Last minute trip ?'s (ecv, upgrading)

[Potterswife]

Hi all!

Soooo my husband just found out that he tore his achilles playing basketball. He is opting for the non-surgery route and is currently in a big black boot. He also decided since he has a few days off work we (DH, DD10 and myself) might as well squeeze in a DL trip this week!! We will be driving down this Weds afternoon (from the bay area) and spending 4 days in the park.

I am planning on renting an ecv through an outside company for him and then we would drive to the parks each day with it in the back of the suv (staying at the Sheraton Park). Is there a special place for us to park or do we just head to Mickey and Friends? I don't recall the trams being able to carry an ecv...but I don't remember ever paying any attention. (We don't have a handicap tag for the car and really don't plan on ever getting one). Or do I have to drop him off in the drop off area and head to the parking garage? We prefer to stay together, if possible.

Next question...we are getting 3 day park hoppers (so we can get into MM) and then we will be upgrading to AP's. I think we will use our MM on Thursday and then upgrade my pass to PAP (that day so we can get parking/discounts) and then use the other 2 hoppers until Saturday night and then upgrade the others to DAP's. Does that sound right? We can upgrade our last day at night or do we have to do it in the morning? Can they still get in on a blackout day if we do upgrade that Saturday morning? Sorry it's been so long since we've done this, I'm not sure what has changed. I tried searching threads but so much was out of date.

Thanks for any and all help!!

 

[juliamollymama]

For ECV, park at Mickey and Friends. There is an elevator for him to get down to the tram area and there is a handicap ramp for him to get on the tram. He'll have to get off the ECV and sit on the bench seating. You guys can sit with him too. My mom does this all the time since she uses an ECV. There is also a courtesy van but we haven't used that yet.

Have fun! We'll be there in 3 days! Can't wait!

 

[Potterswife]

For ECV, park at Mickey and Friends. There is an elevator for him to get down to the tram area and there is a handicap ramp for him to get on the tram. He'll have to get off the ECV and sit on the bench seating. You guys can sit with him too. My mom does this all the time since she uses an ECV. There is also a courtesy van but we haven't used that yet.

Have fun! We'll be there in 3 days! Can't wait!

Thank you so much for responding, that is exactly what I was wondering!!

Have a great trip and if you see us please say Hi You can't miss my husband cruising around in an ecv with a big black boot on.

 

[skiingfast]

Or do I have to drop him off in the drop off area and head to the parking garage? We prefer to stay together, if possible.

Next question...we are getting 3 day park hoppers (so we can get into MM) and then we will be upgrading to AP's. I think we will use our MM on Thursday and then upgrade my pass to PAP (that day so we can get parking/discounts) and then use the other 2 hoppers until Saturday night and then upgrade the others to DAP's. Does that sound right? We can upgrade our last day at night or do we have to do it in the morning? Can they still get in on a blackout day if we do upgrade that Saturday morning? Sorry it's been so long since we've done this, I'm not sure what has changed. I tried searching threads but so much was out of date.

Thanks for any and all help!!

You can park at the Toy Story lot too, they use buses to get you to the park and it will save much time over going to Mickey and Friends. Do M&F for your MM though.


As far as upgrading, you have the right idea.
Enter MM with your PH.
Upgrade anytime after to the PAP. I'd balance the time of day with how much you would save if you have the AP in hand. Early on it can take a while, later in the day the lines go down. Also do it in DCA at Greetings from California(this closes on the 28th of August), but the AP desk in there rarely has a line.
Also hold onto your parking reciept, as it and you PH cost will be credited toward your new AP.
When you upgrade DHs PH to the DAP on Saturday he will not be blocked out.

 

[Potterswife]

Awesome skiingfast, I didn't realize DCA had a center, sounds like a good bet for us, thanks for the heads up.

I'm still thinking it's crazy for us to go with him now in a plaster cast and crutches, but after reading the story of the lady who went to WDW with both arms broken and others with disabilities, I'm pretty confident this is do-able for us and it's better then him sitting at home playing video games inside and being miserable. We still haven't told our daughter, she's going to be so excited

 

[sonnyjane]

Awesome skiingfast, I didn't realize DCA had a center, sounds like a good bet for us, thanks for the heads up.

According to the latest update today on MousePlanet, the AP centers in both DL and DCA closed yesterday and will not reopen. All visitors purchasing AP's will now be issued their plastic card right away and will be given instructions on how to upload a picture from home or can use a photopass photographer to take their AP picture. No more AP processing. You'll get the card right away, no need for the extra step!

 

[Potterswife]

Oh that's new, I wonder if we will finally be able to replace my daughter's picture from when she was 6 and toothless. We have just never done it, we buy ap's every other year and have always just used our old pictures.

(((off to go read MPlanet)))