Scooter rental help

[goldilocks_63]

HI, I'm taking grandparents to Disney Old Key West (OKW) for May, 2007. I'd like to rent the scooters for a week (if that's cheeper, actually there 8 days),
with the little awnings - sun sensitive,

with drop off / pickup at the OKW resort.

And then how do you get them onto the busses. If I hop on, and back it up onto the bus for them, to get it on, will that work? And can you fit 2 on a bus, or do you have to wait.

We have a car, and could just rent for the few days we need, but last time they ran out at Animal Kingdom, and that's my mom's favorite, and the most walking....

Oh, and grandfather is 6'5", so a roomier scooter would be nice.

Any suggestions / advice please. I know there are several out there, but I'd like to go with one that someone has had good experiences with....

I would also prefer to not have to be present for dropoff/pickup. Grandparents have ridden ecv's at the park, and we're not going to dismantle them to put into the car.


Goldi

 

[Cheshire Figment]

HI, I'm taking grandparents to Disney Old Key West (OKW) for May, 2007. I'd like to rent the scooters for a week (if that's cheeper, actually there 8 days),

An eample would be $35 per day but stop at $200 for a week and then drop to $25 a day. It depends on the company.

with the little awnings - sun sensitive,

Those little canopies are more trouble than they are worth. And you don's spend most of your time with tyour back to the sun.

with drop off / pickup at the OKW resort.

All of the companies will do that

And then how do you get them onto the busses. If I hop on, and back it up onto the bus for them, to get it on, will that work? And can you fit 2 on a bus, or do you have to wait.

Most of the newer buses have low ramps and you can just drive on and drive off. It it is an old bus with a lift you might have to help them and even do the driving yourself. And there can be two ECVs or wheelchairs on a bus. The only problem is if there is one ahead of you.

Oh, and grandfather is 6'5", so a roomier scooter would be nice.

When you make the reservation the company should ask about size; if they don't ask, tell them when the reservation is made.

I would also prefer to not have to be present for dropoff/pickup. Grandparents have ridden ecv's at the park, and we're not going to dismantle them to put into the car.

This means you do not want to use Randy's, as they require being present for both drop off and return. Just about all the other companies will drop off and pick up from the Resort Bell Services.

 

[SueM in MN]

I think Cheshire Figment forgot to suggest you look at the disABILITIES FAQs thread, which has information and links to the various off-site places that DIS Board posters have had the most experiences with.

There is also information about traveling with the WDW buses on the disABILITIES FAQs thread.

I have seen people with the scooters with canopies and noticed a few things:
1) Unless the sun is just in the right place, you will still get some sun.
2) They do limit visibilitybehind you to some extent and I've noticed they seem to also limit people's ability to see the faces of other members of their party who are walking.
3) Many of the queues are shaded.

 

[jm-mom]

I used an ECV a couple of weeks ago and I wanted to offer my review. I've never used one before other than a couple of times at the grocery store. Having said that, I had no problems whatsoever with the one I used.

I rented from Walker online and the scooter was there waiting for me when we arrived at our resort. I just returned it to luggage pickup right before we left and some time later Walker returned to get it.

I didn't opt for the sunshade because it was more expensive and looked like a nuisance. For a couple of days we were there it rained and I managed to find plenty of places to park under cover at all the parks. I think the same would be true for sun shade.

Getting on and off the bus was a bit of a challenge but the drivers were all very friendly and helpful. As long as you can get the ECV onto the ramp or lift, they'll do the rest for you. All the buses we used only had a spot for 2 handicap vehicles. We did go at a slower time of year but only 2 times did I ever encounter another handicap passenger waiting. Usually it was just me.

I noticed the scooters were everywhere at all the parks. I have bad knees and had to have it to have a good trip. I'm glad the service was available and everyone, and I do mean everyone, was very kind to me throughout my trip.

Have a good time!
Garland

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

I just wanted to offer a little advice, definitely rent from offsite, because you never know if one will be available at the parks and DO NOT under any circumstances use Discount Mobility, their owner is rude and obnoxiuos (sp?) and so is his brother. The lady I dealt with when I made my reservation was very nice, but when we got to our resoort and the ECV's weren't there, I had to call and the owner was the one I talked to and he treated me like dirt and then I had to deal with his brother on that occassion and another, the next morning when my ECV wouldn't work. Many people I talked to used Walker and we saw many that said Randy's. The only reason I used Discount Mobility was because I rented two ECV's for 7 days and it was only $315 for that time and one of them was the deluxe because I weigh over the 300 lb limit.

Two ECV's can go on a bus at one time and it might be better if you can back them on the bus for your parents, because it is very hard to manuver. We upset so many people though that we just ended up lifting them into our rented mini van everyday. Remember that anyone that is handicapped is allowed to board the bus first and anyone sitting in the seats that have to be raised to allow the ECV's, must give up their seats unless the bus is full prior to getting to your resort (Ft Wilderness shared buses with Wilderness Lodge some days).

Good Luck and have a great time,

PrincessSuzanne

 

[SueM in MN]

Sorry you had a bad experience.
The companies that are listed in the disABILITIES FAQs thread for renting ECvs and wheelchairs are companies that many DIS posters have reported good experiences with over the years. I'd feel safe renting from any of those.

There are a few places (including Discount Mobility) listed for renting special needs strollers, but we haven't had posters giving any feedback before about them and it does say that on the disABILITIES FAQs.

 

[goldilocks_63]

Thanks everyone for the advice.

I hope I got the right kind of scooter. We got the one for under 300, but GrandPa is at 270, so that may be pushing it...


And since he's tall, and upon advice of others, I didn't get a sun top. THe days that GrandPa isn't using it, I'm going to let my mom (GrandMa) use it. SHe get's pooped out.

They like different parks, so I think having one will work out nicely.

THanks for the help.

I reserved it, and paid for it, so they won't have to try to rent it on the park days (like I said, at the parks by the time we get there sometimes were out. Plus, walk to the front of parks got GrandPa pooped out).

SO maybe for the 1 day that we need two scooters (Epcot day), we'll try and rent one there in additionally at Epcot.

So if you see GrandMa or GrandPa scootering around OKW May 5-13 this year, this is us. Say Hi to GrandPa, and he'll probably be reading a book with a beer, and watching the golfers / ducks.
GrandMa will be going to the pool.

Best, Disney Daughter,
Goldi

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