Auto Handicap Placard question

[disneysteve]

Sorry if this has been asked before. I've never been to this board before.

We are taking our annual trek to Disney next week. My MIL is joining us. She has a handicapped placard for her car at home. If she brings that along, can we use it for preferred parking at Disney even though it wasn't issued in Florida?

Thanks.

 

[videogal1]

Sorry if this has been asked before. I've never been to this board before.

We are taking our annual trek to Disney next week. My MIL is joining us. She has a handicapped placard for her car at home. If she brings that along, can we use it for preferred parking at Disney even though it wasn't issued in Florida?

Thanks.

In short, yes...It would be pretty inhibiting to expect disabled people to have to remain within their own state because nearby parking was not extended to them anywhere else...One thing I used to do, though was to make a copy and keep it safe in case the original placard got snached...

 

[Cheshire Figment]

The handicap placard from any state is now recongnized in all other states. Florida (or at least the Orlando arera) also recognizes the "Blue Badge" from UK.

 

[disneysteve]

Thanks. That's what I figured but wanted to check.

 

[Mary Anne]

Yes, you can and it also gets you free valet parking at the hotels.

Speaking as someone who took 2 90 year olds to Disney last year, take advantage of all the handicapped parking you can. It really makes a difference when traveling with older people. Also do not discount a wheelchair if you see her getting tired out. She may not need one at home, but it's a lifesaver and really lets them enjoy being at Disney and lets you stay in the parks longer as they are not as tired.

We found they enjoyed the shows a lot and it made great memories for my kids to take the older folks around. One of the best pictures we now have is one of my MIL pushing my then 1 year old in a stroller at Disney and a new one of my now same child @ 18 years old pushing his grandmother in a wheelchair in the same places.

Enjoy your trip.

 

[SueM in MN]

Just agreeing with the others. All states recognize the handicapped placards from other states. The only one that didn't was the District of Columbia, which required their own permit. I just read a few weeks ago that they changed and will now recognize the placards from other states.

One thing to keep in mind though is that the handicapped parking areas are quite large and if the lot is fairly full, you will have a long walk. That's not a problem if she has a wheelchair or ECV, but might be a problem if she doesn't.
There are some wheelchairs available in the handicapped parking area that can be used to get from the parking area to the place where you can rent wheelchairs/ECVs in the parks. When we were at WDW in March and just recently early this month, we noticed the corrale for holding the wheelchairs was often empty. So, you can't count on one being there when you need it.

The regular parking lots have trams that go from the parking area to the entrance of the park (there are no trams for the handicapped lots). If she can step up to get on the parking tram, she will actually have a shorter walk by parking in the regular lot and riding the tram. The CMs do save spots near the tram stops for people with mobility problems.

If you are staying at one of the WDW resorts, I'd suggest using the buses to go to MK. The buses deliver you close to the park entrance. If you drive, you need to walk or take the tram to the Ticket and Transportation Center. From there, you have to walk a bit to the boats or walk a shorter distance (but up a steep ramp) to the monorail.

 

[disneysteve]

it also gets you free valet parking at the hotels.

That's good to know!

Also do not discount a wheelchair if you see her getting tired out.

She got an ECV at Epcot last time we took her but she was hell on wheels! We spent more time apologizing to all the people she cut off and nearly rammed. I don't think I'd let her have one again.

 

[SueM in MN]

The reason a handicapped parking permit gets you free valet parking is that they have very little actual handicapped parking that is close to the resort. So, by giving free valet parking, they can have less parking close by.

The CMs that do the valet parking do appreciate tips.

 

[disneysteve]

The reason a handicapped parking permit gets you free valet parking is that they have very little actual handicapped parking that is close to the resort. So, by giving free valet parking, they can have less parking close by.

I probably wouldn't use this service anyway. Since the driver (me) isn't the handicapped person, I can just drop everyone at the door and then go park the car. I have no intent of abusing the placard, but when parking at the parks, ending up at the far end of a row can mean a pretty long walk to the tram or gate. That's the only place we may flash the placard.

Thanks for all the info.

 

[shovan]

Did not know about free Valet parking!!!! Is that a definite? At all WDW hotels?

 

[Belle1997]

Just to let you know they accept Ontario handicap place cards too. Just incase any Canuks are reading this thread.

Though we had heard different opinions on parking outside of Disney world. And chose not to risk it when outlet shopping.

 

[Mary Anne]

The free Parking is only at the Delux hotels that offer Valet Parking.

However Shovan I notice you are DVC, as a DVC memeber you get free Valet Parking at the DVC hotels that have Valet Parking all the time. BWV, Beach Club and I think Wilderness Lodge (if they valet park there, not sure).

 

[SueM in MN]

The free Parking is only at the Delux hotels that offer Valet Parking.

However Shovan I notice you are DVC, as a DVC memeber you get free Valet Parking at the DVC hotels that have Valet Parking all the time. BWV, Beach Club and I think Wilderness Lodge (if they valet park there, not sure).

I missed that. The WL does have valet parking and it is free to DVC members and to people with handicapped parking permits. We have parked there in valet.

Most resorts/hotels will allow people with handicapped parking permits to valet park for free if the handicapped parking is full or too far. We have done it at other hotels besides WDW.

Here's a quote from the Florida law that deals with reciprocity (recognizing permits from other states):
RECIPROCITY: Section 316.1958, Florida Statutes, provides that motor vehicles displaying a license plate or parking permit issued to a disabled person by any other state or district subject to laws of the United States shall be recognized as a valid plate or permit, allowing such vehicle the special parking privileges in Florida, provided such other state or district grants reciprocal recognition for disabled residents of this state. All of the United States have agreed to reciprocate.
I can't find the easy information about which (maybe all) of the Canadian provinces have reciprocity for handicapped parking with Florida. If you live in Canada, you should be able to get the information from the Department of Motor Vehicles in your home province. If they have reciprocity, you would be able to use it anywhere in Florida, not just in WDW.

 

[shovan]

Thanks Maryanne & Sue,

Appreciate the info., we're new DVC owners so wasn't aware of that perk either! The last couple of times we've been to WDW we flew.

Hoping to do many more trips now that we're DVC owners! and we're anxiously waiting to receive our new lift van! So hoping to have many driving trips to WDW!

I had mentioned on another thread, that Louisiana Rehabilition Services was going to help us with the cost of the lift & driving modifications on a new van. Well we thought we had followed all procedures & were told that it was approved through the state program. We purchased a new Dodge Van through Braun. Well the van was delivered here several weeks ago, but the final approval is still sitting on some guy's desk in Baton Rouge! So our van is sitting in storage while we are waiting on this, unless we want to cough up $25,000 for the lift modifications & lose out on the state paying for it, we have no choice but to wait! Getting the assistance is a very complicated procedure!

But if everything works out, we can't wait to do some traveling!
Thanks again for the info.!