Rent ECV in parks or through buena vista?

[justme0729]

My dad is able to walk but he isn't be able to walk long distances in the park and would need an ECV for the parks. how often do you encounter an ECV not being available through Disney in the parks? It feels a little silly to have the ECV on the buses if we did through buena vista since he can walk but just can't in the parks

 

[The Hunchback]

Yes, it is common for Disney to run out of ECVs. From what I read on this board, bus stop to resort room can be a long way to walk too. Rent from the outside vendor so you know you have "wheels" evertime he needs them. Cheaper from an outside vendor too.

 

[disneyseniors]

From experience with just this situation last February: We always do rope drop and we never had difficulty renting at the parks. When we went in the evenings, we also never had a problem. However, we went in February, so I don't know about the busier times?
My husband liked renting at the parks, because he didn't want the extra hassle of getting on and on the bus, at the resort, etc. He didn't need an ECV full time, but needed some help with walking the long distances. He liked the independence of being able to not use an ECV. He didn't even rent one for 2 or 3 days during our trip because he felt he could walk with plenty of rests, and it worked out for us. Hope this helps.

 

[SueM in MN]

If you are there within a few hours of opening, it should not be an issue.
If you plan to be arriving later or if you plan to park hop, there may not be any available. If he needs something and everyone is OK with a wheelchair if no ECVs are available, you will be OK.

If you are driving to the parks, the shortest walk will actually be parking in the regular lot and using the parking lot trams. The handicapped parking lots do not have tram service; there are courtesy wheelchairs to get from handicapped parking to the ECV/rental area, but no guarantee there will be any to use.

When thinking about renting or not, also consider your resort. The WDW resorts are large and the walk to get between your rooms and bus stops, pools, restaurants may be farther than he is thinking.

 

[Bete]

There's pro and cons both ways.
Getting a scooter at the park means more walking. To get a scooter at the park means arriving early to make sure you can get one there. If something mechanical goes wrong with the scooter you can get help easier in the park than from an outside vendor. You don't have to worry about charging the scooter everyday. You do normally pay at least $20 more per day to rent a park scooter.

Getting a scooter from an outside vendor allows you more choices of scooters. The Disney scooters are giant size and awkward. You have the scooter all the time. You may have to get the scooter on and off Disney transportation if your dad is not able to do it. You need to get the scooter in and out of your resort room. You have to charge the scooter everyday religiously. If something goes wrong with the scooter you will have a much longer wait to get help. It is cheaper than renting a park scooter.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I've done both, the first time I rented in the parks because it was a last minute need. However, once I realized the difference in cost, never again would I rent from the parks. Renting an ECV at the parks costs $50/day. Buena Vista, or any other company, will cost about 2/3 of that. And having an ECV on the bus really isn't a big hassle.

 

[mamabunny]

Last thought: having the ECV at the Resort means that your Dad has some independence; if he wants to go flll his Resort mug first thing in the morning before every else is ready to go to breakfast, he can.

If he wants to take a book, and go sit down by the pool, he can.

If he wants to just get out and explore around the Resort, he can.

And that's just at the Resort. At the Parks, or Disney Springs, he will be able to go check out whatever he wants, without needing someone to push him around.

Personally, I hate, loathe, and despise being dependent on others. It may not bother your Dad. But if he is like me, he may really appreciate the freedom!

 

[KPeveler]

If you are staying on property, you really may want an ECV for outside the parks. When I stayed at Coronado Springs, it was almost a mile around the lake to get to the pool and food cout and such. So it can really be a schelp to get even around a resort.

 

[arminnie]

Another consideration - it may be difficult to find a place to practice for a first time user inside a very crowded park if you pick it up inside the park.