To ECV or not to ECV

[deedeetoo]

I've posted about this a few times here before but I am having trouble deciding and want to ask for more input.

We are going with my Mom who is 71 yo and is healthy and able to get around reasonably well in every day life but I know she will have trouble with the distances at WDW.

Many have suggested getting an ECV. I think this would give here the greatest mobility and freedom, but .... Mom doesn't drive. She tried to take driving lessons a few times when she was younger and had panic attacks so she gave up. I am afraid the ECV will have the same effect. I don't want to reserve one ahead of time and then find out on the first day that she really can't use it. Some have suggested going to Target and having her practice. The problem is that she doesn't live close to us (one reason we are looking forward to the family vacation together) so I can't really do this.

DH has volunteered to push her in a wheelchair when she gets tired. He is very athletic - does kickboxing aerobics, runs, lift weights. If anyone can push someone around in a wheelchair all day its my dh. But I still get concerned that it may be too much. We will be there in July and it will be hot and while Mom is not that big I would guess she weigh about 130 lbs. Thats a lot to be pushing around all day. I'm also worrried that if we depend on wheelchairs and park hop to Epcot for dinner we will not be able to get one there.

Does anyone have anything else to suggest that may help me decide?

 

[taekwondo mom]

If you want to rent an ecv . Randy's will meet you at your resort and go over everthing and help her to learn how to operate it.. ( I would suggest someone drive it on & off the bus for her) ..
Good luck ..

 

[Figment's friends]

Most Wal marts have ECV's for shoppers with mobility issues. An ECV is not like driving a car, I suggest taking her in and letting her try one there so you'll know if she can handle it. They don't go fast and they don't make quick turns- I'm sure she will be fine but better safe than sorry.



Whooo HOOO! 100 posts!

 

[Chuck S]

Honestly, if she isn't comfortabe in an ECV, I wouldn't force her. If she is 130 to 140 lbs she will be pretty easy to push around. My mom weights about that and we use a manual wheelchair. Just be sure to keep an eye out for the folks in front of you, people often stop for no apparent reason, so the person pushing the chair really can't "look around" as much as they are used to.

 

[Nanajo1]

You can get a wheelchair for your entire stay so you don't have to worry about getting one if you park hop and have it for around the resort. You can try to get one at your Disney resort but I believe you can't reserve them but get one on a first come first serve basis. You can rent one from the off-site vendors. Your Mother might be able to walk for short times and your DH push her when she needs to ride. I would not force the ECV on her if she really doesn't want it.
Good luck, have a great trip.

 

[Earstou]

My DH pushed me for a few days in a wheelchair and the only problem he had was his shoulders being a little sore. I'm 150 lbs and he wasn't in the greatest shape at the time!
I don't think your DH will have any problems.

 

[deedeetoo]

Thanks for the advice. It sounds like the wheelchair would be Ok for my dh to push. I'll check into the offsite vendors. Also, I'll ask my Mom to see if any of her friends have one she can borrow for the week. She lives in senior housing so I bet there's a few extra wheelchairs around. We're kicking ourselves a bit because when dh's mom died we donated all her medical stuff (including a very nice wheelchair) to charity. Oh well, I'm sure whoever has it appreciates it.