fibro and autism and GAC ??? s

scojos

<font color=peach>I want to be Tinkerbell and fly
Joined
Jan 10, 2006
hello, not been around for a while, so i apologise if these questions have been dealt with.
I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia since our last trip and have been issued with a blue badge... can anyone explain how the valet parking works? is it appropriate to park at the contemporay or poly leave car there all day so we can make it rapid departure if my asd kid needs it? (we are staying on site so this is NOT to avoid paying parking fees its just for convenience iyswim.)
we have had a gac for ds the last few visits, but i know wdw are cracking down on the abuse (rightly so) can anyone tell me what has changed and how these changes will affect us?

thanks alot for info....

Tracy
 
Having a GAC in the parks has nothing to do with parking. You may have a handicapped parking placard, that will help at most of the parks. I drive to Epcot, Studios, AK.

MK is the problem. I have a special needs son, and using the busses is difficult for me with him, and the parking at MK is so far away from the entrance.
 
hello, not been around for a while, so i apologise if these questions have been dealt with.
I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia since our last trip and have been issued with a blue badge... can anyone explain how the valet parking works? is it appropriate to park at the contemporay or poly leave car there all day so we can make it rapid departure if my asd kid needs it? (we are staying on site so this is NOT to avoid paying parking fees its just for convenience iyswim.)
we have had a gac for ds the last few visits, but i know wdw are cracking down on the abuse (rightly so) can anyone tell me what has changed and how these changes will affect us?

thanks alot for info....

Tracy

If you have a gov issued handicap placard then it valet will be free and you can stay as long as you want. I would pick contempory because you can walk to and not have to relay on the monorail but that me.
 
If you have a gov issued handicap placard then it valet will be free and you can stay as long as you want. I would pick contempory because you can walk to and not have to relay on the monorail but that me.

i have a UK blue badge which i have checked can be used inside wdw, but not outside.
what happens at dtd, are there blue badge spaces if so, where, we usually end up at eos or wpe for dinner can we palk nr there? bringing my scooter is too much hassle so going to rent inside parks, but obviously no good for dtd.....


thats excellent info ref valet parking so ty.... whats the normal tip for valet parking? its all new to me :flower3:
 
i have a UK blue badge which i have checked can be used inside wdw, but not outside.
what happens at dtd, are there blue badge spaces if so, where, we usually end up at eos or wpe for dinner can we palk nr there? bringing my scooter is too much hassle so going to rent inside parks, but obviously no good for dtd.....

thats excellent info ref valet parking so ty.... whats the normal tip for valet parking? its all new to me :flower3:

Sorry yes you okay with the blue badge in dtd just look for the handicap spots they will have a sign and might have blue paint and the wheelchair symbol. For valet tip 1 or 2 dollars I say is fine.


For lot one market place when you enter it no on your right then make a left and the first row is where the handicap spots are. Each lot has them just not sure where they are in each I say they would be along the first row.


Another option is if you like to see a dtd resort is use the valet their and take the boat over. Not sure where you are staying some have more then one lot so it might be better to park in the lot closest to the building then use valet but that be up to you.

Let us know if you have anymore questions and have fun on your vacation.
 
The information in post 6 of he disABILITIES FAQs thread about GACs is still correct. One of the reasons I do not have a lot of extremely specific information in it is so it will still be correct even if they make some changes in how things are handled.

GACs were not designed to give immediate access, so you should expect to show the GAC at each attraction where you plan to use it and the CM will direct you.
If the wait in the regular line is 20 minutes or less, expect that you may be told to enter the regular line and that no accommodations may be available.
Using a website like www.touringplans.com or www.easywdw.com will help you a lot with avoiding crowds and waits. Using Fastpass can help too.

Every attraction (with exception of the few that guests must be ambulatory) is wheelchair accessible to the boarding area. Not every line is ECV accessible - especially for the very large park rental ones. If this is an issue for you, you can ask to borrow an attraction wheelchair for use in the queue. Ask before parking the ECV. You don't need a GAC to do that.

You may want to consider renting n ECV from off site - less expensive and you are guaranteed to have one - plus you can use it at your resort. There is information about renting in post 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread. Most of the companies rent models that can be taken apart for transport in a van or car trunk.
You cn also use WDW transportation with ECVs.

You will still be asked when you come into the resort gate why you are going to be there, even if you intend to valet park.

Downtown Disney is more difficult as far as handicapped parking - there are not that many spots compared to the number of people who wish to use them. So, we often have to drive around for a while or my husband drops us off and then parks somewhere else in the lot and meets up with us later. When we are one, he goes to get the car and then picks us up.
 
i have a UK blue badge which i have checked can be used inside wdw, but not outside.
what happens at dtd, are there blue badge spaces if so, where, we usually end up at eos or wpe for dinner can we palk nr there? bringing my scooter is too much hassle so going to rent inside parks, but obviously no good for dtd.....


thats excellent info ref valet parking so ty.... whats the normal tip for valet parking? its all new to me :flower3:
Eh, the normal tip for valet parking is $2-$5. This isn't normal, I look at as a bonus of sorts - so when I valet park at WDW, I tend to tip in the $8-$10 range.
 


Eh, the normal tip for valet parking is $2-$5. This isn't normal, I look at as a bonus of sorts - so when I valet park at WDW, I tend to tip in the $8-$10 range.
:thumbsup2

I would agree. This isn't a 'normal' situation.
 
I say give them 5 dollars their parking it in the same lot as every other car they valet only thing different is their not charging you. The op from the uk they luckily visit most of the time for two weeks or longer. So if they do it once every day for two weeks that 140 if you tip 10.

Tipping is what you feel comfortable with so the op has to decide what right for them what they will be fine with.
 
I say give them 5 dollars their parking it in the same lot as every other car they valet only thing different is their not charging you. The op from the uk they luckily visit most of the time for two weeks or longer. So if they do it once every day for two weeks that 140 if you tip 10.

Tipping is what you feel comfortable with so the op has to decide what right for them what they will be fine with.
I agree that the OP needs to decide what they are comfortable with.

The regular price for valet parking would be $15 plus tip.
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/parking.htm

They are talking about parking valet at Contemporary only for the days they go to MK, so not every day of a 10-14 day vacation. So, not $140 total, even if they tip $10 a day.
 
I agree that the OP needs to decide what they are comfortable with.

The regular price for valet parking would be $15 plus tip.
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/parking.htm

They are talking about parking valet at Contemporary only for the days they go to MK, so not every day of a 10-14 day vacation. So, not $140 total, even if they tip $10 a day.

Your right I was factoring if they valet at their resort but your right it might not be everyday. I still think 5 is more then good but that me. Yeah so if you tip ten that 5 less then it coast to pay to park that why I would just pay 5.
 
thank you for the advice, esp about dtd, i do feel the "drop and run" tactic will be used:thumbsup2

we are staying at okw so will not be using valet at the hotel, it will purely be for if we are dining at a hotel that has valet and for MK days. i do feel $10 is steep imho, that said us brits struggle with tips, and give too much or not enough... one day i ll get the hang of this!! (though i did pull the 1c trick when we had very very poor service (service?? what service??) and got chased by the waiter!! when i fronted him up and told him exactly why i didnt tip him the manager got involved and reimbursed all our meals... now i know the way not to get chased is leave a tip lmao!!!

i am more than aware of how the gac works, and have used it for a variety of adaptations to facilitate my sons and familys visit but am esp interested in hearing about how things have changed following the media stories on abuse... they may have been exaggerated by the press, but as its all about my sons quality of life id rather warn him of any changes now... Im sure no one with an asd kid would criticize me for that (and if anyone thinks a pm is more appropriate thats fine.

thanks for any help

x
 
thank you for the advice, esp about dtd, i do feel the "drop and run" tactic will be used:thumbsup2

we are staying at okw so will not be using valet at the hotel, it will purely be for if we are dining at a hotel that has valet and for MK days. i do feel $10 is steep imho, that said us brits struggle with tips, and give too much or not enough... one day i ll get the hang of this!! (though i did pull the 1c trick when we had very very poor service (service?? what service??) and got chased by the waiter!! when i fronted him up and told him exactly why i didnt tip him the manager got involved and reimbursed all our meals... now i know the way not to get chased is leave a tip lmao!!!

i am more than aware of how the gac works, and have used it for a variety of adaptations to facilitate my sons and familys visit but am esp interested in hearing about how things have changed following the media stories on abuse... they may have been exaggerated by the press, but as its all about my sons quality of life id rather warn him of any changes now... Im sure no one with an asd kid would criticize me for that (and if anyone thinks a pm is more appropriate thats fine.

thanks for any help

x

Me to so tip what you feel comfortable with their no wrong answer okay that great then for dtd you can take the boat over to dtd and not have to worry about the parking at dtd. Was that at Disney that they chased you they should never ever chase any guest for not leaving a tip a tip is something you earn and if you didn't earn it then you don't get one. I am glad the manager took care of it now the worker most likely was fired or had to pay for the meal so mean less money for them all over a tip not sorry I gave you bad service please come back and we make it up to you no the server chases you sorry that happened.
 
Me to so tip what you feel comfortable with their no wrong answer okay that great then for dtd you can take the boat over to dtd and not have to worry about the parking at dtd. Was that at Disney that they chased you they should never ever chase any guest for not leaving a tip a tip is something you earn and if you didn't earn it then you don't get one. I am glad the manager took care of it now the worker most likely was fired or had to pay for the meal so mean less money for them all over a tip not sorry I gave you bad service please come back and we make it up to you no the server chases you sorry that happened.

yes, was at disney... not going to say which restaurant but was a TS at MK which is renound for poor service....
 
thank you for the advice, esp about dtd, i do feel the "drop and run" tactic will be used:thumbsup2

we are staying at okw so will not be using valet at the hotel, it will purely be for if we are dining at a hotel that has valet and for MK days. i do feel $10 is steep imho, that said us brits struggle with tips, and give too much or not enough... one day i ll get the hang of this!! (though i did pull the 1c trick when we had very very poor service (service?? what service??) and got chased by the waiter!! when i fronted him up and told him exactly why i didnt tip him the manager got involved and reimbursed all our meals... now i know the way not to get chased is leave a tip lmao!!!

i am more than aware of how the gac works, and have used it for a variety of adaptations to facilitate my sons and familys visit but am esp interested in hearing about how things have changed following the media stories on abuse... they may have been exaggerated by the press, but as its all about my sons quality of life id rather warn him of any changes now... Im sure no one with an asd kid would criticize me for that (and if anyone thinks a pm is more appropriate thats fine.

thanks for any help
Here's a tipping guideline from Emily Post.
http://www.emilypost.com/out-and-about/tipping/89-general-tipping-guidelines

The tipping guideline for valet parking is $2-5 on top of the usual charge.
From our experience, many people with disabilities tip that amount when they drop off and when thy pick up. Even if you don't need help with getting a wheelchair or ECV in and out, the valet will usually help anyway. That's the biggest reason most people end up tipping $8-10 total ($4 to 5 to the valet when parking and again at pick up).
So the tip is for parking, as other people, but is also for helping with equipment. If they don't help with anything, all that would be expected is a tip when picking up, but some people feel funny doing only that when they are getting something without charge that others are paying for. So, it's up to you.

Boat to Downtown Disney from OKW is great, but if you haven't used it before, be aware of a couple of things:
  • The boat dock may not be the most convenient to where you are going. Currently, the OKW boat docks near the Irish Pub. I don't think that will change when they begin construction on the renovations to DTD, but it might. That area getting to and away from the dock is very crowded.
  • The dock (all of them actually) are fairly steep ramps and you might be standing on that ramp waiting in a queue wth rails on either side of you for 15-20 minutes.
  • The queue at DTD is used for more than one boat location. That means 2 things that might be important for a child with autism:
    You may be waiting for your boat and be asked to step aside and let others behind you come forward for their boat.
    You may be asked to move from the queue you are in and get into a different queue so people can get by. They basically ask near the bottom of the ramp who is going to which location and divide guests by the location. This is important to know because the queue you get routed to may have a sign that says another location or your child may have seen boats leave from there to go somewhere else.
  • The boats temporarily stop in high wind, heavy rain or when there has been lightening in the area.
  • The hours of boat service are not the same as the hours DTD is open.
  • At OKW, there are stairs near Olivia's to get down to the dock. There is a ramp down to the dock - you enter near the pool (by the towel pick up container). There is chain to prevent guests from just wandering into the dock.
    Once you are actually down on the dock, there are no rails to prevent someone from walking right off the dock. During the day when the marina is open, there is usually a CM somewhere in that area. During the evening, it is usually not staffed.
    If you can't do the steps, you may want to wait down by the ramp and have members of your party wait in the stair area. That area has rails and chains to keep guests from wandering onto the dock until the boat captain comes.
    Another advantage to that is having someone waiting in the stairs queue who will tell the captain you are waiting at the ramp. Guests at OKW tend to wait in the general area and enter the queue when they see a boat arriving.
    We have more than once had our entire party waiting by the ramp, the captain could not see us in time and the boat was filled ith people who entered the queue as the boat pulled up.
 
thank you for the advice, esp about dtd, i do feel the "drop and run" tactic will be used:thumbsup2

we are staying at okw so will not be using valet at the hotel, it will purely be for if we are dining at a hotel that has valet and for MK days. i do feel $10 is steep imho, that said us brits struggle with tips, and give too much or not enough... one day i ll get the hang of this!! (though i did pull the 1c trick when we had very very poor service (service?? what service??) and got chased by the waiter!! when i fronted him up and told him exactly why i didnt tip him the manager got involved and reimbursed all our meals... now i know the way not to get chased is leave a tip lmao!!!

i am more than aware of how the gac works, and have used it for a variety of adaptations to facilitate my sons and familys visit but am esp interested in hearing about how things have changed following the media stories on abuse... they may have been exaggerated by the press, but as its all about my sons quality of life id rather warn him of any changes now... Im sure no one with an asd kid would criticize me for that (and if anyone thinks a pm is more appropriate thats fine.

thanks for any help

x
As far as using a GAC at WDW since the press stories, some people who were there recently saw no changes with how they were handled previously.

The usual things that happen when there is a 'crackdown' are the things I already mentioned as possibilities.
- being told there is no accommodation and to enter the regular line if the posted wait is 20 minutes or less.

- being asked to obtain a Fastpass if Fastpasses are still available.

- being given a handwritten return time card by a CM at the attraction.

- if there is a different entrance you are directed to, CMs may keep guests there waiting longer (more ride cycles) to make the wait time higher if the wait in the regular line is long.

- some of the quieter waiting areas (especially handicapped queues that run parallel to the regular queue) may not be in use. The ones often not in use are Mickey's Philharmagic and Laugh Floor. I think part of this is to avoid appearance that guests with disabilities are e tearing a building sooner.
Those attractions still have a separate area just before going into the theater, but the separate area doesn't begin at the entrance.

Exactly what happens can vary from attraction to attraction and even on the same attraction at a different time.
There tends to be more variation in what occurs during these times.

That is why I always mention that using. Touring plan and the Fastpass system will give more predictability. Many people send one member of their party to the attraction to get Fastpasses so that the child with the disability does not go into the ride area until the Fastpass is ready to use.
If you can get to the parks early, the lines will be shortest and it is possible to go on many attractions with only queuing for 10-15 minutes.

Doing those things can help a lot with predictability and being able to tell your child what to expect. If the regular line is short, the wait there may be shorter than using a GAC - this may not work for some people with some attractions because the line itself is the problem, not the wait.
Fastpass is also pretty predictable - you come at the time printed on the Fastpass, you enter the Fastpass line and get to the attraction within 10-15 minutes usually.

I'm NOT saying DONT use a GAC, but just be aware of other option that might be more helpful in certain situations.
 
yes, was at disney... not going to say which restaurant but was a TS at MK which is renound for poor service....

That cm needed to be taught a lesson thankfully the manager made it right but their no reason to follow a guest out the door hopefully he found him self on the unemployment line.
 
sorry for the delay in getting back to you. my fibro has been playing up big time and just functioning has been hard...

after much discussion with hubby (and alot to with extra costs) we have decided to bring the manual not electric chair for convenvience... i can do stairs with difficulty and i can walk a few hundred metres without being too bad, as long as i take it easy...

thanks for all the extra info and i have talked to my asd son and warned him about poss changes... we have always been a ropedrop out for lunch back at tea time family....
mainly as we use the jet lag from the UK to our advantage !!

anyway thanks again

tracy
 

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