Scooter on buses About This Page:

[Jeanna]

I am considering renting a scooter for my parents to share on our next trip. They are both healthy, but walking a lot wears them our so I figure that being able to take turns using the scooter would extend the time they would be able to spend in the parks with us. I know that they will put up a fuss and I would like to give them as much information as I can. I know they will be concerned about how much time it will take to load/unload on the buses. My specific question here is would it make it easier if we rented the portable, light weight scooter and have my husband pick it up and load it instead of driving on and "parallel parking". My husband is a weightlifter and I don't think the weight of the scooter would be a problem for him. I am just wondering if that is allowed or completely crazy.

Thanks!

[Her Dotness]

Obviously, I don't know your parents' health statuses, but it may be unwise to suggest scooter use when they might only need to go at a slower pace, stop to sit more often or perhaps return to their room for some midday downtime. When you say "put up a fuss," I wonder if you mean either or both may feel insulted by the suggestion that they're "that old and infirm."

Are you and they planning to spend the majority of the time together? Does either ordinarily need a scooter in stores or malls? Are they both experienced scooter users, particularly in the kind of crowds at WDW?

Operating a scooter safely in crowds takes far more practice and experience than non-users are aware. I learned that painfully one day after little such experience when I rammed my toes into our front door while running DH's powerchair inside.

Then, there's the "invisibility factor." People will suddenly dart in front of a scooter user and not just kids, adults too. They'll also stop suddenly, and scooters can't stop as quickly or sidestep as a person walking can do. It takes a fair amount of experience operating scooters to gauge how fast is a safe speed. It's not far removed from the skill and practice needed to drive a car, in fact.

Modifying your family's touring style some to accommodate their need for a slower pace, stopping every so often to sit and enjoy each other's company, or splitting up so that your own family can do more active touring might be better, more face-saving solutions.

[CinderAbby]

Weight lifter or not, scooters are not light and they are very awkward - and this comes from someone who gets the kind that can break down and go into a car (the lightest piece on this kind is something like 30 or 40 pounds).

As for your hubby picking it up and carrying it on, I think Disney might have an issue with this. He could get hurt, he could hit someone one with it (including the driver)and hurt them so it would be a safety issue. If your parents don't truly need a scooter and are not use to driving one (in crowded places it's difficult when you know what you're doing, it's probably impossible if you don't know what you're doing) I would suggest doing something else. You could rent a wheelchair from offsite for much cheaper than a scooter and this is something you cold fold up and have your husband carry on. That would be no different than these people with those humongous strollers.

You could also rent a wheelchair in the park - they do multi day rentals which will give you a small discount - and if you still needed the wheelchair after turning it in, you could use one of the courtesy chairs to get you to the bus stop and then you just leave it behind when the bus comes and therefore there's no lifting involved for anyone.

[revral]

As someone who owns their own scooter; I have to agree with the points made by Dot (HerDotness) & Darlene (CinderAbby). I would not rent one for them without their knowledge & spring it on them under the guise of helping them. Obviously, I can't speak for your parents as I don't know them & even if I did I wouldn't presume to do so but I can tell you how I would have perceived someone renting me a scooter before I'd admitted I needed one. I would have felt like that person didn't accept me for me who I am limitations & all, didn't respect me as an adult capable of making her own decisions & (I'm assuming it would be a situation similar to yours) was doing it for their benefit (not having to stop as often, more time to do things etc.). I can guaranty that it would effect my relationship with the person for at least the duration of trip.

[lanejudy]

Originally Posted by Jeanna

... My specific question here is would it make it easier if we rented the portable, light weight scooter and have my husband pick it up and load it instead of driving on and "parallel parking". ...

To answer your specific question... no, I don't believe that would be allowed. A "portable, light weight scooter" that the off-site vendors rent is intended to be broken down with ~5 parts placed into a car trunk. I can't begin to imagine how your husband would pick it up to load onto a bus. Your husband (or you) is more than welcome to drive the scooter onto the bus for your parents. After a couple of times, it will likely become relatively easy.

Enjoy your vacation!

[Pax]

Originally Posted by CinderAbby

You could rent a wheelchair [...]

... and with a husband who is a weight lifter, pushing it around shouldn't be terribly onerous, either.

My advice would echo that of those who have posted beforeme:

• Slow your own pace to something they can comfortably keep up with;
• If they still have issues, suggest getting a wheelchair for them to take turns in;
• If a scooter is an absolute MUST-do option, and they aren't used to using one .... PRACTICE SESSIONS ARE A MUST. Rent one locally, take it to a mall on a Saturday, get some experience maneuvering it around under your (their) belts.

I will especially echo the "harder than it looks, to handle in crowds" point. On our 2014 trip, in low-crowd January, I had to use an ECV for a few days - I hurt my foot (plantar fascitis, I think) and couldn't walk. So we rented a power chair - small, VERY maneuverable.

And I still had constant worry about someone not seeing me, stepping in front of the chair and stopping cold ... whereupon, the 100+ pound chair with my 250+ pound self would roll over (and probably break) their foot, ruining the rest of their vacation .... and my own.

So: ECV only if you have prior experience driving one, or if the alternative is "stay in the room for the rest of the trip".

[Sandra Bostwick]

I have to agree with the great advice already given. Weightlifter or not, a scooter is way too heavy to be lifted when a few practice sessions will help with navigating and parking.

I hope you have a great trip!

[JulieAnne]

Originally Posted by Pax

... and with a husband who is a weight lifter, pushing it around shouldn't be terribly onerous, either.

I will especially echo the "harder than it looks, to handle in crowds" point. On our 2014 trip, in low-crowd January, I had to use an ECV for a few days - I hurt my foot (plantar fascitis, I think) and couldn't walk. So we rented a power chair - small, VERY maneuverable.

And I still had constant worry about someone not seeing me, stepping in front of the chair and stopping cold ... whereupon, the 100+ pound chair with my 250+ pound self would roll over (and probably break) their foot, ruining the rest of their vacation .... and my own.

So: ECV only if you have prior experience driving one, or if the alternative is "stay in the room for the rest of the trip".

As a daily Powerchair user, please, absolutely do not rent them a powerchair. Several reasons:

1) Much harder than a scooter to learn to use.
2) No headlights at night!
3) They don't operate the same way, joysticks are not generally as easy to control for new users as handle bars. Plus they really should be calibrated for each user or you WILL feel like it is pulling one way or the other.
4) Generally WDW employees expect Powerchair users to be experts, a lot of rental companies don't rent them to inexperienced users. They will expect you to know how to maneuver the chair into fairly tight spots.

I could go on, but I think the point is probably made.

Good Luck!

[Pax]

Originally Posted by JulieAnne

I could go on, but I think the point is probably made.

Well, I personally didn't have any difficulties adapting, but then, I've been an avid video gamer since the mid-1970s. Aside from that, I agree 100% with the points you make.

[Huntermom]

I have been very ill (3 months in the hospital, a year out of work). During the worse times, I could not walk any distance and had to use a wheelchair.

With wonderful medical care, a great family and lots of hard work, I have recovered. My first trip to Disney after my illness, I considered renting a chair/scooter but decided against it.

Like Dot said, it may not be a good idea if they really don't need it. I think I would have been hurt if my family wanted me in a scooter or wheelchair. Walking is good for you and I think it contributed to my recovery. I am slower than usual but don't think I weight anyone down. If I have trouble with the heat, I take a break for a few minutes.

Talk to your parents. Unless they see the benefit, it will not be helpful. And you all may enjoy a slower pace.

[SueM loves WDW]

Originally Posted by JulieAnne

As a daily Powerchair user, please, absolutely do not rent them a powerchair. Several reasons:

1) Much harder than a scooter to learn to use.
2) No headlights at night!
3) They don't operate the same way, joysticks are not generally as easy to control for new users as handle bars. Plus they really should be calibrated for each user or you WILL feel like it is pulling one way or the other.
4) Generally WDW employees expect Powerchair users to be experts, a lot of rental companies don't rent them to inexperienced users. They will expect you to know how to maneuver the chair into fairly tight spots.

I could go on, but I think the point is probably made.

Good Luck!

My daughter is a power wheelchair user and I would agree with you.

Because of all those things, the rental companies I know of will only rent a power wheelchair to an experienced power wheelchair user.