May need to rent a scooter... need support

[ttintagel]

Yeah, sometimes there are looks that say "you are slowing me up" but there has always been a helping hand volunteering when I have needed one. One of the nicest acts of kindness in a CS queue was from family with young child with cancer.

A million times this - that one silly woman was drowned out by the multitudes of kind people who held doors, helped me with my crutches, gave me a hand getting in and out of boats, and were generally just awesome. And those were just the guests; the bus drivers were SO patient and helpful!

 

[POOHsie]

A million times this - that one silly woman was drowned out by the multitudes of kind people who held doors, helped me with my crutches, gave me a hand getting in and out of boats, and were generally just awesome. And those were just the guests; the bus drivers were SO patient and helpful!

It's the truth!

 

[FoxyGranny]

The scooter will enhance your Disney experience . The issue is preserving your energy by using the scooter.

Your health issues, additional walking requirements in Disney, and hot Florida sun will zap you otherwise.

So rent and enjoy your time at WDW

 

[yankeepenny]

Dear OP,




just remember: Regarding the nasty folks and comments, Karma will find them. She always does.

have a great time.

 

[nanadeb]

I found that having my cane with me when I used my ecv at Disney World made a lot of difference in how I was perceived. I saw people give other people of size with ecv's "the look", but then see that my cane was folded up in my basket and quickly do the "I don't see anyone with a handicap," eye swivel!
Having the cane clearly in sight can be your anxiety reducer because it shows the mobility need for the ecv. Most people just don't go out and buy a cane just for looks or to get sympathy. Having the cane with you shows that you plan on walking when you can, but you need the help the ecv gives you.
An ecv or a disability is not a mark of shame. It's a way of saying that you are going to live life no matter what.

 

[ppony]

I just wanted to thank everyone one of you again. I actually started looking into renting them today. Despite my exercising, the pain isn't getting better, and I just can't see the typical 10 miles walked a day at the parks possible when I can't walk half a block without crying in pain. I WILL bring my cane, and thanks for reminding me. I keep it in the car but forget it wen I have my son and the stroller. It's funny, I bought it 10 years ago for my dad at an art fair. Beautifully colored wood and turned in an ice cream cone-like twist. Sadly, it was too short for him and is oddly GREAT for me! Good! It was $100. It'll be very helpful when I don't have anything else to lean on or sit in.
We just went to a local theme park this past week and the experience was degrading and shaming. I didn't rent a scooter, I had my son's stroller and just sat, a LOT. But sadly, I had to get off of 2 rides because I was too big. It was humiliating to be in a car and have to get out. THANK GOD for Disney where we can feel more part of our family.

As you know, I've never rented before. We always rent a car. What experiences do people have w/ that and having a scooter? I'm not actually sure what I weigh as my eating disorder counselors don't like me to know right now. But I did catch a glimpse when I had to be weighed when I was having those heart tests and I'm below 325, but not by much I don't think. Any advice? Will having one and a car/van be OK or hard?

Again, I'm SO blessed that you guys have such kind hearts. THANK YOU for sharing them w/ me.

 

[Gilrond]

I'm so glad you decided to rent an ECV. You will be able to do so much more.

The ECVs that can be disassembled and transported in trunk of a car would not be the size that you need. All others would require an accessible van or a mounted carrier (not sure you can get that as a rental car feature). If you are staying on site, using Disney transport would the easiest. A helpful Disney bus driver beats the do it yourself in and out of a van unless you were experienced.

Choose an ECV that will be comfortable for you - I use a small one to go distances at work but would really not want to spend long periods of time in the not very padded seat. Also, the closer a person is to the weight limit, the less time the batteries will last without recharging (my only "stranded" experience was near my office). You can request one with a cane holder.

I hope you and your family have a wonderful vacation.

 

[tomato]

Oh, please please please do not give it a second thought. Rent the scooter and go enjoy yourself! I was in a similar head space to you and ended up having one of the most enjoyable trips using a scooter!

Two years ago I injured my knee the night before we left for our trip. I never told my family and decided I would just suck it up and deal with it. Then on our very first ride (the Matterhorn), I twisted it again and made it worse. I came off that ride in tears and then broke down and told them I couldn't handle walking the park for the next 5 days. I told them they should go on without me and I would just hang out at the hotel for five days.

They were having none of that and said they'd rent me a wheelchair. It was beastly hot and I didn't want anyone pushing me for five days and exhausting themselves.

That night in my hotel room I came here to the Disboards and said I was so worried about the stigma attached to riding on a scooter. I'm a big girl and I figured everyone would look at me and say, "Lazy!! Too lazy to walk on her own two feet!"

Everyone here changed my mind and assured me that I needn't worry about it. For my family's sake, if nothing else, I should rent the scooter.

So I did. And guess what? It was an amazing trip and we all had an amazing time. If anyone looked down their nose at me, I didn't notice or care. I was grinning from ear to ear.

My kids called me Lightening McQueen and loved the fact that not only could I keep up with my family of power walkers, sometimes I actually got there before them!

One major bonus: a big basket to carry everyone's stuff so no one had a hot and heavy backpack on them. Plus I was much more comfortable in the heat because you actually get a bit of wind blowing at you when you get up some speed, hahaha!

This coming trip it has already been decided that I will rent a scooter again. I had a terrible winter with two lung infections and I don't have my stamina back yet. I won't hold back my family by making them walk at a snail's pace and stop and wait for me to rest every 10 minutes.

I know this is long already but I want to add ... not everyone has a VISIBLE disability that requires them to need a scooter. I can walk but not for long distances and standing in long lines on top of that would mean I couldn't last a day. It's nobody's business but mine (and my family's). Me being on an ECV doesn't impede or impact anyone else's ride or experience (except it makes my family's experience better instead of me being a liability to them)!

Please go and enjoy it without another second thought.

And my best wishes for your future good health!

 

[nanadeb]

The ECVs that can be disassembled and transported in trunk of a car would not be the size that you need. All others would require an accessible van or a mounted carrier (not sure you can get that as a rental car feature)..

The Pride Victory 9 and 10 are both fairly easy to disassemble and put into the trunk of a large car (plus part in the back seat). I have the Victory 9 myself and know that it will handle your size. More than one of the Orlando scooter rental companies rents these models out. Just ask when you call ahead to reserve a scooter. You usually get a better deal on a multiple day rental. WDW has their preferred companies, but other companies can deliver to other hotels, timeshares, and resorts. HTH

 

[The Hunchback]

Rent the scooter. You will need it.

I am still concerned on who is pushing the baby Stroller. You cannot drive the Scooter and the stroller at the same time. The baby cannot ride on the scooter with you either. Do you have a plan for that?

 

[ppony]

Rent the scooter. You will need it.

I am still concerned on who is pushing the baby Stroller. You cannot drive the Scooter and the stroller at the same time. The baby cannot ride on the scooter with you either. Do you have a plan for that?

Oh for the want of a sidecar. Yep, DH will do it. If there is ever any case where I need to do it, I'll have to park the scooter. I don't see that happening, but we've definitely learned to be flexible and roll w/ what life gives.

 

[ppony]

Just a little update from me and a question. I went to a relatively small art show last weekend and wore a walking boot and used a crutch which at least helped my tendonitis in that heel. While it was good for that, I couldn't even do the whole show. My back killed me. I should have used a cane instead of a crutch. So if anything was telling me I need to do it, that was it. My cardiologist also told me a few days ago that I need to NOT overdo. So I made 2 reservations. One for my 3 day trip in a month and one for Dec..

So these things don't like rain? What do you do?!? Have a poncho to cover it as you rove? Or do you have to sit in cover (which you never know how long that will be) until it's done?

I really appreciate the support. I'm still feeling like a burden to my family and I'm scared of all the comments and looks I'll get. I know my boys will defend me like the knights they are.

 

[nanadeb]

So these things don't like rain? What do you do?!? Have a poncho to cover it as you rove? Or do you have to sit in cover (which you never know how long that will be) until it's done?

You will need to have something plastic to cover the electronics on the tiller of the scooter. A heavy plastic bag will do, and you will still be able to operate the scooter. If it is raining enough that you need to be covered, wear a rain poncho that covers both you and the tiller. Be very careful to make sure that the poncho does not extend over the platform of the scooter. You do not want to have the poncho get caught in the wheels! I usually just tuck the ends of the poncho under my feet to keep all that loose plastic together.
HTH

 

[ratlenhum]

We put a shower cap over the controls. Works like a charm

 

[POOHsie]

I bought a tiller cover (controls and steering areas), but a plastic Walmart bag will cover the controls just as well. Carry a few bags with you, along with a poncho to cover the seat. Have a few extras in case there might be showers more than one day. At WDW, sometimes you have to leave the scooter outdoors to enter a ride (Pirates of the Caribbean, Tower of Terror). Good advice from PP to watch where the bottom of the poncho is, so as not to get it caught in your wheels.

 

[bidnow5]

I bring a few plastic shopping bags to use as covers for the tilled and a poncho that I drape over the back of the seat while riding in the rain

 

[ttintagel]

We put a shower cap over the controls. Works like a charm

Every time we've rented one, the rental company has included a plastic shower cap for the purpose.

 

[shrinkydinky]

I just reserved two scooters from Buena Vista for my sister and I for October. They are going to be a Godsend. We both have mobility and stamina issues. We could not do this vacation without them. I'm not going to feel one bit guilty for using them. I've saved all year for this vacation and really need some fun in my life. I think the mean people are few and far between. Anyone who has ever had a disability or has a family member with a disability will be kind and helpful. Don't ever feel bad that you need help to function in your life.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Don't let the fear of what others will think. What they think is of no significance.


Please do what you NEED to do to maximize your enjoyment of your vacation. My mom first used a scooter when she was 44 after the whole family was willing to refuse to the parks with her. She has a much more enjoyable trip when she surrendered to her needs and she now doesn't to the parks without a scooter.

I have also used one when pregnant after the first day of touring caused me much leg pain and fatigue. If people thought poor of me, I was oblivious to it.

 

[Gamegrl1]

Dear OP - I feel your pain although I have kind of the opposite problem. Try being fairly young and athletic-looking and hopping on one of those things because you have an injured foot (but it's not always been an injury you could see, or something with a bandage, etc.). I worry that people will think "What's SHE doing on a scooter?" Especially when I can walk a little! If I hop up and walk around a bit and then get back on it...ohhh...I just mentally cringe at the thought of someone judging me, but if they only knew I've been in pain all year! I've lost count of the doctor visits, x-rays, blood tests, MRI...ugh ugh ugh!!!!!!!

No one has ever said anything (that I could hear) while I was using a scooter. Ever. Everyone at WDW was so nice and didn't treat me weird for riding on it and yes, I was apprehensive about it. A couple of CM's absolutely fell all over themselves helping me out.

I've had to wear a boot (outside WDW) and the number of nosy, rude, intrusive comments from complete strangers about it just makes me so sick and mad to think of...so I won't think of it. But the most important thing is for you to have a good time and let their problems be their problems. Don't let it ruin your fun or take away from your healing.

Have a terrific trip!

P.S. Re: the issue of rain, the CM's didn't advise me to cover the controls of the ECV. I never thought about it not working and it always worked. Not saying it's not a good idea, though...maybe bring plastic bags and ask when you rent. I will say that having a small towel with you in a plastic bag would be a good idea. If I got off the ECV, parked and came back later after a rainshower, my poncho didn't cover the whole seat so we dried it off with paper towels, which I consider wasteful and wasn't my preference - just didn't want a wet butt! A little towel would be good to dry a wet ECV or wheelchair seat.