[tinkerbell]

I want to get this forum going :) sooooooo

Ok from everything I have learned, there are lots of options here.
First being if your staying at a WDW resort you maybe able to use a wheelchair from the resort if available.
and of course there are EVC's and wheelchair rentals at the parks.

here is a list of places out side of WDW you can rent wheelchairs and EVC's

Walker Mobility:
1-888-726-6837
www.walkermobility.com

Care Medical:
http://www.caremedicalequipment.com/

RANDY'S Mobility is in Kissimmee 407-892-4777
http://randysmobility.com/

Colonial Medical
http://www.colonialmed.com/about_cms.html

Now because my DH has progressive MS and will end up in a chair anyway we chose to buy our own. While His dr. was happy to write a prescription for one .. well even with insurance the cost for a brand new chair was .. nearly a trip to WDW.. so we found a really nice second hand electric wheelchair.

I have also found out that CM's will stop moving walk ways if they know you need them too!!!

Disney's website has some info for anyone with special needs
http://disney.go.com/vacations/websi...ies/index.html

but I think the experience of others can be the biggest advantage in knowing what to expect and how to prepare.

[tiggerlover1971]

great info tink I never knew there were so many options for wheelchairs or evcs

[LRTJS]

Lisa, if my Mom goes I think we will need a wheelchair. Do you think it is cheapest just to rent by the day at the park? It is possible she may not need one every day. I am just concerned that she will get too tired. I can't imagine her walking all around Epcot! ( I am so excited about this site for you and everyone else who can benefit and I think at some time we all will!)

[Amneris]

Are you thinking ECV or reg wheel chair? If reg, then it sounds like you'd be better off renting it from the parks. They're not very expensive, and that way you wouldn't be stuck w/ it on days when you didn't really need it as you would if you rented an ECV from off-Disney property. Renting a ECV each day is doable too, but as that's more expensive most people tend to get them off-property.

[tinkerbell]

Originally posted by LRTJS
Lisa, if my Mom goes I think we will need a wheelchair. Do you think it is cheapest just to rent by the day at the park? It is possible she may not need one every day. I am just concerned that she will get too tired. I can't imagine her walking all around Epcot! ( I am so excited about this site for you and everyone else who can benefit and I think at some time we all will!)

I totally agree with Amneris, that it would be good to rent from the parks if you feel it wont be needed full time. but first try the resort for the freebee :) and one thing I would recommend to everyone thinking of using an EVC or electric wheelchair Test!!!!!! specially and EVC if at all possible you can test out one in advance.
ohh and remember to make note of the first aid stations at the parks ...just incase !!!

[jmouse]

The people who rent ECVs from an off-site company do so, not because it is less expensive, but because they are guaranteed to have an ECV when they need it. ECVs in the WDW parks, especially in the MK, tend to rent out quickly. And there is no guarantee of availability if you park hop.

[MickeyMac]

Amneris, I did that last week, and it worked out great. Do NOT bank on the loaner wheelchairs at the resorts during peak season - I needed one at one point, but none were available, as the resort was full. I don't see this being a problem with slower periods.

I took the name and number of the dispatcher at Randy's, who would deliver an ECV to me immediately. I tried the first day, got along well with just doing the morning and a long afternoon, and continued that all week.

On our Epcot day though, I rented and ECV. When I returned it, there were none left, as Jmouse suggested. It was immediately rented back out again. I did not rent again on our second Epcot day, but took things a LOT more easy. I still had quite a bit of difficulty though, and wished I'd rented a wheelchair that day.

[tiggerlover1971]

just to let you know that last week when I was there we found out the parks actually got new evcs since our last trip a CM said it was there christmas gift and it looked like they have alot more of them because even when we changed parks on saturday they still had them . before they always ran out of them mid day

[MickeyMac]

Wow! that's cool! I rented mine at Epcot the week before you - mine moved so doggedly slow they needed to get new ones! LOLOL!

[jmouse]

MickeyMac, the one you rented was one of the new ones!!! :D The new ones go much slower than the old ones did. I swear the new ones can go faster in reverse than forward!

When the parks replaced the ECVs, they didn't really increase the number available. So getting there early is the key if you need to rent one at the parks.

[MickeyMac]

You're cracking me up, jmouse - are you serious?! I think you are right, they do go faster in reverse.

I was really surprised they were out of them at Epcot - I forget the number that they have there available, but it's a staggering amount.

It's also staggering to think that they rented mine out twice that day!!

[tiggerlover1971]

dang when my mom ran over my foot I thought it went faster then the old ones :laugh

[jmouse]

Ouch!

[richaimg]

Thanks so much for this thread Tink!

Looks like we will be renting an EVC for my MIL in Oct. My questions:

1. Does anyone have experience (and/or recommendations) with the companies listed by Tink at the start of this thread?

2. How difficult is it to get an EVC on and off of the Disney buses? (We are staying at CSR)

Thanks for any help!

[jmouse]

I have rented from Randy's Mobility a number of times now. No problems - good service and prices.

I was always hesitant about using the buses, but one day just decided to go ahead and do it. The bus drivers are most helpful and I have had no problems riding the buses with an ECV.