off site stay / ecv / questions

[LindaBabe]

Help. I'm making myself crazy. I would like to go to Florida for the month of January, I'll be driving down, and I have a budget for lodging that will cover a month in a rented villa, or two weeks in a value Disney resort. My dh will not be with me, if he was, I wouldn't have the problem.

I have some mobility issues and for the last half dozen years have used an rental ecv from an off site vendor at the world.

The ecv would fit in my van for the off site stay, and I think I could valet at a resort to have the valets take it out of the van but . . . I can't figure out how to charge it at the off site villa. I can't manage to get it in and out of the van, even in pieces.

Park rental ecvs require long walks, are expensive, and not very maneuverable. I could not afford to rent one more than one or two days a week at most.

Do I have to choose between a shorter 'on property' vacation with restaurant meals and an ecv or an off site villa with home cooked meals and limited park access - or are there options I'm not seeing?

Thanks for your advice.

 

[ElizabethB]

When we last rented from Walker's, we requested a scooter that has a battery that can be removed from the scooter and charged. That way, we could leave the scooter assembled in the van and simply bring the battery into the villa for charging.

Also -- will you be going to the parks? If so, how are you going to lift the ECV out of the van at the parks. You're correct that the valets will help at the resorts. But, I'm not sure how you'll manage at the parks if you park in the parking lot. I guess you can ask people nearby to help you when you park it. But, when you return to your car, there is often no one around to help.

I would suggest you check out the Travelscoot at travelscoot.com. I just bought my mom one. It's great. With the L-Ion battery the entire thing weighs only 30 pounds. Any single piece weighs only 5-10 pounds. You could easily handle it on your own.

We took the Travelscoot on a cruise and it was so easy. You just can't be wheel-chair bound to use one. You have to be able to walk a little. It doesn't have a reverse function so you have to be able to use your legs occasionally -- like in an elevator. It sounds like you can walk a little, so it would be fine for you.

I understand your wish to stay off-site, have the comforts of home and some home-cooked meals. With a Travelscoot, you could do it!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

One thing you can do is go to a mobility adapter location near where you live and see if you can get a ramp for your van which will allow you to drive the eCV into and out of the van. Note that you would probably not be seated in the ECV at the time but use the lever from on the side.

 

[SueM in MN]

If you check out the disABILITIES FAQs thread, in post #2, there are links to rental companies for ECVs, but there are also some links to places that rent portable ramps. Check with one of those companies, but also check with a local company, like Cheshire Figment mentioned. You may be able to rent a ramp locally for less money and you may be able to try it out before going so that you know it will work for you.

 

[LindaBabe]

Thank you! I hadn't thought of any of these ideas!

 

[Belle1962]

ALso--don't give up hope for onsite. January probably wil have codes come out--if you don't already--watch the Disney Resort code board here or mousesavers.com for any deals on rooms. You may be surprised. Although the idea of more room to relax and strectch out in (plus havinga fredige handy for drinks and such) sounds great for that long of a stay.

(insert green eyed monster smilie here)--a MONTH at Disney? I am sooooooo jealous!!! Enjoy your trip.