Thanks so much for replies, and I’ll check out that thread. I’m just nervous about using one of these on our trip next November yet I know I’ll have to. I’m nervous about loading onto the bus, and accidentally hitting someone, and how do you keep them from being stolen? I’m afraid of the rudeness and impatience of other guests. I’ll be renting from a Disney approved company. Currently I weigh 393 but I’m losing weight at a pretty good pace (lost 73 lbs so far!). So I’m not sure yet what size I’ll need. How soon do I need to order one for rent if I’m going November 2020?
Wow! Congratulations on your weight loss - that is awesome!
I apologize in advance - I know my reply is a bit long, but I hope it answers some of your questions!
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Couple of quick things: First of all, you don't have to worry about your rental ECV getting *stolen* as much as it getting "lost"... Let me explain.
Cast Members routinely have to shift around scooters and strollers to keep walkways clear, and to fill in blank spots. Because there are so many similar
ECVs (especially rental ECVs) it can be easy for your rental to become "lost" in a small sea of similar looking units. So, one of the things we recommend you do is tie a brightly colored length of ribbon, or even a brightly colored cotton bandana somewhere on the scooter. That way, you ask the CM who is moving scooters and strollers around if they have seen the scooter with the bright green ribbons on the basket - instead of "the black one" or "the one with a captain's chair".
In all the years I have been hanging around here, we have had *one* scooter that was literally taken by accident because it was identical to the scooter that person had rented. (for rentals, the keys are all the same so the rental company doesn't have to keep track of one particular set of keys - they can hand over any key for any scooter). It all got sorted in the end, and everything was OK. But seriously, at WDW, in the Parks, you don't have to worry.
And always always always take the key if you leave the scooter anywhere. Cast Members know how to disengage the brake to move it if need be.
Remember that you won't park it outside your hotel room - it goes in your hotel room every night to full recharge - and I know it goes without saying that you don't ever want leave anything in/on the scooter that you don't want to grow legs and "walk" away...
Disney Springs is a bit different as well - because it's open to the public with no admission, there is a greater chance that someone *might* try to take it on a joyride, but simply taking the key with you every time you leave it solves a lot of that kind of nonsense!
Now, let's talk about buses. And ramps. (and Monorails and boats, too - they use portable ramps to get on and off)
I know that a lot of folks worry about other Guests watching or "judging" them when they use the ramp to drive their device into/out of the bus. Here's what you need to know about that:
I've been using a personal mobility device for *years* at WDW now, and I know that people who appear to be staring at you when you are loading/unloading from the bus really are often just watching out of curiosity.
Think about it like this: The bus pulls up, and everyone gets off. BUT before anyone can get on, the driver closes the front doors, and the back doors, and then walks to the back of the bus. The back doors open again - but only *after* the bus has "kneeled" (with a great huge wheezy gasp) and then barfed out a ramp with all kinds of beeping as well!
It's a wonder that Disney hasn't decided to sell tickets for the spectacular that is the bus deploying/retracting the ramp!
So, often the folks who may (to us) appear to be "judging" or staring, are actually WDW newbies who are startled by all of the commotion. But it's the *bus* they are watching - not us.
And if anyone *should* make a snippy little remark? Try to remember that people who make remarks like that tend to leap to conclusions - and to also work from a place of ignorance and denial.
At WDW especially, it's like all the boundaries are broken - people who ordinarily would never say something like that suddenly feel like because we have all been standing in line together for the last 23 minutes, it's OK to tell you how to run your life, or parent your kid, or cure what ails you.
I no longer try to "educate" people at WDW - nowadays, I just give them my biggest old smile, and a reasonably sincere "Bless your heart!" (if you are from the south, you know exactly how much shade I just pitched back at them) and I ignore them thereafter.
They are the ones with the problem - not you, or your family. Sometimes, we just have to make like Elsa, and Let It Go...
But let's get back on track - and get you on the bus! At the Resort Hotel, make sure you are parked in the white painted rectangle at the bus stop (unless another guest beat you to it) so that the driver sees you, and knows you are waiting to ride. As the bus approaches, I usually try to wave and smile to let the driver know I will be riding their bus.
When the driver says that it's time to board the bus, just let them know that you are a newbie, and will appreciate all the help they can give you. Remember - they are an *expert* at getting folks on and off the bus, so just take a deep breath, and listen to their instructions, and everything will be fine
When the ramp comes down, line up on the ramp, and try to go right up the center. At the top of the ramp you will typically have to turn a bit to the right. GO SLOWLY, especially until you are used to the ECV. Even experienced users take this carefully - the last thing you want is to run over the driver, or hit the side of the doorway going in. The drivers will give you instructions and will help as much as they can, but *technically* it is up to you (or a member of your party) to actually get the ECV up into (or back out of) the bus. You will always board first, and exit last.
If you are just too worried about driving on and off the bus, someone who is with you can do that for you. Again, they just have to follow the bus driver's instructions. You can walk up or down the ramp after the driver tells you it is safe to do so.
When it's time to drive off the bus, the most important thing is to make sure that you don't turn your front wheels (or the "tiller" - the steering mechanism) until AFTER your rear wheels are on the ground, and you are completely clear of the ramp. You don't want to catch the edge of the ramp, and tip over!
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So that you can have the best trip possible, here's a few more tips, just for you:
- Plan ahead if you are flying. Remember that long lines at TSA - and long concourses inside terminals - can be problematic. You may want to consider bringing along a folding rollator or a wheelchair that someone in your party could push, or arranging for an airport porter service if you will need it.
- If flying in to Orlando, be sure to let Disney's Magical Express know if you will need to use the lift to get in and out of the bus that goes to and from the airport. (you must be seated on/in a wheelchair or ECV to use the lift)
- You can always practice your ECV driving and parking skills with the electric carts at Wal-Mart, Target, Lowe's, the grocery store, etc. and it will help. If you can tame one of those giant, wheezing beasties, a mere rental at WDW will be a breeze!
- WDW has a rule - for everyone's safety - that only you ride the ECV. You will undoubtedly see people holding children on their laps while driving their scooters, but it's very dangerous, and I hope you will agree that safety comes first. One ECV, one rider.
- Remember to stay sharp and focused while driving the ECV - people at WDW tend to be doing everything but paying attention to others when they are walking, and many of us here have had folks run right into us, or walk right in front of us as we are moving!
Bipeds don't realize that many scooters can't just stop on a dime; some of them "coast" a bit before coming to a complete stop, even if the driver is hard on the brakes. To help keep everyone safe and whole, I try to make eye contact, smile politely, and offer an cheerful "Excuse me!" when needed. Little kiddos are also prone to running out in front of mobility devices because they are blissfully unaware of the laws of physics.
- If you can, practice a bit with your rental (at the Resort is a great spot for this) prior to going in to the parks. Get used to how it handles, turns, stops and starts. Every ECV is a bit different (just like any other vehicle). I have 2 personal ECVs, identical models and they each have their own "personality" (and name. Because I'm weird like that LOL)
- A few miscellaneous driving tips: anytime at WDW (or anytime using an ECV for that matter) be aware of ramps, hills and slopes. Going up, you will want to lean forward slightly to help shift your center of gravity towards the front of the ECV. Take your time on steep slopes, hills or ramps, and if possible, approach them at a slight angle at the base.
Coming down, be very aware of your speed, and make sure you can brake effectively. Two hands on the wheel!
When crossing the train tracks embedded in Main Street at MK, be sure to cross at an angle. Otherwise, you risk the wheel(s) getting caught, and you could find yourself dumped rather unceremoniously onto Main Street. Everyone wants to have an unforgettable trip - just for the right reasons!
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Using an ECV is simply using the best possible available TOOL to get the most possible enjoyment from your vacation.
If you need glasses, do you refuse to wear them, going through life squinting at everyone and everything? Probably not.
If you need to use a calculator to do math, do you refuse to touch it, and instead resort to pencil and paper - or counting on toes and fingers? Probably not.
Both of those - glasses and calculators - are TOOLS that we use every day to make our lives more efficient. At WDW, many people use an ECV as a tool to improve both their stamina, and their enjoyment of the vacation, and to manage pain.
There are many people who rent ECVs only at WDW - in their "regular" lives, they never need one or use one. If you are worried about other peoples perceptions of you, please don't be. The likelihood that you will EVER see any other guest from WDW again is so incredibly tiny that you have a better chance of getting hit by lightning AND winning the lottery in the same day.
So, smile, and wave, and have a wonderful trip!!!
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