My husband & I returned Monday evening from a wonderful 9-nt stay at POP. I want to take this opportunity to thank each of you who took time to answer my questions, offered advice, etc., with my concerns about using an ECV. I rented my ECV (and a canopy topper for an extra $15.00 - total) from Randy's Mobility and the service was excellent. I would absolutely rent with them again and in fact, I had several people stop me to ask if they could write down the phone number which, was embroidered on the canopy.
Our flight arrived at 8:05PM, and we did not check-in to POP until after 9:30PM, so I had arranged for Randy's to deliver the next morning. The driver was there promptly after 7:30AM. I was very, very hesitant, concerned, etc., about using an ECV as this is all still new to me. I quickly got my bearings and realized what a true blessing the ECV was.
With the exception of 3 RUDE WDW bus drivers (trust me - they were VERY rude) and my own initial frustration of navigating through intense crowds pre & post parade time I managed very well. I'm normally a very positive person, so I didn't want to dwell on the rude bus drivers. I will say though, that not only was I treated rudely, the same drivers treated other disabled people on the same busses rudely. This was to the point that my husband & I finally went to Customer Relations at Disney. We suggested that they place able-bodied employees on ECVs or wheelchairs and let them ride various routes to see how their drivers treated them. I should stress that MOST of the drivers were absolutely wonderful. One was even very, very helpful off of the bus (shift change?) when we were waiting out a thunderstorm.
The CMs were all outstanding in their efforts to help! There were a total of 6 children and 4 adults in our group. Several times, we arrived at various times to one of the parks and only a few in our group were able to receive Fast Passes. Every single time I asked (nicely) if our entire group could be admitted together, we were allowed to! Twice, we didn't even have Fast Passes, but were wonderfully directed to the FP lane!! This was such a blessing because I would have found it very difficult to stand some days.
I'd like to also mention that my room was a "regular", ground floor room at POP and per the recommendation of someone here, we simply moved the table and chairs over a bit and the scooter fit perfectly in the room.
Sue, I particularly want to thank you. One of the first posts I read here was your reply to a mother who had a teen who was resistant to the idea of using an ECV. Your words truly were a lightbulb moment for me. Though your reply was for someone else, your words were EXACTLY what I needed to hear to feel better about my situation. I had NOT wanted to give in to my situation and I was being a stubborn horses patoot at the idea that I "needed" an ECV. Thank God I found this site, and the encouragement I needed to accept my limitations. Because of you and the other wonderful people here, I was able to fully enjoy myself! I'm grateful to you all.
If there is anyone here who is hesitating, resisting, being a horses patoot, embarressed, dreading, too proud, (etc.) to use an ECV, PLEASE do yourself a favor and realize that without it, you may miss much. With it, you may miss none of the magic!
Our flight arrived at 8:05PM, and we did not check-in to POP until after 9:30PM, so I had arranged for Randy's to deliver the next morning. The driver was there promptly after 7:30AM. I was very, very hesitant, concerned, etc., about using an ECV as this is all still new to me. I quickly got my bearings and realized what a true blessing the ECV was.
With the exception of 3 RUDE WDW bus drivers (trust me - they were VERY rude) and my own initial frustration of navigating through intense crowds pre & post parade time I managed very well. I'm normally a very positive person, so I didn't want to dwell on the rude bus drivers. I will say though, that not only was I treated rudely, the same drivers treated other disabled people on the same busses rudely. This was to the point that my husband & I finally went to Customer Relations at Disney. We suggested that they place able-bodied employees on ECVs or wheelchairs and let them ride various routes to see how their drivers treated them. I should stress that MOST of the drivers were absolutely wonderful. One was even very, very helpful off of the bus (shift change?) when we were waiting out a thunderstorm.
The CMs were all outstanding in their efforts to help! There were a total of 6 children and 4 adults in our group. Several times, we arrived at various times to one of the parks and only a few in our group were able to receive Fast Passes. Every single time I asked (nicely) if our entire group could be admitted together, we were allowed to! Twice, we didn't even have Fast Passes, but were wonderfully directed to the FP lane!! This was such a blessing because I would have found it very difficult to stand some days.
I'd like to also mention that my room was a "regular", ground floor room at POP and per the recommendation of someone here, we simply moved the table and chairs over a bit and the scooter fit perfectly in the room.
Sue, I particularly want to thank you. One of the first posts I read here was your reply to a mother who had a teen who was resistant to the idea of using an ECV. Your words truly were a lightbulb moment for me. Though your reply was for someone else, your words were EXACTLY what I needed to hear to feel better about my situation. I had NOT wanted to give in to my situation and I was being a stubborn horses patoot at the idea that I "needed" an ECV. Thank God I found this site, and the encouragement I needed to accept my limitations. Because of you and the other wonderful people here, I was able to fully enjoy myself! I'm grateful to you all.
If there is anyone here who is hesitating, resisting, being a horses patoot, embarressed, dreading, too proud, (etc.) to use an ECV, PLEASE do yourself a favor and realize that without it, you may miss much. With it, you may miss none of the magic!