Handicaped Parking Question

[Timster]

My wife, daughter(3), and wife's parents will be in Disney this October. My father in-law has some medical issues, and has a tough time walking any distance. He has a handicaped sign for his rear-view mirror, and plans to bring it with him in Oct.
My question is what is the handicaped parking like in the various parking lots? (we are staying off-site this time)

Also, any tips on rental cars in which you can drop off at the airport?

Thanks in advance for any info.


http://www.landryclan.com/044.JPG

 

[betterlatethannever]

Originally posted by Timster
My wife, daughter(3), and wife's parents will be in Disney this October. My father in-law has some medical issues, and has a tough time walking any distance. He has a handicaped sign for his rear-view mirror, and plans to bring it with him in Oct.
My question is what is the handicaped parking like in the various parking lots? (we are staying off-site this time)

http://www.landryclan.com/044.JPG

Most parks have their HC parking up front but off to the side. It is a long walk to the gate. (No tram service)

Your best bet is to follow the cars into the regular lot and then show them the HC sign so they will let you park at the end of a row. You will be close to the tram. This won't work if you have a motorize wheelchair. Trams can't handle them.

Ed

 

[Timster]

Thanks for the info betterlatethannever!

 

[SueM in MN]

As betterlatethannever mentioned, you will always end up closer to the park entrance by parking in the regular parking area and using the trams than you will by parking in the handicapped parking area. They do save some spots at the end of rows for people who need to have a short walking distance to the trams.
The handicapped parking at Epcot and the Studio are not much farther a walk than riding the trams. But the lots are long and narrow, so it's possible to be quite far away if you end up having to park at the farther end of the lot. MK's handicapped parking area requires a walk to the TTC and from there you have to walk either up a long, fairly steep ramp to the monorail or a farther distance to the boat.
They do have some "loaner" wheelchairs in the handicapped parking are that can be used to get from the parking to the park gate. But, there may not be any wheelchairs to use when you get there and (unless you see the wheelchair area before you park), you may be parked quite a walk from the wheelchairs.

Here's a link to a FAQs thread on the disABILITIES Board.
It doesn't include anything about parking, but has a lot of other helpful information - like possibly renting a wheelchair or ecv (motorized scooter). You can either rent from the parks or from one of the off-site medical rental places.