Renting scooters?

[KJMAX1]

Hope this is the place to ask. We are going as a group to the park and my husband's aunt is worried about her knees after a few days. She was asking me if I knew about renting the scooters. I haven't a clue how they work, do you rent for a day or a week? She isn't staying onsite, so I'm thinking she couldn't rent one from an outside company, correct? Do they run out of batteries throughout the day, do you go to the front gate to get a replacement? Thanks.

 

[Ladyfish77]

I'm watching for answers too. In the same boat with one in our party. We are staying onsite. I see you can rent at each park, but they are limited and cost $50 a day. You can rent from off-site companies which are less expensive. I want to know about the batteries also.

 

[Bete]

You can rent from outside vendors whether you stay at Disney or not. It's much cheaper to rent from an outside vendor. You can even pick one up and drop one off at their location if you want to do it that way, too. They will go to most resorts near Disney to drop one off and pick it up.

You will need to get what's called a travel scooter; they come apart in 4 to 5 pieces. Then, they can fit in the car trunk and you can manage the weight of the scooter in pieces.

Some people can get by with one battery scooters, but they really are not pushing it in the parks with long hours. You need to make sure you conserve the energy of the battery by shutting it off for shows, parades, and fireworks. It's safer to get a two battery scooter because they usually last all day without problems. They will be a heavier scooter, but they still come apart like the Pride Victory scooter. These scooters have a nicer seat and a little more leg room.

Keep in mind if you get a scooter from an outside vendor you need to charge the battery everyday. When you rent in the parks that is done for you. If you rent at the Disney park which will cost more make sure you get there at park opening to make sure you get one.

 

[mamabunny]

Most, if not all, of the reputable scooter rental places in Orlando supply scooters with batteries that will easily go all day. Battery technology continues to improve, and those of us who use scooters have reaped the benefit of longer-lasting/faster-charging batteries. If you are concerned about battery life, you can always take along the charger to "top off" the battery when you eat, watch longer shows, etc. (And to really put your mind at ease - just make sure that any vendor you rent from will bring out a new battery or scooter if the one you rent has problems. Most will happily do so. They have LOTS of experience! )

But let's back up for just a moment, and just address the issue of *renting* a scooter (or as Disney calls them, an ECV).

WDW has a fleet of ECVs that are available for rental at the front of each theme park. Current rate is $50/day, and you can "hop" your daily rental to another park - provided that park has a scooter available.

It is true that the theme parks will often run out of rental scooters fairly early in the day. As people go back to their resorts, or to another park in the afternoons, more WDW units are available then. The WDW scooters have just recently been replaced, however, they are designed to be a heavy-duty workhorse unit (like the ones you see at grocery stores).

Many people prefer to have an ECV available to them all the time. Some of the Resorts are HUGE, and the walking there alone can add up really fast! Not to mention if you decide to visit another Resort, or go to Downtown Disney/Disney Springs (which is growing in size daily!) Since almost every form of transportation at WDW is "scooter friendly", it's no problem to take your rental along on the internal bus system, the monorails, and the majority of the boats. Almost all of the lines for rides & shows are "mainlined" as well, so you don't have to get off the scooter unless you want to park it, and stretch your legs.

So: Who/What/Where/When/How

WHO: Walt Disney World has a list of "Featured Providers" (found on this page)

All of these companies are reputable - and they are the ONLY Orlando companies that can drop off and leave an ECV at your WDW Resort Hotel, so that it is waiting for you when you arrive. (I realize your party is currently planning to stay offsite, but this info is still good to have, in case your plans change)

These "Featured Providers" are also the only companies that you are allowed to simply leave the ECV at the WDW Resort hotel at the end of your stay, and walk away, knowing that it will be picked up.

ALL OTHER SCOOTER RENTAL COMPANIES IN ORLANDO MUST MEET YOU FOR BOTH DROP OFF AND PICK UP AT WDW RESORTS (and all other locations).

All of the non-WDW scooter rental entities in Orlando can typically beat Disney's rate by a significant amount, when you look at a multi-day rental. You can rent for any amount of time - from one day to one year.

There are other posts here on this Forum about which company is the best to rent from (both "Disney approved" and not).

WHAT: Any reputable scooter rental agency is going to ask you some questions when you rent. These questions are intended to help you rent the best scooter for YOUR needs. Remember that persons under 18 are not allowed to rent or drive a scooter at WDW.

This is the time to stress to the agency that you rent from that you will need to have a scooter than can be placed into a rental vehicle. They will need to know the size/type of the vehicle you are renting, to insure that the scooter will fit.

WHERE: As I mentioned before, look around here in the DISabilities Forum at different posts that typically start with "Which Rental Company..." or similar. You should also go and look at the website for any company you are considering renting from to see not only rates, but the type of scooter they are renting. Here's a hint: When you have picked a scooter company, come back to this Forum, and search for posts about that company, to see what experiences others have had (and how recent those posts were)

WHEN: Whenever your travel plans are firm. Especially if you are planning on staying at a WDW Resort, and using a "Featured Provider". Go ahead and get that rental set up, so that it is one less thing to worry about! Since you will be off-site from WDW, you will have to make sure that you allow time at the beginning and the end of your trip to meet the scooter rental agency for drop off and return.

HOW: Get on the phone! Before I had my own personal ECV, I would identify 3 different scooter vendors, then call each of them. Asked a ton of questions, and then I would base my decision on things like hours that they were available in case I had an issue, their policy on damage, and the model of scooter they were recommending for me.

Be sure to bring along a 3-prong capable power strip or extension cord (heavy duty) to use for charging. Often the outlets we need to use to charge the ECV are not in the most friendly locations; the power strip or extension cord means you won't have to dig around behind furniture every night. Charge the ECV *every night* regardless of how much you used it. This makes sure you can go all day the next day with no problems.

Also, you may want to have the person who will be driving the ECV practice at a local Wal-Mart, Target, grocery store, etc. with one of the big electric shopping carts first - if they can master driving one of those giant beasts, a rental ECV will feel like a race car to them!

If you have any further questions or concerns, don't hesitate to ask; we'll all be glad to share!

 

[Ladyfish77]

If you have any further questions or concerns, don't hesitate to ask; we'll all be glad to share!

Thank you so much mamabunny! I'm not the OP, but this really answered all my questions. I'll pass it on to my friend. She's had a tough year, and nothing is going to stop her from going on this trip!

 

[FullOfPixieDust]

We used Apple Scooter last year and had a wonderful experience. It was waiting for us at our {Disney} hotel when we arrived and they picked it back up from the resort when we left. We were able to use it all day without having to recharge it until we were finished for the evening. The price was comparable to Disney's ECVs but the scooter was smaller and more easily maneuverable PLUS we could use it at Downtown Disney and the resort if necessary.

 

[KJMAX1]

Ok, so if she rents a scooter from a company, can she plug it in, inside the parks if need be? I think we would just be concerned about having a rental, it's battery is dead or something happens. Also, what do you do if it breaks or stops working right and you're in a park? I totally get the parking lot distance etc. I agree outside might be better for her that way she can ride to the car.

 

[kaytieeldr]

ALL OTHER SCOOTER RENTAL COMPANIES IN ORLANDO MUST MEET YOU FOR BOTH DROP OFF AND PICK UP AT WDW RESORTS (and all other locations).

Which has no effect whatsoever when staying offsite. The non-featured companies are extremely reputable, provide excellent customer service, and simply opted not to pay for the privilege of being able to use Bell Services as a drop-off point. Many have been around a lot longer than some of the featured companies.

Ok, so if she rents a scooter from a company, can she plug it in, inside the parks if need be? I think we would just be concerned about having a rental, it's battery is dead or something happens. Also, what do you do if it breaks or stops working right and you're in a park?

.
She shouldn't need to charge a properly-charged ECV during the day, but yes. If it breaks or stops working, she calls the rental company and the come with a replacement.

 

[Bete]

I know people who go 200 or more pounds and a one battery scooter will not last for a long day in the parks. If you want more than a 6 hour day I would still go with a two, battery scooter.

If you are below that weight then doing due diligence of shutting the scooter off during parades, shows and such will go a long way to go with a one battery scooter. Watch the battery gauge and that will protect you some. Bring the charger to the park. During meals is a great time to give a boost to the battery and plugging it in. You will need to look for an outlet or ask a CM to find one for you. The CMs are not use to that request, but they should be able to help you. We have found outlets near restrooms, for example.

 

[KJMAX1]

Thanks for the tip about plugging it in. I think she is just afraid she will forget to turn it off etc. She weighs maybe 135? So I think she will be fine with the one battery, especially if she can bring a cord.

 

[mamabunny]

Thank you so much mamabunny! I'm not the OP, but this really answered all my questions. I'll pass it on to my friend. She's had a tough year, and nothing is going to stop her from going on this trip!

I'm so glad it was helpful! I truly hope she has a Magical trip!

 

[SueM in MN]

There is also a post about renting wheelchairs and ECVs in the disABILITIES FAQs thread - post #2.
You can follow the link in my signature to the disABILITIES FAQs thread or look for it stuck near the top of this board.

If you charge the ECV overnight and you have the correct ECV for your weight, you should not need to plug in during the day. In fact, short charges are one of the ways that type of batteries get ruined. If you do need to charge it, ask a CM for where you.

Also, I used to recommend taking along a power strip or heavy duty extension cord for charging, but I have noticed that the instruction manuals for many ECVs now specifically say not to use them and to plug directly into the wall outlet.
I don't know the reason, but most of the chargers do have long cords; previously many didn't.

 

[momof2cuties]

My husband is 250 lbs and used a portable scooter from here a couple of weeks ago:
http://www.buenavistascooters.com/
It worked out well. We went all day in the parks and he's plugged it in at night. One night he forgot and was nervous about the next day...it still went all day. He did plug it in for a few mins while we were on figment, but no issues at all. We rented a car - A ford edge and it fit right in the back without having to take it completely apart. My two teens were able to lift it in and out without too much trouble.

 

[JennyDrake]

I have had excellent experiences using Walker Mobility.

 

[evaready51]

Hope this is the place to ask. We are going as a group to the park and my husband's aunt is worried about her knees after a few days. She was asking me if I knew about renting the scooters. I haven't a clue how they work, do you rent for a day or a week? She isn't staying onsite, so I'm thinking she couldn't rent one from an outside company, correct? Do they run out of batteries throughout the day, do you go to the front gate to get a replacement? Thanks.

Walker Mobility is wonderful & was recommended to me by Disney. They bring the scooter right to your resort. 1-888-scooter