Thoughts on in-park ECV rentals

[mistysue]

I'm sending my parents down and want to be sure that I'm explaining everything correctly.
Please tell me if I'm giving them bad info before I mess them up. Basically, they are older people from the North, not very active and will not really be able to walk around the parks all day without it being an issue within a day. So my recommendation is they rent an ECV, swap it back and forth and don't wear themselves out.

My understanding is this will be similar to when we rent a wheelchair at the parks, same location, higher cost, but requires signing some extra liability forms and a deposit. Also can't be rented multiple days at a time, it's a day by day thing.

The big one - I know they can run out. In early/mid November, can anyone make guesses what time of day they would suspect they would be safe vs when they would be out of luck? Are we talking about likely running out by noon, or likely running out by 10 AM? I'm guessing EPCOT/MK run out earlier than HS/AK.

 

[jo-jo]

Are they staying onsite? Why not rent one from off site? Do they use anything at home? Maybe bring a rollator along. So when trading off with scooter, the walker still has some support and a seat at all time. I found one from Medline on amazon, cost about $75 and weighs under 15 lbs.

We never rented a scooter from disney, but did wheelchair a few times. Took a bit of time to get it every morning or if switching parks.

 

[Bete]

Keep in mind if you rent at the parks you still have to get to the park. That can be tiring onto itself. Using a car and going to the parks from the parking lots is still a hike to get to the entrance. If you use Disney transportation there is still a lot of walking to get to the park entrance, too especially with Epcot. Also, you have to wait to get Disney transportation especially with the bus service. Keep in mind park scooter rental is first come, first serve. If you show up at park opening, you are probably safe getting a scooter but as the day goes on, they could sell out.

I strongly suggest getting two scooters. You will get more out of the park day. You will last longer. Park tickets cost money, too. With two scooters they will be able to get everywhere faster and quicker; so, they will be able to see more of the park and accomplish more.

If you stay on Disney property for your resort you can do offsite scooter rental. Then, you have the scooter at all times. The issue here will be getting the scooters to the parks by car or Disney transportation.

The bigger scooters can come with two batteries, and they will last longer. Even with one battery scooters you can get a long day in if you do due diligence. This means you shut the scooter off when seeing a show, parade, fireworks and so forth. Conserve your battery power. There's a battery gauge to show how much power is left. If you get low or run out of juice completely with a park scooter you can get a cast member to help and get another one. This will take a while. Also, if you see yourself getting too low on battery power you can always get back to park scooter rental yourself before it's too late and exchange for another scooter. The problem with this is there has to be an available scooter to exchange with. If you are doing an offsite scooter rental bring the battery charger to the park with you. Then if you need a boost in battery power find an outlet and let the scooter charge for a while. You can grab a bite to eat at that that time and/or see a show. Usually, we would get to the park at park opening with an offsite scooter rental, leave in the early afternoon for a nap and then return in the evening to the parks. During our nap the scooters would be recharging in our room.

There is more responsibility involved with using a scooter. You have to be aware of your surroundings at all times. Kids will typically dart in front of you; so, you have to be very careful. Moving in and out of ride queues can be a challenge. Wheelchairs and being pushed is a much easier way to go if you have a helper to push you.

I strongly suggest practicing for free with a scooter in a grocery or retail store. Then, do a local zoo for a full day and see how that goes with a rental scooter there. You don't want to find out the hard way that this may not work for them. I feel Disney World is a hard place to do a scooter because of the crowds and ride queues.

Remember when using a scooter you need to use the same ramps as the wheelchairs where applicable. This is especially true near the MK castle. You don't want to jump a curb.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Best solution is to rent one for the entire trip, but that’s really only practical if they’re staying on site as they can use Disney buses with ECVs.

 

[mistysue]

They are going to be on-site, but don't usually use anything to assist them. I just know (and from past years) that they are going to wear themselves out and be unhappy by day 2 or 3. So if I tell them to get two or to rent for all the time they will get annoyed with them. But each of them only walking 2-4 miles on a 6 mile day will definitely leave them still doing just fine.

Thank you for the insights!

 

[Simba's Mom]

They are going to be on-site, but don't usually use anything to assist them. I just know (and from past years) that they are going to wear themselves out and be unhappy by day 2 or 3. So if I tell them to get two or to rent for all the time they will get annoyed with them. But each of them only walking 2-4 miles on a 6 mile day will definitely leave them still doing just fine.

Thank you for the insights!

I wonder if they think right now "Oh, no-we don't need scooters. We'll be fine!" So they have no desire to rent off-site, that would involve pre-planning for needing a scooter. Lots of us have "been there, done that" either with parents or even ourselves. I swore I'd never need a scooter, but on one solo trip, I couldn't go any further one day, so I rented one. Then what was the first thing I did? Call home and cry because "I broke down and got a scooter"
You're doing the best you can-give them all the info and let them take it from there. Just add that if they have any questions, I found that often other ECV users are the best, kindest form of info. That first day, I had to stop a few for questions and no one seemed to mind.

 

[R&RsMom]

I rent an ECV from the parks most days.i don’t need it outside the parks, and not having to take it back to the resort fits better with my family’s travel style- they like to Uber/Lyft at times. I show up before early entry, so I can’t say what time they run out. I do know that when we hop to another park in the afternoon, they are typically gone and there’s a waiting list. However, I’m good to walk half the day.

 

[Miffy]

It's possible that despite not being fit enough to do a lot of walking at WDW, they still may not want to rent scooters--either at the parks or from a rental place. This is your idea, OP, not theirs.

I understand your concern, but I gather they're adults and of sound mind, so it's really up to them. Maybe they'd just as soon take it easy, have a 5,000-step park day and sit down for a nice meal rather than doing it commando-style. Everyone has different preferences.

 

[mistysue]

It's possible that despite not being fit enough to do a lot of walking at WDW, they still may not want to rent scooters--either at the parks or from a rental place. This is your idea, OP, not theirs.

I understand your concern, but I gather they're adults and of sound mind, so it's really up to them. Maybe they'd just as soon take it easy, have a 5,000-step park day and sit down for a nice meal rather than doing it commando-style. Everyone has different preferences.

Yes- of course, I just want to be sure I'm not somehow steering them very poorly by giving them a basic run down of how this works so if they decide to use it the process doesn't start with "our stupid daughter told us we could waltz up and get it at noon!" or whatever.

 

[jo-jo]

Yes- of course, I just want to be sure I'm not somehow steering them very poorly by giving them a basic run down of how this works so if they decide to use it the process doesn't start with "our stupid daughter told us we could waltz up and get it at noon!" or whatever.

You could also point out with a scooter, they have a basket to carry stuff. I know some people do a whole week at the parks with nothing but a stick of gum in their pocket, but that's not me. We went from having a stroller with grandkids to a scooter for DH, so in the last 17 years, always had a place for stuff.

 

[mistysue]

You could also point out with a scooter, they have a basket to carry stuff. I know some people do a whole week at the parks with nothing but a stick of gum in their pocket, but that's not me. We went from having a stroller with grandkids to a scooter for DH, so in the last 17 years, always had a place for stuff.

That's helpful too... My mom is definitely a stuff buyer.

 

[Miffy]

That's helpful too... My mom is definitely a stuff buyer.

Another option for stuff is always a locker, although if you're in the World Showcase, for example, the lockers are nowhere nearby. That is one service that WDW should really reinstitute: sending your purchases back to your resort for you.

And, wow, I hope your parents don't really ever in a zillion years call you "stupid." And here you are trying to help them. I think the best help, really, is to let them know that--like it or not--a WDW vacation requires a lot of research. They should do their own.

As far as when the ECVs you can rent in the parks might run out, and I think that's a matter of luck. I have yet to enter a park at rope drop and all the ECVs are gone, so you might let them know that if they do rent ECVs in the parks, the later in the day it gets, the less likely any will be available. And also let them know that they can use a park-rented ECV only in the park, not between the park and the bus stop, for example.

I'm guessing (maybe I'm wrong) that you're not going with them. If that's the case, this is really their trip, and you are 150% blameless for anything that goes wrong. As I said, they're adults and in their right minds. They can learn anything and everything they want to about WDW. The only exception to this would be if they're going tomorrow and they just found out 2 days ago. Then it would be a bit difficult, although not impossible.

I feel like the main thing to tell them is that if they don't want to wait in long lines, they have to accept that there aren't a lot of attractions they can go on if they arrive late in the morning and don't stay until closing. Rode-dropping and/or staying until park close are the friends of those who don't want to or can't purchase LLMPs and LLSPs and also don't want to wait in long lines . . . although even rope-dropping can involve standing in a long line.

And let them know that sometimes, depending on the park, it's difficult to find a place to sit that's in the shade. This is especially true in Epcot and in the Toy Story area of DHS. And if they're going in the heat they need to learn the ins and outs of dealing with it in Orlando. Because it can be brutal.

 

[Selket]

They are going to be on-site, but don't usually use anything to assist them. I just know (and from past years) that they are going to wear themselves out and be unhappy by day 2 or 3. So if I tell them to get two or to rent for all the time they will get annoyed with them. But each of them only walking 2-4 miles on a 6 mile day will definitely leave them still doing just fine.

Thank you for the insights!

I think it's the best plan under the circumstances. The biggest issue will be if you're park hopping - there's a chance they won't be able to get one at the next park.

 

[lanejudy]

In early/mid November, can anyone make guesses what time of day they would suspect they would be safe vs when they would be out of luck?

I'm not sure this got answered directly... expect the ECVs will run out by mid-morning. That could be 10am, possibly earlier if that park opens early. I would definitely expect ECV rentals to gone before 11am, if not you got lucky.

 

[mistysue]

I'm not sure this got answered directly... expect the ECVs will run out by mid-morning. That could be 10am, possibly earlier if that park opens early. I would definitely expect ECV rentals to gone before 11am, if not you got lucky.

That is probably the perfect amount of information to give them about that. Thank you for the insight!

 

[mistysue]

Another option for stuff is always a locker, although if you're in the World Showcase, for example, the lockers are nowhere nearby. That is one service that WDW should really reinstitute: sending your purchases back to your resort for you.

And, wow, I hope your parents don't really ever in a zillion years call you "stupid." And here you are trying to help them. I think the best help, really, is to let them know that--like it or not--a WDW vacation requires a lot of research. They should do their own.

As far as when the ECVs you can rent in the parks might run out, and I think that's a matter of luck. I have yet to enter a park at rope drop and all the ECVs are gone, so you might let them know that if they do rent ECVs in the parks, the later in the day it gets, the less likely any will be available. And also let them know that they can use a park-rented ECV only in the park, not between the park and the bus stop, for example.

I'm guessing (maybe I'm wrong) that you're not going with them. If that's the case, this is really their trip, and you are 150% blameless for anything that goes wrong. As I said, they're adults and in their right minds. They can learn anything and everything they want to about WDW. The only exception to this would be if they're going tomorrow and they just found out 2 days ago. Then it would be a bit difficult, although not impossible.

I feel like the main thing to tell them is that if they don't want to wait in long lines, they have to accept that there aren't a lot of attractions they can go on if they arrive late in the morning and don't stay until closing. Rode-dropping and/or staying until park close are the friends of those who don't want to or can't purchase LLMPs and LLSPs and also don't want to wait in long lines . . . although even rope-dropping can involve standing in a long line.

And let them know that sometimes, depending on the park, it's difficult to find a place to sit that's in the shade. This is especially true in Epcot and in the Toy Story area of DHS. And if they're going in the heat they need to learn the ins and outs of dealing with it in Orlando. Because it can be brutal.

No they don't really call me stupid, We have a pretty great relationship and we see them pretty much everyday, so this is the type of stuff that comes up in a conversation.
It's more of a " you know if you don't want to be completely worn out by the end of this..." line of thought because they've been going every few years and their biggest comment is just that they can't walk that much so they only go for a couple hours, but have said it would be nice if they were there a little longer. Plus they really seem like they would love Epcot if it weren't for all the walking, I don't think they've had a trip where they've done more than about half of the showcase.

 

[Miffy]

No they don't really call me stupid, We have a pretty great relationship and we see them pretty much everyday, so this is the type of stuff that comes up in a conversation.
It's more of a " you know if you don't want to be completely worn out by the end of this..." line of thought because they've been going every few years and their biggest comment is just that they can't walk that much so they only go for a couple hours, but have said it would be nice if they were there a little longer. Plus they really seem like they would love Epcot if it weren't for all the walking, I don't think they've had a trip where they've done more than about half of the showcase.

Glad to hear it--about not calling you stupid, because you are the opposite of stupid!

My WDW traveling companion is someone who cannot do a heckuva lot of walking--or standing, for that matter. And she absolutely refuses to use any kind of assistive device, so she just does what she can. The thing is, she enjoys being at the resort, so it's not a big sacrifice for her to go back to the room. As for me, I can outpace everyone single person I've ever traveled to WDW with. I get that extra WDW energy and unless it's 100 degrees in brutal sunlight out, I can keep going for a really long time . . . and I do, just alone, which is fine.

 

[Debbie Jean]

That is probably the perfect amount of information to give them about that. Thank you for the insight!

That would be my plan A with them. But it’s always good to have a plan B. This would probably be mine: rent a wheelchair… definitely won’t run out of those… and take turns pushing each other. Or use the chair for storage and push it like a rollator. I use a scooter at Disney because of the miles of walking but for other times I need assistance I use my rollator and I always have a place to sit… made cruising so much more enjoyable!

Whether they know it or not, they are really lucky to have a daughter who is so caring and knowledgeable. Best wishes for a wonderful and memorable trip!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Another option for stuff is always a locker, although if you're in the World Showcase, for example,

And let them know that sometimes, depending on the park, it's difficult to find a place to sit that's in the shade. This is especially true in Epcot and in the Toy Story area of DHS. And if they're going in the heat they need to learn the ins and outs of dealing with it in Orlando. Because it can be brutal.

Actually, I think that there are lockers in or near WS. Either down the little hill next to the store right by the WS exit, or just outside the WS exit (where the quietest restrooms are).

As far as shade is concerned, that's one BIG plus I've found having an ECV. I used to always have such a hard time finding a place to sit in the shade. But now wherever there's a shady area, whether there's no seat available, or just no seats (like a big shady tree but no bench under it), I can still ride over on my scooter, park it, and I'm sitting and out of the sun.

 

[purple figment]

Actually, I think that there are lockers in or near WS. Either down the little hill next to the store right by the WS exit, or just outside the WS exit (where the quietest restrooms are).

Yes, there are lockers next to the World Traveler store at the WS exit. You can also rent ECVs and wheelchairs at this store. The lockers and the store are within the park after you've gone through security and the tapstiles. The bathroom, however, is just outside the park.