Should my sister rent an ECV?

[Independence1776]

My sister was diagnosed a few weeks ago with a mild form of arthritis in her left knee (her kneecap rides slightly off its track). Her doctor told her to wear her knee brace whenever she is exercising. I managed to convince her to wear it the first day we're there (which she didn't want to do because it's SWW and we're going in costume). However, given the distances in the parks and looking over the DISboards for herself, she thinks she might need one, especially for Epcot. Given that she was on the phone last night for an hour and pacing the entire time (without her brace), and ended up with a 7 out of 10 on the pain scale, I tend to agree with her.

If she does rent one, it would be one of the park rentals. She would leave it outside the attractions and walk in. However, there is no way to have her practise beforehand like all of you recommend. Furthermore, the parents do not know that we are thinking about this. I know that they would not approve because the one time I mentioned it for her at dinner, they basically said she didn't need it. But both of us think she might, even if not right away.

That said, should she rent one? If so, at what time in the day? And how should we inform our parents about this, if we should at all? (We are splitting up in the parks, if that makes a difference.) Renting a wheelchair is out of the question, given that I wouldn't be able to push it.

 

[SueM in MN]

I would say for Epcot it would be a good idea. That park seems larger and more spread out and you have to walk quite a distance to get from one attraction to the next.
My FIL had very bad hips and knees (he was supposed to get both replaced, but never was really 'ready' to do it). Anyway, for the last few years of his life, he rented an ECV in Epcot and the Studio. He felt that MK was easier to walk because it is more congested with people and also because the attractions are much closer together. He also used the train as transportation to avoid walking so much. You can get on the train on Main Street and take it to Frontierland, which puts you also very close to Adventureland. After doing all the things you want to do there, you can get back on the train - get off in Toontown and you can see things there and it's a pretty short walk to Fantasyland.
If you don't rent an ECV early in the day, there might not be any available, so you do need to think about that when figuring out what to do.
As for telling your parents, you know them, so you will have to think of the best way to discuss it. If she's an adult and will be paying for it, that makes things easier. If you are splitting up from them on the days she will be planning to use one, they might not even know.
If she doesn't rent one, it will be less wear and tear on her knee if all the park days are not in a row - a park day, then a day off, then a park day.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

She has to be at least 18 to rent an ECV in the parks.

Also, if you go to a large "big box" store, such as a WalMart or Target, or a large grocery store, they tend to have ECVs available for use in the store. She can try out using one there. Just realize these are much larger and less maneuverable than the ones at Disney.

 

[Independence1776]

We're 22, and she'd be paying for it. (She's the one that suggested the ECV after finding out the average person walks 6- 8 miles a day.)

Unfortunately, as I stated above, there is no way for her to get to one of those places to practise. Neither of us has a car, and we're leaving June 1. Also, we're going to be there only three days, so there is no time off to recuperate (MGM- Sat, MK- Su, Epcot- Mon).

I think she's going to say Epcot, definitely; MK, maybe; MGM, probably not.

And thanks for answering so quickly. She sprung this on me a couple days ago. I had only mentioned renting one once a few weeks ago, but she rejected it out of hand, saying she'd stop and rest when she needed to. I'm glad she rethought it, but I'm scrambling for advice now. (I prepared for my issue, not her's.)

 

[GroovyWheeler]

Definitely. I have osteoarthritis, and always brought my own manual wheelchair to the parks. But, next year (because of mom's health and the fact that she has a hard time dealing with my manual wheelchair when it comes to taking it apart/putting it back together, when it needs to be folded) I'm taking my walker and renting an ECV. I'm looking forward to it, and still working on the driving part (especially since I'm so used to driving my power chair).

Samantha

 

[OneLittleSpark]

I think you should encourage her to give MGM a try. I've done it in a manual chair and found it easily accessible. I find the crowds are worse than EPCOT, but not as bad as MK.

Don't worry if she can't practice beforehand, just make sure she starts off nice and slowly and keeps looking all around her (because the other folks around you sure won't be!). You get fairly good at preempting people fairly quickly when you're in wheels, but there are times when they surprise you ("Oh, what's that over there? Let's go look... hey, where'd that ECV, 2" from my leg, come from and why is the driver looking so annoyed?" type thing). Not trying to scare you though, just warning you that there are people in WDW with their "Vacation-Heads" on.

I say get the ECV, go to the parks and have a whale of a time! You can take it through most of the queues (some she may have to walk or transfer to a manual chair for), and right up to the boarding area (you may be pulled out of the line before you get to the front and boarded at the exit, the Cast Members will direct you as necessary). As for your parents, try to explain the situation to them, in whatever way you think best. Tell them the sort of distances people walk in Disney, how much pain your sister would be in, and how much more fun it would be for everyone if she was comfortable and happy, rather than crying in pain. If they're still not happy with the idea, you might need to rent it for the first day, to show how much better it makes things.

Oh, also, try to get the the parks as early as you can, as the ECVs can run out.

Have a great trip!

 

[Independence1776]

She won't do MGM. We're going to be in Jedi costume (including the robe), and she just doesn't want to bother. Epcot is the main concern. And we're planning on getting to the parks before opening on all three days (early is good!).

As for the queues, she's just planning on parking it outside and walking in. The ECV is more to save her from walking for miles rather than waiting in line. ECVs are parked in the stroller area, correct? And how do you prevent someone from taking the one you rented?

As for the parents, she told them at dinner she was probably going to rent one at Epcot. They asked how much it was and didn't really say anything else about it. (I'm not sure they know what an ECV is, or if they just didn't care.) Hopefully, they won't make too much of a fuss once we get there if the former is the case (which I think it is, given Dad thought we were talking about Segways).

Also, should she rent an ECV first thing at Epcot, or go get Soarin' FastPasses first? (My plan for that park is Dad and I head off to Mission:Space first thing while Mom and my sister get the fastpasses, then she'll get the ECV.)

 

[SueM in MN]

As for the queues, she's just planning on parking it outside and walking in. The ECV is more to save her from walking for miles rather than waiting in line. ECVs are parked in the stroller area, correct? And how do you prevent someone from taking the one you rented?

You can park with the strollers, or ask the CM at the entrance.
To keep someone from driving away with it, take the key with you. If the CMs have to move it for some reason, they know how to make the ECV so that it can be rolled, so they don't need the key to move it.

Also, should she rent an ECV first thing at Epcot, or go get Soarin' FastPasses first? (My plan for that park is Dad and I head off to Mission:Space first thing while Mom and my sister get the fastpasses, then she'll get the ECV.)

If you are getting to the park first thing, there should be ECVs left after she gets back from getting Fastpasses. It is a fair walk though and you have to go into The Land building (up a steep hill to get in) and downstairs (there are escalators - there is an elevator also, but it is small and slow, so it's faster to use the escalators).
Another possibility would be to send your mom to get the Fastpasses with everyone's park passes while your sister gets the ECV.

 

[Independence1776]

Thanks! The only problem with your suggestion of splitting up is that Mom doesn't want anyone going off alone. But I'll suggest it to my sister anyways.

 

[bopper]

If the parents give her a hard time, just say:

"Mom, we all spent alot of time and money getting to Disney. Sis has arthritis in her knee and renting an ECV at Epcot will help her enjoy the day without pain and therefore she won't hinder us in getting around or having to leave early. I know you aren't saying you would rather sis be in pain. For the other parks she is going to try to walk as it is much less walking to do.
I hope there are no further comments on the subject."