Driving to parks vs buses

[LuvEeyore]

I am traveling next week with my Mom age 75 with some health problems and dementia. She has a wheelchair(not an ecv) and there are two other adults and a 15 year old who loves to push Mom. We are traveling by Allegiant so landing in Sanford and will gate check her w/c and be renting a car.

Which will be easier traveling to parks using Disney buses or driving the rental car? We are staying on property at POFQ and have requested building 4.

Suggestions welcome

 

[disney david]

I am traveling next week with my Mom age 75 with some health problems and dementia. She has a wheelchair(not an ecv) and there are two other adults and a 15 year old who loves to push Mom. We are traveling by Allegiant so landing in Sanford and will gate check her w/c and be renting a car.

Which will be easier traveling to parks using Disney buses or driving the rental car? We are staying on property at POFQ and have requested building 4.

Suggestions welcome

i would say buses because they get you to the front of the park. well i would defenty recomend it for magic kingdom because their you wont have to take the monrail or boat. and the buses are easy to load wheel chairs on.

 

[LuvEeyore]

Thanks

 

[disney david]

Thanks

your welcome have fun.

 

[peemagg]

I agree the buses would be easier for MK. You have to park at the TTC, and then take a ferry or monorail over to the park.

I know Epcot is not bad for parking in. The handicapped parking is close to the gate to the park. Not sure on the other 2 parks.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Does she have a disabled parking tag? If so, bring it with you. If not, check your State Motor CVehicles site for the requirements and see if you can get one before leaving.

Personally I think that driving to all the parks other then MK is best if you have a disabled tag and will be bringing a wheelchair along. Because parking for MK Is at the TTC, use of a bus will take you right to the MK entrance.

 

[kknpj]

We just went in June with our ten year old daughter who is in a wheelchair. We actually brought her special needs stroller for the trip. We knew it would be difficult to get her out of it on the buses and fold it because it doesn't tie down. So we decided to drive to the parks instead.

We do have a disabled parking tag and we drove to every park. It was the first time that we have ever driven once we got there, and I was truly surprised at how easy it was!

With the disabled parking tag, you get to park at the front of the parking lots. The only one that was less convenient was Magic Kingdom, because you have to take the monorail or ferry from the parking lot to MK. But we went at off times and rode the ferry both ways with no wait at all. You could always start out by driving and then using the buses if you aren't happy (or start with the buses).

We will DEFINITELY drive to the parks on future visits!

Hope you have a magical trip!

 

[Bete]

We have done it every which way and I will say if you have the handicap placard I would vote car for Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom and Disney Hollywood Studios. Epcot is a toss up, but I'm still leaning towards car.

I like not having to wait for a bus. This is especially true when you are there at closing in the parks.

 

[KPeveler]

I vote for car for everything except MK, and perhaps even that if you want to take a car there too, it may be more comfortable for her.

 

[SueM in MN]

We always take the bus to MK because it is simpler to take the bus and be there than drive and have to take the monorail or boat.

Some people with dementia do better with the car because they only have to deal with people they know.

 

[dyna]

I agree car for all parks except MK all the parks has close Handicapped parking....of course the earlier you get to the parks the closer to the gate you get to park even with the handicapped parking or sometimes you can get a very good spot up in the late afternoon early evening too.

 

[blondietink]

I agree ... take the bus to MK only. All the other parks have close handicapped parking. Taking the bus to MK saves a lot of time and a lot of wear and tear on the feet.

 

[pumpkinboy]

We always take the bus to MK because it is simpler to take the bus and be there than drive and have to take the monorail or boat.

Some people with dementia do better with the car because they only have to deal with people they know.

While for my own family, with wheelchair-using DS, the buses work best, I can see how the car might be best for someobe dealing with Dementia. So I think our Moderator SueMinMN is right on the money with that.

Good luck to the OP and have a great trip!

 

[firsttimer2007]

My vote would be to take the car. It is way easier to relax in a car and you do not have to wait for the next bus or the hundreds of people to get off.

 

[DSquare]

I agree also the car is the best solution for all the parks except MK. Beware though parking in the hadicap lot at HS sometimes turns into circling the parking lot many times before a space opens up. They have a real small handicap lot there.