Using ECV and getting from one place to another w/o using busses

Minniekins

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Nov 4, 2007
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We will be going to WDW on thanksgiving day. We'll be at AoA, Little Mermaid, getting in by 6 pm probably. We'll be meeting up with Walker again, to get my scooter I'll need to use due to some knee problems. Then, we have a ressie just after 8 pm at Yachtsman Steakhouse for dinner. Trying to figure out how we will get there, lol!

We could take the bus to Epcot and go thru the park(we have an AP this year so no problem with tickets being used), I guess. Or, take the bus to DHS and go on the path along the river, though it'll be dark by then.

Is there anything easier? I was thinking about a taxi but then I have the scooter. Is there any taxi one can call that can take the scooter as is, like a van taxi or something? Idk, just wondering what options there are. I know some people take their scooters apart but I've never done that and not sure I feel comfortable taking Walker's scooter apart, lol!

TIA for any help or suggestions! :)
 
I am not familiar with your resort or the Steakhouse, so hopefully someone will pop on and help with that.

I would take a cab rather than all that transferring since I would be worn out from traveling.

We rent from Walker all the time and it takes about 3 minutes to take apart the scooter and a little longer to put it back together again. If you can lift it into the trunk of the cab, or the driver helps, it should not be a problem. Walker has a good video of how to assemble and take apart there ECVs. My husband and I are in our late 50s- early 60s and we can handle it together. Even on a bad day I could take it apart and get it back together alone. The in and out of the auto is my bad spot.

We have traveled on Thanksgiving a lot and find it somewhat easier that on other days. At least on an airplane. Hope you have fun.
 
I second the cab idea. It may even be hard getting a cab on that holiday at AOA. You may be cutting it a little close on time getting to your dinner using Disney transportation. You could have a longer wait checking in, you may have a longer wait for a bus and so forth.
 
a cab would be a good idea you could always stop by the front desk and ask them to call you one you can load your ECV on too.
 

I am not familiar with your resort or the Steakhouse, so hopefully someone will pop on and help with that.

I would take a cab rather than all that transferring since I would be worn out from traveling.

We rent from Walker all the time and it takes about 3 minutes to take apart the scooter and a little longer to put it back together again. If you can lift it into the trunk of the cab, or the driver helps, it should not be a problem. Walker has a good video of how to assemble and take apart there ECVs. My husband and I are in our late 50s- early 60s and we can handle it together. Even on a bad day I could take it apart and get it back together alone. The in and out of the auto is my bad spot.

We have traveled on Thanksgiving a lot and find it somewhat easier that on other days. At least on an airplane. Hope you have fun.

Thanks, The Hunchback! Yes, that's why I started this thread, after thinking about how we'll get to dinner that night, lol, 'cause we will be tired, lol! I did check Walker's video and it does look pretty simple, but I'd still like to not have to do that if possible. I don't wanna make it harder on my DD24 to travel with me in a scooter, than it has to be, especially after a long travel day, lol! Glad to hear travel is a bit easier on the holiday though, that's good to hear! And, thank you, me too! :)

I second the cab idea. It may even be hard getting a cab on that holiday at AOA. You may be cutting it a little close on time getting to your dinner using Disney transportation. You could have a longer wait checking in, you may have a longer wait for a bus and so forth.

Yeah, I have no idea how far AoA is from Yacht Club, but catching a bus to a park and then getting to YC could take awhile, even if all things go smoothly! Thanks, Bete!

a cab would be a good idea you could always stop by the front desk and ask them to call you one you can load your ECV on too.

Oh, that would be good, I was thinking I'd have to call. Any chance they have taxi's they can request that'll be able to take an ECV without disassembling it? That would be easiest, I think, though that could cost a bit more, that would be okay for that night. Thanks, EastYorkDisneyFan!

Anyone know about ECV Taxis that can take an ECV still assembled?
 
Are you just heading for dinner and then heading back to the resort? If yes, do you need the scooter? I have a scooter but on evenings when we have just gone for dinner at another resort I have left the scooter in the room and taken a taxi to the other resort, had dinner, then taken a taxi back. If your room is far away from reception you could ride it over to reception and ask them to store it for you till after the meal when you return.
 
I played with mapquest driving direction and it's about 3 miles between the resorts by car/taxi. That's not that bad really. I have a feeling you would be charged a minimum rate and not just mileage by a taxi. If I were a taxi driver I wouldn't come into Disney proper to get a 3 mile fare.

I'm not sure what you do back home, but maybe, you could get by using a cane or rollator or walker. Then you can use transportation without a scooter. There may be places you can rest along the way like a bench or two. You would have to bring one of these items from home. You would have to allow time to walk; since, it no doubt would take longer if you walk.

There is another discussion board called Transportation which might be more suited for this question. You may want to ask there.

Honestly, I think I would reconsider and eat at the resort even though it's quick service. There should be a Thanksgiving type meal there for the holiday. If you stay at the resort you will be more relaxed and you will be able to get good rest for the next day and you will probably get more accomplished the next day doing it this way.

You could always add a day to park tickets and go to a park for dinner and not a resort. It may be difficult to get a table service reservation for Thanksgiving, but if you try each day you may snag a cancellation. The 45 day mark may be your best chance; because, that's when you can still cancel a trip without penalty. Dinner reservations do open up a little at that point.
 
I had an ECV but it wouldn't fit in the back of an ordinary car. I hired an intermediate SUV which took the ECV broken down into front part with tiller, back wheels with motor, battery cover, two batteries and the seat. DD and I managed it between us using the "one-two-three-LIFT" method. I even did it on my own once when DD decided to stay on at MK and leave me to stow the ECV and drive back to CBR from the Contemporary (where we'd left the car during and after our dinner).

I wouldn't recommend eating in a different resort if you don't have your own transport; it's just such a faff - especially on your first evening when you'll be worn out from travelling.
 
I have no direct experience with ECV's in taxis, so adjust your grain of salt accordingly, but I'd be surprised if a taxi big enough for an ECV was that uncommon a request at a WDW resort.
 
I have no direct experience with ECV's in taxis, so adjust your grain of salt accordingly, but I'd be surprised if a taxi big enough for an ECV was that uncommon a request at a WDW resort.

There are some taxis that have no problem loading the ECVS. Last September I took several taxis to dinner from the WL and AKL and there was one available that could load the scooter in the back. (And they did not usually have to do anything to the scooter (like break it down).
 
Hi Minniekins! I have a few thoughts.
The first is that the Yachtsman Steakhouse is not to be missed - such a delicious and underrated dining experience! AoA does have good quick service, but it's a night and day experience. Make your best effort to go.

The second thought is regarding transport. I agree that it will make more sense to get there by car... but here's where that thought splits. Here are my ideas:
- Bring your ECV. Ask the front desk at AoA to call you a cab to YC, and when you depart YC ask the front desk or valets to do so back to AoA. They can request a taxi van or handicapped accessible taxi that can accommodate you. Mears has a deal with Disney and will pick up no matter how short the distance is on property if they are called. Mousesavers.com has excellent advice regarding using taxis at WDW. http://www.mousesavers.com/transportation-for-disney-vacations/taxis-at-walt-disney-world
- Rent a vehicle! You can park closer to your room at AoA, and you can valet park for free with your handicapped placard hangtag at any deluxe resort. Since it's a busy time of year that you'll be going and there is a two ECV limit per bus, you may find that there is an ECV line that can mean several buses pick up and leave before you're able to get on and ride. Since time is both money and energy, it may be worth it to you to be able to get in and out of locations easier and more quickly. I've had a lot of success with name-your-own price discount travel websites in getting very affordable rental cars. You may want to check and see what's out there.

The third and last thought is that, while it might seem intimidating to take apart the scooter, it's really not that difficult. Since you say "we", then there's another person in your party who can potentially help. Take a look at some videos on YouTube that show the brand of scooter you've chosen from Walker being taken apart and put back together. Heck, it even looks like Walker Mobility's site has a video on how to properly disassemble their scooters, so they obviously don't discourage the practice. My husband can get a Pride Go Go Elite apart faster than I can get into the car, and he's got a bum shoulder. It must not be too difficult! :)

Good luck with whatever you decide.
 












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