked next to each other at GRM, and he was asking me about my scooter and if I owned it. I nearly told him there was no way 2 people would fit on mine, but decided not to start something (they had their 3 twenty-something sons with them).

It looked hilarious, with her hanging off the side like that!

I bet if she had fallen off, that would have been the last time she would have ridden on his lap


I know it isn't really funny, but it sure would have taught her a lesson.

My mom tipped a scooter once (she was the only rider) and it was painful and quite upsetting to her and it was only because she tried to turn too sharply, so I can imagine it would be much worse with someone on your lap.


Suzanne

 

[ralphk]

I rented the dream scooter just two weeks ago! I liked it so much I went looking for it today to see how much it cost as I would love to have one for riding around in my community and found these questions and comments on this board about it. I had not found it nor the manufacturer, thanks for posting that info. It was the best ride and most fun I have ever had on one. I felt less handicapped and more like a kid!

The picture someone posted did not look right but similar so I called the company. They have a specially modified version. The dream scooter is shorter in length and has a much better seat. The seat does move forward and back, turns for getting on and off and reclines. I was able to adjust it to fit me just right. In fact it was the most comfortable I have ever had, my bottom did not get sore for once. I did not have any more problems with manuevering than any other scooter and it was a much smoother ride. Also, I got on every bus, including the older ones. I was told to turn the front wheel to the side for it to fit. The bus drivers all seemed to know the scooter and I got a lot of nice comments about it. People for once were looking at my cool scooter and not just staring at me!

I have to point out that the company with the dream scooter gives free scooters to children charities for the children to use at Disney. Having a child on a scooter with an adult seems to me to be a personal choice. I am fortunate that my wife can walk and push the stroller for our daughter but if I didn’t have anyone to go with me, she would have to ride with me. We saw several other kids (small and large) riding with a parent on a scooter, so in the end we let her ride with me too. Please don’t start a comment war about the safety of this – not my intention, just wanted to mention that I saw a lot of kids riding along and that the company provides scooters for sick & handicapped kids to ride.

I hope this helped answer some questions. I will rent it next time we go. I don’t want anything else now hence my searching to see how much they cost to buy one. They are too expensive for me to buy but luckily I can still rent for Disney next time.

 

[jbuey22]

I have a dream scooter reserved for my aug 30th - sept 7th vacation. I have read all of these posts and have talked to the guy at the rental company. I expressed my concerns because last years trip was a disaster with the scooter as well. I am a large guy and require a more heavy duty scooter. Last year i got the largest one from one particular rental company and it wouldn't fit on the busses with lifts. It was a 4 wheeler and it didnt appear to be oversized. But the large knobby tires barely blocked the lift gate from closing, hench the lift wouldnt operate. Now the guy who rents the Dream has assured me that although it is a bit longer you can back onto the lift then turn the front tire 180 degrees and the lift gate closes easily. The pictures of the Dream in the other posts are not accurate. The seat is different and the long basket on the back is gone. Also the wheelie bars that stick out the back about 6 inches have been changed to go straight down. He has also assure me that it has been tested on all the busses and it is really only 28 inches wide. He also said that there is instructions and tips for parking on the busses that come with the scooter. This is good because although i do not have a problem manuevering, i have seen mant ecv drivers who cannot park on those busses. I seems obvious to me that they have made several modifications. I have told him about my problems last year and he told me that if i am not satisfied after the first day I can call and get an exchange. I am not promoting this scooter in any way and I will not post who I have been renting from, but I will post my experiences after my trip.

 

[SueM in MN]

The pictures of the Dream in the other posts are not accurate

That is not the actual "Dream ECV", but does appear to be one from company that manufactures them. The website that rents them mostly has video of them, so it's hard to compare and there are not a lot of 'statistics' on the rental site, so it's hard to say what has been changed.
These are pictures of "Dream ECV" from rental site:

Pictures of scooter from manufacturing site:
This is the sportster, which is larger, but looks like it has a sort of similar seat.

Another picture from another site that shows the seat better:

This is the Metro, which is the 60 inch long model (not sure if that includes the basket).

I am not promoting this scooter in any way and I will not post who I have been renting from, but I will post my experiences after my trip.

I would be interested in hearing your experience.
The reason Cheshire Figment (my fellow Board Moderator)and I elected to remove the link was that the website renting them is promoting children riding with the driver of the ECV. While someone posted it is personal opinion of whether a child should ride or not, both Cheshire Figment and I feel we don not want to do anything to support it. We have both seen enough accidents and near accidents involving children riding as a passenger that we elected to remove the link to the rental website.
EDITED TO ADD:
The information in italics is why we did not previously allow links to this website.
Cheshire Figment was able to talk to the owners earlier this year about our concerns and they subsequently did remove the videos showing children riding as passengers on their ECVs.
We will now allow links to the company, but I wanted to leave the information in the thread to give the history of why we did not previously allow links to be put up.
The company is called Scooter Orlando.

 

[Vijoge]

I have a dream scooter reserved for my aug 30th - sept 7th vacation. I will post my experiences after my trip.

Welcome to the DIS!

 

[gramto2boys]

I have a dream scooter reserved for my aug 30th - sept 7th vacation. I have read all of these posts and have talked to the guy at the rental company. I expressed my concerns because last years trip was a disaster with the scooter as well. I am a large guy and require a more heavy duty scooter. Last year i got the largest one from one particular rental company and it wouldn't fit on the busses with lifts. It was a 4 wheeler and it didnt appear to be oversized. But the large knobby tires barely blocked the lift gate from closing, hench the lift wouldnt operate. Now the guy who rents the Dream has assured me that although it is a bit longer you can back onto the lift then turn the front tire 180 degrees and the lift gate closes easily. The pictures of the Dream in the other posts are not accurate. The seat is different and the long basket on the back is gone. Also the wheelie bars that stick out the back about 6 inches have been changed to go straight down. He has also assure me that it has been tested on all the busses and it is really only 28 inches wide. He also said that there is instructions and tips for parking on the busses that come with the scooter. This is good because although i do not have a problem manuevering, i have seen mant ecv drivers who cannot park on those busses. I seems obvious to me that they have made several modifications. I have told him about my problems last year and he told me that if i am not satisfied after the first day I can call and get an exchange. I am not promoting this scooter in any way and I will not post who I have been renting from, but I will post my experiences after my trip.

I can not wait to hear about your trip, this scooter and your opinions!! and post pictures of the acual scooter. thank you !! I will be watching this thread very closely

 

[SueM in MN]

I can not wait to hear about your trip, this scooter and your opinions!! and post pictures of the acual scooter. thank you !! I will be watching this thread very closely

Also, I would be interested in measurements of how long and wide it actually is. The "back onto the lift then turn the front tire 180 degrees and the lift gate closes easily" makes it sound like it is probably not 48 inches long, measured from front to back with the front wheel out straight.
It would be helpful for people to see pictures of it on the bus.

 

[gramto2boys]

Also, I would be interested in measurements of how long and wide it actually is. The "back onto the lift then turn the front tire 180 degrees and the lift gate closes easily" makes it sound like it is probably not 48 inches long, measured from front to back with the front wheel out straight.
It would be helpful for people to see pictures of it on the bus.

yes!! it would be great to see pictures of it on the lift./ if any of you can get a family memember to take a picture of you on it on the lift that would be awsome.

 

[jbuey22]

as well as my experiences, good or bad. I definetly will not put up with it if it doesnt fit on a lift bus. I was stranded several times last year for that very reason. Cant wait!!

 

[DisneyGirl@Heart]

I rented the dream last year and have it rented also for my upcoming trips this year. It was absolutely wonderful! I got on most of the busses without a problem and only once did I have to get off and wait for another bus but I think the problem was with the lift, because I had had no problems with the same type of lift on a different bus.

It was easy to maneuver and was very comfortable. I recommend it to anyone plus size as it accomodates wider girths quite easily and comfortably!