Scooter suggestions

[KJMAX1]

My mom is finally able to join us for her first time ever to WDW. She will need a scooter and her doctor has approved it. She was in a bad car accident that left her with a very bad knee injury.


What scooter do you suggest us looking into for purchase? One with a second battery?

Thanks!

 

[trivan]

We just got one for my daughter and did our first trip to Disney with it 2 weeks ago. It’s call Atto by Moving Life. it folds up to the size of a carry on suitcase and it was great to be able to fold it up and put it into a Uber when needed. the portability sold me on this one.

 

[flying_babyb]

i recommend the via go go sport! I bought one used off a coworker and my mom loves it. It goes nice every where and so far seems to keep up with a full day out. My only whine, its heavy to lift in and out of the suv. My coworker apparently can do it by herself but Ive got back issues and a bad knee. It comes apart easily though and in two parts It wasnt as bad to lift.

 

[mamabunny]

here
My mom is finally able to join us for her first time ever to WDW. She will need a scooter and her doctor has approved it. She was in a bad car accident that left her with a very bad knee injury.


What scooter do you suggest us looking into for purchase? One with a second battery?

Thanks!

There are *tons* of choices out there - what you need to look at is what your Mom will be most comfortable with.

Personally, I own 2 TravelScoots (a "1st generation" and a "2nd generation) and love them both. They weigh less than 35 pounds, fold to a size that will fit into a duffel bag about the size of a golf bag, and will basically spin on a dime if turned all the way to the right (they don't like hard left turns because they are powered on the left rear wheel LOL). They are a little spendy, however - you are starting at about $2500 or so. Having said that, at my highest weight (over 365 pounds) I was doing a full "Disney day" with one, and never ran out of power, and was comfortable all day. Now that I weigh a whole bunch less, my battery would last even longer! I loved that you could ride without the seat back, and it was like a tricycle - I could easily get on and off of it. The lithium-ion batteries are fantastic; they hold power for longer, and charge up quickly. I could also just fold down the back seats in my Kia Soul, and with the seat back off, just lift the entire scooter in the back by myself.


That's Angus in the back of my Kia Soul. (minus his seatback, with a fancy customized seat!)

If I didn't have to have my Fold & Go power chair now, I would still be using Angus today. Everyone at the TravelScoot office in the US is just so nice - and Tony has even helped me with an issue I had (yep, it was user error LOL) and then thanked *me* for calling!

In the category of lightweight, foldable scooters, there are several now; the main thing to remember is to look at how your Mom will use it - what are her needs not only for supporting her knee, but overall comfort. Would something with a "squeeze" throttle be better for her than a thumb lever throttle? (Does she have arthritis in her hands?) And consider as well as when/where and who will be with her to help if she can't unfold it, or refold it on her own. The best, lightest weight, sparkliest, most wonderful scooter in the world isn't worth a toot if it isn't right for *her*. It took me a long time to settle on the TravelScoot, and while it is a lot of money, my family and I have always considered it as the replacement for my legs (which no longer function properly). As such, the freedom and mobility that was restored to me was priceless.

If I was in the market today for an ECV, I would start by calling Gold, and asking if they had any of their rental units for sale. That way, I could buy one and pick it up on my Disney trip - and give it a good, thorough test run before I left for home while still at WDW! The good thing about Gold's refurbed units is that they are putting new batteries into them, which is the #1 thing that tends to be problematic on any scooter - regardless of whether it was formerly a rental unit or not.

Things I would look for (in addition to light weight) are: lithium-ion batteries, 3 wheels (tend to have tighter turning radius, makes it more nimble in tight spaces) either a twist throttle (that can be equipped with a CrampBuster) or a thumb lever throttle (both are easier on the hands/wrists IMHO) and overall ease of use. Controls need to be where she can reach them easily. The seat needs to be adjustable for her comfort, as well.

If you decide to buy something from Amazon, please proceed carefully - I would almost recommend not buying a mobility device from there, only because I now personally know too many stories of people who have had problems with their purchases. Everything from defective batteries to seats that broke at the post (and very nearly impaled my friend) have convinced me that I might use it for shopping/comparision purposes, and to read reviews (hint: Look at the 2, 3 & 4 star reviews - they tend to be more honest - and sort by "most recent") and if you find something that looks promising, try to find a local mobility dealer that carries it.

And, that's always a good place to start - the nearest reputable mobility equipment shop. That way your Mom can "test sit" and test drive prospective units to find out what she likes better. Just remind her that a true personal mobility device will *not* be like anything she uses at the grocery store, or Wal-Mart; it will be faster, easier to drive, and much smaller!

Do let us know what your Mom decides on - it might help another person in a similar situation

 

[Bete]

Your scooter choice is somewhat dependent on the weight of the person using it. A heavy person needs a heavy weight scooter, for example. Scooters are rated for weight; so, pay attention to this when buying one. Second concern is how long in a Disney day you plan to be out. If you want a longer day in the park then a two battery scooter will serve you better. The fold and go scooter models are nice but expensive.

Before buying I would see how your mom does with a free scooter at the store. Maybe do an outing like a zoo where you can rent a scooter. This will allow you to see her endurance with one and how well she will navigate one. Disney parks are crowded which makes them difficult at times; you have to really pay attention. Also, going through ride queues have a lot of twist and turns where you need to pay better attention.

Keep in mind you may have to help your mom with the scooter if using Disney buses at Disney. To me this is one of the harder parts, getting on and off the buses. You may have to do it for her. Is she able to get on and off the bus if not on a scooter?

Also, there's a learning curve with conserving battery power. When the scooter is not moving like for a show turn the scooter off.

 

[Simba's Mom]

i recommend the via go go sport! I bought one used off a coworker and my mom loves it. It goes nice every where and so far seems to keep up with a full day out. My only whine, its heavy to lift in and out of the suv. My coworker apparently can do it by herself but Ive got back issues and a bad knee. It comes apart easily though and in two parts It wasnt as bad to lift.

Go Go also makes the Elite Traveler, which I have. It's a little less costly than the sport. However. the sport is a little longer, and I sometimes wish I'd gone for the extra length for my legs. But the sport DOES weigh a little more.
Does she want to buy one or just rent one for WDW? Perhaps she'd feel better renting the GoGo Sport before she buys-I think Gold Mobility would give her a discount if she wanted to buy the exact unit she'd rented at the end of the week (I THINK, I'm not positive). Also, as I always say, if the scooter you're riding breaks down in the park and you own the scooter, you own the problem. If you rent the scooter, the company will come to you with a working scooter in short order.

 

[KJMAX1]

Thanks everyone! Great suggestions. My mom weighs about 135 to 140. She plans to walk through most lines. But we will have to see her endurance in lines. Is there a way we could stand in line and she joins us near the front? We plan to go in early Nov and she doesn't do big rides. So most of the things she will go on are usually low lines or walk ONS. All of that is questionable since Covid though. She has driven the ones at stores, but that's it. I'm thinking she needs a little more of a seat though and maybe arm rests. A small basket in front?

 

[Evita_W]

Go Go also makes the Elite Traveler, which I have. It's a little less costly than the sport. However. the sport is a little longer, and I sometimes wish I'd gone for the extra length for my legs. But the sport DOES weigh a little more.
Does she want to buy one or just rent one for WDW? Perhaps she'd feel better renting the GoGo Sport before she buys-I think Gold Mobility would give her a discount if she wanted to buy the exact unit she'd rented at the end of the week (I THINK, I'm not positive). Also, as I always say, if the scooter you're riding breaks down in the park and you own the scooter, you own the problem. If you rent the scooter, the company will come to you with a working scooter in short order.

Except ScooterBug, if you rent from them outside the park, they will NOT come to you inside the park, DH found that out talking with someone who had a problem with them while they were at the back of Magic Kingdom and they insisted they had to get it to the front. From what we were told when Gold picked up our scooter, there was recently an incident where this happened to someone when they were at the back of EPCOT and they ended up calling Gold mobility on the recommendation of someone coming by. Gold brought the scooter to where they were in the park and I believe the person called ScooterBug and told them to refund their money and they were leaving the scooter where it was since they couldn't get any assistance.

Now I am not saying this will always happen with an outside vendor, even ScooterBug may not always do this, but make sure you ask what the company's policy is if the scooter breaks down while you are in the park and if they have any hours where they can't help you. We fell victim to that one once many years ago before Gold came around and Buena Vista wouldn't help us with a dead battery (that had been fully charged overnight) at 8 PM in the park.

 

[Evita_W]

Thanks everyone! Great suggestions. My mom weighs about 135 to 140. She plans to walk through most lines. But we will have to see her endurance in lines. Is there a way we could stand in line and she joins us near the front? We plan to go in early Nov and she doesn't do big rides. So most of the things she will go on are usually low lines or walk ONS. All of that is questionable since Covid though. She has driven the ones at stores, but that's it. I'm thinking she needs a little more of a seat though and maybe arm rests. A small basket in front?

Given the weight, I would suggest the GoGo Sport with the extended batteries since you are looking to purchase. If you find the need, one or both of the arm rests can be removed. There are smaller ones that could work, but many of them would not last all day in the parks.

If she can drive the ones at the store, the gogo sport will be no problem either. As mentioned above, renting from Gold may be a good idea, as if you want to purchase, they usually will give a credit of the rental price towards the purchase price. I suggest calling them and discussing if this is something you are interested in. Just one thing to note on your flight back is that you will need to know the weight of the scooter, so make sure you ask.

 

[mamabunny]

Thanks everyone! Great suggestions. My mom weighs about 135 to 140. She plans to walk through most lines. But we will have to see her endurance in lines. Is there a way we could stand in line and she joins us near the front? We plan to go in early Nov and she doesn't do big rides. So most of the things she will go on are usually low lines or walk ONS. All of that is questionable since Covid though. She has driven the ones at stores, but that's it. I'm thinking she needs a little more of a seat though and maybe arm rests. A small basket in front?

Actually, *most* queues at WDW are mobility device friendly - she can drive (in most cases) to either right next to, or very near the ride vehicle.

Just ask any CM at the entrance to any ride/attraction/show for more information!

 

[KJMAX1]

I guess we have another question. We want to buy the scooter to practice and use now for our trip in November. I am trying to figure out how to transport this in our van. Maybe one of those wire racks on our hitch? Or does the GoGo Sport fold down?

 

[Simba's Mom]

The GoGo Sport, as well as the Traveler Elite, that I have, easily break into about 5 parts that fit in the trunk of my Toyota Camry, or in the rear of DH's Ford Edge, so I'm sure it would fit in your van.

 

[Evita_W]

Actually, *most* queues at WDW are mobility device friendly - she can drive (in most cases) to either right next to, or very near the ride vehicle.

Just ask any CM at the entrance to any ride/attraction/show for more information!

Just a note that rise of the Resistance is back to allowing you to take the ECV all the way to the ride vehicle.

 

[Evita_W]

The GoGo Sport, as well as the Traveler Elite, that I have, easily break into about 5 parts that fit in the trunk of my Toyota Camry, or in the rear of DH's Ford Edge, so I'm sure it would fit in your van.

A victory 10.2 can fit in the back of a Hyundai Kona or Ford CMAX without breaking it down if you fold the back seats down. If you don't fold them down, you would need to take apart the victory 10, but it would still be doable. It would fit in a van, so the gogo sport would easily.fit in a van without breaking it down if need be. But you would need to remove the seat in any case.

 

[mamabunny]

I guess we have another question. We want to buy the scooter to practice and use now for our trip in November. I am trying to figure out how to transport this in our van. Maybe one of those wire racks on our hitch? Or does the GoGo Sport fold down?

If you do go with a rear-hitch mounted rack, remember that it will add length to your vehicle, so be sure to remain aware of that when in heavy traffic!

The other thing to consider is if you have a rear back-up camera, it is possible that can be completely covered by the ECV when it is loaded on to the rack.

Safety first!

 

[trivan]

I guess we have another question. We want to buy the scooter to practice and use now for our trip in November. I am trying to figure out how to transport this in our van. Maybe one of those wire racks on our hitch? Or does the GoGo Sport fold down?

Here is a picture of the Atto, which folds in about 20 secs and fits in any trunk. It can separate in 2 pieces if needed. While the entire ECV things is new to us, having the portabltiy and not have to deal with taking things apart, or additional transport gear is such a plus. It is considerably more expensive which is the down side.

A lot of things are back ordered so leave yourself plenty of time to order and get it. It took almost a month for ours to arrive and we almost missed getting it in time for our trip.

 

[flying_babyb]

THe go go sport breaks down into the back wheels (and battery) and the front. The handle bars fold down. I drive a Chevy Malibu and can fit it in my trunk easily in two pieces. Probally could get it in as one but lets be real, my weakling self cant lift that much!

 

[Baytothemax]

Do you have a local surgical supply store? My store had 6 or 7 different models I could try in store before buying. This way she can see what’s most comfortable to her to sit in and what she can best control. I went with the 3 wheel buzz around because I could control it best one handed and it gave me the most legroom. It isn’t super compact or as light as other options but comes apart and fits in a trunk of car. And no one piece weighs over 40 lbs