Have there ever NOT been ECVs available to rent by Disney?

[Simba's Mom]

Was there ever a time in WDW history when you had to make your own arrangements if you needed to rent an ECV, and get one from a private vendor if you needed one, a time before Disney got into the rental business itself and you can now rent in the parks? On our first visits, in the early 80s. not only did I not need an ECV, I don't remember seeing any. Maybe I just didn't notice (with 3 little kids to chase around, I didn't notice much else!). Or was there a pre-ECV time at WDW? Just curious.

 

[lanejudy]

My guess -- in the mid-to-late 1990s. Early signage from MK, EP and MGM (now DHS) seems to only indicate wheelchair and stroller rentals. Signage from AK mentions ECVs. I think that probably also aligns with when person mobility scooters started to become popular vs electric wheelchairs.

But that's just a guess.

 

[SteveMouse]

ECVs were after 1987.

 

[Goldelpack]

From my memory the 1st ecv was available only at epcot and it would be in the late 80s or early 90s. Not long after I believe it came to Disney MGM studios and I'm totally not certain about after.
I had an unable to go to Disney period for several years and by then discovered medical supply companies that rented