Disabled and from the Uk.

[bombhead444]

Hi everybody, Just a question for anyone that can help.
My mother and other half are coming out to join us at WDW in November and my mother severe Rheumatoid arthritis and on some days she can hardly move.
My question is: although I have read somewhere that the UK blue badge system does not work in the US (makes some sense), how can she use things like disabled parking at the parks? is there anything she has to do?
I am only thinking ahead as although I suspect the warm weather will make her joints less inflamed and more useable you just never know.
Thanks my fellow DISer's.

Bring on November!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Hi,

She would need to apply for a temporary disabled parking permit, which is valid for parking anywhere in Florida for a specific length of time.

There is a thread that covers this topic:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1666467

Would suggest you apply about 6 weeks before the holiday.

We applied for one for Joshua for our stay, we sent an email with copies of driving license, blue badge etc and then phoned them direct and paid by credit card.

If you need any other advice glad to help.

NB - are you getting the Guest Assistance Card (GAC) for use around the parks?

 

[Pootle]

See the Sticky at the top of the page (third from top) this will give you all the information you need.

I used a blue badge last year while I waited for knee surgery and went to get one in person from the office in Kissimmee, which could involve a wait. The next time I emailed and faxed the documents over (the fee was valid for a year but the parking permit only last for 3 months - I think!) and found this to be very easy.

November is a great time to go for weather so I hope it has the magical effect on your mother's joints

 

[higgy66]

My Dad suffers really badly with this condition. There's no way he could walk around the parks so we organised a motorised scooter. It was the best holiday he had! Is this an option?

He would never use one in this country as he can park his car close to where he's going and walks only where he needs to. When he used the scooter he said for the first time in years he felt he wasn't holding anybody up and he didn't have to worry about how long the next stretch of walking was going to be. He's thinking about going back and I'm sure that's because he knows he can relax and not worry about the walking.

 

[bombhead444]

Thanks for the info guys, we shall check into that.
Johnnysharp2, what is the Guest Assistance Card?
Thanks.

 

[Goofyish]

If you need to rent a motorised chair there are companies that will deliver to your hotel/villa for so you have one available for the length of your holiday rather than renting on in the parks.

This company is a DIS sponsor:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/electric-scooter.htm

Also, check out the disAbilities board here on the DIS for loads of useful help and advice for your trip:

http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=20

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Thanks for the info guys, we shall check into that.
Johnnysharp2, what is the Guest Assistance Card?
Thanks.

It is a card for visitors to all theme parks for disabled or special needs guests.
It doesn't necessarily mean you get immediate access to the rides or attractions, but it does mean you can let the Cast Members know a member of your party requires special assistance.
Many rides have different access and entry points for use also.
In theory if the queue time for a ride is long, you can gain quicker entry by using the GAC - it is kind of like a fastpass in many ways.

Some rides in addition can cater for wheelchairs, disabled transport - I would imagine for others you or your mother could be asked if she is able to get onto the ride without the need to do this.

Disney GACs can be collected from Guest Services inside any of the parks and are valid throughout your stay. Your mother would need to be present at the time.
Universal GACs are collected the same way, but are only valid for that single park day , so you have to renew each visit.

Hope this helps.

*The disABILITIES forum is also a good place for information:*

http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=20

 

[Andrew Bichard]

My question is: although I have read somewhere that the UK blue badge system does not work in the US (makes some sense), how can she use things like disabled parking at the parks? is there anything she has to do?

If you are driving to Disney parks, and ONLY Disney parks I think the UK blue badge will suffice, because parking restrictions at Disney parks are governed by Disney rules not state laws.

Beware of UK parking restrictions. I read of a case where a disabled driver parked in a disabled space at the airport, but took his blue badge (handicap tag) with him to use overseas in his rental car.

His car got towed at the UK airport while he was away because it wasn't displaying a handicap permit.

Andrew