Let the questions begin!

OK, I'll start the ball rolling on the questions..... So, what happened?????

Oh, wait a minute, I just re-read your post. Now I get it. You have questions for us.....

I agree with you that if you are not planning on spending much time at the resort (to enjoy the view), maybe best left for another visit. You can always enjoy the views of your resort (when able) from other vantage points at the resort.

As to where to take your 14 year old brother who has never been to WDW , pretty much the entire park will be magical for him .

But, if you want to show him some WOW rides first, take him to the Space Mountain, Thunder Mountain, Tower of Terror, Mt Kilimanjaro, etc., get the point? He'll have a blast wherever you take him, Pirates of the Caribbean is a must , & a slow paced ride like the Haunted Mansion will keep him on his toes .

Anyways, I am sure you guys will have a blast. Cheers.

We stayed at Jambo House in February. We booked the Standard room, but during online check-in I was able to request a savannah view. We were pleasantly surprised that we were able to see animals from our balcony (zebras, giraffes, antelope, gazelles, warthogs). So, it's possible to still get the view without paying the higher price.

AKL is fantastic. I'm sure you guys will love it.

As for your 14 year old brother, he'll probably love the thrill rides at Hollywood Studios as well as the Star Wars stuff (if he's into that). Also, spend some time at Downtown Disney. Bowling at Splitsville, and cool movie memorabilia at Planet Hollywood. I personally don't care for Disneyquest, but depending on your package, you may have free passes.

LoL... just because she's in an ECV don't assume that means you'll be slow. I often have to turn down the speed on the ECV so that my family can keep up with me.

I haven't used this company, so I'm not endorsing it, but I've heard good things about them.
http://www.buenavistascooters.com/

I LOVE the Jambo House Pool view, which is what most of the standard views are. It's hard to get a bad room there IMHO.

As for your brother, what sort of things does he like?

I loved breakfast at Tusker House. I'm planning breakfast there again this year.

I've had a few clients use them with no worries
http://www.buenavistascooters.com/

I LOVE this!! I've always said my perfect man will take me to Disney World!! Seriously, Disney needs to start a matchdisney.com or something....but I digress. You asked about ECVs....

It's much cheaper to rent one from an outside company. I got my ECV last year from scootorlando.com and it cost me around $300 for 7 days, but there were other models that were cheaper. When I got there, it was already delivered and waiting for me at the Bell Hop stand. I can't remember if the key was in it or if I had to ask one of the bell hops for a key but it was EASY. I returned it the same way. 5 minute transaction each time. I went online a few weeks prior to the trip (after the dr and I had our argument about whether or not I would be going to Disney World with a torn ACL and fractured tibia - look who won THAT fight!) and filled out the paperwork to reserve the scooter. I did have to tell them where I was staying and what time I would arrive so it would be ready for me. I went with this company b/c they have a scooter that sort of looks like a motorcycle (the Dream on the website - and I bought a Goofy ear/mohawk to wear while riding it) so it made me feel kind of cool. What I learned though is that some scooters are not allowed in the park. Although mine was noted on the website as being Disney approved, at both MK and AK, I had to have a supervisor "bless" it (and it turned out to be no problem, but just extra hassle, and for me extra embarrassment as being held up and singled out). Take a cheap shower curtain to cover the ECV with in case it rains. We stayed at POFQ and had to park it outside so I covered it up every night (there's video of me trying to park it in the room. We all were doubled over in hysterics, thankfully we didn't break anything). I don't think that will be an issue at AKL since the rooms are interior entrances, but it's nice to have in case it rains while you're in the parks.

Do make sure you get your mother a special guest pass from guest relations. I can't remember what it's actually called, but basically it lets the CM know that you cannot stand for a long period of time and your mother will be technically allowed to wait in a more comfortable spot as opposed to standing in line. In my experience (and this has been the subject of debate and that is not my intention here), is that it works as a fast pass. You park the ECV, your mother will walk up to the CM at the fast pass line and show her card and she can take up to 5 people into the fast pass line with her, so you essentially by pass most of the waiting. Some people will look at you like you are cheating, but if your mother has mobility issues it's a lovely benefit.

Have fun!!

Maybe Kristen knows the answer but did I read somewhere that only certain scooter companies were allowed to rent and deliver ECV's to the resorts and parks?

That is true, that went into place last year. However I don't have a complete approved list.

Here is the information from All Ears on the EVC's.