My MIL requires the use of an
ECV when we go to the parks. She can walk short distances, but she can not go for very long. She has a pride mobility celebrity x, and we were looking to buy a sun shade for it. I have found a few of them, but I wanted to check here to see if anyone had any recommendations.
This is our first time flying with the EVC (we flew with a wheelchair for her last time), so is there anything special we need to do with that? We are flying SW if that makes a difference.
Anything else we need to know about bringing her EVC to the parks? We will be staying on site for one night, moving over to Silver Lake, one night at Universal, then back to Disney for one night. We have a minivan rental for the entire time, but thought it would be easier to take ME from and to the airport. I know I need to let ME know when I get the flight information so they can arrange for a lift.
First of all, welcome to our little corner of the DIS!
I understand your MIL's desire to use a sunshade - believe me! I overheat very easily (the result of a sunstroke years ago) and to add to the "fun", I'm also allergic to sunlight. Needless to say, I do WDW a bit differently.
When I first started using an
ECV, I rented at WDW, and I tried - one time - to use a sunshade on the rental. My experience with that horrible; not only does it make the ECV for more uncomfortable for other Guests (who can't see around it, or through it, whether they are walking behind me, or standing behind me at a parade or in line, or wherever) but I found that it severely limited my peripheral vision, and my ability to operate the scooter safely, especially when backing up, or turning in tight spaces. I found it nerve-wracking, to be honest, because more than half of the time the sun still came in under the shade (especially in the morning and late afternoon hours) and because it was black - it made it feel hotter to me. It often blocked what breeze there was, and if it wasn't needed there was no way to quickly or easily take it down. The icing on that miserable cake was how it seemed to fill the Resort room - it was this HUGE black box-like object looming over us in the room!
Now, I just go on without the sunshade. I'm typically covered head-to-toe, including a lightweight, breathable hat. We simply altered our way of touring at WDW to spend less time out in open, uncovered areas, and more time inside or under cover. I do bring little pocket fans like
these (they sell them at WDW now, but they are much cheaper on
Amazon) and they do a good job of moving air, even on warm days. We also don't try to go to WDW between March and August, it's too hot for me during that time.
Here's what I expect to experience when I fly with my ECV:
- between a week and 10 days prior to flying, I contact the airline to let them know I will be traveling with my own device. Some airlines don't care; others will have a special department reach out to you to discuss your needs prior to the flight.
- I arrive early for the flight. I personally prefer to be at the Airport about 2-½ hours early. This is to allow for the bit of extra "work" you will do with the personal mobility device.
- When I check my luggage with the airline, I let them know that I will be gate-checking my device, and that I DO NOT need an aisle chair.
- Next is TSA. Here, it is fastest if you can stand and walk through the machine, and then allow them to manually "clear" your device. Since my ECV has a battery bag + charger, that adds time to the process, as that must be x-rayed separately by the TSA (at least at our home airport and when departing MCO) Most TSA checkpoints have a wooden cane handy to help with balance if you need some extra help.
- TSA will typically do a thorough visual inspection of the device and will swab it as well.
- Unless you are TSA "Pre-Check" be prepared to remove shoes, put your cell phone in a bin, etc. just like everyone else
- Once through TSA, I go directly to my departure gate. As soon as an airline employee appears to work that flight, I let them know that I will be gate checking my ECV and that I do not need an aisle chair. (I also have to discuss removal/storage of the battery for my particular ECV model with them). Sometimes, they will put the gate-check tags on right then, other times they will do it just before you board the plane. Be alert to boarding times, as you will typically board in the first group.
- When it's time to board, you will typically be called in the first group, regardless of cabin. Carefully proceed down the Jetway ramp (don't try to make your first Disney ride a runaway ramp spectacular!) and when you get to the door of the plane, move to the side, and then hand the device off to a member of the ground crew (or a "host"). It will be either stored inside the plane, or much more likely will be stowed under the plane in a cargo hold reserved for gate-checked equipment.
- Enjoy your flight!
- Towards the end of your flight, ask a flight attendant to let you know when your device is ready after you land. Just like at WDW, you load first, but get off last, so be prepared to wait a bit. Typically the plane is 50% or greater "unloaded" by the time I get my ECV back outside the door of the plane.
(If you have a connecting flight, be sure to add some extra time between flights to allow for the retrieval of your device at the connecting airport. I usually add at least 30 minutes, just for safety and sanity)
- DME (Disney's Magical Express) will store the device under the coach if you can make the stairs - if not, then you can ride on the device after it is placed on the lift, and then transfer to a seat on the bus.
Hope this is helpful! Have a Magical trip!
