Really want to avoid use of a ECV/Scooter. Anyone use ECV in one park vs other parks?

[TCRAIG]

Once you Scoot
Your Fear will be Moot
They’re Easy to Drive
And Fun to Boot!!

 

[Betty Rohrer]

Just worried about taking it on transit and being frustrated that I cant weave in and out of crowds, having to take it on the bus etc, or I dread maneuvering through crowds on main st. etc

the main to remember with transportation is the CMs/drivers are your friends and they see many ECVs. ask for their help as they would rather help and have it go easier and faster. with crowds just go slow and think of how would you be getting a large stroller thru the crowd. it is not much different. other than the group you are with how many in that crowd are you going to see again. As far as Main St I would be more worried about the trolley tracks than the crowd. watch out for the cut out in the sidewalks. I say this to a lot of first timers and they laugh when I say it one of your biggest problems will be taking it easy enough on the walkers in your group. if you have enough adults in your group have one on each side of you. even if you are lucky enough to get a park rental you are still having to get it thru the Main Street crowd. and back to beginning of this post the CMs are your friends and are very used to helping guests with ECVs or wheelchairs.

 

[JenLovesMM]

Just worried about taking it on transit and being frustrated that I cant weave in and out of crowds, having to take it on the bus etc, or I dread maneuvering through crowds on main st. etc

I get your thoughts about the bus because I was the same way until I got there. All the drivers were very patient and helpful, it went well every time. If your ECV has a control for the speed, my advice is to set the speed to a slow level that way you can't accidently speed up.
Now the crowds weren't always easy but it wasn't really bad either. The biggest issue is that walking people are often in a hurry to get in front of you and once they get there, they change their mind and stop. Once I got used to that, it went fine.
Basically I had so many worries in my mind before I went and none of those were actually an issue once I got there. Try it, you won't be forced to use it but you may surprise yourself and find the advantages outweigh the worries.

 

[maxiesmom]

I rented an ECV from the parks mid trip for our early December weekend trip. My experience was that there was no difficulty getting a scooter at park open. However, none available when we hopped to another park in the afternoon. I would not count on availability. I’m on the fence about what I’ll do next trip; mine is a stamina issue: can’t walk 15000 steps a day. I’d rent offsite except for the fact that my daughter and son-in-law like to Uber spur of the moment, and that would be tricky with an ECV. This next trip is their trip for his family. My current plan is to start walking once the snow melts and build stamina, so I can ride in the morning and walk in the afternoon.

If you can, use a mini van. They have ones for people with ECVS. You just have to request one.

 

[maryblanchard49]

I have sever scoliosis with herniated disks in my back and neck. Years ago I could do the walking without the ECV with just taking breaks at benches or restaurants but, now I'm at the point where I physically can not do that. If it's a couple of hours I might be able to endure it but, not even half a day can I go without a scooter. I recommend booking in advance with a 3rd party vendor as it's typical for them to sell out at the park. I would say it's better to have it and not have needed it than not having it and then needing it. If you do end up renting I'd recommend Walker Mobility. I rented from them last year and they were incredible from the scooter battery life, to the scooter and the customer service was excellent.

 

[disney-inspired]

I am going to try to not rent a ECV. I never have because while it may help some issues, it will create others since sitting too long agitates my neck and back, tailbone, etc. If you have spine or neck issues, does the ECV bother those issues more than walking? What park do you feel is the most difficult and that I may need an ECV and why? Any chance when I get there if I need one, I won't be able to rent (park ones or private companies)? Do they sell out?

I have rheumatoid arthritis so I have joint pain all the time - specifically worse in my wrists, hands, feet and ankles. Although my flare ups hurt my neck and jaw.
I find sitting with ECVs worsens the stiffness but allows me last longer in the parks as fatigue is another RA issue. I am trying to improve my endurance so have switched to a rollator for going out (but not at theme parks yet).

the walking isn't so much my issue, it's the standing. The standing hurst my back, hips, ankles and feet. You may find a rollator can help with that if you don't want to use an ECV. It will allow you to sit when you need and a support when you're walking.

ECVs can run out at the parks. I'm not sure how immediate availability is with private companies but you could rent it as an insurance plan. I have seen that places like Golds Mobility will sell out for certain times of the year. If you're onsite, you could rent the ECV, ride it to the parks and then leave it parked near the front and then walk around and then take it back. I'm all about making my day easier so when I go again, I'll likely rent the ECV (maybe not for the whole trip) and have it as back up.

 

[Childs1stTime2Disney]

I have rheumatoid arthritis so I have joint pain all the time - specifically worse in my wrists, hands, feet and ankles. Although my flare ups hurt my neck and jaw.
I find sitting with ECVs worsens the stiffness but allows me last longer in the parks as fatigue is another RA issue. I am trying to improve my endurance so have switched to a rollator for going out (but not at theme parks yet).

the walking isn't so much my issue, it's the standing. The standing hurst my back, hips, ankles and feet. You may find a rollator can help with that if you don't want to use an ECV. It will allow you to sit when you need and a support when you're walking.

ECVs can run out at the parks. I'm not sure how immediate availability is with private companies but you could rent it as an insurance plan. I have seen that places like Golds Mobility will sell out for certain times of the year. If you're onsite, you could rent the ECV, ride it to the parks and then leave it parked near the front and then walk around and then take it back. I'm all about making my day easier so when I go again, I'll likely rent the ECV (maybe not for the whole trip) and have it as back up.

Thank you. I reserved one for the second full day of my trip, to see how day one goes and if I will need it. I appreciate the reply. We shall see.

 

[MammaMia 80s Kid]

While my physical issues are different than what you stated, I rented an offsite ECV on our last trip and that made me realize that I should have done so on past trips also. Not only was I in less pain, but I could do so much more and I wasn't holding my family back. That being said, I didn't use it 100% of the time. I would use it from the resort (or parking lot) to inside a park in whatever section we wanted to do something then I would park it and walk to whatever we wanted to do. Once we wanted to move to a different section of the park, I simply drove it there and parked it again. But then at the end of the day when the pain was worse I had it with me to leave the park which helped a lot. The offsite companies have smaller ECVs (i.e. different models) that are easier to control than the ones rented in the parks plus you also have it outside the parks. There are even some that can be taken apart and put in a car trunk. Basically all the fears and apprehension I had about using an ECV were gone within 2 minutes of trying it out.

Can you tell me where you rent from? Thinking of renting one for my mom. Thanks!

 

[KPeterso]

Can you tell me where you rent from? Thinking of renting one for my mom. Thanks!

We rent from Gold Mobility Scooters. They are priced very well and offer a lot of free extras and add ons. My mom gets the cane holder for her scooter to hold her cane on the back of the scooter. They will work with you to deliver and pick up on your schedule. Last September, we got stuck because of Hurricane Ian and were a day delayed leaving. I called them to let them know the situation and it was no issue to keep the scooter an extra day and they never charged us for that extra day.