We had 4 scooters out from Gold and never had a single issue. They even spent the time explaining operation and charging to each person in our group. They did mention they have truck in the area and the typical response time is 30 minutes if we ever had a problem. None of us ever had a problem so we never needed to call.
Unfortunately this used to be the case, but DH has spoken with at least 5 people who had their scooter stolen (actually stolen, not mistaken identity) in the past 6 months. In all cases though they parked them outside their hotel room over night to charge and no, Disney didn't take them somewhere, they were legitimately stolen. But the point is that it is becoming an issue, sadly.I understand your concern (I had it myself initially) but here's what I want you to know:
First of all, in all the years I have been hanging around here, we have had exactly *1* scooter that was "stolen" - and that turned out to be a case of "mistaken identity" where another person who had rented the exact same model of scooter had driven away with our friend's scooter quite by accident. Eventually the situation was sorted, and the "stolen" scooter was swapped for the correct one... so I guess you could say it wasn't actually "stolen" at all!
The reasons that more scooters (and strollers, and wheelchairs, and other stuff) isn't stolen at WDW are actually kind of simple when you stop and think about it for a bit. I think the first and biggest deterrent is the cost of a ticket; anyone looking to steal something to resell for a quick buck has plenty of other places around Orlando to steal from that don't cost in excess of $100 per day to get into. Next is the fact that Disney has a heavy security presence at the front of every Park (as well as at Disney Springs) and that probably keeps away a certain sort of petty thief as well. They want to do their business with the least possible chance of getting caught. Last, but certainly not least is the fact that Disney has security cameras (and other security measures) in place to deter and deal with Guest issues.
If you are really concerned, go online and buy either a Tile or an AirTag, (which one is "better" is a personal decision for the user, and is another topic for another post somewhere else) and hide it somewhere on the rental scooter. You can then check on it with your phone, and if it happens to "move" (a CM moves it around to help create/keep pathways clear) you will be able to locate it yourself quicker. Or, you can go lo-tech, and as I have recommended for years and years... you can just tie a brightly colored length of ribbon on it in a visible location (like the handlebars, or the basket) or a brightly colored bandana.
Don't worry! And have fun!
Scooters aren't supposed to be parked in the hall. In a sense they were abandoned. I have no idea if they were literally stolen or if they were moved by an irate guest and not located.
Many of these were at places like Old Key West, where they weren't in the way due to the design, they were in little alcoves and such. But I agree they aren't supposed to be parked in the hallways.
In general they don't really do exclusions, unless you are trying to intentionally cheat them, for example making an intentionally false claim that a scooter was stolen, then they probably would and should go after the person making such a claim.
Well that would explain them randomly showing up inside the theme parks, and asking us how our rental is going. they stoped twice check to see if we had and questions or needed any assistance. How else would they find us? Great customer service either way.
Actually, before they added trackers (and yes, they have as far as I am aware) they would find us all the time. If they have extra people, i.e. during slow times, they have them go around the parks and if they see someone who is say having a problem with a scooter (rented from them or not), they try to help them or if someone can't find an accessible entrance, they help out. For example, one time a person came in their own power chair, wanted to ride spaceship earth and asked the cast member at the entrance where to go and they just vaguely pointed in the direction of the exit and said that way, they couldn't find it and went back a second time to another CM with similar experience and ended up getting so frustrated, they were crying (keep in mind they had never been to Disney World before and this was the first attraction they were trying to go on for the trip) and about to leave the park when someone from Gold Mobility saw them and asked what was going on. They then took them to the correct location and at that time had just finished putting together a very detailed guidebook with pictures (all taken on stage and in guest areas) of where to go and gave it to them. Sadly, because of the pictures Disney will no longer let them hand out the guidebook, even before arrival. And no, they never charged even so much as a penny for the guidebook. But Disney asked them to stop and they immediately complied.
