Overnight ECV Charging at POFQ

[Elevationist]

Hoping somebody can advise. I'm a solo traveler, and on my last trip, I had an off-property ECV at Pop. The first night I wrestled it into the room with me, and back out the next morning, but it was an nightmarish ordeal due to not having anybody to hold the room door open. The next night, I noticed LOTS of ECVs parked out at the ends of corridors, where it is more open and there are outlets. I did that for the rest of my trip, as I was only two door downs from one of these areas, and it worked out beautifully.

I'm wondering if I'll encounter similar at POFQ next weekend, or will I be stuck trying to get it in and out of the room on my own again? Also, do you think that the front desk could loan me a door stop on request? That would be an even better solution, but I don't know if anybody has ever asked for one. (I tried a chair at Pop, but that heavy door just laughed at it.)

TIA!

 

[minnie mum]

Why not just bring your own doorstop?

 

[Elevationist]

Why not just bring your own doorstop?

I haven't ruled that out, honestly. They're only about $5-$10. But as it's something I would never need outside of Disney, I'd like to avoid buying one if I can.

(I know $10 doesn't seem like much, but that's a Dole Whip and a Mickey Bar, man! Priorities! )

 

[mamabunny]

Just stayed at POFQ in Feb 2015; while you'll find that the room is certainly larger - and the theming is so perfect! - you will possibly/probably have that same struggle with the door. According to one of our housekeepers on a previous stay, we were supposed to be able to do a "push-lock" thing (by pushing the door all the way open, kind of past the regular opening point) that would hold the door open until you jerk it so that it will close again, but we were never able to get that to happen with any of the doors to our rooms during several stays there. Personally, I have come to regard that as an Urban Legend! LOL

I never saw any outlets that were handy for outside-the-room charging, but admittedly, I wasn't looking for any, either! POFQ is laid out a bit differently than POP; you can see maps here: http://www.portorleans.org/frenchquarter-accommodation.php In fact, that entire website http://www.portorleans.org is an awesome reference for anyone considering a stay at POFQ!

Perhaps take along a rubber doorstop, that you could keep in your purse or the ECV basket? I purchased a couple at Lowe's a few years ago, and as I recall they were well under $5 each, won't take up much space or weight in the suitcase, and might help you to be able to solo-park the ECV inside the room. At POFQ there is plenty of room to park the ECV inside the room, and an outlet behind the table and chairs (although I still always bring along a heavy-duty six foot extension cord) If you are close to the main building, you could also potentially park in several spots in the lobby overnight, where at least there would be CMs around to kind of keep an eye on it for you...

My concerns when people park ECV's outside are that it could cause serious issues - for the rider and other guests - if the building had to be evacuated rapidly for any reason, such as a fire. Additionally, some guests at WDW don't always have "boundaries" or use the best judgement, and so personally, I am not comfortable leaving the device that functions as my legs completely unattended all night. At the Parks, if we leave our ECV's outside a ride, show, or dining venue, there are typically CMs and other Guests to kind of keep an eye on things...

I know that the rentals can be a monster to get in and out of the doors at the Resorts; this last trip, I took my personal scooter (TravelScoot) for the first time, and it was SO much easier; I could make it through the door, and while it wasn't easy or pretty, it was do-able.

 

[Elevationist]

Thanks for the great advice, MamaBunny! I'm really looking forward to my stay at POFQ... Only wish that it was longer this time!

I was really hoping to avoid buying anything else for this trip (on a tight budget this time), but I'm leaning more and more towards just running down to Walmart or Lowe's after work tomorrow and picking up that doorstop. I just was kinda musing and wondering if it's something I could borrow from the front desk... I've already purchased a small fan (because I can't sleep without one) for my WDW travels, then later found out that they have them at the front desk on a first-come-first-serve basis, all you have to do is ask. DOH!

I'm on the portorleans.org site all the time, checking things out! It's a GREAT resource, it makes me wish that there was something out there like it for each resort! And looking at the photos of the room, I'm sure I could make the ECV work inside it. I probably will just suck it up and buy a doorstop to take with me, just to have one less thing to worry about.

 

[Chip_Dale]

I think that you could call hotel maintenance and ask them to deactivate the automatic door closure. The door remains open. You would need to close the door yourself to make sure it is locked.

 

[Elevationist]

I think that you could call hotel maintenance and ask them to deactivate the automatic door closure. The door remains open. You would need to close the door yourself to make sure it is locked.

That's an interesting idea! I wouldn't want to cause that much work or trouble for anybody, though. I do think maybe just bringing my own doorstop may be the best way, as MamaBunny kindly suggested. I guess back to the store I go! lol.

 

[SueM in MN]

I doubt the resort would be able to lend out doorstops. They would have no use for them and would not want to encourage guests to use them.

I agree with the other posters who said you don't want to leave the ECV somewhere where other people could mess with it or it could be in the way.
Also important to know - a few years ago, Disney began a 'preferred vendor' plan for WDW outside ECV and wheelchair rentals. Companies that are on that list can pick up and deliver from Bell Services (see post 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread). Guests need to arrange for pick up and delivery directly with the rental company and need to present for both pick up and delivery.
If you rent from a company not on that list, you must keep it in your room when not in use. If it's found just parked, it will be considered abandoned and the company will be called to get it.

 

[DebbiC]

I have rented offsite for the last five years.
My left leg is paralyzed due to falling off the operating table during hip replacement surgery.

I fell in love with French Quarter after a Friend dared me to stay there, prior I'd only stayed at the Deluxes.
In my opinion French Quarter is the nicest resort on Disney property. It is clean, well appointed and has the best Cast Members, great food court too!

Call the room assigner about five days before your trip and ask for a corner room. The corner room will give you tons of extra space just inside the door to park the ECV & a plug to charge it is right there. I bring a door stop from home to hold the door.

Enjoy your vacation and make lots of magical memories.

 

[ttintagel]

Before you spend $5-10 on a doorstop, check your local dollar store. I've gotten two-pack of them for $1.00 at mine.

I hear you on those heavy, slamming hotel room doors! Sometimes, Ive been able to steer one-handed and hold the door with a cane or crutch.

 

[Tozzie]

if you dont want to buy anything just bring a couple of the cardboard things from a roll of paper towels and flaten them and put a couple together and stick under the door it works in a pinch

 

[Starwind]

I have and highly recommend a Stoppy ( http://www.utrdecorating.com/about_stoppy.php ).

We use it at home (e.g. to hold open garage to house door when bringing in groceries) and it was useful on trips too.

At WDW bell services at both WL and BC used them for holding out room door open when delivering luggage to the room.

One of the things I really like about it is that it doesn't have to be used on teh floor. I put it in the gap between the side of the door and the frame, just above the middle hinge and it works well. And is easy to get out and in with no bending over to the floor.

SW

 

[kaytieeldr]

That's an interesting idea! I wouldn't want to cause that much work or trouble for anybody, though. I do think maybe just bringing my own doorstop may be the best way, as MamaBunny kindly suggested. I guess back to the store I go! lol.

I've had them take a bed apart because it was too high. It seems wasteful to spend money on a tight budget trip when the hotelier has a solution.

 

[mamabunny]

I doubt the resort would be able to lend out doorstops. They would have no use for them and would not want to encourage guests to use them.

I agree with the other posters who said you don't want to leave the ECV somewhere where other people could mess with it or it could be in the way.
Also important to know - a few years ago, Disney began a 'preferred vendor' plan for WDW outside ECV and wheelchair rentals. Companies that are on that list can pick up and deliver from Bell Services (see post 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread). Guests need to arrange for pick up and delivery directly with the rental company and need to present for both pick up and delivery.
If you rent from a company not on that list, you must keep it in your room when not in use. If it's found just parked, it will be considered abandoned and the company will be called to get it.

OK - THIS is interesting. I didn't realize that they would/could consider an ECV to be abandoned - but it's good info to have! We don't want Elevationist to get "towed", so we better figure out this door business!

@Elevationist - I just realized - if you know someone who does woodworking, or has a handy streak to them, you could ask them to cut you a simple doorstop out of scrap wood. Won't cost you anything but gratitude - and they could make it a wee bit longer and a wee bit taller to accommodate any type of door you might encounter!

 

[Micki NJ]

Seems like DebbiC has some good advice based on her actual experience getting in/out of the room solo. Thought I might chime here with an alternative if you would like a possible Plan B.

We rented an ECV on our last stay at POFQ in 2013. We picked it up to the right of the lobby main entrance in this little covered alcove. It is out of the way and seemed like an area no one would be in unless they were picking up or dropping off their ECV. I am wondering if there are outlets in that area and if you could leave it there each night. We saw about half a dozen ECVs there when we got ours, so I gather there are always a few and that would address the 'abandoned' worry. But that assumes you are able to walk to your room from the lobby. Another option might be to park the ECV there, but bring the battery back to your room to charge, but they are a bit heavy.

Just a suggestion. We brought our ECV into the room every night and I held the door for my husband - it was tight because if the angle of the door, but we also forgot to ask for an accessible room.

POFQ is such a great resort - you're going to love it

 

[mamabunny]

@Micki NJ - A couple of years ago, that area by Bell Services (where you picked up and dropped off rental ECVs) would have been the perfect spot to "overnight" an ECV.

But with the new rules in place regarding "approved vendors" - including the enforcement of "abandoned" ECVs - it wouldn't be advisable to leave it there at this time. I would feel so bad if someone tried to leave an ECV there to charge, only to find the next morning that it had been removed/picked up as abandoned.

We were just at POFQ in Feb of this year (2015) and there were ZERO - not a one! - ECVs parked along there.

I don't know what the straw that broke the camel's back was for WDW, but I do know that they are *very* serious about enforcing this new policy.