Disabled Badges

[looby]

Hi, hope you can help.
We are going on our first holiday to WDW etc. in December (on Boxing Day) (there's my parents, husband and 4 year old going!).
Both my parents hold the (now) blue disabled parking badges. We've read in "A Brit's Guide ...." that these badges are valid for parking in Florida and at the parks, but a colleague of mine has been told that she has to take a photocopy of her parking badge along with her passport to an office (don't know which), hand over $15.00 and she'll get a 90 parking pass.
Does anyone know if this is correct, or can we just rely on the normal UK blue disabled badge?
Thanks for your help!!!!

 

[KayleeUK]

Hi there and welcome to the DIS

In answer to your question I found this in a post from Andrew Bichard on the disABILITIES board....

To quote from Virgin Airway's notes for disabled passengers

In order to obtain a US parking badge you will need to visit a local Tag Office. You will need to take your own UK OrangeBadge/Blue Badge, a doctor's letter to confirm your medical details and some photo identification. The fee for the 90-day temporary badge is approx $15.00 and should be displayed on the rear view mirror.

Auto Tag Office
11301 South Orange Blossom Trail
Orlando 32837
Tel: (497) 836 4145
Mon-Fri 08:30-17:30 (Bank holidays may differ)


Disney parking will accept UK badges without question, but I have heard tales of people being towed from parking spaces at shopping malls etc (I assume towing in USA is as lucrative as clamping in the UK)

That said, I too have used my Orange badge in USA without trouble in the past. All US states reciprocate recognition of handicap tags/badges, but not ones from overseas. The official line is that must have a temporary tag.

HTH

 

[signtalker]

You are Able to use your blue badge, without having to pay $15 and get a 90 day permit. The blue badge is offically reconized in the US andneeds to be hung from the back window.

HTH
Jules

 

[stubb]

hi looby

just got back no problems usin the badge just put it in he front of your windscreen.

michelle

 

[Claddagh]

You can 100% use a UK disabled badge in the US. Don't forget to show it at the park gates and the CM will direct you to the Disabled spots (usually follow the blue line)

Are your parents looking forward to it? We are also taking our parents in November for what will be their first time. It will actually be my FIL's first trip abroad!!! I really hope they enjoy it as much as we do!

 

[JohnnySharp]

Have used our Blue disabled badge in Orlando several times and have never had any problems.

Obviously it's straightforward when visiting the Theme Parks but we have parked at Shopping Malls loads of times and just displayed in the front window the same as we do here at home.
Unless we have just been lucky?

 

[poet123]

Before our trip in july I emailed the Florida tourist board re blue badge validity. I received a reply to say they were valid and fully recognised by the state of Florida and that no further action was needed. We used ours displayed on the windscreen without problem.
Hope this helps.

 

[looby]

Just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has replied to my 'problem'.
All your help is much appreciated!!!

 

[florry]

yeah we got back yesterday and we used our DD blue badge everywhere no problem. Also saw loads and loads of blue UK badges in other cars.

Don't worry it'll be fine .. also the good thing about Florida is that if anyone parks in the disabled bays without a disabled badge they get fined $250.00 !

We always found a bay - never had a problem.