New to the scooter life

[SueM in MN]

That is where I have been asked to leave my scooter as well. I wonder if it is because I tell them that yes, I can walk the rest of the way, it could be different for those who can't.

That would make sense if you said you could walk.
We’re never asked if our daughter can walk, but she has a custom manual wheelchair with foot straps. So it is probably obvious she can’t walk.
But, there have been people just ahead or behind us multiple times who were not asked anything.
I wonder if they ask when the disability loading area is already really full. I’ve seen the line there sometimes full all the way from the point where that line breaks off from the main line. Sometimes the wheelchair/ECV parking in the loading area is full too

 

[mmouse50]

At Big Thunder Mountain they will ask you (or should) if you can walk distances - tell them no and instead of being let out with everyone else after the ride you will remain in the car and it will take you back to your scooter entrance.

 

[Selket]

That’s interesting. In all the times we’ve been to the Safari, I’ve never seen anyone with an ECV or wheelchair even talked to at the stroller parking area

I've been asked that as well but it's been awhile. I've also left the ECV there once back when I could walk longer distances and stay on my feet longer.

If it hurts to walk or someone is unsteady, I wouldn't suggest doing it. When it's your first time in an ECV it may not be easy to tell how far the loading/unloading is from where they ask "can you park and walk a bit." Like Navi River I can do that with my cane or someone to help - or Guardians I find very easy. Soarin is ok as well with my cane & MMRR. It's always worse as well if you don't have those lines with rails on each side to offer support and keep people from flying all around you.

If you don't know, I'd just question the CM about exactly where you're going and where the ECV will be when you get out (like can you see the entry to the ride vehicle from your ECV and at the exit see your ECV?

 

[Simba's Mom]

Make sure you know how to put your ECV back in “drive mode”. It happens all the time when we get back to the ECV after an attraction and the CM will have left it in “push” mode. The first time my mom used an ECV she had to ask for help because she didn’t know how to get back in “drive” mode. Now she makes sure she knows where the lever is (usually in the back underneath.

What I did was , one time when I saw a CM doing the switch between "drive mode" and "push mode", I just went over and asked them to teach me how to switch it back and forth, and verified which was which.

And, Sue, thanks so much for the info on all the rides I can now attempt that I couldn't before.

 

[SteveMouse]

It takes between 4 and 7 hours to fully charge a non-lithium scooter battery that has been significantly drained. A 30 minute charge isn't going to do much.

There are NOT a plethora of plugs available in the public areas of Disney's parks.

Most (or at least many) scooters use external battery chargers. They take up significant space. You might rent a locker in the park for the day, but don't forget it at the end of the night.

 

[SteveMouse]

I totally agree with this. I've made the mistake of believing the CM's idea of walking a "short distance", then regretting it. It never occurred to me that I could "take it to the ride car". Is this a possibility at "Journey Into Imagination", "7DMT", "Navi River Rapids", "Tiana's Bayou Adventure", "Kilimanjaro Safari", where else? I have a folding cane, but I sill have balance problems after a few steps.

There are a handful of rides where you cannot take an ecv to ride cars. The People Mover, Pirates, Space Mountain, Buzz Lightyear (correcting a brain/typing disconnect), Haunted Mansion (depending on CM, seemingly) are the key attractions in the MK.

 

[maxiesmom]

There are a handful of rides where you cannot take an ecv to ride cars. The People Mover, Pirates, Space Mountain, Toy Story Midway Mania, Haunted Mansion (depending on CM, seemingly) are the key attractions in the MK.

You can ride your scooter to the boarding area at Toy Story Midway Mania.

 

[SteveMouse]

You can ride your scooter to the boarding area at Toy Story Midway Mania.

Sorry, disconnect between brain and fingers. Buzz Lightyear (which, of course, is in the MK, usually requires transfers to a wheelchair before entering the queue.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

You can ride your scooter to the boarding area at Toy Story Midway Mania.

I have ridden to boarding of Toy Story many times at WDW

 

[Bete]

First, you can practice using a scooter in a grocery store or other store that offers them. This will give you a feel for them. Also, you can go to a local zoo for a day and many have scooter rentals. Then, you can get a real feel for one.

All scooters are not alike. Some scooters have two batteries and so they last longer. Those are usually bigger scooters. You need to conserve battery power, as well. So, when you are watching a parade or fireworks or any show shut your scooter off. We bring our battery charger with us just in case we need to recharge at the parks; you never know. There is a battery meter on the scooter to watch your power level of your battery. Keep an eye on this; so, you don't find yourself without power.

If you rent a scooter at the Disney parks, then you have a little extra protection if the scooter stops working for whatever reasons. You can approach a cast member and they should help you. This happened to us once and the cast member went and got us another scooter. Keep in mind this does take time to do. I would make sure to get the cast member's name if this happens. Outside rentals will do the same, but that even takes longer.

The advantage of renting from an outside scooter rental is that you always have the scooter with you. You are not walking or standing to get to and from the parks.

Often time we would take a break in our day to go back to our resort room. Then, we would do some scooter recharging for a few hours before returning to the parks. Most of the time this meant going to the parks at park opening, then leaving early afternoon for a while and returning for the evening.

Scooters have allowed us to enjoy the parks much better.

 

[KPeterso]

That’s interesting. In all the times we’ve been to the Safari, I’ve never seen anyone with an ECV or wheelchair even talked to at the stroller parking area

We also have been asked at the safari many times to park the scooter in stroller parking. The one time they routed us through the stroller area expecting us to give it up and we came back out the other side and they seemed annoyed. We told them no and that my mom cannot do that walk.

Another one we have run into this at is Rise of the Resistance. When we came out in the stormtrooper room, we were asked if she could walk the rest of the way and give up the scooter. Tried it once and after that said no can do. Need it at least to the cell.

 

[NYCgrrl]

Recently back from my first trip with mobility issues; it was much easier than I imagined and boosted my self confidence.

Rented from an offsite vendor to have the scooter from hotel check into check out which would not be the case if renting from Disney. Disney rentals are only from park to park, basically with no coverage in between. Used Gold Mobility and found them conscientious, timely and knowledgeable.

I do not drive thus found a longggg learning curve . Biggest problem was getting on and off buses and I learned to admit to needing help from the bus operators. My trip only lasted 5 days but by the midpoint I was able to get on and off the bus solo as long as no backwards maneuvering was required.

The average pedestrian is engrossed in their personal bubble so neither horn honking or “Helloooo…” will get their immediate attention so you must be more aware of them than they will be of you.

Should you use a tri or quad cane it will not fit in the given accessory for carrying a cane. This will mean you will need to drive to your table with less moving space than normal. You may want to purchase a cane carrier to increase your independent mobility.

I was impressed with the accessories that were included with my rental: cell phone carrier that attached to the console (invaluable and will purchase same for personal use), cup holder (never used but well placed), cane holder (see above) and disposable rain ponchos. I found the front basket was enough to hold my gear with the running board but was always a minimalist before my stroke; YMMV and an additional rear basket maybe of use. Having read this forum before my vac, I used the hotel shower cap to protect the console and it did a fine job w/o extra material flapping in the wind. Personally, I found the 3 wheel scooters easier to navigate than the 4 wheelers; turning mechanism (radius?) is tighter.

All and all, found using the scooter much more freeing than anticipated and am in fact in the middle of researching a purchase of my own for the next trip.

Not asked but I’m volunteering info so the most annoying part of this trip was navigating the airport. No, not driving just dealing with the bureaucracy. After assurances that someone would meet me terminal curbside didn’t happen and my traveling companion and I had to make it with luggage and manual wheelchair to the not opened yet airline desk. We were fortunate that other early passengers took pity on us but I will never allow myself to be in a similar predicament again. Great when an attendant came on duty 1-1/2 hours after my airport arrival but well I do despise depending on others so there is that.

Have fun and hope you enjoy yourself.

 

[NYCgrrl]

purchased a foldable cane to take to WDW as well.

Was that a single pole or tri or quad? I’m looking for a foldable quad cane. TIA

 

[maxiesmom]

It is one with the 4 little feet on the bottom. It will stand up on its own. Got it off of Amazon.

 

[Simba's Mom]

If that's either a Hurricane, or probably any foldable footed cane, you'll be able to use the cane holder that Gold Mobility supplies. I have two Hurrycanes, need both to walk at all. As some people have found out, the regular quad cane (non-foldable) can't be stored. However I can put both my canes, folded, in the cane holder.