renting from Walkers or Randy's?

[honugirl]

OK, I'm trying to psyche myself up for the conversation to come later with my boyfriend about having to get an ECV... (would insert little scooter dude, but I can't find him. I guess he took off...) This is not going to be pretty. He may want to cancel vacation until I'm "better" sigh. That may be years from now, so I might was well go now.

Here's my situation. Staying at Pop Century for 16 nights (something like that, 15, 16, whatever), September 6-22. We are doing 10 days at WDW, plus a couple of water park days, then filling up the rest of the time with Universal Studios, Sea World, etc. We will NOT have a car until the last 5 days of our trip, this is just for us to get to US and Sea World. We will be taking Disney buses, monorails, etc. the rest of the time. Which place has scooters that break down easier for travel in the car? No point in renting for length of stay if I can't take it elsewhere.

NOT a regular ECV driver. This is hard enough thinking that I'm going to have to break down and rent one. The ladies in my tumor support group said they would "tumorify" my scooter with funny horns and stuff. What a wonderful group of ladies they are! I love them! After all, in their minds, you've got a tumor, might as well have some fun with it!!!!!!!

We are commando style people. We love to be there at rope drop and stay for extra magic hours. Which place has scooters that can go the distance? If you know what I mean... ha ha ha. I do not want to run out of juice or have to head back to PC in the middle of the day. This is the reason for the scooter so I DON'T have to do that.

When I fly in, it will be late. My flight gets in to Orlando at 7:15 pm, so we figure that we won't be at PC until close to 9 pm. Will Randy's deliver that late or do I need to get up early the next morning to meet someone? In that case is Walker's better? I don't want to have to hassle with it the next morning. I just want to get on and head to the parks.

Rain, what do do about that? Normally, we just walk in it. I'm from the Pacific NW, we don't give a crap about rain. If it can't be done in the rain, it can't be done. I hate ponchos and never wear them. Can I still cruise around in the rain, or will we be grounded????????

Oh, and we will do Typhoon Lagoon for a day or two. Worth taking it there or not? We've been there before, but I can't remember.

I'm only 30, I shouldn't be thinking about this stuff. I used to be an elite level hockey referee. Now I'm reduced to taking a scooter with me to WDW. How times have changed...

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi and to disABILITIES!

For that many days commando will really wear you out.

If you use Randy's you are better off asking for morning delivery. If your flight is delayed it will not tie them up waiting for you.

However, if you want to be at one of the parks at rope drop, your body will say 6:00am and want's to know why are are getting up at 4:00.

When you talk to them, they will ask for your approximate height and weight so they can fit you properly. Let them know that you will have a rental car for a few days and will need one that breaks down easily. Since you will have the ECV for at least two weeks you will need to discuss prices for the total stay; I know they will cut prices after one week.

(Side note, when you rent the car get a full-size four door sedan. I used a Chevy Impala last month in California withh a Pride Celebrity-X ECV, which is an average size for rentals.)

Walker's is more worried about water getting into the control box, so you might want to bring some plastic disposable shower caps to cover that. You might also want to bring something along to toss over the seat and back if you have to park so it does not get wet. What I do when it rains is toss on a poncho that covers me, has the back over the seat back, and the front over the handlebars and controls.

The manual for my scooter says it is good for about 25 miles on full charge, and so was my last one. Since it is very unlikely that you will be doing more than 12 miles, you should have no problem getting a dawn to midnight use out of one charge. However, I would suggest when you are in a show, or a stopped attraction line, etc., that you turn off the key as it still uses power when not being driven.

 

[honugirl]

Thanks Cheshire!

How early will Randy's deliver? Yay! I found the moped dude!!!!! We'll be going to MK on the first day.

Is there any difference in the quality of scooters between Randy's and Walkers or are they comparable?

Oh boy, yeah, rope drop will mean 6 am, but really 3 am, because on the other coast we're 3 hours behind... sigh. Oh well. I'll sleep on the plane on the way over.

Since I need to break it down, will Randy's show me how to do that or do I need to figure it out on my own? Where do I fit it? In the trunk? Do I shove it in the back seat of the rental car? Yes, I know these probably sound really stupid, but honestly, I never thought I'd have to be doing this.

Good to know about the shower caps. I'll go to Walmart and get some. And get some practice on driving one of those. Sigh. I think I'll go to the fair on Thursday as well and rent one so I can get some practice driving in crowds. Thank goodness for fair time!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for the tip on turning it off as well. Good to know.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

The driver from Randy's will show you how to take it apart and put it together.

Basically there will be five pieces: the seat, the rear wheel/motor assembly, two batteries and the main section. On some the basket comes off, and some may have a shroud that goes over the batteries and motor.

If 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. Post #5 talks about EVCs and cars in fair detail. Basically you may have to move things around a bit to get everything to fit, but once you have it figured out it is easy.

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

 

[SueM in MN]

We rented an ECV from Randy's in 2006. It is a nice company for a first time user to rent from because you actually get to see the delivery person, get whatever demonstrations you need and get everything explained to you. The delivery person actually would have demonstrated taking it apart and putting it back together for us if we wanted (we didn't need that because we were only planning to transport it with WDW transportation. They will actually bring it it to your room, so you don't have to go up to Bell Services or the front desk to collect it.
As for how early they will deliver, I guess I'd suggest emailing or calling to get an answer. We were given the name and the phone number of the person doing the delivery so we could talk directly to him to arrange it. I don't know if they still do it that way, but you can ask when you contact them.

As Cheshire Figment mentioned, you should not have a problem going all day. If you are concerned, bring the power cord along so you can plug it in while you are eating (you do have to stop sometime ).
I believe all the manufacturers advise against getting the controls wet. I have read posts from people who did get it wet and found their ECV did not always perform correctly after that. Even though the controller on my DD's power wheelchair is pretty well sealed, they advise against getting it wet anyway. So, I guess my advice would be to remember that electric things and water don't mix.

Hope you have a great trip.

 

[honugirl]

Thanks Sue. I guess I will go with Randy's since I'm so inexperienced at this.

I talked to my boyfriend tonight and he's agreed that if I really need it, to go ahead and use it, as long as I don't zoom off and leave him in the dust. I promised him that I wouldn't.

Even at the "nicer" restaurants, you can plug them in?

Well, I think I'm going to go to Walmart and practice.

 

[honugirl]

I'll be staying at Pop Century in a preferred room. Do I need to think about changing rooms? Will it fit in a regular room? Do I need to contact special needs or anything? I haven't figured out any modifications that I might need yet because things just keep popping up out of the blue.

 

[kaytieeldr]

All Pop Century rooms are the same size. "Preferred" just refers to the rooms approximate location in relation to Classic Hall.

 

[honugirl]

Ahhh, OK, thanks. Am I realistic in thinking that I can fit a scooter, several suitcases, and the two of us in one room?

I tried the ECV at Walmart tonight. For once, shopping was a pleasure. Maybe I really do need one of these things...

 

[mechurchlady]

Ahhh, OK, thanks. Am I realistic in thinking that I can fit a scooter, several suitcases, and the two of us in one room?

I tried the ECV at Walmart tonight. For once, shopping was a pleasure. Maybe I really do need one of these things...

You can do it. I use stacking suitcases with mom so that we have only one suitcase to kick around. There should be plenty of room for you and the ECV and bags and the two of you.

I did Wal-Mart last night and my knee was giving out. I find ECVs handy when you have circled the same rack of clothes 10 times trying to find your size. We have an ECV convert , WOOT, yeah and welcome to ECV Operators Unanimous .

 

[honugirl]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

When do I get my operator's license? Is there a test involved? Lets see, drive past the rack of clothes, back up around the towel display, then execute a spin move around the cookie aisle (since I obviously don't need any)... ha ha ha

I just found it handy to not have to walk at a snail's pace and spend 3 billion hours in there. Plus I could criss-cross the store several times! Haven't been able to do that in a long time. The back up beeper on the Walmart one was a bit embarrassing... Even the staff kept looking at me.

Although I could tell that people were staring. Pretty healthy looking 30 year old riding in ECV...

What are stacking suitcases?????

 

[SueM in MN]

Ahhh, OK, thanks. Am I realistic in thinking that I can fit a scooter, several suitcases, and the two of us in one room?

I tried the ECV at Walmart tonight. For once, shopping was a pleasure. Maybe I really do need one of these things...

and if you can use one of those HUMUNGOUS things from Walmart with a cart on the front, an entsy little one without a cart should be no problem.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

When do I get my operator's license? Is there a test involved? Lets see, drive past the rack of clothes, back up around the towel display, then execute a spin move around the cookie aisle (since I obviously don't need any)... ha ha ha

I just found it handy to not have to walk at a snail's pace and spend 3 billion hours in there. Plus I could criss-cross the store several times! Haven't been able to do that in a long time. The back up beeper on the Walmart one was a bit embarrassing... Even the staff kept looking at me.

Although I could tell that people were staring. Pretty healthy looking 30 year old riding in ECV...

What are stacking suitcases?????

No driver's license, :LOL:
but the 'test' I suggest for everyone is practice so you are comfortable:

• going straight backwards and forwards
• going backwards and forwards while turning in either direction
• accurately pull into a 'parking spot'
• accurately back into a 'parking spot'
• sort of parallel park to the left for getting on buses

If you can do all those things, you will be set. Another thing to make sure you know about - there is a lever on the ECV somewhere under the seat that allows you to turn the seat to the side when you are parked. That lever is your best friend. Being able to turn the seat makes it easier to get in and out and also allows you to sometimes be able to pull straight in and straight out. In some show, you will drive straight in along a row. If you can turn your seat to face the front, it will save you a lot of manouvering you would other wise have to do to make the whole ECV face the front.

I think what was meant by "Stacking Suitcases" was to use 2 sizes of suitcases. The smaller one can be placed inside of the bigger one. That way, you have only one suitcase 'out'.

As far as room size, the size of the entire room, including the bathroom is the same number of square feet whether you have an accessible room or not. If you have a room with a roll in shower, the space is arranged differently to make the bathroom bigger to fit the roll in shower and space to park a wheelchair. The space to do that is taken from the bedroom part, so that is smaller.
There are also rooms that just have grab bars in the bathroom; those would have the same space arrangement as non-accessible rooms.
There is more information about rooms (with pictures) in the disABILITIES FAQs thread.

 

[honugirl]

Thanks Sue!

I was able to back down an entire aisle at Walmart. I only ran into the corner of a display once. So I think I did fairly well. I think I even backed around a corner.

Ooooh, good to know about the lever. I will be using that, definitely.

OK, I get the stacking suitcases now. I kept thinking they were like lego suitcases or something with the ability to be stacked and stick together! That would be pretty cool.

I think I'll go look at the rooms and see what accommodations I should request. Grab bars might be good, but I don't think that I need a roll in shower. But then again, some days I'm not sure that I can lift my leg and get into the tub. But we'll see. I guess we'll wait and see what the next few days brings.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

One time I was given a box of Cracker Jacks. I opened it up and the prize inside was a license to drive an ECV.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

I think if someone at WDW runs into YOU and doesn't blame YOU, then you have passed the test. After all the fannies I have looked at we should have some special license

Suzanne

 

[honugirl]

Shoot, does this mean I have to buy a case of Cracker Jacks at Costco now??

I think we should have a special license. Reaching for things is another thing that will drive me nuts. Ugh. Why are some shelves so high???

Another question, we have ressies at Hoop Dee Doo one night. Now I know there is a boat that goes over near it (Fort Wilderness? Forgive me, I haven't been over there yet). Can I take the ECV on the boat or am I better off leaving it at the hotel and not worrying about it? Or is there another way to get places. So confusing!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[ireland_nicole]

I can't answer the hoop de doo ?, but I would make sure that you let CRO or special reservations know about your need for a ground floor room (trust me, ya don't want to carry that puppy upstairs- they're not exactly weightless )

 

[SueM in MN]

I can't answer the hoop de doo ?, but I would make sure that you let CRO or special reservations know about your need for a ground floor room (trust me, ya don't want to carry that puppy upstairs- they're not exactly weightless )

Pop Century does have elevators, but it is easier to be able to go right into your room without having to use an elevator.

 

[Ms_Butterfly]

I talked to my boyfriend tonight and he's agreed that if I really need it, to go ahead and use it, as long as I don't zoom off and leave him in the dust.

Actually, you better make him promise that he won't leave you behind when everybody who thinks you're invisible crowds in front of you and you can't get by!

 

[honugirl]

I just talked to reservations and we've got a ground floor noted on our ressies. Yay!

I almost forgot about our Backstage Safari tour. I booked it long before an ECV was in the picture. It's a good thing I asked about it when I called this time. They have to change the routes and stuff to accommodate me. Apparently, since the back areas aren't regularly used for tourists, ramps get used as storage. So apparently they need a day or so to unclog those areas so I can get through... Now I'm worried that I'm going to miss out on something because they said that they have to "change the route." But since it's almost a 3 hour tour, I can't walk for that long so I don't really have a choice. I hope I don't miss out on something good because of it. That would be my luck...

I think I'll buy one of those child leashes and leash him to my ECV. Ha ha ha