If you're thinking of using a scooter...

[Figmificent]

Do it! I was very nervous, both about my ability to get one on a bus and the looks/comments from other people. I won't say I didn't get the looks or comments, but I will say I didn't care because being on the scooter was what allowed me to go on this vacation. I am 28 years old and aside from the large pump strapped around my waist I appear perfectly fine. I could also get up to walk a short distance, and transfer on the bus. The bus was where I got the most comments and looks, mostly because I did not remain seated on the scooter (as you aren't supposed to if you are able to transfer) and that they had to wait for the scooters to load first. I was not terrific at parking it on the bus, but I did not encounter one rude transportation CM. Some were nicer and more helpful than others, but none were rude or mean. All of the attraction CMs I met were terrific. As for shorting wait times, I will say this only occurred for us twice. Most times we waited the equal amount of time or even longer than the regular line. Even when the wait time was shorter, it was only marginally so. We did also play the new sorcerer's of the magic kingdom game, and I will say at least one of the portals is NOT handicap friendly to try to get to. Oh and taking the scooter in the counter service restaurants was an effort in patience. Dealing with other guests was trying many times as they really do just walk right in front of you, I even had a few walk into the side of my scooter! All in all though, I would do it again if it meant I got to enjoy my vacation. So if you are considering renting a scooter to make your vacation more enjoyable or possible, DO IT!

 

[kadesha]

How are the bus lines going? I keep reading conflicting reports that scooters are going through the line and then someone else says they still stop and wait beside the line to load. Can you share your experiences? My husband will be using an ECV for the first time on our upcoming trip. We are nervous about it.

 

[disney david]

Do it! I was very nervous, both about my ability to get one on a bus and the looks/comments from other people. I won't say I didn't get the looks or comments, but I will say I didn't care because being on the scooter was what allowed me to go on this vacation. I am 28 years old and aside from the large pump strapped around my waist I appear perfectly fine. I could also get up to walk a short distance, and transfer on the bus. The bus was where I got the most comments and looks, mostly because I did not remain seated on the scooter (as you aren't supposed to if you are able to transfer) and that they had to wait for the scooters to load first. I was not terrific at parking it on the bus, but I did not encounter one rude transportation CM. Some were nicer and more helpful than others, but none were rude or mean. All of the attraction CMs I met were terrific. As for shorting wait times, I will say this only occurred for us twice. Most times we waited the equal amount of time or even longer than the regular line. Even when the wait time was shorter, it was only marginally so. We did also play the new sorcerer's of the magic kingdom game, and I will say at least one of the portals is NOT handicap friendly to try to get to. Oh and taking the scooter in the counter service restaurants was an effort in patience. Dealing with other guests was trying many times as they really do just walk right in front of you, I even had a few walk into the side of my scooter! All in all though, I would do it again if it meant I got to enjoy my vacation. So if you are considering renting a scooter to make your vacation more enjoyable or possible, DO IT!

Glad you had a good time and didn't have and bus driver I wouldn't worry what other guest say because most of them pay all that money just to complain and say comments tey shouldn't say. If you don't mind which portal was it I thought they all was I am sure Disney will look at and get feed bam. To move things around. They have been putting more signs up by the portals so they will fix it if they know about it.

 

[dclfun]

So glad you had a good trip by using an ECV. Yes, people do make comments and grumble because they have to wait for us to load on the bus and they don't realize we are the last ones off. They are often in the park before we get to the entrance gates. Yes, people do find us invisible and walk into or in front of us. It does make for some frustration. Still, I'm glad you could put those frustrations aside and enjoy yourself!

 

[Figmificent]

We did not visit animal kingdom or any resorts that have a set que line. The only place we encountered the main stream que was at magic kingdom. You got in the regular bus line until you arrived at the handicap gate (clearly marked). It was not ideal but not a huge issue either as we rarely traveled at peak times. At the resorts there was now a white taped area with a handicap symbol for scooters and wheelchairs to line up in which was really nice. If you are traveling at peak times there is usually a CM around who will direct you. EPCOT and DHS was the usual park where they will see you routine

As for the portal, it was the one in the Tortuga restaurant. It was fine when the place was closed but when it was open I could not get in there and I had a tiny scooter!

 

[disney david]

We did not visit animal kingdom or any resorts that have a set que line. The only place we encountered the main stream que was at magic kingdom. You got in the regular bus line until you arrived at the handicap gate (clearly marked). It was not ideal but not a huge issue either as we rarely traveled at peak times. At the resorts there was now a white taped area with a handicap symbol for scooters and wheelchairs to line up in which was really nice. If you are traveling at peak times there is usually a CM around who will direct you. EPCOT and DHS was the usual park where they will see you routine

As for the portal, it was the one in the Tortuga restaurant. It was fine when the place was closed but when it was open I could not get in there and I had a tiny scooter!

Yeah that a weird one when it busy t gets tight with other people I think it one one paper and in meetings sounded like a cool idea but once in operation they will find it will cause problems. That restaurant not always open they only open when needed so know that area always has to be open unless they will not use it I am sure they will add portals. Because now they are facing lots of them having long lines so they come up with shortening the game when it busy ti try to sped it up.

 

[kahpets]

I agree with OP. My mother was in the middle of chemo when we went to WDW couple of years ago. She used an ECV and it was a life saver for us.

The CMs at Disney were wonderful. If you have any questions concerning where to go and how to get there on the ECV just ask a CM. Almost everyone we encountered was able to answer our questions and assist.

Since she was able to walk, we didn’t take the scooter into restaurants or other places where it looked like it may have been difficult to maneuver. She did drive it onto a number of rides where the walk was long or she was tired. She left the scooter when she got on the ride, and the CM’s moved it so it was waiting for her when she exited the ride.

Some people were rude (like the family who stood directly in front of my mother at a parade – we were not in the handicapped area), but many more were kind and considerate.

At times she wanted to walk, and we drove the ECV for her. She was not comfortable driving the ECV onto the bus or monorail, so we took care of the ECV and she walked on.

I’m sure I got some looks when I was driving the ECV or we were switching drivers, but I didn’t notice (I was so stressed and worried about my mother I honestly didn’t care what anyone thought).

I tried to research everything before the trip, and many people said that WDW is not the best place to learn to drive an ECV. I kept telling her she had to practice before we went, and dragged her to Target once and forced her to use an ECV there. It was a nightmare – she almost took out a display. After that experience she did not want to rent an ECV, and said she would not use it if I rented one. I told her this was non-negotiable, and she had to at least try the ECV at Disney. I’m not sure if it was because the ECV we rented was easier to maneuver or if she realized she did not have the strength and stamina to walk, but she did not have any issues with the ECV at Disney (other than when my brother thought it would be funny to set the scooter to the maximum speed – he was 38 at the time ).

 

[kadesha]

I agree with OP. My mother was in the middle of chemo when we went to WDW couple of years ago. She used an ECV and it was a life saver for us.

The CMs at Disney were wonderful. If you have any questions concerning where to go and how to get there on the ECV just ask a CM. Almost everyone we encountered was able to answer our questions and assist.

Since she was able to walk, we didn’t take the scooter into restaurants or other places where it looked like it may have been difficult to maneuver. She did drive it onto a number of rides where the walk was long or she was tired. She left the scooter when she got on the ride, and the CM’s moved it so it was waiting for her when she exited the ride.

Some people were rude (like the family who stood directly in front of my mother at a parade – we were not in the handicapped area), but many more were kind and considerate.

At times she wanted to walk, and we drove the ECV for her. She was not comfortable driving the ECV onto the bus or monorail, so we took care of the ECV and she walked on.

I’m sure I got some looks when I was driving the ECV or we were switching drivers, but I didn’t notice (I was so stressed and worried about my mother I honestly didn’t care what anyone thought).

I tried to research everything before the trip, and many people said that WDW is not the best place to learn to drive an ECV. I kept telling her she had to practice before we went, and dragged her to Target once and forced her to use an ECV there. It was a nightmare – she almost took out a display. After that experience she did not want to rent an ECV, and said she would not use it if I rented one. I told her this was non-negotiable, and she had to at least try the ECV at Disney. I’m not sure if it was because the ECV we rented was easier to maneuver or if she realized she did not have the strength and stamina to walk, but she did not have any issues with the ECV at Disney (other than when my brother thought it would be funny to set the scooter to the maximum speed – he was 38 at the time ).

How often is this possible? Does it depend on the ride or the CM's? Is there a list somewhere of which rides you can do this on?

My husband is able to walk but will probably need his ECV in long lines.

 

[kahpets]

How often is this possible? Does it depend on the ride or the CM's? Is there a list somewhere of which rides you can do this on?

My husband is able to walk but will probably need his ECV in long lines.

I would ask the CM's at each ride what to do - they'll direct you. I believe all (or most) rides have handicap access so you can ride the ECV all the way to where you load for the ride. I know my mother took her ECV into TSM and Test Track, and I saw other ECV's at Soarin. At Test Track, they had a small elevator which a CM took her ECV into and we watched it get moved to the other side of the track so it would be waiting for her when the ride was over.

 

[POOHsie]

I agree with OP. My mother was in the middle of chemo when we went to WDW couple of years ago. She used an ECV and it was a life saver for us.

The CMs at Disney were wonderful. If you have any questions concerning where to go and how to get there on the ECV just ask a CM. Almost everyone we encountered was able to answer our questions and assist.

Since she was able to walk, we didn’t take the scooter into restaurants or other places where it looked like it may have been difficult to maneuver. She did drive it onto a number of rides where the walk was long or she was tired. She left the scooter when she got on the ride, and the CM’s moved it so it was waiting for her when she exited the ride.

Some people were rude (like the family who stood directly in front of my mother at a parade – we were not in the handicapped area), but many more were kind and considerate.

At times she wanted to walk, and we drove the ECV for her. She was not comfortable driving the ECV onto the bus or monorail, so we took care of the ECV and she walked on.

I’m sure I got some looks when I was driving the ECV or we were switching drivers, but I didn’t notice (I was so stressed and worried about my mother I honestly didn’t care what anyone thought).

I tried to research everything before the trip, and many people said that WDW is not the best place to learn to drive an ECV. I kept telling her she had to practice before we went, and dragged her to Target once and forced her to use an ECV there. It was a nightmare – she almost took out a display. After that experience she did not want to rent an ECV, and said she would not use it if I rented one. I told her this was non-negotiable, and she had to at least try the ECV at Disney. I’m not sure if it was because the ECV we rented was easier to maneuver or if she realized she did not have the strength and stamina to walk, but she did not have any issues with the ECV at Disney (other than when my brother thought it would be funny to set the scooter to the maximum speed – he was 38 at the time ).

Before I got my own scooter, I would use in-store scooters. They are huge, especially because of the large basket in front. I, too, almost took out a display at Target. That thing was the largest, clunkiest machine ever invented, and designed by someone with a wicked sense of humor. The rentals you get for WDW are far more streamlined, usually 3-wheeled, so they are very agile and have a great turn radius.

 

[Figmificent]

I tried to learn in target too! BAD idea. I crashed multiple times. My scooter was much easier to maneuver at WDW!

I transfered on almost every ride. I think the only ride I HAD to walk through the que was Pirates and you have to walk onto TTA. They have guidemaps for people with disabilities that will tell you if you can take your ECV to the ride or not, however I found that almost everything was mainstreamed and gave up looking at the map and just asked a CM at the beginning if I was unsure. We also figured if no one stopped me I could take it

 

[kdkbrebel]

I am so glad that you had a good experience. I have been debating the use of a scooter as well. Heres my dilema we are used to doing the world commando style. I was diagnosed with MS last year and I now know that is a thing of the past for me. I have severe foot drop so I have to wear a brace on one leg and my biggest problems from the MS besides that so far are balance and coordination issues (fall several times a day) and of course fatigue. I am also about 50lbs overweight. So I have been so concerned that people are going to think oh shes just using that because she is fat Disney is the happiest place on earth for me and planning a trip is what keeps me going. My family and I realize that this trip will be significantly different for us but we also are thankful we can even go and will gladly make the changes needed for us to continue to enjoy it.

 

[djblu883]

I was forced to use a scooter a few trips back when my back locked up so bad I couldn't stand upright for the first few days of my vacation. We got a scooter and it saved our vacation! The bad thing about them is the braking system! There pretty much isn't one. You coast to a stop. That being said it can be a bit dangerous for those people around you who aren't paying attention to the "bad person who needs the chair". Rude comments abound, rude people were everywhere but I see that more and more reguardless of ECV or not. Just be mindful of the brake systel and take your time, busses are not fun but a necessary evil and enjoy your vacation!

 

[JennyDrake]

I will be back TOMORROW(!!) for another trip with a Sr. and a scooter. We found it worked best at bus stops to ask the CMs that frequently wander the area where we should wait for each bus. IT VARIED. At our resort, SSR, we waited by where the ramp door would open. At parks IT VARIED. We had two other people, so one would stay with the ECV where the ramp would unfold and the other would politely wait in line. That way we had both options covered.