Hi gang! Here's a question for all of those who have rented a scooter at the parks....can you rent direct from Disney for a week, or do you have to do it by day/by park? If you can rent one for the week, is it cheaper, and can you park hop? Trying to get details for my folks who may need to use one for our upcoming trip. Any tips and tricks are welcome. Thanks!
We have rented from Apple the last four years for my Mom. We were under the impression that at Disney they are first come first served so no guarantee.
Kris we used Beuna Vista Rentals, they have a booth right outside on the boardwalk at the Boardwalk, you probably walked by it a million times, right where the bikes are. Used them for scrappy and they were great! Dropped off at the Bell services day of arrival at 6am. Return to Bell services on your last day by I think 7 or 8am. Any problems they come right to where you are. It is not cheaper to rent from Disney at all!
Thanks, gang. The problem is they don't want to have to take a scooter on the bus so they are looking to rent at the parks. We just aren't sure if you can rent for the week like you can with strollers or if it's 1st come 1st serve at each park each day.
My understanding is also that the scooters at the parks are first come, first serve and that you cannot rent them for multiple days. If your folks are borderline as far as needing the scooter and having it would just make it more convenient for everyone, you're probably ok to chance renting at the parks if that's what you prefer.
As far as park hopping, I'm fairly certain that you have to drop off the scooter at the the park entrance and then pick one up at the next park. That sounds risky to me! What if the next park is crowded that day and you can' get a scooter when you get there? As far as payment, I think it's like parking. You don't pay twice. You just show your receipt from the first rental.
If you're fairly certain that they're going to need scooters, I'd probably just go ahead and rent from an offsite company ahead of time and just deal with transporting it. I know it's a pain to deal with the buses when you have a mobility device to bring along. We rented a car when we were traveling with a wheelchair because it just made life slightly easier for all of us.
Be good at something. It makes you valuable. Have something to bring to the table because that will make you more welcome. --Randy Pausch
Trip Reports:
December 2013: 10th Anniversary, 1st DVC Stay | April 2014: Birthday on the Boardwalk | May 2014: Star Wars Weekend, Navigating WDW with a wheelchair | August 2014: Villains Unleashed | September/October 2014: MNSSHP, F&W, Tower of Terror 10-miler | March/April 2015: Disneyland and California Coastal Cruise | November 2015: Wine & Dine Half, Food & Wine, 1st Disney Cruise | February 2016: Presidential Classic Gymnastics Meet | March 2016: "Work" Trip, Tours, F&G Festival | April 2016: Conference at Disneyland | Fall 2016: Festive Fall Fun | January 2017: Festival of the Arts | May 2017: AbD Backstage Magic | July 2017: AbD San Francisco | Sorry I had to give up doing trip reports. Too many time commitments right now.
We had great service from Apple Scooter in January and have already booked them again for September. For your trip (five nights) the cost for their best scooter will be $160 USD including tax, which is far cheaper than Disney.
My understanding is also that the scooters at the parks are first come, first serve and that you cannot rent them for multiple days. If your folks are borderline as far as needing the scooter and having it would just make it more convenient for everyone, you're probably ok to chance renting at the parks if that's what you prefer.As far as park hopping, I'm fairly certain that you have to drop off the scooter at the the park entrance and then pick one up at the next park. That sounds risky to me! What if the next park is crowded that day and you can' get a scooter when you get there? As far as payment, I think it's like parking. You don't pay twice. You just show your receipt from the first rental.
If you're fairly certain that they're going to need scooters, I'd probably just go ahead and rent from an offsite company ahead of time and just deal with transporting it. I know it's a pain to deal with the buses when you have a mobility device to bring along. We rented a car when we were traveling with a wheelchair because it just made life slightly easier for all of us.
I've done both, and all of this is correct.
In addition to the Disney rentals being first come first serve (and there have been days I was too late to get one, or wasn't able to pick up a new one at the second park) renting through Disney costs more than twice as much per day!
I've rented twice from Buena Vista Scooters and had great experience both times. You pick it up and drop it off right at the hotel bell stand. The only thing you have to keep in mind is that the buses can only carry 2 scooters per bus.
Thanks everyone! I will pass all of this great info on to my mom!