Tips for a First-timer?

[disneyygirrl]

First off, I'd like to say a heartfelt thank you to the dedicated posters on this board. I had surgery on my foot and ended up with RSD, which is a painful nerve disease that has wreaked havoc on my life. I don't want to do it, but during my upcoming trip, 9/5 to 9/13, I will be traveling with my brother and I'll definitely need an ECV. I have a few questions that I couldn't find answers to in the FAQs - is it possible to park them and walk through a queue? With less wait times in September, this could be in my ability. What are some of the cheaper options as far as the off-site companies go? We tend to go from open to close, are the batteries well suited for this from the cheaper companies, or would I absolutely need one of the heavier duty models? Any other tips, tricks or recommendations would be most welcome. This is my first trip to Disney where I won't be walking, and though I am happy to be going, I admit it's put me into a bit of a depression. I'm scared and nervous about the unwelcome attention, disapproving looks (I don't appear as if I need an ECV), and potentially embarrassing my brother. Thank you in advance to my fellow Disney lovers!

 

[gap2368]

one you are at disney and no one is going to notice you unless you are doing donuts around people then you may get a second look.

a lot of people do need ECV or wheel chair that do not need them in every day life and I would think your brother would know that you have problems with your foot.

I would use the ECV as much as you can some lines are a half mile long ( soaring and space mountain are two with very long lines no matter what)

 

[Bete]

First, you can park the scooter and walk through the rides. Just park the scooter where it doesn't interfere with a parade route or entrance or exit to a store. Make sure you take you key and valuables with you if you park your scooter.


If you really are going to spend long hours in the park you want a scooter that has two batteries. Those scooters are the heavy duty ones. Make sure you conserve battery energy no matter what style scooter you get. Turn the scooter off at a show, fireworks, or parade, for example.

 

[disneyygirrl]

Thank you both.

 

[mamabunny]

Here's some GENERAL tips for ECV users: (I shamelessly copied this from another post I wrote LOL)

- Practice at home prior to renting an ECV by using the electric shopping carts at your local Walmart, Target, grocery store, Costco, etc. Master one of those giant, wheezing beasties, and a rental ECV will feel like a Formula One race car!

- If you rent from an offsite vendor, take along a length of brightly colored ribbon or a bandana - something to tie on your ECV to help it stand out in a potential crowd of similar rental units!

- Backing up (reverse) can be the toughest thing to deal with. Try to plan ahead as you drive, and not get "trapped" in odd little spots where you may have to back up. Since you can walk a bit, you may want to park the ECV for shops, since those are (overall) a bit less ECV friendly than anything else at WDW.

- Watch out!!! People at WDW (and everywhere, really - let's be honest) are often so self-absorbed in their phones, conversations, surroundings, etc. that they will WALK RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU. While you are moving! Mostly when they aren't busy running INTO you, or BUMPING you. It happens on a startlingly regular basis. Your most effective "weapon" is a bright smile, and a pleasant "Pardon me!". Just remember that it is NOT intentional - they just aren't paying attention. Try not to run over them if possible - that is definitely considered BAD FORM, and may lead to paper work, finger pointing, and other general nastiness!

- ECV riders at WDW need to be on the lookout for the "box" (a painted rectangle on the concrete) at every WDW bus stop. This is where you will park while you wait for the bus. The Driver will look to see if an ECV is in that spot. If it is, he will work with the ECV (and any other folks needing assistance) FIRST, and load other riders after. When you arrive at your next stop, the Driver will allow everyone else to UNLOAD first, and then he will work with the ECVs and others needing assistance LAST. And... just to be clear - the Driver is not allowed to "drive" your ECV on to the bus; if you are nervous about driving up/down the ramp, watch someone else do it first. It's not hard - I promise! Main thing is to keep yourself centered, and pointed straight forward. The ramps have a lip or small side to help keep you on the ramp. One last note on this; you will sometimes encounter new ECV users who don't know to park in the "box" to indicate they are ready to travel; you may also encounter a situation where there are multiple ECV's waiting for the same bus. Each bus has a limit of 2 ECV's and/or wheelchairs, if that's the case as you arrive at the bus stop, you may have to wait your turn!

- In general, watch your speed, especially on turns, ramps, hills and bumps (like the trolley tracks on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom).

- You can take the ECV through most queues (there are a few notable exceptions, which will provide a wheelchair while you park the ECV) Typically, after your board the ride, a Cast Member will move the ECV to a spot close to where the ride disembarks. I think every show at every park has full ECV access; you can ride right in, and either take a seat after parking or sit on the ECV to watch. All of the dining options are very ECV friendly as well - just use a bit of patience and good manners, and you won't have a problem. ECVs/Wheelchairs use the regular queues and FP+ lines just like everyone else. If there is an accessible ride vehicle to transfer to, or ride on to, signage and Cast Members will direct you.

- Resort rooms: Most of the resort rooms will accommodate an ECV in the room overnight (to charge the battery). If you need the extra space in the room, you can call and ask them to remove the table and chairs to make room. CHARGE THE BATTERY FULLY EVERY NIGHT, and you shouldn't have any problems going all day!

Hope this is helpful! Have a Magical trip!

 

[disneyygirrl]

Thank you for the wonderful tips and pointers! I really appreciate it. I feel so much more relaxed now!

 

[mamabunny]

... I'm scared and nervous about the unwelcome attention, disapproving looks (I don't appear as if I need an ECV), and potentially embarrassing my brother...

First of all, your brother needs to understand - quite clearly - that the ECV is a TOOL for you to use, just like a calculator is a TOOL for people like me who suck at math... or eyeglasses are a TOOL for folks who need to see better. A hearing aid? Yep, it's a TOOL to improve the auditory life of a hearing-impaired person. And an ECV - whether it is a rental, or personally owned (as mine is) is simply a TOOL for humans who aren't good at walking, regardless of whether it is a temporary situation or a permanent one. Any embarrassment on his part is his to deal with. You are simply using the best possible tool at your disposal to have the best possible vacation. Case closed.

As far as any unwelcome attention, there's a couple of things I want to reassure you about. As I stated in my previous post, most folks at WDW are (sadly enough) too self-absorbed these days to pay much attention to anyone else. Between "Instagramming" their food, and posting duck-face selfies on FaceBook to impress/depress their frenemies... they really won't be paying much attention to you (or me, or anyone else )

Additionally, there are (typically) actually more strollers at WDW (especially when school is out) than there are scooters; When we were there just this past February, I was actually kind of surprised that the strollers outnumbered the scooters nearly 3 to 1 on average.

The familiarity factor has finally kicked at WDW as well; people are just more used to scooters, ECVs, wheelchairs power wheelchairs, and all manner of assistive devices now.

If someone does stare at you, or shoot you a dirty look, or say something, I have found that the quickest way to disarm the situation is to simply "outnice" them. I smile, and/or wave nicely, and always respond politely. If it escalates too quickly, I move away, and end my contact with that person. Basically, I take the wind out their sails... but in the nicest possible way. But I'm betting you won't even have to worry about this. Over the last 5 years, I have had ONE time when another guest made a snarky remark at me. Given the enormous numbers of WDW guests that I have seen during my park visits, the odds are very low you will have such an encounter. You will literally have better odds of winning the lottery AND getting hit by lightning in the same day!

Finally, I want to assure you of this simple fact: The HUGE majority of people who use ECVs or personal scooters or wheelchairs or any other type of assistive device at WDW don't "look" disabled. There are all kinds of "hidden disabilities" in this world. Some of them cause problems with our ability to read, or hear, or write... and sometimes, our ability to walk.

Oh - and 2 last tips for your first ECV rental: Bring a nice 3-prong capable power strip with you; sometimes the outlets we need to use to charge our ECVs at night are not in the most "friendly" of places! And, always try to start up a steep hill or ramp at a slight angle, rather than straight on, especially until you are used to the scooter.

You'll be fine. Enjoy your trip. Get on that scooter, and smile and wave like a Princess! And don't worry.

 

[Ladyfish77]

Thanks for starting this thread. My friend who will be on the trip with us just messed up her knee and may have to use an ECV while we are there. I'm trying to get educated about how it all works for ECV users. I'm hoping she will be OK to walk since it would be easier. She's had a tough year, so she's not going to miss this trip and we will get the ECV if needed! I appreciate all the tips and information!

 

[ttintagel]

The great thing to remember about all this information is that if you forget any of it, the WDW CM's meet thousands of guests using ECV's every day, so they'll remember it for you! If you want to park your ECV but can't figure out the best place, the nearest CM will usually be able to advise you. There will generally be a CM outside each attraction who will spot you and ask a couple of questions (whether you can transfer from your ECV into a ride vehicle or if you need a special ride vehicle - that sort of thing) and advise you where to get in line, whether the line is accessible (it almost always is), whether there's any special procedure you need to follow, etc. If this doesn't happen, you can flag a CM down and ask. If for some reason your battery DOES run down (which most likely won't happen) a CM can show you where to plug in for a recharge. Once your brother sees the number of other people who need ECV's for a day in the park, he should get the idea.

The thing is, a day of getting around in a Disney park is NOT the same as a day of getting around in the real world. PLENTY of people who can manage the latter need help with the former. As others have mentioned, and ECV is a tool just like glasses or a cane. THere's so much to see and do in the parks that you, your brother, and everybody else is going to have a lot more to worry about that what tool you need to get around!

 

[disneyygirrl]

Thank you everyone for your time and thoughtful replies! I feel so much better now!

 

[AZRAPUNZEL]

Due to knee surgery right before our trip last fall my husband needed to rent an ECV for the first time. He was also worried about the battery lasting all day, we went from open to close everyday. So he would ask a CM at our lunch and/or dinner stops, depending on what the power gauge was showing, if there was a place to plug in. They were very helpful. Hills or inclines drain the battery faster, like AK or the ramps getting on or off the monorail. As far as which model would be best to rent, we were told by the ECV company that depends on your weight. Hope you have fun on your trip.