Two of us will be in ECVs - A couple of questions! *UPDATE Page 2 ~ We're back!*

[SeaSpray]

Hi everyone:

After an extremely rough year, we'll be in Disney World in 9 days!! My DH and I will each be in an ECV on this trip; can the buses carry more than 1 ECV at a time? (Or course, assuming that someone else in an ECV isn't already on the bus). Or do they only carry 1 at a time? Even though I've been in an ECV on our last few trips, I can't remember whether there was space for more than 1 or not.

Also, how about the monorails?? I know that the CMs always placed the ramp down for me, but I never noticed what happened when/if there were other EVCs waiting to board at the same time.

Thanks in advance.

 

[treehugnmama]

I don't know how may the busses hold but I do know that they do hold two. A couple that was at our resort at the last stay both had one each and they rode together.

 

[Eeyore5]

My mom and I both used a ECV in Oct 2008 and will again in Nov 2010 The buses have spots for two wheelchairs or ECVs. When one or both spots were full the drivers would call for another bus and they came fairly quickly. I think there was one time we split up because we needed to make a dinner reservation. Check out the FAQ thread for good info on using and renting ECVs. I highly recommend renting off site so you have the ECV for getting to and from the parks and don't risk the parks running out which will happen.

 

[Eeyore5]

The monorails and most boats also hold two ECVs. Its a little tight on the monorail but so much easier then the bus.

 

[SeaSpray]

I don't know how may the busses hold but I do know that they do hold two. A couple that was at our resort at the last stay both had one each and they rode together.

My mom and I both used a ECV in Oct 2008 and will again in Nov 2010 The buses have spots for two wheelchairs or ECVs. When one or both spots were full the drivers would call for another bus and they came fairly quickly. I think there was one time we split up because we needed to make a dinner reservation. Check out the FAQ thread for good info on using and renting ECVs. I highly recommend renting off site so you have the ECV for getting to and from the parks and don't risk the parks running out which will happen.

The monorails and most boats also hold two ECVs. Its a little tight on the monorail but so much easier then the bus.

Thanks for the replies! We're renting from Walker Mobility. Actually, the Polynesian IPO set up the rentals for us. I've used Walker in the past (due to the recommendations here on the disABILITIES Board ) and when I found out that it's the same company that Disney uses, I let them arrange both of the rentals for us.

 

[SueM in MN]

All the buses will hold at least 2 wheelchairs or ECVs.
There are a few buses that actually have spaces for 3 wheelchairs or ECVs to be tied down.

So, the only time you would have a problem would be if one of the spots in a '2 spot bus' are already filled.

As was mentioned, the monorails are kind of tight for 2 ECVs or wheelchairs, but 2 will fit if they are put in just right.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

But since there are two cars that have disabled access in each train, that does allow four ECVs or up to eight wheelchairs. However, to get two ECVs into each car does take the drivers knowing what they are doing and they cannot have oversize ECVs.

 

[dhcalva]

I have a question. What hotel rooms could you fit 2 ECVs in (and be able to charge them) on Disney property?

We're thinking of going in December and are considering the Poly.

 

[SeaSpray]

I have a question. What hotel rooms could you fit 2 ECVs in (and be able to charge them) on Disney property?

We're thinking of going in December and are considering the Poly.

We're staying at the Polynesian, in the club level Hawaii building. I think we'll do ok with fitting them both in; we'll put one over in the corner near the lamp/chair/ottoman (there's an outlet there for charging), and we'll put the other one over against the wall next to the desk where there are outlets available.

 

[Eeyore5]

We were at Port Orleans FQ. It was tight but we were able to make it work. In the fall we are staying in a cabin on Disney property. Look under moderate resorts. It looks like that will be much easier. We are going that route since my dad is coming too and we need three beds.

 

[Janell]

If both ecv don't work well in your room, most of the hotels can hold and charge your ecv, where you pick it up. At least they do at the Disneyland Hotels, Im sure WDW hotels can do the same thing.

 

[smidgy]

this is the reason ecvs go to the front of the bus line. can you imagine how long you would have to wait to get both ecvs in? (and, no, we don't use one)
anyway, we were at all star music a few years back, and our "neighbor" had an ecv which he kept right outside the door the whole trip (kind of in the "inlet" between our 2 rooms.) it was never bothered. not suggesting this. just saying how it was. but I don't see how it could be stolen, unless a few people picked it up manually and hauled it off?
(although if I paid the deposit for it, I might sing a dif. tune)
now that I post this, I think of a few years later, when we stayed at Music during Pop Warner. and I could very well imagine those teens who were running up and down the resort at all hours(by all hours, I mean 2 AM)cheering, swearing, yelling, banging on doors,; picking it up and moving it just for "kicks". nevermind... bad suggestion.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

but I don't see how it could be stolen, unless a few people picked it up manually and hauled it off?
(although if I paid the deposit for it, I might sing a dif. tune)

You'ld be surprised. It's so easy to get an ECV working without a key, it'll take any fool that knows how to -and that aint difficult either- to get it operating in about 30 seconds.


As far as 2 ECV's in a room go; depends on the resort and how the room is laid out. For instance; the rooms at CBR and AKL are about the same size sq feet. However the lay-out of both differ in such a way, it would be very doable to have 2 ECV's in a room at CBR yet at the AKL it would be asking for annoyance if not trouble.

I travel with a powerchair and manual chair. At CBR; not a problem. AKL? Even with a king bed it was difficult getting around, had to have maintenance to remove some furniture. Shared that AKL room for the first night (late arrival) with another friend that also uses a manual wheechair. Woulnd't have been a problem at CBR, was a pain in the rear at AKL.

Have a look at lay out of the room, look at the pic threads of the different resorts. They're a great bunch of info.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Also, if it's just the two of you, it's worth considering a room with a king bed. That would give you more floor space. At some resorts they're a bookable category, at others you can only request them but no guarantee.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

Didn't see this mentioned but I'm very tired so excuse the repeat if I am, in fact, repeating this.

The buses have at least 2 spots for ECVs, but you may need to wait for another bus to ride together should there be someone in front of you. You never know though, that person may be willing to hang out if they're not in a hurry and let you two go first but I wouldn't count on it. Also if you're riding on an internal bus system (something like OKW), this would be another case where you might have to wait for another bus to swin around because someone might have boarded at one of the stops before the one you're at with an ECV, thus taking up a spot.

I hope that's not too rambling...

 

[ShhhQ]

In 2007, we had 2 ECVs in our room at POP... one was by the window and the other in front of the connecting room door. We had a king size bed (which I hated), and had plenty of room to spare!

 

[disney david]

when you are waiting the bus you need to take you could ask another bus that stops at that stop to call dispatch. And have them check with the bus you need to see if they have any ecv on the bus. if they do it just get them to start another bus faster and you will have time to plan if you need to take two bus are if you could go inside to get out of the heat till the next bus comes.

 

[LindaBabe]

At resorts with indoor corridors, I leave my ecv in the hall, plugged in. No one has ever bothered it.

 

[SeaSpray]

Thanks again for all of the replies. 30 and a half hours until we leave for the airport...but who's counting?? LOL

LindaBabe: We're staying at the Polynesian, do you know if there are outlets in the hallways there too? Thanks!

 

[SeaSpray]

Hi everyone:

I thought I'd come back and report how our trip went with 2 ECVs. First of all, they fit fine in the room. We stayed at the Polynesian, we had 5 adults in the room, and we parked 1 of the ECVs at the foot of each bed, but at night to charge, we moved one of them to the space between the 2 queen beds, so that we could plug the charger in behind the night stand. We plugged the other one in where one of the beds is almost against the wall, there's an outlet on that wall.

We had absolutely no problems on the buses or monorails. We never encountered a time where there wasn't room for both of the ECVs. We even were able to pull both of them into the same monorail car.

Most of the time we parked the ECVs outside of the rides and attractions, and waited in the line with everyone else. Only one night while at the MK until 3am did we use the wheelchair lines. The regular lines were extremely short anyway, and we needed to use the ECVs that night, so we didn't feel bad doing it.

Thanks to everyone who replied on this thread.

P.S. There ARE outlets in the hallway of the Hawaii building at the Polynesian. In fact, we saw that someone else had their ECV plugged in each night out there. I'd assume that there are outlets in the hallways of all of the buildings, but I have no firsthand knowledge of it.