I'm not the only person here who can tell you - the first time I "had" to use an ECV, I was
mortified! I cried - no kidding - because I thought I was ruining our vacation, and I had to use an ECV, and everyone is going to stare at me, and OMG CHICKEN LITTLE THE SKY IS FALLING.
Only, the sky didn't fall, and - get this -
no one really even noticed me. Me, on an ECV? A total non-event. And another crazy thing happened... Because my family was no longer worried about me struggling to walk, and because I could now easily keep up with them (and they had to actually tell me to take a break, because I was now the Energizer Bunny - I just kept going and going and going!) we go so much more done... and we still had fun doing it! So, I dried my tears, and blew my nose (on a tissue, I'm not a heathen! LOL) and I straightened up my Ears, and I rode off into the sunset - and a great, memorable vacation!
I want you to remember this, if you don't remember another single thing I ever say... The ECV is just a tool to let you make the most of your time at WDW. Regardless of whether you use one in "real life" or not, a lot of folks get to WDW, and use an ECV because
the average Guest at Disney World walks 3 to 10 miles per day. Per day. Yeah... that's a lot! So, you will use the ECV as a tool, to make your vacation a bit easier, to help mitigate a health issue (or two) and remember that it's no different than someone who uses glasses to see better, or a hearing aid to hear better. If you use a calculator to do math - that's using a tool. If you use a shopping list so you won't forget your groceries when you go to the store - that's using a tool! The ECV is just another tool you will use. That's all!
Tell your offspring that Mom is going to use this
scooter because your legs need some assistance. Don't make a big deal out of it, and I promise you that 15 minutes after you hit the first of the theme parks, it will be old news.
If asked, just remember that Disney's rule when it comes to ECVs is "One seat, one rider" - so no one can ride on Mom's lap.
Last but not least, we use PhotoPass and Memory Maker every trip - just remember that for those "posed" photos (in front of the Castle at MK, with Spaceship Earth behind you at EPCOT, those iconic pictures that everyone wants to get) you can park the ECV and get off to take the pictures. I don't do this anymore, but I used to - Just let the photographer know you want to stand for the photo!
Let us know if there is anything else we can help with!