Pros and Cons

[kayceeM]

I need to decide whether or not to rent an ECV on site at DW or off site. My husband can walk, he just can't walk the many miles we will cover on the trip without having serious problems once the trip is over.

What are the advantages/disadvantages of renting at the park vs. renting from one of the Orlando vendors?

We are staying at the Wilderness Lodge.
My son is afraid we will have trouble getting a ECV on a bus to get to and from parks and our hotel.
Thanks!

 

[peemagg]

I would rent from off site for two maybe three reasons. 1. It is cheaper than renting from Disney. 2. You have it when ever you need it. There is no guarantee that Disney will have one if you need it when you get to the parks. 3. The ones from off site tend to be a smaller, easier to manuver than Disney's.

I was afraid of loading on the buses too the first time, but found that they weren't bad at all. Just practice backing up and parrallel parking. Don't worry or pay attention to anything except your family and their enjoyment. The rest doesn't count.

 

[SueM in MN]

First, some hints.
Go to a local store like Target, Walmart or a grocery store and practice using one of the store ECVs. Those are very large, bulky and have a cart attached on the front. If you can get comfortable using one of those in a store, using one of the rental ones will be easy - kind of like comparing driving a big gull size van or big truck (the store ones) to a large car or minivan (park rental ones) to a small car (most of the off site rental ones).

Wherever you rent one, take a few mintues to get comfortable with it. Drive straight forward and back, turn in each direction while going forward and in reverse. Try backing into a spot and sort of paralel parking to both sides.
Look over all the controls so you know how to turn the speed up and down, put it in and out of freewheel (so it can be pushed) and turn the seat.

Park rental
Pro
- you don't have to get it to the park
- if you don't need one every day or for every park, you can rent when you need it only

Con
- there is a risk that the park will be out of ECVs. The risk increases the later you get to the park. The risk is pretty low if you get to the park at opening, but you can never be absolutely sure to get one
- if you want to park hop, there may not be an ECV available at the second park
- usually more expensive per day than off site rental
- can't be removed from the park you rented it in

Off site rental
Pro
- smaller and more manouverable ( except for a few heavy duty ones )
- it's available all the time, you can use it at the parks and your resort
- less expensive per day than park rental
- almost all the WDW transportation is accessible (some smaller boats are not)
- if you want to park hop, you can take it with you

Con
- you need to transport it to the park
- you have to plug it in each night to charge it