What extra would one need to plan for if using a scooter

[JosieMouse]

My DH is thinking of renting a scooter because her has arthritis in his ankle. This would be his first time using one. I have looked up Disney's rules about scooter size and usage. I'm wanting to know is there anything we need to know about accessing attractions or parade? What about the trains that will transport you around MK? Is their a weight limit for the person and scooter combined? My DH is a really big guy, about 500lbs. All the Heavy Duty scooter I've found weight about 200lbs. Would he be able to get on the train with the scooter?

 

[ttintagel]

There should be a CM stationed outside each attraction who can tell you what the procedure is for that attraction (for example, at Pirates of the Caribbean he'd have to transfer into a manual wheelchair but at others he'd go straight through the queue on the ECV.) A CM will tell him where to leave the ECV and where it will be when he gets off. Always make sure to turn it off and take the keys with you when you get off.

Keep an eye on the battery, and if it gets low ask a CM where the nearest outlet is for a recharge (flower beds are usually a good bet).

It's a good idea to keep something distinguishing on the ECV so you'll know which one is yours. I used a pirate flag - that also gave me some height to help people see me at their eye level. I don't know how well it worked.

If you're using Disney transportation, I've had nothing but wonderful experiences with the drivers guiding me on and off the buses, boats, and monorails.

We were told by CM's that the only stations where we could board the Magic Kingdom steam train and leave an ECV were Frontierland and Fantasyland, but not Main Street. I've heard other guests say they were told differently, though. You can't actually take the scooter on the train; you have to be able to transfer into a wheelchair or onto the train seat (Again, that's what I was told by CM's, but I could be proved wrong).

 

[Bete]

I'll share some thoughts. There is not any ride where a scooter is allowed on the ride. There are some rides where a wheelchair is permitted, but not that many. You can do shows and be in your scooter. You will use handicap parking areas for shows.

There is a designated area where the scooter is parked for the ride once you reach the ride area. You need to walk and get on the ride from that parking area. It's close to the ride, but not on top of it. You might be able to let him get closer to board and then you can go and park the scooter and you can walk to the ride instead of him. Do the same in reverse when you get off the ride. You can fetch the scooter for him. Maybe, he'll be able to do some of this himself. You'll just have to see once you are doing it.

Don't try to get a scooter that doesn't meet his weight. In fact, you should compensate for any weight that goes in the basket like a camera or coats or whatever. You will absolutely need a super large scooter and the scooter will be heavy. Hopefully, you can use Disney transportation. In my opinion you would not want to load and unload this heavy of a scooter from a car/van unless you had a ramp/ lift.

Most scooters have a lever where you can turn the seat for easier access on and off the scooter. Scooters are treated like wheelchairs when it comes to viewing areas for parades. There are roped off areas and you should be able to spot them or ask a CM or look at a map. If you want a front row you need to get there early. In most cases I would say an hour early.

I would practice back home if the scooters at the stores can handle his weight.

Most grocery stores have scooters. I would watch the battery gage very carefully for low battery. You don't want to have a scooter you have to push; because, it ran out of juice. You may have a hard time getting Disney to help if it's not their scooter. You can conserve battery power by shutting the scooter off when watching a show.

If he can walk to the park, you might be better off renting a Disney scooter. If the battery runs down or whatever a CM will help and get another scooter for him. It may take a while to replace, but it would beat any outside vendor coming into the park and replacing it. You absolutely must charge the batteries completely every night if you rent from an outside vendor.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I'm wanting to know is there anything we need to know about accessing attractions or parade?
. . . very few attractions, other than shows/movies, allow scooters
. . . he would have to transfer from the scooter to the ride vehicle

What about the trains that will transport you around MK?
. . . you must leave the scooter at the depot/station

Is their a weight limit for the person and scooter combined? My DH is a really big guy, about 500lbs. All the Heavy Duty scooter I've found weight about 200lbs.
. . . all scooters have a rated capacity
. . . some rental agencies have 500# capacity units
. . . scootorlando.com (500#) - scootarama.com (450#) - scooterrentalsorlando.com (450#) - walkermobility.com (500#)

 

[JosieMouse]

Thanks everyone. Now my DH says he doesn't want a scooter, but I'm sure he will change his mind.

 

[Bete]

Thanks everyone. Now my DH says he doesn't want a scooter, but I'm sure he will change his mind.

The low end of walking in a Disney park is 6 miles. It's not continuous walking, but going around the park in a loop and in and out of rides and shows adds up to the above. Then, you do this not for one day, but many days.

The other factor is time. It will take him much too long to accomplish park walking and you will lose out on rides and shows.

If you go during warmer weather he will be exhausted. This will get him very dehydrated, too. His mood will change probably for the worse as the day goes on.

If he's afraid of a scooter get him use to one back home. There should be a mobility store somewhere nearby where you can go and test run a scooter and see what's available for his weight category.

It's worth every penny of the cost of a scooter even if you pay for a Disney one. The time saved and the enjoyment gained is priceless.

 

[Toffeewoffy]

I'm afraid to say that one of the larger scooters will not fit on Disney transportation. They have a maximum length/width, and some just can't take bigger than a Victory 10 equivalent (48" long by about 22" wide). Also the large, 4-wheeled scooters will not be able to manoeuvre through a lot of the queues. I was able to get through most queues in the Victory 10 3-wheeler.

 

[JillyBean1899]

Thanks everyone. Now my DH says he doesn't want a scooter, but I'm sure he will change his mind.

We did a "lite" version of the parks last weekend, only making one trip around them, minimal backtracking (from one ride to the one next to it for DAS return times basically), only hitting the main rides we wanted to do, and still managed 20-22k steps (almost 10 miles) each day. And this was taking it slow.

Take him to the closest mall and have him walk around there for an hour. Then imagine that times 10. He will be exhausted if he tries to do a full day at Disney, nevermind an entire vacation.

If he flat out insists on not getting a scooter, bring the numbers with you anyway. He'll most likely decide he wants one, and some of them can deliver to the park the same day, if they're not busy.