Entering Magic Kingdom

[makinorlando]

Forgive me if this has been asked before, I checked out the FAQs and did not see anything.

Is the only drop off for the disabled at MK at the TTC, and then you still have to get across to MK via ferry or monorail?

My 82 year old mother broke her femur and had surgery to repair the break two weeks ago. She is doing well, and has already been released from the hospital, with the physical therapist visiting her at home. Thus far she has made incredible progress in her recovery!

She will be arriving here in Orlando if all goes well on XMAS Eve, and the one thing I have planned that she really wants to do is Crystal Palace breakfast on Christmas morning.

I know she has several weeks of mending/rehab time before the trip, but I am concerned about getting from TTC to the entrance - I plan to get her an ECV if there is one available at MK when we arrive (early early for our ADR) - as I am not sure how her mobility/stamina will be by that time. I would think the ferry would be the best bet even with a walker or cane due to the "hill" up the monorail.

I've never had to think about this situation with her in the past - we've gotten a wheelchair for her once inside the parks on some occasions more for stabilty rather than to ride.....but she has always done her best to keep up with us all.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I have a suggestion which will cost a little more. But go to the Poly or GF and use valt parking (which is currently $7.00 plus tips) which has no time limits. This will allow here to use an elevator (and not a long walk) to the monorail.

Also, if you are not the only one with her, one person can go ahead and rent the ECV and bring it back to meet her at the gate.

Likewise, when you leave, she can drive the ECV all the way to the gate and someone retun it. Normally the MK exit gates are closest to the Express monorail, so it should not be a long walk and then when you reach the hotel where you are parked there again will be an elevator to get drom the station to the valet parking.

 

[Chuck S]

The handicap parking is for the TTC, nothing at the park itself, so I don't think there is a drop-off spot any closer, either. I agree, the ramp to the ferry boat would be easier than the steep ramp to the monorail. When we don't take the bus and drive to the TTC instead, my mom (also 82, and who has has 3 hip surgeries) has trouble with the monorail ramps.

If she has a handicap parking placard there is also a steep walkway from the handicap parking area of the TTC, under a roadway, to the TTC itself. It may be easier for your Mom to ask a parking attendent if you can park on the end of an aisle near the tram pick-up point. Will she have a handicap parking placard, even a temporary one, until she heals completely?

 

[ducklite]

Another idea--rent an ECV in advance from one of the local medical supply places--Walker has a good reputation. That way she'll have it anytime she needs it that day. You might even want to keep it for her entire visit.

Anne

 

[makinorlando]

Thanks everyone. I did not think there was anywhere closer to MK.

She does have a Handicap Placard, and I agree that using it at MK does not make much sense if she is walking from the car. I had thought I would drop her at the TTC and then go back and park. I have also asked in the past to park on the end of the row - but depending on her recovery, getting into an out of the tram would be difficult!

I'm not sure about renting one for her stay - transporting to the parks from home would be an issue.

I too had thought about parking at GF or Poly - I use valet whenever we go to one of the resorts to dine, but I know many frown upon mentioning that as an option - although I have had many an attendant say they don't care how long you leave the car in valet (meaning - not the 3 hour dining limit) - they always say Go - have a good day!. I was not sure if on XMAS Day they might be much stricter about who they allow in.

I have several options, and we will be playing it by ear until the time is closer!

Had I used my crystal ball, I would have made breakfast ADRs at 1900 Park Fare, but I really wanted to be in MK for the morning!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Since she has a handicap placard you can park in the TTC disabled parking and then have a three step process.

There are free wheelchairs at disabled parking, and you can use them only as far as the gift shop near the ticket booths. I know you can rent a wheelchair there; I'm not sure about an ECV.

Then you can use the rental wheelchiar and take the ferry boat (no long steep ramp) to MK and upgrade to an ECV at stroller rental. Since you would have your receipt from the wheelchair, you would only have to pay the difference.

Do the reverse on leaving, turn in the ECV at stroller rental and pick up a wheelchair, then turn that in at TTC and get the loaner to get back to the car.

As another poster suggested, you could rent an ECV and bring it with you. Look in the "disABILTIES! FAQ", especially posts 2 and 5 which cover rentals and ECVs with cars. The rentals break down into five pieces, the heaviest is less than 40 pouds and will fit in most full-size, four-door sedans (or larger).

 

[makinorlando]

Since she has a handicap placard you can park in the TTC disabled parking and then have a three step process.

There are free wheelchairs at disabled parking, and you can use them only as far as the gift shop near the ticket booths. I know you can rent a wheelchair there; I'm not sure about an ECV.

Then you can use the rental wheelchiar and take the ferry boat (no long steep ramp) to MK and upgrade to an ECV at stroller rental. Since you would have your receipt from the wheelchair, you would only have to pay the difference.

Do the reverse on leaving, turn in the ECV at stroller rental and pick up a wheelchair, then turn that in at TTC and get the loaner to get back to the car.

As another poster suggested, you could rent an ECV and bring it with you. Look in the "disABILTIES! FAQ", especially posts 2 and 5 which cover rentals and ECVs with cars. The rentals break down into five pieces, the heaviest is less than 40 pouds and will fit in most full-size, four-door sedans (or larger).

Thanks. I will discuss this option with her as time gets closer. I am SOOO bad at assembling things I could just see me trying to put one of the together in the parking lot!

 

[SueM in MN]

Since she has a handicap placard you can park in the TTC disabled parking and then have a three step process.

There are free wheelchairs at disabled parking, and you can use them only as far as the gift shop near the ticket booths. I know you can rent a wheelchair there; I'm not sure about an ECV.

Then you can use the rental wheelchiar and take the ferry boat (no long steep ramp) to MK and upgrade to an ECV at stroller rental. Since you would have your receipt from the wheelchair, you would only have to pay the difference.

Do the reverse on leaving, turn in the ECV at stroller rental and pick up a wheelchair, then turn that in at TTC and get the loaner to get back to the car.

As another poster suggested, you could rent an ECV and bring it with you. Look in the "disABILTIES! FAQ", especially posts 2 and 5 which cover rentals and ECVs with cars. The rentals break down into five pieces, the heaviest is less than 40 pouds and will fit in most full-size, four-door sedans (or larger).

I think that sounds like the most workable.

You could also look into renting a transport wheelchair - those are the kind with 4 small tires instead of 2 big ones and 2 little ones. You would need to push it (as opposed to the ECV that she could be more independent), but they are easier to fit into a trunk.

I have been to WDW over New Years, but not at Christmas. I have read that they are very strict about not letting people park at the monorail resorts at the busy holiday times unless they are staying there or have reservations at one of the restaurants. So, even with planning to valet park, you may not get as far as the resort parking lot.

 

[ducklite]

I think that sounds like the most workable.

You could also look into renting a transport wheelchair - those are the kind with 4 small tires instead of 2 big ones and 2 little ones. You would need to push it (as opposed to the ECV that she could be more independent), but they are easier to fit into a trunk.

I have been to WDW over New Years, but not at Christmas. I have read that they are very strict about not letting people park at the monorail resorts at the busy holiday times unless they are staying there or have reservations at one of the restaurants. So, even with planning to valet park, you may not get as far as the resort parking lot.

I can tell you for sure that on July 4th if you aren't on the ADR list or a registered guest, you'll be tirned away at the monorail resorts for valet parking. I can't imagine Christmas would be any different.

Anne

 

[makinorlando]

I can tell you for sure that on July 4th if you aren't on the ADR list or a registered guest, you'll be tirned away at the monorail resorts for valet parking. I can't imagine Christmas would be any different.

Anne

That was my expectation.

Thanks again for the info. We will work something out! She is very determined to build her stamina back up and is healing well.