Handicap Parking

[Eileen226]

We are arriving with my 78 yr old in-laws on July 1. Although we are staying at the Wilderness Lodge we are renting a minivan to avoid a lot of standing waiting for transportation. My father - in - law has a heart condition and does have a handicap placard for his car. If we use it in Disneyworld, where are the parking areas in MK, Epcot, MGM and AK. Are they very close to the entrance or does a tram still take you there? Thankyou.

 

[cleo]

The handicapp parking at Epcot changes now and then. Last year it was up front and off to the right of the main parking area. Unfortunately, this is one instance where you're as close as you can be but it's still not real close.

MGM's handicapp parking is at the front of the main lot. It's closer than Epcots but you'll still have a little bit of a walk.

AK's is also up front and again, there's a little bit of a walk. Not more than anyone else will have, but the walkway up to the enterance of AK is long.

I'm going to copy this over to the DisABILITIES board for further suggestions so be sure to check there as well!

 

[SueM in MN]

Thanks, Cleo for sending this here.
There are no trams to the handicapped parking area. The distance you have to walk from handicapped parking to the entrance is usually very similar to the distance from the bus to the entrance. At the Studio, the buses are right in front of the handicapped parking area. As Cleo mentioned, the handicapped parking at Epcot changes from time to time; they actually use parts of the area for setting up differnt school competitions. When those are going on, the handicapped parking is limited. AK handicapped parking area and buses are both quite a hike from the entrance area no matter what you do.
Actually, if he doesn't have a wheelchair, you might be better off using the regular parking lot and telling the CM attendant that you need to be parked close to the tram. They do save spots on the ends of rows for people who are disabled/can't walk far. The trams let you off at all parks right in front of the turnstiles to get in.

All the bus stops at the resorts that I have waited at have some benches, so he is likely to be able to sit while he's waiting.
I always suggest people take the bus to MK. It leaves you off and picks you up very close to the turnstiles. If you drive to MK, you will need to park in the lot, ride the tram (or walk from handicapped parking) to the TTC. Then, you take a monorail or boat to the MK. The walk from where those let you off is about the same as walking from the bus stop. The monorail has a very steep ramp to go up and down - no elevators.

Another possibility is to drop him off at the entrance and then park. I'm not sure what they do at MK, but the other parks have a drop off area in the front of the handicapped parking area where you could drop him off and have him wait a few minutes while you park. I know the ones at Epcot and AK have benches.