Thinking of renting a ECV for hubby............

[BYC]

.............On our last trip, 2 1/2 years ago, we rented one each day in the parks for him. But, for our upcoming trip, I am afraid he does not walk as well as he did then. So, we may need one he can use outside the parks, and around the resort. He is afraid of the battery going dead....then what would he do? When the battery went low on a Disney one, they quickly brought us a new one. Are there charging stations in the parks? And if so...how long does it take to charge up? Thank you!

 

[Bete]

You can get a stronger, offsite scooter that will have two batteries and will last better than the smaller ones. These stronger offsite scooters still won't be as strong as a Disney park scooter. Talk to the vendor you want to use and give all your details like his weight, how long you want to be in the park, and see what they recommend.

Then, you need good habits of turning your scooter off during shows, parades and fireworks. That will conserve the battery. You may have to look over yourself and see that the scooter is really off.

We just rented from an offsite vendor and I was shocked to find out that they actually tell you to top off the battery in the park. I think it's because they want to cut down on service calls. You have to find a park receptacle and so you need to look hard for one. It seems you can find one by restrooms for some reasons. There really aren't charging stations, perse. When you eat is definitely a time to charge the battery some. When doing a theater show you may find a receptacle nearby. A little charge here and there can help. I don't feel Disney CMs will be too helpful, here.

I feel the best approach to this situation is to take a break in the afternoon. Then, in your resort room you can give your scooter a good charge again. I feel this is the safest way. Then, go back in the evening for more park fun.

I think a complete charge is like 5-8 hours depending on how much you have used the scooter that day. If you have only gone down half way with your battery then it won't take as long to charge up as if it was completely low. Charge your scooter fully every night.

If you really want to be a diehard in the park you may have to do a combination of park and offsite scooter together. I think they will let you store your offsite scooter while using a park scooter. Of course, this doubles up on the cost each day.

 

[gap2368]

one of the best thing you can do is turn off the ECV when ever sitting still for more then 1 second

so when trying to decide where to go

went eating
when watching a parade show or just people watching
in line when you stop for the 30 seconds

this will help a lot

also bing your charger with you, there is no office place but there are a number of plugs you an plug into all you need to do is ask a CM my friend will often charge her will we do a ride or a show or went we eat

 

[The Hunchback]

Rent from an outside vemdor. Walker Mobility and Buena Vista Rentals are the favorites on this board.

I rented for years, several times a year, and only had one scooter with a battery problem. I know own a re-purposed rental that we do not need to charge during the day in the parks. I turn the scooter off at any chance to save battery. Be sure to give it a full charge at night in the motel room. Check that the plug you are using stays on charging if the lights are out. We messed that up one time. Light On charger should be lighted up if it is charging.

If it did happen to die in the park, you can find the nearest plug in and charge for an hour or call the vendor if during working hours. Of all the things I worry about at Disney, the scooter is really far down on the list.

Disney seems to run out of their scooters more often in recent years. If you plan to rent from them, you will need to get to the parks early. Also husband will need to walk to the busses and around the resorts. I could not handle that any more.

Have a great trip.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I've never had an ECV run out of battery. I remember to turn the scooter off when I'm stopped for a while and also, I periodically check the light. I'm not sure why, but I've found the headlight turned on for no reason. Perhaps, I accidentally hit the switch that turns it on. Last time, I even went to the park without my charging cord one day because I'd never come close to losing power.

 

[Selket]

The Buena Vista Scooters now have a pouch secured to the back with the charger in it so it doesn't take up space in the basket - I like that (maybe others have it that way too but it's new for BVS). I thought someone had a thread here on places to plug in a scooter in different parks. I've found in the MK that I'll stop at Pecos Bills and there are lots of plugs there or in that vicinity. DHS was the toughest but I was also hemmed in by a fireworks show and a dessert part we were trying to attend (and I think that scooter had a bad battery to begin with). I've had great luck with BVS overall...the regular one and portable one have gone all day for me no problems.

 

[powellrj]

I bought a used ECV from scooteramma and it has never lost power even when doing a hard day in the parks. You should be fine. Just make sure to charge when you get back to your room.

 

[BYC]

Thank you all for your very helpful responses!

 

[jo-jo]

No tips on ECV used, but just wanted to add, last week we rented a wheelchair for DH and several times I saw they were out of EVC.

 

[StregaNona]

I used Walker Mobility on a recent trip - very good service and very good scooter. Delivery and pick up was right on schedule and did not interfere with our coming and going. The driver showed us a spot between the batteries where we could keep the power charger. I have used Walker for several years and never had an issue with running out of power at any park.

 

[TammieLandry]

Just returned!

I rented from Buena Vista.

I turned off the Scooter when idle and never ever got even remotely close to the battery dying.

We spent long days in the park.

Hope this helps!!