Where can we charge the scooter after 4 to 5 hours in the park? Like do we have to go back to our room?

[Vickie2024]

Also if we are visiting monorail resort and family member with scooter is with us will bell services charge for him while family member sits in lobby? Just curious.

 

[serenitynow]

Most rental scooters, once fully charged, will be fine for the day. Some people carry the charger cable in their scooter basket so that they can recharge the battery themselves, just in case. There are always outlets to be found in the resort buildings. Just ask a cast member if one isn’t obvious.

 

[Her Dotness]

Exactly.

It's a good idea for a scooter user to have some afternoon "downtime" not using the scooter, IMO. Gives an opportunity to relax from the intense focus driving safely demands as well as being able to charge the scooter.

Until I messed up one knee a few years ago and used DH's powerchair around home to take out trash or go collect mail, I had no idea how tiring driving one of those is. And that was only watching for pavement cracks and other irregularities, not concentrating to be able hit the brakes or swerve if people suddenly stop right in front of you.

 

[Vickie2024]

What about from Scooterbug? Anyone rented from there to know if it will last all day? Or so many hours?

 

[tobikaye]

It really is more about mileage and battery/size than time on how long a battery should last on a scooter when fully charged.

It has been a bit since I looked to see what type of scooters Scooterbug is renting, but they should be the type that go at least 15 miles on a charge if the person is under or at the weight limit for that model. The key is to try to start with a fully charged scooter each day and turn off the scooter if stopped for a bit of time, such as watching a parade.

My sister’s scooter only gets about 12-14 miles a charge as it is a smaller folding scooter. We only did 4-6 hours at the WDW parks last year due to heavy rains during our trip, but she has gone all day at local places without needing to charge midday.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Lots of restrooms have a plug in the "entry way". But I know that it's no fun sitting in the entry way of a restroom for 1/2 hour while your scooter recharges (but that's what I got, I figured, for forgetting to charge my scooter the night beforehand). And Animal Kingdom doesn't have "entry ways", since they're the only park with doors on their restrooms. But they also have the nicest spot to recharge your scooter. Pretend you're coming out the doors from the "Finding Nemo" show. On your right, along the wall, across from the restrooms (which are hardly used) is a plug. Back when the show was running, CMs would take ECV drivers to enter there and park their scooter during the show. One time, the CM asked me if I wanted to charge my scooter during the show. Also in AK, there are some plugs in Pizzafari, so you can recharge during lunch.

 

[bluecruiser]

If you're at the Magic Kingdom, there's a place in Fantasyland near the Tangled restrooms that was specifically designed for people to charge their devices - including phones as well as ECV's. It's a themed rest area, with barrel tables, seats that look like tree stumps, and larger stumps with doors to access outlets. More details including pictures and a video can be found in this article:
“Tangled” themed rest area now open at Magic Kingdom featuring bathrooms and charging area

 

[DisneyOma]

Lots of restrooms have a plug in the "entry way". But I know that it's no fun sitting in the entry way of a restroom for 1/2 hour while your scooter recharges (but that's what I got, I figured, for forgetting to charge my scooter the night beforehand). And Animal Kingdom doesn't have "entry ways", since they're the only park with doors on their restrooms. But they also have the nicest spot to recharge your scooter. Pretend you're coming out the doors from the "Finding Nemo" show. On your right, along the wall, across from the restrooms (which are hardly used) is a plug. Back when the show was running, CMs would take ECV drivers to enter there and park their scooter during the show. One time, the CM asked me if I wanted to charge my scooter during the show. Also in AK, there are some plugs in Pizzafari, so you can recharge during lunch.

Also not fun to be in the way of guests coming in and out of the bathroom - even if the opening seems wide enough, it's designed for a lot of people to get in and out with strollers, wheelchairs, etc. Depending on how long the charge cord is, the best bet would to be as far away from the entrance as possible, IMO. I'm guessing those outlets are for service equipment, like wet vacs?

 

[Bete]

There are different factors that enter into how long a battery charge will last with a scooter. First, is the weight of the person using the scooter. The heavier you are the more the battery gets used up. Stronger, longer lasting scooters come with two batteries, a Pride Victory 10 is one model with 2 batteries. Keep in mind these scooters are usually bigger and heavier. Most of them if fully charged will last all day. If you rent an older scooter those have been used more and of course that means the batteries have been recharged a lot. This in turn makes the batteries weaker over time. Rental agencies vary in how much they recycle their scooters or batteries over time. Then, the actual handling of the scooter plays into the battery charge. You need to practice good care and shut the scooter off when watching a show or parade or fireworks. Conserving battery power helps.

I agree with other posters that manuevering a scooter can be tedious and tiring and a rest back at the resort can do wonders. It also helps the disposition of the scooter driver. The more crowded the park the harder it is to scooter. You have kids darting out in front of you, for example.

Also, it may be worthwhile to use store scooters for practice before the trip. Going to a zoo for a day and seeing how the individual handles the rental scooter there for a longer day will allow you to determine better the skill level of the scooter driver, as well as, their endurance. Most bigger zoos have scooter rentals.

You may even need to consider a wheelchair instead. The mental capacity plays into this, as well. How well does this individual do on a day by day basis at home? Some medicines affect thinking abilities and can cause individuals to be sleepy.

Getting to your question about charging there are a number of outlets all around. Usually restrooms and inside areas like Living with the Seas Pavillon in Epcot have outlets. You do not want the scooter to obstruct the traffic flow. If it does a cast member may move it. Restaurant outside areas usually have outlets, too. Scooter rentals in the park usually will allow you to charge there even if you don't rent from the parks.

There's a lot to consider. Hoping for the best for you.

 

[Her Dotness]

Also, it may be worthwhile to use store scooters for practice before the trip. Going to a zoo for a day and seeing how the individual handles the rental scooter there for a longer day will allow you to determine better the skill level of the scooter driver, as well as, their endurance. Most bigger zoos have scooter rentals.

I think practicing in stores or malls at their busiest times is essential if this user is someone unaccustomed to scooter use elsewhere but will need one at WDW.

Honestly, it might be advisable for people to be licensed to operate an ECV. I was amazed at how similar to driving a car safely scooter operation can be. You don't think of scooters as anywhere near that, but they can be very dangerous if driven heedlessly or too fast for crowds.

You may even need to consider a wheelchair instead. The mental capacity plays into this, as well. How well does this individual do on a day by day basis at home? Some medicines affect thinking abilities and can cause individuals to be sleepy.

Agreed.

This point also ties in with my concern that someone inexperienced doesn't fully comprehend the caution needed until they get some experience. WDW is definitely not the place for tryouts! Add diminished mental acuity or judgment to that, and you could have more than an over-confident operator.

A scooter is inadvisable as well for someone unlikely to take its operation seriously. The "Oh, sure, little grandkids can ride on my lap" type, for instance.

 

[DeeBee3]

Had to use a scooter unexpectedly last August. I used ScooterBug since they are the only provider that can currently leave with Bell Services.

I never had an issue with the battery, but 1. I am a very petite person, and 2. I did go back to the room during the day a few times (not for the scooter). Whenever I was in the room, I charged the battery. If I didn't get back to the room, I charged at night.

So, if you are there "rope drop" to closing, then I would imagine you may need to charge.

I had never used a scooter before (as this was completely unexpected medical issue), so I will say it is crazy driving with crowds. People do not pay attention to you and you really have to be careful not to bump into people or run over feet. So, just imagine people walking and scootering like they do on regular roads. They do not pay attention nearly enough.

A guy behind me in MK said I was being way too patient with people. I was trying to be "magical." So, I will say both drivers of scooters and people walking need to pay more attention to their surroundings. Kids are going to jump out and people's noses are in their phones. You just have to account for that.

 

[Evita_W]

Wherever you are renting from get one appropriate for your weight. If you are close to the weight limit, go to the next size up.

Of you rent from Gold Mobility they will meet you on your schedule for drop off and pick up and their batteries are upgraded to larger capacity than most other vendors. But even with them follow my first tip and you shouldn't need to charge mid day with any vendor.

Also, keep in mind the total weight can affect battery, so if you use it as a pack mule, it will drain the battery faster than keeping minimal stuff on the scooter and in the basket.