I need your input on ECV/Scooter Rentals

[imadisneyfanatic]

Hello everyone! Many thanks and blessings to those that maintain this board. It is such a blessing to so many special people

I am trying to decide between renting an ECV/Scooter from either "Scootarama" or "Randy's". Their estimates were the least expensive and I honestly need help deciding between the two.

If it helps, I am renting one for people over 300lbs. (I have 6 bad disks in my back and neck and have trouble walking long distances due to the pain). I am also staying in a tower room at the Contemporary due to the advice of the Passporter for Special Needs (what an AWESOME book - thanks Sue for helping with that!)

Any input no matter how trivial is so appreciated

Thanks,
Kathy

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Both are very good. One difference is that Scootarama will have the ECV waiting for you at Bell Services when you chack in, and will pick it up after you leave. Randy's will normally deliver it within an hour of your arrival, but they want you to be there to accept it and I think they want to pick it back up directly from you.

I know when I rented I was always asked both my height and weight so the seat would be set properly and the ECV would have the right capacity.

 

[SueM in MN]

Thanks for your kind words.

We used Randy's last March and had a good experience. The guy who delivered it was promptly at the time he said he would be, demonstrated it and made sure we had not questions before he left. If you have never driven one before or would like a demonstration of the one you will be getting, then Randy's would be a good choice.

Scootarama has also gotten some very good recommendations. Like Cheshire Figment said, they will deliver to Bell Services. Some people like knowing that the scooter will be there waiting for them when they get there. If that's you, then Scootarama would be a good choice.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I've used both companies (and Walker) and the primary reason I didn't rent from Randy's this last trip is that I was arriving at the hotel after their delivery hours - so I'd have had to wait until the next morning to get the ECV, and that would have interfered with my park time
One thing I liked about Scootarama (sorry, Sue, I really do plan to do a quick review) is that they don't attach/include the arms unless you specifically request them.

 

[Haley Whippet]

We used Scootarama before I got my own scooter and were very happy with them..
The Scooter was waiting for us when we arrived.
Deb

 

[Angel16]

How does everyone feel about renting from Walker? I used them the last time we were at WDW. We had two different scooters that had to be returned. One do to a flat tire after about 15 minutes of use, and one because of a very loud noise when the scooter was going forward.

Walker was very nice about coming out and replacing each scooter, however it is time out of your vacation while you wait for them or have to go to the front of a park to meet them. My question is their maintance up to standard? What renting experiences have you had?

 

[mrmagicmph]

How does everyone feel about renting from Walker? I used them the last time we were at WDW. We had two different scooters that had to be returned. One do to a flat tire after about 15 minutes of use, and one because of a very loud noise when the scooter was going forward.

Walker was very nice about coming out and replacing each scooter, however it is time out of your vacation while you wait for them or have to go to the front of a park to meet them. My question is their maintance up to standard? What renting experiences have you had?

I just used Walker during the first week of October. My ONLY downside to them was when I made the reservation with them, I told them that I'd have a cane, and they said that some of their scooters have a cane attachment on the seat to make things easier. They said they'd make a note of it & make sure that I would get one with the attachment.

When I picked up the scooter, I saw it did not have the attachment. I immediately called them and within 60 minutes (they promised 45, but was probably about 55) they came and changed out the seat to one with the attachment. Did it "really" cause a problem, the delay? No... we got the scooter right after checking in, but before we went to Epcot, we went to Beaches & Cream for something to eat. They arrived and changed the seat just as we came back to the valet desk (which is where they were holding the scooter when we got there). Could it have slowed things down? Yes. In our case, it didn't.

Would I rent again from Walker? Yes. They were good at changing the seat quickly, had good rates, and were VERY helpful on the phone, both for the reservation & for the switch out.

Enjoy the Magic & keep on rolling (safely)!

 

[imadisneyfanatic]

Thank you everyone for your input!
It really did help very much!

 

[phorsenuf]

We've used Walker 2 times and they were great. Before using walker I used Randys and that was a real nice scooter too but I much prefer having it waiting for me instead of waiting for Randys to show up.

 

[MacAddict]

Hi All.

I rented from Randy's before on a friend's recommendation, it was great. I have also got one rented with him for my trip in 3 DAYS! WOOT!

One thin that is NOT common knowledge, Randy will leave the scooter at the bell stand for you i you are a repeat customer. That is what they are doing for me.

Mike

 

[katrini111]

We have rented from Walkers three times. We had an issue with our scooter the second time, where it seems to have just lost it's power....went really slow. While it did take some time to get another (next morning about 9:30), and that was time not at the parks, we'd probably rent from them again for the convenience of having it at the hotel upon arrival, the rates, and overall the equipment was fine.

 

[MulanMom]

We've rented from Walker twice in the past year. Both times, the ECV was at the resort when we arrived. The first time was a very new scooter and ran well. The second was an older model, but it ran just as well. The recharger was larger and a bit more cumbersome on the older one. We plan on using them in the future.

 

[evedein]

Just back from WDW. We rented as scooter from Randy's & had a very good experience. They delivered it to our room & showed us how it worked. This was important since my Mom had never used one before. One mistake I made was in ordering the canopy. It was big & awkward when trying to back up. She ended up taking it off. It would have been much better to get the cane holder. They said they couldn't attach both. Since I ended up carrying the cane, hanging off my belt, I have bruises up & down my leg from it constantly banging my leg when I would walk.
One concern I had was people walking in front of her & getting hit or just generally being rude. So what I did was put a brightly colored sign on both the front & the back of the scooter. It read:

WARNING: ROOKIE DRIVER
How do I stop this thing?!

It got a lot of laughs & people did stay out of her way. And there were no nasty comments when she had trouble loading/unloading on the bus.