Handicapped Parking at MK

[Tigger&Belle]

I think I know where the handicapped parking is at most of the parks, but how does it work at MK? I'm assuming that a person gets to park in the front of the parking lot and still has to take the monorail or ferry. My mom has a handicapped pass and wanted to know what to expect.

Thanks, T&B

 

[safetymom]

You have the information right. Be aware if they are using a ECV that won't fit on the tram so you would have to "drive" to the TTC and then the monorail or boat could transport you to the MK.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

It should be noted that the tram does not stop at handicapped parking, and it is still quite a walk to the Monorail or Ferryboat. They do have courtesy wheelchairs if desired, however, there is a sizeable hill that you would have to go up.

If you don't have a wheelchair or ECV, and just want to save on walking distances, my advice would be to head to regular parking, and speak with one of the parking cast members in the lot. With the permit, they should allow you to park in one of the front spaces that is close to the tram. The tram will then get you right to the ticket windows, and the Monorail & Ferry is just past them.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

What is the advantage of the handicapped spaces if the tram doesn't stop for those spots and it's a further walk to the monorail or ferry than a close regular spot? I'm confused...

Also, I will have a AAA parking pass. We can use the handicapped pass for the days that my mom is with me and I will have the AAA pass for the other days. Is the AAA area as close to the parks as the handicapped areas? Is there an advantage to the handicapped area vs the AAA area?

I think I need to get a good night sleep and this will all make sense...

T&B

 

[betterlatethannever]

Originally posted by Tigger&Belle
What is the advantage of the handicapped spaces if the tram doesn't stop for those spots and it's a further walk to the monorail or ferry than a close regular spot? I'm confused...

Also, I will have a AAA parking pass. We can use the handicapped pass for the days that my mom is with me and I will have the AAA pass for the other days. Is the AAA area as close to the parks as the handicapped areas? Is there an advantage to the handicapped area vs the AAA area?

I think I need to get a good night sleep and this will all make sense...

T&B

Let's see if I can explain the reasoning without getting everyone confused (including me ).

Trams don't stop at handicap parking because ECV's can't fit on the trams so the group needs to walk anyway.

Handicap parking is essentially the closest parking spots to the front gate in all the parks so its the least amount of walking when not using the trams. HOWEVER, parking in a regular parking space and using the tram will generally mean less walking overall.

AAA parking is usually the next row(s) after handicap parking row(s). Therefore no tram service.

As an example, at Epcot, handicap and AAA parking are on the left side of the parking lot. It would be VERY convenient if Epcot would have those turnstyles open. Unfortunately, the open gates are at the far right of the entrance to the park and it is a long walk (about 3-4 times the walk from where the trams drop off).

Ed

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I think I'm getting it now... Seems that if a person is early to the park and is not using an ECV that parking in the regular spots might be better so that the tram can be used. Too bad that they don't have tram that can handle the EVCs.

In our case we're hoping that our Mom will rent an EVC for the whole time that we're in Orlando, but so far she hasn't agreed to it and we might be renting on an as needed basis from the parks (she's 81yo with some heart issues and two hip replacements so it's really needed all the time, but she has to believe that...).

Thanks for the hlep and I guess we'll decide at that time which spots would be best.

T&B

 

[SueM in MN]

If you follow the link in my signature to the disABILTITIES Board, there is a disABILITIES FAQs thread that will help out. It also has information about renting wheelchairs/ecvs from the various sources. I don't know if you are aware, but the ecvs at the parks are in limited supply and often are all rented out by the time the park has been open for a few hours. That's one of the reasons a lot of people rent from one of the off site places (besides, if you rent from off site, it's available for use at the resort - which can be large).

The other posters did a good job of explaining. The handicapped parking areas are really best suited for people who have a wheelchair or ecv with them. Parking in the regular lot (near the end of a row by the tram pick up) is always going to get you closer to the actual entrance than the handicapped parking is. The lot at MK is the worst (probably because the park is the oldest and the assumption was that anyone parking there would have their own wheelchair/ecv).

Another option, if you are staying on site is to use the buses. They can transport up to 2 wheelchairs or ecvs on each bus.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Thanks, Sue! I guess we'll just have to figure out which parking works best for us when we are there, but at least I now know the options. Hopefully she'll agree to rent from an offsite place since I think that would be best, but if not we'll rent from WDW and hope for the best or take a very slow place touring.

T&B