Disabled Badge Holder

[harry the spider]

CAN ANYONE ENLIGHTEN ME AS TO WHETHER I CAN TAKE MY DISABLED BADGE WITH ME TO FLORIDA?
IF I CAN, DO I STILL PAY THE SAME PARKING FEES?
I'M NOT WORRIED ABOUT GETTING ANYTHING FREE/REDUCED BUT IT WOULD BE NICE TO BE ABLE TO PARK A BIT NEARER THE ENTRANCES.
ANYONE TOOK THEIR BADGE WITH THEM?
LIN

 

[BevS97]

Yes, my mother in law used her disabled badge last year. I am not sure if they still paid for parking (I think they may have), but they definitely got to park very close, and there where wheelchairs they could borrow to use until they got to the wheelchair rental desk.

They only went to MK, but I expect it's the same everywhere. She also said everything was brilliantly organised for wheelchairs, she normally won't use one, and struggles along with her sticks (she has bad knees and is in fact in the hospital recovering from a knee replacement right now), but she did use the wheelchair at MK and was really impressed with how easy it was.

If you have problems waiting in lines (ie, standing all that time), hten you can go to Guest Services and get a special pass which will enable you to wait in a seperate area where you can sit. I think you will still have to wait as long, so you aren't queue jumping, but you can be more comfortable. My mil didn't use this, as she was ok in the wheelchair, but I think my fil could have used a seat by the end of the day!

Bev

PS - there is loads more disability info on The Dis, check out disABILITIES

 

[Sue F UK]

Lin, We have taken my DM who is disabled with us to FLorida for the last two years and have taken to all the parks. Her Orange disabled badges are recognised over there and, although you do still have to pay the car park fees, they direct you straight through to the disabled parking. You didn't mention your disability but be aware that there is sometimes still quite a walk from the disabled parking to the park entrance, especially at Universal, so if you need one it may be worth taking your own wheelchair with you. We took DM's own electric scooter and she managed fine (these are also available to rent inside the parks along with manual wheelchairs) Most airlines will carry a wheelchair or scooter free of charge.

I think that the point of the disabled pass that Lin mentioned is to prove that you are actually disabled as opposed to just hiring a wheelchair for an older relative to save their legs (lot's of Americans do this) As DM had her own wheelchair we didn't need the pass. The cast members were brilliant and only to glad to help with any special seating needs for the shows and rides to make sure she got the most out of everything. They usually didn't mind the rest of us tagging along too.

The only thing is, you don't get to ride the car park tram

 

[harry the spider]

THANKS FOR ALL THE HELP.
I WILL TAKE MY BADGE WITH ME.
I DO HAVE A DISABILITY THAT EFFECTS MY WALKING AND HAVE IN THE PAST USED THE WHEELCHAIRS AT THE PARKS.
BECAUSE I AM RELATIVELY YOUNG(!!) I ALWAYS FEEL A BIT OF A FRAUD BEING WHEELED AROUND AND ALWAYS GET THE FEELING THAT PEOPLE ARE A BIT JUDGEMENTAL AND THINK I'M BEING LAZY.
BELEIVE ME, THERE IS NOTHING I WOULD LIKE BETTER IS TO WALK AROUND LIKE THE REST OF MY PARTY, I DON'T LIKE BEING SO LOW DOWN AND PEOPLE WALKING INTO ME!!
I MANAGED LAST YEAR WITH ONLY HIRING A CHAIR ONCE IN THE 14 DAYS, (I WAS HAVING A GOOD SPELL!)
THE BADGE WOULD COME IN VERY HANDY FOR THE CAR PARKS THOUGH AND I'M REALLY GLAD I ASKED. I'VE BEEN TO FLORIDA 4 TIMES BEFORE AND DIDN'T EVEN THINK ABOUT TAKING IT DOH!!!
THANKS AGAIN
LIN

 

[signtalker]

Hi there, this is an actual DISabilities message board if you need to post for any other info on disabilities .

Jules

 

[UKDEB]

I'm pretty sure that the disabled parking at USF is in the normal parking lot, albeit closer than the other garages. If cost isn't an issue, then you could use valet ($15, or $8 if you're an AP holder) which takes you right to CityWalk, rather than to the parking garages. I've never come across a similar option at WDW.

 

[JohnnySharp]

Hi,

Our son is Autistic and we have a disabled badge for him.

Never used it at Disney parks yet, will do when we visit next month.

For Universal you still have to pay the normal car park fee.
Advise you to use the kiosk on the far left when you pay because you then have to turn left (everybody else carries straight on) to the disabled parking enclosure.
This is undercover from the sun, and is basically just a bit nearer the entrance to all the other parking areas.
Still a good walk I know but at least the car is protected from the sun, unlike at Disney.
You will also, probably, be asked to put your hazard lights on, I think to let staff know you are parking in the disabled area.

Can't quite remember whether the area is Jurassic Park or ET, find out next month though!

 

[JohnnySharp]

Me again, just seen from an earlier post that at Disney we would not have to use the 'car park tram'.

For us that is a real bonus as it's one thing about arriving and leaving the park that really is annoying if you have a pram(stroller) like we do.