Originally Posted By Jenn31 My dad has pulled and torn ligaments in his knee (did this 2 daysago) and has been walking with a cane at home. There's no way he can walk the parks. He can barely stand at home for more than a few minutes at a time. My question is: we now have to rent an ECV. How do I do this? What is the cost to rent at DL VS an outside company? What about rides? I think he could probably wait in shorter lines no prob, but what bout longer lines?
Originally Posted By MomluvsDisney We do this all the time for my roomate, due to her chronic illness. They are a god send, because otherwise she would never make it around the park. 1. You rent an ECV at the same place where wheelchairs and stroller rentals are. I believe she paid 45 dollars for the rental and 20 dollars refundable deposit. Unfortuantly I cannot speak to an outside company, as we have never done it. 2. He and up to 5 members of the party can use the wheelchair accessible lines. In Disneyland that is the exit usually. This may be different in DCA as the lines there are more accessible. 3. If he cannot stand he can usually take the ecv right up to the point where he would transfer onto the ride for most things. Except for rides that he does not have to trasfer on (IASW) he must be able to get up and scoot over to the ride vehicle. For rides like the HM he can take the ECV all the way down the elevator and over to the doombuggies. Sometimes the wheelchair lines can take longer then the regular lines, but since he can stay seated the whole time it should not be an issue. POC is an excellent example of this. 4. If for some reason the ECV loses power or has a low charge, there are multiple places all over the park where they will bring a fresh ECV for his continued use. Last time we went my roomate needed to do that and we made the exchange at the shop off the ext for the Astro Blasters. I hope this helps a bit!
Originally Posted By MomluvsDisney I forgot to add that since he will be in an ecv, he will not require a guest assistance card.
Originally Posted By jnemo I just reserved a ECV yesterday from Deckert's Medical Supply (714-542-5607). After many recommendations on this web site. They are very nice and helpful. ECV will be delivered to our hotel. This is my first time renting from an outside company.
Originally Posted By Jenn31 Thanks for the info everyone! Aftre a lot of research on outside ecv companies I decided to go with deckherts? It was $120 for 3 days. And they deliver/pick up. This was an unexpected expense so the cost factor was very important.
Originally Posted By dlkozy Deckert's is the ONLY company that I recommend on LP. We have tried others and hands down Deckerts is who we rent from.
Originally Posted By gramsof1 Please describe an EVC. Is it big? Is it foldable? Will it fit in a car trunk? Or the back of a mid size SUV? We are driving to California and won't need one except for use in the park, if not a regular wheelchair. I don't really want anyone pushng me but perhaps that would work too. I have osteo arthritis in my spine and even standing long enough to peel and dice potatoes just kills my back. I am on a regular RX of Hydrocodone for it. I thought that I would just be abe to walk along at my pace and push my service dogs stroller and sit when I needed to. Now I wonder how many places there are around the park to just sit for a bit. Never been to DL. My granddaughter asked me how I would be able to get around the park and enjoy myself. My answer was the above thing. But I don't know now. I have no clue how to drive an EVC either. Here at home, I can sit when it gets bad enough. Thanks for the hints
Originally Posted By dlkozy There are all sorts of EVC in all sorts of sizes. If you are staying in a hotel near DL they will deliver and pickup right to you. VERY easy to drive-you will have no problem at all. BUT-remember to always take your key with you (usually they are on stretchy bracelets). People WILL hop on and take it if you don't. We watched 3 different adults try and take my DH's one afternoon on Main Street. Also do not leave anything of value in the basket-people will take those things too.
Originally Posted By gramsof1 Good they will deliver to the hotel, but I still need to get it to DL. We are driving so will drive there from hotel. I'll look some up and see what they consist of. Thanks
Originally Posted By FerretAfros You should check how far your hotel is from the parks. Depending on which hotel you're at, it could easily be much more of a hassle to load up a car and go park, than it would be to just go down the street. The trams from the parking structure are known for taking a lot longer than they need to, and I can only imagine this would be worse with needing special seating. You could also look into the ART (Anaheim Resort Transit) shuttles that go from the hotels to the parks. I belive a pass is $3, and they should be able to accomodate ECV's pretty easily. The drop-off area is just off Harbor Blvd, right between the parks. It's the same distance as the drop-off for the parking lot trams, but on the other side of the main entrance plaza.
Originally Posted By dlkozy Yes, ART can transport ECVs but they can only take 1 at a time, I believe. So, you might have to wait but my DH has never had a problem. Depending on the hotel that we are staying at, sometimes he just scoots on over and we meet him at the gates. Most ECVs that you rent are heavy duty ones and waaaaaaay to heavy to just pick up and put into a car/van.
Originally Posted By gramsof1 We are just over a mile from the park. None of us wsant to walk it and then walk the park for 2 or 3 days. And we want to be free to come and go as we want. ART stops down the street and around the corner from our timeshare. It is on Orangewood Ave, if you are familiar with that. It is about 1 1/2 blocks from South Harbor, south of Katella and Disney Way. I will also be handling my service dog too. I'll research everything. Yo9u all have helped a lot. Thanks
