Scooter Question.

[bigmac5]

I am a little confused. Are all scooter companies allowed to bring scooters to resorts? I read somewhere that only 2 were allowed. Scooterbug could drop off at Guest Services but Gold would have to meet you in person. Are these two the only companies allowed to supply. Then I read on this site an ad for Buena Vista. Thanks all

 

[lanejudy]

ScooterBug is the only vendor allowed to utilize Bell Services at WDW resorts. All other vendors are allowed to meet you in-person at a WDW resort.

 

[Lewisc]

Bell Service delivery is available at Swan, Dolphin and I think Shades of Green from any company.

 

[bigmac5]

So is only ScooterBug allowed to utilize Bell Services a permanent thing or was it because of Covid. I guess what I am asking...what are the chances for this to change?

By the way thank you all for your quick response.

 

[lanejudy]

So is only ScooterBug allowed to utilize Bell Services a permanent thing or was it because of Covid. I guess what I am asking...what are the chances for this to change?

By the way thank you all for your quick response.

It's a change that was made pre-Covid and I would expect it to be permanent...or at least a several-years-permanent kind of thing. It's not a temporary covid policy. Unlikely to change any time soon.

 

[Lewisc]

Disney could, subject to contract terms, replace scooterbug. I doubt Disney will go back to allowing multiple vendors access to bell services

 

[bigmac5]

Has anyone met up with any company other than Gold and what was your experience? You guys have been so helpful. when we last went it was 2018 and this policy was not in place. Sort of nervous about this meeting up thing

 

[Lewisc]

Scooterbug will deliver to bell services. Gold will set up a delivery time that works with your schedule. Buena Vista has set delivery times, which vary by resort. I think 3 or 4 times per day.

If you're arriving late you may need to use Scooterbug or have your scooter delivered the following morning.

Scooterbug wouldn't still be in business if they're as bad as a few posters want you to believe

 

[Simba's Mom]

Has anyone met up with any company other than Gold and what was your experience? You guys have been so helpful. when we last went it was 2018 and this policy was not in place. Sort of nervous about this meeting up thing

Previously I met with Walker. They gave me a window of about an hour, and showed up about half-way through that time. It was OK, but I must admit I preferred when Gold met me as I stepped out of the Uber. Then, what was funny was that I wanted to just get on and GO-I'm at Disneyworld!-but he stopped me and said, very nicely, "Would you please humor me and let me tell you a few things about your rental?" I'm sure he's required to point out certain things, so I was kind of embarrassed that I'd just been in such a hurry!

 

[Her Dotness]

DH actually preferred the agent meeting us with the scooter.

They show you how the controls work, basic operation, where the charger is stored and where it attaches to the ECV.

Very useful to have a mini-lesson on that particular one even though you're an experienced user.

Also to be reminded about safe driving.

 

[Evita_W]

Gold will also show you how to adjust the seat, etc. For your comfort, something that isn't always obvious.

 

[SueM in MN]

The WDW park rental scooters are like tanks and considering they are pretty much always rented out early in the day, they get a lot of use and get a beating.

We are at WDW right now and have seen many rental scooters from many different companies over the past week. We have not seen any company’s that is in better or worse shape than any other company. Many from a variety of companies looked new or almost new.

 

[Evita_W]

The WDW park rental scooters are like tanks and considering they are pretty much always rented out early in the day, they get a lot of use and get a beating.

We are at WDW right now and have seen many rental scooters from many different companies over the past week. We have not seen any company’s that is in better or worse shape than any other company. Many from a variety of companies looked new or almost new.

Intereating, We saw a lot in decent condition from Gold, Walker and Buena Vista, but a lot in really bad shape from other companies, including some with chunks missing out of them. But a lot were in decent shape from other companies at well. What we noticed more were the amount of people pushing their devices out of the parks at the end of the night, even when they were charged completely the night before (none from the three companies I mentioned by the way) and the amount of people DH spoke with that arrived to find the devi e they rented was not there (again not from the three companies mentioned). Those were the two biggest issues we saw. Of course, I do know most rental companies were completely sold out while we were there, so that may be a difference. Out here on the west coast we see a lot more damaged scooters on days where the crowds are high or there are larger amounts of ECVs in the parks than normal, which makes sense. Just saying why we may have seen different things there.

Not saying other companies are bad, just to be cautious when renting (even from the companies mentioned) and check what guarantees they provide. The last thing you want is to have to push the device out of the park (DH has been in that situation out here on the west coast when the parks first reopened and the rented equipment failed due to having sat unused for so long. The company would have come into the park, but reservations, even at Knotts were absolutely required, so he had to push it out and it wasn't fun and the parks at WDW are much larger).

The point is always ask whatever company (Gold, Buena Vista or any other one) you rent from if they will be able to come to you in the park if there is a problem or if they require you to get it to the front of the park AND make sure you fully charge every night.

And yes, the in park rentals get a beating, the ones at WDW are designed to take the beating, but are very pld and in really bad shape, the new ones at the Disneyland Resort are not designed to take a beating, but are brand new for now, it will be interesting to see how they hold up over time.

 

[bigmac5]

Evita_W Good point about checking to see if they will come to the park if their is an issue.

 

[SueM in MN]

We saw a single scooter with torn upholstery on the backrest several times. It did not have any rental company markings, so it could have been someone’s own scooter.

 

[Evita_W]

We saw a single scooter with torn upholstery on the backrest several times. It did not have any rental company markings, so it could have been someone’s own scooter.

As I said, we know there were a lot more ECVs around than normal while we were there, so it may be companies that had to dig out machines they normally wouldn't rent out in that condition to meet demand.

Just the three I mentioned didn't seem to have any with any issues that we could see.

I do know that there have been two trips where we didn't see many with visible issues from companies that definitely did have massive issues before that. But this last tripnwas not one of those.

This trip, there were chunks missing from the plastic floor, scratches, scrapes, people pushing scooters because of dead batteries and mechanical issues and the rental company not being willing or able to come into the park to assist. Again, not from the three companies I mentioned, but others.

Another caution, We also saw a lot of alternative models, including ones that are not recommended for rental companies (as stated on the manufactures website) that were being rented. While those are currently brand new, chances are that they won't age well as rentals, so if renting such a model, always ask the company how often they are replacing them. Basically, if it is a Pride ECV, only the Victory 10/10.2, Maxima and GoGo Sport models are considered appropriate for rental companies per manufacturer recommendations. If what you are looking at renting is another model, be very cautious. Not saying don't do it, just approach with caution. Some rental Companies are taking gambles right now as it is hard to get new ECVs and they have to replace inventory to get enough units to keep their business running. So, again, just approach with caution and ask questions.