Not Eligible For Disabled Parking, How About AAA Diamond Parking?

[dclfun]

Just remember that with a disability placard and "free" valet parking, you would need to tip so it really isn't free. I know at MK the AAA lot would still be quite a hike- I would also suggest at least taking the bus to that park- it's even worse coming back to your vehicle at the end of the day!---Kathy

 

[Disneylvr]

Autism in the state of Missouri is not eligible for the disabled placard, my reason for starting this thread in the first place. I am looking for alternatives (like valet parking at a resort we have breakfast ADR's) that will make our trip with a large special needs pushchair/stroller a little easier. Busses are not an option with DD's sensory problems. We are perfectly willing to pay $12 (or more of the price has gone up) plus tip for valet but not if there is a time limit on parking. We have gotten some good ideas from this thread and I thank everyone!

 

[lalapodip]

I forgot to add, yes the stroller/pushchair will be folded in the trunk of the car but the footrest and sunshade(it's huge!) do not fold and will be VERY awkward to carry on the tram and try to hold on to Madelyn and the folded stroller at the same time.

Hi - I know that you've had your questions answered, but I just wanted to add something about the stroller. We used this exact stroller until 2007, when my son turned 12, and the biggest pain was the fact that you have to remove the footrest when you collapse the stroller. My biggest fear at WDW was that we would leave it behind somewhere, so I was going to suggest that you bring some sort of tote to carry it in (they had a nice size WDW tote for sale in 2007 that worked great!). We never had the sunshade, so I have no idea how big that is!

We used the AAA Diamond parking pass years ago when we drove, and I remember it being worthwhile as far as being closer for all of the parks except MK, as posted earlier. Good luck at the AAA office!

And I also wanted to wish you a safe and happy trip!!

 

[bopper]

If you could park near the end of the row, couldn't you take your pushchair out of the car, not unfold it, and just get into the tram? I guess it depends if your DD must be in it pretty much all the time or only for long distances.

 

[Disneylvr]

Hi - I know that you've had your questions answered, but I just wanted to add something about the stroller. We used this exact stroller until 2007, when my son turned 12, and the biggest pain was the fact that you have to remove the footrest when you collapse the stroller. My biggest fear at WDW was that we would leave it behind somewhere, so I was going to suggest that you bring some sort of tote to carry it in (they had a nice size WDW tote for sale in 2007 that worked great!). We never had the sunshade, so I have no idea how big that is!

We used the AAA Diamond parking pass years ago when we drove, and I remember it being worthwhile as far as being closer for all of the parks except MK, as posted earlier. Good luck at the AAA office!

And I also wanted to wish you a safe and happy trip!!

Thank you!!! The sunshade is pretty big and not very bendable but DD has very fair skin and isn't always cooperative about sunscreen so it is necessary.... I think I have figured it out though. I will bring my BIG Disney tote (I bet it is the same one you are thinking about, we bought it last year for $10) and the sunshade bends enough that I think I can squeeze it in while we are on the tram and the footrest will definitely fit in there. I will carry the bag on my shoulder, my baggalini will be on my back and I will hold Madelyn firmly by the hand. DH will be responsible for the folded pushchair. We may still try to get the AAA Diamond Parking but not use it at the TTC.

 

[Disneylvr]

If you could park near the end of the row, couldn't you take your pushchair out of the car, not unfold it, and just get into the tram? I guess it depends if your DD must be in it pretty much all the time or only for long distances.

Madelyn, when walking long distances or is in crowded areas/lines, must be in the pushchair. She can walk fine but is known for running away from us (including in front of cars) and not respecting others personal space. The stroller is also a safe place she can escape to when feeling overwhelmed or stressed.

 

[livndisney]

Madelyn, when walking long distances or is in crowded areas/lines, must be in the pushchair. She can walk fine but is known for running away from us (including in front of cars) and not respecting others personal space. The stroller is also a safe place she can escape to when feeling overwhelmed or stressed.

A word of advice. In the parking lot, there are not "lines" for boarding the tram. It has really become more of a free for all crowd scene. I know my DD struggles with the mass confusion. People often push people out of the way to board the tram. We actually had a woman plop herself on my lap in an attempt to board the tram. Also you are right there with moving cars.

Depending on when you arrive at a park, you may be near the front and just assemble her chair and walk to the park avoiding the tram completely.

 

[Disneylvr]

A word of advice. In the parking lot, there are not "lines" for boarding the tram. It has really become more of a free for all crowd scene. I know my DD struggles with the mass confusion. People often push people out of the way to board the tram. We actually had a woman plop herself on my lap in an attempt to board the tram. Also you are right there with moving cars.

Depending on when you arrive at a park, you may be near the front and just assemble her chair and walk to the park avoiding the tram completely.

Oh I know, this is DD's 4th trip and my 22nd. You'd think by now I wouldn't have anymore questions, LOL! What I am still learning about is having a growing child with moderate autism and developmental delays... Unfortunately crowd confusion is hard to avoid at WDW but at least we can deal with it better IF Madelyn can stay in her chair (in the attraction lines, shows, on the monorail). We purposely avoid the bus but we have to do that OR the trams to somehow get to MK. That is why I was hopeful about valet parking at the Poly or Contemporary but I didn't know time limits were imposed. Last year it wasn't an issue, we stayed at the Poly. Unfortunately the Poly was not in our budget and we are staying at CBR. For part of the trip (3 days) we will have the extra hands of grandma and grandpa.

 

[Blueberry]

I am asking my questions here rather than the transportation board because you are all so much friendlier....

The reason I want the AAA parking is that our daughter with autism is not eligible for a disabled parking placard in our state. We want to get a parking spot as close to the entrance as possible to avoid having to fold up the Maclaren Major Elite Pushchair for the tram.

My two questions are:

1. We have already purchased a Disney package through Dreams Unlimited (not AAA) but my parents have a room only reservation so I am thinking about purchasing their park tickets at the local AAA office. From what I understand you can get the AAA Diamond Parking Pass by just purchasing WDW park hoppers?

2. Are the AAA Diamond Parking lots really that close to the park entrance to make this a worthwhile option? Where are the lots at each park and at the TTC?

We are just 13 days away from our trip and I am starting to panic. This will also be our first trip using the larger stroller (pushchair) and I don't know how it is going to be but it is necessary for Madelyn to have. Please share any experiences you may have with the AAA Diamond Parking! Thank you so much.

I use a ECV and I have a Disabled Blue parking placard from KY, so I know how important it is to park up close to the park entrances with any kind of mobility device.

Was mulling this over and kinda wondered if MO might issue you one of the red placards for a very specific amount of time, say for your trip if you spoke with them. The red placards are for temp disability and normally run a period of 6 months. Of course I know Autism is a permanent disability, but if they do not issue them for permanent disability they might for a temp thing with a doctors note or recommendation.

The AAA parking lots are located right near the HC ones in most parks. In MK it is next to the parking lot and actually quite a walk to the TTC from there.

Hope it works out for you, I know how hard it is if you have a long walk into the parks.

 

[livndisney]

Oh I know, this is DD's 4th trip and my 22nd. You'd think by now I wouldn't have anymore questions, LOL! What I am still learning about is having a growing child with moderate autism and developmental delays... Unfortunately crowd confusion is hard to avoid at WDW but at least we can deal with it better IF Madelyn can stay in her chair (in the attraction lines, shows, on the monorail). We purposely avoid the bus but we have to do that OR the trams to somehow get to MK. That is why I was hopeful about valet parking at the Poly or Contemporary but I didn't know time limits were imposed. Last year it wasn't an issue, we stayed at the Poly. Unfortunately the Poly was not in our budget and we are staying at CBR. For part of the trip (3 days) we will have the extra hands of grandma and grandpa.

Actually you CAN avoid both at MK. If you are dropped off in the drop of area at the TTC. The drop off is just outside the tunnel near the kennels. You could push her in her stroller right up to the monorail. Hubby can park the car and join you. And the drop off place is closer than AAA parking.

 

[Momof4girls]

Diamond parking isn't much better than regular in the MK lot. Animal kingdom, it's great. Epcot is okay. MGM (sorry - ahem - HS) is a bit of a trek, but not unbearable. Also, like mentioned above, it depends on where you end up in the row. Sometimes it's in the first row by the tram access other times it's waaaay down.

That said, no matter what you do - it's such a hassle to get the kids and a stroller to the MK gates. I highly recommend the boat and using a drop off system as mentioned earlier.

 

[Schmeck]

How about taking a taxi to your breakfast resort, then jumping on the monorail to MK after breakast? Then do the opposite at the end of the day?

Or valet park the car at the restaurant, have your husband drive to MK parking lot afterwards, and you and your daughter can ride the monorail?

 

[dclfun]

I would take advantage of any and all options- getting the Diamond parking pass from AAA if possible, having hubby drop you off to the entrances as close as possible, and asking a CM to park as close as possible on the end of a row, explaining that it is nearly impossible to fold up her special needs stroller to get on a tram. I don't understand the disability placard issue though in your state. Since she uses what is considered the same as a wheelchair and needs to be in it, then you would need the placard- it shouldn't be based on her diagnosis of autism- not all autistic kids would need disabled parking but yours does, for the reasons you mentioned. The form I've always had filled out by my physician lists several required criteria but nowhere is diagnosis considered or required.---Kathy

 

[Disneylvr]

I just thought I update this thread now that we are back..... we did not get a AAA Diamond Parking pass. I didn't even attempt to get one. What we did do is tell the parking lot CM's that DD was in a wheelchair. Usually they let us park in the "reserved" spots at the beginning of a row. Twice they had us park (once at MK and once at Epcot) in the row just behind the disabled parking area. Both of these options worked very well for us. We ended up not using the sunshade for the Maclaren pushchair as it was just too big and bulky to carry on the trams. We did remove the footrest and slip it inside my big 1971 WDW bag each time we boarded and of course folded the Maclaren.

As for parking at the Contemporary for our breakfast at Chef Mickey's. The guard at the gate did check to see if our name was on the ADR list. He then instructed us to where valet parking was and self parking. We were not given a 3 hour restriction so we left our car there for longer and went on to Epcot after breakfast. There were LOTS of empty spaces in self parking so maybe that is why we weren't restricted to 3 hours.

I will probably write a trip report later but I have to say that the CM's were more than accommodating to DD's needs and our trip was pretty much stress free. That is why we are already planning a trip for next year!!! Thank you everyone for all your tips regarding transportation and parking!!!

 

[kaytieeldr]

deleted/not needed

 

[dclfun]

I'm so glad to hear that everything worked out well. Can't wait to read your TR!---Kathy