Meeting ECV Company at Resort

[kshark1958]

Walker ecv rental tells me that they can no longer leave equipment with the bell captain anymore and they have to meet us at the WDW resort for drop off and pick up. They say that this is a new WDW policy for all ECV companies. Can anyone shed light on this. In 2014 Apple dropped off the ecv and we left it with the bell captain for pickup on our last day which was so much more convenient.

 

[Chip_Dale]

From Disney web site. The following companies will leave them at bell services. All others you will need to meet them to pick up anddrop off the ECV. These companies pay Disney a fee in order for them to left at bell services.
Disney Featured Providers
In addition to ECV rental locations throughout Walt Disney World Resort, several private companies in the local area also offer ECV rentals, as well as wheelchairs, strollers and other mobility product length-of-stay rentals.

• Best Price Scooters and Strollers: (866) 866-3434
• Apple Scooter: (800) 701-1971
• ScooterBug: (800) 726-8284
• CARE Scooter Rentals: (800) 741-2282
• Buena Vista Scooter Rentals: (866) 484-4797

 

[TheRustyScupper]

new WDW policy for all ECV companies. Can anyone shed light on this.

1) Only APPROVED vendors of vehicle can drop them off at the resort without you PHYSICALLY being present to accept them.
2) All others must meet you for drop-off and pick-up.
3) And, yes, it is inconvenient for guests.
4) But, too many now use ECV's, so Disney saw a way to get more money for outside vendors.
5) Besides, it takes manpower and space to accept the ECV's and store them for guests . . . at drop-off or pick-up.

 

[shoes99]

Walker ecv rental tells me that they can no longer leave equipment with the bell captain anymore and they have to meet us at the WDW resort for drop off and pick up. They say that this is a new WDW policy for all ECV companies. Can anyone shed light on this. In 2014 Apple dropped off the ecv and we left it with the bell captain for pickup on our last day which was so much more convenient.

Apple is a preferred provider, Walker is not. There is a sticky at the top of this page that will explain the preferred providers. This changed over two years ago.

 

[Simba's Mom]

After our mid-October trip, I can give you our first-hand experience with dealing with Walker and having to meet the ECV company rather than just having them drop it off to bell services. This is something I went back and forth in my mind about. I finally decided to go with meeting the company in case I have any questions since I'm a
first time renter. But the way Walker explained it, hopefully it won't be bad. She told me that although there's an hour window, the driver will call me when he's on the way to my resort. So I don't have to sit and wait. After this trip, maybe I'll feel more comfortable with one of the vendors who'll drop off and pick up.

 

[stitchlovestink]

Preferred provider does not necessarily mean "better equipment" or "better service". It just means that they pay a contract fee to WDW for certain "privileges", the major one is being able to drop off and pick up equipment from bell services or luggage assistance (value hotels don't have bell services, they have luggage assistance).
I strongly suggest researching your rental company. Apple gets quite a few bad reviews. No matter how convenient it is to pick up/leave your equipment with Bell Services/Luggage Assistance, if you are renting problematic equipment, it can put a big damper on your vacation.
Good luck!

 

[ladeb59]

Preferred provider does not necessarily mean "better equipment" or "better service". It just means that they pay a contract fee to WDW for certain "privileges", the major one is being able to drop off and pick up equipment from bell services or luggage assistance (value hotels don't have bell services, they have luggage assistance).
I strongly suggest researching your rental company. Apple gets quite a few bad reviews. No matter how convenient it is to pick up/leave your equipment with Bell Services/Luggage Assistance, if you are renting problematic equipment, it can put a big damper on your vacation.
Good luck!

Preferred provider does not necessarily mean "better equipment" or "better service". It just means that they pay a contract fee to WDW for certain "privileges", the major one is being able to drop off and pick up equipment from bell services or luggage assistance (value hotels don't have bell services, they have luggage assistance).
I strongly suggest researching your rental company. Apple gets quite a few bad reviews. No matter how convenient it is to pick up/leave your equipment with Bell Services/Luggage Assistance, if you are renting problematic equipment, it can put a big damper on your vacation.
Good luck!

 

[ladeb59]

I have rented from walker mobility for years and they have been a great company. They will ask you for a preferred drop off time and pick up time. There is usually about an hr window. Granted you have to be present but never found it to be an inconvenience. Prices are great and service has always been great. If you have any issues they will replace scooter or fix whatever the issue is.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I have rented from walker mobility for years and they have been a great company. They will ask you for a preferred drop off time and pick up time. There is usually about an hr window. Granted you have to be present but never found it to be an inconvenience. Prices are great and service has always been great. If you have any issues they will replace scooter or fix whatever the issue is.

I'm so glad to hear that. They already made "brownie points" with me. Their first morning drop off is 8:00-9:00. When I mentioned that I hoped it was close to 8:00 since we wanted to go to breakfast, she offered to do a "courtesy drop-off" the night before and we wouldn't have to pay extra. So if you see someone on a scooter driving over to Epcot from BCV in mid-October for breakfast at France (can't wait for that creme brûlée) that's me!

 

[shoes99]

After our mid-October trip, I can give you our first-hand experience with dealing with Walker and having to meet the ECV company rather than just having them drop it off to bell services. This is something I went back and forth in my mind about. I finally decided to go with meeting the company in case I have any questions since I'm a
first time renter. But the way Walker explained it, hopefully it won't be bad. She told me that although there's an hour window, the driver will call me when he's on the way to my resort. So I don't have to sit and wait. After this trip, maybe I'll feel more comfortable with one of the vendors who'll drop off and pick up.

We have used Walker in the past and they will be flexible. The day that we were returning the ECV we went off property for breakfast with my sis and bil who had a car. Walker called
me from the truck and said that he was in the area of AKL and wanted to know if he could pick up our ECV early. I told him I would be back at AKL in 15 minutes. He waited for us and there
was no problem. We had originally picked up the Walker ECV at the Hyatt Airport and used it on the cruise. It was waiting for us at the Hyatt when we got off the plane.

 

[BeerMe]

We've used Walker too and it is really no problem at all.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Watch for one more thing though. What happens when it is not a Disney preferred provider and you break down in the park. I don't think they can come in and get the scooter. This happened to me and I could not 'walk the scooter ' to the gate. It took hours to get a resolution involving my poor wife manually wheeling it. If this policy has changed I hope so.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Watch for one more thing though. What happens when it is not a Disney preferred provider and you break down in the park. I don't think they can come in and get the scooter. This happened to me and I could not 'walk the scooter ' to the gate. It took hours to get a resolution involving my poor wife manually wheeling it. If this policy has changed I hope so.

I asked specifically this question on the boards, because I was told that ONLY the featured providers could enter the park on another board. Here I was told that's not true, that they all can enter the park. Now, I'm counting on it!

 

[stitchlovestink]

Watch for one more thing though. What happens when it is not a Disney preferred provider and you break down in the park. I don't think they can come in and get the scooter. This happened to me and I could not 'walk the scooter ' to the gate. It took hours to get a resolution involving my poor wife manually wheeling it. If this policy has changed I hope so.

I asked specifically this question on the boards, because I was told that ONLY the featured providers could enter the park on another board. Here I was told that's not true, that they all can enter the park. Now, I'm counting on it!

The difference may be that the preferred vendors are let into the parks as a courtesy (as a business vendor) by Disney as a part of their contract with Disney. And the other providers are allowed into the parks but not as a courtesy. Their employees probably have to use an AP to enter. I would bet that is the difference!!

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

The difference may be that the preferred vendors are let into the parks as a courtesy (as a business vendor) by Disney as a part of their contract with Disney. And the other providers are allowed into the parks but not as a courtesy. Their employees probably have to use an AP to enter. I would bet that is the difference!!

I think that you are right! I had not thought of that reason. Good thinking!

 

[Simba's Mom]

So I called both Disney and Walker, and not surprisingly I got 2 different answers. According to Disney, If my ECV breaks down, I have to go to guest relations so that they'll give Walker permission to enter the park. Walker says they can come right in. I think I'll trust that ECV people have Annual Passes.

 

[kshark1958]

Thanks everyone for the responses to my original post. I am going to stay with Walker since from your responses it sounds like a good and reliable company. Like stitchlovestink posted preferred provider does not mean better equipment and besides Apple has been getting some bad reviews as of late. After our November trip I will make sure I post a review good or bad.

 

[NYCrules]

I agree with the quote below. I have been using Walker Mobility at least twice a year for several years now and delivery/pick up has never been an issue. The preferred vendor thing is just another way Disney adds to their profit, vendors pay to be on that list and has nothing to do with quality, customer service but probably does raise their rental rates to pay off Disney...

I have rented from walker mobility for years and they have been a great company. They will ask you for a preferred drop off time and pick up time. There is usually about an hr window. Granted you have to be present but never found it to be an inconvenience. Prices are great and service has always been great. If you have any issues they will replace scooter or fix whatever the issue is.

 

[SueM in MN]

I agree with the quote below. I have been using Walker Mobility at least twice a year for several years now and delivery/pick up has never been an issue. The preferred vendor thing is just another way Disney adds to their profit, vendors pay to be on that list and has nothing to do with quality, customer service but probably does raise their rental rates to pay off Disney...

There is no payment to be on the list as far as I know from email conversations with some of the 'featured providers', some who chose not to apply (like Randy's) and Disney.

 

[LilyWDW]

So I called both Disney and Walker, and not surprisingly I got 2 different answers. According to Disney, If my ECV breaks down, I have to go to guest relations so that they'll give Walker permission to enter the park. Walker says they can come right in. I think I'll trust that ECV people have Annual Passes.

Didn't know that APs couldn't be used for this sort of thing so my answer no longer works!