Standard or Maxima scooter for comfort, ease of use and power?

[Shanti]

In January I am taking my DM & DS to Disney World as a weekend birthday trip for my 72 year-old mom. She weighs less than 200lbs., but has bad knees so she'll need an ECV. We'll be spending all day at MK on one day, so her ECV needs to be comfortable & not die after 5 hours of use.

From looking at specs, the Maxima seems to be faster with a longer-lasting battery. It also just looks more comfortable in the pictures.

Does anyone recommend one type over the other where weight & cost are not the issues? I just want it comfortable for her to sit in all day, and for it not to peter out while we're having fun. We're staying at the Contemporary (in an accessible room), so bus transport will not be an issue, either.

 

[gap2368]

I have never used an ECV but I have heard that they will lest you all day if your are smart about saving battery like turning it off while you eat or watch a parade things like that.

I have never heard of an ECV diving out after 5 hours of use unless there was something wrong with the battery to begin with.

 

[POOHsie]

In January I am taking my DM & DS to Disney World as a weekend birthday trip for my 72 year-old mom. She weighs less than 200lbs., but has bad knees so she'll need an ECV. We'll be spending all day at MK on one day, so her ECV needs to be comfortable & not die after 5 hours of use.

From looking at specs, the Maxima seems to be faster with a longer-lasting battery. It also just looks more comfortable in the pictures.

Does anyone recommend one type over the other where weight & cost are not the issues? I just want it comfortable for her to sit in all day, and for it not to peter out while we're having fun. We're staying at the Contemporary (in an accessible room), so bus transport will not be an issue, either.

You should try to match your mom's physical needs. She doesn't require a Maxima scooter, which is overall larger and designed for much-bigger people. Scooter rentals range from smaller models (Pride Go-Go), to medium models, to larger, heavier models (Maxima). A medium model (various brands) will be fine. Battery will not run out unless it is already well-used by other renters. Rental company should give you a battery in good condition. If you call for service (rare occurrence) during your visit, they should be over quickly to change-out your unit.

You shouldn't worry about speed because maneuvering through MK crowds will cause a person to drive at about half-speed. The one thing internet pictures don't show you is the difference in size from one scooter to another. Pictured side-by-side, you could begin to understand the various sizes. Seat comfort really isn't an issue, either.

Maneuvering a large scooter is awkward. Try the one at Walmart or Target for yourself, to get an idea of driving a large scooter. It isn't pleasant to do in a crowd of people, or going thru aisles (at a Disney store).

If you charge your scooter overnight, it will last all day at the parks. Bring a power strip with you, to better reach an available electrical outlet. Turn the scooter off when dining, or when viewing a show.

 

[jdb in AZ]

DH rents a heavy-duty scooter because he's a big guy. It has four wheels and requires a heavy-duty battery to power it. I rent the smaller scooter and it's so much easier to maneuver. They both put out comparable speed on a fully-charged battery. DH wishes he could use one like mine but the rental companies match the size of the scooter to the size of the passenger.

As above, make sure the battery charges all night every night, and keep the ECV turned off when you're just sitting on it.

 

[SueM in MN]

I agree with the others - match the ECV to her size. You don't want a heavy duty one if you don't need it for her weight. Those are much more clumsy to drive because of their larger size.

The one choice to consider is whether she would be more comfortable on a three wheel or a four wheel model. One with three wheels are more maneuverable and smaller. They can feel less secure to some people because of only having three wheels; they do not tip easily, but will tip more easily than a four wheel model.
Ones with four wheels feel more stable, but do not turn as sharply as the three wheel models.

The other thing to look at is foot space. Some of the 4 wheel models have a smaller amount of space to put your feet. That may not be an issue, but if her knees require her feet to be in a specific position, she might feel more comfortable with a larger foot space.

Also be aware that if you have an accessible room with a roll-in shower, the bathroom will be larger to accommodate the shower and wheelchair space in the bathroom. The space for that is taken from the sleeping area, so that part may be smaller. If you need extra space in the room, you can ask housekeeping if they can rearrange movable furniture or even remove a chair. Many people think they need an accessible room because of having an ECV, but if she is mobile in the room and doesn't need to other features, you will be fine in a regular room.

 

[Shanti]

Thanks so much for the info, everyone. I will get a standard model based on your advice. The resort room will have a tub with rails rather than a roll-in shower, so I don't foresee a space issue.

 

[libertycdamac]

Just make sure if you are getting a go go scooter that you go with the bigger seat. The smaller seats have less cushion on them and by the end of the day your tailbone hurts. All the company you are renting the ECV from make sure the seat can be a big and more cushioned one. The Maxima is much more comfortable at the parks for long days. It is much harder to get on the buses and to break down into a car or a van. All the scooters will have the ability to adjust the speed and if you get a smaller one, charge it during meals. Like other posts have said turn the scooter off anytime it is not in use