Scooter Charging Stations?

[shrinkydinky]

Our family is going to WDW in October (Food and Wine Festival - yah!). One of my sisters and i will be renting electric scooters, since our mobility has become very limited. i have my own scooter at home, but am worried about getting it banged up and in the luggage section of the airplane. So we are going to rent from an outside company. So far, Apple looks like the best company. Any suggestions or recommendations are welcome.

My concern is that our batteries may poop out when out in the parks. And i was wondering if there are places you can charge your scooter while you have lunch or dinner. Seems they should have that, but have not been able to find any information about it. Any know or have experience with this?

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) No charging stations, but you "might" see an unattended socket somewhere.
2) Can you imagine the crowd around the electric outlet(s)?
3) If you rent from WDW, they will get you another if/when the battery dies.

 

[dawnhaze]

For what it's worth, I did 16-hour days in the parks on one of Apple's larger scooters (Victory 10, I think was the model) last fall and the battery never fell below half. I'm told a big factor is the weight of the rider - I'm a bit over the 175lb recommended limit for Apple's smaller scooters, but quite a bit under the 350lb recommended limit on the larger ones. I carried the charger every day in the basket but never needed it.

If you turn it off when you're sitting still (in shows, waiting for parades/fireworks, etc), keep the speed to a reasonable level, and charge it fully every night (6-8 hours), you probably shouldn't have battery problems. But, if your battery does die, you may be able to charge it at the First Aid stations in each park, or so I've been told by CMs. (Edit - I think you can also call the rental company for a new battery, but that may vary between companies?)

 

[Chickenlady]

I rent a scooter every time we go (at least once a year). I've had all sorts of problems but never a scooter that wouldn't hold a charge for a full day of park use. If you have this problem, call the rental company. It shouldn't happen.

 

[Bete]

For what it's worth, I did 16-hour days in the parks on one of Apple's larger scooters (Victory 10, I think was the model) last fall and the battery never fell below half. I'm told a big factor is the weight of the rider - I'm a bit over the 175lb recommended limit for Apple's smaller scooters, but quite a bit under the 350lb recommended limit on the larger ones. I carried the charger every day in the basket but never needed it. If you turn it off when you're sitting still (in shows, waiting for parades/fireworks, etc), keep the speed to a reasonable level, and charge it fully every night (6-8 hours), you probably shouldn't have battery problems. But, if your battery does die, you may be able to charge it at the First Aid stations in each park, or so I've been told by CMs. (Edit - I think you can also call the rental company for a new battery, but that may vary between companies?)

I agree.

The Victory model is slightly more expensive to rent, but it has two batteries and it can really hold a charge. It's a bigger scooter, but not as big as the Disney ones. Weight of the person absolutely makes a difference. Then, add what you put into the basket and you have more weight. If you use Disney transportation it will be a little harder for this scooter on and off the bus.

You need to watch your gage for battery power. Be prepared if you think you could have a problem. It absolutely does help to turn the scooter off every chance you get like seeing a show, movie, parade, fireworks and so forth.

We have found that near a restroom, especially the ones inside other buildings usually have an outlet. There are outside outlets, too. Don't count on a good enough charge during dinner to take you through the rest of the day if you aren't careful about the use of the scooter. It helps, but I would be leaving the park after an occurrence of low battery with a little boost from dinner time. A battery full recharge usually takes 8 hours.

Although, a Disney scooter costs more the CMs will help you replace their scooter with another one if you run low on battery power. You do have to get early to the parks if you are going to rent from Disney. They can run out.

Bring your charger with the scooter; so, you can charge it if necessary.

 

[SashaFarce]

We rent from Apple every time. I can't think of which one we rent, but it's a single battery and does not have captain's chair. Anyway, I weigh around 250, and the battery usually lasts all day as long as the batteries aren't on their last leg.

In my experience, Epcot is the easiest place to find a place to plug in. It's a bit harder at MK but we have successfully plugged in all 4 parks. We tend to find outside plug-ins near restaurants and near lockers quite frequently.

 

[shrinkydinky]

Thank you for the input and suggestions. i'm about 10 pounds over the 175 limit scooter, so should probably go with the larger one, either that or go on a diet.

This will be our first time with scooters, so it will be a new experience. We can walk short distances, but want to be able to really get around and enjoy our time there. i am assuming there are spots outside most attractions and restaurants where you can park while you enjoy a ride or food. i guess i didn't notice last time we were there.

 

[Toffeewoffy]

I hired the equivalent of the Victory 10 (it was an older model), and it went on all the Disney buses with no problems whatsoever. Mind you, we never went on the old ones with the lift.

I also found the charge lasted all day and right through until midnight on the overnight charge. You just turn the power off if you're going to be stationary for more than 5 minutes at a time.

I doubt you'd get enough top-up charge on a break for lunch - unless you intended to spend a couple of hours on your lunch 'break'!

 

[SueM in MN]

We rent from Apple every time. I can't think of which one we rent, but it's a single battery and does not have captain's chair. Anyway, I weigh around 250, and the battery usually lasts all day as long as the batteries aren't on their last leg.

In my experience, Epcot is the easiest place to find a place to plug in. It's a bit harder at MK but we have successfully plugged in all 4 parks. We tend to find outside plug-ins near restaurants and near lockers quite frequently.

MK has a few charging station in Fantasyland by the Rapunzel themed restrooms.

There are 2 large banks of charging stations at the shop where Space Mountain exits.

Thank you for the input and suggestions. i'm about 10 pounds over the 175 limit scooter, so should probably go with the larger one, either that or go on a diet.

This will be our first time with scooters, so it will be a new experience. We can walk short distances, but want to be able to really get around and enjoy our time there. i am assuming there are spots outside most attractions and restaurants where you can park while you enjoy a ride or food. i guess i didn't notice last time we were there.

Also keep in mind the weight of anything you are carrying also counts toward the weight limit.

 

[chirurgeon]

The only time I ran low on charge was when I forgot to charge my ECV at night.

 

[shrinkydinky]

Well then, i best get the larger capacity scooter since i plan on doing a LOT of shopping.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

MK has a few charging station in Fantasyland by the Rapunzel themed restrooms . . . There are 2 large banks of charging stations at the shop where Space Mountain exits . . .

1) That is great info.
2) Never knew they were there.
3) I guess we learn something every six-months, or so. *

* When as old as I am and with a memory to match, six-months
can feel like a day.

 

[SueM in MN]

1) That is great info.
2) Never knew they were there.
3) I guess we learn something every six-months, or so. *

* When as old as I am and with a memory to match, six-months
can feel like a day.

I had not heard of th bring there.
Just happened to walking in there while traveling between Circus area and Tomorrowland

 

[Gilrond]

I have used an outlet in the Liberty Tree Tavern near the checkin. It's tight in there and I don't take the ECV to the table. It turns out that I have never needed to charge - I was just nervous the first time. I always carry the charger just in case. I keep the speed slow and, as others have mentioned, I turn it off if I am not going to be moving for several minutes.

I always carry an extra poncho in case of rain and a small super absorbent towel in case of unexpected rain and being delayed in getting under cover.

 

[linedancer]

We do Disney on scooters all of the time. We own a pair of 4 wheel Pride go go HDs. They have two batteries and can go all day at the parks with no problems. They do need to be charged every night. If you are renting your scooters and have trouble with your batteries, just call your rental agent..they will come and replace them. Also according to the ADA (American Disabilities Act), all you have to do is ask and Disney needs to provide you with an outlet to charge your batteries..

Please be aware that there are some differences between doing Disney on scooters and walking. If you have never ridden a scooter before, you might want to take it on a short run in an uncrowded space. Just to see how it handles and rides. The parks are sometimes quite crowded and you have to be on your toes. Folks do not pay attention to you, so you have to watch out for them, remember you are below eye level..that does make you harder to see. Some attractions you just use the normal queue line, some have an accessible line. If you are unsure, see the cast member at the attraction. Use your fass passes, it makes it easier to see what you want to see. Just don't be in a hurry, sit back on your scooter and enjoy. We love ours.

 

[ttintagel]

We've never been able to go an ENTIRE day without recharging at least a little bit in the parks. It seems like all my late-night memories of the parks involve sitting and waiting for somebody's ECV to charge so we can make it to the bus stop!

The flower beds in EPCOT Future World are a good place to find outlets; just feel around for the boxes near the lights.

In the MK, there are outlets in the arches under the train station, and one near the newsstand and pressed penny machine just outside the gates.

Unfortunately, I'm drawing a blank on the ones near the exits to DHS and AK.

NB - generally the outlets will have those little covers on them you have to flip open.

Maintenance CM's have always been very knowledgeable and willing to help about finding them - more so than other CM's. It's not so much that the other ones don't care or want to help; it's just that the maintenance folks use them more.

 

[Quicklabs]

They have a specially reserved seating section for scooters and chairs and there are plenty of plugs for recharging. They're very accommodating there.