Wheelchair vs Mobility Scooter: Which one is Better?
A few months ago, we discussed the advantages and disadvantages of purchasing a mobility scooter vs. a power wheelchair, or power chair. Both have their benefits, but for the majority of individuals visiting Florida on vacation, and Orlando scooter rental is the best option.
But what about regular wheelchairs? It makes sense that some might consider renting a regular wheelchair instead of a mobility scooter on their Orlando vacation. After all, if they plan on visiting Disney World, some of the rides will require them to transfer from their scooter to a wheelchair in order to get on the ride. Is this small time-saver really worth giving up a mobility scooter, though?
Disadvantages of Using a Wheelchair for Your Orlando Visit
When you're trying to determine what type of mobility device to use, consider what you'll be giving up when you choose a wheelchair.
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They Might not be as Comfortable- When you're on vacation, you want to spend every moment possible enjoying yourself. In Florida, this often means visiting theme parks, dining at restaurants, and seeing the sights. While some heavy duty manual wheelchairs can offer a comfortable place to sit, light duty wheelchairs often provide no comfort or support for the buttocks and back. Mobility scooters have cushioned seats and back supports that will offer more support and comfort.
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Weak Upper Body- Do you have limited upper body strength? If you're pushing a manual wheelchair throughout the Disney theme parks, you're likely going to become tired and sore before you even get halfway through the attractions. This means you'll either have to go back to the hotel and rest before you can have fun again, or give up your independence and allow someone to push you through the parks. An Orlando scooter rental will allow you to enjoy the entirety of your day without help and without hurting.
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Injury- If you're experiencing a temporary injury or illness that requires you to obtain mobility help while you're on vacation in Florida, there's a good chance you haven't spent much time in a wheelchair. As a result, your arms and shoulders may not be prepared for the manual labor they must undertake when moving you from place to place. This can result in injuries to your muscles and can ruin your vacation.
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Speed- Orlando scooter rentals can travel at speeds of about 5mph; a wheelchair can only travel as fast as you can push it. In some cases, using a wheelchair may make it difficult for you to keep up with your loved ones as they enjoy their Florida vacation.
Despite their disadvantages, manual wheelchairs do offer a variety of benefits. They promote physical fitness, increase maneuverability, are easy to operate, cost less, and are easy to take anywhere you need to go.
If you're trying to decide whether or not to rent a manual wheelchair or an Orlando scooter rental, consider the way it will be used. Do you want something with more support? Choose a scooter. Want a transportation option that maneuvers well? Choose a wheelchair. Select the best option for your particular needs.
Tips for Using Disney's Magical Express
Are you planning your next Florida vacation? If you're thinking about staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel and using an Orlando scooter rental, you might want to consider using Disney's Magical Express. This complimentary motor coach is the perfect option when you're traveling the Orlando International Airport to the hotel.
What Makes the Magical Express a Magical Choice?
Disney's Magical Express offers a number of benefits that those staying in Disney Resorts can take advantage of- especially those who use Orlando scooter rentals or other mobility aids.
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You don't have to stop at the baggage claim when you get off the plane. This inconvenience can be avoided completely, as your bags will be picked up for you and delivered separately later. They will be taken directly to your room.
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You won't have to search for transportation options to get to your hotel. This can be difficult, especially if you're using an electric scooter. You may wonder whether the option you choose will be scooter-friendly. With this motorcoach, you don't have to wonder. This means you can have your scooter delivered directly to their airport so it is available when you arrive or you can have it delivered to the resort, where it will be waiting when you arrive via motorcoach.
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The motorcoach is complimentary for both your arrival and your departure. This saves you money and allows you to put that cost toward other, more fun, areas of your vacation.
Tips for Using the Motorcoach
If you're using the Magical Express motorcoach, whether you'll be traveling with your electric scooter or not, consider these important tips.
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Make sure all of your valuable and important items, such as medications, are in your carry-on. While your luggage will arrive at your resort room, it can take up to three hours for it to do so.
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Luggage delivery is only available for flights that arrive between 5:00AM and 10:00PM. If your flight arrives before or after these times, you'll need to collect your own luggage and bring it with you to the motorcoach.
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Remember to keep your MagicBand on you at all times. These bands are responsible for unlocking your hotel room door, entering theme parks, and charging food and items to your room. If you haven't received your MagicBand yet, make sure you have a photo ID and your transportation vouchers in your carry-on so you can receive it when you arrive at the hotel.
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By staying at the Disney Resort hotel, you are automatically enrolled in the resort's check-in service. This means you don't have to pick up your luggage and boarding pass from the airport; you can pick both of these up at the hotel so you don't have to go through the airport check-in. If your flight leaves after noon, these will be delivered right to your room.
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You can drop off your Orlando scooter rental at the rental agency, or if you prefer, you can leave the electric scooter with the concierge at the resort before you board the motorcoach to the airport.
Planning on staying at Disney's Resort hotel? Take advantage of an Orlando scooter rental and Disney's Magical Express.
Planning to Swim in Orlando? Benefits of Finding a Hotel With a Zero Entry Pool
If you’re planning a trip to Orlando and you’re disabled due to an injury or illness, you’ve no doubt already begun looking for everything you think you might need. Your must-have list will probably include finding a location to rent an Orlando mobility scooter, researching Orlando theme parks to determine their ability to provide you with the services you need when you visit, and finding a hotel that has all the right accommodations.
While the majority of hotels in Orlando are extremely accessible to those who rent Orlando mobility scooters, some may offer more accommodations that you had imagined. They might offer rooms that are scooter-friendly and include wall bars to help you stand and transfer. Some might offer outlets right next to the bed, so that when you transfer from your electric scooter to the bed at night, you can easily plug the scooter in so the battery will charge. A few, however, will offer something more: zero entry pools.
What is a Zero Entry Pool?
Swimming is great exercise for everyone, but even more so for those with disabilities. It creates a weightless feeling that lets those who have difficulty with mobility control their movements better. Obtaining this exercise is hard, however, without access to a zero entry pool.
A zero entry pool is a type of swimming pool that has a shallow, sloping entrance, rather than a ladder or steps. This type of ramp generally starts out with about half an inch of water and then gradually deepens as you get farther into the pool.
For guests with disabilities, this feature allows immediate access to a pool. You can either use a water-proof electric scooter to enter the pool, or simply transfer from your mobility scooter to a standard wheel chair.
While most hotels have lifts that can help disabled guests access the pool, zero entry pools offer many benefits that these lifts don’t.
Benefits of Zero Entry Pools
- Available All the Time- Pool lifts may be much more common in hotels, but it is also very common for them to break down. Because of this, access to the pool is not always available to those who have had to rent an Orlando mobility scooter or those with mobility problems. Zero entry pools guarantee access every single day- and they don’t have to be replaced or repaired because they don’t have mechanical parts that will break down.
- Independence- Unlike with pool lifts, individuals who need the assistance of an electric scooter or wheelchair don’t have to wait until hotel staff is available to enter the pool. This allows them to maintain their independence.
- Safety- Because zero entry pools begin with only half an inch of water, disabled individuals can judge for themselves how far they should and should not go. Because those that are disabled are more apt to know their limitations, this often reduces chances of injuries and accidents.
- Fun with Families- Hotels that don’t offer zero entry pools are often filled with families who stay behind in their room or re-plan their activities, simply because their disabled family member can’t join in the fun. This isn’t what a vacation is about. Zero entry pools allow everyone to join in and have the time of their lives.
Your Electric Scooter and Zero Entry Pools
If you have to rent an Orlando mobility scooter to help you get around, consider finding a hotel that will make your vacation easier and a lot more exciting. Look for accommodations that you don’t normally find, like specially designed rooms and zero entry pools.
XDisney’s Animal Kingdom: What to Expect When You’re Using a Scooter
Renting a mobility scooter in Orlando means you’ll have access to some of the most exciting attractions in the city- no matter what level of mobility you have. One of the most attractive options for visitors to Florida is Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Here, both children and adults can experience all the magic of Disney with more than 1,700 animals, various rides and attractions, entertaining musicals, and expeditions.
Being in a mobility scooter doesn’t mean you have sacrifice the fun and excitement of an Orlando vacation. When you visit the Animal Kingdom, you’ll have access to almost everything, including the following.
Attractions for Those Using Mobility Scooters in Orlando
- Tree of Life Garden- The tree of life, located on Discovery Island in the Animal Kingdom, is a sculpted masterpiece that expresses nature and its intricate balance. It’s 145 feet tall, 50 feet wide, and is home to more than 300 animal carvings along its trunk. It’s also home to several live animals, including kangaroos, tortoises, flamingos, and lemurs. Inside the tree of life is a theater, where It’s Tough to be a Bug! can be seen in 3D animation. This multimedia show starring the cast of A Bug’s Life is accessible to those using mobility scooters as well.
- The Boneyard- Have young children who are eager to explore? Young paleontologists under the age of ten can visit the Boneyard, and you can too! Here you can watch as your children make prehistoric discoveries.
- Maharajah Jungle Trek- You don’t have to be worried about being left behind when it comes to exploring the wilds of Asia. This jungle trek leads you through the Anandapur Royal Forest, home to tropical trees, wild animals, and ruins. Here you’ll navigate trails, see beautiful waterfalls, and behold a palace that is centuries old and seems to be frozen in time. While you’re exploring, you may come across fruit bats, flying foxes, Asian tigers, Elds deer, blackbucks, and more than 50 types of birds.
- Finding Nemo, The Musical- You loved the movie, now you can see the musical on stage in the Animal Kingdome. In this 40 minute show, experience the harrowing adventures of Marlin and Dory as they set off to find Marlin’s lost and kidnapped son, Nemo. Along the way, you’ll be reunited with friends you came to love in the hit movie as well, like Nigel the pelican and Crush the turtle.
- Pangani Forest Exploration Trail- Would you like to experience the heart of Africa? This exploration trail is open to individuals in mobility scooters and is sure to please. It features a number of exotic animals that can be found throughout the sprawling savannah and jungle forest. Here you’ll meet meerkats, emerald starlings, Angolan black monkeys, a Nile hippopotamus, and even western lowland gorillas.
Renting mobility scooters in Orlando can help you gain access to a number of attractions you might not be able to experience without some mobility help. This is especially true in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, where fun and excitement are waiting just for you.
Tips for Planning a Florida Vacation When You’re Disabled
When you’re thinking of taking a vacation in Florida, you have to plan your trip well to ensure you hit all the top sights and attractions. This is even more important if you’re disabled. While Florida is extremely accessible to individuals with disabilities, if you want to experience the best of cities like Orlando, you have to start the trip with a plan in place that will allow you to do so. Not sure where to start? We can walk you through each step of the plan, from your Orlando scooter rental to utilizing your hotel concierge.
Planning an Orlando, Florida Vacation
- Think Ahead- Planning a vacation when you’re disabled takes much more forethought than when you’re not. You have to consider things other people don’t, like where you’re going to use the restroom if you’re out sightseeing, whether or not the hotel you’re staying at will have a place to plug in your Orlando scooter rental, and whether or not that outlet is close to your bed. When you book your trip, ask questions and obtain the answers you need so that your trip is one you’ll enjoy.
- Scooter Rentals- If you have difficulty getting around, consider a scooter rental while you’re in Orlando. Walking around or even pushing yourself in a wheelchair can be exhausting. Instead of wasting your time and energy, let a mobility scooter do all the work. This way, you can spend every moment of your vacation doing exactly what you want to do.
- Talk to Friends- Do you have friends that live in the area that are also disabled? Seek them out for advice on the best locations to go on your visit. They’ll know where to park at Disney World, which restaurants have the best access, and which shops you simply can’t pass over. If you don’t have a friend in the area, consider going online to find a community of travelers with disabilities. One such membership site, the Travelin’ Talk Network, will help connect you with other individuals in Orlando that are willing to share travel information with you.
- Utilize Your Concierge- A hotel concierge is your best friend while you’re staying in Florida. He will not only be the one who accepts your Orlando scooter rental when it arrives, but, if he’s knowledgeable about the area, will be your guide to fun in the city. He’ll help you find adequate public transportation, provide information about accessible attractions in the area, like Disney World and Sea World, and help you find a restaurant that is not only disability-friendly, but serves your favorite food. Don’t be afraid to seek your concierge out for information. They are there to help you have the best time possible during your stay.
Orlando Scooter Rentals, Concierges, and Friends: The Perfect Vacation
If you want your vacation to Florida to be perfect, start planning it now. The earlier you begin researching scooter rentals, accessible parks, restaurants, hotels, and shops, the more organized and fun your trip will be.
Visiting Sea World? FAQ for Guests With Scooters
Orlando Florida offers a number of attractions, theme parks, hotels, and restaurants that accommodate those using Orlando, Florida scooter rentals. Out of all of them, however, one of the most popular to visit (next to Disney World of course) has to be Sea World. This adventure land makes a splash for out-of-towers, residents, young, and old.
If you’re thinking of visiting Sea World for the first time with your mobility scooter, however, there are no doubt a few questions you want answered so you can plan your trip as easily as possible. Luckily, we have all the answers you need.
Orlando, Florida Scooter Rentals and Sea World: FAQ
Before you make arrangements for Orlando scooter rentals or begin packing those bags for the trip to Florida, you need to make sure Sea World is the right theme park for you to visit. Have a few questions you need answers to? Let us help.
Is parking available for those with mobility scooters? The short answer is yes; a parking lot is available very close to the main entrance of Sea World. Every space is van accessible, and you must have a parking permit to take advantage of these spots. Keep in mind, however, that the spaces can not be reserved and are only available on a first come, first served basis.
Can I see the shows with my family? Worried that you and your family might get separated during the main events? Don’t be. The stadiums and theaters within Sea World all have accessible seating for Orlando scooter rentals, along with one companion. If your group is large, nearby seating is available as well.
What about the Soak Zone? Want to the dolphins to splash you as they swim by? The Soak Zone does have wheelchair and mobility scooter accessible seating; however, water and electronics don’t mix well. If you want to get soaked, consider requesting a regular wheelchair you can transfer into during the show.
Can I shop for souvenirs? One of the best parts about visiting a theme park on a Florida vacation is collecting souvenirs to bring back to loved ones who were not able to come with you. It’s a little way of sharing your experience. At Sea World, this isn’t a problem. All gift shops are accessible to Orlando scooter rentals. If you didn’t spring for that extra basket on the back, you can even arrange to pick up your packages at Shamu’s Emporium before you leave the park.
Where can I eat? The majority of restaurants within Sea World are similar to cafeterias; unfortunately, the lines may be a bit narrow for mobility scooters and wheelchairs. This means you may have to ask for assistance from Sea World employees. Table service is available upon request and there are certain restaurants, like Sea Port Pizza and Sharks Underwater Grill that offer more mobility scooter friendly dining options.
Do I have to go on rides alone? Like most theme parks, separate entrances are available to make access easier to those who are riding Orlando, Florida scooter rentals. This doesn’t necessarily mean you have to go alone while the rest of your group waits in line. Up to three people can accompany you through the auxiliary entrance so they can board the ride with you.
Planning a trip to Sea World? If you have to rent mobility scooters for the trip, make sure you have all your questions answered before you arrive at the main entrance. It will mean a better experience for you and a more enjoyable trip.
Universal Orlando: Top Tips and Attraction Assistance Explained
Are you thinking of visiting Universal Orlando during your trip to Florida? If you suffer from an illness or injury that makes walking difficult or impossible, investing in Orlando scooter rentals is the first step you can to make sure your trip is as fun and exciting as possible. A mobility scooter will help you get around much more easily than a walker or cane, and will allow you to spend more time having fun with your family because you won’t grow as weary or tired so quickly.
Visiting Orlando Universal when you’re using a mobility scooter is easy, as well. This theme park offers a number of features to ensure disabled guests are able to participate in attractions and obtain the assistance they need to board rides and obtain the full Universal experience. This is known as the Universal Attraction Assistance Pass. Want to know how to get it? Here’s how.
Orlando Scooter Rentals and Universal Assistance
Knowing where and where not to go when you’re riding on a mobility scooter can be difficult at Orlando Universal, especially if it’s your first time visiting. That’s where a Universal Attraction Assistance Pass comes in handy. This allows you gain quick access to the rides you most want to go on. Getting this pass requires a few steps:
- Obtain a doctor’s note that says you need special accommodations ‘due to disability.’ The name of your disability or any information related to it isn’t necessary, as long as the doctor states ‘due to disability’ on the note.
- Once you’ve obtained this note and arrive at Orlando Universal theme park in Florida, go to Guest Services, which is located on the ride side of the turnstiles. Present them with the note and you will obtain an Attraction Assistance Pass.
- While you’re with Guest Services, discuss what rides and attractions are and are not available to you. Some may have a height requirement you may not meet because of your mobility scooter. They will most likely evaluate your height, your ability to hold onto restraints, and your ability to hold your head up.
Once that pass is in your hand, using it is easy. Simply present it to the greeter at every attraction you visit and they will direct you to a separate entrance where you will be able to board the attraction with your Orlando scooter rental or switch to one of the theme park’s wheel chairs.
Tips for Making the Most of Your Universal Orlando Attraction Assistance Pass
- Be patient. Sometimes you’ll be asked to come back to the attraction at a certain time if there is a long line. If this is the case, enjoy other areas of the park while you wait.
- Keep in mind that you can only establish one reservation time at the same time. This means that if you’re waiting for one ride, you can’t reserve another for a later time. After you finish the first ride, you will have to go back and make the second reservation. This is to ensure everyone using mobility scooters or wheelchairs has the opportunity to ride the attraction.
- If the ride requires you to switch to a wheelchair, make sure to tell the attendant that you’ll need your rented scooter back when the ride is completed.
- Before you get in line, speak to the ride attendant. While some rides will require you to enter the ride normally, you may have to use the express lane or an alternative door for others.
Ready to enjoy yourself at Universal Orlando? Make a plan so you can have a fun and exciting time, even if you need to use an Orlando scooter rental.
