I want to take Dad to the world, need advise.

[jennymouse]

My mother is a terminal cancer patient and won't be with us much longer. I'm hoping to take my father to the world the first week in December. He gets around pretty good, except walking long distances because of his knees and some scaring on his lungs. I need advise on ECV's & other issues I may not have even thought of. If you have an ECV just for the walking around, can you park it outside of rides etc? He really wouldn't need to take it on the ride, just to and from the ride. Any advise?

 

[Cheshire Figment]

You may be better off renting an ECV from off-site rather than from Disney. Not only does it cost less and the machines tend to be better, but you will always have the availabilty no matter where you are going. Some information for off-site rentals are:

Here are the urls:

Care Medical:
http://www.caremedicalequipment.com/

Walker Mobility:
1-888-726-6837
www.walkermobility.com

RANDY'S Mobility is in Kissimmee 407-892-4777
http://randysmobility.com/

Colonial Medical
http://www.colonialmed.com/about_cms.html

I have used Walker a few times. They will ask for a credit card and charge it the day before arrival. They will deliver the ECV to your hotel bell services before your arrival and pick it up there after your departure. Their rates, especially for longer than a week, are much better than Disney's. Also, their scooters are much better.

You don't say if you are renting a car or what. If you are using a car for getting around, the ECVs break down into five pieces, the heaviest about 39 pounds. They take about a minute or so to take apart and about two minutes (once you are used to it) to put it together.

Another suggestion is find out your state's requirements for a temporary disabled hang tag and get the paper work and have your doctor sign off on it. The tag will allow you to use any of the handicap parking areas (which will be a necessity). Also, with the policy of charging for valet parking, with a handicap hang tag the fees will be waived. Also the valets will usually volunteer to assist in loading/unloading an ECV. In Virginia I printed the required form from the DMV website. When I took the completed form to the DMV Office it took less than 15 minutes from the time I walked in until I had my tag.

The scooters have keys. Normally you can park them anywhere that is out of the way. Most attractions have special parking areas for people who are mobile. Often the cast members will put the scooter into "freewheel" and push it to an area near the exit. Just make sure that if you leave anything in the basket when on an attraction or in a restaurant that it is something you would not terribly mind losing

 

[BounceyOne]

DH uses an ECV but only in the parks, so we rent at the parks. Costly, but worth it. It has not been a bother at all. He just parks it outside the ride or on some rides with a longer line he rides it on line (did that make sense?) If you bring it on line a CM will have it at the exit waiting for you when the ride is over

If your dad is fine walking for the most part I wouldn't get one for the entire trip, just the parks. Just my opinion of course!

I hope you and your family have a great trip, blessings to your mom.

 

[jennymouse]

Thanks for the info. Chesire, we probably won't be renting a car. I usually just rely on Disney transportation. Do you have to have a doctor's letter to rent a ECV?

 

[BounceyOne]

No DR note required, but if renting at the parks they are first come first served. If they run out thats it

 

[Cheshire Figment]

If you are using Disney Transportation there should be no problem with an off-site rental. Also the off-site ECVs are much easier to manuveur (three wheels) than Disney's (four wheels) and can go much faster.

I prefer it to in-park. First you are guaranteed availability. If you change parks during a day, or even if you leave a park and then return, that is very important. Often all the ECV's may be in use, or when they are returned Disney will not re-rent unless the batteries are fully charged.

If staying in a "monorail hotel" those hotels, the Magic Kingdom and Epcot are very easy. The other parks and Downtown Disney would be available by bus; almost all of the Disney buses are lift or ramp equipped and the drivers are getting better.

If at Yacht, Beach, Boardwalk, Swan or Dolphin the boats to Epcot and Studio are easily accessible; buses for anything else.

Another consideration is that if you go to a non-Disney park the ECV can be broken down and taken in the taxicab (or other vehicle's) trunk and you will have it there.