Off site ECV questions

[lolcow]

I'm coming to Orlando the first time in May and I'm very exciting. Obviously, we will be doing Disney and universal but we want to do other things in the area as well. It looks like it might be more cost effective for me to rent an off site ECV and get a bigger rental car to accommodate it. I have a couple of questions please.

I've looked the recommended rental people which was very helpful but I'm a bit worried. Some of them say charge lasts 6 hours but also, that it would last all day in the park? On Magic Kingdom day, we are likely to be there for the entire duration of opening hours. I don't want to run out!

Second Q; is there any advantage to a 3 wheeler? I am 5ft 4 and an average weight, so don't need a heavy duty one. I'm keen on a lightweight scooter.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Starwind]

I have spent open to close at a park with an off-site rented ECV. Although the power level at the end was lower than at the start, it still had plenty of "juice" left. Only once did I manage to get it into the warning zone, and even then just so.

The key with the ECV is to:

(1) make sure you fully charge it overnight -- I plug it in and let it go all night and unplug shortly before we are leaving with it in the morning;

(2) TURN IT OFF whenever you are sitting for any length of time, or when you park it to walk to something. So, sitting for the fireworks ? TURN IT OFF. Waiting in line for an ADR ? Turn it off. You just have to turn the key. When you are leaving it for any period of time take the key with you -- if I step off the thing, the key comes with me.

Another thing I do, which works for me most but not all of the time: since I can walk some distance, if I am doing good I will park the ECV at a central location in an area and then walk to the few rides nearby. So, e.g. I can park in the wheelchair/ECV parking area at the bottom of the Tommorrowland Transport Authority and go up and do the TTA, then walk over to do Buzz and Stitch. then I get back on the ECV and move over to the next area (e.g. to go eat at Cosmic Ray's). If I am having a bad time, I ride to each ride and make the decision to park it or ride through the accessible line. Parking it for a bit (and of course turnign it off and taking the key with you) will also save battery power.

SW

 

[lolcow]

Thanks for the tips. I think I'm going to go with Walker Mobility. They are the most cost effective.

 

[Bete]

Scooter batteries differ depending on the age of a battery. If you get a newer battery it will hold a better charge. There's no way to really know that you have a new battery. The older the battery the more likely it doesn't hold a full charge. For normal use most of the scooter batteries will be fine. There isn't a great difference between an older and newer battery, but there is a difference.

There is a mid size scooter called the Pride Victory. It comes with 2 batteries. For long days at the park this is a better choice. It's a portable travel scooter. It weighs more, but comes apart like the smaller ones.

A scooter battery will last longer if you shut it off at shows, parades, fireworks and so forth. Also, some do not take the scooter in ride lines and that will help to conserve battery power.

Take the battery charger with you to the parks. If you have to do an emergency charge you will be ready for one. Keep in mind this takes a while to do. You will need to find a park outlet. Some top off their battery while they eat. This is not recommended because you do ruin the battery to a degree doing this.

 

[lolcow]

Thanks for the tips. They have been helpful.