Lots of EVC questions

[tinkerbell_1977]

Hi there,

Well after telling MIL that the average person walks 10 miles a day in the DW parks she has finally said "well this is hard for me but I suppose I will never see those people again and I can go ahead and rent something" Woo hoo step one down. Now I have a bunch of questions:

Randys web site says 60 second take down and will fit in a full size trunk. Anyone ever done this and is this really pretty easy?

Anyone have any problems with then being stollen in the parks?

I know she will not use it on rides. She will be fine standing in line, just not 10 miles a day. Can you park those right along with the stroller or is this a no no?


Thanks in advance!

 

[Carnator]

I don't know much about breaking down the ECV's from Randys, but I can break mine down in about that time so that info sounds correct. I can load it into the trunk of a Chevy Impalla.

Never had one stolen. (Be sure to take the key)

Yes you can park them wih the strollers.

There is also more information if you click on disABILITIES link at the top of the page.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Post #5 of the disABILIITES FAQs deals with cars and ECVs, including a suggested method of teardown and putting back together.

Don't push her (too much) on this, but some of the lines can be very long. And for many lines the queue is not really visible from outside the start. Basically an ECV can be parked where it is out of the way. Just be sure to take the key and don't leave anything in the basket you would not be willing to lose.

 

[Belle1962]

ten miles? 10 miles? TEN MILES

And here I thought at two miles in a day I was doing good. I will never make it (My goal is to be able to walk a smaller park---in a day--not a week)

 

[diberry]

ten miles? 10 miles? TEN MILES

I know it seems incredible but we measured it one time with a pedometer and I know there was a whole thread somewhere about this. 8 - 10 miles per day seems to be average!!

 

[SueM in MN]

I know it seems incredible but we measured it one time with a pedometer and I know there was a whole thread somewhere about this. 8 - 10 miles per day seems to be average!!

I knew I had put a link to a recent thread in the disABILITIES FAQs thread, but even I could not find it.
So, I edited the FAQs thread to include a link in 2 more places; post #2 about renting ECVs and wheelchairs and post #3 with the General links.

 

[mechurchlady]

Stolen ECVs, wheelchairs and strollers: generally people only steal if the item looks just like theirs or if they are so tired, addle brained or harried to notice that they have someone else's property.

You cannot lock anything to fences, posts, railings, benches, etc. CMs can and will bring the bolt cutters and use any other reasonable means to move something that is in a place it is not allowed to be.

The best way to find your stroller, ECV or wheelchair is to make it unique. On a rental you can put a cute t-shirt on the seat back. On the top of a stroller leave a plastic bag that has a coca-cola soaked disposable diaper. Anything that is disgusting or says that that is NOT theirs. I do not recall ever hearing of any thefts off hand but there are those guests who do some crazy things.

Park in the stroller parking area or ask a CM for directions.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

In recent (within the last few months) discussions with owners of two ECV rental locations both said they have never had an ECV stolen at the parks.

 

[lovetoscrap]

The ECV will have a key to start it. You take the key with you when you park it and no one can take it! They would have to push it and it just wouldn't be worth it!

I brought a small carbiner type clip to attach to the key so I could easily slip it onto my lanyard when I got off the scooter and not lose it. It was very easy.


We have done the take down with Randy's scooters. Very easy and he shows you exactly how to do it--he is very patient and will show it to you as many times as you need. If you are worried about take your digital camera with you when he brings it and take photos of each step that you can refer back to. You will probably need 2 people to help lift it unless you are strong!

He offers a scooter that is specifically for "taking apart" but we also disassembled his standard scooter and actually found it easier! I do recommend if you want to take apart that you rent from Randy's since he will show you how to do it. The other companies just drop off the scooter with no instructions.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Just a heads up for those with their own ECV and leaving it outside unattended (while not in a park -and hopefully resort also?- as it doesn't seem to get stolen there); the key is more or less only for the 'safe feeling'. If one knows what one is doing, a person can start any ECV within about 3 seconds and drive off. And no, I'm not talking about the free wheeling, but actually driving with power on but without the original key. Unfortunately, those out and about looking for ECV's tend to know this too simply trick also. (We actually got a problem with teens taking ECV's and joy-riding them, besides some organised crime aimed at stealing ECV's and selling them for big bucks )

So better safe than sorry and don't leave your personal (or rental also, really) unattended in public in every day life outside of WDW.

 

[toocherie]

I brought a small carbiner type clip to attach to the key so I could easily slip it onto my lanyard when I got off the scooter and not lose it. It was very easy.

I actually use one of those stretchy cords they give you at casinos to attach to slot club cards--and attach it to my purse or fanny pack--that way I am sure to take the key with me.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Just a heads up for those with their own ECV and leaving it outside unattended (while not in a park -and hopefully resort also?- as it doesn't seem to get stolen there); the key is more or less only for the 'safe feeling'. If one knows what one is doing, a person can start any ECV within about 3 seconds and drive off. And no, I'm not talking about the free wheeling, but actually driving with power on but without the original key. Unfortunately, those out and about looking for ECV's tend to know this too simply trick also. (We actually got a problem with teens taking ECV's and joy-riding them, besides some organised crime aimed at stealing ECV's and selling them for big bucks )So better safe than sorry and don't leave your personal (or rental also, really) unattended in public in every day life outside of WDW.

I've done three CPs, one of which was in attractions. I went back and picked up shifts there the other two. It is very hard to navigate many lines with an eCV, in fact, in most you will have to transfer to a wheelchair and leave your ECV outside. IN close to three years, I have never had a guest report an ECV stolen. We do have problems with strollers getting mixed up, but never one ECV. It really is pretty safe to leave it, and many times you will have no choice.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

I've done three CPs, one of which was in attractions. I went back and picked up shifts there the other two. It is very hard to navigate many lines with an eCV, in fact, in most you will have to transfer to a wheelchair and leave your ECV outside. IN close to three years, I have never had a guest report an ECV stolen. We do have problems with strollers getting mixed up, but never one ECV. It really is pretty safe to leave it, and many times you will have no choice.

I know about the possibilities and impossibilities of ECV's and lines. I've used an ECV myself for years, so I am just a tad bit knowledgable about it's usage.

I think you might want to read my posting again. Nowhere did I state one should be worried about theft while at WDW. I DID post to gets peoples attention to think about leaving their ECV unattended while at OTHER public places. I'm not saying that at those places it will be a sky high risk of getting the ECV stolen, but I am saying 'don't blindly trust the key. It's too easy to drive the ECV without the key. Use common sence when judging whether or not it is wise to leave your ECV unattended at other public places'.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Just a heads up for those with their own ECV and leaving it outside unattended (while not in a park -and hopefully resort also?- as it doesn't seem to get stolen there); the key is more or less only for the 'safe feeling'. If one knows what one is doing, a person can start any ECV within about 3 seconds and drive off. And no, I'm not talking about the free wheeling, but actually driving with power on but without the original key. Unfortunately, those out and about looking for ECV's tend to know this too simply trick also. (We actually got a problem with teens taking ECV's and joy-riding them, besides some organised crime aimed at stealing ECV's and selling them for big bucks )

So better safe than sorry and don't leave your personal (or rental also, really) unattended in public in every day life outside of WDW.

Ah- looking back I missed your parenthetical statement about not in a park or resort. My apologies. I did bring up the lines to help the OP. Even many of the lines that are "ECV accessible" can be very difficult if you are unaccustomed to driving the ECV. We get frequent complainst at Philharmagic about this very issue.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Ah- looking back I missed your parenthetical statement about not in a park or resort. My apologies. I did bring up the lines to help the OP. Even many of the lines that are "ECV accessible" can be very difficult if you are unaccustomed to driving the ECV. We get frequent complainst at Philharmagic about this very issue.

No need for appologies, these things can happen.

Philharmagic? Hmm. Can't say I find the line to be very accomodating for the 'renters' and newbees, but I can think of a number of rides that are worse. Allthough I must admit that I'm not totally 100% up to date with what ride is 'transfer out of ECV into wheelchair' and which is not as I now use a pc.

 

[Momelie]

Allthough I must admit that I'm not totally 100% up to date with what ride is 'transfer out of ECV into wheelchair' and which is not as I now use a pc.

AFAIK, the two that come immediately to mind are Star Tours and Pirates. Especially Pirates! I think that the last time I was at Star Tours they had me go through the cabin and load through the exit door, leaving the scooter at the exit.

Caveat - my scooter is TINY, and much more maneuverable (is that a word?) than a rental could be. Maybe regular sized scooters have to transfer.

 

[SueM in MN]

Here is a list of "must transfer" attractions where guests in motorized vehicles, ECVs, must transfer into an available wheelchair at these attractions:
• Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
• "it's a small world"
• Stitch's Great Escape!™
• The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• Tom Sawyer Island
• Walt Disney World Railroad

• Universe of Energy: "Ellen's Energy Adventure"
• Mexico: El Rio del Tiempo in Mexico
• The Land: Living with the Land

• The Great Movie Ride
• The Magic of Disney Animation

• Affection section in Rafiki's Planet Watch
• Kilimanjaro Safaris
• TriceraTop Spin
For some of them, it would be for the wait in the line (like Pirates). In others, if may be a transfer to a wheelchair if you want to use the handicapped accessible ride car.

 

[HonnyDipp]

I dont mean to sound stupid Sue, but does that mean the attraction or ride will have the wheelchairs there?

 

[Cheshire Figment]

On the following attractions where they say you mist transfer to an available wheelchair I was able to take my ECV all the way to the boarding area and then transfer to a ride vehicle, leaving my ECV parked. Either I got off where I boarded or they moved the ECV to unload:

• Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
• "it's a small world"
• The Magic Carpets of Aladdin

• Mexico: El Rio del Tiempo in Mexico
• The Land: Living with the Land

• The Great Movie Ride
• The Magic of Disney Animation

• Kilimanjaro Safaris
• TriceraTop Spin

 

[SueM in MN]

I dont mean to sound stupid Sue, but does that mean the attraction or ride will have the wheelchairs there?

Yes, and you are not the first to ask.
As was already mentioned, if you have a small size ECV, your ECV may fit into the lines.