Navigating my EVC through my BWV room door.

[Ms. WDW]

I'm renting an EVC for the very first time in May. I'm wondering just how difficult it will be navigating it into the room. I know that it helps to have a " door stopper" for when my friend isn't there to hold the foor open. But if anyone else has used an EVC at the Boardwalk, I'd appreciate your input.

 

[Selket]

I'm renting an EVC for the very first time in May. I'm wondering just how difficult it will be navigating it into the room. I know that it helps to have a " door stopper" for when my friend isn't there to hold the foor open. But if anyone else has used an EVC at the Boardwalk, I'd appreciate your input.

If you're able to walk somewhat, what I've done when coming back to the room alone is put the ECV into "free roll" mode so I can pull it into the room. (there's a switch on the bottom back of the ECV that you can flip and lets you wheel it freely). I'm walking backwards with my hands on the handlebars steering and pulling it in. I've found they roll very easily but YMMV on that one. Once it is through the door, I can adjust it by driving or free wheeling it depending on the room config. A doorstopper would be easier no doubt but I've been fortunate to find this easy enough despite my bad knees.

I don't suggest leaving it in "power mode" and driving it that way by standing in front of it because it seems like an easy way to run yourself over!

 

[elvispursley]

When I was using an exc, I’d line myself up with the door and town the handle. I’d slowly drive my way through while holding the door with my hand. I was able to get all the way through the door and then turn and close the door after I was through. But I’m fairly tall (for a woman at 5’10). My mom is 5’4 and could not manage this. She would’ve needed something like a door stopper.

 

[ZJ5/9D47]

Instead of a traditional floor stopper I use a Fat Ivan that hooks over the middle door hinge. If has a magnet so stores nicely on the inside door frame of most hotel rooms so easy to reach when getting back to your room.

Since it’s a rental I’d personally just gently shove the door open with the ECV and hold the door with one hand pushing by. The fact that wheelchair-accessible rooms don’t have automatic door openers makes me not feel bad about using this option.

 

[TCRAIG]

I use a Wedge-It I got from Amazon to hold open doors…

 

[Simba's Mom]

Since it’s a rental I’d personally just gently shove the door open with the ECV and hold the door with one hand pushing by. The fact that wheelchair-accessible rooms don’t have automatic door openers makes me not feel bad about using this option.

This is similar to what I do when traveling solo. Sometimes, though, I have my cane with me, and then I can hold the door open with my cane.
As far as automatic door openers, on my last trip I was lucky enough to have an automatic door opener. Boy, was that great! I do wish all accessible studios had them.

 

[robinb]

I use a Wedge-It I got from Amazon to hold open doors…

I second the Wedge-It. The Boardwalk doors are VERY heavy and the Wedge-It holds them so I can motor in. Photos here: https://www.disboards.com/threads/how-to-get-ecv-in-room-myself.3786378/page-2#post-64307013

 

[aleria24]

When I was using an exc, I’d line myself up with the door and town the handle. I’d slowly drive my way through while holding the door with my hand. I was able to get all the way through the door and then turn and close the door after I was through. But I’m fairly tall (for a woman at 5’10). My mom is 5’4 and could not manage this. She would’ve needed something like a door stopper.

This is what i did at BWV when I had to access the room by myself. I am not super tall, but it was doable for me. I ha d to reposition my hand on the door a couple of times, but I got through.