I am going to have an ECV for my trip, which I had last time I went in Jan also. I am staying at Pop and have no trouble with the busses. Here is my dilema.
I am going to be at MK for RD at an 8AM EMH, leaving around noon.
What I want to do is leave the ECV at the park - preferably plugged in & inside - go back to my hotel, rest, shower, change, take an uber or Minnie Van to GF for a spa appointment at 2, then go back to MK from there. Retrieve my ECV and go to the MNSSHP.
It is going to be a bit more walking around than I would like, but I should be able to manage that much.
Do you think that I can plug it in in guest services and leave it for 3 - 3 1/2 hrs - or find some other spot for it, or that I shouldn’t leave it.
Mainly because it will take too long to try and go to a park then to GF & I don’t think transporting the ECV with ride-share will work well. There are directions on the web-site i am renting from with assembly & disassembly instructions, but I am going to be on my own, and I really don’t know if I can manage that.
I am not totally sure that you can leave it at Guest Services. However, we are considering finding a spot to plug in and leave ours to go to Artist Pointe for dinner. I don’t think anyone would know that you weren’t in the park. However, spots for plugging in at the parks are few and far between.
Thanks - I did plug it in at guest services as EP on my last trip, so I may scope out the one at MK the day before 
I am going to have to do a little research on where I might be able to plug in.
There was a great spot at AK at the finding Nemo show - right outside the door they bring you in with wheelchair/ECV - plugged it in, went to the show and it was good when I came out
That’s great news! I didn’t realize that you could do that. I need to remember that.
I wanted to just say something about how great this forum is!
I just did a search to see if there were any websites that had information on spots for charging and ran across some blog posts and comments that were so hateful, small-minded and insensitive that is made me want to cry.
But I am not worried about that here, even though because I didn’t go into any detail about why I need the scooter, but can still make the trip back and forth to the hotel without it, I know I am not going to get that same kind of hate.
So even saying that - I guess on the off chance someone is reading this - and is thinking that, but not writing it, I am going to tell you all anyway LOL
I have been to WDW 4 times, the first time, in the parks everyday, as long as I could. The second time in a wheelchair, that my then husband had to push all day - which made him cranky.
3rd time back to being able to walk and navigate the parks most of the day, the last time, using a scooter. Now I am going on a solo trip and will be using a scooter again.
I don’t use a cane, don’t have a limp, can and do get up to go on rides, shop, go to restaurants, etc. I am absolutely sure that there are people judging me and thinking I am just lazy - because I am also overweight. I am not using a scooter because I am overweight, the reason I need the scooter is also the reason I am overweight.
Not to do the ‘poor-me’ thing, because there are many, many, many people that have much worse and more serious problems than I do, but I do actually have a real problem.
I had a disk move in my neck and it compressed my spinal cord .I have now had 4 surgeries on my neck & am fused from C2-C7, which is basically all your neck, in addition to that I have rods in the back from C5-C7.
Got back to 80% mobility in my neck after the first 3 - and 5 years later you would never have known I had a problem, unless you were very observant and could see that I couldn’t move my neck a lot.
Then 2 years ago, another disk moved - that is when they fused C2-C3 & they told me in another 3 or 4 years they think I will need more surgery.
So I did my PT and do the best I can, you would still probably not know there was something wrong looking at me, although the lack of neck movement is more obvious. However, with the strain & scar tissue - I can’t do more than 20-30 minutes on my feet. I also need to do that. I can’t just sit all day, that will just cause me to stiffen up. So I rent the scooter, and I get up and go shop, or I go wait in a 10 min line to see a character - and I see the looks that I get from some people that assume I am ‘fat & lazy’ because going to Disney is worth it! It is still the most magical place on earth & my happy place - even if people are less tolerant that I wish they were.
Ok - sorry - getting off my soapbox
I’m sorry there are hateful people who insist on judging others. Whenever I see someone using a scooter, I think about how much more effort it must take to travel around WDW with one. I would never assume that they are being lazy. I’m sure many more people share my thoughts than the opposite. I hope you have a wonderful trip.
Thank you so much!
If I could choose to do a little less time in the parks, with no scooter, I would, because you are right, it is much harder than just being able to walk where you want to! That isn’t an option anymore, it is use it or don’t go - so I am going to choose to believe more people are like you than are like the people whose comments I was reading earlier.
I should no better to read comments on some sites
I could care less what people think when I use an ECV. If I didn’t use the ECV at Disney World I would just stay in the resort. I can walk up to a point, and then my sciatica kicks in then I can’t move, whether I’m sitting, standing, or riding an ECV. If I stand in one place for more than 5 minutes, same thing happens. Not something I am willing to do on such an expensive trip. If people want to think I’m lazy, good for them. I’m one of the least lazy people I know. People can be so hateful. I agree that this place is much more friendly than most places.
Oh my goodness, YES! They make everything harder when trying to get places. And riding one in crowds is awful.
You don’t need to defend yourself to anyone. My mom will be using a scooter for the first time in a few weeks. I’m thrilled she made the decision and wish I could be that brave. Instead, I’ll struggle through 5 days and curse myself for my stubbornness after and gear up for the next trip. Complete side note, I’m getting some new leg braces three days before we leave in a few weeks and while I won’t wear them this trip because I need to break them in, I’m hopeful they will make a world of difference for our trip in December! Have a wonderful trip and know that you are doing what is best for you and ignore the haters.
I am so sorry that you have to deal with other peoples ignorance and hate. You don’t need to defend yourself but I understand wanting to. So many people suffer from hidden and/or misunderstood issues that I can’t understand why we can’t have more empathy and compassion for each other.
My dad might need an ECV when we go in February. I’m really not sure but I hope that if he does need one he will be able to bring himself to get one. I don’t want him to suffer because he fears the judgment of others. Though I can understand not wanting to deal with it.
Anyway it’s 2018, you do you! 
My mother was disabled at the end of her life and gained some weight due to her medical issues. She got to be embarrassed to eat at restaurants and was nervous when she parked with her handicapped license, that people would judge her.
I hate that on top of medical issues, people have to deal with that kind of thing. 
️