New ECV user with questions

[pbrim]

I will be taking a friend to WDW in Sept, a first trip for both of us. She has variable mobility issues, but even when she can walk on her own, it's not for far. Usually her husband pushes her in her manual chair, but he won't be with us. I can get around OK for day to day, but with a bad back and arthritus in feet and knees, I am having increasing difficulty standing or walking for long periods. I am considering renting an ECV for each of us from one of the sources listed on this forum.

She has used store scooters a few times, but I have never used one at all. Are they difficult to drive? Would it be helpful to start using store scooters now to practice?

We are intending to stay at the Animal Kingdom Lodge although arangements are not final. Will the ECV fit through the door of a standard room? Since we can get around the room OK, we don't want to take up a handicapped room if we don't need to.

I have heard that the busses from the resorts to the parks can only carry one ECV at a time. Is that true? That would certainly make getting back and forth a pain.

We will be able to ride standard cars and may even be able to just stand in line if the line is short enough to avoid problems caused by inexpert driving. (We are hoping for short lines in late Sept.) Do we still need to get a GAC if we don't have any problems other than using the ECV?

Any other hints for first time ECV users?

A part of my brain keeps telling me we can just get her a manual chair and I will push her around, but I am afraid that my body isn't as strong as my denial is. I would hate to get there and then be unable to do very much because I hurt so much, and have my friend miss out on things because she is relying on me to be able to push her.

 

[Piper]

First: driving the ecv provided in a store is like driving a tank as compared to a sportscar! If you can navigate in one of those, you can navigate in one rented from off-site.

The ECVs should fit through the door. The problem may come with space to charge them. Bring an extension (I bring a power strip with a long cord.)

The busses have room for 2 ecvs.

There is a LOT of walking at WDW, both at the resorts and the parks. If mobility is a problem---rent an ecv.

You should probably not need a GAC unless there are other issues that need to be addressed.

 

[ireland_nicole]

Hello and Welcome!* I think I can help with some of your questions:

I will be taking a friend to WDW in Sept, a first trip for both of us.* She has variable mobility issues, but even when she can walk on her own, it's not for far.* Usually her husband pushes her in her manual chair, but he won't be with us.* I can get around OK for day to day, but with a bad back and arthritus in feet and knees, I am having increasing difficulty standing or walking for long periods.* I am considering renting an ECV for each of us from one of the sources listed on this forum.


I think this is a great idea!* It will work out a lot cheaper to rent off site, and you would be surprised at the amount of walking required around the resort.* FWIW, it has been posted that it is not uncommon to walk 6-10 miles per day at Disney.* It's not worth enduring your trip in agony if you can enjoy it with some assistance

She has used store scooters a few times, but I have never used one at all.* Are they difficult to drive?* Would it be helpful to start using store scooters now to practice?*
Yes, absolutely it is helpful to practice; keep in mind that the ECV's at Disney will be a lot easier to manuver and use without the basket. Plus, they're a lot smaller.*
We are intending to stay at the Animal Kingdom Lodge although arangements are not final. Will the ECV fit through the door of a standard room?* Since we can get around the room OK, we don't want to take up a handicapped room if we don't need to.You won't need a special room, all the doors are wide enough.* It' doesn't hurt to let them know there will be 2 ECV's in the room, though. Be sure to bring a power strip and extention cord. Some people do find transportation easier, though if they stay in a monorail or Epcot resort.

I have heard that the busses from the resorts to the parks can only carry one ECV at a time.* Is that true?* That would certainly make getting back and forth a pain.

Nope, they carry 2.

We will be able to ride standard cars and may even be able to just stand in line if the line is short enough to avoid problems caused by inexpert driving. (We are hoping for short lines in late Sept.)* Do we still need to get a GAC if we don't have any problems other than using the ECV?

A GAC is for "hidden" or "invisible" disabilities, so the ECV is sufficient. Be very careful about trying to walk the lines, especially for her, because some of those lines are deceptively long- trust me, what ever you do, use the ECV for the Soarin' queue line. You'll thank me later.

Any other hints for first time ECV users?A part of my brain keeps telling me we can just get her a manual chair and I will push her around, but I am afraid that my body isn't as strong as my denial is.* I would hate to get there and then be unable to do very much because I hurt so much, and have my friend miss out on things because she is relying on me to be able to push her.

Like I said, there's no point injuring yourself and just endruing your vacation. Know though, that it can be more exhausting mentally when using an ECV; you have to be constantly aware of people around you, because for some reason, you become invisible to them. Make sure to rest when you need to, and remember to come back and tell us all about your trip!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi and to disABILITIES!

She has used store scooters a few times, but I have never used one at all. Are they difficult to drive? Would it be helpful to start using store scooters now to practice?
Yes. But realize that store ECVs are much clunkier (harder to maneuver) than Disney's, and Disney's are more difficult that the off-site rentals.

We are intending to stay at the Animal Kingdom Lodge although arrangements are not final. Will the ECV fit through the door of a standard room? Since we can get around the room OK, we don't want to take up a handicapped room if we don't need to.
All room doors in all the Resorts are 36 inches wide. The larger of the rental ECVs are only 24 inches wide.

I have heard that the buses from the resorts to the parks can only carry one ECV at a time. Is that true? That would certainly make getting back and forth a pain.
All WDW buses are designed to carry two wheelchairs or ECVs.

We will be able to ride standard cars and may even be able to just stand in line if the line is short enough to avoid problems caused by inexpert driving. (We are hoping for short lines in late Sept.) Do we still need to get a GAC if we don't have any problems other than using the ECV?
You do not need a GAC if you have an ECV, as that signifies that you have mobility/stamina problems. Usually you will be asked if you can transfer. As long as the answer is yes you can park the ECV at the boarding area, it will magically reappear at the unload area. If the line is not "mainstreamed" you will either follow signs or be directed to the correct location by a CM.

Any other hints for first time ECV users?

If you click on where it says "disABILTIES" at the top of this page it will take you to the Index. One of the top items is the "disABILTIES FAQ" which will gives lots of useful information. Post #2 discusses mobility/stamina and suggests rental locations that people here have had experience with.

Or, if you want an easier route, click on the link in my signature.

 

[Bete]

I'll explain some of the uglier side of scootering.

For two scooters to fit in a resort room you may have to move some furniture to do it.

Scooters vary but it will probably take 6 to 8 hours to charge up your scooter everday. If you get a low end model scooter they will have less range of distance. You will need to keep an eye out for your battery charge. If you get low in the park, you will need to find an outlet in the park to get a short charge. If you think this could be a problem make sure you bring your charger with you if it's an off board one.

First, you need to conserve your battery by shutting it off every chance you have to do it at the parks. It doesn't need to be on when your seeing a show, for example.

Some ride queues have a lot of twists and turns; so, be careful and go slow through them. Make sure you keep your distance from those ahead of you.

Elevators can be hard to get on and off. I would hold the elevator for the first scooter to get in and then that first scooter driver should get off and hold the elevator for the next scooter if both scooters can fit at the same time. You don't want the doors closing up on you at the wrong time. Usually, two scooters will not have a straight shot into the elevator; one will have to move over a bit. I strongly suggest going into reverse getting on; so, you can drive forward getting off. You may have to use two, separate elevators. I would not recommend going on an elevator with people in it already.

People will get in your way. You need to be very observant of all conditions around you. Disney parks are way more crowded than a store. Adults, as well as, children are much more excited and distracted at a Disney park. Sometimes like for fireworks and such it's best to wait and let everyone clear out some before proceeding out yourself.

At Magic Kingdom and Disney Hollywood Studios there are curbs and you don't want to ride a curb up or down with your scooter. You will need to find the paths that the wheelchairs and strollers use to go with your scooter.

There are a lot more positives using a scooter than there are negatives. I just want you to be aware of the harder side of using a scooter.

 

[pbrim]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I tried to do some walking this weekend, and it became very clear that I am going to need an ECV, whether I like the idea or not. Oh, well, the point is this is supposed to be fun, not an endurance run.