What's the best plan if unsure if will need wheelchair/scooter?

[blauritsen]

We have a 17-year-old in our travel party for September that had a hip replacement last fall (with 3 previous hip surgeries before that). We are hopefully-optimistic that she will not need any assistance device, so aren't sure if we should reserve one for her. We never arrive at park opening. Anyone know how likely it is to get a wheelchair or scooter late morning at the parks? Or who is good to reserve with, and how forgiving cancellation policies are?

 

[Kirk]

I'd just have an outside rental contact handy for a scooter and see how things go. First time I rented a scooter was about 14 months after a hip replacement. I tried to go without but my daughter logs miles via gps and after 5 miles the first morning I didn't need convincing. Called ScooterBug and they delivered to my resort that afternoon. Used them twice since but there are several others to choose from.

 

[Kaytie]

September, wheelchair no problem. ECV, possibly but not guaranteed. Most likely available at DHS, then MK. Iffy at best at AK due to Pandora, and Epcot due to F&W.

 

[SirDuff]

The bigger problem with the ECV is that I thought that WDW wouldn't rent to someone under 18. And that most offsite rental places had the same rule. Or am I wrong on that age. I agree that a wheelchair is less of a problem.

 

[DisneyOma]

We have a 17-year-old in our travel party for September that had a hip replacement last fall (with 3 previous hip surgeries before that). We are hopefully-optimistic that she will not need any assistance device, so aren't sure if we should reserve one for her. We never arrive at park opening. Anyone know how likely it is to get a wheelchair or scooter late morning at the parks? Or who is good to reserve with, and how forgiving cancellation policies are?

The bigger problem with the ECV is that I thought that WDW wouldn't rent to someone under 18. And that most offsite rental places had the same rule. Or am I wrong on that age. I agree that a wheelchair is less of a problem.

Getting a wheelchair shouldn't be a problem. I agree with the ECV issue though - most places rent to only 18+. WDW will not rent to a 17 year old.

 

[gap2368]

Most ECV will not rent to anyone under 18 a few will and since she is 17 you may be able to call a few up and ask them if they will rent to a 17 year old.


one thing you can do with a wheel chair that you can not do with an ECV is use it as a walker she she would be pushing it her self, this way If she did need to sit she could and she would have it right there with her,

as fair as them having one when you get there wheel chair hardly sell out ( New Years eve/day Christmas Day are the times) but the wheel chair at Disney for the most part are big and hard to push, I have been able to take mine back to my room ( the one and only time I needed too) and the CM were fine with it, but they may not let every one. and there is quite a bit of walking at hotels and some more then others ( and they only have one wheel chair at the hotels fro emergicney use,) for me I would think she would be more likely to need a wheel chair at the end of the day, This is why I would rent one off site if yay think she might need one, and it would more then likely be cheeper

 

[stenmarks]

I would rent an offsite wheelchair to have just in case. The price for a wheelchair from an offsite vendor is comparable to onsite rentals but the ability to take it out of the park and all the way to your room was priceless for me. I would plan to take the chair at least until you get inside the park, then she can walk around inside the park if she feels up to it (save her steps, lol).

 

[Mrsjvb]

far better to have one and not need it then to need one and not be able to grab one at the parks. Been There, Done That. renting from offsite is less expensive and she can have it at the resort/outside the theme parks.

makes a great temporary place to stash backpacks and bags of souvenirs.

unless she uses an ECV in her daily life at home, no one will rent her one. and while I now have my own WC, the ones in the parks can be beat up. the ones from offsite tend to be slightly better taken care of.

 

[marcyleecorgan]

Plan to get the wheelchair. Somewhere along the miles of hiking, someone will get tired...

 

[cobright]

We have a 17-year-old in our travel party

That's a real issue if renting a scooter. I've called around the area myself and nobody will rent for a minor user. One possible solution, I found a dealer in pre-owned ECVs that will sell you one and then buy it back at a suitable loss. It works out to be just a little more than a rental and you have to deal with driving to the shop twice (Uber works). But, then there is no question about accident or injury liability (Your homeowners/renters insurance would cover damage or injury caused by your daughter).

 

[kaytieeldr]

Most ECV will not rent to anyone under 18 a few will and since she is 17 you may be able to call a few up and ask them if they will rent to a 17 year old.

Good point. I missed the age. Randy's Mobility may very well rent an ECV to a 17 year old because their practice has always been to deliver directly to the customer. The delivery person can instruct on usage.

 

[arminnie]

You can buy a lightweight transport chair for about $100.

 

[gap2368]

You can buy a lightweight transport chair for about $100.

Transport chair have 4 small wheels and just meant to go from point A to point B I have not use one but just one time ( I am not a regular wheel chair user and my friends that are normally do not need much help pushing there chair) but from what I can remember they are much harder to push and not as comftable to sit in, I would think renting one would be much better.

 

[Staren]

I known I'm echoing everyone else, but I would suggest just having a rental wheelchair on hand just in case. Even if the intended user doesn't get in it, I bet someone in the party will be grateful for it by the end of the trip.

I would strongly vote against a transport wheelchair. The person in the chair has no ability to move the chair, and is completely dependent on the person pushing them. When I was that age and my dad insisted on pushing me because of the crowds, I was ready to kill the man by the end of the day.