handicapped parking?

[margot31]

So for years we always stayed on property and took the bus....let alone we haven't had anyone who was in this position till our newest trip coming up.

We are staying off property and we will have someone in our car that needs one of those spots if possible....how fast do those spots fill up? Something we need to be concerned about?

 

[SueM in MN]

It depends on the park, season and the day.

It's important to know that the parking lot trams that serve the regular lots do not serve the handicapped parking lots/areas. There are wheelchairs at the handicapped lots that can be used to get from the parking lot to the area in the park where wheelchairs/ECVs are rented. But, the 'corrals' for the wheelchairs are in a central location, which may not be close to where you actually parked. And, there are often no wheelchairs in them because they have been used and not returned.
If your friend has a wheelchair or ECV with them, the handicapped parking will be best. But, if your friend is planning to walk into the park, the shorter walk will usually be to use the regular parking lot and parking lot trams.

A valid handicapped parking permit is required to park in any of the spots with blue painted lines or handicapped parking signs. If your friend doesn't have a permit, they may still be directed to the handicapped parking area IF they have a wheelchair or ECV; just park in spaces with white paint. There is still time to get one from their state if the trip is not in the next couple of weeks.

The Studio has the smallest lot and our experience is that if you get there after 10:30, it might be already full.
Epcot has a large lot, but you could be parked at the far end of it and will have a long walk if you don't have a mobility device eith you.
We never park at MK, so I can't answer except to say that it is a long walk.
AK's lot is not that large and can fill quickly. In our last trip this Spring, there was a CM at the entrance to that lot checking for handicapped parking permits.

 

[PatMcDuck]

The most difficult park is MK. I find myself staying at BLT, FW Campgrounds, Wilderness Lodge when I can, to avoid the issue. I cannot get my son's chair onto a tram, so we would need to walk at TTC. Pushing him up the ramp to the monorail at TTC is also difficult, which leaves the large ferry as the best way to MK. This takes so much time. So for MK I usually take the bus, which is not an option when staying offsite of course.

 

[margot31]

It depends on the park, season and the day.

It's important to know that the parking lot trams that serve the regular lots do not serve the handicapped parking lots/areas. There are wheelchairs at the handicapped lots that can be used to get from the parking lot to the area in the park where wheelchairs/ECVs are rented. But, the 'corrals' for the wheelchairs are in a central location, which may not be close to where you actually parked. And, there are often no wheelchairs in them because they have been used and not returned.
If your friend has a wheelchair or ECV with them, the handicapped parking will be best. But, if your friend is planning to walk into the park, the shorter walk will usually be to use the regular parking lot and parking lot trams.

A valid handicapped parking permit is required to park in any of the spots with blue painted lines or handicapped parking signs. If your friend doesn't have a permit, they may still be directed to the handicapped parking area IF they have a wheelchair or ECV; just park in spaces with white paint. There is still time to get one from their state if the trip is not in the next couple of weeks.

The Studio has the smallest lot and our experience is that if you get there after 10:30, it might be already full.
Epcot has a large lot, but you could be parked at the far end of it and will have a long walk if you don't have a mobility device eith you.
We never park at MK, so I can't answer except to say that it is a long walk.
AK's lot is not that large and can fill quickly. In our last trip this Spring, there was a CM at the entrance to that lot checking for handicapped parking permits.

We will be getting her a chair from an outside company since we can get a better deal that way. She will also have her placement card with her.

 

[gohomekate]

We are from NJ and always travel with our card. Just to let you know, if there is a sign that says the handicap parking lot is full, tell the CM you would like to check to see if there are any empty spots anyway. DHS and AK seem to be the easiest to park at. EPCOT always seems the hardest for us to park at and to be honest, we haven't used the MK handicap spaces.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

We will be getting her a chair from an outside company since we can get a better deal that way. She will also have her placement card with her.

at MK it is a walk from handicapped lot plus it is slightly up hill with cars going by you as you go up. be areful if you have kids with you. there are no trams from that area

 

[margot31]

at MK it is a walk from handicapped lot plus it is slightly up hill with cars going by you as you go up. be areful if you have kids with you. there are no trams from that area

Fully aware. Kids will be in a stroller with me and hubby will be pushing his mother. The last day we were there this spring we drove to see the distance and how long would it take and how we get there.