Wheelchair vs. ECV

[SueM in MN]

Get out of town!!! There's seating on the top row? LOL we have gone down - and back up that ramp what seems like a hundred times, and not one CM ever told us that! LOLOLOL

Thank you, Sue!

LOL!
Yes, there has always been seating in the top row.
We usually try to go down because my daughter does better closer to the stage and she is kind of obsessive and gets obsessed with people sitting in front of her.
One of the last times we went, we had a medical issue and by the time we got there, the lower seats were filled.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

This is my fear. If we get an ECV for her, it will be her first time as well. This is a person who would rather make a right turn out of a parking lot and take the long way around rather than make the left turn into traffic.

Also, with a wheelchair, when we get to a bus, for example, she can just board and sit in a chair while one of us takes care of the wheelchair.

On the plus side, we will have 4 people that can push a wheelchair including a teenager who runs cross country and her daughter, who runs marathons.

yes you have the pushers but what would happen if she is sitting somewhere for you and she needs to use the restroom would she be able to push self?

 

[Floridadreaming2016]

Get out of town!!! There's seating on the top row? LOL we have gone down - and back up that ramp what seems like a hundred times, and not one CM ever told us that! LOLOLOL

Thank you, Sue!

Yeah, did'nt tell us either. People were staring at us and clapping as I was hoofin that wheelchair up the ramp!! LOL

 

[ChimCher-ee]

Hi -- I'm very interested in all your helpful insights, because my mom and I are heading to WDW in July, by ourselves for the first time. She is mobile, just uses a rollator for distances at home.

Last time, we went with DD and rented a scooter. We had commando-like plans and were all over the place, all day long. We hated the scooter. As PP s have mentioned, people dart in front of you, navigating can be difficult, and the "braking" is imprecise at best.

This time, we are going to be much more relaxed. We want to rent a wheelchair. Even though I am not used to pushing a wheelchair, I wasn't expecting to get too tired during shorter days at the parks. But...after reading this thread, maybe I should rethink a bit.

What is a "power" wheelchair -- something in between a wheelchair and a scooter? Is it foldable for the Disney buses? Do all rental places have them (I didn't see them on a couple websites I checked)? Any info would be appreciated!

 

[I Love Pluto]

I love my ECV, I am not lazy!!!!! My ECV allows me to do parades & play a baritone horn. I love playing my baritone! Parades are fun - children love the music, adults appreciate it.

Without my ECV - the musical part of my life would be gone. How awful that would be!!!!!

Without my ECV - I couldn't keep up with my family at Disney. I couldn't release my inner child and have FUN at rides & shows. Why can't I have fun, too?

Without my ECV - the fun part of my life would not exist!!!!!

MY ECV IS MY LEGS!!! Without it - I could not enjoy life!!! No - I am NOT LAZY!!!!!!

 

[lanejudy]

What is a "power" wheelchair -- something in between a wheelchair and a scooter? Is it foldable for the Disney buses? Do all rental places have them (I didn't see them on a couple websites I checked)? Any info would be appreciated!

What you are asking about is a wheelchair that is driven by a joystick on the armrest instead of a front tiller, mainly used by those who need a wheelchair full-time or nearly so. Those who use one report that there is a learning curve to get used to the joystick, which is highly sensitive. Some off-site vendors do rent power chairs, though I believe it's mainly to people who have opted to leave their own very expensive equipment at home for travel. It would not be lighter (much much heavier) and would not fold for buses. Using a power chair will have basically the same challenges you found with an ECV, as well as possibly even harder to navigate due to the joystick.

If you are planning shorter days and/or a slower pace, you may be fine pushing a manual chair depending on your own physical condition. If you are concerned about tiring when pushing, I'd suggest an ECV and plan to take it slow, move to the side and let the crowds pass when necessary.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[ChimCher-ee]

What you are asking about is a wheelchair that is driven by a joystick on the armrest instead of a front tiller, mainly used by those who need a wheelchair full-time or nearly so. Those who use one report that there is a learning curve to get used to the joystick, which is highly sensitive. Some off-site vendors do rent power chairs, though I believe it's mainly to people who have opted to leave their own very expensive equipment at home for travel. It would not be lighter (much much heavier) and would not fold for buses. Using a power chair will have basically the same challenges you found with an ECV, as well as possibly even harder to navigate due to the joystick.

If you are planning shorter days and/or a slower pace, you may be fine pushing a manual chair depending on your own physical condition. If you are concerned about tiring when pushing, I'd suggest an ECV and plan to take it slow, move to the side and let the crowds pass when necessary.

Enjoy your vacation!

Thank you so much for your detailed information. It's exactly what I needed - - now I think we'll be fine with a push wheelchair.

 

[JATampa]

If a person has NO experience using a Powerchair, Disney World (or any Tourist location) is NOT the place to learn. I have used manual wheelchairs, ECVs from Disney, scooters and for the last 4 years, a powerchair. It uses a joystick and is nothing like riding a bike or driving a car. It has a very steep learning curve to use, and almost everyone WILL run into things while learning. Don't let those things you run into ruin your or anyone else's vacation. Additionally, every powerchair has it's own quirks. Even if you are familiar with one, you might not like one you rented.

All that being said, there are definite benefits to bringing your Powerchair over renting a scooter either at Disney or offsite. Many of the attractions will allow for powerchairs that require transfer from scooters/ECVs. As an example, the Walt Disney World Railroad allows 2 wheelchairs on it, but scooters have to park and board. Buzz Lightyear and that style ride also allow powerchairs, but scooters are unable to ride (the tiller gets in the way).

If your mother/mil has never used either, then definitely try out the ones at a store or other location first.

Good Luck and have FUN!

JATampa

 

[chelynnah]

So we have used both at Disney. When my husband is in the wheelchair, I can't talk to him at all. He can't hear me. He doesn't get to really decide where he is going since I am pushing. He felt the wheelchair really took away his independence. People still cut in front of you for both and the bus deals with both the same way. Don't get me started on the hills in WDW. I almost killed myself pushing DH at Beauty and the Beast show. The ramp is straight up and down.

This is very much my own experience. I was in the wheelchair, hubby couldn't hear me, I felt completely helpless, and out of control. And his steering and stopping abilities were questionable. We had rented a wheelchair for the full 2 weeks, but on a few days we rented an ECV for the day in the park. On those days we got along much better. I controlled where I went, we were able to talk to each other and communicate, and I felt more self sufficient. Next time I will rent an ECV for the whole trip instead of the wheelchair.

It may be different as you are travelling with a few people, so she will be able to talk to other members of the group, and not feel so isolated, but it's still hard when you want to stop here, or go there, and someone else is in control and can't hear you, or respond as quickly. And I can't tell you how many times my foot got jammed into a wall or pole. We never hit people, but when turning through the lines he just never could get that angle right. He was watching the wheels, and my foot would get jammed.

Just some perspective from someone who has done both.

 

[LovePug]

For our very first trip we took a manual w/c. That was the last time for that! It was utterly exhausting and have used a "scooter" (not the Disney ECV) ever since. You don't realize how many hills there are until you're pushing a manual w/c in WDW.

 

[Shanti]

My mother has mobility issues, so I rented an ECV for her trip with us to Disney in January. It was a lifesaver for her: easy to use, and spared her from being exhausted and in pain, so she could have fun, instead. We rented from CARE Medical and highly recommend them.