In Park vs. Offsite ECV Rentals

[whgrn]

I'm sure this has been asked before, but I couldn't find it.

I will need an ECV in the parks for sure. We are staying offsite, and will either drive to WDW and park, or take the hotel shuttle.

I keep reading that the ECVs from the offsite renters are lighter and smaller. Just how heavy are these things? We will have a minivan, so we could fit it in the back I'd think, but I don't know if the shuttle would accommodate it. I can walk, but I just can't do all the long distances. I can probably handle the hotel, but we will also be at DTD and the space center, where the ECV could be very helpful.

I am hoping that someone here can help me figure out which way will work better for me. I just don't want an offsite rental to become a hassle as far as getting back and forth.

TIA!!

 

[mrmagicmph]

Whether staying onsite or off, I would strongly recommend renting from an off-site ECV firm. Last year for my hunnymoon, I rented an ECV from Walker and could NOT have been more pleased with having done so. We were staying at BC and the hotel was more than large enough on its own to have taken far too much out of me to really be able to enjoy myself. & don't forget, that's without having to walk from BC to the International Gateway to get into Epcot.

You'll have a hard time predicting exactly when you might or might not need the extra help of the ECV if you're not in the parks themselves, but, you probably WILL find a need for it at some point. Additionally, the ECV's at the parks DO at times sell out. Bad thing to find out after you've gone to all the trouble of getting there.

Rent from off site, choose a good company, be prepared to drive to the parks (not sure whether or not your resort's shuttle will be able to handle the ECV either), and save yourself hassle & discomfort.

Enjoy the Magic!

 

[RNMOM]

The scooters break down into 5-7 pieces. Mine is a heavy duty scooter and my heaviest piece is 48#. It is the rear wheel assembly. The batteries each weigh 25#. The front piece with the floor and tiller is the lightest but most akward to move. My DH can disassemble and put it in our trunk on his own, I can not. Guess that is partly why I need it, right? My dream is to get a minivan with a lift to put it in the back in one piece.

Look on the website of the place you want to rent and it should show you photos of the scooter broken down and usually tell you how much it weighs.

I can put my LeisureLift/Pacesaver Espree in my Camry trunk.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

My ECV is a former rental. It breaks down into five parts (seat, 2 battery packs, motor/rear wheel assemby, everything else). The seat is about 10 punds, the battery packs about 25 each and the other two are a little less than 40 pounds each, so you are looking at a total of 135-140 pounds.

If you click on where it says "disABILTIES" at the top of this page it will take you to the Index. One of the top items is the "disABILTIES FAQ" which will gives lots of useful information, including where people rent ECVs and also information about taking them apart and putting them together.