Need a scooter..

[minnie56]

I have torn 2 Meniscis cartilage in my knee and still want to go with my planned trip in less than 2 weeks. I will scale back my activities but will need a scooter when in the parks at least. They aren't always available though are they? Really don't want anyone to have to puch me in the heat of August!

Any tips?

Thanks!

 

[SueM in MN]

You are correct that they are not always available to rent in the parks - it all depends on how many people rent one before you get there. That can vary a lot, although in general, you should be pretty safe if you get to the park within an hour of opening.
I would suggest you rent one from one of the off-site companies - there are a number of them listed in the disABILITIES FAQs thread near the top of this board (or you can use the link in my signature to get there).

 

[tink15823]

We rented two scooters last trip for my mom and dad and it was great they were at the resort waiting for us. We are going again in Sept and we have rented two more scooter this time for my dh and db both have bad knees . worth the price to know you have one when you need it !

 

[GrammyJudy]

I HAVE RENTED IN THE PARK THE LAST 2 TRIPS BUT HAD NO AVAILABILITY PROBLEM DURING SLOW SEASON. hOWEVER THIS YEAR OR i SHOULD SAY jAN 2011 i WILL RENT OFFSITE FOR 2 REASONS:
1. mUCH LESS $
2. NEED ONE TO GET TO AND FROM THE BUSSES AT THE PARKS...VERY LONG WALK.

 

[minnie56]

That's my worry--I will get to the park and there will be none. I really want to walk tho as best I can as much as I can...might send DD ahead to see if one is avail.

Tks for the help!

 

[Eeyore5]

I would highly recommend renting from an off site company. You will probably need the scooter getting to and from the parks. It is more walking then you would think. I can walk fairly well but not distances due to CP. What I did was use the scooter to and from the parks and in the parks, then walked around my resort to get some exercise in.

 

[minnie56]

Oh I know the walks well...but I really hate the idea of holding people up while I am loaded on and off the buses! I am not taking needing this at all very well can you tell???

 

[peemagg]

I think after one day of trying it without the scooter until you get into the parks, and you will think twice about holding others up. I don't worry about what others think or say. I do what I know (whether I want to admit it or not) I need to do to be comfortable and have a good time.

If you are so against using a scooter on the buses, then this is what I suggest. Try it one or two days with park rentals (if their available), but bring numbers for rental companies with you in case you find that things don't work as well as you might wish it would.

Another thing to think of. If you are using a scooter on buses, you will be guarenteed a place to sit on the bus. Without the scooter, standing room only. Can you do that after a day at the parks, the walk to the bus stop, standing in line while waiting for the bus, standing on the bus, walk back to the resort? Sometimes we just need to swallow our pride and do what we may not want to do to make our trip (or life) better.

 

[minnie56]

You are right--I know. I am pondering my options...

 

[ILoveMyGirls]

I rented one offsite. The place I am renting from says theirs do not stop working in the rain like the ones at DW often do.

 

[GrammyJudy]

Oh I know the walks well...but I really hate the idea of holding people up while I am loaded on and off the buses! I am not taking needing this at all very well can you tell???

I now how you feel I travel with DH< DD and her husband and 3 kids but DD says to get one offsite because she knows it will make my trip sooooo much better. I figure they can go ahead if they want and we can meet at the parks...we use cell phones if we split up and it works fine. Not easy admitting I need it either!

 

[kaytieeldr]

I rented one offsite. The place I am renting from says theirs do not stop working in the rain like the ones at DW often do.

That's an interesting claim. I've never known the WDW ones to stop working in the rain

And to be completely honest, I'd be reluctant to do business with a company that badmouths a competitor's product using a claim that can't be supported. Now if they told you their product is less expensive, easier to navigate, and more convenient (you have access to it outside the parks as well), THOSE would all be selling points to me.

But the ones WDW rents absolutely DO work in the rain. If they didn't, you'd have seas of ECV users stalled everywhere. Do you mind if I ask from what company you're renting?

 

[DisneyWisher]

Minnie I am in the same boat as you. I twisted my knee in mid June after a week of it still hurting (24/7) nonstop hurting, even laying down. I went to ER, they did a cat scan and xray then referred me to ortho but my insurance ran out that month and I can't afford to go. No pity party started new job just have to wait for insurance. ER just said I twisted it. Anyway I went easy on it for 4 weeks. It's hurts to bend, hurts when I've sat for too long or when I'm on my feet too much. I j
have started to go for 30 min walks 3 times a week thinking it might help but I am coming to realization that I need to just go ahead and rent a scooter. I will rent from offsite since it seems so much cheaper and I don't want to burden my family with always having to sit down and relax my knee. Disney's ecv are $50 where most offsite seem to be $25-30. That's a huge difference after 5 days.

Just wanted you to know you are not alone and I hope you have a great trip.

 

[minnie56]

Minnie I am in the same boat as you. I twisted my knee in mid June after a week of it still hurting (24/7) nonstop hurting, even laying down. I went to ER, they did a cat scan and xray then referred me to ortho but my insurance ran out that month and I can't afford to go. No pity party started new job just have to wait for insurance. ER just said I twisted it. Anyway I went easy on it for 4 weeks. It's hurts to bend, hurts when I've sat for too long or when I'm on my feet too much. I j
have started to go for 30 min walks 3 times a week thinking it might help but I am coming to realization that I need to just go ahead and rent a scooter. I will rent from offsite since it seems so much cheaper and I don't want to burden my family with always having to sit down and relax my knee. Disney's ecv are $50 where most offsite seem to be $25-30. That's a huge difference after 5 days.

Just wanted you to know you are not alone and I hope you have a great trip.

Aww thank you...you too!!! Are you taking Ibuprofen? The Hospital in Celebration (this happened in Orlando a few weeks back) put me on 600mg 4x daily which is pretty hefty but it did get the pain under control. I am now taking 200mg 3x daily..and with a cane..can manage ok. For me, bending the knee is better than actually straightening it out. I am going to see an Orthopedic Surgeon to see what next..and I am really hoping no surgery!!

I guess I will suck it up and rent one too...where do they go when in the Hotel? In the Hallway? They would make the room a little tight!

Thanks everyone..I really appreciate all the help. This is oh-so-new to me!!

 

[SueM in MN]

Aww thank you...you too!!! Are you taking Ibuprofen? The Hospital in Celebration (this happened in Orlando a few weeks back) put me on 600mg 4x daily which is pretty hefty but it did get the pain under control. I am now taking 200mg 3x daily..and with a cane..can manage ok. For me, bending the knee is better than actually straightening it out. I am going to see an Orthopedic Surgeon to see what next..and I am really hoping no surgery!!

I guess I will suck it up and rent one too...where do they go when in the Hotel? In the Hallway? They would make the room a little tight!

Thanks everyone..I really appreciate all the help. This is oh-so-new to me!!

Most people do store them in their room.
If you bring an extension cord along it gives a little more flexibility in terms of where you can park it and still charge. If you find your room is a little tight, you can request Housekeeping remove some items for the room.

you generally can’t leave it in the hall for fire safety/evacuation reasons.
Some people have stored the ECV with Bell Services at their resort - ask at the Front Desk or a t Bell Services when you check in.

PS - most scooter instruction books do say to avoid getting the contra wet, so a little rain is OK. Pouring rain is not.
I agree that saying “the others don’t go in the rain, but ours do", does sound a little deceptive. If you find the brand they rent and google for the owner’s manual, you will probably find it says to not get the controller wet.

 

[Eeyore5]

Oh I know the walks well...but I really hate the idea of holding people up while I am loaded on and off the buses! I am not taking needing this at all very well can you tell???

I completely understand not wanting to use an ECV. I have mild cerebral palsy and don't need any assistive device normally. I refused to use an ECV at Disney till I got there and walked 1/2 a day and was in a lot of pain. It took 5 days before I could straighten my legs. When I go this fall, the ECV will be waiting at the resort. I also have arthritis in my hips, knees, and ankles. I don't know how my knee pain compares to yours but on my bad days, grocery shopping is tough. Don't worry about using the ECV. It is worth swallowing your pride so you can enjoy the trip. I wish I had listen before I went last time. It would have saved my 5 days of a lot of pain.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Please ask yourself the following questions. Here are the suggested answers to go with them.

1. Are you disabled (even temporarily)? Yes.

2. Do the people you are traveling with, such as your family, know you are disabled? Yes.

3. Do you expect to meet anyone you know during this trip who may not know you are disabled. Probably No!

4. Do you expect to meet a bunch of people who you will probably never meet again in your life? Probably yes!

5. Is there any reason at all that you should care what these people think about you? Absolutely No!!

6. Will using a wheelchair or ECV make for a better vacation for you and your family? Absolutely YES!