Wheelchair Rentals & DVC Resort Delivery

[SpaceMountain77]

Hi everyone,

We will need to rent a wheelchair or scooter, depending on pricing, for our upcoming trip in August. Would you please provide feedback and/or recommendations on the Disney featured providers?

Also, is the delivery and return convenient?

Thanks for your help!
Jim 8O

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

We've used CARE medical several times in the past. We've rented a scooter, manual wheelchairs, bathroom assist devices and lift chairs. The equipment was in good shape and no troubles with delivery.

As long as you use one of the preferred vendors then it's as simple as picking up luggage from Bell Services and dropping off before you leave. Or in our case for the lift chairs they would deliver and pick up directly to/from the room.

If you were to use a company that was not on that list then you would need to meet them both for the delivery and for return.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

I don't have any personal experience with scooters, but I can tell you that Disney will only allow five vendors to leave scooters and wheelchairs in their bell services luggage rooms. If you rent from one of these preferred companies, you do not need to be there at a specific time to pick up and drop off your rental. You simply pick it up and drop it off with bell services. The preferred companies are: Apple Mobility, Best Price, Buena Vista, C.A.R.E, and Scooter Bug.

You're still able to rent from other companies, but you must meet the company representative in person to receive and return your scooter.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I use Apple. No delivery problems. I have had issues, like battery dying, but everything has been dealt with efficiently. I have been credited beyond any inconvenience I have encountered. I do like their product.

Bobbi

 

[Poohs Pal]

I have also used Care Medical. Not for scooters but shower chairs,lifts and lift chairs. Highly recommend them. When Care found out that I ship medical supply's ahead for my son they suggested I send directly to them all supplys. Once our room is ready all rental equipment plus everything I shipped is always waiting in the room.

 

[SpaceMountain77]

Thank you, everyone, for your quick replies.

Apple Scooters and Best Price Mobility currently have the lowest rates for a standard wheelchair rental; an 8-day rental would be $75.97, which includes tax. Buena Vista is slightly higher with a rate of $86.27.

 

[ccigliano]

Just like Bobbiwoz,we use Apple Scooter. Best price and when our battery died they there with a replacement in 30 mins. Good luck.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I know that things can happen but having two reports on this little thread of batteries dying on the Apple scooter rentals would leave me inclined to look at all the others first.

 

[Dean]

Hi everyone,

We will need to rent a wheelchair or scooter, depending on pricing, for our upcoming trip in August. Would you please provide feedback and/or recommendations on the Disney featured providers?

Also, is the delivery and return convenient?

Thanks for your help!
Jim 8O

You do know that all resorts have wheelchairs for checkout. There isn't guaranteed availability but I've never heard of anyone being told there wasn't any available.

 

[SteveMouse]

You do know that all resorts have wheelchairs for checkout. There isn't guaranteed availability but I've never heard of anyone being told there wasn't any available.

And they're generally in pretty bad condition. Not ons you'd want to push around a park all day.

 

[dgaston]

I used a push wheelchair for DH from AKV Jambo in March and it was in excellent condition. No problems at all. Got it from Bell Services!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

And they're generally in pretty bad condition. Not ons you'd want to push around a park all day.

It's been hit or miss for us. Some fine. Some not so fine. One of the nice things about renting from off-site is that you can specify what size. Once we borrowed one at VB that was so large my poor mother looked like a midget. It wasn't exactly comfortable for her either.

 

[Dean]

And they're generally in pretty bad condition. Not ons you'd want to push around a park all day.

That has not been my experience. Certainly if one were not OK, you could ask for another. They do hold a deposit for the wheelchair. They also have locks for some but not that many.

 

[JenniBugInPink]

Walker Mobility isn't one of the preferred providers, but they will meet you at your resort at your convenience between 7a - 9p'ish (I think those are the exact hrs, but not 100% sure). I've used them for 3 trips now, and they have been great. The batteries last forever, the scooters are always clean, their prices are good, and their people are so great to work with. If you ever do have a problem (even one caused by user stupidity), they'll have someone to you in no time. I can't recommend them highly enough!! Oh, and I wasn't paid to say this, lol!

Have a great trip.

 

[Chuck S]

Just want to add, since the OP was considering either a manual W/C or scooter...

even if the person using the manual chair is fairly lightweight, it can be very tiring for the pusher if they are not used to pushing a wheelchair. My Mom was in a manual chair for our trips...it really wasn't a problem for me, but she only weighed 140 pounds at her heaviest point and we had our own wheelchair which rolled easily. If the person is heavier and/or the pusher is not accustomed to pushing, I'd recommend a scooter. And if the user isn't a regular scooter user, I'd also recommend getting some practice before the trip using the scooter provided at stores while shopping, et cetera. Scooters can't stop on a dime, and the user will need to get acquainted with allowing turning clearances and limited visibility, as those ambulatory people around them will restrict the view.

 

[LSchrow]

we used buena vista (definitely would not recommend), and apple (excellent).
we've borrowed wheelchairs at the BWVs, and only once had to wait a bit, as they had to send someone over the the BC to get one (we only used the WC around the resort, so my dad - and i - could relive some wonderful vacation memories of before his brain damage & my mom passing ).

the BW FD was wonderful, the WC clean & perfect for our needs.
do read what chuck posted tho - manual WCs can be heavy to push for extended periods/distances, & scooters do take some some dexterity & quick response time.

 

[SpaceMountain77]

we used buena vista (definitely would not recommend), and apple (excellent).
we've borrowed wheelchairs at the BWVs, and only once had to wait a bit, as they had to send someone over the the BC to get one (we only used the WC around the resort, so my dad - and i - could relive some wonderful vacation memories of before his brain damage & my mom passing ).

the BW FD was wonderful, the WC clean & perfect for our needs.
do read what chuck posted tho - manual WCs can be heavy to push for extended periods/distances, & scooters do take some some dexterity & quick response time.

Laurie, may I ask why you would not recommend Buena Vista? When reviewing photos online, their wheelchair was the only one to have a cushioned seat.

Thanks,
Jim

 

[wmcyip]

I rented two electric scooters from Apple last year for my parents.

Would defintely use them again if we ever need to.

They were courteous over the phone, and the scooters were there when we arrived, returning was easy as they are a preferred vendor, we just left it with the bellhops.

Do bring a shower cap to use on the controls in the event it rains while you are driving around.

 

[SpaceMountain77]

Just want to add, since the OP was considering either a manual W/C or scooter...

even if the person using the manual chair is fairly lightweight, it can be very tiring for the pusher if they are not used to pushing a wheelchair. My Mom was in a manual chair for our trips...it really wasn't a problem for me, but she only weighed 140 pounds at her heaviest point and we had our own wheelchair which rolled easily. If the person is heavier and/or the pusher is not accustomed to pushing, I'd recommend a scooter. And if the user isn't a regular scooter user, I'd also recommend getting some practice before the trip using the scooter provided at stores while shopping, et cetera. Scooters can't stop on a dime, and the user will need to get acquainted with allowing turning clearances and limited visibility, as those ambulatory people around them will restrict the view.

Thank you, Chuck, for your thoughtful response.

Given my mom's mobility and my stamina, I believe a wheelchair will be okay for us. She is not an experienced scooter user and I think it will be easier for me to help her around the parks. Moreover, for all of the reasons that you have described, I suspect it would be challenging for her to learn how to use a scooter at WDW.

We have discussed transportation and my mom will be able to get on and off the buses and monorails. Based on what I have observed, I believe it will be easier for me to fold and lift a wheelchair on rather than dealing with kneeling buses and ramps.

Jim

 

[SpaceMountain77]

You do know that all resorts have wheelchairs for checkout. There isn't guaranteed availability but I've never heard of anyone being told there wasn't any available.

Thank you, Dean.

I had seen this on the WDW website, but was uncertain of the extent of use. I was not sure if the complementary use was limited to the resort grounds or for the full length of stay throughout WDW.

An $8-9.50 per day rental fee seems very reasonable and I appreciate knowing that the wheelchair is both guaranteed and correct in size.

Jim