First time on a scooter- questions

UberPlannerMom

Well-Known Member
So, this will by my first time on a scooter and I have a few questions for the people who have some experience.
1. How long does the charge last?
2. I need it so I don't overtax myself and end up with flare up that leaves me unable to even hold a pen. I can obviously walk from the line to the ride vehicle, etc. Are the ride operators going to be blegh about that? What happens to the scooter in that situation?
3. How does being in a scooter change getting around the park? How many ramps to and from sidewalks are there, etc.?
Thanks!
 

DisneyJoe

Well-Known Member
1 - usually all day, depending on the number of hours in the park and how fast you drive it. You need to charge it every night (assuming you are renting from offsite)

2 - Park the scooter in the stroller parking or close to it. It will have a key so no one can drive it away, but it does have a brake release in case the CM needs to move it any, but they usually don't. Just make sure it is out of the way, and preferably in the shade.

3 - Plenty of ramps, you will mainly hit them on the main streets. My tips and tricks:

- start off on a low setting until you get used to it, slowly turn it up (the speeds go from turtle to hare, I usually set it for the midpoint). It usually ends up being the same as my family's walking pace.
- Practice braking at first - you will need to do it - often!
- Watch out for the other guy! Many people will step in front of you and just stop. It can be easy to hit them.
- also practice backing up - have your family spot the area behind you until you are good at it. Go slow.
- you are going to notice ALL of the hills, up and down. Going down you will need to watch your speed.

Getting onto the bus will be your biggest challenge. Luckily, most of the drivers can help, and most of the buses have the ramp that just flips down and you can drive up. Pull in as far as you can go into the aisle, then basically parallel park into the wheelchair spot. Do this SLOW. The driver can help. Getting off the bus is much easier, just back up in the spot as far as you can, turn a hard right, and slowly go down the bus ramp.

Finally, ignore the stares and funny looks from other guests and enjoy yourself.
 
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smk

Well-Known Member
Thanks for asking this question! My husband will have to use one on our next trip and I was wondering all of these things! Hope you have a great trip!
 
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Weather_Lady

Well-Known Member
I know nothing about scooters, but I wish you every success in operating yours!

@DisneyJoe's advice to "ignore the stares and funny looks from other guests and enjoy yourself," reminded me: I have friends with M.S. and lupus who sometimes need to use accommodations like a walker or scooter in public, to negotiate long distances. They are young and attractive, and appear in perfect physical shape to the casual observer. When they want to avoid judgmental looks from strangers, they've said they sometimes will wear a T-shirt or hat from the latest fundraiser, walk-a-thon or conference they attended relative to their condition, which identifies their condition in a subtle way and gives a clue to onlookers that their need, although invisible, is legit. (I realize that you are under absolutely NO obligation to justify your scooter use to anyone and that no one has the right to question it -- it's none of their business! -- this is just a suggestion if you are truly anxious about "what the busybodies will think.") But really, you shouldn't be. :)
 
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buseegal

Active Member
as a part time ECV user, i have found the 3 wheeled ones that I have rented off site a lot easier to get around the parks in. the big 4 wheeled ones the parks rent a lot harder to drive in the crowds and the lines. at most rides when you get off to load on ride, your ECV will be moved to exit for you to get when you get off. I would get off site rental as it is cheaper and you have for trip back to either parking lot or back to resort which can have a lot of standing. park rentals can not go past the main gate and parking lot wheelchairs can be hard to find. bus drivers have been very helpful to me getting on and off. when you need the ECV do not let others looks or remarks bother you. have a great trip
 
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UberPlannerMom

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Thank you every one for weighing in! I appreciate it. One thing I forgot to ask... what on earth do you do if you run out of battery? I've seen the abandoned buggies at the grocery store and that seems like it would be very bad in a park!
 
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CrazyDisneyLady

Well-Known Member
I have rented from Apple Scooters. They deliver to your resort and pick up from your resort. If your battery dies or you have problems you just call them and they will meet you with a charged battery or a new scooter if it doesn't work at all.
 
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Poofiesdream

Well-Known Member
If the batteries run low we just find a plug when we stop to eat and charge while we eat. If you look around you will have no problems finding one or you could ask any of the hostess's where there is one. Never had a problem finding one just carry your charger with you in the basket.
 
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docdebbi

Well-Known Member
if you are renting one from the park, they will come and give you a new scooter instantly if anything goes wrong with it, including a dead battery.
'one more helpful hint, if you are going in warm weather. bring a towel to put over the plastic seat. the vinyl gets VERY hot sitting waiting for your return. also, be sure to fold the back of the seat down when you leave it to help prevent excessively heated vinyl.
 
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UberPlannerMom

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
'one more helpful hint, if you are going in warm weather. bring a towel to put over the plastic seat. the vinyl gets VERY hot sitting waiting for your return. also, be sure to fold the back of the seat down when you leave it to help prevent excessively heated vinyl.
Thanks for the tips there! I would never have thought of that. :)
 
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luv

Well-Known Member
Be prepared for it to take a long time to get around. You'll end up stopping a lot and trying to maneuver your way through the crowd. It takes much, much longer than walking and adds a little hassle to the day.

If you're prepared for that, it will be easier to handle when it happens.

I wish you well! :)
 
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ratherbeinwdw

Well-Known Member
I've rented an ecv in every park a couple of times. They are very easy to handle and stop. Never had any kind of problem getting around. I constantly had to wait for the family to catch-up even going at a normal speed. I don't like the ones in EPCOT as well as the other parks because the handle bar is too far away and I had to lean forward most of the time. Not really a problem though. I did have the battery die on me one time in DHS. A cm got me another one. Always put your family in front of you if it's crowded. This way, you don't run over strangers if they stop for some reason. If you leave it in the wrong place, they move them. I didn't know where to park mine in the MILF area, so I parked where I saw a couple more. When we came out, it was gone. The cm's told me where they moved it.
I had a ruptured disk, so I could walk short distances. I just couldn't stand for very long. I would have to sit down or squat. You aren't allowed to do that in Philarmagic, Capt. EO or VoTLM and a couple more where there's no queue, so make sure and ride it in those even if you don't really need it.
 
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