What do you do with ECV when you go on rides?

[everylastbreath]

This may be a dumb questions, but this is the first time we are taking my 80 year old Mom to Disney, and we are getting her a motorized wheelchair (ECV?), she can walk, but not for the distances that WDW has (even getting from the car to front gate would be too much for her w/Asthma), what do we do with it when we go on a ride? Do we park it by the "stroller" parking? or do we keep her in the chair until she get's on the ride (don't know if she would be able to stand for the distance of a line. What if something happens to the ECV while we are on the ride? (ie- someone takes it?) are we responsible, or is this impossible (do they use a key to start?) Also, do they fold up so we can take it in the car or should we get a large van so we can transport it from park to park? Sorry for all the questions, just never did this before. Thanks everyone.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

For most attractions she will take it all the way to the boarding area, and it will either be held for her (if exit is at the same locaiton) or moved to the exit area. Usually they will suggest she take the key with her; they would be able to put it in "freewheel" and push it if needed.

If you have a full-size four door sedan you should be able to disassemble it and take it in the car's trunk. You might look at Post #5 in the disABILITIES FAQ (follow the link in my signature).

There are a few attractions where she would have to transfer to a manual wheelchair, but then she would park the ECV where she gets the chair.

I have never had any problems in all my years of use. The important things are do not leave anything in the basket that you would not like losing (such as a video camera or purse).

 

[yacht45]

I've been going to wdw since "79" and in 2002 started going on a ecv. Before I bought my ecv, I researched and found out that the lifts on the buses were only 44" long, made for wheelchairs. I purchased a Lark3000/xl 3-wheeler because it was 42" long, so I could get on the wheelchair lifts of the older wdw buses. The newer bus tilts over and a ramp extends from underneath the bus and you just drive on. The Buses take more time, if there are more than two ecv's ahead of you in line, you have to wait for the next bus. I have a van, w/ a lift, but most ecv's can be dis-assembled and put in the trunk of a car.[about 5 pieces]. My DW and I did this once w/ a rental car. DW said she would never do that again, but I'm disabled and can hang on to my walker and take it apart and put it back together.
When in the parks I will always go to the cm or disabled line to see if I have to transfer to "their wheelchair " I carry my hemi-walker to walk very short distance. I park my Ecv as close as possible, explaining I can't walk very far. The cm's usually are very co-operative, sometimes they may have to get a senior cm to get things done. My Lark has a keyswitch that is turned off and removed, my 87 year old mother-in-law rides it now, I also have a powerchair that that has no key, but I just turn it off w/ a button. No one has bothered it so far.
In 02 I went to the Rodeo in Houston in a wheelchair, I turned around and saw no one was pushing me and my chair is rolling, all my family had stopped to get drinks or souveniers and me rolling on, I decided right then to get an ecv. We went to wdw that late fall, and I now have a measure of independence with my ecv's.

 

[ireland_nicole]

First thing's first; Have a great time, you're going to Disney
To answer your questions (i think)
1. Most lines, esp. in parks other than MK have almose exclusively ECV friendly lines. Even in MK, most queues will have an area for ECV boarding. Every attraction will have a CM at the beginning of the line, and they will be happy to assist you. If you exit at a different location than boarding, the CM's will move it to the exit are for you, so don't worry. She will be able to ride the most attractions if she can transfer from her ECV to the ride vehicle. The CM's cannot help, but ya'll can.

2. I have never seen anybody have their ECV taken. If it happened w/ a Disney ECV by mistake, they would provide another (I believe.) But you would not be held responsible.

3. The ECV rental is a very long way from the parking lots, and an ECV is never gauranteed available. I would strongly recommend considering renting from off site for the length of stay. They will deliver it to your hotel (on or off property) and pick it up at the end of your trip. You would have it all the time-think getting to your room or into the parks from the car/bus.) All the info you should need is in the sticky at the top under disability FAQ's.

If you have any other questions feel free to post them anytime, we're all hear to help and learn from each other.

 

[SueM in MN]

I've been going to wdw since "79" and in 2002 started going on a ecv. Before I bought my ecv, I researched and found out that the lifts on the buses were only 44" long, made for wheelchairs. I purchased a Lark3000/xl 3-wheeler because it was 42" long, so I could get on the wheelchair lifts of the older wdw buses. The newer bus tilts over and a ramp extends from underneath the bus and you just drive on. The Buses take more time, if there are more than two ecv's ahead of you in line, you have to wait for the next bus. I have a van, w/ a lift, but most ecv's can be dis-assembled and put in the trunk of a car.[about 5 pieces]. My DW and I did this once w/ a rental car. DW said she would never do that again, but I'm disabled and can hang on to my walker and take it apart and put it back together.
When in the parks I will always go to the cm or disabled line to see if I have to transfer to "their wheelchair " I carry my hemi-walker to walk very short distance. I park my Ecv as close as possible, explaining I can't walk very far. The cm's usually are very co-operative, sometimes they may have to get a senior cm to get things done. My Lark has a keyswitch that is turned off and removed, my 87 year old mother-in-law rides it now, I also have a powerchair that that has no key, but I just turn it off w/ a button. No one has bothered it so far.
In 02 I went to the Rodeo in Houston in a wheelchair, I turned around and saw no one was pushing me and my chair is rolling, all my family had stopped to get drinks or souveniers and me rolling on, I decided right then to get an ecv. We went to wdw that late fall, and I now have a measure of independence with my ecv's.

There is some information about buses in the disABILITIES FAQs thread near the top of this board (including links to posts with pictures).