Question about my sis...

[jakal]

Hi all-

My sister is 36 and has problems walking alot due to systemic lupus. We're off to Disney in awhile and I talked to her about riding in a wheelchair (don't think she's rode in one before). She said she guess she should because if not she wouldn't be able to keep up with us and the kids. If she overdoes it, she's in alot of pain that night. I think that renting an ECV at Disney is the way to go for her as she doesn't need it to get around for short walks (from the tram to the park for example), but will need it for the long haul around the parks.

For anyone who has gone the route of renting at Disney, and not from an offsite place, what have been your experiences regarding availabilty? Has anyone not been able to get one? We are going next week, before Memorial Day Holiday, so I'm hoping we'll miss some of the crowds.

Any thoughts, or tips?

Thanks so much,
Chris

 

[Cheshire Figment]

The ECVs that Disney rents are a bit harder to steer and maneuver than the off-site rentals as they are four wheels rather than three. This can be critical in stores and tight spaces.

Also the off-site have two separate speed controls. Both use a bar which is pushed by the thumb and the more it is pressed the faster the ECV will travel. However, the off-site ones have a second control which allows you to set the maximum speed set by the first. In other words, let's say the maximum on a Disney ECV is 3mph. On an off-site rental when set at "turtle" the maximum speed (full control press) is also 3mph but when the know is set to "rabbit" (full clockwise) the maximum speed on full control press is about 7mph.

The rates are fairly comparable, with Disney charging $30 per day plus a $10 refundable deposit. If you change parks during the day all you have to show is your receipt and then pay another $10 (refundable) deposit. All the off-site rentals are under $200 for a fulll week, and much less (on a daily basis) if rented for more than a week.

HOWEVER, depending on the availability you might not be able to rent an ECV in the afternoon or otherwise late in the day. Normally Disney will not rent out an ECV unless the batteries are fully charged.

Except for special lightweight ECVs, all literature I have seen usually shows a 25 to 30 mile range at maximum rate based on full charge, so normally you will not have to worry about recharging.

An additional advantage to renting off-site is you can also use it at Downtown Disney; they only have wheelchairs available for rent there and I have never seen rental availability at Pleasure Island or West End.

 

[cupcake]

As CheshireFigment noted, the offsite ECVs are significantly easier to manage than the WDW, esp for backing up or tight places, and the price is comparable. I guess it comes down to how risk adverse you are and if you plan on consistently arriving at park opening. If you have someone who can push and are willing to use a wc as a backup, that's different than needing an ECV or being left out in the cold entirely. I have only rented an EVC offsite but rented WDW wcs for years. They can be uncomfortable depending on what you get, and they may not have your ideal wc (ie maybe all they have is the larger one and you need a regular one, or the footrest can't be moved and is too high, etc.). Where are you staying? The WDW resorts (not the Swan/Dolphin) have a limited # of wcs, condition is very variable although I had good luck with this option in terms of getting newer wcs than in the parks (but others here have not had this luck). I found that the EVCs were a piece of cake on monorails & boats and got good at the bus after a test run to figure out how to back up into the strap down area. Frankly, I would rent offsite, whether you go with a wc or a EVC. The convenience of not having to take the EVC on WDW transportation or in your car, in my mind, is far outweighed by the certainty of getting an excellent, comfortable, easy to drive EVC for the same cost. For wcs, esp for someone who is achy to begin with, a long day in a subpar wc isn't ideal, and they are easy to transport yourself. Have fun!!!!

Cupcake