New to ECV's - considering one for my mom and have transportation questions

[lucky978]

Hi friends - sorry for the long title! My mom (75) would love to take a trip and visit the parks but walking all day just isn't an option for her. We are considering a trip and renting an ECV, but she's never used one and is concerned about the transportation to/from the parks. I've done some research, but hoping you can all help with some questions:

1) Do you have to back onto the monorails?
2) Do you have to back onto the busses?
3) Will bus drivers help with loading onto the bus, or can I drive the ECV onto the bus for her? (she can walk, just not 10+ miles a day!)

Anything else we need to know?

Thanks so much!

 

[Bete]

You can do the scooter in harder situations for her.

Sometimes, the bus driver will help but that is not 100% sure every time.

 

[JackosinDIS]

I did the same recently with my mum. It was very easy to get the scooter on to the buses and 9/10 times the driver was happy to help. You can just drive it on for her (walking alongside it) then park it up. We didn’t use the monorail while we were there so no sure on that one.

 

[Simba's Mom]

1) Do you have to back onto the monorails?
2) Do you have to back onto the busses?
3) Will bus drivers help with loading onto the bus, or can I drive the ECV onto the bus for her? (she can walk, just not 10+ miles a day!)

Anything else we need to know?

Thanks so much!

I've never had to back onto buses or monorails. The monorail situation may have changed recently, however. And even though you're not guaranteed to have a helpful bus driver, every one I've encountered in the last 8-9 years has always been very helpful. Also, one time I was following a scooter driver on the elevator, onto the monorail, etc. and whenever we reached a point of change (like getting on/off the elevator, then on/off the monorail, Mom would get off her scooter and son would drive on/off, then she'd get back on. The biggest thing I had to get used to is that there's a 1-2 second delay between when you let go of the throttle and when the scooter stops. Actually, it may only be about 1/2 a second, but for the unprepared, it can feel like forever. So don't follow too close!

 

[Debbie Jean]

Yes, you must now back onto the monorail. Never had a CM offer to help with this, though you certainly could drive the scooter on for mom.

Newer buses may require you to back in depending on the spot you are placed. CM have been trained to assist on this. Older buses you drive straight on and back into the space. Either you or the CM can assist with this process if needed.

 

[buzzrelly]

My mom started using a scooter a few years ago and it's been a lifesaver. The bus drivers have always been more than happy to help her park. And she did have to back onto the monorail but she was nervous to do that so one of the CMs did it for her. Your mom will be fine and you'll have a much more enjoyable trip not worrying about her walking too much.

 

[NYCgrrl]

Yes, you back onto the monorail and it’s much easier than it might sound. There are two CMs on either side of you and it’s somehow reassuring.
On the other side of the coin when you get off the monorail you are going forward just like normal.

Almost every time we took the bus (my companion had an ECV too) the bus driver offered assistance. Never had to back up into the bus but no idea if this is a thing. Took my first trip utilizing an ECV this summer and I have to say WDW’s paths and personnel made it effortless.

 

[jo-jo]

Yes, you back onto the monorail and it’s much easier than it might sound. There are two CMs on either side of you and it’s somehow reassuring.
On the other side of the coin when you get off the monorail you are going forward just like normal.

Almost every time we took the bus (my companion had an ECV too) the bus driver offered assistance. Never had to back up into the bus but no idea if this is a thing. Took my first trip utilizing an ECV this summer and I have to say WDW’s paths and personnel made it effortless.

This all sounds scary to me. Can you or will the CM walk the scooter up on bus/monorail? Nothing like having hundreds of people waiting on you to fill you with confidence in an unsure situation. Not sure if DH could do and I'd be afraid too. I'd get it in with only 47 whacks into the walls/seats.

 

[maxiesmom]

This all sounds scary to me. Can you or will the CM walk the scooter up on bus/monorail? Nothing like having hundreds of people waiting on you to fill you with confidence in an unsure situation. Not sure if DH could do and I'd be afraid too. I'd get it in with only 47 whacks into the walls/seats.

In my experiences, no. But once on the bus they will take over to park it for you. And you need to forget about anyone waiting on you. Most people realize getting on disney transportation is not something you do every day. Just put the scooter into "turtle" mode, which is as slow as it can go. Once you are up the short ramp the bus driver will take over the steering.

 

[NYCgrrl]

This all sounds scary to me. Can you or will the CM walk the scooter up on bus/monorail? Nothing like having hundreds of people waiting on you to fill you with confidence in an unsure situation. Not sure if DH could do and I'd be afraid too. I'd get it in with only 47 whacks into the walls/seats.

Okay, this is what my first day with an ECV was like.
Got to MK and my friend and her ECV got off the bus first. Somehow she banged into a sidewall which was nobody’s fault but her own. Report taken, off she goes in an EMT and the CM offers me a free Dole Whip voucher. So I said to self “I’ll just scoot along the path from MK all the way to Poly”- oh right but I can’t.
So the nice CM escorts me to the ramp explaining all the way how to go via monorail and when I get to the top there is the car doors opening with no one in front of me.

One CM says turn around and back in and two of them shepard me in without touching my machine. I felt nothing but relief and amazement that it was so easy and that I was perfectly lined up to exit the monorail. In truth much easier to get on the monorail than bus.
Got my whip, wander around Poly for awhile then get a call to return to BWI as friend is out of urgent care.

Turns out she had two more ECV falls to go throughout the trip(it was only 5 days). Sigh. TBH I suspect she has more cognitive than physical problems which fortunately is the reverse for me. I adjusted her speed limit which gave her more confidence to make driving decisions (she’s another NYCer who doesn’t drive although years as a cyclist was a help to me, lol) and we maintained a lot of space between us to prevent sudden starts and stops.

People were quite nice with the only problem being no one sees you as you wander the paths and the horn isn’t loud enough. So you just wait until you’re noticed.
The trip, short though it was, gave me the confidence to book a two week stay during the December holidays and I’m very much looking forward to it. Goes well and I’m off to a partially solo trip to Europe.

I’ve confidence you can do this @jo-jo. WDW really does this right

 

[Simba's Mom]

I forgot one other place I've always had to back onto-in Animal Kingdom onto the train to Rafiki's Planet Watch. The Cast Members have directed me but none has offered to back it onto the train for me (Maybe no one felt they needed to).

 

[tzvdmd]

This all sounds scary to me. Can you or will the CM walk the scooter up on bus/monorail? Nothing like having hundreds of people waiting on you to fill you with confidence in an unsure situation. Not sure if DH could do and I'd be afraid too. I'd get it in with only 47 whacks into the walls/seats.

Yes. At least for buses I have personally driven (running the controls while in front of it) scooters onto he bus after being asked. I also give the guest the option of sitting on the scooter while I drive it. We can not sit in the scooter. Just ask the driver.

 

[jo-jo]

Yes. At least for buses I have personally driven (running the controls while in front of it) scooters onto he bus after being asked. I also give the guest the option of sitting on the scooter while I drive it. We can not sit in the scooter. Just ask the driver.

So good to hear. Hope there are many CM like this.

 

[Debbie Jean]

So good to hear. Hope there are many CM like this.

I’ve been using a scooter at WDW over 15 years. Some of the nicest, most helpful and personable CM’s I’ve had the pleasure to meet are working Disney transportation. I’m always amazed since it seems such a stressful job! Somehow they manage to keep that positive attitude… so helpful if you’re feeling nervous and unsure.

For those who are new to the “scooter” world, try not to stress… CM’s are your friend!

 

[elvispursley]

My mom is 71 and has been using a scooter for several here in our trips to WDW. I’m her “designated driver” when it comes to getting on buses and monorails. She tends to do ok backing out of elevators, etc but hs a hard time getting into the spots in the bus.

On the new-style of buse, we had one cm ask her to get off of the scooter and they backed it up th ramp and parked it for her. They also unloaded it for her even though we could’ve easily managed.

This trip we recently took was a bit different. I ended up needing to rent my own scooter due to an injury with my foot. She had to do all her own loading/unloading in the buses and monorails. We just politely asked if the cm could giver her assistance. We only had one I stance at the end of the night where the bu couldn’t take both of us. So she had to do the bu lo by herself and we met back the resort bus stop.

It makes such a difference in our trips now that she uses a scooter. Back in 2020 she had undigmosed congestive heart failure and she could hardly walk 100ft without needing to stop. It was a miserable trip for both of us but refused to let me rent a scooter or even push her in a wheelchair. She loves not being a burden and we both enjoy our yearly trips together.

 

[lucky978]

Okay, this is what my first day with an ECV was like.
Got to MK and my friend and her ECV got off the bus first. Somehow she banged into a sidewall which was nobody’s fault but her own. Report taken, off she goes in an EMT and the CM offers me a free Dole Whip voucher. So I said to self “I’ll just scoot along the path from MK all the way to Poly”- oh right but I can’t.
So the nice CM escorts me to the ramp explaining all the way how to go via monorail and when I get to the top there is the car doors opening with no one in front of me.

One CM says turn around and back in and two of them shepard me in without touching my machine. I felt nothing but relief and amazement that it was so easy and that I was perfectly lined up to exit the monorail. In truth much easier to get on the monorail than bus.
Got my whip, wander around Poly for awhile then get a call to return to BWI as friend is out of urgent care.

Turns out she had two more ECV falls to go throughout the trip(it was only 5 days). Sigh. TBH I suspect she has more cognitive than physical problems which fortunately is the reverse for me. I adjusted her speed limit which gave her more confidence to make driving decisions (she’s another NYCer who doesn’t drive although years as a cyclist was a help to me, lol) and we maintained a lot of space between us to prevent sudden starts and stops.

People were quite nice with the only problem being no one sees you as you wander the paths and the horn isn’t loud enough. So you just wait until you’re noticed.
The trip, short though it was, gave me the confidence to book a two week stay during the December holidays and I’m very much looking forward to it. Goes well and I’m off to a partially solo trip to Europe.

I’ve confidence you can do this @jo-jo. WDW really does this right

So glad your friend was okay - must have been very scary!

 

[lucky978]

She tends to do ok backing out of elevators

Oh gosh, I forgot about elevators haha! I've been thinking so much about the bus and monorail. So glad your mom finally agreed to renting a scooter and you can enjoy your trips together. I go frequently and my mom hasn't been since 2009 (she's 75 now). She really wants to go so I'm hoping this will work out for her and she can get the confidence to try the scooter.

 

[jo-jo]

Oh gosh, I forgot about elevators haha! I've been thinking so much about the bus and monorail. So glad your mom finally agreed to renting a scooter and you can enjoy your trips together. I go frequently and my mom hasn't been since 2009 (she's 75 now). She really wants to go so I'm hoping this will work out for her and she can get the confidence to try the scooter.

The thing is with elevators, you go to even ground. With bus/monorail you have to aim for a ramp that's a few inches wider than scooter and doing it backwards. Scares me just thinking about it.

But speaking of elevators and scooters.......I came upon a woman that was using a scooter. Pull up to elevator, got off, push button, got on, door open, before she could get it , door closed. I saw this twice, who knows how many times she has been trying. So if you see someone by an elevator using a scooter, perhaps offer help with the buttons.

ETA....I did help the women above. I just saw the cycle as I was walking to the elevator.

 

[lucky978]

The thing is with elevators, you go to even ground. With bus/monorail you have to aim for a ramp that's a few inches wider than scooter and doing it backwards. Scares me just thinking about it.

But speaking of elevators and scooters.......I came upon a woman that was using a scooter. Pull up to elevator, got off, push button, got on, door open, before she could get it , door closed. I saw this twice, who knows how many times she has been trying. So if you see someone by an elevator using a scooter, perhaps offer help with the buttons.

ETA....I did help the women above. I just saw the cycle as I was walking to the elevator.

Great point!

 

[elvispursley]

What we did with the elevators is we would try and pull up so it was a direct shot into the elevator. And a hint about the elevator in the Land—use the one around the corner over by Garden Grill. It’s kinda hidden but we’ve never had to wait for scooters/strollers in front of us. It lets you off at the exit for Living With The Land.