What if my ScooterBug ECV runs out of power during my park visit?

[Ikaikalani]

We're considering a Go Go style ECV but it says the battery life is only 5 hours. Are there lots of easy access places in the parks to charge it up?

 

[Evita_W]

We're considering a Go Go style ECV but it says the battery life is only 5 hours. Are there lots of easy access places in the parks to charge it up?

No, there really aren't, you would be much better off getting a Victory 10. I would also suggest avoiding Scooterbug, as their scooters aren't in great condition from what we are seeing in the parks right now.

 

[Ikaikalani]

No, there really aren't, you would be much better off getting a Victory 10. I would also suggest avoiding Scooterbug, as their scooters aren't in great condition from what we are seeing in the parks right now.

Thanks! Are the V10's the ones you can get from Gold Mobility?

 

[Evita_W]

Thanks! Are the V10's the ones you can get from Gold Mobility?

Yes, you can get Victory 10s from Gold Mobility and they will easily last all day, just make sure you charge them every night. If you are heavier than say about 350 lbs, consider asking about a Maxima if transporting isn't an issue.

 

[Ikaikalani]

Yes, you can get Victory 10s from Gold Mobility and they will easily last all day, just make sure you charge them every night. If you are heavier than say about 350 lbs, consider asking about a Maxima if transporting isn't an issue.

Thank you!

 

[Bete]

Scooters are dependent on the weight of the driver. The heavier you are the shorter is the time span on the battery. Putting more other weight in the scooter basket or securing a backpack on it also contributes to heavier weight, too. The larger scooters like Victory 10 have two batteries; so, they last longer. The larger scooters are more difficult if you need to break them down for travel for cars. They are a little harder to manuever on the Disney transportation especially the buses; because, they are bigger.

There are park outlets you can use to give your battery a charge. They can be hard to find. It takes a while to charge. Some people hook up their scooters for a battery charge while enjoying a sit down meal. Many restaurant and restroom areas have outlets close by. Conserving your battery power helps, too. For example, use the scooter to the ride but maybe park it outside while going through the ride queue. Shut the scooter off when viewing a show. Just practice good battery conservation.

Keep an eye on your gage to see how your battery is doing. We usually take an afternoon break and the scooter gets a recharge in our resort room. Then, we go back to the parks for the evening.

 

[Selket]

Thanks! Are the V10's the ones you can get from Gold Mobility?

I think most companies rent out a portable (like the GoGo) and the "standard" one which is the Victory and then a heavy duty one (like the Maxima). I've rented the portable before (from Buena Vista several years ago) and if you need a portable because you're taking it every day in your own vehicle then it's the easiest to break down and the lightest. I usually had to charge it at some point and yes it is often a pain to find an outlet. The best way to do it is charge it while you eat but of course you have to find the outlet.

I've rented the standard scooter (Victory) from Gold in my trips the past few years and never had to charge it in the park - only overnight in the room. I don't know if other companies use the same battery, etc.

If you need portability and easier to lift then the GoGo is the way. Otherwise the standard scooter is more comfortable and has better battery life.

 

[Lewisc]

We needed to charge a scooter in Universal. We were "charging" the scooter overnight using a dead outlet in our hotel.
Team member had us take it to the rental location. They were happy to let us charge it even though we didn't rent from them (gold rental)

 

[Evita_W]

I think most companies rent out a portable (like the GoGo) and the "standard" one which is the Victory and then a heavy duty one (like the Maxima). I've rented the portable before (from Buena Vista several years ago) and if you need a portable because you're taking it every day in your own vehicle then it's the easiest to break down and the lightest. I usually had to charge it at some point and yes it is often a pain to find an outlet. The best way to do it is charge it while you eat but of course you have to find the outlet.

I've rented the standard scooter (Victory) from Gold in my trips the past few years and never had to charge it in the park - only overnight in the room. I don't know if other companies use the same battery, etc.

If you need portability and easier to lift then the GoGo is the way. Otherwise the standard scooter is more comfortable and has better battery life.

Gold uses upgraded batteries, most of their Victory 10.2 scooters use 50 Ah batteries.

These are higher capacity than any other company that DH or I know of. Some other companies use 35 Ah batteries, which are still upgraded, most others use the standard 28-30 Ah batteries.

Since there are two of these batteries in a Victory 10.2, you can see how even the smaller upgrade makes a huge difference.

 

[Bethctraveler]

Gold uses upgraded batteries, most of their Victory 10.2 scooters use 50 Ah batteries.

These are higher capacity than any other company that DH or I know of. Some other companies use 35 Ah batteries, which are still upgraded, most others use the standard 28-30 Ah batteries.

Since there are two of these batteries in a Victory 10.2, you can see how even the smaller upgrade makes a huge difference.

We never once had an issue with a Gold Mobility scooter battery life. Thats probably why. We rented 4 victory 10 4 wheel scooters. We traveled the parks from rope drop to fireworks with no fear. We had plenty of power left too.

 

[Evita_W]

We never once had an issue with a Gold Mobility scooter battery life. Thats probably why. We rented 4 victory 10 4 wheel scooters. We traveled the parks from rope drop to fireworks with no fear. We had plenty of power left too.

Exactly, DH only has the 35 AH batteries due to weight and the only place where it came close to an issue was Animal Kingdom after doing the entire park in about 4 and a half hours and I do mean the entire park. Love slower days and early entry.

 

[DisneyOma]

If you plug in at the parks, be careful where you do it. In the past, people have talked about bringing in a screwdriver to open an access plate over an outlet!?! All outlets are not created equal - you could really damage a battery (or worse) if you use the wrong outlet. I suggest always asking a CM if an outlet is available. At least, that way, you'd have had permission to use it.

 

[ttintagel]

If you do end up needing an outlet, the best course of action is probably to ask a Cast Member.

 

[Evita_W]

If you plug in at the parks, be careful where you do it. In the past, people have talked about bringing in a screwdriver to open an access plate over an outlet!?! All outlets are not created equal - you could really damage a battery (or worse) if you use the wrong outlet. I suggest always asking a CM if an outlet is available. At least, that way, you'd have had permission to use it.

Definitely do not use a screwdriver to try to open an outlet yourself. If they are screwed closed, there is likely a reason and doing so could get you kicked out of the parks.

Definitely best to ask, DH didn't get his scooter fully charged last night (his fault) and asked to plug in when we were at lunch at Biergarten, they were more than willing and able to assist. Just be polite and ask.

 

[Bethctraveler]

Definitely do not use a screwdriver to try to open an outlet yourself. If they are screwed closed, there is likely a reason and doing so could get you kicked out of the parks.

Definitely best to ask, DH didn't get his scooter fully charged last night (his fault) and asked to plug in when we were at lunch at Biergarten, they were more than willing and able to assist. Just be polite and ask.

I would not suggest taking any apart in the parks either! Just rent a scooter from a company that you can be confident the scooter is not going to run out of power during the day.

 

[Lewisc]

I would not suggest taking any apart in the parks either! Just rent a scooter from a company that you can be confident the scooter is not going to run out of power during the day.

Gold will tell you driving the scooter at the AK and between the Boardwalk resorts and EPCOT/DHS will do a number on battery life. Longer distances and hills. This can be a larger issue if you rent the GoGo (portable) model.

Ask makes more sense then taking apart an outlet.

 

[Bethctraveler]

Gold will tell you driving the scooter at the AK and between the Boardwalk resorts and EPCOT/DHS will do a number on battery life. Longer distances and hills. This can be a larger issue if you rent the GoGo (portable) model.

Ask makes more sense then taking apart an outlet.

lol Yes! DW will not like that at all.