How hard is it to "drive" an ECV?

[Quicklabs]

About five weeks ago, I was running my beloved Labrador teammate in an agiility trial. We were two qualifying runs away from our fourth major championship and she was running great. While I was running, I pivoted, but my knee didn't come along for the ride. It felt as if I had been shot in the knee. I just got MRI results back: Torn MCL, torn meniscus and severe osteoarthritis, along with 7 other bad news impressions. No more agility for awhile, and that's devastating all by itself (my girl is 8--every month in the ring is precious to me). But the main issue is that even sitting down, I'm in pain, and I can't walk for more than 25 yards or so without the assistance of a cane.

My DH and I are headed to WDW and the Disney Fantasy in four short weeks. He has been encouraging me to rent an ECV for the parks, and I have been steadfastly refusing. I had thought it would be impossible to negotiate the parks in an ECV, making it more hassle than fun in the end. Secondarily, I have been worried about the looks I would get from people who, seeing no visible handicap, would shoot ugly disapproving stares at me, assuming that I was just overweight and too lazy to walk. I've been so sad to "miss" park time on a trip we have been planning for 14 months.

But reading through your wonderful threads and information, I'm rethinking this. I can transfer from a chair to a ride (as long as I have my cane). And I'm getting the idea that using the Disney transportation would be do-able. (We're staying at BWV, so we can just "ride the chair" to both EPCOT and the Studios from the resort and maybe leave AK for next time. And, I could live with the inevitable hostility better than I could missing the parks. Thank you so much for all the helpful and encouraging info on this board. Honestly, it's making me feel better.

My main worry now is how hard it will be to learn to drive an ECV? I've never done it before. Obviously, I don't want to crash into anybody or anything. And the prospect of parking the ECV on a bus scares the bejeebers out of me. Do you think I will be able to learn quickly enough to make it worth it?

Anythng else that I am missing here?

Again, thanks a TRILLION for all the wisdom and encouragement that has already been shared on these pages. This is my first time over to this board and it's a godsend.

 

[strawberrylilacs]

Don't worry! I gave in and used a scooter for the first and only time 3 years ago at WDW. Am coming again in 3 weeks. I also am overweight and this year will also need a foldup cane with the scooter. And as you. being overweight was not my main reason that I need a scooter but as in "real life" that's all people see.
Yes, there are some concerns you have to deal with but remember walkers have concerns also - blisters and worn out from walking. Driving was no big deal - just practice when you get yours - it is really easy and you do learn how to manuver fairly quickly.
Using buses- just take it one at a time and with the help of the drivers you will do fine. After a few times,you will be an expert getting on the bus. When driving I had someone from my group walk in front of me to ward off people scooting right in front. They don't realize you cannot stop on a dime.
Yes you may come across the foul person but remember it reflects on them, not you. I did not have many problems with buses but as with foul people, it happens but a minority of times.
All interactions I had with CMs were great and you will be surprised what all you can do with the attractions. Parking them during attraction rides were no big deal. Remember no one can drive your scooter without your key.
Like your attitude that it is the only way we can do Disney so heck with all the other stuff. And remember that secretly many people with those sore feet envy you on your scooter!
P. S. I used Walker scooters and their service was so great I made sure that I am using them this time.

Enjoy your visit and maybe we will bump into each other - errrr on second thought - never mind. LOL

 

[Quicklabs]

Great info and sense of humor, Strawberrylilacs. I'll tell my husband that I've seen it "his way" when he gets home tonight. (That ought to send him right into shock!)

 

[utterrandomness]

I just wanted to say that I'm jealous of your MRI turn around time. My first MRI was requisitioned early January last year and I was still on the list to be put on the appointment schedule in March and only received an appointment in late March because I insisted on being put on the cancellations list - meaning I had to get to the hospital at 4am. If I hadn't done so, my wait time would have been over a year. (My second was much easier - requisitioned in December and I have the results already)

I am sorry to hear about your knee, and I have similar concerns about using an ECV when I go to Disney for my honeymoon in a couple years and the people here have made me feel a lot better about the idea.

 

[GrammyJudy]

I know exactly how you feel. I too am overweight and have a bad knee and back. So I rented a scooter at the parks in 2007 & 2009. In 2011 I rented from Apple Scooter who I love and it was so much better and cheaper and I did that again in Jan. 2012. Try riding the ones at Walmart or a grocery store. It is so easy and the bus dirivers are so helpful. They will often park it for me on the bus after I transfer to a seat. It makes our trip so much more enjoyable for me and my whole family. You can practice driving around your resort before heading to the park. Have a magical trip.

 

[bedogged]

About five weeks ago, I was running my beloved Labrador teammate in an agiility trial. We were two qualifying runs away from our fourth major championship and she was running great. While I was running, I pivoted, but my knee didn't come along for the ride. It felt as if I had been shot in the knee. I just got MRI results back: Torn MCL, torn meniscus and severe osteoarthritis, along with 7 other bad news impressions. No more agility for awhile, and that's devastating all by itself (my girl is 8--every month in the ring is precious to me). But the main issue is that even sitting down, I'm in pain, and I can't walk for more than 25 yards or so without the assistance of a cane.

My DH and I are headed to WDW and the Disney Fantasy in four short weeks. He has been encouraging me to rent an ECV for the parks, and I have been steadfastly refusing. I had thought it would be impossible to negotiate the parks in an ECV, making it more hassle than fun in the end. Secondarily, I have been worried about the looks I would get from people who, seeing no visible handicap, would shoot ugly disapproving stares at me, assuming that I was just overweight and too lazy to walk. I've been so sad to "miss" park time on a trip we have been planning for 14 months.

But reading through your wonderful threads and information, I'm rethinking this. I can transfer from a chair to a ride (as long as I have my cane). And I'm getting the idea that using the Disney transportation would be do-able. (We're staying at BWV, so we can just "ride the chair" to both EPCOT and the Studios from the resort and maybe leave AK for next time. And, I could live with the inevitable hostility better than I could missing the parks. Thank you so much for all the helpful and encouraging info on this board. Honestly, it's making me feel better.

My main worry now is how hard it will be to learn to drive an ECV? I've never done it before. Obviously, I don't want to crash into anybody or anything. And the prospect of parking the ECV on a bus scares the bejeebers out of me. Do you think I will be able to learn quickly enough to make it worth it?

Anythng else that I am missing here?

Again, thanks a TRILLION for all the wisdom and encouragement that has already been shared on these pages. This is my first time over to this board and it's a godsend.

If you can successfully manage the agility ring, I wouldn't worry about driving the ECV! If you can drive the big clumsy ones that they have at Walmart without knocking over anything, one that you rent at WDW will be really easy. Rent a small GO GO type scooter. They are lightweight, fun to drive and very maneuverable. Please don't worry about what other people think. Nobody has ever been nasty to me. Sometimes I think the nasty attitude you sometimes read here in regard to people who use ECVs is limited to this board.

 

[M5ward]

As a previous poster mentioned, Apple Scooter is a great company...very easy to deal with and great customer service. The scooter is waiting for my husband at our resort when we arrive and is picked up by Apple after we leave.

 

[I Love Pluto]

It's not hard at all to drive the scooter. The major thing is to not get the forward and back confused. (Usually forward is with the right hand, backward is with the left - but there are variations.)

The second thing is to use the "turtle speed" until you are confident of the stopping ability of the individual scooter. Some stop immediately upon releasing your hand, some have a bit of a continue, then stop.

You will be much happier upon using the scooter. You will have a better time. All who are with you will have a better time. It's a definite pain and stress reducer.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[Quicklabs]

I will definitely try out driving scooters around stores first. That will certainly build my confidence. Figure I'll start out early in the morning when the stores are pretty empty and build from there.
I am so sorry to hear about the wait for the MRI, utterrandomness. Honestly, that sounds just outrageious! I was cheesed that I had to wait four weeks at my military hospital. They called with results within 24 hours. I was offered an appointment in Ortho in four weeks, but I've been calling back everyday asking about cancellations, and have moved it forward 8 days already. I just keep on calling and they don't mind.
Thanks also for the recommendation about Apple. My husband is in favor of a cart that he can break apart and put in the trunk of our rental car. And yes, I will definitely be driving at "turtle speed" until I know what I'm doing.
I will be calliing Apple tomorrow. Since we are staying at BWV, I was going to call Buena Vista, but the reviews on them seem mixed, running either very hot or very cold.
Thank you all!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Can you drive a tricycle? Same thing. The throttle lever is on the handlebars.

 

[Quicklabs]

I reserved an Apple scooter today. Got one that can be easily disassembled. Heaviest piece is like 32 lbs or something--my hubby can easily handle that.
I went to a few grocery stores today to practice driving. Piece of cake--well except for the clueless people who jumped right out in front of me. I just smiled as big as I could and didn't hit them. It was amazing the difference it made negotiating through those endless aisles.
Now, I'm looking into one for the ship. I think the trip could be more pleasant.

Thanks everyone.

 

[bedogged]

I reserved an Apple scooter today. Got one that can be easily disassembled. Heaviest piece is like 32 lbs or something--my hubby can easily handle that.
I went to a few grocery stores today to practice driving. Piece of cake--well except for the clueless people who jumped right out in front of me. I just smiled as big as I could and didn't hit them. It was amazing the difference it made negotiating through those endless aisles.
Now, I'm looking into one for the ship. I think the trip could be more pleasant.

Thanks everyone.

Can't you just take the one you rented with you? The bus to the port can carry it. You could call Apple and ask if they can help you?