ECV rental- lots of questions, would appreciate guidance :)

[SorryI'mNotSorry]

Hello everyone! This will be my first time renting an ECV and I have some concerns regarding battery life. I plan to rent from an outside company that will deliver to the hotel.

If I am a person who typically does rope drop to close, should be concerned that the battery will not last this entire time? Realistically, we are at the parks 12-15 hours on some days. Will a battery really last this long? Would I need to charge it in the parks, and for how long?

I will be traveling with another person who will need either an ECV or wheelchair. If we both have an ECV, how would we both find somewhere to charge them if need be? That makes charging in the parks seem less likely of an option, right?

Where do you park your ECV at night to plug it? We are staying at Pop Century. I can’t imagine we could fit 4 people plus to ECVs or one ECV and a wheelchair in the room with us?

If you are close to the weight limit of one scooter, should you move up to the next size? Example weight limit 300 but you weigh 270 but will have bags with you?

Is there a specific vendor or brand that is recommended for best battery life?

I want to go into this as prepared as possible, as I have extreme anxiety surrounding wrenches being thrown into plans so I’m trying to plan accordingly and make good choices in advance to avoid that.

Thank you all for your help!

 

[Simba's Mom]

If you're close to the weight limit, I'd suggest going up in size. Then you could breathe a lot easier about the battery life and the ECV lasting all day, even if it's 12-15 hours. In all the times I've had an ECV, I've only had once when the scooter charge seemed to be declining such that it might not last all day. But when I called the vendor, Gold Mobility, I was driving my new scooter within an hour. Gold Mobility has always given me great scooters and excellent service.
I'm sorry, but I have no idea about Pop Century rooms, since I've never stayed there.

 

[lanejudy]

Where do you park your ECV at night to plug it? We are staying at Pop Century. I can’t imagine we could fit 4 people plus to ECVs or one ECV and a wheelchair in the room with us?

It will be tight but people have done it. Park 1 by the window and the other in front of the connecting door.

I plan to rent from an outside company that will deliver to the hotel.

Just to make sure you know only ScooterBug can utilize Bell Services at WDW resorts. Other vendors will arrange to meet you personally at the resort.

 

[DIZNYCHERYL]

Just a few thoughts from someone who had and still has anxiety about battery life. I’ve rented an ECV many times. Gold Mobility is our company of choice, we personally have had terrible luck and service from Scooter Bug. Meeting Gold at a particular time and location has been worth it. An ECV the size of a Victory 10 or similar should be fine for the weight you mentioned, however, I’ve never had one last 12-15 hours without quick charges in the parks. It also depends on the park. I find that Epcot is the park I’ve had to charge in. Between the inclines (like over bridges and inside Soarin), I watch the power gauge constantly, if I start losing a few notches I think about finding an outlet. Typically if we find one outlet, there are two (for your second ECV). Another opinion is if the second person is considering an ECV or a wheel chair, go with the ECV, that way you’re at the same speed and you have a buddy. Another thing we’ve done, (if there are more than one of us with one), if one person is heavier than the other we’ve traded scooters part way through the day it evens out battery use. We’ve had two ECV’s in many rooms, including the size of the Pop. It can be done just as the previous poster suggested. We typically fold down the seat back and sometimes set the front basket aside, it may not help much with space but it makes the room not feel as crowded. And if you’re going to have two scooters and 4 people consider a night light, saves on busted toes when someone almost runs into one of them in the middle of the night!!! Hope this helps.

 

[elvispursley]

Be sure you are religious about turning the scooter off whenever you’re not moving to save on battery life.

 

[kaven775]

Most rented ECVs are built to last 12-15 hours, but if you’re carrying bags or making a ton of stops, it might drain faster. Charging in the parks is possible, but honestly, finding an outlet for two scooters can feel like a scavenger hunt.

As a tip you should bring a small portable fan or cooling towel for long park days. It’s not just about the ECV battery since you’ve got to keep your energy up too

 

[Bete]

Get a scooter model with two batteries. Those scooters will last longer but they will be bigger and heavier. As mentioned, conserve your battery power by shutting it off during a parade, show, fireworks, and eating. During a show or eating are probably the best times to charge in the park. Watch your battery gauge for low battery and recharge when necessary.

The resort should work for recharging two scooters. Sometimes you can have a table removed to make more room for the scooters.

 

[aleria24]

I have rented many times. We are open to close people as well. At this point, I always rent from Gold Mobility. I have never had battery issues renting from them. I cannot say that for many others. I am close to the weight limit and always size up. If you don't you may find the scooter lacks power on hills or has battery life issues. I have never needed to charge in the parks, but its really very easy to do so. You just need to find a wall outlet and plug in.

Anyone but Scooterbug will need you to meet them for drop off and pick up if you are staying on property with the exception of Swan and Dolphin. I do NOT recommend Scooterbug. Their ECVs tend to be slower, and stay in rotation longer so may have battery issues.

 

[Evita_W]

You can fit two ECVs into a POP Century room, as others have mentioned, it will be tight, if possible get an ADA room that says for mobility.

If the other person is bringing their own wheelchair (i.e. for use at the airport, etc.), but not planning on using it during the stay and use just the ECV instead, ask bell services to hold it for you until checkout.

As for battery life, you should be fine if your vendor of choice keeps the batteries in good condition. I know Gold Mobility does quite well, just make sure they are fully charged each night.

With the weight, I would suggest either the Victory 10 or the Maxima, the Maxima will have the best battery life, but from Gold Mobility, the Victory 10 is no slouch since they use larger batteries than anyone else has done historically, although it is possible others are now using the same larger batteries.

 

[bluecruiser]

Be sure you are religious about turning the scooter off whenever you’re not moving to save on battery life.

Specifically: turn it off every time you stop in a slow moving queue. Every little bit helps save battery life.


Edited for missing word

 

[elvispursley]

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