Thank you SueM & question from newbies

[rbthntschl]

My dear friends,

I just want to say thank you to SueM for all the information she (and anybody who has helped her) have gathered here. My DP had back surgery at the end of January and is temporarily (we hope) using a walker at home and ECV's when we go shopping. We have been looking for disability information for the last few days in preparation for a trip in 22 days. This is our first trip as DVC members so we are really excited.

In any event, since we are relatively new to all of this, is there any advice or suggestions you would give to either of us? We have made arrangements to rent an ECV (not from Disney) and we are staying at SSR. I have requested a room on the first floor or near the elevator. I think I requested an accessible room but I'm checking on that tomorrow.

Any suggestions would be most welcome.

Luv 'n' Stuff,
Bob of

 

[mechurchlady]

Knowledge is key to any great trip. I go to DLR in my scooter and have lots of back up plans. DCA was crowded so I went over to DLR and saw a shoe, ate lunch, and rode Pirates. Check for special events that may be going on when you are there. Riding rides is fun but balance the day. You have so much energy so get them rides done in the morning then spend the afternoon in site seeing, shows, street events, and eating. If you happen on a ride that is fine but mornings are best when you are full of energy, the weather is cool, and the crowds are still in bed. Abuse the early mornings if you can get them. Since he is in an ECV you could take a trip to your room to sleep then do the parks in the evening.

If he can walk then decide how much and what you will be walking into as far as rides go. At DLR the line for disabled is short most Fantasyland rides so I walk on and show my ECV key and point to it if they ask as it is hard to maneuver that tank in them small lines. Never be a commando that misses a great street show or the chance to set and watch something magical happen.

I was on research trip at DLR and took time out to shake the foot of Joshua who is a special needs child. I have stopped to watch adults and kids being silly, dancing, and even singing. I have savored the moments when the characters are out and making magic. Can you name all the Disney plants? No not the steam plant but the herbs, bushes,, trees and flowers. There are rare birds for us but in WDW they are pests like herons. At DLR you need to watch the lamp posts, signs, bathroom signs, and trash cans as they tend to be different from land to land. OMG is that a tudor building, does that look like a streamline building, and is that an ogee?

 

[Chuck S]

Have him practice backing the ECV while you are shopping, since he doesn't use an ECV at home. The older Disney busses with lifts usually want you to back onto the lift. Also he may need to reverse if he cuts a turn to tight or accidently get "trapped" somewhere.

Be sure to bring his walker, too, as he'll surely be more comfortable using that in the villa instead of the ECV.

Have a great trip!

 

[SueM in MN]

Have him practice backing the ECV while you are shopping, since he doesn't use an ECV at home. The older Disney busses with lifts usually want you to back onto the lift. Also he may need to reverse if he cuts a turn to tight or accidently get "trapped" somewhere.

Be sure to bring his walker, too, as he'll surely be more comfortable using that in the villa instead of the ECV.

Have a great trip!

I would also suggest using the walker in the villa. The spaces at SSR are a little tight with DD's wheelchair, so manouvering with a walker would be easier than with an ECV. What size villa do you have?

Depending where you are at SSR, it can be a short trip to go to Downtown Disney, which I highly recommend. There is a nice paved path all the way there. Here's a link to the SSR map.
There is also a boat that you can take to Downtown Disney.

I would suggest picking up a copy of the Guidemap for Guests with Disabilities at Guest Relations at the parks. You should be able to get a copy for all the parks at the first park you go to.

Before venturing out, I would suggest getting comfortable with going forward and backward and turning in either direction when going forward and backward. As Chuck mentioned, he will need to back onto the lift on the buses with lifts.
When you get the ECV, there are a couple of things he should get familiar with:

• the 'fuel gauge' that shows how much power is left. Important to watch it during the say. Most people don't run out of power, but you don't want to think you have lots of power and only have a little left.
• how to switch to a lower speed. There will be a lever or knob that allows you to set the maximum speed the ECV can go. It is often marked with a Rabbit (for fast) and a Turtle (for slow). You want it toward Turtle when getting on the bus or manouvering in thick or slow crowds.
• the control that disengages the wheels from the motor. This is often called "freewheel" mode. It is useful if you got in a situation you can't get out of. Instead of trying to drive, you can push the ECV.
• the control that allows the seat to be turned. Most (?maybe all?) ECVs have a control that locks and unlocks the seat position. Usually, it is locked straight forward, but you can unlock and turn it so that it faces to the side. Being able to do that can save you a lot of manouvering. Instead of driving into a theater show and then turning and backing into the spot for the ECV so you are facing forward, you can often drive straight into the spot and then turn just the seat. Since most theaters have you exit directly across from where you came in, when you are ready to leave, just turn the seat again and drive straight ahead to get out.

I have nearly finished the Epcot FAQs thread, with pictures and attraction descriptions. THat may be useful for you to look at if you have not looked yet.

Hope you have lots of fun and a great trip.

 

[toocherie]

one more tip on the freewheel mode, if you are staying on-site and using Disney busses it is often easier to use freewheel mode to maneuver the ECV into the scooter spot on the bus (you can help with that) rather than trying to drive it into position--those spaces are small and sometimes require a great deal of skill to get into.

 

[SueM in MN]

one more tip on the freewheel mode, if you are staying on-site and using Disney busses it is often easier to use freewheel mode to maneuver the ECV into the scooter spot on the bus (you can help with that) rather than trying to drive it into position--those spaces are small and sometimes require a great deal of skill to get into.

Good point.
You don't want to be in freewheel on a lift (the ECV could roll off) and be careful on the ramps to avoid the ECV rolling down. Once you are on the bus, it may be easier to roll the ECV into place.

 

[mechurchlady]

Good point.
You don't want to be in freewheel on a lift (the ECV could roll off) and be careful on the ramps to avoid the ECV rolling down. Once you are on the bus, it may be easier to roll the ECV into place.

The freewheel lever is bent on my scooter so it was stuck in freewheel while on a public bus. I can say from experience that it is dangerous to have an ECV in freewheel once the bus is moving. I also have ridden public buses while setting in my scooter. The only way I can sit in my scooter on a bus is if I stand with my feet on the ground then stand up and ride out the corners. More than once it has felt like I was going to tip over.


My scooter has a lot of weight on the back but the front is light weight and can be lifted which makes it easier to get it on public busses. I always carry baggies for popcorn and other things. I split one of those to make a little rain bonnet for the controls. Never let the controls get wet. If you are going to have to leave the scooter in the sun then put a towel over the arms and seat. Hot arms and seat makes for an uncomfortable driver. The baby center carries Destin and talcum powder in case setting all day gets to you. Nothing like fake leather that has baked in the sun for half an hour or more.

 

[rbthntschl]

My dear friends,

Thank you all for your replies. I knew I could count on the Board people.

I should have mentioned in my original post that we took a weekend trip to Orlando, rented an ECV and visited SeaWorld and Epcot. I learned quite a few things about an ECV in the process (and I have the tire marks, paint dings, and armrest divots to prove it).

Since SueM asked, we are staying in a studio at SSR. Our plan (and Sue reminded me when she mentioned the tight quarters) is to keep the scooter as close to the door as practical without blocking exit and being able to charge. We'll be driving to the parks since we might need to get back to the room as quick as possible. The only day we won't drive is the day we go to MK and possible Epcot (depending on how badly I need a Grand Marnier Orange Slushie).

To mechurchlady, funny you should mention DLR as we are planning a trip there in October, staying at GC. We hope DP will be walking on his own by then but if not, I'll be sending a PM for DL tips unless you have something posted here.

Thanks for everyone again who replied.

Luv 'n' Stuff
Bob of

 

[Chuck S]

I'm not familiar with the SSR buildings, but I have noticed at OKW that people often leave their ECV parked just outside of their rooms. I assume they are in studios, and want more room inside without the ECV. At OKW there are usually outlets handy so they can charge the ECV outside the room. But be sure to keep the key with you.

 

[LindaBabe]

you can definitely rent at DL too, I think I used a company called Deckers. if your partner can drive a car and parallel park, he's not going to have trouble with the ecv. If you are going to drive, though, hope you have good muscles and a big trunk - those suckers are HEAVY!

 

[SueM in MN]

We have stayed at SSR in an accessible room with a roll in shower, but in a 1 bedroom, not a studio.
I do know that the studios at SSR have one bed and one sofa that folds out as a bed.
This is a picture of the studio bedroom - that is pretty much the same whether or not it is an accessible room.

If there are only 2 of you, you could park the ECV in front of the couch for charging. If you bring along a power strip, you can plug it in where ever the outlet is and just bring the cord where it will be more convenient for you to park the ECV.

Forgot to mention - at OKW, the buildings are small and there are not that many units in each building. The buildings at SSR are huge and get a lot more traffic, so I'm not sure that I would park an ECV outside the room there.

 

[mechurchlady]

you can definitely rent at DL too, I think I used a company called Deckers. if your partner can drive a car and parallel park, he's not going to have trouble with the ecv. If you are going to drive, though, hope you have good muscles and a big trunk - those suckers are HEAVY!

Deckert is really good. Amen to the lifting an ECV into a car, mine dont even fit. Disneyland needs a disabilities board as there is not enough info out there like there is for WDW. I help the best I can and have even offered my wheelchair but not as good info as out here. Make a Wish in WDW has a nice village that we do not have out here in DLR.

Waves to Linda

 

[Chuck S]

Forgot to mention - at OKW, the buildings are small and there are not that many units in each building. The buildings at SSR are huge and get a lot more traffic, so I'm not sure that I would park an ECV outside the room there.

True, there is likely a lot more foot traffic at SSR because of the building design. Taking the ECV into the room would b safer, and there is more open floor space because of the bed/sofa combo at SSR vs OKWs two queen sized beds.

 

[SueM in MN]

True, there is likely a lot more foot traffic at SSR because of the building design. Taking the ECV into the room would b safer, and there is more open floor space because of the bed/sofa combo at SSR vs OKWs two queen sized beds.

the bed/sofa makes a big difference.

 

[toocherie]

I recently stayed in an SSR Studio with an ECV--I found it was most convenient to park it at night between the table and the sliding doors. You may need to move the table and chairs towards the armoire however--you'll see what I mean when you are there. There is an outlet by the table so it is convenient.

The only other place to put it would be by the entry door (and there is an outlet around the wall in the kitchenette)--but I'm afraid that would block the door. There is one other possibility--it's hard to describe but in most of the studios there is an area to the side of where you come in the door--but there are NO outlets over there--so you would need to bring a three prong extension cord if you wanted to put it there--and then there would be a risk of tripping if for some reason you needed to exit the front door.

Have a great time as SSR--it's my "home" and I love it. Tooling around on an ECV taking a "walk" is just a joy--it is so beautiful and peaceful--be sure and check out the swans in the lake over by the Paddock on the way to Congress Park.

 

[rbthntschl]

My dear friends,

Thanks for all the additional posts and I apologize for taking so long to reply. The room layout information is greatly appreciated and I've already packed one of the 3-prong extension cords we (used to?) take camping with us. And I have a spare power strip now that I think about it. I'll throw that in as well.

As of this posting, our trip is less than 2 weeks away (we arrive Wed, June 3).

Luv 'n' Stuff,
Bob of