Opinions, PLease About Renting an ECV

[fostrmom2mny]

I have long distance mobility challenges, and learned a long time ago that if I wanted to get the best experiance while at Disney, I need to rent an ECV. Have done this offsite because I'm afraid that they may be rented out at the parks. I am going from 11-7 thru 11-11-2010. I'm trying to decide whether to go ahead and rent offsite, but not sure how early they deliver and how early they pickup. I want to leave the resort early on 11-8 to go to Epcot and don't want to wait around. Our last day I'll be leaving early as well. Any ideas or suggestions? Would it be safe to try to just rent from the parks due to the predicted lower crowd levels. (level 1 or 2 according to another's post) No free dinning. Thanks.

 

[mom3sonstt]

There is a stickie at the top of this forum that gives info on different rental companies.

That said, I have personally only dealt with one - Walkers - I chose them initially because they will deliver the scooter to the resort and leave it with bell services so it will be there when you check in. When you check out you also just leave it with bell services and they will pick it up. I understand there are other companies who will also do this, but Walker was the first one I came across when I was looking. I have used them several times with no significant problems so I never searched any further. I will also be there around the same time as you - arriving on Sunday 7 and leaving Friday the 12th. Our flight is due in around 2:00 so I asked that the scooter be there around that same time (even though I know by the time we land and get to Magic Express - and then to our resort it will be much later than that). I told them I needed it until about 5 on Friday. On a previous trip we sat there on the Magic Express bus for several minutes at the resort waiting to go back to the airport. While we were sitting there I saw the Walker van arrive, they were dropping off one scooter and they picked up mine and another one.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

With the exeption of Randy's which delivers directly, all of the off-site locations will drop the ECV at your Resort Bell Services prior to your arrival and will pick it up after your departure.

 

[mom3sonstt]

I think on my first visit needing an ECV Randy's was the name I came across first. I didn't like the idea of needing to set a time to meet with them so I moved on and found Walker's. I think since "meeting for deliver" was what I encountered first, I assumed that was the standard and was thrilled that another place would jut drop it off for me.

 

[RaySharpton]

Hi, Gerri. It is great to see you again.

I can't be much help since I own my own scooter now, but I would rent offsite if I wanted to be sure about having a scooter.

I have a few thoughts and personal opinions if it might help you make a decision.

1. If I were staying on WDW property at a resort, I would rent offsite so that I could use the WDW transportation. But if I were staying off WDW property and I had to transport the scooter in my car, I would seriously have to think about it.

I wouldn't want to take the scooter out of the car and put it together to use at the parks and then after a long day, disassemble the scooter to put it back in the car again.

2. If I didn't rent offsite, I used to get so disappointed when I arrived at the park and no WDW scooters were available, and I had to wait for someone to return a scooter to rent one.

3. If I didn't rent offsite, and I was staying in a WDW resort; I got very tired walking from the resort room to the bus and walking to the park from the bus and then hoping that there was a scooter available.

4. Most offsite scooters are very simple to use and recharge at night, but if you didn't feel comfortable, then maybe use a company that would deliver your scooter in person and explain everything to you. Otherwise, when you arrive at your WDW resort, the scooter will be waiting for you at bell services at outside of the registration area.

This might be a problem at a WDW resort that is really spread out like CBR, where the registration building may be to far from your room. You might have to think about waiting for a bus to take you closer to you CBR room or just use the scooter and follow the golf cart to your room, or break down your scooter and put it in the golf cart or your car and then put it back together when you get to your CBR room.

But most WDW resorts are really close together and not as spread out as CBR. Don't get me wrong, I love CBR. One of the first things I did when I got a scooter was walk all the way around the CBR lake and up the middle island across the lake.

I have long distance mobility challenges, and learned a long time ago that if I wanted to get the best experience while at Disney, I need to rent an ECV. Have done this offsite because I'm afraid that they may be rented out at the parks. I am going from 11-7 thru 11-11-2010. I'm trying to decide whether to go ahead and rent offsite, but not sure how early they deliver and how early they pickup. I want to leave the resort early on 11-8 to go to Epcot and don't want to wait around. Our last day I'll be leaving early as well. Any ideas or suggestions? Would it be safe to try to just rent from the parks due to the predicted lower crowd levels. (level 1 or 2 according to another's post) No free dinning. Thanks.

5. Call or email the different companies to see how they charge for each day. Most charge for every 24 hours from the time that the scooter is delivered. Some charge for each day used.

6. If you are curious, ask what kind brand and model of scooter that they would be renting you. And then you can do a internet search to see what the scooter looks like, what the width and length of the scooter is, and what the online manual looks like if you have problems or if you want to see how to charge the scooter or if you want to see how to disassemble the scooter.

I don't know if this info helps, but I hope others will chime in and help you decide what you need to know.

 

[SeaSpray]

I've used Walker Mobility several times now, and have never had a problem. They have a half-day rate, but you'd have to go to their web site or call, to find out what it is. I know that if you call them and tell the times that you need the scooter, they will let you know how it can be arranged.

Have a great time!

 

[honeydiane1953]

Hi, Gerri. It is great to see you again.

I can't be much help since I own my own scooter now, but I would rent offsite if I wanted to be sure about having a scooter.

I have a few thoughts and personal opinions if it might help you make a decision.

1. If I were staying on WDW property at a resort, I would rent offsite so that I could use the WDW transportation. But if I were staying off WDW property and I had to transport the scooter in my car, I would seriously have to think about it.

I wouldn't want to take the scooter out of the car and put it together to use at the parks and then after a long day, disassemble the scooter to put it back in the car again.

2. If I didn't rent offsite, I used to get so disappointed when I arrived at the park and no WDW scooters were available, and I had to wait for someone to return a scooter to rent one.

3. If I didn't rent offsite, and I was staying in a WDW resort; I got very tired walking from the resort room to the bus and walking to the park from the bus and then hoping that there was a scooter available.

4. Most offsite scooters are very simple to use and recharge at night, but if you didn't feel comfortable, then maybe use a company that would deliver your scooter in person and explain everything to you. Otherwise, when you arrive at your WDW resort, the scooter will be waiting for you at bell services at outside of the registration area.

This might be a problem at a WDW resort that is really spread out like CBR, where the registration building may be to far from your room. You might have to think about waiting for a bus to take you closer to you CBR room or just use the scooter and follow the golf cart to your room, or break down your scooter and put it in the golf cart or your car and then put it back together when you get to your CBR room.

But most WDW resorts are really close together and not as spread out as CBR. Don't get me wrong, I love CBR. One of the first things I did when I got a scooter was walk all the way around the CBR lake and up the middle island across the lake.



5. Call or email the different companies to see how they charge for each day. Most charge for every 24 hours from the time that the scooter is delivered. Some charge for each day used.

6. If you are curious, ask what kind brand and model of scooter that they would be renting you. And then you can do a internet search to see what the scooter looks like, what the width and length of the scooter is, and what the online manual looks like if you have problems or if you want to see how to charge the scooter or if you want to see how to disassemble the scooter.

I don't know if this info helps, but I hope others will chime in and help you decide what you need to know.

I agree with you. I always rent one from yellow pages when I get down there. They bring it to u within 1 hr and u charge it at nite then the day u leave they pick it up and u do not have to be there.

 

[SueM in MN]

I agree with you. I always rent one from yellow pages when I get down there. They bring it to u within 1 hr and u charge it at nite then the day u leave they pick it up and u do not have to be there.

If you don't want to rent blindly from a company in the yellow pages, you can take along some of the phone numbers from post 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread. Those are companies that have had good feedback over the years from DIS posters.

Randy's does require someone to be there, but that is very good for a new user or someone will be taking it apart and putting it back together for transport. We rented from Randy's a number of years ago and the negotiations for pick up and delivery were fine - it was at a time convenient for us.
Calling ahead assures you will have one. The companies can usually get you one fairly quickly if you call after arriving, but if it's busy and most of theirs are rented out, it's possible you may have to wait a day to get one delivered.

For the OP's question about crowd levels. Because many people with special needs choose to go when it us less crowded, there can sometimes be as much/more demand for the park rental ECVs when the crowds are low.

 

[GrammyJudy]

I am going to rent one in Jan and checking the various companies I see some charge for insurance, as much as $20, and some include it. I think I will try Apple as they are the cheapest, include insurance and will drop off/pickup from bell service.

 

[TyRy]

I am going to rent one in Jan and checking the various companies I see some charge for insurance, as much as $20, and some include it. I think I will try Apple as they are the cheapest, include insurance and will drop off/pickup from bell service.

After going back and forth between Apple and Randy's, I think I might go with Apple as well since they are cheaper. Our trip is in October, so if I do go with them, I'll report back.