Hi all!
Im looking for some help regarding scooters. I did kind of look around, but could only find very basic info about scooters.
Im going to DisneyWorld July 8-15th with my DH, and two sons ( 5 and almost 2). I will be 27 weeks pregnant then. I have noticed even already if I am walking for extended periods of time, I am in a lot of discomfort. So I have been thinking about
renting a scooter.
I am wondering a few things:
A) Is it hard to maneuver them in the parks when its busy? We already will have a double stroller, so we are used to having that obstacle.
it can be challenging if it is busy. You need to be very aware of other people and ready to stop at any time because people will jump out in front of you without warning. Practice at your resort before venturing out into busier areas.
The biggest issue I see personally is people who have the speed set too high. There is a setting for the scooter's top speed - it can be on slow (usually marked Turtle) or fast (usually marked Rabbit). On Rabbit, you accelerate much faster and have a faster top speed. It's easy to see inexperienced drivers on Rabbit because they tend to race to a start, then lurch to a stop over and over - sometimes many times in the space of 20 or 30 feet. If the crowd is moving slowly, it's better and safer to be on turtle.
Also, they don't have brakes the way a car does - when you let up on the throttle, they stop. But they don't stop on a dime.
B) How do buses work with scooters?
At the resort, you will see a box with a wheelchair symbol at the bus stop. If you park in or close to that, the driver should see you and will load the scooter before the other guests. The bus stops handle buses to many destinations, so let the driver know whether you want their bus or not (looking at the driver and nodding or shaking your head works well.) loading is like parallel parking on the wrong side of the street. The drivers are not supposed to drive it on for you, but many will. Even if they don't drive it on for you, they will give helpful advice. The biggest issue I see is people going way too fast (on Rabbit) and either turning too soon or not soon enough. If the driver is directing you when to turn, do listen. It's recommended that passengers get off the
ECV and transfer to a bus seat. Even though the drivers tie down the ECV, it can tip, so no one should be on it in the bus.
At the parks, at most stops, you will wait in the line up to a point where you will see a gate or opening with a wheelchair symbol. At that point, use that wheelchair bypass to get out of line to where the driver can see you. The wheelchairs and
ECVs are again loaded first.
Be prepared that there may be times that the first bus may not be able to fit you on.
C) We are staying in a royal room at Port Orleans Riverside. Will we have room for a playpen, double stroller AND scooter in the room? Do I have to call POR to let them know about the scooter?
No, you don't need to call.
Many people think they need an accessible room with a scooter, but the space in the rooms is the same - in fact, the bedroom space in an accessible room may actually be smaller because more space is used in the bathroom.
Alligator Bayou area does not have elevators, but the Mansion area buildings ALL have elevators. The Royal Rooms are in 2 buildings in the Mansions area, so you won't need to request first floor unless you prefer to be on that floor.
This website has a lot of info, including a floor plan.
http://www.portorleans.org/royal-rooms.php
It might be tight with a playpen, double stroller and ECV. If you need space, you can move the table and chairs or even ask Housekeeping to remove them.
D) I noticed there are 3 wheel scooters and 4 wheel, is there really much of a differnce? Im wanting to get the smallest one possible to fit in the hotel room.
Thanks so much for any help!
3 wheel scooters can turn much more sharply and are often smaller, but because they have 3 wheels, they can tip more easily.
4 wheel scooters require more space to turn, but many people like the more stable feeling they get with 4 wheels.
When you rent, the rental company will ask about your weight so you can get the correct size and battery so it lasts all day.
And, just mentioning since I am at WDW and see lots of kids riding as passengers, that is not a safe thing to do and is also a violation of the rental contract.
You can find more info about renting scooters, including company names and contact info, in post 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread.
