Scooter Questions--onsite vs. offsite, etc...

[JennyWren]

I was planning on it being only myself, DD (15) and DS(13), but my grandparents (87 and 88) seem to have other plans. While driving them to the doctor's office on Wednesday they informed me: "If we are going to Disney World, we will both need scooters."

So....I'm investigating the possibilities...my first question--there will probably be many--is this: Is it better to rent from an offsite place that delivers the scooters to the room or to just rent them in the park? Where in a resort room can you stash two scooters without tripping over them (especially in my grandmother's case--she has two artificial knees and an artificial hip)?

[MammaSilva]

I have never been to WDW but I can say upfront that it is always better to rent 'offsite' so they deliver them to the hotel you're staying at, if you rent ON property they aren't available to travel to/from the actual rooms/transportation services at the resort. As for tripping over them. I know that when we've stayed on property in Anaheim the bell desk will store and charge the scooters for guests. You can have the grandparents drive to the rooms then have the teens drive them back down to the bell desk to get them charged and stored out of the way.

[Drince88]

Where are you planning on staying? Most of the resorts are HUGE and you'd definitely want the ECVs to get around from the bus stop to your room and from the bus stop at the parks to the location where they rent the ECVs.

[Cheshire Figment]

Currently Disney rents in the Parks for $50 per day plus a refundable key deposit.

Off-site rentals run in the $25 - $30 per day range.

All of the off-site locations (Except Randy's which will only deliver to the room after arrival) will drop the ECVs off at Bell Service prior to your arrival and pick them up after you departure.

Having them at the Resort will help a lot, as often the distances from the room to the3 lobby or to the transportation can be quite a distance.

Also with five people you will more than likely be having two rooms; there should be no problem for storage/charging.

One problem can be that most of the buses are limited to allow no more than two wheelchairs and/or ECVs on a bus, so it may be necessary to take separate buses occasionally. Some of the newest buses can handle three, and they have at least one that can handle four.

[floridafan]

I always rent a scooter from "off-site". As mentioned above it's a whole lot cheaper & you have use of it 24/7. Several years ago my DIL & I both had to use a scooter, & we parked & charged both of them every night, in our room. This was usually in a moderate resort. We had to move the table & chairs a bit, but it was not a problem. I don't think there would be any problem in a deluxe resort or villa. About the only time I had an issue with too many scooters wanting to get onto a bus was when a park closed & there were several wheelchairs/ECV's needing to get on. If you stay at a resort that has multiple bus stops, try to get a room near the 1st stop, before other passengers have loaded. That way no one has to give up their seat, However, if there are folks sitting in the seats that flip up to make room for the w/c-ECV's, the driver has no problem asking them, (hopefully, politely) to please move.

[KJSJpipe]

We rented one from Walker Mobility. It worked out great for DH's grandfather. If I remember correctly if you mention MP or DIS you can get a discount.

[JennyWren]

I have never been to WDW but I can say upfront that it is always better to rent 'offsite' so they deliver them to the hotel you're staying at, if you rent ON property they aren't available to travel to/from the actual rooms/transportation services at the resort. As for tripping over them. I know that when we've stayed on property in Anaheim the bell desk will store and charge the scooters for guests. You can have the grandparents drive to the rooms then have the teens drive them back down to the bell desk to get them charged and stored out of the way.

Thanks for this tip, I will definitely ask about this option.

Where are you planning on staying? Most of the resorts are HUGE and you'd definitely want the ECVs to get around from the bus stop to your room and from the bus stop at the parks to the location where they rent the ECVs.

Right now I'm a bit undecided about which resort we will be staying at. It will probably be POR, unless I can get a deal on a stay at the Boardwalk.

Currently Disney rents in the Parks for $50 per day plus a refundable key deposit.

Off-site rentals run in the $25 - $30 per day range.

All of the off-site locations (Except Randy's which will only deliver to the room after arrival) will drop the ECVs off at Bell Service prior to your arrival and pick them up after you departure.

Having them at the Resort will help a lot, as often the distances from the room to the3 lobby or to the transportation can be quite a distance.

Also with five people you will more than likely be having two rooms; there should be no problem for storage/charging.

One problem can be that most of the buses are limited to allow no more than two wheelchairs and/or ECVs on a bus, so it may be necessary to take separate buses occasionally. Some of the newest buses can handle three, and they have at least one that can handle four.

While two rooms would be ideal, we will likely be in one. At this time, I am the only fully functioning member of the party. My son is autistic and my daughter has ADD, so I can't actually rely on anyone except myself to make sure that everything is going smoothly. Likewise I will need all of us to travel together on the same bus, boat, etc...

We rented one from Walker Mobility. It worked out great for DH's grandfather. If I remember correctly if you mention MP or DIS you can get a discount.

Thank you for this tip, I will look into this also.

[MammaSilva]

Jenny, if you don't have the assistance of the teens to take care of the scooters, talk to the bell services folks, I have never had a bad experience at the DLR when needing help, they could probably come to the room and take the scooters back down to the storage area to charge them if you needed.

[JennyWren]

I think we will be alright. My daughter and I can take the scooters to bell service and my son can stay in the room with my grandparents for the short amount of time we would be gone. As long as I can make sure everyone stays were they need to be...who knows though, bell service may be earning some BIG tips on this trip.

[grannym]

Friend asked about skooter rentals for use in the park. I do know WDW does rent skooters in the parks but it's first come first serve. Their sig other has walking problems and getting around could be difficult. Any and all who have had good experience with renting an electric skooter from one of the zillion rental places listed on the web would be greatly appreciated to pass on. thanks in advance from
grannym

[KJSJpipe]

We used Walker Mobilty a few years ago. I have nothing but nice things to say about them.

They were very helpful on the phone, even helping with pick up & drop off times to help us save a half days fee.

[GusMan]

Used Walker Mobility in the past as well and like KJSJpipe, I have nothing but nice things to say.

A scooter really can help those who are mobility challenged. For our group, my mom joined us. And while she was able to stand through lines for the most part, getting around the parks itself would have been a problem. (Heck, even getting to/from the room from the bus stop at AKV was a hike of sorts.)

[tappenfeat]

My DM rented one as well, her knee was totally acting up. She tried to allow Grandson to ride on her lap, but got stopped by the CM's telling her that it's totally not allowed. But, we loaded up her scooter with our goodies and packages. It did come in handy not only for her, but for us as well. She said it was easy to drop off and pick up.

[jennibell]

We used Apple Scooter. Everything was fine except the night we lost the key, the company did not answer the phone. They did not call us back either. We found a key that worked and had no problems the rest of the week. I will probably try a different company next time due to the lack of customer service that I experienced.

[GusMan]

She tried to allow Grandson to ride on her lap, but got stopped by the CM's telling her that it's totally not allowed.

Not directed at you but for general conversation sake - this is a definite no-no.

[tappenfeat]

Not directed at you but for general conversation sake - this is a definite no-no.

Absolutely! She learned quickly that it was a definite no-no. I'm sure for safety precautions.

[candles71]

Absolutely! She learned quickly that it was a definite no-no. I'm sure for safety precautions.

We happened upon a woman who had driven off the curb in the dark on Main st in DL with her grandchild on her lap. The scooter tipped and dumped the grandchild head first on the ground.

[TinaMouse]

You can get them in the parks, but they are pricey. Here's the most recent price list I have (from Dec 2011):



Please note these prices are PER DAY (which means $$$$$), but you do get $20 deposit back/day

[tappenfeat]

OUCH!!! That's REALLY expensive!!!

[floridafan]

I have used Buena Vista Scooters for years. They have a site, on property, on the Boardwalk, at the same place where you rent the surrey's & bicycles. But, I don't think they are owned by Disney, mainly because they charge only $30/day. They deliver to any of the resorts on the morning of your arrival & pick it up the day AFTER your departure, without an extra day charge. I have both a local phone # & a no-charge long-distance #. I would post them here, but don't know it that is allowed.

[MammaSilva]

Not only is sharing good companies allowed but encouraged here on MP! Please, if you have an excellent report for an off site rental company ( or just a non Disney owned such as this one) PLEASE share, that's what this board is about, helping each other have awesome vacations as affordable as possible with as little stress as possible!

[floridafan]

The company's name is Buena Vista Scooters & their local # is: 407-938-0349 & their toll-free # is: 866-484-4797. They have a web site at http://buenavistascooters.com I have never had anything but excellent service from them. I once took my own scooter to WDW (which I will never do again. Another story) & my Great-granddaughter somehow shorted out the battery, while it was charging. I called Buena Vista Scooters that evening, & had one of their scooters delivered to our resort early the next morning. As I said earlier, there is a site on the Boardwalk & there is usually someone attending it. If you are already there, & have questions, I'm sure they would be glad to answer them.

[Toocherie]

I also like Buena Vista. Nothing but great service. Two trips ago I tried another company per recommendations from another board and regretted it. HORRIBLE experience. Went back to Buena Vista last time. Won't try changing again.