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 Avoiding Falls in Your Vacation Home or Hotel
When you plan a trip to Orlando, Florida, you’re expecting the best of the best. You want magic, beauty, and excitement. You want to explore the various theme parks it offers, taste the best food, and enjoy luxury hotels and rental homes. The last thing you want is to become injured. Unfortunately, it happens, and when you have mobility problems, the likelihood of an injury increases dramatically.
So, what can you do about it?
Avoiding Falling on Your Vacation
- Scooter Rental in Orlando- Whether you’re traveling from your hotel room to the hotel swimming pool or you’re enjoying the magic of Disney, renting a scooter is essential to ensuring you’re as safe as possible. Being able to utilize the scooter will allow you to eliminate the need to walk any type of long distance, which greatly reduces the risk of falling or tripping, especially when your mobility is limited already.
- Equipped Hotel Rooms- When you plan your Orlando, Florida vacation, be careful how you make your hotel reservation. Be clear that you will be operating a mobility scooter and that your mobility is limited. Request a room that is on the ground floor, or one with disabled-access. As whether the room is equipped for individuals with limited mobility as well; the room may come with shower bars, hand rails, and lower countertops to accommodate for your needs.
- Equipped Vacation Homes- It’s much more difficult to find a vacation home with the scooter-friendly access, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Contact a realtor while you’re planning your trip. They will be able to help you find exactly what you need; this very helpful when you don’t live nearby and are unable to visit Orlando to find the perfect rental yourself.
- Go Clutter Free- Living out a suitcase isn’t very conducive to organization, but allowing the items in your hotel room to clutter up walkways can be dangerous. Even if you only have to walk short distances, like to the bathroom or to where your scooter rental is charging on the other side of the room, making sure path is free of any clutter will help you avoid falling.
- Rely on Help- There may be instances during your trip when you won’t be able to do what you want to do if you’re in a mobility scooter. For instance, some rides and attractions at the theme parks in Orlando will require you to transfer from your scooter to a wheelchair that will fit on the ride. Don’t be afraid to rely on a bit of help when you must make these changes. Being able to stabilize yourself on the arm of someone else can keep you from becoming injured and can keep the rest of your trip from being ruined. When you’re in your vacation home, think of things the same way. If you need help getting from your scooter to your bed at night, ask for help.
Want to make the most of your trip? If your mobility is limited, do everything you can to plan to avoid falling. Find the right hotel room or vacation home, get a scooter rental in Orlando, and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.
Is Your Scooter Battery Power Declining? What Could be the Problem
So, you’ve been planning your Florida vacation for months, and now that you’ve finally arrived in Orlando, you can wait to start enjoying yourself. Because of your inability to walk for long distances, you’ve had to invest in an Orlando scooter rental, but you’re sure that using a mobility scooter will only enhance your enjoyment of the sunny Florida days ahead. If you want your mobility scooter to last and perform at its best, though, you have to make sure you’re doing everything possible to keep it running. Fortunately, this generally only means keeping the battery charged. Doing so will ensure you’re ready to go whenever you want to and also ensures you’re never left stranded without a way to get back to your hotel.
What if, however, you do everything right, charge the battery each night, but something seems to be wrong with the power? What if the battery is running low? Is your vacation ruined?
What Cause Scooter Batteries to Run Low
In most circumstances, the battery on your Orlando scooter rental will be a very reliable source of power. It’s designed that way, so it can keep up with your need to be on-the-go during your vacation. Most batteries can handle travel anywhere from ten to fifteen miles on a single charge.
If you notice your scooter battery doesn’t seem to be holding up to its end of the deal anymore, and the distance you’re able to go each day is less and less, there could be a few reasons behind it.
- Heavy Weight- Did you make sure to check the weight capacity of the scooter you were renting before you rented it? If your weight exceeds the capacity, or you’ve been allowing others to ride the mobility scooter, you’re putting extra demand on the batteries. This can cause them to drain much more quickly.
- Extreme Cold or Heat- Do you leave the scooter sitting out in the hot sun or turn the air conditioning down extremely low in your vacation home because you aren’t used to the Florida heat? Extreme hot and cold fluctuations can make the battery on your Orlando scooter rental work harder, which can cause power to deplete faster.
- Frequent Climbs, Starts, and Stops- Have you been visiting locations that require you to stop and start frequently? Have you been testing your scooter’s ability to handle hills and inclines? Compared to traveling over flat surfaces at a steady pace, battery power depletes faster with frequent climbs, starts, and stops.
How to Maintain Your Mobility Scooter Battery Power
In addition to ensuring the battery on your Orlando scooter rental is charged each night for its recommended time (generally six to eight hours,) make sure to charge the battery as soon as any power loss is evident.
If that doesn’t fix the problem, contact Florida Mobility Rentals to speak with our qualified personnel about any changes you may need to make in your operations, to determine if the battery on your mobility scooter might need to be replaced, or to determine if you need a scooter with a higher weight capacity.
Renting an Orlando Vacation Home? Here’s How to Ensure it’s Scooter-Friendly
So, it’s your annual trip to Orlando, and you can’t wait to begin enjoying the sun. You’ve arranged for your Orlando scooter rental already, but you’re not sure yet where you want to stay. A hotel is always an option, but it can become boring in a “been there, done that” kind of way. You’ve been contemplating the possibility of a vacation home, but you’re not sure a rental will offer the electric scooter-friendly atmosphere you need.
Luckily, Florida is a state that is happily caters to mobility-challenged and disabled travelers. It offer plenty of transportation options, scooter-friendly restaurants and theme parks, and even vacation homes that are easily accessible and ADA compliant. You just have to know how to find them.
Choosing an Electric-Scooter Friendly Vacation Home
Finding a vacation home that will provide you with all the amenities of living in a home while catering to your unique physical needs isn’t always easy. Here are a few tips to make it happen.
- Talk to a Realtor- While there are numerous online sites that can help you find vacation homes in Florida, it’s sometimes best to speak to actual person who is knowledgeable about the local real estate. Florida real estate agents can not only help you find a home that is close to shopping, theme parks, and restaurants, but they will be able to find a home that is accessible to your Orlando scooter rental. They’ll also be able to easily assess your wants and needs and find a home that gives you everything you want.
- Make Sure it’s ADA Compliant- ADA, or the Americans with Disability Act, compliant means that a home has several features that make it accessible to those with disabilities- especially those with electric scooters or wheel chairs. Homes that are ADA compliant will have accessible parking close to the home, larger entryways and doorways throughout the home so that your electric scooter can easily maneuver through it, and elevator or stair lifts if the home has a second floor. The home will also have amenities in the bathroom, kitchen, and living room, such as lower countertops and handle grips for transferring from the scooter to the toilet.
- Don’t be Fooled- If you don’t want to speak to a realtor and instead choose to search online for a home that will accommodate your Orlando scooter rental, don’t be fooled into thinking that every home that is listed as disabled-friendly is actually that. Some individuals who rent their homes out will state this simply because the home is one-story. This doesn’t mean it’s ADA compliant. Have a friend or family member stop by and evaluate the state of the home before you rent it if you aren’t able to do so.
Are you thinking of staying in a vacation home instead of a hotel when you visit Orlando? If you have to rely on an electric scooter to get around, make sure the home will have the right amenities and space to accommodate you. This will ensure you are able to truly enjoy your Orlando vacation.
Should You Rent a 3 Wheel or 4 Wheel Mobility Scooter?
If you have trouble getting around or are disabled because of an injury or illness, renting a mobility scooter when you’re planning an Orlando vacation is an excellent idea. However, there is a lot of thought that needs to go into choosing the best scooter for you. Mobility scooter rentals in Orlando are available in two different models: three wheel and four wheel. Depending on what you plan on doing on your vacation, where you plan on going, your height, and your weight, one may be more beneficial to you than the other.
Why? Some scooters are compact and designed for portability, travel, and indoor use. Others are better for rugged terrain and outdoor use. Let’s take a look at the differences between three and four wheel mobility scooter rentals in Orlando so you can determine which one is best for your personal mobility and which one matches your physical abilities.
Choosing Your Mobility Scooter
The Three Wheel Mobility Scooter
Mobility scooters with three wheels can provide you with all the necessary ‘go’ you need to explore Orlando and its many attractions. Whether you intend to visit Disney World, Sea World, or just explore the local museums, however, you need to make sure this scooter is right for you. Let’s take a look at the best ways to use this type of scooter.- Three wheel scooter work best for indoor use or when navigating over smooth surfaces. This means they can be used for outdoor use, but in order to remain safe and upright, you should not travel with them over grass or uneven pavement. Choosing this scooter means you’ll need to stick to smooth sidewalks, roads, and parking lots whenever you’re outside.
- This type of scooter is brilliant for narrow spaces as it has a sharper turning radius. If your hotel has limited space or you plan on visiting restaurants that may be crowded, a three wheel scooter can get you in and out without much a hassle.
- Are you a little taller than the average person? Three wheel scooters are perfect for tall individuals, as they offer more leg room.
Four Wheel Mobility Scooters
Ready to get out and explore Orlando with your mobility scooter? Let’s take a look at the benefits it can provide and see if it is the right rental option for you.- Four wheel mobility scooters offer better weight distribution. This is very beneficial if you are a little heavier, as the mobility scooter is much less likely to tip over if you have to travel over hilly or uneven ground.
- This type of scooter can go almost anywhere, even over rough terrain. This means it’s the perfect scooter to take to Disney World, Sea World, museums, restaurants, or even the golf course.
- For some individuals, four wheel scooters simply ‘feel’ safer because of their sturdier, wider, and broader wheelbase. While three wheel scooters are perfectly safe, your peace of mind is important. If you prefer the four wheel scooter because you think it feels safer and more sturdy, it is the best option for you.
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.
XTop Questions to Ask When Renting a Mobility Scooter in Orlando Florida
Visiting Orlando, Florida can be a fun and exciting experience. If you’re not as mobile as you used to be, however, taking a vacation may seem like a far-fetched idea. While getting around these days might not be easy for you to do, getting around Florida can be with the help of a mobility scooter rental in Orlando.
Mobility scooters allow you to access places you’ve only dreamed of going, like Disney World, Sea World, or the Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium. With the help of a mobility scooter, you no longer have to worry about how far you have to walk, whether you’ll be too exhausted to actually enjoy the event or attraction you’re attending, or whether you’ll have the energy to do everything you want to. The right scooter rental can make it happen.
If you’re going to rent a scooter in Orlando, however, you need to know how to do it properly and ask the right questions so you get a scooter that will be reliable and help you get from point A to point B.
Mobility Scooter Rental in Orlando: What to Ask
Question 1: Do your scooters comply with attraction guidelines?
Why It’s Important: Certain theme parks in Orlando, like Universal Studios and Disney World have certain guidelines and requirements for mobility scooters. These guidelines ensure you’re able to enjoy almost every aspect of the parks; without the right scooter, you may be left watching everyone else have fun or be forced to spend additional money renting a scooter in-park.
Question 2: Will the battery charge on the scooter last all day?
Why It’s Important: You don’t want to get half-way through the day and realize you have to go back to the hotel in order to charge your scooter, do you? We didn’t think so. The scooter battery should be able to manage without cutting your day short, as long it’s been charged fully the night before.
Question 3: What affects the battery charge?
Why It’s Important: Again, you’ll want to make the most of every day you spend on vacation in Florida, so you need to know what problems could affect the battery charge. The biggest one is weight. That’s why it’s so important to be honest and rent a mobility scooter that is suitable for your particular weight.
Question 4: How do I pick up (and drop off) my mobility scooter rental in Orlando?
Why It’s Important: Knowing exactly where to pick up and drop off your scooter allows you to make the most of your trip and avoid late charges. We make this simple for you by delivering your mobility scooter rental right to your hotel, condo, or motel. We then arrange to pick the equipment up at the same location when you’re done using it.
Question 5: Can I take my mobility scooter with me when using public or private transportation?
Why It’s Important: As easily as your mobility scooter helps you get around, you’re not going to want to waste the battery charge, and your day, traveling throughout Orlando with it only. At some point, you’ll probably need to get in a car, on a bus, or call a taxi. Luckily, your scooter can easily come with you. When you receive your scooter, the delivery driver will show you exactly how to take it apart so it can easily be stored in a trunk.
Ready for your next mobility scooter rental in Orlando? Make sure you ask the right questions before you rent your scooter so you can be sure it will be able to take you wherever you want to go.
