Question about ECV and not losing it!

[disneypolybride2008]

If we get an ECV from a company, how do you make sure no one else takes it when you're in a restaurant eating, or on a ride?

Do they have their own key or something?

Also, my dad is debating on whether or not to get one. It is going to be holiday time there for NYE and i just wonder if he'll get frustrated trying to get through the crowds (he has a heart problem-dont want to raiase the blood pressrue) or if just walking slow and taking frequent breaks would be ok. He never used an ECV before.

 

[kimsuenew]

If we get an ECV from a company, how do you make sure no one else takes it when you're in a restaurant eating, or on a ride?

Do they have their own key or something?

Also, my dad is debating on whether or not to get one. It is going to be holiday time there for NYE and i just wonder if he'll get frustrated trying to get through the crowds (he has a heart problem-dont want to raiase the blood pressrue) or if just walking slow and taking frequent breaks would be ok. He never used an ECV before.

Yes, they all have their own key!

The WDW ones all look alike, you have to find the # of yours, but that should not be as much of a problem with outside rentals.

Boy... I would recommend the ECV, the amount of walking from attraction to attraction is alot, you cannot even begin to fathom it until you are immersed in it!

Have fun!

 

[mechurchlady]

Absolutely get a wheelchair or ECV. It might be easier for you to push him in a chair. Use early magical hours if you have them, go early to avoid crowds.

I would use a wheelchair for him. He does not have to use the chair or ECV all the time and can park it and then walk around for a while. It is a long walk from the resort to the bus or from parking to the park entrance. Parks are designed to have a front area with shops then you walk and walk and walk to get to the rides and shows. Epcot does have shows around the front but to see the world section you have to walk like 3 miles around.

Wheelchairs are cheaper and smaller. Easier to navigate in crowds and you can use family to break crowds for you. Take me, lol, fat lady coming through. I use an ECV but you get the picture. Sometimes you have to be aggressive. In his case it might be best to casually stroll and not try to rush to stuff. Follow his lead and when you see him getting anxious or nervous then ease up and find something to do for a while away from crowds.

 

[Angielou1079]

My dad's going to use an ECV when we go for Christmas and we'll be there til January 2nd...and I'm so worried about crowd's, where exactly he can ride it, etc...I mean I know to expect it to be super busy but I've heard stories about how people literally will not move outta someones way...I've made these tags for the kids strollers and dad's ECV....he's a fireman so thats why the dalmations I've just got to add the fire engine picture to it...

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

The company we use puts one of those removal labels with my name and the resort name on it and we have never had anybody bother them. A CM might move them from one location to another, but we still have always been able to find them quickly. We sometimes leave our cooler locked in the basket so we know which one is ours, and mom and I park side by side.

ALWAYS REMEMBER TO TAKE YOUR KEY WITH YOU, IF A CM NEEDS TO MOVE IT, THEY CAN DO IT WITHOUT THE KEY.

Suzanne

 

[disneypolybride2008]

awesome responses! i think i will encourage my dad to get an ECV, and my 80 year old Grandpa as well, he's in good shape but Disney can really take it out of you.

 

[mellers]

Hi! I'm not a frequent poster due to eye problems (only get 10 minutes on the computer now); however I went to Disney World the week before Christmas in my ECV (I have a back injury and I can't walk very well.) I had a marvelous time. I didn't have any trouble--was able to park within my walking range with no problems, and nobody but cast members moved my scooter (although one of them rode it around in circles with a silly grin on his face for a few turns.)

Nobody disturbed it the whole time I was there (1 week). It made the trip possible for me and much more comfortable for others (pushing a wheelchair is HARD!!! I've been on both sides of the chair.)

Have a great time, and don't worry.

 

[SueM in MN]

For movies and theater shows, he can bring it in with him and sit in it during the show. That will avoid him having to walk in some long lines and will also give him a more comfortable seat - many shows have bench seats.
Also, if he stays on it during the wait in line, he will be leaving it in the same area where he boarded.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I have talked to the owner of one of the larger rental companies and he told me that there has never been an ECV stolen at the parks.

Sometimes a CM will put one in freewheel and move it to a better parking area that where it was left.

 

[ElizabethB]

I've rented a scooter for my mom for several WDW and Disneyland trips. We went to Disneyland the day after Thanksgiving and it was very crowded. With crowds that heavy, she found using the ECV to be extremely stressful. She said it was very hard to watch out for everyone and make sure not to hit anyone with sooooo many people. So, when renting an ECV for a Christmas trip, be prepared.

 

[disneypolybride2008]

I've rented a scooter for my mom for several WDW and Disneyland trips. We went to Disneyland the day after Thanksgiving and it was very crowded. With crowds that heavy, she found using the ECV to be extremely stressful. She said it was very hard to watch out for everyone and make sure not to hit anyone with sooooo many people. So, when renting an ECV for a Christmas trip, be prepared.

yes, that is one thing i am worried about. My dad gets easily annoyed and he cant b/c he has heart problems. I would hate to see him trying to drive this for the first time in such a crowded place like Disney.

I told him we can just take it slow and make frequent stops but everyone thinks (my family) that he needs a scooter, BUT they need to keep in mind that it's going to be very crowded.

 

[bopper]

yes, that is one thing i am worried about. My dad gets easily annoyed and he cant b/c he has heart problems. I would hate to see him trying to drive this for the first time in such a crowded place like Disney.

Have him try out some ecv/scooters at your local Walmart/Costco/big box store.

 

[NavyMomX2]

I'll be flying to Orlando on Sat. & decided last Sunday, to get some scooter practice in. DH & I went to Wal-Mart early in the morning. I'm happy to report that I only knocked over a few cans of coffee on a display. I'm sure I'll be nervous the first few hours I'm around crowds at WDW, but I hope to get the hang of dodging crowds quickly.

 

[hematite153]

I have talked to the owner of one of the larger rental companies and he told me that there has never been an ECV stolen at the parks.

That's good to hear.

Since we had a w/c stolen in the MK last Sept. we've been antsy about it all the time. In Jan, my DW kept the w/c ended up choosing to ride at times when she would have preferred to walk because she was afraid the w/c might get stolen. Likewise, she sometimes left the w/c behind altogether even though she should have used it for transit so that she wouldn't feel tied to it.

ECVs seem safer because of the key issue.