Mobility Scooters / ECVs at Walt Disney World

Mobility Scooters / ECVs at Walt Disney World

Mobility scooters are also known as electronic convenience vehicles (ECVs) and electric wheelchairs. They are welcomed at all Walt Disney World areas, including theme parks, water parks and resorts. By law, the American Disability Act (ADA), both public and private establishments must allow the access of ECVs that meet the ADA guidelines.

There is nothing special one must do to utilize a mobility scooter at Walt Disney World such as have a handicap sticker, placard, doctors note or any special identification which makes it an attractive option for those who need mobility assistance.

Here a few facts to help you determine if using a ECV is a good option for you:

  • Walt Disney World has approximately 47 square miles of property
  • Animal Kingdom Theme Park alone is spread over approximately 500 acres
  • The walk around EPCOT�s World Showcase, located around the Seven Seas Lagoon, is approximately 1.3 miles
  • Disney hotels/resorts have up to 5000 + rooms as do many area hotels and resorts � they are large properties to get around.

And don�t forget, not only do you have four theme parks, two water parks, & Downtown Disney to explore but also not only are you walking, but standing in line for rides, shows and food.

OK � so you think you might benefit from a mobility scooter, what options do you have?

Rent at the theme parks
You can rent an ECV from Disney inside each theme park, to use inside that particular theme park. If you park hop, you must turn in your scooter and then, if available, show your receipt and can get another one on the same day at another park. You have to walk to get to the transportation for park hopping. The current reported rate as of July 2008 is $65/day with a $20 refundable key deposit. Their ECVs are a four wheeled model, you must be 18 years or older to rent, and it is on a first come first serve basis. During busy peak season you will most likely experience a wait time to get one and if they are sold out, which they sometimes do first thing in the morning, they will take your cell phone number and call you if/when one becomes available.

If you need assistance getting to the theme park, the handicap parking lots do have wheelchairs to use but they must be surrendered before you enter the park, so there is still lots of walking to do to get to the ECV rental area.

Rent from an outside vendor
There are several companies that rent ECVs to guests Central Florida guests (whether or not you are staying on Walt Disney World property). Scooter Vacations at www.ScootOrlando.com is LaughingPlace.com's mobility scooter rental partner and offers LaughingPlace readers a 10% discount (discount code LP10) on their rental. They also are the official mobility charitable partner to Kids Wish Network and Starlight Starbright Children�s Foundation and provide free scooters for seriously to terminal ill children who�s wish it is to visit Walt Disney World. They are making a difference by giving back to the mobility challenged community.

Scooter Vacations have 5 different scooter models to choose from for rental ranging in price from $25 to $40 per day, the largest selection anywhere. Four of their models fit in the trunk of a car and are lightweight but still full-size. There is also one specialty model with attitude for on-property guests (sorry this one won�t fit in a car). They guarantee their models will provide 15 hours of battery power for theme park touring, are open and deliver 7 days a week, 365 days a year, provide a 2-4 hour service commitment should you have a technical issue, will service you inside a theme park and have the longest office hours�from 6 am to 11 pm.

All their models fit onto all the Disney transportation buses, even the larger on-property �Dream� model. They deliver your scooter to your hotel, resort or private residence and you then have it to use during your entire vacation. They can be use for park hopping, getting from the car all the way inside and around a park, getting around your hotel or resort, and even taking on a shopping expedition.

You can see for yourself all their scooter rental models in-action, their fold-up model and how they fit in a car trunk on their website at www.ScootOrlando.com. They also offer many tips for renting and using an ECV for Walt Disney World via their article blog site at www.ScooterVacations.com.

You can either reserve on-line with them or call them directly. For on-line reservation don�t forget to enter our discount code of LP10 to get your 10% discount in the notes section of the reservation page or mention it during your call.

-- Last Updated August 3, 2008