First time ecv/wheelchair and arrival time

[Jmljasmine]

So I have a family member who really does need a wheelchair or scooter or ecv or something. She is very resistant. I'm hoping to convince her at least for Animal Kingdom and maybe Epcot. We also rope drop. How does renting one work with that to ensure a decent spot in line at rope drop? Safari for example or if I'm successful with Epcot, Frozen or test track? (Even with mobility aids we will be slow moving due to littles in our group).
Thanks, I want to have a plan.

 

[chainkid]

i always rent a scooter from offsite vendor for entire length of my stay. They drop off at your resort at the time you choose. Love having it for whenever i need it but sometimes don't use except for part of the day depending on how i feel. I get the three wheeler that is very light weight and stays charged all day as long as you are not over weight limit. Very easy to turn and quite peppy.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

So I have a family member who really does need a wheelchair or scooter or ecv or something. She is very resistant. I'm hoping to convince her at least for Animal Kingdom and maybe Epcot. We also rope drop. How does renting one work with that to ensure a decent spot in line at rope drop? Safari for example or if I'm successful with Epcot, Frozen or test track? (Even with mobility aids we will be slow moving due to littles in our group).
Thanks, I want to have a plan.

rope drop is a bust if you are renting a wheelchair or a scooter as you will be in a long line while most others go past you. most likely will not be able to star that line until park opens. If possible I would look at offsite and bring with you if you want to rope drop and not be at end of line. Safari used to pull you out of line near the loading with parking area there for wheelchair or scooter but you will have to leave stroller in a different place

 

[Jmljasmine]

rope drop is a bust if you are renting a wheelchair or a scooter as you will be in a long line while most others go past you. most likely will not be able to star that line until park opens. If possible I would look at offsite and bring with you if you want to rope drop and not be at end of line. Safari used to pull you out of line near the loading with parking area there for wheelchair or scooter but you will have to leave stroller in a different place

There is no chance unfortunately that she will agree to off site rental. I'm just hoping to get her to consent morning off (especially since pain will be worse after she outright refuses the first day...) Safari is the only more popular ride we want at AK and are ok with a short wait (10 minutes or so) if needed and will be on property so can enter 30 minutes early I believe. Do you think that could work? I really wish we could do the off-site (if we had room in our room I would just do it for her but we have 6 (one is a pack and play guest of Mickey) in a room meant for 5.

 

[lanejudy]

will be on property so can enter 30 minutes early

You'll probably lose that 30 minute advantage if you have to stop for a rental. The wheelchair and ECV rentals are at the same spot as the stroller rentals, and it gets pretty busy in the mornings. In fact, recently there have been reports that ECVs are "sold out" before official opening time, which means a lot of onsite folks are renting during early entry 30 minutes.

Also be aware that 30 minute early entry is when certain rides start; folks are allow through the gate earlier, and I've heard reports that FoP has sometimes started running even 45 minutes prior to opening with people through the AK gates before that.

How about compromising with an off-site manual wheelchair rental for the duration? It can be folded up to take minimal space in the room. Then it can be pushed empty (or with bags) in the morning, no need to sit in it at all times.

 

[midwestdee]

You'll probably lose that 30 minute advantage if you have to stop for a rental. The wheelchair and ECV rentals are at the same spot as the stroller rentals, and it gets pretty busy in the mornings. In fact, recently there have been reports that ECVs are "sold out" before official opening time, which means a lot of onsite folks are renting during early entry 30 minutes.

Also be aware that 30 minute early entry is when certain rides start; folks are allow through the gate earlier, and I've heard reports that FoP has sometimes started running even 45 minutes prior to opening with people through the AK gates before that.

How about compromising with an off-site manual wheelchair rental for the duration? It can be folded up to take minimal space in the room. Then it can be pushed empty (or with bags) in the morning, no need to sit in it at all times.

I agree. For the first time, I’m arranging for a wheelchair rental. I know I can’t walk 10 miles daily anymore, but I want to do what I can (use it or lose it). I’m renting through Scooterbug so it will be at the resort when we arrive. I’ll fold it up on the WDW bus.

 

[Jmljasmine]

You'll probably lose that 30 minute advantage if you have to stop for a rental. The wheelchair and ECV rentals are at the same spot as the stroller rentals, and it gets pretty busy in the mornings. In fact, recently there have been reports that ECVs are "sold out" before official opening time, which means a lot of onsite folks are renting during early entry 30 minutes.

Also be aware that 30 minute early entry is when certain rides start; folks are allow through the gate earlier, and I've heard reports that FoP has sometimes started running even 45 minutes prior to opening with people through the AK gates before that.

How about compromising with an off-site manual wheelchair rental for the duration? It can be folded up to take minimal space in the room. Then it can be pushed empty (or with bags) in the morning, no need to sit in it at all times.

I can try to bring that up. I'm not optimistic. We are early risers so will be awake long before 8 so getting there earlier is certainly possible if that helps, although that means more standing without a chair so perhaps not. Ugh, I wish she were less stubborn. I have a few months to try to convince. It's taken the whole pandemic to get her to the point of considering renting an onsite though. Maybe she will handle the pain better then I fear but things have really gone downhill since our last trip on her knees and feet.

 

[Jmljasmine]

Any experience with any walkers with chairs? Just thought of that, that may be a compromise to get one of those. Standing is worse then walking for her.

 

[DisneyOma]

I can try to bring that up. I'm not optimistic. We are early risers so will be awake long before 8 so getting there earlier is certainly possible if that helps, although that means more standing without a chair so perhaps not. Ugh, I wish she were less stubborn. I have a few months to try to convince. It's taken the whole pandemic to get her to the point of considering renting an onsite though. Maybe she will handle the pain better then I fear but things have really gone downhill since our last trip on her knees and feet.

Take her for an eight mile walk before the trip! Then she might realize how hard it will be to get around?

 

[Jmljasmine]

Take her for an eight mile walk before the trip! Then she might realize how hard it will be to get around?

I think she really knows deep down. Getting over the pride and years of thinking about things a certain way seem to be a big barrier. I'll certainly encourage more walking prior to the trip though and see if it dents anything

 

[Betty Rohrer]

I can try to bring that up. I'm not optimistic. We are early risers so will be awake long before 8 so getting there earlier is certainly possible if that helps, although that means more standing without a chair so perhaps not. Ugh, I wish she were less stubborn. I have a few months to try to convince. It's taken the whole pandemic to get her to the point of considering renting an onsite though. Maybe she will handle the pain better then I fear but things have really gone downhill since our last trip on her knees and feet.

one thing to think about scooters run out early in the day have read even before park opening to offsite, do you have enough pushers for stroller/s and a wheelchair in your group

 

[mamabunny]

I think she really knows deep down. Getting over the pride and years of thinking about things a certain way seem to be a big barrier. I'll certainly encourage more walking prior to the trip though and see if it dents anything

Please tell her this:

That there are literally *thousands* of people, every week, at Disney World who are using mobility devices who never use them at home in their daily life.

Most folks don't walk between 3 & 10 miles per day at home, so they never bump up against the need to use a tool for mobility. And that's all a scooter is - a tool to get a job done properly. It's no different than wearing glasses to see, or hearing aids to hear better - it's just a tool to be able to move around with less pain and swelling at Disney World.

And no one will pay any attention to her, unless she decides to decorate that rental scooter with neon lights, handlebar streamers, flags, and hot pink seat covers. I promise you, her on that ECV will be a total non-event. There are *so* many people using ECVs now that no one will pay any attention.

Let her know that she can use the "park and walk" method if she wants (where you park the ECV in a single location, walk around that area, and then move it on to a new location), and that she absolutely does not have to take pictures with the scooter - she can park it out of sight before snapping that perfect vacation photo.

We have lots of guidance here on how to use the scooter (in general) if she wants/needs it for reassurance. She can "practice" driving the scooter-cart hybrids at local stores in the meantime; if she can master those giant beasties, a rental at WDW will feel like a Lamborghini (not exaggerating LOL)

Last but not least, let her know that you don't want her to need a vacation to recover from her vacation at Disney World! Tell her that you are NOT looking forward to watching her creep from bench to bench all day - and that there are now far fewer places to sit since the pandemic; a lot of those were removed for social distancing, and have not been replaced. Remind her that it's supposed to be fun and relaxing for *both* of you... and that you won't have much fun, or be very relaxed if you are worrying about her for the whole trip.

Let us know if we can help answer any questions she may have about using a mobility device at WDW.

 

[chainkid]

I guess its very hard for me to understand this pride thing when it comes to renting a scooter. I would feel more uncomfortable in my large family if i was the one hobbling around and preventing people from moving at a decent pace. If you want to look like an drag on everyone then let your pride keep you from employing the tools to let you keep up and feel fresh at end of the day. I have two hip replacements, two knee surgeries as well as heel spurs and plantar facisitis on both feet. I never use any mobility device at home as i can move about with minimal pain but going to disney is like doing a 25 mile marathon to me. I can walk about and look fine but at night I'm either exhausted or in severe pain. Not fun for me or my family. I now get the scooter and it has been a game changer. I can keep up and have so much more energy end of day. Please throw your pride out the window . I never was one to care what anyone thought of me so its easy but please think of your comfort.

 

[ZellyB]

AMEN to everything @mamabunny said. I was so reluctant to use a scooter the first time I went after my health problems manifested. It was pretty much a non-event though. The scooter was easy to manage. I could park and leave it to walk around when I felt up to it. The trip would have been pure misery without it. Instead I was able to have a wonderful vacation. I don't use a scooter in my everyday life, but WDW is absolutely unmanageable for me without it. I hope that she reconsiders and frankly the off-site rentals are just so much nicer than the park rentals and you never have to worry about waiting at Guest Services or availability. Good luck and I hope you are able to persuade her to think about it differently, for all of your sakes.

 

[SG131]

My mother was this way. Feb 2020 we got in in the afternoon and went to MK for only a few hours. She came back to the room and couldn't move. That night she agreed to a scooter for the next day and I found an offsite vendor that could drop off the next afternoon. Obviously, that's not always possible depending on crowd levels. So depending on when you're going, it couldn't hurt if she realizes to call around and try.

 

[Jmljasmine]

My mother was this way. Feb 2020 we got in in the afternoon and went to MK for only a few hours. She came back to the room and couldn't move. That night she agreed to a scooter for the next day and I found an offsite vendor that could drop off the next afternoon. Obviously, that's not always possible depending on crowd levels. So depending on when you're going, it couldn't hurt if she realizes to call around and try.

This is very useful. We may end up doing this if needed. We are late August so hopefully not too bad.

 

[Jmljasmine]

one thing to think about scooters run out early in the day have read even before park opening to offsite, do you have enough pushers for stroller/s and a wheelchair in your group

We do, though I'd prefer not having to push. We will be bringing 1 double stroller. The 5 and 7 year old are going to have to walk, unless the 3 year old takes a walking turn since I refuse to do 2 strollers though. They have been "training" and we will take an afternoon break.

 

[Weedy]

Yikes late August it will be very hot and humid during this time this will add to her difficulty walking.
I hope you can persuade her to get an EVC

 

[Debbie Jean]

I guess its very hard for me to understand this pride thing when it comes to renting a scooter. I would feel more uncomfortable in my large family if i was the one hobbling around and preventing people from moving at a decent pace. If you want to look like an drag on everyone then let your pride keep you from employing the tools to let you keep up and feel fresh at end of the day. I have two hip replacements, two knee surgeries as well as heel spurs and plantar facisitis on both feet. I never use any mobility device at home as i can move about with minimal pain but going to disney is like doing a 25 mile marathon to me. I can walk about and look fine but at night I'm either exhausted or in severe pain. Not fun for me or my family. I now get the scooter and it has been a game changer. I can keep up and have so much more energy end of day. Please throw your pride out the window . I never was one to care what anyone thought of me so its easy but please think of your comfort.

This is so important. Without being cruel, I think that letting your pride dictate the conditions of the trip is ruining it not just for you, but for those you are traveling with. Honestly, if you have little ones, I think it would be even worse. The scooter doesn't just make it better for her, it helps everyone! If you can't convince her to do it for herself, maybe emphasize how much better it will be for every one else on the trip. I wouldn't normally encourage someone to guilt anyone, but in this case that might make for a compelling argument!

With bilateral knee replacements, I've been renting a scooter (off property vendor) at Disney for over 15 years. The first time is the hardest and most intimidating.... but I'll bet if you can get her to use one, she won't be looking back! Well, except to maybe yell at you guys to keep up with her LOL

 

[Bethctraveler]

Renting scooters for our travel group is a must. There is 4 of us. The first rental I had some of the same concerns, but after 1 hour I realized renting a scooter is the best thing I could have ever done. We rent off site only. It took a while to find the best off-site rental company with the best service and such. We tested just about all of the off-site rental scooter companies before we found the best one that we currently use. The BIGGEST issue I witnessed especially on these last two trips is the parks not having available scooter even at park opening. I knew from the beginning that in-park scooters wouldn't work for us just because there was no way to guarantee getting one. I never wanted to chance ruining the day since I'm unable to walk that distance. As years pasted I now need the scooter to get back and forth to the parks and at the resort. In Parks rental scooters are not allowed out of the park. There is no way we could walk and stand in hour lines at the end of the day to get on/off the transportation to get back to our rooms. We also go shopping, and it comes in handy. This time I used UBER MT Connect ( $35-40 ) it worked great, and it was an inexpensive solution that we used twice. They take 2 people plus one scooter. I know the price varies just don't go at peak times. Hope this helps!