Wheelchair/ECV preferred providers -- any changes?

[g-dad66]

According to the Sticky, the following 5 wheelchair/ECV vendors are Preferred Providers (chairs can be left with bellhop services at Disney resort):
Apple Scooters, Best Price Mobility, Buena Vista Scooters, CARE Medical, and Scooterbug

Has anyone heard of any change for 2013? (Any vendors added or dropped from the list?)

Thanks.

 

[lanejudy]

Since the list only became effective in Nov. 2012, I doubt there are any changes to it. I believe I heard at that time the contracts are for 2 years. There hasn't been any word about expanding the list, though I wouldn't say it can't happen.

 

[SueM in MN]

The information I got originally was that the initial vendors had signed a two year contact to become preferred providers.
That does not mean they would not add any, but I would not expect any changes so soon. They are still in the 'learning phase' about how to make it all work smoothly.

 

[jandkmom]

I rented a wheelchair for my DD last year from Walker Mobility and they left it with the bell services. Now they say Disney policy says we have to be there when they drop off and pick up. Is this because they aren't a "preferred provider" or is this the new standard?

 

[disney david]

I rented a wheelchair for my DD last year from Walker Mobility and they left it with the bell services. Now they say Disney policy says we have to be there when they drop off and pick up. Is this because they aren't a "preferred provider" or is this the new standard?

Yes it is dose mean tat dose not mean their bad or didn't meet Disney standards they might not have saw a need to become one maybe they will in the future but still the same company and provide the same great service. Yiu always got from them just have to pick it up and drop it off which they will work with you to make it easy on you.

 

[jandkmom]

I had no idea that Disney changed the policy and neither did my TA! I'm not wedded to the prior company and would rather have a preferred vendor leave it at bell services just so we don't have to meet them. It could be a pain if our flight or ME is running late, and we would like to get to a park after we check in. We'll do some research now on which ones have child sized wheelchairs. Thanks for letting me know!

 

[g-dad66]

I rented a wheelchair for my DD last year from Walker Mobility and they left it with the bell services. Now they say Disney policy says we have to be there when they drop off and pick up. Is this because they aren't a "preferred provider" or is this the new standard?

It's because Walker isn't a preferred provider.

 

[SueM in MN]

I rented a wheelchair for my DD last year from Walker Mobility and they left it with the bell services. Now they say Disney policy says we have to be there when they drop off and pick up. Is this because they aren't a "preferred provider" or is this the new standard?

It is because Disney decided that they did not want to have so many different companies delivering and leaving items at Bell Services ( see more info below).

I had no idea that Disney changed the policy and neither did my TA! I'm not wedded to the prior company and would rather have a preferred vendor leave it at bell services just so we don't have to meet them. It could be a pain if our flight or ME is running late, and we would like to get to a park after we check in. We'll do some research now on which ones have child sized wheelchairs. Thanks for letting me know!

There is much more information in the disABILITIES FAQs thread. Post 2 is about renting wheelchairs and ECVs. This is copied from that post:
Wheelchair and ECV Rental Companies
NOTE: Some of the companies have items that may not be on their website. So if you like a company and they do not show exactly what you are looking for, email or call them and ask. The website may show only the most popular or commonly rented.

As of November 1, 2012, WDW Resorts have a new policy regarding ECV and wheelchair delivery to their resorts:

• Preferred Vendors are welcome to check equipment with Bell Services for guest retrieval and return.
• Preferred vendors reportedly include: Apple Scooters, Best Price Mobility, Buena Vista Scooters, CARE Medical, and Scooterbug
• Non-preferred vendors are welcome to do business on Disney property, but they must hand the equipment directly to the guest, and collect the equipment directly from the guest.
  link to thread discussing change to policy

• 
  Here's some key facts:
• Disney is trying to limit their liability for leased property on their property.
• Disney used a 3rd party company to collect information about companies that do rental business on Disney property.
• Bid packets were sent to a number of primarily ECV rental companies.
• The approval process included business verification, insurance verification, and equipment inspection.
• Bidding is now closed, and current contracts last for 2 years.

• Apple Scooter (Preferred Vendor)
  (321-726-6837)
  http://www.applescooter.com/
  Apple rents scooters and wheelchairs. Apple rents 16 inch wide wheelchairs. These are suitable for smaller people (and children) between 80 and 125 pounds. Apple has many good reviews.
• Buena Vista (Preferred Vendor) - see above
  Buena Vista Scooters,
• Care Medical (Preferred Vendor):
  http://www.caremedicalequipment.com/
  Phone (407) 856-2273 " Toll Free U.S and Canada (800) 741-2282
  Care is a full Service Medical Company. They rent ECVs, wheelchairs, power wheelchairs (for guests who are familiar with and use one at home), walkers, companion chairs, strollers, special needs strollers, bath equipment, comodes, beds, among other things.
• RANDY'S Mobility
  According to information from Randy, they have a London, England phone # that connects directly to their US. Office.
  US. & CAN. (321-281-6603)
  UK. (02030062368)
  http://www.randysmobility.com/
  Randys rents wheelchairs, ECVs and Joovey strollers, including Joovey Caboose where one child can stand behind.
• Walker Mobility:
  1-888-726-6837
  www.walkermobility.com
  Walkers rents wheelchairs, ECVs, single and double strollers.
• Best Price Mobility (Preferred Vendor, but little feedback from DIS posters)
  http://www.bpmobility.com
• Scooterbug (Preferred Vendor, but no feedback from DIS posters) From what I can tell, this company provides strollers, wheelchairs and ECVs for the WDW parks; and probably pool chairs. They also rent the large grey ECVs that can be rented in the parks, plus a form of Standing ECV that guests can drive from a standing position.
  Scooterbugmobility.com
  Not Preferred Vendors; less Feedback than the first companies on list:
• Scootaround
  http://www.scootaround.com/ Not as much feedback as Randy's, Care and Walker, some people who did post about them reported they had problems with equipment failures and charge cards. Scootaround rents wheelchairs and ECVs.
• Scootarama
  http://www.scootarama.com/ Not as much feedback as Randy's, Care and Walker, but people who did post about them reported they had no problems. Scootarama rents scooters.
• Scooter Vacations
  http://www.scootorlando.com/index.html
  Not as much feedback as Randys, Care and Walker, but people who did post about them reported no problems. Scooter Vacations rents ECVs of various types.

 

[jandkmom]

That makes a lot of sense. Thanks for giving me more info, Sue. My TA did more research and ended up renting us a child wheelchair through Buena Vista. We should be good to go once we arrive (I know that's a moped icon but I couldn't find a wheelchair )

 

[SueM in MN]

I should also add, there is nothing 'wrong' with the non-preferred vendors. Some of them chose not to go thru the application process. No matter how many good vendors there were that did, Disney was limiting the number of preferred providers applied, some would need to be not included to reach the number.