Potential first-time ECV user - etiquette and other questions

[ajh88]

We will be going to WDW with my parents the 2nd week of October. My dad will be 60 (though age doesn't matter so much) and even though he has a physically demanding job (farming), he doesn't have much stamina for walking long distances. He has had a couple of orthopedic injuries through the years also.

I guess what I'm getting at is that he doesn't need a wheelchair or scooter at home, but we have considered renting one for him when he joins us at WDW. He will be able to go through lines and walk short distances - like from the monorail to the front of the park. People with experience - do you think it would be better to just rent one at the park? So if he decides he doesn't want/need one, we haven't paid for something he isn't using?

Also, can he park it in the stroller parking areas? I've never paid too much attention to these things in the past...I'm just trying to figure things out beforehand.

TIA for any help!

 

[Bete]

I would try going to a local zoo for a day with him and see how he does with that event. Many zoos rent scooters; so if he needs one that day you can still get one and he can try it out that way. Zoo scooter rentals are reasonable in cost. You could probably do a practice run at a local amusement park, too. It's always a good idea to have some practice time for getting use to a scooter and these events would help. It's harder for most at Disney with a scooter; because, it's much more crowded there.

Disney World will be harder than any other place with regards to walking. You can walk from 6 to 14 miles a day depending how long you will be in the parks. At the end of the day going back to a resort can be tough after a long day in the park. You can help the situation by alternating between rides and shows and eating places. He can rest here and there to recoup from walking especially if he decides against a scooter.

With regards to renting at Disney parks for a scooter the price difference is big compared to off site rentals. If you do some other event ahead of time you may be able to know ahead of time whether he needs one or not for Disney. If he can't stand for longer periods a scooter will help, too. There can be long waits for rides, shows, transportation and so forth. Resorts are large and require some good walking, as well.

I always feel a scooter pays for itself; because, you can last so much longer at the parks.

 

[shellybaxter]

Renting at Disney can be difficult unless you are planning on arriving first thing in the morning and staying at that park all day - not hopping. The parks do run out of scooters, so coming later in the day - or trying to hop to another park in the afternoon can mean no scooter available

 

[Cheshire Figment]

If you click on where it says "disABILTIES" at the top of this page it will take you to the Index. One of the top items is the "disABILTIES FAQ" which will gives lots of useful information, including in Post #2 where people rent ECVs.

Or, if you want an easier route to the FAQs, click on the link in my signature.

 

[Candleshoe]

Also, the cost to rent for (close to a) week can be less than the cost to rent from disney for 2 days. I'm operating off memory here

Check out the price lists from several companies.

If you're staying onsite it's really easy to do with the busses.