handicapped parking at Epcot

[slkant]

I have heard that the Epcot bus stop is far from the entrance. What is the handicapped parking like? Is it relatively close to the entrance or is it too far away? The answer may influence whether we use the bus service or drive our own car? Is there any public parking near the International Gateway?

 

[ducklite]

I have heard that the Epcot bus stop is far from the entrance. What is the handicapped parking like? Is it relatively close to the entrance or is it too far away? The answer may influence whether we use the bus service or drive our own car? Is there any public parking near the International Gateway?

In all honesty the handicapped parking can be as far as the bus stops, depending on which resort you are staying at and which row you end up with for HP.

There is no public parking near the Intl. Gateway. The only parking in that area is for the Epcot resorts, and to walk from the parking lot to the IG or even to the boat dock is as much as half a mile, depending on where you park and which resort you are referring to!

Anne

 

[slkant]

Thanks. That's what I thought, but I figured it didn't hurt to ask.

 

[SueM in MN]

I agree with what ducklite wrote.

Here's what the Disney website has to say about parking:

Accessible Parking
Designated parking areas for Guests with disabilities are available throughout the Walt Disney World® Resort. A valid disability parking permit is required.

Theme Park Parking (Standard parking rates apply)
Guests with the ability to walk short distances and step up onto the courtesy trams should park in the main parking lots of Magic Kingdom® Park, Epcot®, Disney-MGM Studios, or Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park. The courtesy tram will transport Guests to the Entrance Complex. Parking for Guests with mobility disabilities or who are traveling with personal wheelchairs is available adjacent to the Entrance Complex at each of the four Parks.

Guests should inquire at the Auto Plaza for directions on parking options.

When we were at WDW in October, we drove Epcot twice. Both times we were on the far end of the line for parking. Because DD has a wheelchair, we had to either park in the handicapped parking area or take the buses. If we had been able to use the regular parking lot and use the trams, we would have actually walked a shorter distance.

 

[ducklite]

You can always drop the disabled guest off close then swing around to a handicapped spot.

Anne

 

[seashoreCM]

The painted patch at the tram end of every parking aisle is used as a handicapped space. You must ask the CM standing and pointing down the aisle just before you turn down the aisle.

I am cautiously suggesting that if you "forget" and proceed down the aisle and end up at the far end, make a circle-around using the second-next parking lot aisle wrong-way and merge back into the incoming line to reach and ask the aforementioned CM.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[LindsayDunn228]

You can always drop the disabled guest off close then swing around to a handicapped spot.

Anne

But if the disabled person is being dropped off and then picked up again they don't need to use a handicapped place.

 

[ducklite]

But if the disabled person is being dropped off and then picked up again they don't need to use a handicapped place.

Yes and no.

Would you really want your mother waiting for you on the curb in her wheelchair for fifteen minutes after you dropped her off until you could park and take a tram back to her?

While in principle you can drop someone off and then park in the back, in reality it is an inconvenience that is unreasonable to the disabled person. If this is the case, then probably 90% of the people in handicapped parking on any given day shouldn't be there.

Anne

 

[Michigan]

Yes and no.

Would you really want your mother waiting for you on the curb in her wheelchair for fifteen minutes after you dropped her off until you could park and take a tram back to her?Anne

Yes because I know what it is like to have to park with kids that can't be left at the curb at the back of the lot and walk with them up to the front because all the handicap spaces were taken and their chairs don't fit on the tram.

 

[ducklite]

Yes because I know what it is like to have to park with kids that can't be left at the curb at the back of the lot and walk with them up to the front because all the handicap spaces were taken and their chairs don't fit on the tram.

Then that's a situation you need to address with WDW.

I have a disabled tag due to very bad asthma, I seldom use it--especially not at the mall, the gorcery store, etc. But if DH and I go to WDW on a hot summer day, we'd use it. If I have an asthma attack, being out in the heat and sun for the 15 minutes it would take DH to get the car could mean needed to be taken by amblance to the hospital as opposed to going home.

While I dont have a mobility issue, it doesn't mean that my condition is any less worthy of a handicapped parking spot than anyone elses. Why would gram in her wheelchair be any less worthy of the spot than you? Because what you are asking is basically for her to have to wheel up from the back as well.

Anne

 

[Michigan]

Then that's a situation you need to address with WDW.

I have a disabled tag due to very bad asthma, I seldom use it--especially not at the mall, the gorcery store, etc. But if DH and I go to WDW on a hot summer day, we'd use it. If I have an asthma attack, being out in the heat and sun for the 15 minutes it would take DH to get the car could mean needed to be taken by amblance to the hospital as opposed to going home.

While I dont have a mobility issue, it doesn't mean that my condition is any less worthy of a handicapped parking spot than anyone elses. Why would gram in her wheelchair be any less worthy of the spot than you? Because what you are asking is basically for her to have to wheel up from the back as well.

Anne

That's not what I said. I said if someone drops her off then parks they should park in a "regular" spot. Now that my kids are older and the teenager is somewhat responsible if I drop them off I park in a regular spot.

Where did I say that you weren't entitled to a handicap parking spot because of your asthma?

I will say that my mother was a severe asthmatic and only got a handicap pass after she had to use a walker because of a stroke because she took my girls on many occasions and knew how hard it was to find a place to park and then be able to get their chairs out. I know if my mother had an asthma attack we went to the first aid station first for a cool spot to rest and use her inhaler.

 

[ducklite]

That's not what I said. I said if someone drops her off then parks they should park in a "regular" spot. Now that my kids are older and the teenager is somewhat responsible if I drop them off I park in a regular spot.

Where did I say that you weren't entitled to a handicap parking spot because of your asthma?

I will say that my mother was a severe asthmatic and only got a handicap pass after she had to use a walker because of a stroke because she took my girls on many occasions and knew how hard it was to find a place to park and then be able to get their chairs out. I know if my mother had an asthma attack we went to the first aid station first for a cool spot to rest and use her inhaler.

I guess we'll have to disagree. I don't feel like someone disabled should be dumped out like spoiled milk at the curb because someone else is driving their vehicle. It defeats the purpose of having handicapped parking.

As far as my asthma, I would head to first aid to begin with. But sometimes I realize that I'm not going to be able to continue the day without having another attack, and at that point it's time to go home--especially when the medics have given me O2 and have basically told me to "have a nice day, but not at WDW." Waiting for DH to take a tram to pick up the car and then drive back to get me is going to create a serious medical problem.

It sounds like the problem is that WDW doesn't have enough disabled spots.

BTW--I don't use my tag in the winter when the chances of having an asthma problem are minimal.

Anne

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I guess we'll have to disagree. I don't feel like someone disabled should be dumped out like spoiled milk at the curb because someone else is driving their vehicle. It defeats the purpose of having handicapped parking.

It is illegal to park a car in a handicap space unless the person to whom the tag is issued is in the car. At WDW the Orange County Sheriff's Office will patrol the parking lots, including the handicap areas.

Sometimes at TL we have had a Deputy hang around the entrance. I have talked to them and a couple of them say that if they are in a handicap area and with nothing better to do, they will ask people who are parking in the handicap area to examine their tag and ask for matching indentifiaction. Those who are unable to provide matching identification may get the tag confiscated and be issued a $250 ticket.

Dropping someone off and then parking in the handcap area is illegal.

 

[ducklite]

It is illegal to park a car in a handicap space unless the person to whom the tag is issued is in the car. At WDW the Orange County Sheriff's Office will patrol the parking lots, including the handicap areas.

Sometimes at TL we have had a Deputy hang around the entrance. I have talked to them and a couple of them say that if they are in a handicap area and with nothing better to do, they will ask people who are parking in the handicap area to examine their tag and ask for matching indentifiaction. Those who are unable to provide matching identification may get the tag confiscated and be issued a $250 ticket.

Dropping someone off and then parking in the handcap area is illegal.

So if you drop a handicapped person off at a curb, then drive to a spot 25 feet away and park your vehicle, you are in violation of the law? That seems absurd to me.

Anne

 

[arminnie]

Dropping someone off and then parking in the handcap area is illegal.

Interesting to know that is true for Florida. I know for a fact that it is NOT true in Arkansas.

When my mother was dying I specifically asked about it. She was in very, very bad shape and even leaving her for 2 minutes to park the car was awful, but when the weather was bad it was still better to let her out alone for those few minutes than to make her endure cold, snow or sleet.

Also in LA I have often deposited an older person with a waiting police officer while I went to put the car in a HC spot. Our crime is so bad here now that it is not uncommon to have a police officer on guard at busy locations. I've never been told that what I am doing is wrong.

I do agree that an able bodied person who is only dropping off someone who is impaired mobility wise should go park in a regular spot. But a passenger who is really vulnerable and frail (and perhaps not mentally competent) really should not be left to fend for themself - especially if the regular parking is going to put them out of the line of vision - like going to another level.

It's really a moot point for me as I am disabled myself, but the tag I am using for drop off is not in my name because it is not my car.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

The following if from the Florida State website:

"What will be done if someone uses a family members' permit or person uses a permit that does not belong to them?

Anyone who obtains or uses a permit that does not belong to them can be charged with a second degree misdemeanor - $1000 fine or up to 6 months in jail. Improper use of the permit is now twice the fee of a disabled parking violation. This should deter people from loaning their permits to family members. It does not matter if you are running an errand for the person with a disability. If the person with a disability is not present -- the fine is $1000."

I know that in the past I have seen something about dropping people off, but am not sure of exactly where it is located. Possibly it came as a handout when I got my placard.

 

[Mickiethepooh]

Interesting to know that is true for Florida. I know for a fact that it is NOT true in Arkansas.

When my mother was dying I specifically asked about it. She was in very, very bad shape and even leaving her for 2 minutes to park the car was awful, but when the weather was bad it was still better to let her out alone for those few minutes than to make her endure cold, snow or sleet.

Also in LA I have often deposited an older person with a waiting police officer while I went to put the car in a HC spot. Our crime is so bad here now that it is not uncommon to have a police officer on guard at busy locations. I've never been told that what I am doing is wrong.

I do agree that an able bodied person who is only dropping off someone who is impaired mobility wise should go park in a regular spot. But a passenger who is really vulnerable and frail (and perhaps not mentally competent) really should not be left to fend for themself - especially if the regular parking is going to put them out of the line of vision - like going to another level.

It's really a moot point for me as I am disabled myself, but the tag I am using for drop off is not in my name because it is not my car.

It is NOT the case in MA either, dropping the person does not mean that said person does not have to RETURN to the vehicle. It is perfectly all right to drop the person at the door of a store or whereever and park in the HC space to which the HC person will return at some point.

 

[SueM in MN]

I have occasionally dropped my DD off and then parked in a nearby small handicapped spot if there is not a van accessible spot available. DD is not reliable to be left alone for more than a few minutes. If there is not a van accessible spot and I am alone with DD, my only other choice is to leave without doing what I came to do.

 

[ducklite]

The following if from the Florida State website:

"What will be done if someone uses a family members' permit or person uses a permit that does not belong to them?

Anyone who obtains or uses a permit that does not belong to them can be charged with a second degree misdemeanor - $1000 fine or up to 6 months in jail. Improper use of the permit is now twice the fee of a disabled parking violation. This should deter people from loaning their permits to family members. It does not matter if you are running an errand for the person with a disability. If the person with a disability is not present -- the fine is $1000."

I know that in the past I have seen something about dropping people off, but am not sure of exactly where it is located. Possibly it came as a handout when I got my placard.

But as I see it, the person is present--just not in the vehicle at that exact moment as they have been dropped off at the curb a few feet away. I'd like to know if a ticket against someone who is driving a handicapped person someplace and had dropped the handicapped person at the curb a moment earlier was ever given--and if so if it was fought and upheld in court. I highly doubt it.

I think your interpretation of the law is unrealistically narrow. I think that law was written to keep people from using a tag for the sole purpose of getting a closer space, when the person it was issued for hasn't even been a passenger in teh car on that trip.

Anne

 

[Lachesis00]

This is interesting. There is nothing to indicate on my license or plates to say who they belong to w/o calling the DMV. Same with my hang tag. My husband's car has plates as well but the plates/registration are under D or R S.... I wonder if there is a note in the computer some how stating the tags are mine?

He never ever parks in the spots w/o me in the car. But he does have severe asthma. I wonder if 2 people are in one household need to use the parking (his is bad enough he would qualify... our doctor said since I have the plates on both of the cars, she wouldn't refill out paperwork)?