Help me trick my new ride in Disney style!

FortForever

Disney since Day 1
Joined
Aug 16, 2011
Hi all, hopefully a fun post here!

After several years of casually looking to buy my own ECV, I finally found one I could afford. It's an old, heavy dinosaur that came with some problems, but got it talked down to $300, so I couldn't resist.

As soon as I got it home, I was able to take it apart and fix two of the three problems it had. Got the brakes working properly (previous owner thought it had to stay on free roll, but was needed some lube and persuasion.) Also, whatever was supposed to hold up the shroud was not working, so the tires rubbed. Took me about five minutes to fix that. It has two brand new batteries and a new charger. The people told me the price I purchased for just covered those purchases for them.

So, I washed it up and removed all the decals. Now, I'm going to paint it metallic red, add some kind of basket, and want to add decals or other accessories to make it look like a real Disney-mobile! Please share any ideas you have, or better yet, photos of what you have done. I need some inspiration.

Thanks! party:

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Wow! It already looks pretty dang good for a pre-owned unit! :) Go you!!!

Well, my personal favorite thing to do is undercarriage lighting. Yep, I'm a rolling Main Street Electrical Parade float - and it was actually pretty simple to do.

I went to Amazon.com, and got some "LED Bias lights" - the kind that have a controller built in-line, so that you can change the setting easily. These are made to plug into a USB port on the back of your average flat-panel TV, and give a soft "glow" behind the TV. (It's the same concept as the old "TV Lights" that our grandmas' had on top of their console TV sets back in the 60's LOL) I applied that LED strip to the undercarriage of my scooter, and then found a little spot to stash a rechargeable battery pack. (You can see where this is going from here, right?) I set the lights so that they cycle through all 18 colors slowly, and I can't go more than a few feet after dark at WDW without someone commenting, giving me a thumbs up, or a big smile! The CM's all love it! Here's a link to the style I used: USB LED TV Backlight and I just use one of the Fuel Rods I already have to power the lights. One tip: I didn't use the pre-applied adhesive backing, because I knew that my undercarriage might get wet - and the included 3M adhesive backing wasn't very strong. Initially, I used zip ties to hold them on, until I was sure that I liked them. After much discussion at our house, my DH used a good quality clear silicone adhesive (I think he got it at Lowes) and made sure there was a good "seal" between the backside of the light and the surface of the undercarriage.

Wow. That feels a lot more intense than I think it actually was! LOL

I know you have probably heard me talk about this before, but I always try to be super careful with where I have lighting - and I try to avoid bright lights that will shine right into the strollers of the littlest Guests; they are even closer to the ground than we are, and I don't want to blind them. Additionally, I try not to have any flashing lights that might cause seizures or discomfort to any other Guest; I don't want to be the person who ruins someone else's fun at WDW.

You have such a great blank canvas to work with - and I LOVE the custom paint job idea!

What are you going to name your mighty steed? ;)

Resources: (you probably have found these already, but here they are anyway LOL)

Scooter Parts & Accessories: Scooter Batteries, Scooter Chargers, & More : Monster Scooter Parts

ElectricScooterParts.com - Visit the Electric Scooter Parts store.

Mobility Scooter Accessories - Amazon.com Official Site‎
 
Wow! It already looks pretty dang good for a pre-owned unit! :) Go you!!!

Well, my personal favorite thing to do is undercarriage lighting. Yep, I'm a rolling Main Street Electrical Parade float - and it was actually pretty simple to do.

I went to Amazon.com, and got some "LED Bias lights" - the kind that have a controller built in-line, so that you can change the setting easily. These are made to plug into a USB port on the back of your average flat-panel TV, and give a soft "glow" behind the TV. (It's the same concept as the old "TV Lights" that our grandmas' had on top of their console TV sets back in the 60's LOL) I applied that LED strip to the undercarriage of my scooter, and then found a little spot to stash a rechargeable battery pack. (You can see where this is going from here, right?) I set the lights so that they cycle through all 18 colors slowly, and I can't go more than a few feet after dark at WDW without someone commenting, giving me a thumbs up, or a big smile! The CM's all love it! Here's a link to the style I used: USB LED TV Backlight and I just use one of the Fuel Rods I already have to power the lights. One tip: I didn't use the pre-applied adhesive backing, because I knew that my undercarriage might get wet - and the included 3M adhesive backing wasn't very strong. Initially, I used zip ties to hold them on, until I was sure that I liked them. After much discussion at our house, my DH used a good quality clear silicone adhesive (I think he got it at Lowes) and made sure there was a good "seal" between the backside of the light and the surface of the undercarriage.

Wow. That feels a lot more intense than I think it actually was! LOL

I know you have probably heard me talk about this before, but I always try to be super careful with where I have lighting - and I try to avoid bright lights that will shine right into the strollers of the littlest Guests; they are even closer to the ground than we are, and I don't want to blind them. Additionally, I try not to have any flashing lights that might cause seizures or discomfort to any other Guest; I don't want to be the person who ruins someone else's fun at WDW.

You have such a great blank canvas to work with - and I LOVE the custom paint job idea!

What are you going to name your mighty steed? ;)

Resources: (you probably have found these already, but here they are anyway LOL)

Scooter Parts & Accessories: Scooter Batteries, Scooter Chargers, & More : Monster Scooter Parts

ElectricScooterParts.com - Visit the Electric Scooter Parts store.

Mobility Scooter Accessories - Amazon.com Official Site‎

I am totally going to look into the under lighting! I just adore that idea!

Since I have no existing lights, I was looking at some and realized that the headlight type ones may shine right at kid-level eyes, so I know what you mean. I had not thought about the flashing, but love that you mentioned it! I will avoid that now.

I don't have a name for her yet. I'll have to think of one. I was thinking of some Disney decals after the paint, but haven't found any that I'm in love with yet. Going to paint this weekend and then work on the lighting.

Also looking for some basket or bag ideas since it didn't come with one. It looks much better now than when I picked it up, but still a very heavy, old dinosaur. These are not even made anymore. But, it's mine and I'm excited about personalizing it! :earsgirl: And, by personalizing it, I mean Disneyfying it.
 
Hi, Try a pintrest search. Sometimes you have to scroll through a bunch of ideas to find yours. People are so creative it blows my mind. A pinch of this and a smattering of that and TA-DA your very own custom ride. Have fun!
 
Hi, Try a pintrest search. Sometimes you have to scroll through a bunch of ideas to find yours. People are so creative it blows my mind. A pinch of this and a smattering of that and TA-DA your very own custom ride. Have fun!

Oh, Pinterest! I didn't even think of that for this. I go there for just about everything else. I will look later today.

Definitely doing the undercarriage lighting suggested by mamabunny! I've been looking at it on Amazon.

I agree that it blows my mind how creative some people are. I don't have a creative bone in my body, so have to rely on the ideas of others. Can't wait to do this!
 


Hi all, hopefully a fun post here!

After several years of casually looking to buy my own ECV, I finally found one I could afford. It's an old, heavy dinosaur that came with some problems, but got it talked down to $300, so I couldn't resist.

As soon as I got it home, I was able to take it apart and fix two of the three problems it had. Got the brakes working properly (previous owner thought it had to stay on free roll, but was needed some lube and persuasion.) Also, whatever was supposed to hold up the shroud was not working, so the tires rubbed. Took me about five minutes to fix that. It has two brand new batteries and a new charger. The people told me the price I purchased for just covered those purchases for them.

So, I washed it up and removed all the decals. Now, I'm going to paint it metallic red, add some kind of basket, and want to add decals or other accessories to make it look like a real Disney-mobile! Please share any ideas you have, or better yet, photos of what you have done. I need some inspiration.

Thanks! party:

View attachment 260486 View attachment 260487
I think some bicycle handlebar streamers would look great on your type of tiller.
 
LOL *LOVING* @BillSears idea!!! You should *totally* do that!

Do you have a nice wicker basket you could hang on the scooter? Maybe make a liner for it from some Minnie-themed fabric; our Wal-Mart had several Disney-themed "fat quarters" (for a really good price!) when we were in the craft section last week... Remember, hot glue guns are our friends! ;)

You could even put graphics on the seat back (if the vinyl is still smooth and taut) - maybe a certain little white glove waving, and the tag line "See 'ya real soon!"

I can't wait to see what you do! :)
 
If you want some fun customization that is kinda specific to Disney, it's possible to wire up LED lighting that syncs to the glow with the show broadcast signal. I did this to the power chair I get to work on for a friend using two RGB "halo light rings" designed to be used around the normal headlights of a car. The two rings made the ears off a Mickey on the front of her chair and they glowed just like the ears off one of those gwts Mickey ears. I also wired a dozen or so RGB accent lights all over the thing for each side. Oddly enough, it's actually less distracting that kid wearing one of those hats.

You start with disassembling one of those light up Mickey ears. I won't go into the gritty details but the tricky part is wiring up the gwts circuit to a new string of lights. There is 4 wires for each ear that need to be soldered to where the original LED goes. Find a local TV repair shop and they'll do for $50 or less. After that, it's just running wires and glueing in the lights.
 
If you want some fun customization that is kinda specific to Disney, it's possible to wire up LED lighting that syncs to the glow with the show broadcast signal. I did this to the power chair I get to work on for a friend using two RGB "halo light rings" designed to be used around the normal headlights of a car. The two rings made the ears off a Mickey on the front of her chair and they glowed just like the ears off one of those gwts Mickey ears. I also wired a dozen or so RGB accent lights all over the thing for each side. Oddly enough, it's actually less distracting that kid wearing one of those hats.

You start with disassembling one of those light up Mickey ears. I won't go into the gritty details but the tricky part is wiring up the gwts circuit to a new string of lights. There is 4 wires for each ear that need to be soldered to where the original LED goes. Find a local TV repair shop and they'll do for $50 or less. After that, it's just running wires and glueing in the lights.

I would really love to see a photo of this!

Just bought glitter bright red spray paint for my scooter yesterday. Will take photos during the transition and final photos to post.

I'm going to do the under lighting for sure. I need to add some kind of lighting on the back and a headlight, as this old model has none. I'm sure I will just go with battery operated for those. Something cool in the shape of a hidden Mickey would certainly take the place of tail lights.

Also thinking of a stroller organizer, with cup holders, on the front, since it didn't come with a basket. Does anyone have any input on this?
 
LOVING the idea of the sparkly paint! I bet it adds *at least* 1 mph to your top speed! ;) (Sparkly things go faster - it's a non-proven not-at-all-scientific Princess fact! LOL)

You might want to look at bike tail lights on Amazon - there are tons of rechargeable lights now (so you could just use an extra long phone charging cord plugged into an iPhone "cube" charger at night, while you charge the main battery) Since you have that plastic housing back there, you could mount them multiple ways. It's nice that you could even just clip them to the bottom of the back plastic housing, down where it will kind of illuminate the ground, but not shine in the eyes of the littlest stroller nuggets.

I personally use these little headlights - I use a white one for front, and a red one for tail light - and just make sure you take along an extra set of batteries, as they don't sell this size at WDW in the shops: Stupidbright LED lights They don't pitch light very far out (maybe 2 to 3 feet) - but at WDW you don't typically find yourself any place that dark, that you need "real" headlights. They DO, however, light up the ground in front and behind very nicely.

For a cupholder, I use one of these: Robocup; it really does "grip" hard! I had the hubs cut off the bottom, skinnier part, (leaving just the top "cupholder" part with the gripping assembly) simply because we never needed it, and by making it shorter, I can "grip" it on to different places on my personal ride. I bet you could even shoot that with some of your sparkly Speedy-go-quick red paint to match! ;)

It's *so* tempting to add buggy hooks, and baskets, and all kinds of accessories, but remember that anything that adds weight will subtract from your battery capacity, and therefore potential daily travel distance!
 
LOVING the idea of the sparkly paint! I bet it adds *at least* 1 mph to your top speed! ;) (Sparkly things go faster - it's a non-proven not-at-all-scientific Princess fact! LOL)

I personally use these little headlights - I use a white one for front, and a red one for tail light - and just make sure you take along an extra set of batteries, as they don't sell this size at WDW in the shops: Stupidbright LED lights They don't pitch light very far out (maybe 2 to 3 feet) - but at WDW you don't typically find yourself any place that dark, that you need "real" headlights. They DO, however, light up the ground in front and behind very nicely.

It's *so* tempting to add buggy hooks, and baskets, and all kinds of accessories, but remember that anything that adds weight will subtract from your battery capacity, and therefore potential daily travel distance!

LOL @ the Princess Sparkly fact.

I am having the worst time deciding on a headlight. I am so afraid of blinding people. I don't really need to see, just be seen. Do you have yours installed at an angle, or straight out?

Found a great bicycle basket at Wally World today. Had to bend the hooks a bit to fit, but looks great and perfect for my needs. I am having a hard time resisting loading this ride down with goodies! Without my better judgement side intervening, I'd be a rolling sideshow by now. My dad gifted me a lift for the back of my van, getting that wired tomorrow. That's the best accessory yet!
 
LOL @ the Princess Sparkly fact.

I am having the worst time deciding on a headlight. I am so afraid of blinding people. I don't really need to see, just be seen. Do you have yours installed at an angle, or straight out?

Found a great bicycle basket at Wally World today. Had to bend the hooks a bit to fit, but looks great and perfect for my needs. I am having a hard time resisting loading this ride down with goodies! Without my better judgement side intervening, I'd be a rolling sideshow by now. My dad gifted me a lift for the back of my van, getting that wired tomorrow. That's the best accessory yet!

I have both my headlight, and my tail light pointed "downwards" - they are still somewhat visible, but the brightest part is not shining "out" if that makes any sense! Those little LED lights that I bought have a kind of little platform behind them; if you turn it correctly, they automatically shine downwards.

My hubs is the one who loves to "trick out" my scooter - he is always finding things, and going "Let's add *this* because [x or y or z; fill in the blank]" and I'm the bad guy who says no!

That is so cool that you are getting a lift for your van! :) Look at you go! :) I'm so happy that you will have such a cool scooter - and the lift to be able to manage it! I can't wait to hear about all of your adventures with your new ride!

Seriously - what are you going to name her? LOL Enquiring Minds Want To Know!!!
 
I have both my headlight, and my tail light pointed "downwards" - they are still somewhat visible, but the brightest part is not shining "out" if that makes any sense! Those little LED lights that I bought have a kind of little platform behind them; if you turn it correctly, they automatically shine downwards.

My hubs is the one who loves to "trick out" my scooter - he is always finding things, and going "Let's add *this* because [x or y or z; fill in the blank]" and I'm the bad guy who says no!

That is so cool that you are getting a lift for your van! :) Look at you go! :) I'm so happy that you will have such a cool scooter - and the lift to be able to manage it! I can't wait to hear about all of your adventures with your new ride!

Seriously - what are you going to name her? LOL Enquiring Minds Want To Know!!!

I got my LED strand in the mail today. I've had fun playing with it, but can't get attached to scooter until after it's apart and painted.

Yeah, the lift is super sweet! I had been just sitting in his garage unused. It's a perfect fit and so easy that I can do it myself! I love that part. I took her to town to do different stores today and it was just wonderful! I came home and was able to put away groceries. Usually I am in too much pain from trying to walk and my legs have to go up right away. It was nice to not be in agony when we got home.

Hubby is trying to add everything he sees to my scooter, so I know how that feels. I tried to make me put a little kids' bicycle ringer, and then a horn! He's having as much fun with it as I am. I can't wait to be at the Fort on Halloween with my very own ride, which shall have a name by that time. :-)
 
I got my LED strand in the mail today. I've had fun playing with it, but can't get attached to scooter until after it's apart and painted.

Yeah, the lift is super sweet! I had been just sitting in his garage unused. It's a perfect fit and so easy that I can do it myself! I love that part. I took her to town to do different stores today and it was just wonderful! I came home and was able to put away groceries. Usually I am in too much pain from trying to walk and my legs have to go up right away. It was nice to not be in agony when we got home.

Hubby is trying to add everything he sees to my scooter, so I know how that feels. I tried to make me put a little kids' bicycle ringer, and then a horn! He's having as much fun with it as I am. I can't wait to be at the Fort on Halloween with my very own ride, which shall have a name by that time. :-)

Yay!!! I am so happy for you! :) It's amazing what a difference it makes when you aren't in so much pain! The first time I went out on my own, my family was waiting at home on pins and needles, and I was out have a blast! LOL

OH MY GOSH are you going to be in the Halloween Parade? YOU HAVE TO POST PICTURES AND VIDEO IF YOU DO! We have never been able to stay during Halloween season proper, but every year we watch all of the videos we can find of the parades! :) I think it's one of the most wonderful things about FW; everyone is just so friendly, and has so much fun!

Do you all bring an RV, or are you Cabin people like us ;)? Do you have your own golf cart?
 
Yay!!! I am so happy for you! :) It's amazing what a difference it makes when you aren't in so much pain! The first time I went out on my own, my family was waiting at home on pins and needles, and I was out have a blast! LOL

OH MY GOSH are you going to be in the Halloween Parade? YOU HAVE TO POST PICTURES AND VIDEO IF YOU DO! We have never been able to stay during Halloween season proper, but every year we watch all of the videos we can find of the parades! :) I think it's one of the most wonderful things about FW; everyone is just so friendly, and has so much fun!

Do you all bring an RV, or are you Cabin people like us ;)? Do you have your own golf cart?

It's great that you know exactly how I feel! Being able to be independent again is priceless! :love:

Not going to be in the parade, we don't have a golf cart and don't rent one. One of my daughters, who will be there on Halloween with us, tried to rent a cart from Kenny, but was too late. Not sure if you can reserve them from Disney or not, she decided to just go without if none were available at the Fort. Being Halloween, not likely to find one, I'm sure.

We have a van and a pop up camper that pushes it to the Fort. We stay on the tent sites, even though our camper has a bathroom. We just empty the black tank in an empty site on the way out. Since money is tight, don't want to pay up-charge for a site with sewer hook ups. The slide out beds on my pop up make a perfect "garage" for a scooter. That's where we always kept the rented ones at night, to plug and charge. Keeps them out of the rain, but we always threw an extra tarp over them anyway.

We will have 10 people on our site for the first two nights. After that, just to just 5 for the following three nights, then only 3 adults for the second week. Our camper sleeps 5 adults and 2 kids, so we're putting up a tent too. It's going to be a blast!

My ride's name "might" be Scarlet. I'm not 100% on it yet, but I like it.
 

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