Wheel Chairs - EVC advice needed

[Freddi6440]

Has anyone rented an ECV in the morning & left the park in the afternoon to go back to the hotel & parked the EVC for two hours, with out returning it? Then put the key in on the return. Last year we left the park for 2 hours & turned in the EVC, on our retun there were no EVCs available which was very frustrating to say the least considering it cost us $45. This is not good because my mother has really bad knees & can not walk the park. Any Idea's or suggestions... Thanks

 

[Chuck S]

My suggestion would be to rent an ECV from an offsite company. You should visit the DIS disABILITIES! Board for several recommended rental companies. Were you planning on driving to the parks, or using the Disney busses? The busses can hold two ECVs per trip.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I wonder if a CM found an apparently abandoned ECV in the park that they would turn it in. It sounds like you plan to leave it at the park in some place, take the key with you, and head back to your resort.

 

[CarolMN]

I'm moving your post to the disABILITIES Forum. You'll find many more posters hanging out there who have "ECV experience" than you will here on the DVC FOrums.

I'm sure they'd love to help with more advice / ideas for you.

Best wishes -

 

[taekwondo mom]

I would also suggest renting offsite..
I have used Randy's mobility...Great Service..

 

[kaytieeldr]

Policies change, but a few years ago I was leaving a park - Epcot, I think - and coming back later. When I told the wheelchair rental CM this, they said they would hold the ECV in back for me. When I got back, I didn't get the same one - at least I don't think it was the same one, I'd left my name tag on it and a park map in the basket, and the ECV I got the second time had neither of these - but it was charged and ready to go, so...

 

[Cheshire Figment]

to the disABILTIES! Forum

If you click on where it says "disABILTIES" at the top of this page it will take you to the Index. The fourth item down is the "disABILTIES FAQ" which will gives lots of useful information, including where people rent ECVs.

It is usually much better to rent from an off-site company for ECVs. You get better ones than Disney provides at a better price and you have it available at all times. This is especially useful if your resort has long corridors or you want to go to Downtoen Disney.

 

[Schmeck]

If you were only going to be gone for 2 hours, you could park it near a table service restaurant and I don't think anyone would try to put it back into the rental supply. I've never left a park for just two hours though - between the transportation/walking back to the room, we're usually gone at least 3 hours.

Plus, what if you changed your mind, didn't want to go back, or a thunderstorm came whipping through? I think it would be easier to rent off-site!

 

[yoopermom]

I was one of those stubborn ones who always rented onsite, but last Aug. I broke down and rented from Randy's, and it was the BEST thing I ever did! The ECV was more powerful and more comfortable. I didn't get tired on the long walks around the resort, at DTD and from the bus stop to the park. It does take some courage the first time you get on the bus with one, but all the drivers were very helpful. Why worry about whether one will be available later in the day when it's cheaper to rent one yourself from offsite? Good luck!
Terri