Someone took our (rented) ECV!

[Lizgistix]

We rented an ECV from Disney at MK for my mom on Tuesday for our day trip and for the majority of our day, everything was great. Our last ride of the night was on Jingle Cruise and after we got off the ride, we went to where we parked the ECV to find out it was gone!

After informing a CM, she made some phone calls, then kindly asked us to wait nearby while they brought another one to us. Some time later, we were greeted by a CM who I assume was a manager, and she talked to us about what happened, had us sign another contract for the new ECV, and wrote us a coupon for some free snacks (which we didn't use because of an upcoming ADR).

Overall, the situation was handled well by Disney, but it's kind of weird to know someone would take our ECV despite us taking the key with us. In talking with a CM, I found out this happens more often than it probably should.

...I wonder if they drank my water, too.

 

[Euby]

I have heard (purely hearsay) that the keys to the ECVs that Disney rents out are practically interchangeable.

 

[rlk]

I have heard (purely hearsay) that the keys to the ECVs that Disney rents out are practically interchangeable.

If that is true, maybe the person who 'took' the ECV mistook it for their own.

 

[kaytieeldr]

But then there should have been an "abandoned" ECV nearby, no?

 

[rlk]

But then there should have been an "abandoned" ECV nearby, no?

True! Do the CMs move ECVs around like they do strollers?

 

[KMarston]

This happened to us in Epcot about 4 years ago. It was a pain and there was no other ECV around so it obviously wasn’t that someone took ours by mistake. I also had it marked with a bow to be able to easily find ours! It’s crazy that someone would do that. They thought maybe someone else’s ran out of battery and they just commandeered ours. Took about forty minutes to handle and we were getting ready to leave anyway.

 

[Michigan]

True! Do the CMs move ECVs around like they do strollers?

Yes they do

 

[Evita_W]

Sadly the CMs do indeed move the ECVs, which sounds fine in theory, but often they move them far enough away that it can be an issue for those with mobility issues.

Also this thread is an example of why if you are renting from an off site company, you now need to make sure that theft insurance is included.

 

[Lizgistix]

If that is true, maybe the person who 'took' the ECV mistook it for their own.

That was our original thought but in the area was only one other rented ecv and while waiting for our replacement, someone came off Jingle Cruise and hopped into it, so there weren't any extra ecvs around.
So maybe a CM thought it was abandoned?
It's still a mystery, but it all worked out and we got our deposit back.

 

[DisneyOma]

If that is true, maybe the person who 'took' the ECV mistook it for their own.

But then there should have been an "abandoned" ECV nearby, no?

Might have been moved, or the other person's ECV might have been moved - so theyt ook the first one they came across, thinking it was theirs.

Sadly the CMs do indeed move the ECVs, which sounds fine in theory, but often they move them far enough away that it can be an issue for those with mobility issues.

Also this thread is an example of why if you are renting from an off site company, you now need to make sure that theft insurance is included.

Why sadly? Sometimes people leave their ECVs in the wrong spot, blocking safety access, etc. So the CMs have to move them, to keep everyone safe. I'm glad they do that - wouldn't want to be evacuating in a rush and get a bottleneck caused by an improperly parked ECV.

That was our original thought but in the area was only one other rented ecv and while waiting for our replacement, someone came off Jingle Cruise and hopped into it, so there weren't any extra ecvs around.
So maybe a CM thought it was abandoned?
It's still a mystery, but it all worked out and we got our deposit back.

Glad it worked out. I could see an eager CM removing ECVs at the end of the shift, not waiting to see if it actually was still being used. Perhaps an email to guest services would be a good idea, in case that's the issue?

 

[Selket]

So I'm guessing Disney doesn't somehow electronically track where their ECV's are?

I've wondered if there are any small wireless signal devices (like Tile perhaps?) that you could put some place on the ECV where it would be removable but not easily found. That way if you couldn't locate your device you could use your cell phone to find it.

 

[Lizgistix]

True! Do the CMs move ECVs around like they do strollers?

Oh yes! Especially around the attractions like Haunted Mansion and in our case Jungle Cruise. I'm sure it's a constant activity to keep up with strollers, ecvs, and wheelchairs constantly coming and going at rides.

 

[Haimia]

Same happened to us in '17 or '18 with a Scooterbug rental. The scooter was found and the taker brought it back to us (was clear across the park by the time contacted!). They mistook it for theirs and, yes, nearly all the scooters' keys are interchangeable! It took time out of our day and that was the worst part. We had plans! Oh well, we got it back (without any apology) and we went on our way!

 

[serenitynow]

So I'm guessing Disney doesn't somehow electronically track where their ECV's are?

I've wondered if there are any small wireless signal devices (like Tile perhaps?) that you could put some place on the ECV where it would be removable but not easily found. That way if you couldn't locate your device you could use your cell phone to find it.

I have a tile on my personal ECV and power chair. Never needed to use them, but it makes me feel better.

 

[Staren]

Most of the Tile tracker models specifically have keychain loops if I remember right. There is probably somewhere under the seat on most ECVs where you could clip one safely. I wouldn’t use one of the brands designed to be stuck on things though. If you’re worried about this, I think these are a great idea.

 

[Selket]

I have a tile on my personal ECV and power chair. Never needed to use them, but it makes me feel better.

That's cool! Have you ever tried using it to locate your scooter in the parks just to see how well it works? I'm wondering how "pinpointed" to the actual location it gets you. It would be most helpful if it was within 50 feet or so.

 

[serenitynow]

That's cool! Have you ever tried using it to locate your scooter in the parks just to see how well it works? I'm wondering how "pinpointed" to the actual location it gets you. It would be most helpful if it was within 50 feet or so.

Not in the parks so I can’t help you there. My guys have played with it and they can find me no problem in the Wal-Mart Supercenter. I know that’s not so helpful for you, sorry.

 

[Evita_W]

Why sadly? Sometimes people leave their ECVs in the wrong spot, blocking safety access, etc. So the CMs have to move them, to keep everyone safe. I'm glad they do that - wouldn't want to be evacuating in a rush and get a bottleneck caused by an improperly parked ECV.

Why sadly? Because there are reasons an ECV is parked where it is, often because that is where the needs of the person needs it to be or another CM told them to park it there and I have seen CMs move them far, far away from where they were and that is unacceptable to make those with mobility issues walk that far.

 

[Evita_W]

That's cool! Have you ever tried using it to locate your scooter in the parks just to see how well it works? I'm wondering how "pinpointed" to the actual location it gets you. It would be most helpful if it was within 50 feet or so.

The nice thing about the latest model, they are very loud and the range is 200+ feet and pinpoints with a great deal of accuracy (usually within about a foot or so).

 

[DisneyOma]

Why sadly? Because there are reasons an ECV is parked where it is, often because that is where the needs of the person needs it to be or another CM told them to park it there and I have seen CMs move them far, far away from where they were and that is unacceptable to make those with mobility issues walk that far.

But it can't be in a place that blocks access for others, which is what I was stating. That's why they get moved - they are not in the right spot to begin with. Once we were in a pile-up in the Haunted Mansion exit hallway because no one was moving the ECVs out of the way in time. Too many in the hallway, no one could maneuver, and those walking out had to go single file. If there had been a fire, people would have gotten hurt or worse. ECVs can't be left wherever people want them - they have to be out of the way of the traffic flow.