Renting an ECV

Im not 100% sure WDW is the same, but I'd assume they would be..but here at Disneyland one pro would have to be if it looses battery you can go into a store and they w ill call for a replacement one to be brought to you. So thats pretty cool. Also, Id assume Disney would be cheaper, after the deposit that is. Plus if you bring in an outside companys youd have to worry about someone taking it,whereas Disney will just replace it for your stay.

I am frequently in an ECV at Disney because of my Firbomyalgia. I have always rented through Disney, but there are some big downsides to that. Disney is twice the cost of renting through an outside company, you need to get to the park early in order to ensure that you get an ECV, and at Epcot it it can sometimes be a bother if you use the back entrance rather than the main entrance. You also only have it during the time in park, so if you can't walk home well at the end of the night it's not a great option.

During opening weekend of Food & Wine last year there were scooters everywhere, I had never seen so many! Many people had cute little red ones with signs on the front that said "Rent me for $25 a day", Disney is $50 a day, with a $20 deposit that you get back when you return the chair. I have really considered renting from outside Disney. But I don't need one all of the time, so I haven't really made up my mind.

There is one big reason that I haven't rented from an outside company yet, and that is navigating the bus system. I have seen near riots happen on buses because of able bodied people in a hurry who always assume a person in an ECV is just a lazy idiot that doesn't want to walk. I couldn't handle that bus wrath directed at me, people get very *VERY* mean. Because of that, and that alone I chose to spend twice the money and rent at the parks.

Since you only need it for a day trip, I would say just go through Disney.

Jan and I made 56 trips to WDW. Each trip averaged 5 days. During each day we loaded her chair or scooter on a buss at least 6 times. Never had a rude incident. We rented a scooter on about 15 of the trips from Walker Mobility. They were reasonable and delivered right to the resort we stayed at. Some years ago we got Jan her own power chair that she liked much better than the scooter. Jan passed away just over a year ago and I still have her 2 power chairs. Last year my grandaughter used one at the World because she was 8 months pregnant. No problems.
Joe

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That's fantastic and so good to hear!!

It's hard for me to admit sometimes that I need to be in an ECV at Disney and witnessing people be mean to those in chairs makes it even harder. Having to rent one can be a heart wrenching experience for people right on the cusp of disability. I can manage my Fibro at home without a chair, but at Disney it's really difficult for me. There's also a lot of "ECV People" bashing on some other boards (NEVER Here!) I wish more people would talk about their good experiences!!

Is the bottom one the power chair? It looks much more comfortable.

I just wanted to say I am in the same boat as you. I have Sever Ulcerative Colitis and I dont use a wheelchair at home anymore (still have it though) I have a few times needed to either rent a wheelchair or an ECV - I dont like hubby having to push me around all day, its tiring enough just walking yourself! And I agree, there can be nastiness towards people using them (again, never on here though) so I dont like to talk about it too much as the general feeling is that they are for 'fat, lazy people'

To the OP,
I have always rented from Disney direct in the past, I did look at renting from an outside company but as I try to walk when I can, its easier for me to know on the day whether I need one or not, I dont want to use one if I dont have to or dont need one that day. So as soon as you dont use it for a day you've saved yourself a day's hire fee. It works out cheaper for me as the 'non ECV' days are always more than the 'need ECV' days.

Being able to decide day to day is really nice. Sometimes I'll be able to walk all morning, but by afternoon I need the EVC. We'll be doing a 5K on my next trip, so I know that by that afternoon I'll probably really need an ECV. The two days before however we're taking it kind of easy so I don't think that I'll need one. If I get one for Saturday after the race, Sunday I shouldn't need it. There's a lot of give an take in managing my condition.

I did consider getting a sporty manual chair for vacations so that I would have my own, however then I realized that I don't have the upper body strength to handle the hills. There are actually quite a few inclines in WDW. Most people think it's flat, it's so not!

Yes Brad. It is a power chail and is very comfortable. I still have 2 of Jan's here at home. My grandaughter used one when I took her to the World last Feb. ahd she was 8 months pregnant.
Joe

Subvetss, sorry for your loss. She looks like a fun person. I am sure that you all enjoyed every minute at WDW. I am forced to rent an ECV Everyday of my Visit. To look at me, one would wonder why. I have fibromyalgia, neck and hand problems. It is even hard for me o use levers on the ecv's because of arthritis. I spend 250.00 just on an ECV. So, this is an added expense that frankly, is hard to budget along with travel, tickets, meals, tips,and resort cost. To people who complain about ECV's; count your blessings that you don't need one. A day on an ECV at Disney is better than no Disney trip.

Three years ago I started using ECVs, renting on a daily basis at the park. My son, ever looking to help me save money (so there's more for him..lil) suggested I rent one by the week. We are DVC and usually stay at Saratoga Springs which is huge and difficult to get around because of my arthritis so this worked swell for me. I have used Walker Rental and they are great. When we changed hotels last year they transported it to the other hotel for free! If we are going to Universal for the day we use Mears Transportation and will transport us scooter and all. Occasionally I have encountered a bus driver who was less than helpful with the ECV but they are the exception not the rule. Because my disabilities are not immediately obvious I have gotten funny looks from people but I figure if they're judging me without knowing me I don't really care about their opinion anyway. Being able to keep up with my kids is way more important.

And kids can be hard to keep up with right emelee. and by the way to WDWFG.

My WDW traveling buddy uses an ECV due to her disabilities. Some days she has limited mobility and some days VERY limited mobility so she has rented an ECV for the entire time we are there. We used to rent from Disney, but found that they run out of ECVs unless you get there early--and neither of us are early birds! I had to push her around all day in a wheelchair and we were at Animal Kingdom that day. I swore never again. There are a LOT of hills and many bumpy roads at AK.
She rents from Walker Mobility for $25/day or $30/day (with the sun shade top). She always gets the top not only because it keeps the sun/rain off her, but also because it makes it much easier for other people to see her coming.
They deliver to your hotel and pick it up when you are done. We take hers right into our room and plug the battery in overnight. If the battery dies, or any other problem arises, they will come out to the parks right away. One year, the battery died--we were at the furthest corner of Magic Kingdom and they brought us a new battery within an hour! Talk about service!!
Patti