- Joined
- Aug 23, 1999
I would disagree for the reasons I posted 2 posts before yours.Dizzy Corp sinks to a new low.
Jud
I am actually surprised it took this long.
I would disagree for the reasons I posted 2 posts before yours.Dizzy Corp sinks to a new low.
Jud
SueM in MN said:Even the preferred vendors might be erring on the side of caution in the next few weeks.
It would be better for them to assume there might be some problems and just arrange for pick upand delivery - even if they don't have to.
I can see why they are doing it.
STORAGE: On our last stay at OKW, we saw many ECVs sitting in one area for a whole week at a time. I looked at some of the tags on them, and the majority should have already been picked up days before.
This used to be a nice little porch area, overlooking the water, but for at least the past 2 years, it was totally filled with assorted scooters, wheelchairs and strollers.
When I first became aware of off-site rentals for wheelchairs and ECVs, there were a handful of companies. Now if you do a search for rentals in Orlando/WDW area, there are pages and pages.
Add to that, the huge number of stroller rental companies. And, keep in mind that some of the large strollers folded are as large as my DD's wheelchair with her sitting in it.
The amount of storage space for all this stuff must be huge at some resorts - and it's not something Disney agreed to do (except with the companies they are working out relationships with). The companies just took advantage of something that was set up for another purpose (temporarily holding guests' bags).
LIABILITY: I'm sure some of the companies find damage on the item when they pick it up. The renter may say it was not damaged when they left it for pick up and say Disney must have damaged it while it was sitting.
The company may try to blame Disney, but Disney never agreed to take any care of it.
As reported on one recent thread, a company may try to blame another company for 'taking' their ECV. And, with a stroller or wheelchair just sitting out, someone unscrupulous could take it and no one would know until the company it belongs to contacts the real renter to find out where it is.
EXTRA WORK FOR DISNEY: I have seen things on the Internet (not on this board), where people indicated that when they left, they just left the ECV parked in or outside of their room.
We apparently saw that one time when we saw the same ECV parked outside (where it would get rained on) at DVC Beach Club. After seeing it there at all hours for almost a week in a row, I looked at the tag on it and saw the rental dates were over, so it should have been picked up. I called Bell Services to let them know. I wonder how many are left in various places where WDW would have no idea if that was the pick up spot the renter and the company had agreed on? My guess is those would be some of the abandoned ones in Disney's letter.
SECURITY AND OTHER CONCERNS: As someone already mentioned, there is a possibility that all the delivery people are not on the up and up.
There have been issues in the last 5 yrs or so with people slipping advertisements under resort doors. I read that some of these are just ploys to get people's credit card numbers. Because people find them under the door, they assume they are Disney approved. After they get their pizza (which I've seen reports was not even good) they find extra charges on their cards.
WDW doesn't want random people roaming around - someone picking up or delivering might take advantage of being on site to look for open doors, open cars, etc.
There are also some ECV rental companies that are sort of 'fronts' for other companies. I've seen one that advertised 3 days free rental if you go on a condo tour that the company is connected with.
So, I think this move by Disney is a good move.
I would disagree for the reasons I posted 2 posts before yours.
I am actually surprised it took this long.
You make several good points, and maybe you are right, but I do stand my ground for other reasons including personal. I have been using an ECV at WDW since 02, and on occasion before that.
First, reasons can always be found to justify any position. So though each of your points is valid, it is still a choice made by Disney.
Second, over the years I have seen an ever increasing move toward financial concerns over magical concerns. Given that off site rentals tend to be about half the price of on-sight, my own observations of the situation overall over the last decade do tend to lean toward this as more of a financial move than a security and liability move.
The actual effects of this are null on me as I have and carry my own ECV, but I do sympathize with those who will be adversely affected by this.
And maybe you are totally correct.
Jud
I think some rent because they need the ECV at the resort as well.
I figure I'll be arriving on the 31st of this month and I'll ask the manager at our hotel what the policy is so I can share it on our hotel thread because people sometimes suggest this to others and if the practice is being discontinued it'd be nice to let future travelers to that hotel know it.
I would have to disagree about this being a financial issue related to the price of onsite rentals vs. offsite rentals. There's no comparison because Walt Disney World doesn't allow its mobility assistance elrentals to be available for use by the renter 24 hours a day, or anywhere the renter wants to use it.You make several good points, and maybe you are right, but I do stand my ground for other reasons including personal. I have been using an ECV at WDW since 02, and on occasion before that.
First, reasons can always be found to justify any position. So though each of your points is valid, it is still a choice made by Disney.
Second, over the years I have seen an ever increasing move toward financial concerns over magical concerns. Given that off site rentals tend to be about half the price of on-sight, my own observations of the situation overall over the last decade do tend to lean toward this as more of a financial move than a security and liability move.
The actual effects of this are null on me as I have and carry my own ECV, but I do sympathize with those who will be adversely affected by this.
And maybe you are totally correct.
Jud
dis-happy said:As DVC members we were told that when they eliminated free valet parking (for DVC guests) it was because Bell Services had been switched to a contracted out company. So not really "Disney" anymore and my guess is that the bottom line of their services is the biggest reason.
At the time of the DVC switch there was a lot of commentary on the boards as to whether or not the members were tipping regularly for their cars. Similarly, I wonder if those using Bell Services were regularly tipping for ECV/stroller, etc. drop off and pick up. Additionally, last year or so Bell Services said they would no longer aid in those numerous fridge swaps. Many changes to Bell Services have been taking place over time.
I know valet is a contracted out company but never heard bell services was.
You what? You are right. I was confusing valet parking with bell services...they all kind of hang around the front door of the resort and where pretty uniforms. My apologies!
I just called and spoke to Tom in Bell services and he told me the 3 Top "Partners" Scooter Rentals with Disney are
Buena Vista
Apple
Walker
Yes - once we know a little more I will do a big edit.We are arriving on Nov. 2 and when I saw this post I was worried because we rented a wheelchair through caremedical for my MIL. My wife just called them and was told that there shouldn't be an issue because they are a preferred vendor. Thought I would add that update since I hadn't seen it mentioned.
Also sue, any thoughts to updating the FAQ sticky with this new policy?
From something I read on another thread, it sounded like there might eventually be 5 preferred providers.My mom called today and was told to call back b/c they were still building the list of preferred. They also said there won't be a problem with drop off or pick up without being there. We are at blt
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I just called the Polynesian to find out the providers. We are going in mid november and my mom needs a scooter and I need a stroller.
The lady that answered said that she didn't know of a policy change. She put me on hold and asked around. She came back on line and said that there is no policy change. Now I'm confused!
Thank you....I didn't know that!You need to ask for Bell Services. If you just talk to the person who answers the phone when you call the published number for the resort, you get somebody in a call center who may or may not be in Orlando (probably not) and for that matter, may or may not have ever been to the resort.
Cntrybear said:So I was able to get the scoop as it currently is. Disney did partner with 5 ECV Vendors - Apple Scooters, Best Price Mobility, Buena Vista Scooters, CARE Medical, and Scooterbug. I guess the process was pretty intense and they worked through a list of some 20+ vendors. I checked, and they are NOT more expensive then other vendors not part of Disney's list. Aparantly by doing this they can align the type of scooters so that they fit easier on the busses, and have safety enhancements made to better service the people who rent them. And the scooters will of popular models. I asked how the process is changing and they confirmed that they will only deal with ECVs from the approved vendors. All other will still be allowed on property, but must deal with a guest directly. The resorts will not handle ECVs from the vendors they don't have this partnership with. I guess this all starts at the first of november sometime.
So I was able to get the scoop as it currently is. Disney did partner with 5 ECV Vendors - Apple Scooters, Best Price Mobility, Buena Vista Scooters, CARE Medical, and Scooterbug. I guess the process was pretty intense and they worked through a list of some 20+ vendors. I checked, and they are NOT more expensive then other vendors not part of Disney's list. Aparantly by doing this they can align the type of scooters so that they fit easier on the busses, and have safety enhancements made to better service the people who rent them. And the scooters will of popular models. I asked how the process is changing and they confirmed that they will only deal with ECVs from the approved vendors. All other will still be allowed on property, but must deal with a guest directly. The resorts will not handle ECVs from the vendors they don't have this partnership with. I guess this all starts at the first of november sometime.