New to ECV rental, a few questions

[disney-inspired]

I have rented ECVs multiple times for WDW and I have used both Scooterbug and Gold Mobility.
Hands down - I suggest Gold Mobility all the time as I had two bad experiences with Scooterbug - Scooter died TWICE on two separate visits and that's enough for me.

It's more economical to rent for the duration of your stay from Gold Mobility then to rent daily from the parks and it's with you when you leave the park. That will also prevent you having to wait in line to rent from the parks.
I am a pro now at parking on buses but the drivers are always so kind and helpful if you have any problems.
Driving onto the monorail and skyliner are super easy.

There is usually enough room to park it in a hotel room onsite.

 

[lanejudy]

What do people who stay offsite.
...

They definitely will not be able to make rope drop. What are the chances of a Disney vehicle being sold out mid morning? And if they rent from another company, where is it delivered when staying off site??

Most of the 3rd party vendors will deliver to all/most of the off-WDW resorts and even some vacation home rental communities. It really just depends where they are staying, but call the vendor and ask.

Likelihood of WDW being sold out of 2 ECVs by mid- to late-morning is pretty high. I'd definitely look into an offsite vendor. What will they have for transportation? That could be a challenge, though there are options.

 

[disney-inspired]

What do people who stay offsite.
I have a friend in her late 70’s going end of January with her sister (81) and another friend (80+) who will both need a scooter.

They definitely will not be able to make rope drop. What are the chances of a Disney vehicle being sold out mid morning? And if they rent from another company, where is it delivered when staying off site??

Thanks a bunch in advance!

Do they have a way to transport the ECVs from offsite to the parks? I've never stayed offsite so don't know how their shuttles would work.

 

[CuteAsMinnie]

Most of the 3rd party vendors will deliver to all/most of the off-WDW resorts and even some vacation home rental communities. It really just depends where they are staying, but call the vendor and ask.

Likelihood of WDW being sold out of 2 ECVs by mid- to late-morning is pretty high. I'd definitely look into an offsite vendor. What will they have for transportation? That could be a challenge, though there are options.

Do they have a way to transport the ECVs from offsite to the parks? I've never stayed offsite so don't know how their shuttles would work.

They will be staying at a friends condo in Kissmmee and getting a ride to the parks.
Just two days, MK one and EPCOT the other.

Between this situation and park reservations, tickets, and Geniw+ I really don’t know what to tell them/ guide them and that makes me very sad.

 

[mamabunny]

They will be staying at a friends condo in Kissmmee and getting a ride to the parks.
Just two days, MK one and EPCOT the other.

Between this situation and park reservations, tickets, and Geniw+ I really don’t know what to tell them/ guide them and that makes me very sad.

You make parks reservations after purchasing tickets. Parks reservations are required, but it's not difficult. They can do that through MDE (My Disney Experience).

Genie+ (and LL or "Lightning Lane") are optional. If it's too stressful, just stand in line as usual at the ride or attraction. Literally thousands of people do that every day at WDW; I promise the majority is *not* paying for Genie+.

They (or you, if you are helping them with WDW arrangements) should call a rental vendor. Tell the vendor they want to rent for 2 parks days, and when they want the scooters dropped off/picked up (so there may be a total of 3 days rental, just FYI) Be sure to be honest about the *size* of the humans who will be using the scooters, so that the vendor can bring the appropriate scooter (you don't want a small, lightweight scooter than has a max weight limit of 250 pounds for a 350 pound person - not only will it not work well, especially on ramps/inclines, but the battery will run out *much* faster). Be sure to stress to the vendor that the units need to be able to be transported in the same vehicle (and it helps to know what kind of vehicle they will be using to get to/from the condo). The vendor should be able to recommend the right scooter for your friends.

 

[CuteAsMinnie]

You make parks reservations after purchasing tickets. Parks reservations are required, but it's not difficult. They can do that through MDE (My Disney Experience).

Genie+ (and LL or "Lightning Lane") are optional. If it's too stressful, just stand in line as usual at the ride or attraction. Literally thousands of people do that every day at WDW; I promise the majority is *not* paying for Genie+.

They (or you, if you are helping them with WDW arrangements) should call a rental vendor. Tell the vendor they want to rent for 2 parks days, and when they want the scooters dropped off/picked up (so there may be a total of 3 days rental, just FYI) Be sure to be honest about the *size* of the humans who will be using the scooters, so that the vendor can bring the appropriate scooter (you don't want a small, lightweight scooter than has a max weight limit of 250 pounds for a 350 pound person - not only will it not work well, especially on ramps/inclines, but the battery will run out *much* faster). Be sure to stress to the vendor that the units need to be able to be transported in the same vehicle (and it helps to know what kind of vehicle they will be using to get to/from the condo). The vendor should be able to recommend the right scooter for your friends.

If an outside vendor can drop the scooter off at their condo, how do they get it then into their car? Does it fold up and they lift it into their trunk or backseat? I’m not sure they can do that.
I’m sorry that I have no idea how ppl handle these things. This is their “last chance” to see Disney and I want to try and make it as easy for them as possible. Last night or not.

I really appreciate everyone’s help!

 

[lanejudy]

If an outside vendor can drop the scooter off at their condo, how do they get it then into their car?

There are portable scooters that break-down into maybe 5 pieces and can fit into the trunk of a car. With 2, it may depend on the vehicle. When they contact the vendor, they need to discuss the situation. Type of vehicle, weight of each user, etc.

 

[Simba's Mom]

There are portable scooters that break-down into maybe 5 pieces and can fit into the trunk of a car. With 2, it may depend on the vehicle. When they contact the vendor, they need to discuss the situation. Type of vehicle, weight of each user, etc.

Maybe one of the people is fairly strong, but when we rented a scooter that broke down for transport, it wasn't easy. At home I have a Go-Go Traveler and DH has no problem breaking it down and putting it in the trunk. However, the one at WDW, a Go-Go sport, was heavier, he said. We knew the base was a couple inches bigger, and so that would weigh a little more, but so did the battery. Perhaps they use an extra-special battery. Anyways, see if you can try to break down and lift a Traveler, and if so, bye prepared for the ones at WDW to be a little heavier.

 

[ttintagel]

Nothing too substantial to add; just that we fit two ECVs and three adults comfortably in a Moderate Disney resort room, and two ECVs and two adults very comfortably in a Value resort room. They offered to move out the table and chairs if we needed more room, but it ended up being fine. I wouldn’t have wanted to leave the scooters in the hall and have a million germy little hands all over them.

With the exception of one company that I don’t think is even in business anymore, whenever we had equipment or battery problems they sent someone to take care of it ASAP ( although one time we had to wait for the Magic Kingdom afternoon parade to be over before they could bring us our new equipment back in Adventureland. Rode Aladdin’s magic carpets so many times that day, and had Dole Whips AND Cotrus Swirls. There were a couple of really long days when one member of our parties battery did run out and they had to ask a cast member for the nearest outlet and charge for half an hour before they could make it to the bus stop. But this is a rare occurrence.

 

[CuteAsMinnie]

Maybe one of the people is fairly strong, but when we rented a scooter that broke down for transport, it wasn't easy. At home I have a Go-Go Traveler and DH has no problem breaking it down and putting it in the trunk. However, the one at WDW, a Go-Go sport, was heavier, he said. We knew the base was a couple inches bigger, and so that would weigh a little more, but so did the battery. Perhaps they use an extra-special battery. Anyways, see if you can try to break down and lift a Traveler, and if so, bye prepared for the ones at WDW to be a little heavier.

Thanks for the insight. They are all near or over 80 and doubt they will be able to handle all that.

I think they’re all option is looking to be arrive at the park early and rent one there.??

 

[Genie+]

Thanks for the insight. They are all near or over 80 and doubt they will be able to handle all that.

I think they’re all option is looking to be arrive at the park early and rent one there.??

Yes, I think the best 2 options are either renting at the park, or staying onsite and renting length of stay from Gold Mobility (or other outside company).

How many days do they plan visiting the parks, and which parks? If only a few days, then renting ECV at the parks is the simplest plan when staying offsite. If more than 3 days, I’d compare other options like staying at Pop Century or AoA and renting ECV length of trip. The Skyliner to 2 parks is super easy for scooters, that’s why I’d suggest those value resorts.

Offsite is hard to manage getting 2 scooters to the parks. We did 2 ECVs one trip plus renting a Tahoe to fit them. It added almost $1k to our budget, plus we needed extra time and muscle breaking them up or down at least 4 times each day. It’s much easier to manage ECVs by staying onsite for longer trips.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

Thanks for the insight. They are all near or over 80 and doubt they will be able to handle all that.

I think they’re all option is looking to be arrive at the park early and rent one there.??

even with that plan of early and renting at the parks what will they have as a Plan B if a park is out when they arrive? remember that onsite people will have a head start on day rentals. they will not be able to rent before they can get into park while all onsite guests are bale to enter 1/2 hour ahead of offsite guests to start day. plus park rentals can not go out gates to someone having trouble walking to gate. I would not plan that there will chairs to help someone make it to the gate or back to car at end of day.

 

[mamabunny]

even with that plan of early and renting at the parks what will they have as a Plan B if a park is out when they arrive? remember that onsite people will have a head start on day rentals. they will not be able to rent before they can get into park while all onsite guests are bale to enter 1/2 hour ahead of offsite guests to start day. plus park rentals can not go out gates to someone having trouble walking to gate. I would not plan that there will chairs to help someone make it to the gate or back to car at end of day.

This cannot be emphasized enough.

If the plan is to stay offsite, but rent ECVs onsite at each Park, they will need to be prepared for the possibility that there will be no scooters available when they get to the Parks.

Additionally, only 2 of the 4 Parks currently have Parking Lot Trams - what is their plan for getting from (potentially) a long distance in the parking lot to the front gate of the Park? They will have to walk if there is no Tram available.

 

[kwdw]

Question about last minute planning and scooters. Right now, not expecting to need to rent a scooter. Current plan is that I'll rent in park if needed since some walking is not an issue. BUT - what if on day one I figure out a scooter is really needed every day and at that resort. Can you rent from off-site quickly? Like - a day or two? Recovery is day by day right now - and I could be 100% normal and fine with 5+ miles a day or 40% normal (and 1-2 miles is all I got) by trip time.

 

[ttintagel]

Yes; I’ve even gotten equipment delivered same-day.

 

[Goldelpack]

I've been renting ECV's for many years at WDW and used many vendors. I'll say straight out that GOLD mobility offers the best scooters as far as condition, appearance, accessories,etc. But you have to be there to get it from them directly - as opposed to Scooterbug who drops them off at every resort daily and leaves them with bell services so you can get them anytime and not have to arrange a meeting. For some that's not an issue - for me it's the key factor. I travel with my lightweight portable VIVO scooter but the battery life is good for airports and short trips only. Normally I leave my scooter at the bell service (luggage) room for my length of stay. If my room isn't ready when I arrive I leave everything and take the rental scooter and head off to the parks. If my room is ready, I take my scooter to the room and unpack it and then return to bell service to store that and pick up my rental. It eliminates having to get there to meet someone or get back to return it to someone.
The key difference is really the appearance of the scooters They look more beat up (non GOLD mobility that is) but they run ok and have amazing battery life. I should mention that the SCOOTERAMA one I had on my most recent visit was impossibly slow~ it had 3 major speeds - EXCRUCIATINGLY PAINFULLY SLOW; PAINFULLY SLOW; and OMG SLOW. Since this was during Christmas & New Year's crowds were such that the slow was acceptable to me - or I'd probably have requested a replacement. Then again, if I were a newbie user this would have been perfect. It was also a 4 wheeler and every tire was totally bald. It was slightly faster than the WDW new scooters - but very slightly.
The walks from the bus stops & parking lots are extremely far so having one available makes it doable. Theres also transportation options you can use (aside from WDW busses) that have lifts or ramps for non portable ECVs.

 

[CuteAsMinnie]

Yes, I think the best 2 options are either renting at the park, or staying onsite and renting length of stay from Gold Mobility (or other outside company).

How many days do they plan visiting the parks, and which parks? If only a few days, then renting ECV at the parks is the simplest plan when staying offsite. If more than 3 days, I’d compare other options like staying at Pop Century or AoA and renting ECV length of trip. The Skyliner to 2 parks is super easy for scooters, that’s why I’d suggest those value resorts.

Offsite is hard to manage getting 2 scooters to the parks. We did 2 ECVs one trip plus renting a Tahoe to fit them. It added almost $1k to our budget, plus we needed extra time and muscle breaking them up or down at least 4 times each day. It’s much easier to manage ECVs by staying onsite for longer trips.

even with that plan of early and renting at the parks what will they have as a Plan B if a park is out when they arrive? remember that onsite people will have a head start on day rentals. they will not be able to rent before they can get into park while all onsite guests are bale to enter 1/2 hour ahead of offsite guests to start day. plus park rentals can not go out gates to someone having trouble walking to gate. I would not plan that there will chairs to help someone make it to the gate or back to car at end of day.

This cannot be emphasized enough.

If the plan is to stay offsite, but rent ECVs onsite at each Park, they will need to be prepared for the possibility that there will be no scooters available when they get to the Parks.

Additionally, only 2 of the 4 Parks currently have Parking Lot Trams - what is their plan for getting from (potentially) a long distance in the parking lot to the front gate of the Park? They will have to walk if there is no Tram available.

These are 3 religious sisters from the Midwest. Two of them are 80+ one is just shy of 80 and all with a very long list of medical and mobility issues. They are finding themselves in Kissimmee at a family member’s condo. They thought they could have “one last chance” to see WDW.
Staying onsite is not an option for them.

 

[pryncess527]

These are 3 religious sisters from the Midwest. Two of them are 80+ one is just shy of 80 and all with a very long list of medical and mobility issues. They are finding themselves in Kissimmee at a family member’s condo. They thought they could have “one last chance” to see WDW.
Staying onsite is not an option for them.

Is it just one day?

If the park is out of scooters, perhaps they could call Golds and take the monorail to GF and meet the delivery there?

A multi day trip would be harder. I believe Minnie Vans would work for a scooter or two, but that’s a solution that gets expensive quite quickly.

 

[CuteAsMinnie]

Is it just one day?

If the park is out of scooters, perhaps they could call Golds and take the monorail to GF and meet the delivery there?

A multi day trip would be harder. I believe Minnie Vans would work for a scooter or two, but that’s a solution that gets expensive quite quickly.

One day MK, one day EPCOT

 

[Betty Rohrer]

These are 3 religious sisters from the Midwest. Two of them are 80+ one is just shy of 80 and all with a very long list of medical and mobility issues. They are finding themselves in Kissimmee at a family member’s condo. They thought they could have “one last chance” to see WDW.
Staying onsite is not an option for them.

that will not change the fact that there is a good chance that park will be out of ECVs when they arrive and they will need a plan B. ECVs can not be reserved ahead of arrival at the park that day.