looking for advice on scooters

[mackay_j]

we will be in disney from july 1st through 14th - and I know it will be very busy. I have MS and although I am bringing my wheelchair and can walk with a stick for shot distances, I think that it will be too much for my DH too push me arround in the heat, so I am thinking scooter. But can someone who has never used them cope with the crowds at that time of year, I don't want be reponsible for ruining anyone elses trip by running over their toes.

Has anyone who doesn't usually use one hired one over july 4th or eqiv busy time ie xmas - if so how did you do.

 

[SteveMouse]

While it is true the parks are crowded, if you are careful it shouldn't be a problem. Most scooters have a dial that sets a speed limit that limits how fast you can go when you use the throttle (think of it as kind of a gear shift, although it doesn't really change a gear-it's electrical, not mechanical.

In the US, many stores like Walmart will make one available at no charge to store visitors (they do not usually have the dial I referenced).

I am unsure of what takes place in other countries.

-steve

 

[bedogged]

we will be in disney from july 1st through 14th - and I know it will be very busy. I have MS and although I am bringing my wheelchair and can walk with a stick for shot distances, I think that it will be too much for my DH too push me arround in the heat, so I am thinking scooter. But can someone who has never used them cope with the crowds at that time of year, I don't want be reponsible for ruining anyone elses trip by running over their toes.

Has anyone who doesn't usually use one hired one over july 4th or eqiv busy time ie xmas - if so how did you do.

I have never been at the super crowded times, but I have been several times over Memorial Day. If you decide to rent a scooter, think about getting one of the really small ones like the Go Go travel type scooters. The small size and easy maneuverability really help when dealing with crowds. If you are staying onsite, they are easier to load on the buses.

 

[Bete]

by avoiding the more, busy times. Early morning especially early extra magic hour would be time to go. Work your way to the back of the park before opening time to the general public. As the park opens up to the general public do the attractions at the back of the park. You'll have a good half hour in the back area before the general public get there. Late extra magic hours will help. too.

Utilize fastpass. You'll avoid the long ride queues.

As it gets more crowded in the park consider going to the lesser attractions where it won't be so busy.

Some places like the Land Pavillon (where Soarin' is located) in Future World at Epcot I would not attempt with a scooter; unless, you go there first thing. I would prefer to walk and sit when you are tired there. There is a CS eating place in here; so, there will be places to sit. For the Soarin' ride you have to take an elevator with the scooter to get to the ride level. Soarin' has one one of the longest ride queues and I don't think you can make it without a scooter; there are no places to sit as you go on this ride. If you attempt Soarin' I would go during the extra morning hour and make this the first thing you do.

The Lights, Motor and Action attraction in Hollywood Studios is another hard one for the length you must travel. Most scooters will use an elevator again to get to scooter seating. This is probably the worse one for length to travel to see a show.

Another tip would be to get to everything early and leave late. This would follow suit for parades, fireworks, and show attractions.

Disney is always busy, but we have been at all times (including the 4th of July and Xmas day) and we use our scooter basically the same way. You need to be aware of your surroundings. Pay attention to those moving around you before you go on and always yield to a walking pedestrian. I watch for less crowded paths. If the left seems less crowded that's how we go.

 

[mackay_j]

Thanks for the info, I had a bad day yesterday, where walking was more difficult than usual even with my sticks - I fell therefor I am going to try the scooter for sure now. We have done disney quite a bit before I took ill so we do not need to rush about and can take our time. So as recommened I will go in early and will go slow and try stay about less busy areas as the park fills. Luckly 3 out of 4 of us get very sick on simulators (don't ever mention body wars to me even the thought) thus we have no desire to go on Sorin.

 

[bedogged]

Thanks for the info, I had a bad day yesterday, where walking was more difficult than usual even with my sticks - I fell therefor I am going to try the scooter for sure now. We have done disney quite a bit before I took ill so we do not need to rush about and can take our time. So as recommened I will go in early and will go slow and try stay about less busy areas as the park fills. Luckly 3 out of 4 of us get very sick on simulators (don't ever mention body wars to me even the thought) thus we have no desire to go on Sorin.

Be sure to plan for the heat!

 

[bedogged]

Thanks for the info, I had a bad day yesterday, where walking was more difficult than usual even with my sticks - I fell therefor I am going to try the scooter for sure now. We have done disney quite a bit before I took ill so we do not need to rush about and can take our time. So as recommened I will go in early and will go slow and try stay about less busy areas as the park fills. Luckly 3 out of 4 of us get very sick on simulators (don't ever mention body wars to me even the thought) thus we have no desire to go on Sorin.

Be sure to plan for the heat!

 

[ttintagel]

I ended up unexpectedly using a scooter during a busy time. We were there at the end of May/beginning of June, and I broke my foot on the first day.

The only times I really had trouble getting around were getting on and off the boat that goes between POFQ and DTD, and during parade/fireworks times (had to keep tapping the control to go forward an inch, stop, go forward an inch, stop, etc.)

 

[of2dbeach]

My mom used one for the first time. we rented one and did 4 parks in 2 days. The only pain with renting one elsewhere is each time we went to a diffrent park my teen daughter and I had to take it apart and load and unload it. the heaviest part is the batteries. Mom did well untill she had to go on the Monorail from MK to Epcot and nearly went out the other door bring a floppy hat her neck got sun burned pretty bad even when we used sunscreen. she said a clip on fan would of been nice to have but we used a washcloth to cool off and that worked well for us. As far as the setting she had it set to "turtle" and wondered why it went soo slow. then she set it to "rabbit" and almost ran me over. so use caution when changing the setting untill you get used to it. Try it somewhere open first so you wont run anyone over. when she let go of the lever it automaticly stopped. she never ran anyone over either which she was scared of. Maybe it was us walking infront of her yelling crazy old lady on a scooter , let us through please... then she wacked us and begged us to stop,. she ruins all our fun ! You will have a great trip remember sunblock and water LOTS of water! we are in the 80s already . I am 3 hrs from DW