renting a scooter...... hard to get in November?

[gramto2boys]

I am going to WDW in November and though I have rented a scooter in disneyland I have never been to WDW. I have to rent a scooter as I can not walk or stand for very long. are the scooters gone fast early in the morning and in November?
I would rent one to be delivered at our motel, but I worry about holding people up for the buses and people not understanding ( yep I ran across a few of these people in disneyland) any tips for scoring a scooter in the parks? thanks

 

[Carnator]

According to when in November that you are going. Shouldn't have a problem most of the month. Week of Thanksgiving you might be taking a chance. You said you didn't want to hold people up boarding the bus with ECV, so I assume you are staying on site. Some of the resorts are quite large and a lot of walking might be required. Also it is a long walk from the bus stops at MK and AK to the main gates.

As far as what other people think, don't let that be the deciding factor. Don't worry what other people think.

 

[gramto2boys]

According to when in November that you are going. Shouldn't have a problem most of the month. Week of Thanksgiving you might be taking a chance. You said you didn't want to hold people up boarding the bus with ECV, so I assume you are staying on site. Some of the resorts are quite large and a lot of walking might be required. Also it is a long walk from the bus stops at MK and AK to the main gates.

As far as what other people think, don't let that be the deciding factor. Don't worry what other people think.

thank you very much.
I just get discouraged at all the rotten threads on another board about "fat people and lazy people on scooters" its sad to see the intolerance of people. and to assume there is nothing wrong with folks who rent them. I am going to rent at the parks, I figure I can get up early and be at the parks first thing in the morning. with going the first of November I believe I can get a scooter right away. if not I will call while I am down there to reserve one to be delivered at the motel.

 

[SueM in MN]

you will sometimes run into those people, but the majority are not like that.

If you are going to the parks early and you are not going in the week between Thanksgiving and the first of December, I think you probably won't have a problem.

 

[toocherie]

thank you very much.
I just get discouraged at all the rotten threads on another board about "fat people and lazy people on scooters" its sad to see the intolerance of people. and to assume there is nothing wrong with folks who rent them. I am going to rent at the parks, I figure I can get up early and be at the parks first thing in the morning. with going the first of November I believe I can get a scooter right away. if not I will call while I am down there to reserve one to be delivered at the motel.

Gram: my Mom and I are going the first week of November too and we will be renting ECVs offsite--I don't care what people think--yes, I am fat, but I also have fibromyalgia and two replaced knees and will not have my first trip to the "World" ruined because of the intolerance of other people. I live close to Disneyland and I will go for one-day trips without an ECV but am pretty much done in the next day. So it's an ECV for me for an 8-day stay.

My Mom has a herniated disc in her back and walks with a walker so needs the ECV too. There may be some trips (like to dinner at Calif. Grill) where I will choose to go without the ECV but for sure any park trips I will use it. She will use it on any trip.

Don't let your comfort and enjoyment be ruined because you were concerned about what others think. If they have to wait longer for the bus to load so be it.

 

[gramto2boys]

Gram: my Mom and I are going the first week of November too and we will be renting ECVs offsite--I don't care what people think--yes, I am fat, but I also have fibromyalgia and two replaced knees and will not have my first trip to the "World" ruined because of the intolerance of other people. I live close to Disneyland and I will go for one-day trips without an ECV but am pretty much done in the next day. So it's an ECV for me for an 8-day stay.

My Mom has a herniated disc in her back and walks with a walker so needs the ECV too. There may be some trips (like to dinner at Calif. Grill) where I will choose to go without the ECV but for sure any park trips I will use it. She will use it on any trip.

Don't let your comfort and enjoyment be ruined because you were concerned about what others think. If they have to wait longer for the bus to load so be it.

Both of you have a wonderful time!
I am also worried about the buses and how to back up in them. I have never been either and worry about holding up the lines while attempt to back in to bus, then monorail. I also have fibromyalgia, and severe back problems. I just worry ahead of time I know. But I decided when I get there to watch the first day how its done, then call and have one delivered if I think I can manage it. I will attempt the first park ( hollywood studios ) and try my hardest to get one at the gate .

 

[toocherie]

Both of you have a wonderful time!
I am also worried about the buses and how to back up in them. I have never been either and worry about holding up the lines while attempt to back in to bus, then monorail. I also have fibromyalgia, and severe back problems. I just worry ahead of time I know. But I decided when I get there to watch the first day how its done, then call and have one delivered if I think I can manage it. I will attempt the first park ( hollywood studios ) and try my hardest to get one at the gate .

Have you used an ECV before? If not, my suggestion would be to go to your local Costco or supermarket--they often have some available for use (and they tend to be bulkier and harder to use than the Disney ones or ones you can rent--so if you can back in those then you'll do fine!) The other thing is that if you are able to walk--which it sounds like you are-- then you can set the ECV so it can be manually pushed onto the loading ramp. (you move a lever and it is able to be pushed). so if you don't feel comfortable backing it while riding maybe someone in your group can help you out this way.

You have fun too! Be sure and have a lime green mickey head so other Dis-ers can see you! When are you going? (to know whether to look for you or not!)

 

[arminnie]

I am also worried about the buses and how to back up in them. I have never been either and worry about holding up the lines while attempt to back in to bus, then monorail. I also have fibromyalgia, and severe back problems. I just worry ahead of time I know.

I had never driven an ECV. Not even at Sam's. I too was worried about the buses - but it really was NOT a problem. What I did the first day was go a little later - maybe 9:30 or 10:00 so the buses wouldn't be as full for my "first" loading experience.

The bus drivers were SO helpful and told me exactly when I needed to turn, etc. The monorail was very easy.

I'm originally from California. I'd been to DL many, many times before I ever went to DW. Please don't under estimate the enormous distances that are involved at DW. It takes a LOT of walking to get to the buses and from the trams to the ECV rentals. A person could easily be worn out for the day before they even get to the rental place.

Plus if you have an offsite ECV you can go take a break and wander around the Boardwalk area or take the monorail over to Grand Floridian for tea or just people watching.

I have chronic fatigue and had pneumonia (thought it was under control but it wasn't) when I needed the ECV. I look pretty healthy. Please don't let the remote possibility of coming across a rude person impact your trip. I found others to be very kind and helpful.

 

[gramto2boys]

Have you used an ECV before? If not, my suggestion would be to go to your local Costco or supermarket--they often have some available for use (and they tend to be bulkier and harder to use than the Disney ones or ones you can rent--so if you can back in those then you'll do fine!) The other thing is that if you are able to walk--which it sounds like you are-- then you can set the ECV so it can be manually pushed onto the loading ramp. (you move a lever and it is able to be pushed). so if you don't feel comfortable backing it while riding maybe someone in your group can help you out this way.

You have fun too! Be sure and have a lime green mickey head so other Dis-ers can see you! When are you going? (to know whether to look for you or not!)

I had never driven an ECV. Not even at Sam's. I too was worried about the buses - but it really was NOT a problem. What I did the first day was go a little later - maybe 9:30 or 10:00 so the buses wouldn't be as full for my "first" loading experience.

The bus drivers were SO helpful and told me exactly when I needed to turn, etc. The monorail was very easy.

I'm originally from California. I'd been to DL many, many times before I ever went to DW. Please don't under estimate the enormous distances that are involved at DW. It takes a LOT of walking to get to the buses and from the trams to the ECV rentals. A person could easily be worn out for the day before they even get to the rental place.

Plus if you have an offsite ECV you can go take a break and wander around the Boardwalk area or take the monorail over to Grand Floridian for tea or just people watching.

I have chronic fatigue and had pneumonia (thought it was under control but it wasn't) when I needed the ECV. I look pretty healthy. Please don't let the remote possibility of coming across a rude person impact your trip. I found others to be very kind and helpful.

Thank you both so much!!! we go the 3rd of November and I am so excited! Also scared I did not know you could manually push these, my sister could help me do that. this is great news!! what company should I use them to get this type of scooter? I know I am not realizing how far things are. thats my worry, its to far . Once I went to Disneyland and ended up flat on my back for several hours while they had fans on me and monitored me. I had done to much, my back gave out and I got sick.
WDW is my dream. I want to go before its to late to be able to. I care for my aging parents and my handicapped nephew. I know my time is short to go and there for jumped at the chance to do it in November.
I hope to see others at pop century who are on scooters so I can be more comfortable!!
Sounds weird for some but this is a trip of a life time. I do not want it ruined by not being able to get around.
Thank you girls, for being so kind and helpful. I will look into renting I believe this is the best way. Again, you have helped me so much !!

 

[arminnie]

I used Randy's Mobility - it's listed up in the FAQ thread up at the top along with some others.

What I liked about Randy's is that they delivered it to me personally and gave me instructions about what to do. I did take mine apart to go to the Florida Mall by car one day. I don't think I'd have tried that if the very nice delivery guy hadn't gone over it with me about how to dismantle it and put it back together.

I think the other companies leave it at Bell Services and you get an instruction sheet.

 

[go2cindys]

I used Randy's Mobility - it's listed up in the FAQ thread up at the top along with some others.

What I liked about Randy's is that they delivered it to me personally and gave me instructions about what to do. I did take mine apart to go to the Florida Mall by car one day. I don't think I'd have tried that if the very nice delivery guy hadn't gone over it with me about how to dismantle it and put it back together.

I think the other companies leave it at Bell Services and you get an instruction sheet.

I am also renting from Randy's. We will be staying offsite in a villa 8/16-23 then going on our first cruise on the Wonder 8/24-28. They are delivering the scooter to the villa and we will make arrangements to drop it off somewhere after the cruise. The delivery guy will tell us where to drop it off near the port. I have my own scooter at home but it is larger than the one I'm renting and I feel the smaller one will be better especially on the cruise.

I have used a scooter at DW many times. I have fibromyalgia, lupus, bad knees and back; also chronic Poohitis and I'm nearly 65. Without the scooter, I would not be going anywhere. As was mentioned before, it's quite a hike from even handicapped parking the scooter rentals; however, they do have regular wheelchairs so someone could push you to rental place. I enjoy going to the outlets and this year we are going to see the Blue Man Group at Universal. I was told it is at least a 10 minute walk from the parking garage to the theatre! No way could I make that trek; I am limited to a maximum of 5 minutes standing and walking with a cane.

Whichever you choose, don't be concerned about what others think. If people think I am using it only because I'm fat, that is their problem not mine.

Janet