Welcome to the Disney Parks Moms Panel, Johnie! I know you and your wife will have a splendid time tootling around all four of Walt Disney World Resort’s theme parks. When I visited in 2016 with my Mom, she was undergoing treatments that made her unable to stand for long periods of time and her ankles were very weak. We rented an ECV as well as a wheelchair to help her get around the parks comfortably.
When my family visits a park first thing in the morning for Rope Drop, we arrive early enough to pass through security, touchpoints and even through the gates to various lands where Cast Members are waiting with literal ropes to drop when the park officially opens. I find that arriving 35 minutes before the park opens is adequate time to go through these measures and visit the
ECV/Wheelchair rental area in the mornings. Of course, at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, crowds are arriving for Pandora: The World of Avatar so they should move into the park and to the left, clearing the way for you to make your way to the rental location. You also have the option to rent an ECV for your entire stay, which will be delivered to your Resort Hotel and you can ride them on the buses and monorails as well as throughout the parks. A Disney Authorized company would be Buena Vista Scooter Rentals. You can reach them at (866) 484-4797. This option may allow you to take your time in the mornings and not worry about getting your rentals. If mass transit and the ECV seem daunting to you, it’s worth noting that they are loaded first onto the buses and there are a few
ECV-capable Minnie Vans on property that can whisk you away to your desired location.
If I can help you map your way around the parks, please let me know. I’ll try my best to lead you to buried treasure of fun! ~ Lindsey P.