Scooter carrier rental

[Jerimie]

Anyone know if/where I can rent a ecv carrier at? After a long day in the hot sun and parks it was less than desirable to take the shower apart and lift into the back of our minivan. We will have a hitch installed before the next trip.

 

[FortForever]

It's not just the hitch that will need installed. You will also need wiring for an RV for the lights on it, as well as separate wiring for the electrical components on the lift. I just put one on my van, so familiar. I already had the hitch and rv wiring and thought that would be enough. It wasn't, I also had to have someone do additional wiring for the lift itself that runs directly off the battery. Kind of a hassle for a rental.

 

[mamabunny]

Aside from the issues that @FortForever had just very recently getting all that installed (chronicled around here somewhere in another post) I honestly have never seen a company that rents those. Sells them... all day long. Rental? Not so much.

Are you staying onsite, or offsite?

If onsite, the answer is obvious - use Disney transportation. I know a lot of people come here worried about getting on and off the buses, but once you do it a couple of times, it's pretty much a non-issue, and the drivers are always happy to help; just ask.

If you are doing a "split stay" (part of your trip at WDW and part of it at Uni) then I have heard of people getting their rental vendor to pick up the ECV and move it for them from one hotel to the other; obviously that has to be scheduled in advance.

If offsite, then the only other thing I could think of is to check with U-Haul in Orlando. They sell carriers, but a local U-Haul dealer *might* rent them - I truly don't know. Harbor Freight sells a hitch-mounted carrier for $169; I suppose you could arrange to buy it in Orlando? Congratulations - you get to take it home as a souvenir from Disney World!

There are several places in Orlando that will be happy to sell and install a carrier for you, but I can't find a single rental vendor...

Let us know what you decide to do!

 

[kaytieeldr]

if there's room in the vehicle for the assembled scooter, Walgreens.com I think sells a ramp for under $200

 

[Jerimie]

Thank you all for the info. We drove on this last visit and I like it better than Disney busses because there are no lines at my car and with two young children with us the fewer the lines the better. I guess I'll just have to decide which compromise I am willing to make. Thanks again.

 

[Belle1962]

Some random thoughts:
I know you will have your own car but have you considered possibly renting a van with the lift? or roll in? Either at home or in FL?
Have you considered taxi service? Since it sounds like you are concerned about after the park closes maybe take Disney transportation to the parks and a taxi at closing. I just stayed at Universal and needed to get somewhere offsite, I called Mears and they sent an accessible minivan.
I agree with the above poster about maybe packing lighter and purchasing ramps. You may be able to pick them up second hand online. If you are packing food items, you can use a grocery delivery service and have the items waiting for you at your resort.
Would it be easier to rent from Disney? I find theirs to be bulkier to drive but it could be an option.