Scooter Vendor Reviews

[lanejudy]

It may be because one of their competitors (Buena Vista Scooters) has a relationship with the DIS.

This is my assumption. The disABILITIES Forum is sponsored by Buenva Vista Scooters.

 

[Lewisc]

What hotel was that? I never heard of them not being able to deliver somewhere. Some places they have to meet in person, even outside WDW resorts for various reasons.

I'm not sure if this is still true.....one of the timeshare resorts, maybe westgate, wouldn't let vendors on property. One of the resorts, maybe Omni at Champions Gate was outide Golds delivery zone.

 

[Simba's Mom]

We're going to WDW Thanksgiving week with my mother in law, who has pretty significant mobility issues. She also has arthritis in her hands that limit her ability to grip. I've read on other threads that Buena Vista has scooters that are easy on the hands. How about Gold or Scooterbug? Are they powered with thumbs or with your other fingers? More generally, has anyone with grip issues had trouble with any scooters, and if so, which companies/scooters were problematic?

This was the picture of the first scooter I rented from Gold Mobility, a GoGo. I took the picture because I was so pleased with how easy on my hands it was. Although I switched to the Victory [I think that's the name] a couple years later, I don't remember the handle being different.

 

[Tasscrapper]

What hotel was that? I never heard of them not being able to deliver somewhere. Some places they have to meet in person, even outside WDW resorts for various reasons.

It was the Club Wyndham Star Island Resort although I don't believe it is exclusively Club Wyndham. I actually asked Gold why and they said they had had a problem in the past with property damage I think it was and they no longer deliver there.

 

[Lewisc]

This is my assumption. The disABILITIES Forum is sponsored by Buenva Vista Scooters.

FLTOURS sponsors the transportation forum. One of Pete's companies was originally listed as being the owner of FLTOURS.

Most other transportation can be linked and discussed.
An example

https://www.tiffanytowncar.com/wordpress/

Other scooter companies can be linked and discussed. Examples.
https://bpmobility.com/en
https://www.scooterbug.com/orlando/

https://walkermobility.com/
Traditionally companies were banned for.spamming DIS. Encouraging shill fan posts.

 

[lanejudy]

@Lewisc I appreciate your argument. However the mods were notified some time ago to not post links to any other ECV vendor. As one that was probably most frequently linked and mentioned for several years, I would not be surprised if it was blocked for that reason. Or maybe another reason as you suggest. We really don’t know why other that it isn’t allowed.

 

[Evita_W]

FLTOURS has been.a board sponsor forever. The only banned transportation companies are companies which spammed. DIS. Some were giving a nominal future discount in exchange for good review posts on DIS.

I can assure Gold Mobility has never given any discounts in exchange for good reviews on any site. They have however given all previous renters discount codes from time to time regardless of review or not, that just isn't their style. The problem is so many love them so much that we all rave about them to the point it may seem like spam or advertisements for them, but that is simply because they were that much better than all of the competition. They are still that good, the difference now is that by being as good as they are, it forced a lot of their competition to up their game, so the difference isn't quite as stark as it used to be. But there are still plenty of bad companies out there, especially Scooterbug, which is one of the worst. Don't get me wrong things don't always go wrong with Scooterbug, but when they do, it is bad.

 

[Evita_W]

This was the picture of the first scooter I rented from Gold Mobility, a GoGo. I took the picture because I was so pleased with how easy on my hands it was. Although I switched to the Victory [I think that's the name] a couple years later, I don't remember the handle being different. View attachment 857015

The victory and gog handles are very similar and easy to operate. Even the Maxima handles are similar.

 

[FeliciaB23]

Does anyone know how far in advance I would need to book a scooter for a January trip?

 

[Tasscrapper]

I don't think you would have to book far in advance at all in January. I would say whatever gives you peace of mind in knowing it's done but I don't think there would be an issue with availability. You could always call the company you're interested in and ask them.

 

[Goldelpack]

Does anyone know how far in advance I would need to book a scooter for a January trip?

Since there's so many vendors that rent anytime would probably be the best time. I generally book my rental as soon as I purchase airline tickets because it gives me a good idea as to what time I'll be available to meet the vendor. (the only vendor that leaves the scooter for you isn't my first choice) - I also wait for possible "deals" like x% off or whatever. Most vendors allow you to reserve months/year in advance.

 

[Lewisc]

Golds coupons are NOT valid on existing reservations.
A week or 2 should be ok. Months in advance is overkill

 

[Goldelpack]

Golds coupons are NOT valid on existing reservations.
A week or 2 should be ok. Months in advance is overkill

True. I always subscribe to emails from ECV vendors to try to keep up with special offers. One benefit of renting in advance is the feeling of security (even though if one were to wait until 2 weeks in advance - an ECV would be available.)
Just to add to the original topic - I've rented from multiple vendors over the years. Prior to 2021 the most important variable for me was the cost of the rental. So whomever had the least expensive cost got me. 30 years of this made me realize that renting one was as necessary as getting a flight and hotel. plus overtime the overall costs are not that different. So I moved to having the best overall experience. Before I started using Gold almost exclusively - I had one ECV unit that had a defective tire - and it happened on a Friday afternoon - and was told I had to wait to mid morning Monday for a "technician" to come. I had one that freewheeled while locked and only moved when it felt like it (that was replaced the same day)
Going to my last trip the Gold scooter I got had a dead battery within 3 hours of start of using. It was delivered with full bars. I charged it (I have my personal ECV with me - with horrible battery life) and the same thing happened. I called Gold and left a message and followed up early the next morning. Within less than 45 minutes I met a Gold rep outside who replaced both batteries - the ones that were having problems were 5 months old. It was awesome.

 

[jlundeen]

I have some Friends making a trip next spring staying on Disney property, and would like to give them the most recent info.

Any updates on Scooterbug's product/service. I noticed that they now are cheaper than others, and wondering if anyone has any recent (like in the last 3-4 months) experience.

I have used GOLD for past several years (loved them, but not so much the delivery/pickup). Before that, I always liked the resort delivery options of Scooterbug... but my last experience with them (years ago) was pretty rotten. Wondering if they have cleaned up their act at all.

 

[Oldie13]

I have some Friends making a trip next spring staying on Disney property, and would like to give them the most recent info.

Any updates on Scooterbug's product/service. I noticed that they now are cheaper than others, and wondering if anyone has any recent (like in the last 3-4 months) experience.

I have used GOLD for past several years (loved them, but not so much the delivery/pickup). Before that, I always liked the resort delivery options of Scooterbug... but my last experience with them (years ago) was pretty rotten. Wondering if they have cleaned up their act at all.

Mom used them October 2023 and they were great quality and no problems like always. She’s been using them since 2014 and never had any issues.

 

[maxiesmom]

Golds coupons are NOT valid on existing reservations.
A week or 2 should be ok. Months in advance is overkill

As soon as I know I'm going I also book my scooter. So I don't mind having a discount that books months out.

 

[lilkitty819]

I'm glad I decided to check here before my trip. My mother has decided to come with and she'll be in need of a scooter. At first I reserved one from Scooterbug because I saw they could deliver without us being there. But then I read reviews and just got a refund (which was super easy, just a few minutes on the phone.).

Anyhow, now I'm so conflicted on which company to choose - Gold, Walker or Buena Vista. Is there any particular company that has the most straightford scooter to use? My Mum has used one years ago that we rented from the park and she hated it. Unfortunately she just can't walk long distances so I'd like to find something super easy. If she hadn't just told me she'd like to come on the 18th, I would have had more time to research but I feel like someone on here might be able to direct me?

Have you ever notice that most of the complaints are cosmetic. My husband and I have rented from Scooterbug since 2020, the first time we rented I had a problem that it didn't keep a charge as long as it should have, so I called them and in about 2 hours they had a replacement for me. Since then I have not had any issues, the convince is worth a little scratch on the scooter.

 

[Lewisc]

Have you ever notice that most of the complaints are cosmetic. My husband and I have rented from Scooterbug since 2020, the first time we rented I had a problem that it didn't keep a charge as long as it

Many of the complaints are battery issues holding a charge. Competitors replace the batteries more often. Scooterbug limits the speed, another source of complaints.

Cosmetic issues suggest the company waits longer then competitors to replace them. That suggests possible reliability issues.

Competitors are more generous with accessories. Fans, captains chair, cell phone holder, drink folder etc.

I don't agree with you. The complaints aren't cosmetic

 

[Momloveshockey]

Question from a first time scooter user… we will be arriving at Disney on Saturday and going to the water park (2025 trip). I want the scooter for Sunday morning to rope drop HS. When do I get it delivered? Sat night or Sunday morning. If Sat night does that count as one day of rental?

 

[KPeterso]

Question from a first time scooter user… we will be arriving at Disney on Saturday and going to the water park (2025 trip). I want the scooter for Sunday morning to rope drop HS. When do I get it delivered? Sat night or Sunday morning. If Sat night does that count as one day of rental?

Yes, Saturday would count as day 1 on the rental. You could get it earlier on saturday and take it to the water park. I know Gold delivers as early as 7-7:30 AM as I have had ours delivered around that time many times. We fly in from the west coast and tend to get in during the evening so have the scooter delivered the next morning. I usually ask for between 7-8 AM even though it is rare for us to make rope drop.