Transport Chair - Buena Vista Scooters.

[Donna3271]

Hi All,
We will be staying at the Boardwalk with my parents, and I see Buena Vista scooters is located there.

My mother mentioned getting a motorized scooter. She has bad knees and has been putting off replacement surgery. She has never driven one, and I fear she will be knocking into everyone and everything.

Has anyone had any experience with a Transport chair? Are they easy to push? I think this may be easier to fold up for buses as apposed to a wheelchair or scooter.

Any help? Advise? THANKS!!!

 

[bushdianee]

I don't have any experience pushing a transport chair at Disney but my mom used one for several years. I depends on the size of the person you are pushing. My mom was very pooh sized so it was harder to push her. I did however push her on the Las Vegas strip from the MGM Grand to the Mirage and back which might be comparable to Disney! My hands had blisters and I was exhausted. We did stop several times and took the whole day. hills are more difficult to push up and keep control going down if they are steep. Why not take her to a store that has scooters to practice? You could go very early or late so as to avoid busy times. I used a scooter for the first time in WDW last year and only bumped into one person because a mother pulled her son (looked to be about 10) right in front of me as we were all trying to leave MK. Luckily I was going VERY slow and he wasn't hurt but i still felt bad.

 

[Donna3271]

I don't have any experience pushing a transport chair at Disney but my mom used one for several years. I depends on the size of the person you are pushing. My mom was very pooh sized so it was harder to push her. I did however push her on the Las Vegas strip from the MGM Grand to the Mirage and back which might be comparable to Disney! My hands had blisters and I was exhausted. We did stop several times and took the whole day. hills are more difficult to push up and keep control going down if they are steep. Why not take her to a store that has scooters to practice? You could go very early or late so as to avoid busy times. I used a scooter for the first time in WDW last year and only bumped into one person because a mother pulled her son (looked to be about 10) right in front of me as we were all trying to leave MK. Luckily I was going VERY slow and he wasn't hurt but i still felt bad.

Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We could do the store practice. I did not think of that. My mother weights about 148, and I did not think of repercussions on us for pushing. Would you feel a regular wheelchair is easier to push than a transport?

Thanks again! Your comments and experience are making me lean toward the scooter.

Best,
Donna

 

[deakam]

We were thinking about renting a scooter for our friend that has a club foot and I know she will not be able to handle a nine day trip without assistance. She refused the scooter but agreed to a wheelchair for some of the time. We checked all of the rental places in Orlando and finally decided to order one for about half the price of rental for 9 days. This way we have it at the airports as well.

My son, who will be pushing the chair when she needs to ride was a little concerned after seeing some chairs at a local store. He is 6'2" and was thinking he would have a sore back. When our chair arrived we were pleasantly surprised to find that it was quite a bit taller than expected and fairly easy to push my big fat bum around the house. Our friend is about 5'7" and weighs about 130#, so it should not be that difficult.

We thought the same thing about the wheelchair versus the scooter. Just plain easier to transport. And my friend does not want to be in the chair all the time. Sometimes she just needs to hold onto something to walk. With a scooter you have to sit. My knees are not all that great and I find that if I do not walk or move around they get stiff.

 

[Donna3271]

We were thinking about renting a scooter for our friend that has a club foot and I know she will not be able to handle a nine day trip without assistance. She refused the scooter but agreed to a wheelchair for some of the time. We checked all of the rental places in Orlando and finally decided to order one for about half the price of rental for 9 days. This way we have it at the airports as well.

My son, who will be pushing the chair when she needs to ride was a little concerned after seeing some chairs at a local store. He is 6'2" and was thinking he would have a sore back. When our chair arrived we were pleasantly surprised to find that it was quite a bit taller than expected and fairly easy to push my big fat bum around the house. Our friend is about 5'7" and weighs about 130#, so it should not be that difficult.

We thought the same thing about the wheelchair versus the scooter. Just plain easier to transport. And my friend does not want to be in the chair all the time. Sometimes she just needs to hold onto something to walk. With a scooter you have to sit. My knees are not all that great and I find that if I do not walk or move around they get stiff.

Wow, you have a wonderful son! Not many people would push their mom's friends around Disney!!! Can I borrow him? He sounds like a doll

 

[WheeledTraveler]

If she wants the ECV (which is what you indicate in the original post), I'd go for that as long as she's safe driving one. The problem with transport (or any rental) wheelchairs is that the person using it loses most, if not all, of their independence. There's no way for the person in the wheelchair to move on their own (extra true with transport wheelchairs, although they are supposed to be easier for a separate pusher). While I'm sure your family would do their best, when being pushed you can end up spending a lot of time looking at walls or being told to look at something they can't see because the pusher hasn't turned the chair. It sounds to me like one thing your mother really does value is independence. It means she can keep up, but also go off by herself if she needs a break or doesn't want to do something everyone else is doing. If she wants to walk occasionally, she can also park it and walk through queues (I wouldn't do this for all queues, but some of the shorter ones might be okay), stores, or into restaurants. Doing a little walking may actually be beneficial because

There are spaces for ECVs on all the buses. If she's worried about "parking", there are several options. One of the other members of your party could load it, you could stick it in neutral and push it into position, or on some buses the drivers will help. She'd need to move to a regular bus seat, anyway, so her not being on the ECV while it's loading isn't any extra step. She can also practice at your resort before you take the ECV to any parks. She is definitely would be able to use the smaller ECVs without problems and those can even be broken down to transport in a car if you have one. It wouldn't work to take it apart for the buses, but it's really not needed.

If you do take her to a store to practice, know that pretty much any ECV she could rent in Orlando handles better than the ones you borrow in stores. The ones in the stores at home will also probably be slower than one rented at WDW. I only mention the speed because if I'd first used an ECV at a grocery store, I'd probably have refused to ever use one for anything bigger than the store (most really crawl along).

Whatever you/she choose, I hope you all have a wonderful trip!

 

[Donna3271]

If she wants the ECV (which is what you indicate in the original post), I'd go for that as long as she's safe driving one. The problem with transport (or any rental) wheelchairs is that the person using it loses most, if not all, of their independence. There's no way for the person in the wheelchair to move on their own (extra true with transport wheelchairs, although they are supposed to be easier for a separate pusher). While I'm sure your family would do their best, when being pushed you can end up spending a lot of time looking at walls or being told to look at something they can't see because the pusher hasn't turned the chair. It sounds to me like one thing your mother really does value is independence. It means she can keep up, but also go off by herself if she needs a break or doesn't want to do something everyone else is doing. If she wants to walk occasionally, she can also park it and walk through queues (I wouldn't do this for all queues, but some of the shorter ones might be okay), stores, or into restaurants. Doing a little walking may actually be beneficial because

There are spaces for ECVs on all the buses. If she's worried about "parking", there are several options. One of the other members of your party could load it, you could stick it in neutral and push it into position, or on some buses the drivers will help. She'd need to move to a regular bus seat, anyway, so her not being on the ECV while it's loading isn't any extra step. She can also practice at your resort before you take the ECV to any parks. She is definitely would be able to use the smaller ECVs without problems and those can even be broken down to transport in a car if you have one. It wouldn't work to take it apart for the buses, but it's really not needed.

If you do take her to a store to practice, know that pretty much any ECV she could rent in Orlando handles better than the ones you borrow in stores. The ones in the stores at home will also probably be slower than one rented at WDW. I only mention the speed because if I'd first used an ECV at a grocery store, I'd probably have refused to ever use one for anything bigger than the store (most really crawl along).

Whatever you/she choose, I hope you all have a wonderful trip!

Thank you so much for this detailed response!!! I appreciate your advice so much!!!

 

[txnana]

I use a scooter for shopping trips and wdw trips. Take your Mom to the store and get in an open area on a reasonably empty sidewalk and practice turning around, backing up, turning corners. A rental will be much more agile than a store scooter and can go faster or at a slow pace depending on the crowd and comfort level. Practice a parallel parking situation as that is closest to what the bus loading is like. Practice a lot of maneuvers and she will do fine at WDW.

 

[JenniBugInPink]

If she wants the ECV (which is what you indicate in the original post), I'd go for that as long as she's safe driving one. The problem with transport (or any rental) wheelchairs is that the person using it loses most, if not all, of their independence. There's no way for the person in the wheelchair to move on their own (extra true with transport wheelchairs, although they are supposed to be easier for a separate pusher). While I'm sure your family would do their best, when being pushed you can end up spending a lot of time looking at walls or being told to look at something they can't see because the pusher hasn't turned the chair. It sounds to me like one thing your mother really does value is independence. It means she can keep up, but also go off by herself if she needs a break or doesn't want to do something everyone else is doing. If she wants to walk occasionally, she can also park it and walk through queues (I wouldn't do this for all queues, but some of the shorter ones might be okay), stores, or into restaurants...

Transport chairs are not easier to push than wheelchairs - they are just easier to transport. They are actually usually MUCH more difficult to push, especially on anything but level ground. The reason people like them is that they are much lighter than wheelchairs. I have a "lightweight" wheelchair that I use when I need to, and I can still barely lift it into the bed of my truck. Truly lightweight wheelchairs are very expensive, and my insurance wouldn't approve one. At WDW, I use an ECV - it would be way too much work for my husband to push me. At some point, the rheumatoid arthritis in my hands is going to prevent me from using an ECV, and I guess then we'll have to stop going, because really, I don't think he would survive having to push me all around WDW (I'd need to lose weight, anyway, but even then it would be hard).

I would recommend the ECV route as well. Learning to use one is not that difficult for most folks, and practicing ahead of time with the clunky ones at groceries, etc. will make it much easier driving the much more maneuverable scooters that can be rented off-site at WDW. I use Walker Mobility because I really like their people and their service, and especially their long battery life, but they aren't one of Disney's Featured providers, so you do have to meet them at your resort to pick up your scooter.

 

[Ms. WDW]

And my friend does not want to be in the chair all the time. Sometimes she just needs to hold onto something to walk. With a scooter you have to sit. My knees are not all that great and I find that if I do not walk or move around they get stiff.

How about a Rollator? Basically a walker with wheels and a seat. They fold and you can rent from a couple of local vendors. Just a thought.

I'm getting one when I come down in 4 weeks. Arthritis just flared in my knee and just in case it's still bothering me I'll be set.

 

[gericoronado]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We could do the store practice. I did not think of that. My mother weights about 148, and I did not think of repercussions on us for pushing. Would you feel a regular wheelchair is easier to push than a transport?

Thanks again! Your comments and experience are making me lean toward the scooter.

Best,
Donna

The transport chairs are more difficult to use for long hauls because they have small wheels...thus are very light weight. The wheelchair has small wheels in front only; the back wheels are large = easier to push.

 

[deakam]

Wow, you have a wonderful son! Not many people would push their mom's friends around Disney!!! Can I borrow him? He sounds like a doll

Yes my son is a very thoughtful man. I got lucky with this one. The friend is actually someone his age. She has been wanting to come with us on one of our annual trips and since this is our last from Wisconsin---we are moving to Florida next year----she decided this was her last chance.

She has never ever used a wheelchair. She is very mobile for someone with a club foot. We decided to go with the chair just in case. And she said that some times she just needs something to balance her so she will more than likely be pushing a chair with water bottles in it. Plus she has trouble standing for any length of time. With the chair she can sit while waiting in line. I am thinking the chair will be used mostly for the long trip back to the buses when leaving the parks and probably during fireworks and parades.

We have been there so many times that we have decided to just take our time and let her set the pace. This will be our first trip with the fastpass+ so we don't have to do the rope drop mad rush to TSMM or Soarin'.

As far as the difference between the regular wheelchair and the transport--the big wheels in the back makes the regular chair easier to move around but because they are made to be self propelled the handles to actually push the chair are much lower than the transport chair which is made to be pushed by a second person.

 

[Donna3271]

As far as the difference between the regular wheelchair and the transport--the big wheels in the back makes the regular chair easier to move around but because they are made to be self propelled the handles to actually push the chair are much lower than the transport chair which is made to be pushed by a second person.

<<<<<<< THANKS EVERYONE! This is what I needed to know.

Looks like we will go with the ECV. I am taking her to Home Depot parking lot to practice!!!

 

[Donna3271]

Sorry everyone…

One more question… I see insurance that covers damage on the website, but hypothetically, what if the scooter is stolen (gosh forbid!!!).

Do they offer insurance for that? Has anyone experienced the scooter being damaged or stolen?

THANKS!

 

[Mommee]

I just want to put my opposing view on here... my husband would swear on his life that my transport chair is MUCH easier to push around than a regular wheelchair, as well as more comfortable to do.

BUT, he is comparing a rented wheelchair, which will likely not be in tip top shape nor top of the line, to my personal transport chair, which is something like 12 pounds (and pink, so if you ever see me, say hi ). He does have a tendency to leave me next to a garbage can or push me past the counter or whatever we're looking at if he hasn't pushed me in a while, though. I think it's a carryover of being in charge of the stroller for so many years I can put my feet on the ground and easily scoot myself around to look at things or even get up and walk around the store for a bit. The chair can be parked just as easily as a scooter could

I don't have the ability to use a scooter, though, so I can't comment any further on comparing the two. Just the difference between chairs

 

[disneyholic family]

I just want to put my opposing view on here... my husband would swear on his life that my transport chair is MUCH easier to push around than a regular wheelchair, as well as more comfortable to do.

BUT, he is comparing a rented wheelchair, which will likely not be in tip top shape nor top of the line, to my personal transport chair, which is something like 12 pounds (and pink, so if you ever see me, say hi ). He does have a tendency to leave me next to a garbage can or push me past the counter or whatever we're looking at if he hasn't pushed me in a while, though. I think it's a carryover of being in charge of the stroller for so many years I can put my feet on the ground and easily scoot myself around to look at things or even get up and walk around the store for a bit. The chair can be parked just as easily as a scooter could

I don't have the ability to use a scooter, though, so I can't comment any further on comparing the two. Just the difference between chairs

We were thinking about renting a scooter for our friend that has a club foot and I know she will not be able to handle a nine day trip without assistance. She refused the scooter but agreed to a wheelchair for some of the time. We checked all of the rental places in Orlando and finally decided to order one for about half the price of rental for 9 days. This way we have it at the airports as well.

My son, who will be pushing the chair when she needs to ride was a little concerned after seeing some chairs at a local store. He is 6'2" and was thinking he would have a sore back. When our chair arrived we were pleasantly surprised to find that it was quite a bit taller than expected and fairly easy to push my big fat bum around the house. Our friend is about 5'7" and weighs about 130#, so it should not be that difficult.

We thought the same thing about the wheelchair versus the scooter. Just plain easier to transport. And my friend does not want to be in the chair all the time. Sometimes she just needs to hold onto something to walk. With a scooter you have to sit. My knees are not all that great and I find that if I do not walk or move around they get stiff.

i'm in the market for a transport wheelchair, but don't know which one to pick.
I was going to try to rent one for my mom for our trip to alaska, but it was obvious the cost of buying one would be cheaper.

But which one to pick???

i've decided i need to get one with the slightly enlarged back wheels (12" or 14" vs the really small ones), but besides that i haven't a clue which is best.

i see that both of you have transport chairs and are happy with them.

can you tell me what brand you have?

thanks in advance!!

 

[GranJan]

i'm in the market for a transport wheelchair, but don't know which one to pick.
I was going to try to rent one for my mom for our trip to alaska, but it was obvious the cost of buying one would be cheaper.

But which one to pick???

i've decided i need to get one with the slightly enlarged back wheels (12" or 14" vs the really small ones), but besides that i haven't a clue which is best.

i see that both of you have transport chairs and are happy with them.

can you tell me what brand you have?

thanks in advance!!

We just bought a transport chair & I was trying to get the cheapest...just something to keep in the car. I regret not getting one with larger wheels & with brakes on the handles instead of the wheels. The brakes on the wheels are difficult to do for the pusher & impossible for the rider. If you want to be able to use it as a walker too, I have one called the Duet by Drive. It's not as comfortable to ride in but it's good for short distances & has bigger wheels so it takes bumps better than my cheap transport chair. Being able to use it as a walker to go to the bathroom in restaurants is helpful. I keep the Duet on the patio to use in the yard but I think I'm going to clean it up & use it for car trips since it works better than the cheap transport chair we got. The Duet is more expensive but if you'd like something that can be used as a transport chair & a walker, it's worth it.

 

[blondietink]

Make sure with a transport chair you get one with the larger back wheels, brakes on the pusher handles and front wheels that are like a stroller. The small hard front wheels are terrible in sidewalk cracks, getting over the trolley tracks on Main St. In MK and just generally get stuck easily. I know this because we had one with the small hard front wheels and they actually broke off after getting stuck so much.

 

[tinka-belle]

For all chair pushers, no matter what kind of chair.............

Pick up a pair of bicycle gloves, really saves your hands from the blisters, and you rgrip will be better on the handles in the Florida heat. Can get inexpensive ones at Walmart.

 

[disneyholic family]

We just bought a transport chair & I was trying to get the cheapest...just something to keep in the car. I regret not getting one with larger wheels & with brakes on the handles instead of the wheels. The brakes on the wheels are difficult to do for the pusher & impossible for the rider. If you want to be able to use it as a walker too, I have one called the Duet by Drive. It's not as comfortable to ride in but it's good for short distances & has bigger wheels so it takes bumps better than my cheap transport chair. Being able to use it as a walker to go to the bathroom in restaurants is helpful. I keep the Duet on the patio to use in the yard but I think I'm going to clean it up & use it for car trips since it works better than the cheap transport chair we got. The Duet is more expensive but if you'd like something that can be used as a transport chair & a walker, it's worth it.

thanks for the suggestion...i'm going to look it up now..
it's an interesting idea for my mom!

Make sure with a transport chair you get one with the larger back wheels, brakes on the pusher handles and front wheels that are like a stroller. The small hard front wheels are terrible in sidewalk cracks, getting over the trolley tracks on Main St. In MK and just generally get stuck easily. I know this because we had one with the small hard front wheels and they actually broke off after getting stuck so much.

hmm...i hadn't heard that before...i didn't even know there are differences in the front wheels....back wheels yes, but not the front wheels...
time for some more research.!!!

For all chair pushers, no matter what kind of chair.............

Pick up a pair of bicycle gloves, really saves your hands from the blisters, and you rgrip will be better on the handles in the Florida heat. Can get inexpensive ones at Walmart.

great idea!!