Everything you want to know about Renting ECVs and Wheelchairs (in the Parks and from Off-Site) - Page 8 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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I was tought as a child alway back up on a left or a ramp (unless like the WDW monorail ramps) so you can turn sharp once in side the buses or School's buses.
People with their own power wheelchairs should check the instruction manual. Some of them say not to back up. My daughter's previous power wheelchair was a rear wheel drive wheelchair with the rear wheels having power and the smaller front wheels were just casters with no power.
Her current power wheelchair is a mid-wheel drive model with a set of casters in the front, a set in the back and a set of large wheels with power in the middle. The instruction book for her new power wheelchair says to never back it up a ramp because it is too hard to control the direction with the small rear casters.
Most ECVs should be backed up ramps because they are heavier in the front and could tip over backwards.
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Hello, this is my first post and im sorry if its not right.
I am due to visit disneyland paris shortley but due to a foot injury shall not be able to walk long distances. This is my 6th trip so am aware of the distances even from car park to entrance so wondered if it is possible to take a small electric mobility scooter into the park.
I am quite happy to hire in the uk and take with us in the car but didnt want to go to the expense if they are not allowed into the parks.
Hello, this is my first post and im sorry if its not right.
I am due to visit disneyland paris shortley but due to a foot injury shall not be able to walk long distances. This is my 6th trip so am aware of the distances even from car park to entrance so wondered if it is possible to take a small electric mobility scooter into the park.
I am quite happy to hire in the uk and take with us in the car but didnt want to go to the expense if they are not allowed into the parks.
Thanks in advance for any help.
Yes, they are, the same as in the US.
I did not have a mobility scooter when I was at DLP 2 years ago, but was looking at things from a mobility point of view.
The Disneyland part of the park is not very accessible and you will need to leave the ECV for many attractions and/or use handicapped entrances. That park seemed tone very much like WDW was 20 years ago in terms of being easily accessible.
They do have a very nice Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities that is available at Guest Relations.
The Studio part of the park is newer and in almost all attractions, the main line/entrance was accessible.
I just ordered and confirmed a Pride Victory 10 from Apple Scooters and the representative was incredibly helpful and I think they gave me a great deal.
It's a 4 wheeler because when I finally rode in both types, the 3 wheeler made me feel like I was going to fall over, even when the turns weren't so tight. I know that it's a little bulkier, but it made me feel safer. Now, all I need to do is build up the stamina and patience to fight the crowds during the week leading up to the 4th of July, and the holiday itself.
Oh, I got the deal for $185 for seven days, but really almost eight because on the confirmation it lists days and hours, 7 days & 19 hours. He added in a crutch holder and extra cushion for free. The site is on the web and the rep's name was Alex. Everything was really easy, so I'll let everyone know how the service was when I get back on July 6th. Hope everyone has a wonderful trip when ever they may be going.
Cat
I'm looking at renting this same scooter when I go down this year. Did you have any problems with the 4 wheels and loading it onto the buses and getting it into position?
Oddly enough, that's about the only question I had. I've been using Disney's ECVs the last few trips down without any problems, so I know I won't have any problems with the 4 wheel model in the parks themselves (Weight, Stamina, joint issues).
And my father was in a wheelchair the last few years (mother was pushing), so I've already gotten plenty of experience dealing with mobility issues in the parks.
This will, however, be the first time both my mother and I are using a scooter. Father passed away December '09, so it's just the 2 of us this time. We've been debating between the 3 and 4 wheel Victory 10s for use. Our thinking is that the 4 wheel will be better due to being more stable and with my weight (She's around 300 and I'm around 450lb). The question of how difficult the 4 wheelers are on the bus is really the only nagging thing keeping us from settling on them.
I will note that I use the 3 wheeled scooters in Walmart/Sam's Club/Costco/ect without any problems, though that's hardly an indication of how well the battery would hold up over the course of an entire day. Never had any problems with Disney's ECV's batteries dieing on me though, even going from 9am to 11pm (MNSSHP)
I guess I do have another question... Can you recharge a scooter in the parks. For example, if we're going in to eat, will the restaurant allow us to park and plug in the scooters so they can get a bit of charge while we're eating? Are there other places in the parks that we can easily add a bit of charge to them?
I'm looking at renting this same scooter when I go down this year. Did you have any problems with the 4 wheels and loading it onto the buses and getting it into position?
I have only been to WDW once but go to DLR every month and I own my own 3-wheeler and I can tell you about my experiences with mine while at WDW. First of all I would NEVER, EVER own a 4-wheeler because they do require more room to get around in and YES they are VERY hard to load onto and off of the WDW buses or any other mode of transport compared to the ease of a 3-wheeler. It take less room to turn a 3-wheeler around in and in some of the lines that accounts for alot.
Some say they would not want a 3-wheeler because they can tip over easy on tight turns and to that I say I can tip mine over, yes, but I have to be 'hot rodding' it to do so and I could tip a 4-wheeler over just as easy. You have to use good judgement when on ANY EVC, as you would in a car. You don't go full throtle when making any turns, on 3-wheeler, 4-wheeler or in a car.
My suggestion to you would be to rent a 3-wheeler and enjoy yourself and don't worry about the 'hard work' involved in controling a 4-wheeler. I will tell you here and now you will get upset at some of the hassles they present in the conditions you could very easy find yourself in.
I hope this helps you in deciding which to rent. I think you would be happier going with 3 over 4.
A few years ago I had issues with my personal scooter holding a charge & went to the scooter rental stand at EPCOT, they let me plug in & charge my scooter no trouble at all. I am sure you could plug in any place you find a plug if needed.
I always rent my scooter from scootarama because of the excellent & fast service I have got from them. they do have many types of scooters available & really good prices.. ( I always look for the best deal) I did notice they have a heavy duty 3 wheeler & 3 wheels are much more maneuverable ..
I really wish Apple rented the Pride Maximas as well. I'd happily rent one of those from them. Really need to find a scale and weigh myself to at least get an estimate of what I should be renting.
Hey I have a 4 wheel powerchair it turns on the dime pretty much. Those EVC don't sound promising to me either the 3 or the 4 wheelers. Fine a quickie 200 then it will hold it charge and get around WDW wonderfuly.
My scooter has four wheels and turns on a dime but then again I usually end up on my side.
Three wheeled scooters turn in a tighter circle and have a narrower profile in the front. They take up just a tiny bit less room.
My four wheeled scooter did the hills of Tom Sawyer Island in DLR. She is better at off road and rough streets. She has them big fat tires that can handle anything. She is a behemoth but she is fast, sturdy and a mountain goat.
For most Disney parks the three wheeled scooter is fine. For rough roads you want four wheels. I have driven both and prefer speed followed by ability to handle terrain. I drive off of the Mark Twain and rafts with no problem, that is what I want.
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Mom calls to check on me and reminded me to pay the gardener. I love her so much.
Disneyland was fun with flag retreat and pickles. I have a home here, thank you. GAC is NOT a "front of the line pass".
She is gone but keeping signature. Laundry is getting done. My purpose in life is to help poor people in FL. Farewell, will miss you.
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Yeah, I believe the only places in WDW that are likely to have rough roads would be DAK and the section of MK at the HM. Not sure about the walkways to and from the Poly to the TTC or the GF though. Do you happen to know the turn radius on your 4 wheel scooter? How is it getting it into place on the Disney buses?
Just a note here for other people. I just talked to Apple Scooter and they do rent 2 other scooters besides what is shown on the web page. The Pride Victory 9 and the Pride Maxima, in both 3 and 4 wheel. The Pride Maxima is the most expensive rental and is $215 for 7 days for either the 3 or 4 wheel.
Hey I have a 4 wheel powerchair it turns on the dime pretty much. Those EVC don't sound promising to me either the 3 or the 4 wheelers. Fine a quickie 200 then it will hold it charge and get around WDW wonderfuly.
Most rental places that rent power wheelchairs will only rent them to people that have experience. One reason is that they take more practice to learn to drive (many people take awhile to get the hang of using a single joystick to control everything).
The other reason is cost - power wheelchairs typically cost at least twice as much to buy as a similar ECV. So, the companies often limit them to experienced users to prevent damage.
Quote:
Originally Posted by dhcalva
I really wish Apple rented the Pride Maximas as well. I'd happily rent one of those from them. Really need to find a scale and weigh myself to at least get an estimate of what I should be renting.
Yes, the weight is very important to making sure you get one that works for you.
The best way to get an ECV that will have a battery that lasts will be to get the right model for the weight (I see you found that Apple rents Maximas).
Some of the 3 wheel scooters have a smaller weight limit, so you may find that the only choice available has 4 wheels.
The battery won't last as long if the rider/driver is close to or over the weigh limit. That also includes the weight of anything you may be carrying.
Exceeding the weight could make the battery last half as long because the machine has to work harder.
There are places you can plug in an ECV at Disney World - a lot of people do it while eating. Ask a CM where you can plug in.
Quote:
Originally Posted by dhcalva
Yeah, I believe the only places in WDW that are likely to have rough roads would be DAK and the section of MK at the HM. Not sure about the walkways to and from the Poly to the TTC or the GF though. Do you happen to know the turn radius on your 4 wheel scooter? How is it getting it into place on the Disney buses?
those areas are not rough enough to really affect the battery life very much.
But, there are a lot more hills than you would think at WDW ( especially thinking of going from Haunted Mansion toward Fantasyland).
Going on hills takes more power and will drain the battery faster. So, the biggest things thAt affect battery life are what kind of terrain it is being used on, the weight and the speed. The faster speeds use more battery power.
That also makes me think of a good point about charging batteries. The more the battery has been used up, the longer it will take to charge it back up to Full.
Depending on the model, it could take as long as 12 hours of charging to get from almost empty to full So, if someone had a long day or one that used a lot of power and then started the next morning early, there might not be enough time to get a full charge.
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