Hey you!!! I believe I speak for everyone when I say that it's so good to see you here again!
First of all, sorry about the person who just shoved a card at you! You and I will sort all your questions together! I do kinda get it; when I take Angus to WDW, I get stopped (often several times a day) by people asking where did you find that? Where did you buy that? Can I rent one of those? How much does it cost? My family knows now to just go on, and I will catch up with them, and I keep a supply of those cards with me, so that folks can go visit the website for themselves afterwards. I try to remember that it's their first time seeing anything like that in person, so naturally they have questions!
I have had 2 TravelScoots (I still have both of them). I bought Max on Craigslist in 2014, (he was used) and my husband bought me Angus about a year later in 2015, when they changed to the hub motor, (so no more belt drive, like Max has) and added reverse! We keep Max around partly for sentimental reasons, and partly because he is still a perfectly functioning backup to Angus, and as a bonus, I can use all of my batteries with both of them (by using a little dongle that I got from TravelScoot)
It is VERY important to note upfront that if you have trouble extending both your arms for long periods of time, the TravelScoot is not for you. For me, it's not an issue, and I really like the bicycle-like steering.
Also, in the interest of complete honesty, I do now have a power chair (a purple Fold & Go, named "Figgy" for... well, you know who! LOL) however, I still prefer to use my TravelScoot whenever/wherever I can.
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Now, the main things I think you want to know is have I modified Angus at all, and do I find him comfortable for all day at Disney use.
And the answers are... yes!
I do use the boat seat "hack" - I had originally used just the seat base, without the back, because I could throw my leg over, sit down and ride away, kind of like on a tricycle. Since my emergency spinal fusion (less than 18 months ago) I now have to use the seat back, because I need all the support I can get. Having said that, you have to be careful which boat seat you pick, and you have to make sure that it isn't too heavy, or that it will have to be mounted too far forward, because your knees will wind up waaaaay out in front of your feet! (not to mention it will be quite difficult to get on or off of the
scooter!)
This is the boat seat I use, and the picture following is Angus with the base, but not the seat back (prior to my fusion surgery)
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I found the seat at
Academy Sports. It's very reasonably priced. We took Max's old "original" style seat base bracket, and bought a new style replacement for his "default" seat. We had to drill holes in the TravelScoot seat bracket to line up with the boat seat mounting holes. It is SO much more comfortable than the default seat - for me. Your Mileage May Vary! I am still a fairly 3L (Large Lovely Lady) but this seat works very well for me, despite being inexpensive and lightweight.
Basically, I was trying for the maximum amount of comfort in a seat that was as close to the original seat in weight and size as possible. I got pretty close!
Prior to the seat upgrade, I
could go all day on the default seat base at WDW; most likely because I was getting on and off of Angus so often that there wasn't time for fatigue to set in. Having said that, I would notice it felt tiresome if I had to sit in one place for a while (like while waiting for a parade, or fireworks) or towards the end of the day.
I also noticed this general fatigue (it's not really discomfort as much as it just isn't *as* comfortable as I wanted it to be) when I was traveling with Angus to other destinations, or on long shopping trips, etc., so I knew it wasn't just at Disney.
Once I replaced the "stock" seat with the boat seat upgrade, I had no problems going all day, at WDW or anywhere else.
Having said all that, I do know people for whom that default factory seat is quite comfortable! Our (adult) daughter can easily go all day and then some on the default seat; doesn't bother her one bit. I will say that I have not tried one of the newest version (that they are selling on the newly redesigned frame) but have been told it is quite a bit more comfortable than the older version I have with both Max and Angus. Were I to buy a new TravelScoot today, I would try the new seat it came with to see if I liked it better before equipping it with the boat seat.
The other major "hack" I use (on both Angus and Max) is the CrampBuster, which TravelScoot now sells as an accessory. (I bought mine on
Amazon, back before they stocked them LOL). The Crampbuster means you don't have to hold the "twist" throttle all the time with your hand; you can use the paddle of the Crampbuster with your thumb to control the speed. The speed control by default is on the right, but can be switched on to the left if you are left-handed.
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I understand your concerns about leaving a TravelScoot unattended because he's not a cheap date!
Something that expensive, and lightweight might seem to be easy to run away with, especially since it does NOT have a key.
The solution is not obvious (thankfully! LOL) but you don't have to worry - there is an easy way to disable a TravelScoot so that it can't just be driven away. (If you buy one, I can PM you how to do it) And most folks won't just try to pick it up and carry it off (even if they could easily figure out how to fold it) because while it *is* "lightweight", it's still kind of bulky, and not easy to carry for any amount of distance. However, if you are still worried, an easy fix is to use either an Apple AirTag, or a Tile Tracker. Hide one of those somewhere on your TravelScoot, and if someone does mess with it, you will be able to find it.
Another tip is to always take a picture in your phone of the serial number of
any mobility device you are taking with you to Disney. That way, if it does disappear, you have proof of ownership to show Security and law enforcement.
I have yet to have any problem with Angus, or his predecessor, Max at WDW. CMs have moved them (along with strollers, other
ECVs and wheelchairs) when they were clearing walkways, but I have never had anyone try to take him.
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Generally speaking, I love love love both Angus and Max, and I hope to have many more happy miles with them! They are not a "plush"ride; someone asked me one time what happened to the rest of my scooter! LOL But they *are* remarkably reliable, easy to manage, hold up beautifully to air travel, fold compactly for car travel, and store in very little space.
Because the hub motor is on the left rear wheel, you can literally turn to the right, and spin on the back right wheel in a very tight circle! That has proven to be invaluable for me when traveling, as there are often times when you just need to be able to get out of a tight spot!
If you decide to buy one, I would get the biggest battery you can fly with, and (if you can afford it) I would buy a spare battery. I have been known to "double stack" at WDW on those rope-drop-to-closing-Disney-Springs days that can start at 7 am and go to 2 am the next morning. But most of the time I can do with one just fine. Always, always, always completely charge the battery(s) overnight.
I would also buy a Crampbuster - far better to have it, and not use it, than need it, and have to wait for it to ship! Holding the twist throttle can get old very quickly, especially if you have any arthritis in your hands or wrists.
And last but not least, I would buy a
Robocup Cup Holder (I clamp mine below the seat on the leg of the seat hoop) so that I can hold a water bottle and a coffee or other beverage.
If I have missed anything or you have more questions, let me know! And welcome back - I'm so glad to see you again!
