Everything you want to know about Renting ECVs and Wheelchairs (in the Parks and from Off-Site) About This Page:

[alismom]

Originally Posted by Catski73

I have been researching scooters for myself for my trip in late June and carrying over into the 4th of July holiday and came across a website called Scooter Vacations with the website of Scooter Rental Orlando for disney world, seaworld, universal studios, islands of adventure, cape carnerval cruises, epcot On the site, there is a scooter that can carry of up to 500lbs. The model is called The Dream, and to me it looks more like a motorcycle than a scooter, but it doesn't seem portable so it would be best to use it on property transportation only. Hope this helps.

I just rented this for my upcoming trip. It looks very comfortable. The guy I spoke to made me a little nervous thought saying that some of the bus drivers will insist that it is too big for the bus, but that it does fit and that some of the older drivers are just cranky and don't want to mess with anything new. I'll let everyone know how it turns out.

[LouigiAnne]

We were in Disney back in October for 4 days . We used Buena Vista Scooter's and they were Great. We rented 2 scooters and they had them there at the Pop waiting for us. And we were to return them to baggage area at front desk when we checked out. No problems with any deposits they just charged the CC. a week before our arrival. They also gave us a $10. price cut off each scooter when we mentioned All Ear's. We could charge them in our room and 1 night we parked them out side our door to charge. No problems getting to the parks you can drive them up on the bus or the driver will do it for you if they see your having troubles. And on our buses they allowed 2 but a few times a driver allowed 3 scooters. They will ask you to move from the scooter to a seat for safety reasons, this is baloney as we were allowed to stay on our scooters as long as we used the seat belts that they provide. It all depends on the drivers. If you feel you may need a scooter get one you will be very happy you did. And yes you will be the one carrying everyone's bags but it's worth not being in pain, an when everyone else is dragging along at the end of the day you can race around and drive circles around them cause you'll be fine LouigiAnne

[Eeyore Tattoo]

I DO LOVE DRIVING CIRCLES AROUND EVERYONE AT THE END OF THE DAY

[LouigiAnne]

Yeah and their fun to Race too >> from Turtle to Rabbit LOL LouigiAnne

[TNTWheels]

In my Power chair if I don't have someone with me that day at WDW, I can get to one place to another in no time. It took me about an hour to get From the SOG (Shades of Green) in the Magic Kingdom area to DHS by using Monorails and boat. Because I can go fast.

[SueM loves WDW]

Originally Posted by LouigiAnne

We were in Disney back in October for 4 days . We used Buena Vista Scooter's and they were Great. We rented 2 scooters and they had them there at the Pop waiting for us. And we were to return them to baggage area at front desk when we checked out. No problems with any deposits they just charged the CC. a week before our arrival. They also gave us a $10. price cut off each scooter when we mentioned All Ear's. We could charge them in our room and 1 night we parked them out side our door to charge. No problems getting to the parks you can drive them up on the bus or the driver will do it for you if they see your having troubles. And on our buses they allowed 2 but a few times a driver allowed 3 scooters. They will ask you to move from the scooter to a seat for safety reasons, this is baloney as we were allowed to stay on our scooters as long as we used the seat belts that they provide. It all depends on the drivers. If you feel you may need a scooter get one you will be very happy you did. And yes you will be the one carrying everyone's bags but it's worth not being in pain, an when everyone else is dragging along at the end of the day you can race around and drive circles around them cause you'll be fine LouigiAnne

Are you sure you don't mean on a few buses they allowed 2 scooters and one folded wheelchair??

There are only 2 spots where a wheelchair or ECV can be tied down on a bus. If they got 3 on, it would have to be either 2 ECVs and one wheelchair that was folded up or it would have had to be one of the small wheelchair accessible van/buses that are sometimes used for larger parties (they don't look at all like buses, they are much smaller and are designed to hold several wheelchairs/ECVs along with a few people).

They do advise people to move from the ECV to a seat because it is possible for the ECV to tip over, even if it is well tied down. It is more likely to happen with the ECVs that have 2 wheels in the back and one in the front because they are a bit less stable.

This picture shows 2 ECVs parked in the 2 tiedown spots on the bus. The back ECV had actually tipped over and had been re-positioned and tied down just before the picture was taken. The person who sent me the picture took the picture to remind herself how exactly the driver tied it down.


Also, a driver might help you drive the ECV on if you are having trouble, but I have been told by drivers that they are not really supposed to do that. So, while it may happen, I would not count on it.

[TNTWheels]

That when you give them a thank you card. I'm going to try the buses this trip in November and go over to Wildness Lodge.

[w-steele]

Originally Posted by SueM loves WDW

There are only 2 spots where a wheelchair or ECV can be tied down on a bus. If they got 3 on, it would have to be either 2 ECVs and one wheelchair that was folded up or it would have had to be one of the small wheelchair accessible van/buses that are sometimes used for larger parties (they don't look at all like buses, they are much smaller and are designed to hold several wheelchairs/ECVs along with a few people).

You are so right Sue about the buses only having tie down room for two ECV's. Back in Sept last year, we flew back to WDW from San Diego and I brought my own ECV and we rented one for my DW. We had to in several cases let a bus go by becuase only one of us would have been able to gotten on board. I think the other party must have been mistaken or as you had said, 2 ECV's and a wheelchair that was 'broken down'.

[LouigiAnne]

Sorry I may have been mistaken about there being room for 3 but I do remember some of the driver's making us transfer to a seat but then after we moved and others boarded the bus people would sit their kids or themselves on our ECV's and the driver never said a word to them then about safety!! And then later into our trip we had other drivers that told us not to transfer to a seat but to sit on the ECV's and then provided us with a seat belt that he had attached to the tie downs. Which we were glad to use so that we did not get some of those evil looks from the other guest about boarding before them and the comments about taking up the extra room with the ECV's. Everything depends on your drivers and we were always given help either driving them on to the buses or after getting them on as the driver's would maneuver them where and how they wanted them parked. Some drivers wanted us to back them up the ramp, some to drive them up, but we did get Lot's of help. Maybe cause I was new to using one and some times had a bit of a problem driving them on >> or word got out that I almost ran a driver over LOL And as far as tipping over we never had any problem's with them on the buses or off in the parks. LouigiAnne

[SueM loves WDW]

Originally Posted by LouigiAnne

Sorry I may have been mistaken about there being room for 3 but I do remember some of the driver's making us transfer to a seat but then after we moved and others boarded the bus people would sit their kids or themselves on our ECV's and the driver never said a word to them then about safety!! And then later into our trip we had other drivers that told us not to transfer to a seat but to sit on the ECV's and then provided us with a seat belt that he had attached to the tie downs. Which we were glad to use so that we did not get some of those evil looks from the other guest about boarding before them and the comments about taking up the extra room with the ECV's. Everything depends on your drivers and we were always given help either driving them on to the buses or after getting them on as the driver's would maneuver them where and how they wanted them parked. Some drivers wanted us to back them up the ramp, some to drive them up, but we did get Lot's of help. Maybe cause I was new to using one and some times had a bit of a problem driving them on >> or word got out that I almost ran a driver over LOL And as far as tipping over we never had any problem's with them on the buses or off in the parks. LouigiAnne

There is a sign on the underside of the seat that is folded up to make the wheelchair/ECV spot that advises users of ECVs to transfer to a seat. The reason for the sign is that ECVs are not built for people to sit on them during transport. Most have no really good spots to anchor the tiedowns. A seat belt would not have helped you any if the ECV had tipped over and could have actually caused an injury since you would have been 'tied down' while the ECV tipped. This is a picture of the sign on the bus.

Wheelchairs are a different story - because they have 4 wheels, have a lot of good sturdy spots to attach tiedowns and have a different center of gravity than an ECV has.
The bus drivers that told you not to transfer were basically just trying to avoid the complaints from guests who don't understand why the transfer is made. Many drivers know how to fix the seat so other guests won't sit on it. As for not saying anything, if there are many standing guests on the bus, the driver may not have even been able to see or have known that other people were sitting on your ECV. Most people tell the other guests themselves (since it is their ECV) and don't rely on the drivers.

Some of the driving in vs backing in has to do with the arrangement of seats on the bus and also the ramps. Even though they look very similar, some of the ramps are steeper than others and it is safer to back up those. And some are less steep, but require a sharper turn once you get to the top of the ramp. Those would be better going up straight. It is something the driver would be aware of, but the buses would look pretty similar to people who are not that familiar with all the types of buses.

[TNTWheels]

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.

[mechurchlady]

Originally Posted by Eeyore Tattoo

I DO LOVE DRIVING CIRCLES AROUND EVERYONE AT THE END OF THE DAY

I just got me a well worn Lark 3 scooter and it goes soooo fast that I am doing donuts in DLR.

I had to rent a scooter at DLR and those are monsters with metal on each end for hitting walls. $48 a day with tax is a lot of money for one when Deckert is like $150 a week. I like being able to go from DCA to DL and back without turning in the rental.

If you have questions about DLR please contact me over at disboards as I am not sure if I will come over here, long story on my newest change.

Three wheels and break apart scooters are so much easier than something like the ones in parks. I have been on public buses and scooters do tip easily.

[Eeyore Tattoo]

mechurchlady,
Welcome to the boards! I have seen you over at SGT..

[mechurchlady]

I am not allowed at SGT any more and I so remember you and you doggie.
Someday I will tell you what happened.

[Catski73]

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