Scooter breakdown and transport question

[pixietwin]

Hello, I will be renting a scooter offsite, probably from Randy's - and have a question. First, we are staying about 10 days onsite at Disney but we'll be going to Universal for 2 to 3 days too. We'll drive from CSR to Universal. I've never been to Universal so I have no idea about parking and getting to and from Universal. I was going to rent another scooter just for Universal because I don't have a way to mount the scooter - BUT I read that Randy's scooters break down easy. I have a Dodge Durango SUV. How hard is it to breakdown and LIFT this scooter into the back of a SUV? I can't lift but my husband will as long as it's not too heavy.

Are Randy's scooters and the others from offsite rental companies as heavy duty as the ones you can rent at the parks? I used a scooter when we were at the park last time and found them comfortable - but if the scooters from off site companies break down so easy, I wondered if they weren't as 'substantial' or safe? I'm sure they are but want to get advice.

 

[ireland_nicole]

First off, Randy's rents different types of ECV's depending on whether you need to use your own transportation or not, so be sure to let them know that you need to be able to break them down. You can ask them what the heaviest piece is, I know that the heaviest part of my own is less than 40 lbs. when broken down, so not hard to life. There should definitely be room in the back of the dodge.

Although the offsite scooters are smaller than the park ones, and generally 3 wheeled instead of 4, this makes them much more manuverable, and they are still very sturdy.

HIH

 

[pixietwin]

Okay, that is another main question I had and I didn't think of the word..sturdy. And even though I don't need a heavy duty based on my weight, I do have a wide backside so that is something I'm wondering about. I know the HD scooters are wider. I didn't know if it's worth the extra money to get a HD just for a wider seat. I want to have a sturdy scooter that is comfortable with a wide enough seat and footwell - but also one that can break down to get to Universal twice.

 

[kazzy3]

I rented from Buena Vista scooters a model that could be boken down b/c we were going to Universal for 1 day. I was disappointed w/ Buena Vista. The first scooter was the one that could be broken down. It was dinged and cracked, didn't bother me but it would all of a sudden just stop with a jolt would have to be shut off and restarted. My DH thought it was b/c it was my first time using ecv then he tried it and the same thing. I called Buena Vista scooter and complained they brought a different model that does not break down to WL b/c they cannot enter Universal. I left this ecv at front deskof WL for p/u. The scooter died the following day after a full charge and Buena Vista couldn't enter the DHS. Why not, I don't know that is supposed to be one of their perks "onsite". I wound up renting ecv at DHS.
I would suggest not renting a scooter that breaks down. I got the idea from them that these types do not tolerate wear and tear as rentals. If you have a handicapped pass, the handicapped parking at Universal was not so bad. I would walk from the parking lot if you can. They have moving sidewalks if I remember and then I would rent a park ecv.
Perhaps Randy's would be better to deal with I don't have any experience with them. The scooter would easily fit in Durango (used to have one) as long as the back seats are down.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

There tend to be three classes of ECVs.

Transport which are very lightweight (weighing under 100 pounds including batteries) and designed for a maximum carrying capacity of 200 or 250 pounds. They are good for at most ten miles between charges, and that is traveling at less than full speed and no hills at all.

Standard which will usually have about a 350 pound capacity. These tend to weigh between 150 and 200 pounds and just about all can be broken down. They have heavier batteries and can normally last 25 miles on a full charge with a fresh battery.

Heavy Duty, such as Disney's. Where the capacity is 500 pounds or more. Most of these are designed not to be broken down. And they also will have a range of 25 miles between charges.

Mosat rentals tend to be standard.

If you check Post #5 of the disABILITIES FAQs you will see an explanation of how to break down a standard ECV and put it back together, as well as some ideas of getting it into a car trunk. I have gotten a different model ECV since that was written, but the breakdown and reassembly procedures are fairly similar and also are intuitive.