Resistant Mom and ECV rental

[everylastbreath]

I'm going beginning of August, how soon should I book a ECV for my mom? Also, what if I book for 7 days and she uses for a day or two and she has problem handling, can we call and have them pick it up or do we get charged for the whole week regardless? She is giving us so much trouble with the idea, I'm afraid to have one / not have one, don't know what I'm going to do with her. We've pushed a manual wheelchair in the past and don't want to repeat that.

 

[P&B's Mom]

We rented many monts in advance from Walker--I would just call the company you want to rent from and ask them all of your questions. I will say that it saved our trip with my dad. We did have to pay for the week in advance, so I don't know what would happen if you wanted to turn it in early.

I will say that there was a difference between handling the private ECV and Disney's ECV. The private one was much easier to handle.

 

[ElizabethB]

I agree. The ones you rent from Walker or another source are much easier to use and maneuver than the ones you rent from Disney.

If your mom still drives, she probably won't have any problems with the scooter. I predict she'll love it. And, you will too. I don't know the rule on getting money back if you turn it in early. You'd have to call Walker's and ask.

Going in August -- tell Mom she uses the scooter or she stays home. Tell her you simply won't push her in the August heat!

 

[msr709]

To the OP, your Mom will end up loving it! Specially since you're going when its so hot. Just a little advice, always put a towel on the back of the seat and on the bottom cushion. It will be much more comfortable that way in the heat. I always use the hotel towels and use a fresh one everyday. Her legs and back won't end up all sweaty. Also, get a rain poncho and keep in the back of the seat (there is usually a pocket) in case it rains (and knowing FL it will) you can lay it over the chair to keep it dry, always pay special attention to control section in the handles, you must keep that dry.

I was a little weary of using the ECV but after my first time of using one a whole week, I don't go to WDW without one, it makes life so much easier. My sister threw her back out pushing me around a WC, and it ruined our vacation, never again will I ask that of anyone, specially in the heat of Aug. Have fun and tell her she won't regret it! HTH

 

[everylastbreath]

To the OP, your Mom will end up loving it! Specially since you're going when its so hot. Just a little advice, always put a towel on the back of the seat and on the bottom cushion. It will be much more comfortable that way in the heat. I always use the hotel towels and use a fresh one everyday. Her legs and back won't end up all sweaty. Also, get a rain poncho and keep in the back of the seat (there is usually a pocket) in case it rains (and knowing FL it will) you can lay it over the chair to keep it dry, always pay special attention to control section in the handles, you must keep that dry.

I was a little weary of using the ECV but after my first time of using one a whole week, I don't go to WDW without one, it makes life so much easier. My sister threw her back out pushing me around a WC, and it ruined our vacation, never again will I ask that of anyone, specially in the heat of Aug. Have fun and tell her she won't regret it! HTH

Thank you so much for your reply, I am feeling a little better about having her use one after reading these replies, I guess it's not unusual to feel a little apprehensive the first time. We just can't do the Wheelchair thing again, it is so hard to push and heavy- especially in the heat, but we so much want her there. Where do you rent from? I have another thread about Randy/Walker which one, wondering if you have an opinion on which one has easier to use chairs or if they are both the same types.

 

[msr709]

Thank you so much for your reply, I am feeling a little better about having her use one after reading these replies, I guess it's not unusual to feel a little apprehensive the first time. We just can't do the Wheelchair thing again, it is so hard to push and heavy- especially in the heat, but we so much want her there. Where do you rent from? I have another thread about Randy/Walker which one, wondering if you have an opinion on which one has easier to use chairs or if they are both the same types.

Actually I just posted asking about Buena Vista Scooters, AllEars.com put out an email that gives a discount if you mention them when you rent. I'm also going in Aug so I was just looking into it. In the past I have used Randy Mobility and have been very happy with the service and scooter. I have never used Walker but I have read good things about them also. I really think it comes down to the $ and convenience of booking. Check the boards frequently for more opinions, I'm sure others will chime in with their experiences with Walker. I believe now Randy asks for 1/2 deposit up front while Walker does not so that might be a pro or con depending on your budget. But I do wholeheartedly recommend renting from an outside source, any of them will be more convenient than just renting from the parks (and more costly). HTH

 

[everylastbreath]

Ok, it's official, I rented from Walker (because they personally deliver and explain it's use) she doesn't know about it (and I'm not telling her) once we get it we will deal with her resistance. She is usually much better listening to my husband than I so he will be able to talk her into it. Fingers crossed- will let you all know how it works out when I return. Thanks all for your help!!

 

[I Love Pluto]

Please don't TELL Mom what to do. Listen to her.

Walkers and rollators are also good options. Don't force her to ride if she isn't ready or comfortable with that choice.

Thank you!

 

[everylastbreath]

Believe me, we will listen to her- our mail goal is to make this the most enjoyable trip, not to make her uncomfortable in any way. At last resort we will be pushing her in a manual wheelchair if necessary. This is a very special trip for us.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Walkers and rollators are also good options.

I'm sorry that I would have to disagree with you on this. Most people can easily do 3-4 mph (15-20 minutes per mile) with no problem. A person with a walker or rollator is really limited to under one mile per hour (and will be exhausted).

Once around the World Showcase Lagoon Promenade is over 1¼ miles.

A person with a walker, rollator or even crutches, in a family group, will slow down the group beyond belief. Use of a wheelchair or ECV will make for a better vacation for the entire family.

 

[OneLittleSpark]

It might be good to give her a chance to practice with an ECV before you go. A lot of larger stores, such as Walmart and Target have courtesy ECVs for customers. They are apparently a lot heavier and harder to drive than those from the off-site rental, so if she can drive those, she can drive anything.

It might be best to talk to her about it before you go. I've heard a few people on here say that they rented an ECV for someone without telling them, and they got pretty upset about it and refused to use it. Don't let something like this spoil your trip.

One trick that often works with people is to pick a place about two or three miles away from her home. Then ask her if she could walk all the way there. If she says she could, ask her if she could walk there and back again, every day, for the length of your trip. She'll most likely look at you as if you're mad, but four to six miles is actually a fairly short distance to clock up in a day at WDW.

Also, explain to her that, though you want to do everything you can to make the holiday fun for her, you just can't cope with pushing a wheelchair all the way around Disney in the August heat. Make sure she is aware that the ECV will offer her more independence, and help her to have fun without getting tired or being in pain. If she is someone who likes to feel 'useful' you could say that with the ECV she could go ahead of you to pick up fastpasses, or help you guys with the bags (a lot of ECVs have a basket in the front).

Do you know what her concerns are? Is it that she doesn't like the idea of driving it, or is worried she might hit someone? If this is the case, a few 'practice runs' around Target, and a few turns around your resort when you get there should help her to feel more confident. She might also be happier if you did EPCOT on your first day, as it has wider paths and fewer crowds.
If her worry is slowing you guys down, just assure her that she will be able to go a lot faster and stay in the parks much longer if she saves her strength for the fun stuff.
If her worry is the cost, tell her that it's a small amount compared to the entire holiday, and it will mean you can all enjoy yourselves more!

Hope some of this is a help!

 

[everylastbreath]

OneLittleSpark- Thanks so much for your reply. I think her reluctance is with manuvering it without hitting anyone- she does walk well, but has asthma, and is 81 years old so she does not have the stamina for long walks especially in the heat. We have used the manual wheelchair in the past, but it is just too heavy to push in the heat (+ we also had my 18 year old nephew with us that time, my husband is a 50 yr old man, big diff). I have mentioned it and although she knows it's the best for her, she is fearful. I plan on taking her around Citywalk (we start off our trip in Universal RPH) I think once she gets over the fear of not being able to control it she will love it, she did not mind sitting in the manual wheelchair so it's not a vanity issue.

Her fear is slowing us down, which I have stressed to her will not be an issue with a toddler, We have all been to Universal/Disney many times and seen just about everything we wanted to see, so if we do 1 ride per day baby will be happy- he just likes the hotel!!

Thanks you so much again for your reply.