Really nervous about an ECV

[disneymom3]

I am going to need to rent one on our trip in a few weeks. I have never used one before and obviously I will need to go practice at Target or something. We are staying at BCV and I am strongly considering renting one off site. I would be able to just bip down the sidewalk to Epcot, go on the boat to DHS, and probably we would just drive to AK and put the chair in the back. I really want to avoid the busses because I am not even good at backing up my car so I don't have a lot of faith in my ability to back onto a bus.

I also worry about crashing into young children. I have kids and I know htey are clueless about watching where they are going. It's not intentional, it's just oblivious.

Would I be better to rent one on site and then not worry about the busses and other transportation? I can definetly walk some. I just have MS and get tired more easily than most people. I really don't know what to do and while I know no one knows my exact situation better than I do, I am hoping I can get some insight.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I would strongly say that you should do the off-site rental. Some of the distances at BVV (such as to the dock to DHS) are very long. Also, I would suggest Epcot as your first park as the walkways are much larger and not as crowded as the other parks.

And I have never backed up onto (or off) a bus, whether using a ramp or a lift I have always entered and left facing forward.

 

[mullertwin]

Don't worry - it will be good! It takes a few minutes of practice and then it will be fine. I know sometimes the buses can be a challenge depending on the bus itself. Most of them have ramps that you go on fowards and go off fowards. On some of the buses that have the unfolding ramp that is more like a lift I've had the CMs tell me to back on them and then I get off forwards. Parallel parking on the bus itself can be challenging but whenever I've had trouble the CM has always been tremendously helpful. I've even had some CMs try really hard to get the lift type bus level (it was a particular issue with that particular bus stop at OKW) so they could board me.

I've also stayed off property with an ECV and can honestly tell you that pulling onto the bus is way more convenient and easier than dismantling the ECV and then having to put all back together again. YMMV

 

[disneymom3]

Okay guys. Thanks for the encouragement. I am really relieved about the not having to back up thing. There is, I am quite sure something about my MS's effect on my brain that I can't reverse what I should do. I mean, backing out of a parking space is fine but backing INTO something, I just can't wrap my brain around. I suppose if I am really stuck, DH can drive it onto the bus for me.

I was a bit worried about the walks around the resort too, so that is a good point. Plus, my kids brought up today that they are worried about me falling down so that will help put their minds at ease too.

 

[Tiggerish]

Disneymom3, I too am blessed with MS. I still get around just fine on my home turf with a cane or my beloved rollator but for WDW the ECV was a must. I got exhausted just walking from the hotel room to the bus stop. I was with my brother and his family and it was not a problem to have my brother drive it into the bus for me so I am sure your husband could do it for you. My best suggestion is to get one from an off-site company and have it delivered to your hotel. Then practice driving it around the resort until you feel comfortable with how it handles. Your family will be grateful that you using the ECV and able to keep up with them, I know mine was.

 

[popgfd]

DW also has MS and has used ECV's rented off-site. you pick it up at check-in and leave it there upon departure.
2 suggestions-- when practicing use the slower tortoise mode until you become more comfortable. the jackrabbit can be startling at first.

and just relax. there are many people needing ECV's and are willing to help or offer suggestions. if you allow yourself to get nervous, there seems to be a multiplier and more issues will arise.

given your questions, i'm sure you'll do just fine.

Pop

 

[disneymom3]

Thanks again all. I am rereading the thread at the top about offsite rentals and looking forward to it now. I have realized that we had decided that since we are spending two days driving down and everyone will be rather tired and worn out, that our first day we were going to take it easy and check out the resort and what not. So, I will have time to practice with it that day before I have to go into the parks. Then, the next day DD has a class at Epcot for homeschool days and my boys and I will stay at the resort for that morning too so more practice time.

I am feeling MUCH better about this and really appreciate all the advice and encouragement!

 

[franandaj]

I am a big fan of the portable scooters. We actually have like five of them now because they have a limited life span, and every time one has the smallest problem, we find another. We have been using them for over 10 years. The one thing about disassembling and reassmbling them is that until you're innately familiar with them it can be frustrating. I remember when we got our first scooter, it took me some time to realize what order they needed to be put together in.

In 2009 they are much easier to assemble and I can usually do it under 2 minutes per scooter, but using Disney transportation is fairly easy and unless you are hell bent on driving, with one scooter Disney transportation is pretty easy. We travel with two scooters so we prefer a rental car because if there is anyone else with a scooter, we might have to be split up or wait.

As long as you keep it on turtle when you're boarding transportation you'll be OK, but regardless of your speed. Kids will jump in front of you, you will run over their feet and parents will blame you for their kids playing chicken and not paying attention. In September an adult tried to get ahead of me in my scooter in the crowds at Epcot, he stepped right in front of my wheels and I ran over his foot he gave me a dirty look!

 

[cranbiz]

You will need to back on to a bus with a lift. It's not to inconvenience you, it's due to the weight distribution. The heavy part of the ECV needs to be closest to the lift mechanism. If all the weight is on the end of the ramp, it can jam or worse.

You may be asked to back on to a low floor bus but that should only be in a unique circumstance (like a large ramp angle). Usually we can get the bus low enough to decrease the angle and make it safe to drive on. Wheelchairs are usually asked to back on because they can tip over (yes, I speak from experience on that one)

When boarding a bus, please turn your speed down, this makes it easier and safer. On the lift, please turn off your ECV and remove the key.

If you have trouble parallel parking, the driver MAY assist you. It's up to the individual driver. Company policy states that we are not to lift the ECV but may assist using either the power controls or by taking the ECV out of gear and free wheeling it into position. Most of the rentals have a lever or switch to free wheel. (that is what I do)

Please help us by letting us know what stop you will be getting off at if the bus makes multiple stops. I usually ask but have been known to forget (senior moments).

Use the wheelchair entrance to the bus at the parks. This lets us know that you want to ride that bus. At a resort that does not have a separate w/c area, signal the driver that you would like to ride his bus as we need to load you first.

If I have standing guests already on the bus, I will ask you to wait for the next bus and I will call for another bus with you there so you know it was done. Same holds true if my tie down are full.

If you can transfer off your ECV, please do. It's safer. If you have a 3 wheel ECV, please transfer as these are unstable on a moving bus. I usually allow a guest on a 4 wheel ECV to ride on it with a seatbelt. If you cannot, please allow us to put a seat belt on you, again for safety reasons. Please don't feel bad about taking up an extra seat. It's YOUR safety that is our concern.

Please don't think I'm trying to put you off of using the buses, I'm not. A little information now goes a long way in making your stay magical and stress free. If you do get to ride my bus, you will have a most magical trip, I just wish I can say that for all the drivers.

 

[KPeveler]

you will get good at driving them! i do not have MS, but my condition mimics it in a lot of ways, and i also have problems with overheating.

Use it, even when you think "the line is short, i'll just walk" -

if you need to get up and walk, i suggest doing so in a store. (i need to get out of my chair now and then and walk to stretch and reduce joint dislocations) If you are in a line, then you are kinda stuck.

if you walk in a store, you can leave at any time to sit down again.


OOH! more things!

Get or borrow a copy of Passporter's Open Mouse. I have done disney before and after illness, and the additional information the passporter gave me was wonderful!

Get a copy of the "guide for guests with disabilities" at each park.

Bring a cushion with you, since you cant take the ECV onto most ride cars. The seats are hard and not contoured, and hurt my rear end!

I also suggest making sure you have a cane ready, since sometimes you will have to park the ECV and walk into the ride area (like in fantasyland, where there is simply no room for an ECV in the exit area)

I'll post more ideas as i come up with them

 

[SueM in MN]

Thanks for all the input, cranbiz

You will need to back on to a bus with a lift. It's not to inconvenience you, it's due to the weight distribution. The heavy part of the ECV needs to be closest to the lift mechanism. If all the weight is on the end of the ramp, it can jam or worse.

:yes;
very important points.
One of the 'or worse' that I have heard about involved someone falling off a lift backwards. So, even if you think it is hard, it is much better to back on.

If you have trouble parallel parking, the driver MAY assist you. It's up to the individual driver. Company policy states that we are not to lift the ECV but may assist using either the power controls or by taking the ECV out of gear and free wheeling it into position. Most of the rentals have a lever or switch to free wheel. (that is what I do)

Very good to remember that the driver MAY assist.
We have had some posters who thought the driver HAD to assist them and were upset that not all did.

If you can transfer off your ECV, please do. It's safer. If you have a 3 wheel ECV, please transfer as these are unstable on a moving bus. I usually allow a guest on a 4 wheel ECV to ride on it with a seatbelt. If you cannot, please allow us to put a seat belt on you, again for safety reasons. Please don't feel bad about taking up an extra seat. It's YOUR safety that is our concern.

We do have one poster who was riding on her 3 wheel scooter and it did tip over - she always got off after that. On my next trip, I took a picture of the sign and post it when people complain about "those ECV riders taking up an extra seat." It is safer for everyone.

you will get good at driving them! i do not have MS, but my condition mimics it in a lot of ways, and i also have problems with overheating.

Use it, even when you think "the line is short, i'll just walk" -

if you need to get up and walk, i suggest doing so in a store. (i need to get out of my chair now and then and walk to stretch and reduce joint dislocations) If you are in a line, then you are kinda stuck.

if you walk in a store, you can leave at any time to sit down again.


OOH! more things!

Get or borrow a copy of Passporter's Open Mouse. I have done disney before and after illness, and the additional information the passporter gave me was wonderful!

Get a copy of the "guide for guests with disabilities" at each park.

Bring a cushion with you, since you cant take the ECV onto most ride cars. The seats are hard and not contoured, and hurt my rear end!

I also suggest making sure you have a cane ready, since sometimes you will have to park the ECV and walk into the ride area (like in fantasyland, where there is simply no room for an ECV in the exit area)

I'll post more ideas as i come up with them

The new Guides for Guests with Disabilities are maps - smaller and nice to have a map that has the disability info on it.

 

[Scarlet584]

Hi: Definitely do not use the WDW scooters! They cost far more, and have 4 wheels, which make them much harder to manage the turns. I saw one teen trying to navigate one in Test Track line and she could not make the sharp turns.
The cast members told me their scooters are like driving a "couch".

Don't be afraid; just practice outside in the open and go for it!!

 

[disneymom3]

This is all so helpful. I will have my cane with me. I need to get up sometimes or I get too stiff. We do plan to have my park the ECV adn just walk in Fantasyland for instance. It's the long distances that will do me in.

cranbiz, thank you so much for the "on the job" point of view. And I love your signature disclaimer! My DH will be backing the scooter onto the busses when we need it. He has been reading this over my shoulder.

So, on the maps will it say, in Epcot for instance, if a show has seats or not? I am thinking of things like the American Adventure or the movie in China or France. I will be fine waitng in line but not if I have to stand through the whole movie. If not, is there somewhere I can find that info?

 

[franandaj]

So, on the maps will it say, in Epcot for instance, if a show has seats or not? I am thinking of things like the American Adventure or the movie in China or France. I will be fine waitng in line but not if I have to stand through the whole movie. If not, is there somewhere I can find that info?

I can tell you that for the American Adventure, just talk to the cast member when you enter the building. They will take you upstairs and will go into the show before the rest of the people. They will put you in the last row which is wider and there are "blank" spots where you can just park the scooter. You don't even need to back in, you could probably just ride in and most rental scooters, there is a lever to turn the seat 90 degrees, so you just turn your chair. The people in your party who are walking can sit in the seats near you. This is true for the muppets, it's tough to be a bug, probably France too (although I haven't done that one in a while). In Canada and China, you can just ride the scooter into the ride and stay seated on it during the entire film.

In Ellen's Energy Adventure, you transfer to a regular wheelchair and the back row of each "moving auditorium" has two spots that accomodate a wheelchair and then the rest of your party just sits on the bench next to you.

Most of the time, the CM will tell you at the entrance to the queue if there are special handicapped consessions, like Spaceship Earth has a entrance from the exit where there is plenty of room to park the scooter. They have wheelchairs for those who can't walk, but can transfer. But you wait in a special queue and the CM lets you know when they are ready to let you board. I think you take five other people on with you in the reduced queue.

The guide for guests with disabilities mostly shows the special viewing areas.

But everyone is really helpful to you, all you need to do is ask!

 

[SueM in MN]

So, on the maps will it say, in Epcot for instance, if a show has seats or not? I am thinking of things like the American Adventure or the movie in China or France. I will be fine waitng in line but not if I have to stand through the whole movie. If not, is there somewhere I can find that info?

The only movie/shows where you have to stand for the show are in China and in Canada. There are no other shows in any parks that don't have seats. Those 2 attractions have rails that you can lean against, but no seats.

If you look in the Epcot FAQs thread near the top of this board, you will find some information about the different Epcot attractions, including pictures of American Adventure. If there are specific ones you are interested in, please ask.
There is some information about attractions which have no place to sit while waiting in this thread.

 

[let'sgo]

When I took my mom to Disney I rented an ECV from an outside site. Whenever she had to back onto a bus, the driver had me take the controls from the front and that meant that I was walking forward to steer it on. It was easy doing it like this.

On my last trip I noticed that most of the buses seem to be the lower ones, so you shouldn't have any problems. If you can board the bus without the EVC, you can do this and let someone else in your party load it.

Mom had a wonderful time and was able to get all around with the EVC.

Have a great trip!

 

[SueM in MN]

I can tell you that for the American Adventure, just talk to the cast member when you enter the building. They will take you upstairs and will go into the show before the rest of the people. They will put you in the last row which is wider and there are "blank" spots where you can just park the scooter. You don't even need to back in, you could probably just ride in and most rental scooters, there is a lever to turn the seat 90 degrees, so you just turn your chair. The people in your party who are walking can sit in the seats near you. This is true for the muppets, it's tough to be a bug, probably France too (although I haven't done that one in a while). In Canada and China, you can just ride the scooter into the ride and stay seated on it during the entire film.

For most shows, there are limited numbers of seats for the rest of the members of your party. There will be on seat for a companion beside each wheelchair or ECV space. The rest of your party will be asked to sit in the row ahead of you.

In Ellen's Energy Adventure, you transfer to a regular wheelchair and the back row of each "moving auditorium" has two spots that accomodate a wheelchair and then the rest of your party just sits on the bench next to you.

Most of the time, the CM will tell you at the entrance to the queue if there are special handicapped consessions, like Spaceship Earth has a entrance from the exit where there is plenty of room to park the scooter. They have wheelchairs for those who can't walk, but can transfer. But you wait in a special queue and the CM lets you know when they are ready to let you board. I think you take five other people on with you in the reduced queue.

The regular queue and boarding area are not wheelchair accessible, which is why there is a special boarding area.
You can have a total of 6 people (5 plus the person with a disability).

The guide for guests with disabilities mostly shows the special viewing areas.

But everyone is really helpful to you, all you need to do is ask!

it does have icons that show whether or not you need to transfer from an ECV to a wheelchair or from a wheelchair to the ride car.
The Guide for Guests with Disabilities also list where to enter the attraction - most of the time, it says to enter thru the Mainstream (regular) Line.

 

[KPeveler]

We actually had problems with people NOT backing into the spots in American Adventure - it was an older couple on scooters who stayed long-ways and turned in their seats - blocked 4 wheelchairs spots and 4 companion seats. You may have to back in, depending on how many wheelchairs are coming in behind you...

 

[franandaj]

The only movie/shows where you have to stand for the show are in China and in Canada. [/URL]

I've used my ECV in both of these, there is no need for you to stand.

 

[SueM in MN]

I've used my ECV in both of these, there is no need for you to stand.

Thanks for the clarification. The poster who asked was talking about walking in. What I meant was that if you walked into those 2 shows, you would have no place to sit because there are only lean rails.
The accessible area for guests with wheelchairs and ECVs in those 2 shows is in the back of the theater. That way, the standing guests will be far enough in front of you that they won't block your view. Those theaters are circular and the screens are all around you. The CM will give a little introduction - the area The stand for the itroduction will be the front of the show. Although the screens all around will have movie playing on them, most of the action takes placebtoward rhe front screens. The movies are quite amazing. Even though the theaters never move, you sometimes feel as if you are moving because of the type of action and the way that that the film was made and projected all around you at the same time.

For ANY movies or indoor/outdoor theater shows, you can remain seated in a wheelchair or ECV. Specifically for the Canada movie or the China movie