AAA Parking Pass? Anyone have a Extra?

[kaitlynangel]

My Cousin is coming with us, and she is 7 1/2 months pregnant when we will be at Disney, Does anyone have a AAA PArking pass they could lend me to use while there? Just Thought I'd ask. Thanks.

 

[buzz2400]

When are you going?

 

[kaitlynangel]

I am leaving Friday very late night on Feb 22nd. I am Driving.

 

[DMRick]

We've found that we had to get into the parks very early to use our AAA passes, before that lot was filled up (not during slow times).

We also found this trip, it was better to be where the tram picks you up, than park where you walk..much quicker to get into the park.

You can also go to quest services at the parks and request a handicap parking for length of stay...your cousin might want to look into that, if walking is a problem. You also get a paper that lets you into the seated areas while you wait your turn on some of the attractions (Millionaire is one). You don't neccesarily go to front of the line, but to a seated waiting area.

 

[buzz2400]

Kaitlynangel,

I won't be getting my parking pass until June. Sorry I could not help.

Buzz2400

 

[kaitlynangel]

I appreciate your thought, I do wish to get one of those parking passes for her, I really appreciate your response.

 

[SueM in MN]

You can also go to quest services at the parks and request a handicap parking for length of stay...your cousin might want to look into that, if walking is a problem.

The resorts used to give out temporary handicapped parking permits, but haven't done this in at least 6 or 7 years. You now need a state issued (from your home state) handicapped parking permit to parking in the handicapped areas of the lots. If you don't have one, you do risk getting a ticket.

You also get a paper that lets you into the seated areas while you wait your turn on some of the attractions (Millionaire is one). You don't neccesarily go to front of the line, but to a seated waiting area.

This is called a Guest Assistance Card (GAC) and you can request one at Guest Services in any of the parks. You explain the needs, and the Cm determines whether a GAC is given. It is not meant to (and won't usually) shorten the wait in line, but may be able to give a more appropriate place to wait. There are few places where you can sit while waiting for an attraction, so someone with problems walking or standing is usually better off using a wheelchair or ecv (electric scooter). Wheelchairs are brought right into most of the regular waiting lines.

 

[DMRick]

The resorts used to give out temporary handicapped parking permits, but haven't done this in at least 6 or 7 years.

You're correct..the resorts can no longer give it. But since I went last week with a herniated disc (couldn't stop me..just downed the pain pills), I was concerned about long parking walks. I was told by ressies (she had to get a supervisor to ask) to go to one of the park quest services, and show them my prescription I had with me, and explain the problem, and it would be given for use with my rental car (I wasn't driving). I called front desk on my first day there to double check, and again I was told the resorts couldn't give it, but to go to the quest services at the parks. I found after the first day, that parking wasn't a problem, so I didn't go, but I wonder why they told me twice (first ressies then front desk) if they aren't doing this anymore..imagine going being told it's available and then finding out it wasn't.
When we used the GAC last year for a member of our party, it was very helpful with seating places..and sometimes shorter lines.

 

[SueM in MN]

GS giving out a handicapped permit may happen, but is probably not a thing that happens often.
My DD is permanently disabled, can't walk or stand and uses a wheelchair which doesn't fold, so there is no way we could use the regular parking area and trams. Two years ago, we forgot to bring our parking permit hangtag. We asked at our resort and at Guest Services and were told they could not give out handicapped parking permits because the only ones that are valid are state issued (by your home state). We were told that if we parked in the handicapped parking areas without a state issued permit, we were parking at our own risk and could get a ticket. Other posters to the disABILITIES Board have been told the same thing. In the way past (like 10-12 years ago) the resorts would issue WDW handicapped parking permits, which were only valid on WDW property. We were able to get one several times that long ago when we forgot our hangtag, but not recently.

 

[DMRick]

Well you certainly have to work at Disney in my opinion with a wheelchair. After going with a broken foot a couple of years ago (yes, things seem to go wrong when we plan Disney trips..most often to me LOL!). I found most handicap parking to be worse than hobbling to the tram on crutches. It must be much much worse with a wheelchair...you don't have the choice of the trams. I didnt' find the handicap parking to be all that great.
In the wheelchair, people seemed to think we could stop on a dime, and we seldom went fast enough for the masses. When parked for a parade in a wheelchair, people figured I must have liked sitting down, and enjoyed looking through their heads. Forget going through AK and wanting to stop to enjoy the animals...once we were there, backing out was very trying. That time we did bring our own pass for our car..but this time around, I had no idea how sore I was goign to be after the plane ride..and since I thought I was feeling pretty good, we didn't bother getting one..which is why I called and asked about it. I'm surprised that since Disney runs it's own little city (without a school district) they couldn't decide to give out parking permits if needed. For me, the need wasn't dire, but for some, expecting to get one (in NY long term have them on their plates, not a hangtag, although I'm sure they could get one if they thought to ask a doctor to fill out the form), being told they could, that would be very troublesome.

 

[girlsx2]

KAIT,
We are leaving next Saturday (8th) and returning the 16th. I am going to AAA to buy my tickets so I'll ask for a parking pass. If I can get one, I would be happy to mail it to you when I return or once I get to the Wilderness Lodge and it doesn't look like I'll need it, I can mail it to you from Orlando. Here is my email address, please email me if you are interested.

rabelgirls@charter.net



Only 8 more days until we go to the Wilderness Lodge!! First time on site and for our girls!!!

 

[hockey mom]

I do have to agree though with the one poster that said it is better to use the tram. We had a parking pass but the walk to the tram was shorter so we never used it.

 

[SueM in MN]

Actually, even with a handicapped parking permit, you are going to walk less parking in the regular area and taking the tram. Some of the handicapped parking areas are quite a hike from the park entrance and the AAA areas are mostly next to the handicapped parking. So, unless someone has a wheelchair or ecv that can't go on the tram, they might be better off parking in the regular parking.

 

[jk1]

You can also drive up to the entrance and drop her off, then return to park. Or you can ask the parking lot attendant for an end parking space to minimize her walking to the tram.

 

[BethR]

Good solution jk!

BTW - nice to see you!