HELP Please, First time Scooter Rental and Need Advise for my Mother (THANK YOU):

[js]

Can anyone please give me an idea of what the difference is between the two ECVs are below? They are a $70 difference for 6 days and we will need for 8 days. The hours for use look good since we plan on being at the park during the day, back to BWVs for rest and then out at night. Before my dh and ds come (this scooter is for my mom) it will be just my dm and me and I plan on us going for dinner at the BC (we are staying at BWVs) and Swan/Dolphin. I don't mind walking and like to walk so I would prefer for her to use the scooter while I walk so it needs to be able to keep going for about 15-30 minutes at a time without stopping.

Can anyone please tell me why we would need the more expensive model?
My mother can walk and the scooter will get parked for rides and we will walk on the rides regular. BUT the scooter is coming to MK with us so we will need it on the bus and it needs to fit.

Also, does anyone know how much, per day, it is to rent the scooter at the parks? We will rent and have delivered to the room but was just wondering how much less expensive it is to rent off site then use per day at the parks...plus we do need at night.

Also, walkermobility is a dis sponsor? Is that correct? Do they seem to get good reviews from disers?
Thanks so much!

http://www.walkermobility.com/specials.php


The Ranger Standard Scooter
The MOST Dependable Sporty Scooter Available for Guests Weighing under 300 lbs. This Scooter gives you Support & Comfort for an All Day Experience in the Parks.
The ONLY WATERPROOF SCOOTER available in the Orlando Market and we have Exclusivity. Rainy Season NO WORRIES!
Top Speed of 5.5 MPH and a Cruising Range of 20 miles perfect for Park Hopping.
Standard Options Include: MK U-1 Gel Cell Batteries (Industry Rated #1), Bright Headlight for Night Driving, Drink Cup Holder, and True Oversized Front Baskets.
6-Days - $185.00
7 Days & Beyond, Please Phone Us for Discounted Pricing.


3 or 4 Wheeled GO-GO Elite Traveller Plus Scooter
The best transportable scooter for park hopping.
3 wheel scooter allows for highly maneuverable 34" turning radius.
4 wheel scooter allows for high stability, 40" turning radius.
300lbs weight capacity.
Top speed of 4.5 MPH and a cruising range of 14 miles.
Fully disassemble to 4 pieces in 10 seconds, and can easilty fit into the trunk of a compact car.
6-Days
$115.00
7 Days & Beyond, Please Phone Us for Discounted Pricing.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Both of these can go on the monorails and buses.

However, the key is that the Ranger is more comfortable (I used to have one) and has about a 20 mile range, while the Go-Go has a shorter range.

And the listed ranges are for fresh batteries; when the batteries have been used for several months they will not hold as much of a charge and therefore will have less range.

If you click on where it says "disABILTIES" at the top of this page it will take you to the Index. One of the top items is the "disABILTIES FAQ" which will gives lots of useful information, including where Post #2 people rent ECVs.

Or, if you want an easier route to the FAQs, click on the link in my signature.

 

[Bete]

The Ranger has two battery packs; so, it will last longer on a single charge. This means it will last longer as you travel through the parks and so forth. It's waterproofed which makes it more unlikely to be bothered by rain and shutting down. There are electrical components on a scooter that don't like water and puddles and so forth. If you ride responsibility and take cover during a storm and so forth it's really a non issue in my opinion. Some will use covers to protect the tiller of the scooter and so forth in case of rain.

If you rent offsite you are responsible for charging the battery pack everyday. This is not hard, but you need to do it or you could have a scooter that will stop running at the parks and you don't want to be pushing a scooter manually. I'm not so sure a Disney cast member would do this for you, either; it's not their rental. Having an off site scooter allows you to use it everywhere and that's why many like to do it this way.

As the previous poster stated it sounds like the Ranger model may be a bit more comfortable. I'm a fan of the GO Go scooters because they are easy to dissassemble (which I don't think you need to do) and they are smaller which can make them a bit easier to manuever and to get on and off monorails and buses and boats and ride queues.

For renting a Disney scooter in the parks the cost is around $50/day. It's a big difference for most people $$. For this you take a chance that the Disney scooter rentals are all gone when you rent; it's first come first serve. If you go to the parks early you should be all right on this count. You do have to wait in line each time you rent. You wait in the same line as stroller rentals. Then you wait in line again when you return it. You don't have to recharge the battery every night and you don't have to have the scooter in your room. You are somewhat more protected if there's a mechanical failure with the scooter; because, it can be replaced right then and there easily. You don't have to manuever the scooter on and off the transportation system. The Disney scooters are large and a bit awkward in my opinion. They need to hold all passengers; so, they are larger scooters.

These are the tradeoffs with offsite or on. We have done it both ways. At the beginning I was a little taken back by renting offsite; because, you have to do more with the battery charging and going in and out of the room and transportation to the parks. Now, I feel it's nothing to do it and you get the convenience of having it everywhere.

 

[js]

Both of these can go on the monorails and buses.

However, the key is that the Ranger is more comfortable (I used to have one) and has about a 20 mile range, while the Go-Go has a shorter range.

And the listed ranges are for fresh batteries; when the batteries have been used for several months they will not hold as much of a charge and therefore will have less range.

If you click on where it says "disABILTIES" at the top of this page it will take you to the Index. One of the top items is the "disABILTIES FAQ" which will gives lots of useful information, including where Post #2 people rent ECVs.

Or, if you want an easier route to the FAQs, click on the link in my signature.

Thank you very much. I did go to the FAQs and that is how I found out the information on walkermobility. I appreciate your taking the time to help me. I think we/she will go with the Ranger.

The Ranger has two battery packs; so, it will last longer on a single charge. This means it will last longer as you travel through the parks and so forth. It's waterproofed which makes it more unlikely to be bothered by rain and shutting down. There are electrical components on a scooter that don't like water and puddles and so forth. If you ride responsibility and take cover during a storm and so forth it's really a non issue in my opinion. Some will use covers to protect the tiller of the scooter and so forth in case of rain.

If you rent offsite you are responsible for charging the battery pack everyday. This is not hard, but you need to do it or you could have a scooter that will stop running at the parks and you don't want to be pushing a scooter manually. I'm not so sure a Disney cast member would do this for you, either; it's not their rental. Having an off site scooter allows you to use it everywhere and that's why many like to do it this way.

As the previous poster stated it sounds like the Ranger model may be a bit more comfortable. I'm a fan of the GO Go scooters because they are easy to dissassemble (which I don't think you need to do) and they are smaller which can make them a bit easier to manuever and to get on and off monorails and buses and boats and ride queues.

For renting a Disney scooter in the parks the cost is around $50/day. It's a big difference for most people $$. For this you take a chance that the Disney scooter rentals are all gone when you rent; it's first come first serve. If you go to the parks early you should be all right on this count. You do have to wait in line each time you rent. You wait in the same line as stroller rentals. Then you wait in line again when you return it. You don't have to recharge the battery every night and you don't have to have the scooter in your room. You are somewhat more protected if there's a mechanical failure with the scooter; because, it can be replaced right then and there easily. You don't have to manuever the scooter on and off the transportation system. The Disney scooters are large and a bit awkward in my opinion. They need to hold all passengers; so, they are larger scooters.

These are the tradeoffs with offsite or on. We have done it both ways. At the beginning I was a little taken back by renting offsite; because, you have to do more with the battery charging and going in and out of the room and transportation to the parks. Now, I feel it's nothing to do it and you get the convenience of having it everywhere.

WOW! Thanks so much for taking the time to post so much information for me.
If walkermobility gets good reviews on this board, I think I will have my mothe rent the Ranger from them. You are correct, we do not need to dissassemble but I want to make sure it can go on the monorail, if we want/need to use it and we definately need to use it for the bus to MK. I know there are some threads here about new spots to wait for the bus with the scooter. The only time we will need the bus is when we go from BWVs to MK and maybe BWVs to a water park. We will need the bus for both trips. If we go to HS, we can take the boat with the scooter, is that correct?
Thanks so much!

 

[Bete]

Hollywood Studios and Epcot.

The Ranger sounds like a good scooter. Have fun.

 

[js]

Hollywood Studios and Epcot.

The Ranger sounds like a good scooter. Have fun.

Thanks so much Bete. For EPCOT, we can walk and my mom can do the scooter and for HS, we will take the bus. THANKS so much for your help.

Yes, I think we will rent the Ranger. Do you think I need to rent by June for end of August/beginning of September. Are there only limited quantities.
Thanks!

 

[SueM in MN]

Thanks so much Bete. For EPCOT, we can walk and my mom can do the scooter and for HS, we will take the bus. THANKS so much for your help.

Yes, I think we will rent the Ranger. Do you think I need to rent by June for end of August/beginning of September. Are there only limited quantities.
Thanks!

For both Epcot and HS, you can walk or take the boat. There is no bus from BWVs to HS.

The path from BW area resorts to the Studio goes along the water to the pool. The ‘lake’ that the Boarwalk resorts are around continues there as kind of a river that goes all the way to the Studio. There is a walkway along the Boardwalk hotel/villa side of the river that goes right along the river all the way to the Studio.

People have rented an ECV with just a week’s notice or even called after they were at WDW for a few days. If you know you want that one, you can make your reservation as soon as June to ensure that you get the type of scooter you want. One less thing to worry about.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

i have used the ranger on all WDW transpotation with no problems. walker mobitily has rates for longer stays, just not on line. found the ranger to be very useful at epcot with all the walking. the biggest plus for me was the abilitly to sit and wait for buses and boats at night with the lines.

 

[js]

Hi all. Thank you all again for your replies. I greatly appreciate it.
We have decided to rent the Ranger from walkermobility.

Do we need to request a HA room? We do not need it at all, expect for the fact that we need to get the scooter inside the room.

Will the scooter fit inside a regular 2 bedroom lockoff villas at BWVs that is not HA?Thanks so much!

 

[pbrim]

Do we need to request a HA room? We do not need it at all, expect for the fact that we need to get the scooter inside the room.

If you don't need extra accessibility features like bathroom grab bars, you don't need to get an accessable room. Your ECV will fit through all the doors in the hotel and should fit in a regular room just fine. I have had 2 ECVs in a regular room at AK. It was a little crowded, but it worked. If you are feeling crowded and you don't need the little table they put in all the rooms, you can ask housekeeping to take it out, but it shouldn't be necessary.

If you happen to have a powerstrip, you probably want to take it with you. It can give you a little more flexability in where you have to park the ECV to charge it.

 

[js]

If you don't need extra accessibility features like bathroom grab bars, you don't need to get an accessable room. Your ECV will fit through all the doors in the hotel and should fit in a regular room just fine. I have had 2 ECVs in a regular room at AK. It was a little crowded, but it worked. If you are feeling crowded and you don't need the little table they put in all the rooms, you can ask housekeeping to take it out, but it shouldn't be necessary.

If you happen to have a powerstrip, you probably want to take it with you. It can give you a little more flexability in where you have to park the ECV to charge it.

Perfect!
Thanks SOOO much!

 

[Friendly Frog]

If your mom is not use to an ECV, be sure to take her to Walmart or someplace for a few days to practice. This can make a big difference in her comfort level in the park. This will also allow you to see has she does. Go off in the back of the garden department or someplace and be sure she does things like back up and parallel park. The parallel parking practice will help her on the bus. The controls will be different on the Walmart ECV's but it will still give her some practice. Like someone else said there are pros and cons to renting on site. For newbies, parking the ECV onto the bus can be extremely nerve-racking. Have a plan B on who will do it for your mom, should she need it. Disney will not load it for you.

Couple of other tips. Always double check to be sure the speed is set at the lowest setting before going up the bus ramp. Also, remove the backpack from the back of the ECV (if you use one) before you load. This gives more room for you to park and helps the bus driver to hook up.

Always carry your charger with you. You never know when you will need it. I always look for a place to charge when I stop for lunch. At sit down restaurants you can ask the greater if they can direct you to a plug. This way I am less likely to start running low on power at a time when I don't want, or can't, charge.

If you get in a pinch and power is running low you can sometimes find a plug near a vending cart... or in the flowerbeds. Not all those in the flower beds work though. (I have charged from a flower bed plug while sitting to watch the fireworks.)


A spring loaded clip or key chain is great to bring. You can put it on the ECV key then just clip it to a belt loop, lanyard or purse strap when you get off the ECV. No digging in a purse or pocket for the key each time. ( wristbands with a clip work well too.)


Since you mom will be in the regular lines, glow sticks attached to the ECV are a great way to spot it in the dark after a ride.

I also bring electrical tape. Sometimes those rental ECVs have tears in the seat, or sharp areas of plastic on the armrests, from a precious users abuse. The electrical tape is a soft non-damaging way to cover those areas so you don't scratch your skin on them. ( And it has come in handy for other uses too.)

Have fun!

 

[js]

If your mom is not use to an ECV, be sure to take her to Walmart or someplace for a few days to practice. This can make a big difference in her comfort level in the park. This will also allow you to see has she does. Go off in the back of the garden department or someplace and be sure she does things like back up and parallel park. The parallel parking practice will help her on the bus. The controls will be different on the Walmart ECV's but it will still give her some practice. Like someone else said there are pros and cons to renting on site. For newbies, parking the ECV onto the bus can be extremely nerve-racking. Have a plan B on who will do it for your mom, should she need it. Disney will not load it for you.

Couple of other tips. Always double check to be sure the speed is set at the lowest setting before going up the bus ramp. Also, remove the backpack from the back of the ECV (if you use one) before you load. This gives more room for you to park and helps the bus driver to hook up.

Always carry your charger with you. You never know when you will need it. I always look for a place to charge when I stop for lunch. At sit down restaurants you can ask the greater if they can direct you to a plug. This way I am less likely to start running low on power at a time when I don't want, or can't, charge.

If you get in a pinch and power is running low you can sometimes find a plug near a vending cart... or in the flowerbeds. Not all those in the flower beds work though. (I have charged from a flower bed plug while sitting to watch the fireworks.)


A spring loaded clip or key chain is great to bring. You can put it on the ECV key then just clip it to a belt loop, lanyard or purse strap when you get off the ECV. No digging in a purse or pocket for the key each time. ( wristbands with a clip work well too.)


Since you mom will be in the regular lines, glow sticks attached to the ECV are a great way to spot it in the dark after a ride.

I also bring electrical tape. Sometimes those rental ECVs have tears in the seat, or sharp areas of plastic on the armrests, from a precious users abuse. The electrical tape is a soft non-damaging way to cover those areas so you don't scratch your skin on them. ( And it has come in handy for other uses too.)

Have fun!

WOW! Thank you VERY VERY much! My mom has used the ECV before so is familiar with it but I appreciate your suggestion.
You have given us some VERY helpful hints and suggestions, which I have printed out and we will buy what we need (the little spring loaded key chain) and make notes of what to take with us (extra battery to the parks).
THANKS SO MUCH!