Husband worried about ECV

[amykathleen2005]

Hi,

My husband broke his knee last November and now he is walking with a walker because it has not healed properly(he also has issues with low blood pressure which effects balance). It takes a lot out of him to walk with it for any great lengths. He can get around a large store, but that is about it.

I mentioned to him that he could use an ECV on future Disney trips but he seems to think that this will be a major hassle. What are your views? There is really no way he can walk it, but I think he is concerned about the crowds and getting on rides and all of that stuff.

I basically am looking for information to ease his mind about the whole thing.

Thanks for your help.

 

[geek+nerd]

It isn't a major hassle at all Disney is one of the most accessible places you can visit. In fact, that's one of the main reasons we keep going back. It's one place where I get to feel like my disability isn't a big deal.

There are companies that you can rent from off site that will deliver and pick up an ECV to your resort. It is much cheaper to go that route than renting at the parks. Plus, then he doesn't have to worry about walking from the bus or parking to where you can rent the ECVs.

I encourage you to encourage him to use one. It is amazing what a difference it makes when you can focus on having fun and enjoying yourself instead of focusing on discomfort and pain.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Please ask the following questions. Here are the suggested answers to go with them.

1. Are you disabled (even temporarily)? Yes.

2. Do the people you are traveling with, such as your family, know you are disabled? Yes.

3. Do you expect to meet anyone you know during this trip who may not know you are disabled. Probably No!

4. Do you expect to meet a bunch of people who you will probably never meet again in your life? Probably yes!

5. Is there any reason at all that you should care what these people think about you? Absolutely No!!

6. Will using a wheelchair or ECV make for a better vacation for you and your family? Absolutely YES!

 

[rewardsinlife]

Quite the opposite! I find it is more of a hassle to go without a wheelchair than with one! I tried one time...and I didn't even make it half way through the park to the first ride. Had to make a family member go back and rent one for the day. You will enjoy the trip much more if you have an Ecv or wheelchair to help conserve your energy!

 

[lanejudy]

If he's unfamiliar with using an ECV and that's the basis of his concern, have him try it a few times at a local WalMart or Target or grocery store. Those are much more challenging to handle, but if he can maneuver through the stores, he'll be find at WDW.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[DvcDoc]

Based on our trip last week, I would certainly vote to use the ECV. It made a heck of a difference to me and the family. I also agree with the advice of practicing at WalMart or the grocery store ahead of time. On suggestion is to practice backing up and positioning. You have to do that when loading on the busses and it took me a couple of times on the busses to get comfortable.

 

[SueM in MN]

I second (or third) practicing ahead of time. It is actually pretty easy to drive an ECV and most people pick up how o use it very quickly.

If he can confidently go forward at a controlled speed, back up, turn in both directions while going forward and backward, he will do fine.
For getting on the buses, the manouvering is kind of like parallel parking on the driver's side of the street.

Many of the issues I have seen at WDW was because people were going too fast. All ECVs have a speed switch/lever/control of some kind that controls the top speed in that setting. In many cases, the slower speed is called Turtle and the faster is Rabbit.
In Turtle, you can choose to go any speed between very slow to medium speed, but you can't go faster than Medium. In Rabbit , you can go any speed up to however fast that ECV can go.
There are situations where you don't want to go too fast by mistake - like in heavy crowds. Turtle can help there because it won't let you go faster than a certain speed.

 

[amykathleen2005]

He has been on ECV's before at the grocery store and Target. He is pretty good at using it. I think he is just worried about people running into him or not seeing him in a crowd and what you do with it on the rides and all of that.

Thank for all of the replies!!

 

[msr709]

He has been on ECV's before at the grocery store and Target. He is pretty good at using it. I think he is just worried about people running into him or not seeing him in a crowd and what you do with it on the rides and all of that.

Thank for all of the replies!!

If I'm with family they usually surround me so that I'm not a hindrance to others and they don't trample me.

When you get on the rides most lines are scooter accessible and usually the CM will show you where to "park" it so its out of the way. If the ride is not scooter accessible you simply leave it outside where they usually park the stroller. A CM might move it if needed but you shouldn't have any problems finding it if you put something on it that stands out. I usually put a towel on the seat, it serves for both identifying and saves my thighs from burning when the hot sun is beating on it.

He and the rest of your family will be a lot happier if he is comfortable and is able to enjoy himself with out any pain or discomfort. He won't regret it. I just avoid the long lines at the bus stops, I wait for the next one and take it easy riding and have never regretting getting the ECV.

Good luck and have a wonderful Magical trip!

 

[pbrim]

I think he is just worried about people running into him or not seeing him in a crowd and what you do with it on the rides and all of that.

There are stickies that talk about how each ride handles ECV users, but there should always be a CM at the ride entrance you can ask. They are totally familiar with the situation and have well established procedures for handling ECVs smoothly.

There is a chance of bumping into someone, more so when the park is crowded, but lesser when you have walkers in your party to be "crowd breakers". But remember, when the parks are crowded, it's quite possible that people will bump into you when you are walking or using a walker. If he has balance problems, at least he is less likely to be knocked over when in the ECV.

Basically the rules are the same, walking or riding: Don't be in a hurry when it's crowded. Keep your eyes open for other people lost in the magic and not paying attention. Be courteous, and most other people will do the same.

Some people are going to be a PITA, but that's just the hazard of living -- there is always a certain number of people around you going to be a PITA because that's just their nature. Maybe a little less most of the time because people get too wrapped up in their own enjoyment to make trouble, maybe a little more at times when people get too worn out, too overheated, too stressed by trying to do it all. But that's going to be true, ECV or not, so he might was well make things a little better for himself and his party.

 

[PegIra]

My husband and I both use scooters and couldn't imagine not having them. There is no way either one of us could walk down Main Street let alone all around the parks. We have no problem going on rides, or anything else. The ones you rent and have delivered to your hotel fit on all the buses and make it very easy to get around. We have our own, and drive to each park. Mine fits in the car and we have a lift for his larger scooter. The new lifts on the buses make getting around on a scooter much easier than it used to be. We both rode the buses from the parking lot at Ft. Wilderness to go to the Hoop De Doo and had no problems.

Get the scooter and enjoy yourselves !! Have a great trip !!

 

[amykathleen2005]

Thank for all of the info!

 

[ZPT1022]

I broke down and rented one for the first time on my most recent trip- we just got back last Tuesday night. I am SO SO GLAD I DID IT! And do you know what? My husband thanked me for renting it partway through the trip too, he said that it was nice to not have to worry as much about my pain level. How funny is that, all this time a big chunk of my reason for not wanting to get one was to not be a burden to my family, and here he was telling me that he was worried about me the whole time and that I had taken a burden off his mind by renting it. Who knew Tell him to go for it and do it, and not to worry what anyone else thinks. I know its easier said than done but it is so nice to be able to enjoy the entire vacation. In the past, I'd have put on my happy face and muddled through it somehow but I actually enjoyed myself a lot more this trip and it showed in how much energy I had left to have fun with my kids and husband.

 

[hardhead]

I have a knee problem. Can walk about 2 miles max without it killing me and having to take a break. Wouldnt do wdw without an ecv again the are great

 

[WaDiWo]

Do it! I'm a 30-something year old guy who was physically fit before becoming injured, and required crutches. I was VERY resistant to getting an ECV or anything.

just like you OP, i wrote on this board asking if i should get one, if it would be a hassle, etc.

others answered that i should get one, and that it would be more of a hassle NOT to get one, and getting an ECV would be something you would thank them later for.

they were 100% right! i had the best trip ever, with an ECV, and as an aside i think healed now partly because of the rest i got on the trip!

now i want to "give back" and now be the "other" who says yes get an ecv.

do it!