PSA: Knee Scooters in Disney - Don't

[StarWarsGirl]

I've seen this question put out here before, and I am coming off of a very long ankle injury (and was also in WDW with it). I've had this since June, had surgery in September, and am still using the knee scooter. So my hope is anyone searching for this answer will find this thread.

If you were thinking of using a knee scooter in WDW, I would not.

The biggest thing is falling. I have fallen several times off that stupid thing. Granted, I am clumsy, but also only 30 years old. They are best used on even ground, which the ground on WDW isn't always even. Case in point, I hit a bump today coming in a building and went splat. I was going super slow; it was just the way the wheel hit.

Second, your knee and other leg will be killing you. It is much harder to use a knee scooter than regular walking. Hills especially...yikes.

Third, if you are injured, you are already in pain, which causes fatigue. You are going to wear yourself out so fast using the knee scooter.

Fourth is the way things are designed. You will end up walking longer distances because "oh, whoops, ramp is over there." That's going to tire you out real fast on a knee scooter.

The only way I might see using one is if you get one that has all terrain tires, and even then, I think renting a wheelchair or ECV is better because of how much stress you put on your knee (especially since those can run $200 more). If you go this route, the lines do have wheelchairs, so if you need a break, ask a CM for a wheelchair while you're in line.

I rented an ECV from Buena Vista Rentals last trip. It was SOOO much better than using the knee scooter, so much so that I rented one from a company here post surgery for use around the house and the local area. I would see people on knee scooters and be like "how are you doing that?"

I did, however, travel down with my knee scooter so I could use it around the resort. I limited this to indoor use and by the pool while being extremely careful. Partway through, I ran to Walgreens and got a folding cane, and I switched to using that getting in and out of the pool (I still am using it now that I am partial weight bearing). There was once when I didn't charge the ECV overnight, so I took the knee scooter down to the pool, and then there was another day where we were going to dinner at Cape May, so I used the knee scooter so I could actually get to the buffet.

I chose to rent an ECV because 1. I was by myself a good portion of the time and 2. My parents are 59 and 65 and I didn't want them to have to push me in a wheelchair, especially because my mom has a bad shoulder and wrist. Speaking from experience, y'all are better off with my ECV driving than my mother's wheelchair pushing.

Tl;Dr: Don't use a knee scooter; rent a wheelchair or ECV in WDW for foot injuries if you can.

 

[networkpro]

Knee scooters have steering, stopping and stability issues...better than nothing for short distances and durations, but not a full day or long distance device.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

Knee scooters have steering, stopping and stability issues...better than nothing for short distances and durations, but not a full day or long distance device.

Stopping and stabIlity are the two biggest issues IMO. Mine has a break and it's still concerning. And like I said, I have fallen a bunch of times off of it. I can't use crutches, so it beats that, but I would see people in WDW using one and thing "what are you doing?"

 

[JMcMahonEsq]

To add to this, for anyone who would have a concern on the logistics of renting an EVC as opposed to bringing your own knee scooter or other portable assistance device, the companies that are available to rent EVC's from, including Buena Vista Rentals do an amazing job. We have used them several times for my parents or in-laws, and they can't make it any smoother. Online ordering with multiple different options of styles. Delivered directly to your resort lobby, with charging capability right in your room. Charge lasted all day, including rope drop to after hours closures, without need to recharge during the day. They are returned by leaving them at your hotel lobby and picked up by the company.

I would say that even if you don't think that you have the need for a full EVC, the benefits of having it available outweigh the costs. Even having the basket/storage space for items that means you don't have to carry them yourself or carry a bag, ends up being a huge advantage, especially when your mobility may be impacted already

 

[JIMINYCR]

I wouldn't even chance using one in such a busy place where all those around you arent paying attention to where they are going. Everyone is in a rush, darting in and around you and the chances someone hits/ bumps into you is great. People are oblivious about anyone other than themselves getting to the next attraction or meal. Someone who is recovering from surgery and risks reinjuring themselves by inserting themselves in a crowded park is foolish. At least using a w/c or scooter gives a person some protection.
A good friend of mine just had major foot surgery involving bones readjustments and needed to use a knee scooter as a way of assisting him with getting around and was bumped multiple times and that was in his quiet home areas.
For some people the wisest thing to do is to put off that Dis trip for when you are completely healed up if at all possible.

 

[thomas998]

I've seen several people with the knee scooters in my office building... they all get along fine in side the building... but I have seen several have issues once they tried to venture out of the tower and hit the sidewalks. I can't help but think the doctors prescribing these things don't bother to explain the limitations if them.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

To add to this, for anyone who would have a concern on the logistics of renting an EVC as opposed to bringing your own knee scooter or other portable assistance device, the companies that are available to rent EVC's from, including Buena Vista Rentals do an amazing job. We have used them several times for my parents or in-laws, and they can't make it any smoother. Online ordering with multiple different options of styles. Delivered directly to your resort lobby, with charging capability right in your room. Charge lasted all day, including rope drop to after hours closures, without need to recharge during the day. They are returned by leaving them at your hotel lobby and picked up by the company.

I would say that even if you don't think that you have the need for a full EVC, the benefits of having it available outweigh the costs. Even having the basket/storage space for items that means you don't have to carry them yourself or carry a bag, ends up being a huge advantage, especially when your mobility may be impacted already

I had an issue where the battery was running out. It wasn't my first time renting an ECV, so I knew something was up. I called them and they could get in the park to swap it out.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

For some people the wisest thing to do is to put off that Dis trip for when you are completely healed up if at all possible.

Agreed; postponing should be a definite consideration. I had to put off a DL trip for this reason. The WDW trip was prior to my surgery.

That being said, WDW is amazing with making sure you get what you need. I cannot say enough nice things about their setup and the CMs who would go out of their way to help. For one, it is MUCH more mobility accessible than the rest of the world. You don't have the same issues you have elsewhere like "oh, there's only a ramp on one side of this sidewalk and not the other." For another, they will let you get as close to ride vehicles as you need to. If I had needed it on ToT, for instance, they would have pulled me right up to the seat in a wheelchair to slide in. Most vehicles have doors on them that make transferring easier. I utilized this on RnRC; it made it much easier to board. At QS locations, I frequently had CMs who would help me carry food to a table, which they did not have to do. It was such a relief because I basically felt like I couldn't do anything at home, and then I got there and was like "FREEDOM!" There absolutely were spots where I would say "that design could be a bit better" but overall, it was fantastic.

If I had a trip planned now, assuming I were traveling with other people (I like traveling alone), I could do it with my current mobility, and also because this recovery can be long and at some point, you get tired seeing the four walls of your house. I would not have done it right after surgery being non-weight bearing. Right now, I am partial weight bearing, and I did Hersheypark a few weeks ago. But this is going to very much depend on your situation.

 

[Goofyernmost]

Just to throw this observation a scooter is the ultimate in useful. 1. It's easier to keep pace with the crowd or companions. 2. WDW almost every attraction has a queue that is easy to navigate so they can be ridden right up to the load location or into the theaters. 3. It is the fun way to deal with an otherwise painful experience. The only downside is that you are riding basically with the view being everyone butts. However at the end of the day you aren't exhausted, your feet, knees or other joints aren't hurting and you are not anywhere near as grumpy as trying to have fun while in pain.

P.S. Just a disclaimer: I do not nor does any of my family have stock or other connection to any Scooter manufacturer or vendor. Just first hand experience. Also it is necessary to say that having one does not automatically give you front of the line privilege, but at least if you're in one of the queue lines that either never seems to move or does at a snail's pace, at least you're sitting down. That is a major plus!

 

[StarWarsGirl]

Also it is necessary to say that having one does not automatically give you front of the line privilege,

Yes, I think this is a very common misconception. It used to be that you would access the line without waiting because most lines were not accessible (still are for MK). Some of the lines aren't accessible for an ECV, in which case, you are issued a return time. This is also what they do if you are by yourself and can't use a wheelchair when queues are not ECV accessible. Jungle Cruise and Spaceship Earth are not accessible for either wheelchairs or ECVs, so they will give you a return time.

In a lot of cases, I ended up waiting longer than people in regular standby because I had to wait for an accessible vehicle. HM, for instance, has you board via the exit post stretching room if you need the walkway stopped. They have specific cars that are for this purpose. I often had to wait an additional 5-10 minutes for it to come around. Star Tours was another one. This line typically is a walk on, but they have one speeder that they use for wheelchairs. So while normally, I ride this multiple times, my wait got extended and it took longer. MMRR has an accessible loading area. It sometimes added maybe five minutes or so to my wait time.

I have said before while injured that I am usually perfectly content to wait in line (if anything probably more patient) if I can do it in the ECV.