Recommended places to get a motorized wheelchair, and Saratoga questions

[disneyquestions]

Hey all!

My mom wants to rent a motorized wheelchair for Disney - I went to the facts page and got all of the names, but what do you recommend from experience? How far in advance does it need to be ordered? We are going at the end of Oct. Also, how are the 2 bedroom suites at Saratoga for wheelchairs? We are not getting a treehouse because of this - A little dissapointed about that, but hey we can't quite leave Grand Ma outside to sleep because we can't get the chair up the stairs!!!


TIA

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi and to disABILITIES!

Do you mean a power chair or an ECV? This is a world of difference.

A power chair (or motorized wheelchair) is normally customized for the person and is both steered and controlled by using a joystick with one hand. Normally these are not rented unless the person regularly uses one, and the settings information sent by the regular supplier to the renting one.

An Electric Convenience Vehicle is either three or four wheels, steered by use of a tiller (as a tricycle is) and controlled by a lever that can be pushed with either thumb.

If you are asking about an ECV, I would suggest you click on where it says "disABILTIES" at the top of this page it will take you to the Index. One of the top items is the "disABILTIES FAQ" which will gives lots of useful information, including Post #2 where people rent ECVs.

Or, if you want an easier route to the FAQs, click on the link in my signature.

 

[SueM in MN]

Are you looking for a motorized wheelchair or an ECV ( mobility scooter)?
They are very different things.
Motorized ( power wheelchairs) are driven with a joystick which controls both speed and direction. Because they are mire difficult/ take more practice to drive, the places that rent them usually will only rent them to people who are already experienced using them (i.e. have one at home, but are choosing not to travel with it).

ECVs are much easier to use - they are steered with a yoke that is similar to steering a bicycle. A throttle controls the speed and a switch or lever usually controls whether you are going backwards or forwards.

The companies listed in post 2 of the FAQs thread are there because posters have consistently reported good experiences. This doesn't mean no one has ever posted bad experiences, but the good highly outnumber the bad. There are several companies listed where I labeled them as having little feedback, but I would feel comfortable renting from any of the companies listed.

For Saratoga - all building have elevators, so you don't need to worry about any steps. You can request first floor if you want, but won't have any problems getting into a room higher up. You may want to move some furniture slightly to make a larger path, but won't have a problem.

 

[Disney4us2]

I rented my scooter from Apple scooter. They were really good. Great customer service. We were looking into a tree house villa. There are ramps for wheelchair/ scooters/ strollers. I could never consider staying there if it was not accessible.

 

[SueM in MN]

I rented my scooter from Apple scooter. They were really good. Great customer service. We were looking into a tree house villa. There are ramps for wheelchair/ scooters/ strollers. I could never consider staying there if it was not accessible.

Yes, there are accessible Treehouses, but only about 2 of them, so not always available.

 

[disneyquestions]

Yes, there are accessible Treehouses, but only about 2 of them, so not always available.

Oooh, they are wheelchair accessible !?!?!?!? So cool! Not going to do anything about it right now, but will request it when we get there. If we can get it, great! If not, oh well! LOL And yeah, I looked at a few sites, and I think she will do best with a scooter. Plus it has a basket (at least the ones I saw) and thats great for putting the autograph books and such in. Thanks for the help guys!!!

 

[SueM in MN]

Oooh, they are wheelchair accessible !?!?!?!? So cool! Not going to do anything about it right now, but will request it when we get there. If we can get it, great! If not, oh well! LOL And yeah, I looked at a few sites, and I think she will do best with a scooter. Plus it has a basket (at least the ones I saw) and thats great for putting the autograph books and such in. Thanks for the help guys!!!

You cab request it, but if someone else with an access need arranged it with WDW Special Reservations, it will already be blocked for them. For example, we need a room with a roll in shower and make that known when we make our reservation, wherever we are. A room with a roll in shower is actually blocked for us since we can't stay without that ( though we won't know where in the resort it will be until we check in).

So, requesting on check in, you may or may not be lucky.

 

[disneyquestions]

One more question - If we are going in late October, durring Food and Wine and the halloween parade, how far in advance should we book our scooter?? Don't want to do it a month in advance, and find out that everywhere is sold out!!!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I've never heard of any of the off-site rental places running out of wheelchairs or ECVs, even during Christmas week. If they need more, they can order them (quickly) from the manufacturer. The ones Disney use are made specifically for them and are not a stock item of any manufacturer.