Need a scooter

[minniqt7]

We will be in need of a scooter rental this trip for DD mum inlaw. What is a good reliable place to rent one at a decent weekly price?. I KNOW you guys KNOW!!!! Thanks!!!

 

[disneynutz]

I would post over at the disABILITIES! board for current info.

Bill

 

[Tiki Sean]

I am a TA and I recommend Apple Scooters

 

[DVC Mike]

Disney has selected five ECV rental companies as approved vendors. This means these companies are the only companies allowed to drop off rentals at the front desk/bell stand of a Disney resort for them to be held for guests. Guests using these approved companies will also be allowed to return their rentals to their resort's front desk when they check out. Not having to be present during drop off or pick up is an advantage of using a vendor on Disney’s approved list.

Another advantage of using an approved vendor is that if your ECV breaks down, an approved vendor can enter the park and deal with it.

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

Vendors that are not on Disney’s approved ECV vendor list must arrange specific meeting times with their customers and deliver the rental in person. Likewise, when the rental is completed, the guest must make arrangements to deliver the scooter to the company. Disney will not provide a courtesy hold/storage for vendors not on the approved list.

Most vendors provide delivery and pickup at your resort hotel free of charge.

Walker Mobility is one of the best known of the vendors not on the approved list.

 

[chris springer]

Used apple scooter for our trip last year for my dad. They were terrific had an issue with a scooter and they replace without hesitation. Fully charged and waiting for us when we arrived as promised.

 

[jekjones1558]

Before we bought our own scooter, we also rented from Apple and had excellent experience. We found them to have the best price also.
https://applescooter.com

 

[SpaceMountain77]

We have now used Apple Scooters on three occasions. Although we have been pleased with their customer service, the condition of our rental got progressively worse with each subsequent trip. In May, our rental was exchanged three times because of wheel and steering issues. Later this month, we will be giving Best Price Mobility a try.

 

[5Dreamers]

We rented from Buena Vista Scooters last fall for my MIL and she was pleased.
They offered a DVC discount.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

We've used Care Medical in the past for various items including a scooter rental and been pleased. They actually had a special for the scooter at the time we went. You probably want to check prices with the vendors. I'd recommend using one of the preferred vendors just to make it easier since you don't have any in particular you prefer.

 

[ccigliano]

Before my dad's knee replacement surgery we always rented from Apple Scooter and their customer service was great. When the battery died in the park and wouldn't accept a charge they came with a new battery and met us at the front of the park in 20 minutes. I would definitely use them again if we should ever need a scooter.

 

[deedisneydream97]

I'll be using Walker Mobility for an upcoming trip with my mother-in-law. We are staying off property (boo hoo) so it is not a big deal....Walker will leave it at an area in the lobby of the place we are staying. And although I said we would need it through a Friday night for pick up on Saturday, they said they won't charge for Saturday. We also added the sun canopy for an additional $20. I think the total is $185 for a Saturday to Friday. I know they will drop off at Disney resorts, but as a PP said, I think you have to be there to accept delivery. They also claim to be able to get a replacement to you at the parks.....don't want to even think about it breaking down!!! I have heard good things about them and I do like the style compared to some others I've seen. Mominlaw is going to tool around the resort first to get the hang of it.

 

[nordkin]

I have rented from Apple Scooter many times,but rented from Buena Vista last time after a horrible experience with Apple the time before. I had a battery replaced that would not hold a charge, scooter replaced due to a broken seat, and the over all condition of the scooter was terrible. Apple responded promptly, but I got tired of dealing with them and taking so much of my time out of a 3 day trip. Buena Vista was a breath of fresh air. Scooter was in perfect condition and had no issues. I am using them again in October.

 

[dayvewc]

I have used AA Tourist Rental for most of my trips. They have excellent service and are very easy to work with. Yes, you do have to meet them to accept delivery and return the scooter to them, but they have always been there at the arranged time. Plus, at drop-off, they will answer any questions you might have about the operation and/or breakdown for transportation (if I'm not using Disney transportation, I'll haul it in my car. Useful for trips to US or SW) of the scooters. While I have not checked rates recently, when I have checked they have always been the best dollar value.

The 2 trips I used someone else (I don't want to say names, but they are one of the preferred vendors) I had problem after problem after problem. From lack of communication when arranging the rental initially, to accidentally cancelled rentals, to getting scooters that broke down multiple times during the trip. Suffice to say that I have no intention of ever using that particular agency again, preferred or not.

 

[Shanti]

I have used AA Tourist Rental for most of my trips. They have excellent service and are very easy to work with. Yes, you do have to meet them to accept delivery and return the scooter to them, but they have always been there at the arranged time. Plus, at drop-off, they will answer any questions you might have about the operation and/or breakdown for transportation (if I'm not using Disney transportation, I'll haul it in my car. Useful for trips to US or SW) of the scooters. While I have not checked rates recently, when I have checked they have always been the best dollar value.

The 2 trips I used someone else (I don't want to say names, but they are one of the preferred vendors) I had problem after problem after problem. From lack of communication when arranging the rental initially, to accidentally cancelled rentals, to getting scooters that broke down multiple times during the trip. Suffice to say that I have no intention of ever using that particular agency again, preferred or not.

Could you maybe give initials? First initial? I'm searching for a good ECV for my mother, & its frustrating to read an informative report like yours & not be able to tell which vendor it is about.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I have used Apple, Buena Vista and the ones from Disney. Disney's never broke down or needed a new battery during the use time. Both the others did. I have new knees and do not need to rent one now.

Bobbi

 

[bluecruiser]

I've used Buena Vista scooters twice and never had any troubles.

 

[dayvewc]

Could you maybe give initials? First initial? I'm searching for a good ECV for my mother, & its frustrating to read an informative report like yours & not be able to tell which vendor it is about.

@Shanti

The first trip that I rented a scooter on was the week between Christmas and New Years, and we rented from Disney. It may have been the fact that it was Christmas, but every day in the park we had to contact a Cast Member to help push one of the scooters to the front of the park b/c the battery died.

That was also the trip that the "preferred" agency had communication and canceled reservation issues. When I called in September and made the arrangements for the scooter, I told them we would be staying (this was also the trip I took my parents - my mother has wanted to go to Disney since before I was born) at a hotel in Downtown Orlando. I was assured that even though the booking agent could not find the hotel name, they delivered to "all the downtown hotels". I called back over Thanksgiving break to verify about the reservation, since the charge had not drafted against my bank account, and was supposed to have been charged at least 4 weeks in advance. Again, I was assured that the reservation was good, that they would have the scooter waiting for us when we arrived, they just had not processed the charge due to how busy the season was.

The day we left to drive down (Dec 26), about 4 hours into the 19 hour drive, I received a call that the reservation had been canceled because the agent taking the booking thought that when I said "Downtown Orlando" I had meant "Downtown Disney", and they did not deliver to hotels outside of the Disney geographic area. I argued that they had contracted to deliver the scooters and should be obligated to fulfill the contract. I even offered to pay additional for a delivery charge, but was told that they were canceling the reservation, and the contract, and I had no option since they had not yet and would not charged my account since they were unable (unwilling) to fulfill their commitment. That rep did provide 3 or 4 phone numbers for alternative companies, but none of them had scooters available on such short notice during that time.

When we got back from the trip, I contacted this "preferred" vendor again (and actually even left daily comments with guest relations about the businesses that were being recommended by Disney company) and complained. The response was to provide the same number of scooters (2) for a week, cost-free on my next trip. Which was acceptable. Except ... on my next trip I had to call and get a replacement scooter EVERY SINGLE DAY (ok, so technically not every day, but only because I eventually gave up on getting one that would continue working, and I was tired of losing park time waiting to meet them at my resort) because something was wrong. The charger didn't work on one scooter, then the battery was faulty on the other, then the motor gave out on second one they replaced, then the latch holding the battery cover broke on the first one they replaced, then the seat back broke on the first one they had replaced (for the second time), and when screw holding the handle wouldn't tighten on the second one they had replaced I just bit my lip and dealt with it for the last 3 days of the trip. In my opinion, yes I got the use of 2 scooters free for a week, but if the purpose of the free rental was to encourage me to reconsider using them in the future by showing what a great company they were, they definitely succeeded. I reconsidered ever even having them in consideration as a company I would voluntarily give money to again.

As a matter of principle, since I did accept the offer as recompense for the trouble, I don't actually publish their name. And to be completely honest and fair, on all 5 occasions I called and complained about problems with the scooter they met me and provided a different one. (And if you think that maybe I'm just "too rough" on the scooters, my rentals from AA Tourist have undergone the same usage and have held up much better). I will provide hints, though, as you requested. ;-)

I have used Apple, Buena Vista and the ones from Disney. Disney's never broke down or needed a new battery during the use time. Both the others did. I have new knees and do not need to rent one now.

Bobbi

I've used Buena Vista scooters twice and never had any troubles.

Hope that helps!! Again, I strongly recommend AA Tourist rentals. They are the only one I'll use at this point. If you can't find their number online, message me and I'll send the contact information.

 

[Shanti]

Thanks! These are exactly the kinds of issues that I don't want to happen to my mother. We are stuck with a Disney preferred vendor, though, due to the timing of our trip. Disney's preferred vendor policy stinks.

 

[dayvewc]

Thanks! These are exactly the kinds of issues that I don't want to happen to my mother. We are stuck with a Disney preferred vendor, though, due to the timing of our trip. Disney's preferred vendor policy stinks.

I'm not the one doing the planning for your trip, but if I can be so nosy, what about the timing on your trip requires you to use a preferred vendor? The vendor I use has met me as early as 7 am and as late as 8 pm to hand-off and pick-up the scooter. On my most recent trip, he even waited at the resort for me because the Disney transportation bus I was taking back from the park was running later than I had expected when I set up the meet time. I got off the bus, he met me and he followed me to the front door of AKL and then took the scooter from there while I waited the next 10 minutes for my DME bus to arrive.

If you are flying in with a really late flight, I bet you could set up the meet time early the next morning.

And while I am absolutely devoted to my personal choice on vendors at this point, I would think that any of the vendors that deliver would probably do everything within reason to accommodate you, especially since you would have chosen them over the Disney preferred vendors.

And I absolutely agree, the preferred vendor policy does stink. Though, I can (somewhat) understand Disney wanting to limit the number of vendors that come through as well as not having unlimited storage space for all the scooters. It seems to me like a "no good solution" problem.

 

[Shanti]

I'm not the one doing the planning for your trip, but if I can be so nosy, what about the timing on your trip requires you to use a preferred vendor? The vendor I use has met me as early as 7 am and as late as 8 pm to hand-off and pick-up the scooter. On my most recent trip, he even waited at the resort for me because the Disney transportation bus I was taking back from the park was running later than I had expected when I set up the meet time. I got off the bus, he met me and he followed me to the front door of AKL and then took the scooter from there while I waited the next 10 minutes for my DME bus to arrive.

If you are flying in with a really late flight, I bet you could set up the meet time early the next morning.

And while I am absolutely devoted to my personal choice on vendors at this point, I would think that any of the vendors that deliver would probably do everything within reason to accommodate you, especially since you would have chosen them over the Disney preferred vendors.

And I absolutely agree, the preferred vendor policy does stink. Though, I can (somewhat) understand Disney wanting to limit the number of vendors that come through as well as not having unlimited storage space for all the scooters. It seems to me like a "no good solution" problem.

I'd like it better if Disney charged the guest to store the scooter instead of limiting guest choice to 5 companies (which limits competition and therefore exacerbates quality issues). The extra charge might cut back on excess storage requests, while allowing the guest to choose any vendor.

Our plane is arriving at 8:50pm, and we'll be leaving the resort around 7am to head to MK for a character breakfast the next morning. Our flight out will be the evening of the next day. It's a quick weekend trip (I won't take my son out of school), and that's why I feel added pressure to not have a major scooter malfunction. The off-site vendor that I've seen get the best reviews doesn't drop off before 8am. If your preferred vendor will drop-off a fully-charged scooter at 7am, I might consider using them. Does the drop-off process take about 15 minutes?