International Gateway to Swan with ECV

[neuend1]

I will be going from the International Gateway to the Swan Hotel using an ECV. There are two paths to choose from:
(1) Past the Beach Club to the Swan
(2) Taking a left across a bridge and passing by the Boardwalk to the Swan

Is one path better than the other when you are riding an ECV?

 

[skelooch]

It's 6 of one half dozen of the other, the distance is almost the same, (3/4 mile) perhaps a 100 yards shorter going past the Boardwalk.
Neither should be a problem with the ECV.

 

[SueM in MN]

If you have any problem going up hills with your ECV, I would choose the route that goes past the Beach Club.
Taking the path that goes past Boardwalk means you have to cross bridges that go over the water twice - once to get from the Beach Club side of the water o the Boardwalk side a little bit after leaving Epcot and again at the end of the lake before crossing over to the Swan side of the water.
The bridges are kind of steep up then down because they have to be high enough for the boats to go thru.

Other than that, either route is fine.

 

[neuend1]

Thanks for the info. I and my nephew will both be using Disney ECVs. I'm not sure how they do on hills. Of course we could either leave the ECVs behind at the International Gateway, take the boat to/from the Swan, and then pick up the ECVs on the way back but with an ECV I will not have to walk (mobility issues for me). Or maybe we could take the ECVs on the boat?

 

[goofy4tink]

You can take ECVs on the boats. THe hills aren't all that huge though....just something to be considered. Your ECVs won't have any issue going up and down them....at least none of the ones I have seen have had any issues!!!
But as mentioned, it is probably better if you go the YC/BC route...it's a little less frantic and hilly.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Thanks for the info. I and my nephew will both be using Disney ECVs. I'm not sure how they do on hills. Of course we could either leave the ECVs behind at the International Gateway, take the boat to/from the Swan, and then pick up the ECVs on the way back but with an ECV I will not have to walk (mobility issues for me). Or maybe we could take the ECVs on the boat?

If you're using Walt Disney World ECVs, you'll have to leave them inside the parks.

See the disABILITIES Board FAQ for information about renting from offsite companies - so you have 24 hour/anywhere availability.

 

[neuend1]

I never thought of that but you are right. So it looks as if are only choice is to leave them on "hold" at the International Gateway and take the boat. Thanks for reminding of that.

 

[jmasgat]

Slightly OT.....Have you thought about renting a scooter from an outside supplier? It may save you money, and has the added advantage of being available for your entire trip....not just park time. Check out the disABILITIES! thread.

Also, here is a link to some updated info on AllEars.

http://allears.net/pl/ecv_faq.htm

 

[neuend1]

I have rented a scooter more than once in the past. The problem is that I am unable to kneel down for assembling/unassembling them. plus they are too heavy for me to lift. Even the battery is a challenge to me. I am 70 years old with mobilty problems, arthritis, and knee problems.

The one time I rented one when I was alone, I found it difficult to get the scooter into the car. So did other people who really weren't that keen about helping me. I will be alone for 1 week of my trip and then will be joined by my 55 year old nephew who has recently hurt his back.

And the cost would be way too much to get two scooters, one for my nephew and one for me.

It is really nice having your own scooter but it doesn't look as if this will be possible this trip. Maybe in the future when I have more able bodied people with me.

 

[kaytieeldr]

WDW ECV rental $45+ per day
Apple* Scooter rental $75 for three days, $135 for seven days ($90/4, $110/5, $125/6)
Unless you're only visiting/renting one day, which isn't how things appear, it's hard to understand how an offsite rental is too expensive.
And with the exception of tge MK>GF>Polynesian launch, ECVs are easily accommodated on all WDW transportation. No need to disassemble or lift anything.

 

[SueM in MN]

Slightly OT.....Have you thought about renting a scooter from an outside supplier? It may save you money, and has the added advantage of being available for your entire trip....not just park time. Check out the disABILITIES! thread.

Also, here is a link to some updated info on AllEars.

http://allears.net/pl/ecv_faq.htm

Just be aware that the AllEars information only lists one of the preferred companies - the one that is their sponsor.

Post 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread is updated with the same information plus lists all the Preferred Companies that rent wheelchairs and ECVs.

You can follow the link in my signature to get to the disABILITIES FAQs thread.

WDW ECV rental $45+ per day
Apple* Scooter rental $75 for three days, $135 for seven days ($90/4, $110/5, $125/6)
Unless you're only visiting/renting one day, which isn't how things appear, it's hard to understand how an offsite rental is too expensive.
And with the exception of tge MK>GF>Polynesian launch, ECVs are easily accommodated on all WDW transportation. No need to disassemble or lift anything.

Yes - if you are staying at an on site WDW resort, you would be able to use all the transportation ( with the example of some of the small MK boats - but those resorts do have other options).

There is more information in the disABILITIES FAQs thread.

 

[neuend1]

WDW ECV rental $45+ per day
Apple* Scooter rental $75 for three days, $135 for seven days ($90/4, $110/5, $125/6)
Unless you're only visiting/renting one day, which isn't how things appear, it's hard to understand how an offsite rental is too expensive.
And with the exception of tge MK>GF>Polynesian launch, ECVs are easily accommodated on all WDW transportation. No need to disassemble or lift anything.

That is a really good price from Apple. I will consider it when my nephew comes. However, we are only renting the scooter when we go to the parks and I am using my Disney Dream Rewards for the scooters. I forgot about that when I said the rental would be too expensive. But it is still something to think about (renting from off-site) for this trip.

I am staying off-site in my timeshare so I would have the problems of getting the scooter into/out of the car. But let me think about that - maybe I could get some help at the timeshare if I paid them

 

[neuend1]

Do you know if any off-site scooter companies rent for only one day?

 

[SueM in MN]

Do you know if any off-site scooter companies rent for only one day?

If you want it for one day and are at Boardwalk, try Buena Vista Scooters. They actually have a site on the Boardwalk where they do rentals. I know the did do one day rentals in the past from that location.

 

[neuend1]

That would be great! We could park at Boardwalk, rent a scooter, go to Epcot, go to Garden Grove, and then go back to Epcot, returning the scooter that night after Illuminations. Perfect!

 

[neuend1]

I just called Buena Vista Scooters. Here is what he told me. The company has a two-day minimum ($63.90). HOWEVER, when I told him what I wanted to do, he came up with a GREAT suggestion. Buena Vista Scooters has a ECV rental place at the Surrey Bike stand (wherever that is). They will rent a scooter for one day (first-come first-served) for $31.95

So now what I need to know is how strict is the Boardwalk on a 3-hour visit pass? I would also like to tour the Boardwalk vendors and such. But I also wanted to go to Epcot. So do they check your car for the pass and what do they do with your car if it is over the 3-hour limit?

 

[NJRRK]

If you valet park it is not a problem.

 

[neuend1]

Do you know what the price is for valet parking at the Boardwalk if you have a handicapped sticker in your car?

 

[SueM in MN]

I just called Buena Vista Scooters. Here is what he told me. The company has a two-day minimum ($63.90). HOWEVER, when I told him what I wanted to do, he came up with a GREAT suggestion. Buena Vista Scooters has a ECV rental place at the Surrey Bike stand (wherever that is). They will rent a scooter for one day (first-come first-served) for $31.95

So now what I need to know is how strict is the Boardwalk on a 3-hour visit pass? I would also like to tour the Boardwalk vendors and such. But I also wanted to go to Epcot. So do they check your car for the pass and what do they do with your car if it is over the 3-hour limit?

Yes - that was where I meant. It is first come, first serve, but I have seen scooters there whenever I have walked past.
If you are reasonably early in the day, it should not be a problem.

If you valet park it is not a problem.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Valet parking is $15, plus $1.80 tax. Plus tip.