Questions about ECV Rentals/Disabilities in DLR

[hurleysweety]

This might need to be on another thread...but here it goes anyway!

Are there any requirements for getting an ECV? Can anyone offer advice of places that they have rented from? And also, any advice on how to ask my FIL if he would like to get one without him getting offended?

And what does Disney need in order for a person to obtain a special disability pass? FIL has trouble standing for long periods of time and some lines might be a little much for him.

TIA!

 

[disneedee]

we have previously rented from alan's wheelchairs. local company that delivers to the hotel. if you are driving that might be a problem, transporting the unit. there are no physical requirement for renting one. anyone can rent one at disney. getting your fil to agree might be the problem. we had a hard time convincing my dad that everyone would have a better time if he wasn't in pain. that self image thing can be difficult to work with on those proud dads. we have at times used the handicapped lines. but you do not need a pass to do so. the ECV is enough to get you in those lines. however some of those lines can get pretty backed up. i've seen the pirate one clear out the exit door. gather fast passes in the morning. use them in the afternoon. let the group split but make appts for meals and pictures together. my dad loves golden horseshoe so we usually have lunch there one day. very fun and relaxing.

 

[mechurchlady]

The GAC is for guests who have hidden disabilities such as blindness, hard of hearing, and cannot do stairs. You do not need at WDW and DLR the GAC if you use rollators, walkers, wheelchairs, powerchairs, and ECVS.

Rental allows you to go to either park. I have taken the key and left the ECV for them to hold while I went home to care for mom. I use one with a 450 load limit. They give you a brochure telling you where to get onto the ride. Some are exits and some are a seperate entrance and some like Toy Story and Bobsleds are waiting in the regular lines. They will hold for guests for free strollers, canes, walkers, wheelchairs, etc.

The GAC can be gotten at the Guest Service windows outside each park and inside each park. As you enter both are on your left on the outside and inside.

 

[Brady's Mom]

My mom used an ECV when we went in Dec. She rented from Deckert's (a local company) and they delivered it to the hotel and picked it up. It was so much better for her to not have to walk from HoJo to the Park and it was cheaper than renting at DLR. I think she paid under $150 for 6 days and it included pick up and delivery. It was waiting at the hotel when we arrived.

Since she needs to mix up walking, standing and sitting it was a good choice for her. She would park it in a land and would walk to the rides and stand in the lines for a while and then would need to sit down. That's when it was very nice to have the ECV. When we were ready to move to another part of the park - she was ready, too and we didn't have to wait for her to rest up before we could move on.

It made such a difference in our trip - instead of feeling like she couldn't keep up or was holding us back she felt like she could be the leader and we could follow her. I think it could be a good thing if you can present it in a positive way to your FIL. It's all about how you say it. My mom felt more in control and *free* when she used it. HTH

 

[Vala]

Another vote for Deckert's here.

I screwed up my foot in the park last year, and the DLH got me an ECV from them. They were really nice and totally on the ball. The hotel gave them my German cell phone number, and the Deckert's employee calling back for my credit card infor realized the number was foreign and I'd have to pay a fortune if he would call me there. So they called the hotel room instead.

Don't rent in the parks, go with an outside company. The parks are $ 45 per day (plus refundable deposit), and you'll have to get a new one each morning. I had one park ECV one day when we came back after taking a break and it did not get close to the one I had from Deckert's. Also you can only take the park ECV from DLR to DCA and vice versa. They will not let you take the ECV to DTD.

There are no physical requirements, and they won't ask for a drivers license or something like that either. That was my biggest fear seeing I was a German tourist.

I think the strategy Brady's mom suggested might work. An ECV definitely gives you more independence.

After I screwed up the First Aid at Disney gave us a complimentary wheelchair for the day. My friends were like: "Don't worry, we'll push you." I was totally devastated - not only I was keeping them back from what they wanted to do, but it put a lot of physical strain on them as well. They are all more pixie sized why I am very Pooh sized. I was so scared about the idea of getting an ECV. These things are very uncommon in Germany. But in the end I got one to take the pressure of my friends. I did not regret it one moment.

 

[Tasscrapper]

You might mention to FIL that it could be really helpful in carrying stuff around. They generally have basket in the front and with my brothers we also hung a bag from the back of the seat. It was wonderful to not have to worry about carrying stuff and being more willing to bring more food and especially drinks into the parks.

If you are within walking distance I would go with everyone elses advice and get an outside rental.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

My Gma rented an ECV this past (early) Dec. I forget who we used but they delivered it and picked it up from our hotel(s) we did not "use" the ECV to skip any lines. We were there during a slower time so we really didn't have to contend with long lines anyway. She used it to get around the parks and from and to our hotel(s) but she parked it when she rode a ride ~ she even rode IJ (1 time was enough for her)

 

[hurleysweety]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I've talked to DH about this and he said that we'll talk to his parents about it. I told him that if we rent from an outside company than we need to be within walking distance, as well. And I'm not sure that we are . So hopefully when the In-laws visit us this next week we can talk about the options. Also, at that time, I'll be able to judge FIL's ability since he's been hospitalized and see how he is recovering. Lets just hope that the ILs understand what DH and I are telling them and they see that we just want to make sure they have a great time with us!

For those of you who have used an outside rental, is it something that needs to be made in advance? For example, if after the first day FIL is too tired to walk anymore, can we call a company to use one for a day or two? Or would this situation be a time to use just the DLR rental?

Thanks!

 

[DizMe]

We rented one for my mom from Deckert's in Feb. While the company was very easy to deal with, my mom HATED the ECV and we ended up having Deckert's pick it up the same evening. I have to admit that it was very difficult to use--even though the controls went from "tortoise" to "hare," it didn't really appear to have anything but "go" and "stop." It was almost impossible not to hit people, as people are constantly walking in front of you and her vehicle did not have that much maneuverability. She was so stressed by the time we turned it in that I was glad to get rid of it, too. We opted for a wheelchair instead, which worked very well for us. We were staying at GCH though so it was very easy to park it at the CA side entrance and pick it up again when we returned. My mom does not normally need a wheelchair, but she's 77 and it was a necessity to get around in the parks. The wheelchair was $12/day, I believe.

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

DH rented a scooter for me at WDW because of an ankle insury. At the time, I could not have walked from our room to the lobby.

If you need a transportable scooter - try the Pride Revo - I LOVED my "dolly".


Have fun - I did!

I decided if I had to ride it...it would be FUN. Probably would not work for your FIL but others reading might get the idea.

I gave myself a budget of $15.

I picked up some Christmas fabric and made a nice pouch which hung from the back of the seat (for umbrella's, jackets, etc). Next I got some Christmas garland at the dollar store.....a child's bike bell and horn.

When we arrived, I had Dolly all decorated. Even when I would scoot ahead of my DH at night, he always knew where I was from the .....honke-honke of the little plastic bike horn and ....tring-a-ling of the bell.


Seriously, it SAVED the vacation for BOTH of us. There is no need to be in pain. They will deliver it right to the hotel's doorstep.

Go....have a ball...you will be chasing your FIL before the end of the trip while he is doing DONUTS around the planters!

 

[Vala]

For those of you who have used an outside rental, is it something that needs to be made in advance? For example, if after the first day FIL is too tired to walk anymore, can we call a company to use one for a day or two? Or would this situation be a time to use just the DLR rental?

We went during slow season, so they might need a little more time when it's busy. But we got one within an hour, and that was in the evening. I'd think if you call in the afternoon or early evening they'd be able to deliver the ECV the next morning.