When to reserve ECV

[newtowdw1]

Thanks for the answers last time, and your reward is ..... the chance to answer more! I have permanent nerve damage from a spinal injury, bad balance, mobility issues, chronic pain. Some days are good, some days are very bad.

I've decided to book an ECV from offsite. I will be able to use it in the campground and if I get very bad, in the parks. We plan to be at the Ft Wilderness from 8/18-26, 2005. When should I reserve an ECV? I will ask to have it delivered.

We're traveling in a truck, pulling a travel trailer. We plan to spend time off-site too (sea world). Will we be able to get the ECV into the back of the truck without a lift? I know it sounds like a stupid question. I suppose what I'm asking is, HOW to get the ECV into the back of the truck without a lift.

I plan to use the first day using the ECV in the campground, learning how to drive it so I don't kill anyone in the parks!

I hope someone can help me out. Thanks!

 

[IamCanadian]

Originally posted by newtowdw1
I've decided to book an ECV from offsite. I will be able to use it in the campground and if I get very bad, in the parks. We plan to be at the Ft Wilderness from 8/18-26, 2005. When should I reserve an ECV? I will ask to have it delivered.

***I booked one last October three weeks before depature and was fine. The summer would be a bit more crowded. A couple of months in advance should be fine. They do not bill the credit card until the day before arrival. The scooter are usually droped off at the bell desks of hotels do not know where they drop off at the campgrounds

We're traveling in a truck, pulling a travel trailer. We plan to spend time off-site too (sea world). Will we be able to get the ECV into the back of the truck without a lift? I know it sounds like a stupid question. I suppose what I'm asking is, HOW to get the ECV into the back of the truck without a lift.

***The ECV come apart into five ( think) pieces the heaviest part weighing 39 pounds. The ecv should fit in the pack of the truck.

I plan to use the first day using the ECV in the campground, learning how to drive it so I don't kill anyone in the parks!

***If you want to practice driving an ECV try going to one of the big box stores (ie Sam's Club, Costco). They have ECV to ue there. Just a remimder the ECV at the stores are much larger than the ones you rent at Disney.

I hope someone can help me out. Thanks!

 

[Mickiethepooh]

you can reserve any time up to the day before but I would book as soon as I know my dates. They take a credit card but do not charge until the night before. they do deliver and pick up.
to get it into your pick up you either two people can lift it in or you simply take it apart takes about a min. then put it together again. I assume you will have access to the electrical to charge it each day.

 

[newtowdw1]

Thanks a lot! I feel much better. We'll have to take the ECV apart as I can't help DH lift it. Course, he's pretty strong

I will probably book it when I book the other stuff we plan to do. My agreeing to an ECV has made DH much less anxious about this trip. Now the family won't have to worry about Mom collapsing! I'll be able to take it to Sea World too.

 

[SueM in MN]

Welcome to disABILITIES.
I believe that one of our regulars on the disABILITIES Board used to rent a scooter and stay at the campgrounds before she got her own power wheelchair. So we should have people who can answer your specific campground questions.
I noticed that you are making plans for 2005; I don't know how far out in time the medical equipment companies make reservations. Two years may be more than their reservation system is set up to accept.

 

[Talking Hands]

I used an ECV before I got my power wheelchair and found that Ft Wilderness was very accessible. One complaint I did have was the low lighting along the sidewalks at night. I know that it is done for ambiance but the edges of the walkways need to be clearly visible to those of us using ECVs and power wheelchairs.
You may need a extension cord or a multiple plug cord to plug in your ECV. The one time I stayed at the premium sites I used loop 500 so I would be able to use the bus and conserve power for the parks. The nearest loops do not have bus service. Any other questions feel free to ask me.

 

[newtowdw1]

Thanks Lisa, hope you don't get too tired of my ignorance. I, too, felt that a close loop would be sensible. I don't figure I'll be able to get the ECV into the trailer (21'); will it be okay outside overnight? We'd cover it with a tarp, put it under the awning. Another option would be to break it down and store it in the truck overnight.

I am able to walk, but walking and standing all day long is not an option, espescially 8 days in a row, after driving from NY state. How much time do you generally get on a charge?

Thanks for offering to help!

 

[IamCanadian]

Originally posted by newtowdw1
. Another option would be to break it down and store it in the truck overnight.

I am able to walk, but walking and standing all day long is not an option, espescially 8 days in a row, after driving from NY state. How much time do you generally get on a charge?

Thanks for offering to help!

The ECV needs to be fully assambled in order to be charged. Leaving it in the truck is not an option I charged my unit every night and had no trouble any day with it running out of charge. I was at the park most nights from opening to close and a couple of nights at DD. The ECV would be fully charged by morning.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I'm currently looking to buy an ECV and have been reading a lot of the literature.

Most, especially of the types rented, tend to weight in the 120 to 150 pound range. I have seen some over 200 pounds. I have seen some where the heaviest part can range from 25 to 65 pounds. Accordingly, for any of them, without two strong people, you will have to break it down for transport.

As a general rule, except for the smallest, lightweight ECVs, you can generally expect about 25 miles on a full charge; this is with the ECV carrying full capacity weight. It only takes a few hours to go to full charge.

The ECV must be assembled (or at least all the electrical connections hooked up) to be able to recharge. The rentals use a small (about 6"x6"x9") external charger which plugs into the control box on the tiller (which is part of the main platform). There are three electrical connections on the motor/rear-wheel assembly; one of these goes to the main platform and the other two each go to a battery pack. You can have it in pieces if the copnnections are all there.

There should not be any real problem in leaving it out overnight. The only potion that MUST be protected from water is the control box. When Walker rents them, they include a plastic shower cap in a baggie held to the tiller tilt control and expect you to use it in event of rain. However, if it does rain it is possible that if there are any weak areas in the seat cushion that it could get soggy. I would expect that putting a poncho or tarp over it if outside overnight, especially if tucked under the wheels to keep it weighted down, would not be a problem. Just be sure the charging unit and extension cord are also protected.

The other thing is I would suggest booking the rental about two or three months out.

Mike

 

[Talking Hands]

Charge is usually good for the day unless forced to criss cross the parks for fast passes. I get a GAC that allows me to go through the fastpass line without the fastpass as I am frequently unaccompanied so have no one the run for the passes for me. Also I tend to do shows and skip a lot of rides as I stick to the interpreter schedule for shows.
If you seem to be running low you can plug in in the parks as long as you have the charger with you. Occasionally have to do this with my power wheelchair but just had that repaired so hope I won't have this problem anymore.
Cover with a tarp and you will be fine. Use a shower cap to cover the controls. That is the important part to keep dry.

 

[doombuggy]

I rented from Walker this past May, and ordered the rental in February. I took my grandma, who has Parkinson's, and we went together, just the two of us. I had a little trouble with the taking apart & putting together, mostly when installing the seat (it's on a poll, and you have to push a pin thru some holes to set the seat, you get the idea). If I can do it, your hubby can! I am a 35 yo woman, 5'8" who weighs about 140. I did not find the broken down pieces to be that heavy. I got some GREAT instructions from Cheshire Figment that really helped!

(PS I am not a weightlifter, just a lightweight lol)

 

[newtowdw1]

Thanks so much! I have a much clearer idea of what I'll be doing.

So basically, plan to cover the controls with a shower cap (bring one in case of Snafus), put a tarp over the whole thing under the awning, make sure the charger and extension cord are covered, and I'll be good to go by morning.

Thanks for the 'criss-crossing' tips. We don't intend to do the more popular rides, except in Fantasyland, and I doubt that I'll be getting on Dumbo anyway!
We hope to do MK on EMH for the kids to ride those carnival type I hear they can't live without. I think taking the charger might be a good idea, though.

Doombuggy, thanks for the encouragement!