Touring with an ECV/scooter?

[Rajah]

Well, with some discussion, we think we're going to rent an ECV/scooter for my parents to share. My mom doesn't handle the heat well due to medical reasons and being able to sit down will help her, and my dad has bad knees and ankles that have been acting up on him pretty badly the past week or so and he was concerned about walking around the parks.

So, this will be my first time at the parks with a scooter / ECV. What do I need to know? I have my parents looking at the four companies listed earlier on this board, with Walker and CARE at the top of the list, so I think I have that part of the process figured out and what little we don't know (like how to have them pick it up and where to have them pick up) will be answered with a phone call. I'm also going to have my parents try to get a temporary handicapped parking permit that we can take with us so we can park close to the gates. How long does that process usually take? We leave Thursday and the dr offices and DMV offices are closed until Tues -- will we have enough time?

But, what about at the parks? Both parents are well enough to be able to walk the queues of the rides, it's walking the paths of the parks they're concerned about. So what do we do with the ECV in the meantime? *Should* we just go ahead and have them ride through the queues, and if so, which rides will handle it well? What about a GAC in the parks -- do we need one if we have the scooter with us? My understanding is we don't need to take the time for the GAC if we have the ECV, is that right? What about restaurants? I suspect that neither one is going to want to mess with riding the scooter at dinner/breakfast for the buffets -- what do we do with it in the meantime? What about parades? If we're allowed to use the reserved areas because of the scooter, where are those? The only parades we're likely to see are Share a Dream at MK and *MAYBE* but unlikely the Jammin' Jungle at AK. Illuminations will be a must-do -- is there a reserved area for Illuminations, and if so, where and how's the view?

And what do we do if it rains? Are we going to be stuck hiding in a shop if it rains, or can these things handle the Florida weather just fine?

Thanks so much for y'all's help!!

 

[SueM in MN]

I can answer some of your questions and I'm sure other people will be around soon who can answer the rest.

I'm also going to have my parents try to get a temporary handicapped parking permit that we can take with us so we can park close to the gates. How long does that process usually take? We leave Thursday and the dr offices and DMV offices are closed until Tues -- will we have enough time?

If your state has a DMV website, you might be able to print off the form from there. That will save one trip to the DMV office. After getting it signed by the doctor, they might be able to issue one right away at the DMV. It's worth a check on the website and a call to the DMV to see if it will be enough time.
If you don't get a handicapped tag in time, they do save some spots on the ends of rows close to the park entrance for people in your situation. Just let every CM you meet in the parking lot know that you have an ecv, but NOT a handicapped parking permit. (Parking in the handicapped lot without a permit might cost you a $200 ticket). Another thing to try, if you are AAA members is to see if your local AAA office will give you a AAA parking lot permit. Those lots are near the handicapped parking. They usually give them out with vacation package purchases, but might make an exception.

But, what about at the parks? Both parents are well enough to be able to walk the queues of the rides, it's walking the paths of the parks they're concerned about. So what do we do with the ECV in the meantime?
Should* we just go ahead and have them ride through
the queues, and if so, which rides will handle it well?

Here's a link to the DIS general info page for people with mobility disabilities. it includes a list of rides where an ecv can go through the entire wait in line and the ride. For some rides, whoever is using the ecv will need to leave it close to the entrance.... be sure to ask if there are stairs and how long they will be waiting in line before leaving it there. For some rides, the ecv is left at the exit, you board the ride and then the ecv will be waiting for you when you get off.

What about a GAC in the parks -- do we need one if we have the scooter with us? My understanding is we don't need to take the time for the GAC if we have the ECV, is that right?

That is right. if you are in a line with an ecv or wheelchair, you will be routed to the accessible entrance. this thread about boarding explains about the entrances and boarding process (for the "moving walkway rides"). If you have the scooter, you will be able to board at those rides without having a GAC. That would be benificial for your dad with bad knees and ankles. Most of the lines are shaded from the sun and if you use fastpasses as much as possible, your waits will be short. But, you might find that your mom is having trouble with waiting in the sun. If that is a problem, you can always get a GAC later for her. Just have her go to Guest Services in any of the parks and explain her needs.

What about restaurants? I suspect that neither one is going to want to mess with riding the scooter at dinner/breakfast for the buffets -- what do we do with it in the meantime?

Many people just aprk them outside. Ask a CM. I'm sure our scooter riders will have more advice for you.

What about parades? If we're allowed to use the reserved areas because of the scooter, where are those?

They are marked on the park maps and with signs with a wheelchair icon. I don't think you will have a problem finding them.

Illuminations will be a must-do -- is there a reserved area for Illuminations, and if so, where and how's the view?

There are several areas marked on the maps just like the parades. We seldom use them because DD can't get out of her wheelchair and she has been placed by a CM behind a tree (which we didn't really notice until Illumination started), while a whole bunch a scooters were in prime viewing positions with their users sitting on benches behind them for the whole show. You also need to get there early most of the time (which is a problem for our DD). There are many good Illuminations viewing spots all around WS, so we usually don't bother with the wheelchair viewing areas. Just watch which way the wind is blowing (so all the smoke doesn't blow right at you)

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I'll answer one part at a time, but not in the same sequence you asked.

I don't know what the Texas rules are as far as the process of getting a hang tag. I had first discussed with my doctor about getting a tag; his only question was why I had waited so long. In Virginia I searched the DMV site starting with "medical" as the search word. I was able to find the required form and print it out. I then filled in what I could, such as name and address, and then dropped it off at the doctor's office and picked it up later. When I went to my local DMV branch the screener gave me a number that had me at the counter in less than ten minutes and then I got the tag on the spot.

With the exception of Randy's, which required you to be present at both drop-off and return, the companies will drop the ECV off at your hotel's Bell Services prior to your arrival and pick it back up after yo have left.

I know that Walker provides a shower cap in a plastic bag tooked to the tiller adjustment lever. They ask that if it rains the electronic control box be protected. The rest of the scooter is very hardy and has no problems with rain or puddles (even fairly deep ones). If it may be parked outside with a chance of rain carry a towel to dry off the seat and seatback.

For driving in the rain there are three choices (after protecting the control box). One is ignore the rain; this depends on the temperature and heaviness of the rain. Next is try using an umbrella. Best, especially for most rain, is get an adult-size poncho that will go over the person including both protecting their back as well as their legs.

All the ECVs have keys. Usually I will leave mine either outside of or inside the lobby of the restaurants. Just be sure that you take everything out of the basket that you don't want to have disappear.

Since at least one will be riding all the time, you should not need a GAC. However, It would not hurt to get one. Note that normally the maximum group size for special service is six including the person with the disability.

 

[Rajah]

Okay, another question -- how hard are these things to get in and out of a regular trunk? Once we got my dad into the discussion, he started having second thoughts. Says he tried out some new ankle and knee braces and that's been helping him enough he thinks he doesn't want a chair unless it's for my mom. My mom says she'll be fine to walk around the park as long as we hop from AC to AC, and I do know how to shop-hop to get around the parks . Reasoning my dad is having second thoughts is he's afraid that lifting it in and out of the car (and he's the only one strong enough to lift anything more than about 30 lbs up and out of a trunk) will hurt his back and knees badly enough that it'll do more damage than him just walking. My mom and I are the only ones who will be there as well and my mom absolutely can not lift anything as heavy as 40 lbs out of a trunk, and I'm likely to hurt myself if I try. :/ And we want to use the car rather than the busses since we're so short on time this trip -- don't want to waste several hours of it waiting for a bus that can take us, especially when park-hopping. So... now what? We're going to re-evaluate how everyone is doing on Tuesday night and decide for sure then.

I don't know which way to encourage them. I think that if we didn't have to worry about getting it in and out of the car, it would be a good idea to have one on hand even if we leave it in the room the first day. My biggest concern is them walking around AK and Epcot, which will be the second day. But on the other hand, I don't want my dad to hurt himself even more trying to get the scooter out of the car. :/

 

[Cheshire Figment]

According to the literature, the heavies piece is 39 pounds. I think that is the motor/rear wheel assemby. This has a large handle bar so it can be picked up using two hands if necessary. The main section (front wheel, tiller, base and seat socket) weighs less -- it is a bit bulky but normally not a problem by holding the base jst forward of the wheel and the post the seat goes into.

I have found that in rental cars (from National) a Buick Century's trunk will accept a broken-down ECV but faily tightly. A LeSabre will have no problems at att, and a Park Avenue will allow a lot of additional items. My own car is a 97 Ford Taurus four-door sedan. To get it all in the trunk can be a fight, so I find it easiest to set the seat on the back of the car.

Make sure the car is a four-door and not a two. You will see why as I explain below. Some of these instructions will not make sense until you see the actual equipment.

First is the seat; this comes off by pulling straight up. Some wiggling might be necessary. The back of the seat does fold forward, but there is a post of about 8" length at the bottom. This can go in the back seat easily.

Then come the two battery packs. The have "quick-connect" plugs which just pop off. the packs are about 9" cubes, with straps around them. The straps can be used as handles. I would suggest putting them on the floor in the back.

There is a power/control cable connecting the rear wheel/motor assembly to the rest of the ECV. Turn the knurled knob where it goes into the rear wheel/motor assembly and it comes off. there is a "T"-Handle which you pull up which separates the rear wheel/motor assembly from the main body.

There is a single lever below the left tiller handle which pulls up. This allows you to lower the tiller all the way to the floor (have it turned slightly off-center when lowering so it does not stop on the support post for the seat. I would suggest one hand at the very front of the floor and the other on the post support so you have no change of pinching you fingers when you put this in the car.

The rear wheel/motor assembly has a rod type of handle across the top; Use this to put he assembly in the car.

Several notes for when putting it back together. Again, these will not make sense until you see the ECV in pieces.

There is a wide "slot" on the front of the rear wheel/motor assembly. Let the assembly sort of tilt backwards and place the rear of the main body into this slot. You will then lift the "T"-Handle, allowing the rear wheel/motor assembly to rock forward, and then release the handle to lock the two pieces into place.

Lift up on the tiller and locking lever until the tiller is vertical at the angle you want.

Take the plug from the body which goes to the rear wheel/motor assembly. There should be a (yellow) paint spot on it, that spot goes to the very top. Push the plug in and then turn the knurled knob until it clicks into place.

Put the two battery packs into the wells on the floor. Note that the connectors will be facing to the rear and next to the post. There will probably be some advertising on the side of the case; that goes to the outside.

Then put the seat post into the tube and you are ready to go. Note when putting it in turn it from side to side a bit until it locks into place.

As last note; there are two controls on the rear wheel/motor assembly; they will be toward you on the right whejn you are behind the ECV. One is an electric automatic brake release and the other allow freewheeling. To operate the ECV the toggle switch must be forward and the knob all the way down. To manually push the ECV the toggle switch muust be to the back and the knob must be pulled up about 2 inches.

Note when you turn the key on, if the meter on the control panel does not move (and neither does the ECV) check the switch positions, and that both battery packs are pluged in as well as the cable. Once in a great while something needs jiggling.

Note the charging unit can live in your room and be plugged into the wall all the time.

Hope this informatIon helps.

 

[SueM in MN]

I didn't see where you are staying, but you may find that using the buses is not as difficult or time consuming as you think (especially when you add taking apart and putting together the ecv to your trip time).
Almost 100% of the buses are wheelchair accessible, so you very seldom have to wait for a particular bus. Most people who don't use wheelchairs or ecvs are not aware of that, since the area with the wheelchair tie downs has a seat that looks the same as the other bus seats. It just folds up when the space is needed for a wheelchair or ecv. Also, the older lift buses have steps in the back. The steps just refold another way to form a flat platform for a lift when needed. So, if you ask the average WDW bus rider if the buses are wheelchair accessible, most would say no, because the wheelchair accessibility is not visible to them. Occasionally, a bus will have a lift that is not working, but that doesn't commonly occur.