wheelchair/ecv

[mickeymouse<3]

I currently have a chronic illness and am mostly bedridden. Hopefully I will be able to participate in our family vacation this summer but we will have to see. The last couple of times i have gone to WDW I have used my wheelchair but since I am worse now and will still be undergoing treatment when we go I didn't know if I should get an ECV or just use the wheelchair. What is the better one and are the pros and cons of each? Thanks in advance

 

[peemagg]

With an ECV you have the ability to go where you want without someone pushing you, but it takes a bit of stamina to handle the driving of it and dealing with the crowds. The Wheelchair you are more dependent upon someone else to get you where you want to go, but you also don't need the stamina to deal with the crowds and driving through them.

I think if you think you will be up to handling the crowds (I mean mentally sharp, you always have to be ready for someone to step out in front of you. People just don't see your scooter or chair) and want some freedom, then I say ECV. If you think that this will be too much of a drain on you then you might want a wheelchair. It is all going to come down to your ability and choices.

 

[BillSears]

...It is all going to come down to your ability and choices.

Yep, that.

For me an ECV wouldn't work at all. I can't make transfers in and out of an ECV and I don't have the stability to sit upright in one. On the other hand I do have the arm strength to push a wheelchair around WDW all day long without too much trouble.

So it all depends on what you think is best for you.

 

[jmartinez1895]

I agree with the above posters and say that it is a matter of personal choice. While the ECV means that you don't have to use energy pushing yourself or having others in your group push you, they are large and you will have to charge it at some point. Also. if you already have a wheel chair then you can save money by bringing it and not paying to rent an EVC. If you do decide to rent an EVC, I have heard from many people that it is best to arrange for one from one of the mobility companies in FL. They will bring it to your resort and pick it up when you are done.

 

[PirateFairy8]

For me, I can't use an ECV because it takes so much of my energy to constantly sit up, watch for others, drive, navigate, etc. Somebody pushing me in a wheelchair is the only way I survive the parks, and only for a couple of hours at a time before I'm too tired to go on. While I can transfer, transferring also steals a lot of my energy so I usually stay in the chair unless it is something I really want to do. Often, holding onto ride vehicles even tires me out. I have to really pace myself and be careful with what I ride or do so I don't become too ill. I hope this helps!

 

[SueM in MN]

If you follow the link in my signature to the disABILITIES FAQS thread, post #2 of that thread has information and link/phone numbers for some of the rental companies recommended by DIS posters.

For me, I can't use an ECV because it takes so much of my energy to constantly sit up, watch for others, drive, navigate, etc. Somebody pushing me in a wheelchair is the only way I survive the parks, and only for a couple of hours at a time before I'm too tired to go on. While I can transfer, transferring also steals a lot of my energy so I usually stay in the chair unless it is something I really want to do. Often, holding onto ride vehicles even tires me out. I have to really pace myself and be careful with what I ride or do so I don't become too ill. I hope this helps!

It sounds like your situation is probably similar to the OP's situation.
The transferring can be a big energy zapper, so not having to transfer can be a big thing for some people.
One other advantage to a wheelchair in that kind of situation is that you will be able to stay in the wheelchair for rides that have a wheelchair car in most places. A few examples of rides with wheelchair cars are Small World, Buzz Lightyear, Imagination, Ellen's Energy Adventure. For those, a wheelchair can be driven right onto the ride car.
If you are able to transfer, but get tired, you can alternate attractions which involve a transfer with those that don't or do the transfer attractions at the time you are at your best.

There is more information about attractions access in the disABILITIES FAQs thread.