Parking Tram Horror!

[inkkognito]

I've read all the parking tram horror stories here, but I don't think I fully appreciated understood just how horrible it really is until I experience it for myself!
We usually take Happy Limo to WDW property and use the Disney buses (which are at least halfway civilized while boarding). But now that we are doing a lot of weekend trips to the area, we've started driving more. For the first time, we visited a park (Disney MGM) at a crowded time (4th of July weekend), and I couldn't believe it!
We were standing in what appeared to be a line to get from the parking lot to the park. But when the tram pulled out, people appeared literally out of nowhere and pushed their way in front of everyone else, grabbing all the available seats.
I am from Chicago, so believe me I can be aggressive at not letting people walk all over me, but I was in too much shock to do anything! It was like seeing a herd of hyenas descend on a downed antelope.
When I recovered, I noticed a couple of single seats in different rows, so my husband and I took those (and the woman I sat next to spent the whole time giving me death stares for actually daring to take that seat). I noticed that the people who had been ahead of us in line, who should have been the first to board, did not even get on! They watched forlornly as the tram full of rude hyenas pulled away.
Believe me, I will be prepared next time! And sorry for thinking you guys would exaggerate.
Barb

 

[safetymom]

Barb, I think of it as they think it is THE LAST TRAIN TO THE PARKING LOT FOREVER!!!!!

Lot's of people must be hard of hearing too when they call for NO FINAL BOARDING and they continue to stream on the tram.

 

[vhoffman]

At least you able-bodied people have access to a tram. Not so if you're disabled. I learned that the hard way our last trip to Disney. It soured our whole trip. I'm disabled (have arthritis and walk with a cane). Well, it made perfect sense for me to park in the handicapped parking section. Apparently, this isn't the way things are done at WDW. Our first night, we arrived late in the day and wanted to spend a few hours at MK. I drove with my two children (7 year old twins) to MK. My dh was going to meet us inside MK. Well, we parked in the handicapped spot (and yes, I do have a permit). We then waited patiently for the tram to come our way. After waiting about 20 minutes and seeing trams pass right by the handicapped parking, I finally managed to flag down a CM and asked him when the tram would come our way. He was quite rude and told me (like as though this was something I should have known) that the trams don't go into the handicapped area because 1. The handicapped area is too small for the trams to turn around in, and 2. Wheelchairs couldn't fit on the tram. I asked this cm just what I was supposed to do. He seemed to think (as apparently does Disney) that all handicapped people use wheelchairs and bring their own). He then told me that there were wheelchairs available at the end of the parking lot and I was "welcome to use one". Well, to anyone familiar with the MK parking lot, you know that that is a big parking lot with a rather steep up and down slope to reach the MK entrance. I then explained to the CM that I wasn't able to push myself in a wheelchair, nor could my children. Apparently, they hadn't thought of that scenario. I asked if someone could take me to the park entrance in a golf-cart, or at least go get the wheelchair for me and assist me to the entrance. The cm then said that wasn't his job, and furthermore, how did I expect to get around once inside the MK if I couldn't make it from the parking lot in? Well, just how does that logic apply to all the able-bodied people I saw riding the tram? I guess if your able-bodied you get a lift, but if you're disabled and don't have your own wheelchair and/or someone to push you you're SOL. Well, I opted to walk to the entrance, thinking I could make it. However, by the time I got there I was shaking and felt I was going to pass out. I managed to find a place to sit and met up with my dh, who got a wheelchair to assist me out. I was too exhausted from that episode to enjoy then rest of my trip and spent the next day in bed just trying to recover while the rest of my family enjoyed the parks. So just be glad you have a tram to gripe about!

 

[safetymom]

Sorry to hear your problems but there are many on the tram that have some type of disability also.

I think you need to address your concerns to WDW. I am sure you are not the only one in that situation.

 

[disfanRN]

You should have driven to a non handicapped parking spot and jumped on the tram, Problem solved. Seems kind of obvious to me

 

[manning]

I am from Chicago, so believe me I can be aggressive at not letting people walk all over me, but I was in too much shock to do anything! It was like seeing a herd of hyenas descend on a downed antelope.

inkkognito -- sounds like there was a breakout at either the Brookfield or Lincoln park zoos and they went south.

I know what you mean, ignorant people. I had a situation one trip. It was at It's a Small World. A kid walks up and gets in line in front of me. I look at him and ask what do you think you are doing? He said his father told him to do it. I said go over to your father and tell him I said you can butt into line anywhere except in front of me and if he didn't like it he can come and see me. Well the father comes over and said "hey buddy nice day ain't it". I look at him and said "sure is, hope you can enjoy it". And he walks away.

 

[Jillpie]

We've always ridden the buses at DW. But as I read your post, I wonder why Disney doesn't queue all these people that are waiting for the trams, just like the buses and every other transportation that is offered in DW? Why is it a free for all? Doesn't make sense to me, as Disney is the prime expert at queueing.

 

[safetymom]

Jillpie, they do have a queue for the trams at each park. But once people clear them they run for any row they think they can get not just the row in front of them.

You should see it at closing time. I once had to wait through 2 trams because people from other rows cut in front of me to board the tram.

It would be hard to have a CM standing there policing it because the space is narrow between the tram and the queue.

 

[vhoffman]

Oh, ok, I see--I should have gone to a non-handicapped spot and hopped the tram from there. Well, did it ever occur to you the lots were full? We'd driven around for about 20 minutes looking for a space in the regular lots, then went to the handicapped lot. Also, it was about 5:30 pm and the parks closed at 7 pm. We just wanted to get into MK to see the fireworks so I decided I could walk on in rather than waste even more time looking for another parking space. I still can't understand why Disney provides parking lot transportation for non-disabled guests but not for the disabled guests. Guess I'm missing something.....

 

[inkkognito]

The queue people who run for any row are bad enough, but in this case, most of the people who actually got on (we were waiting for the very back of the tram) weren't even in line! They were just standing off to the side somewhere and sprinted like Olympic track stars when that sucker pulled up.
I will be PREPARED next time!
Barb

 

[ladyjayhawk]

disfanRN, your comments are a little insensitive and could have been expressed a bit more politely.

vhoffman, I am surprised that there is not transportation provided in the handicapped section and I appreciate you letting us know that. I am sorry about what happened and I agree that you should notify Disney. A golf cart seems like a good idea if the trams are too big.

 

[vhoffman]

Actually I did contact Disney with my parking concerns. The "solution" which is not obvious and wasn't expressed to me at the time, is that disabled permit holders who are not wheelchair users should tell the parking cm upon entering. They will then be directed to parking spaces in the regular lot that is close to the tram stops. These spaces are not designated as handicapped, I don't know how they are identified since I've never used this system. But just how was I supposed to know all this when I went the last time? Its not posted anywhere. And the cm I asked didn't give me this information. Instead, he said "How do you expect to get around the MK if you can't make it from the parking lot in?" I should have gotten his name and reported him, but this was our first night of our trip and I just wanted to let my kids have some fun, not get into a b****h session that would probably go nowhere. Well, I know now. I just hope someone else in the same circumstances will read this and not fall into the same situation I did. After all, if Disney provides parking lot transportation for non-disabled guests its only reasonable to expect the same for the disabled. They either expect you to have your own wheelchair and somehow push yourself in to the park, or use one of their wheelchairs, which are provided in the handicapped parking area. Well, anyone familiar with the MK parking lot knows there's a steep up and down slope from the parking lot into the park. Ok, it doesn't look too very steep, but try pushing a wheelchair up and down it. Especially if you're by yourself or accompanied by a small child or elderly person. The only people who do this successfully are those with a strong helper or an electric cart. Well, it just doesn't always work out that way. I really don't see the point of handicapped parking there--its more convenient to park in the regular lot, ride the tram, get to MK, then rent a wheelchair there. Their system just doesn't make sense the way it is now (or at least then--last January).

 

[Planogirl]

vhoffman, I'm sorry that you ran into an insensitive CM and then, an insensitive DIS poster. What a difficult situation that was for you! Please do keep after Disney because that whole situation was just a big foul up on their part and they need to correct it.

 

[vhoffman]

Yes, I agree, I should stay on Disney's butt about this until they come up with a more reasonable solution. I posted about this incidient when it happened several months ago on the DisAbilities board. However, it seemed like most of the people there already knew about this particular parking "quirk" and knew how to work around it. Just how they knew in the first place I don't know. However, I really do think that whatever accomodations for disabled parking that Disney comes up with should be obvious to the first-time visitor. One shouldn't have part of one's vacation ruined, then come to a bulletin board such as this one to find out information that should have been readily available at the time. I'm sure I'm not the only one who's had such an experience. Apparently Disney thinks they've come up with a workable solution when they haven't. Even though its been several months, I think I'll voice my concerns (again) to Disney. Perhaps I'll get something more than a form-letter type reply. Thanks for the kind words from some of you.....and if my posts have helped some avoid the problems I encountered then I'm glad. A trip to Disney should be fun for everyone!

 

[DMRick]

When I went with a broken foot, I quickly found out the handicap was not for us, as I couldn't easily make hte walk in (we got a wheelchair once in). Another person told me to go into the regular lot (the entire lot was full when you went? I have to admit I would have left, because that would mean the park was shoulder to shoulder!), show the parker my handicap permit and he would put me in the next available row..the first parking spot on the end and closest to the tram. That was the ticket and the rest of the trip went much better.

 

[disfanRN]

I wasnt trying to be insensitive, just applying a little common sense is all, your post didnt say you drove around for twenty minutes looking for a spot in the regular parking? and why would you if you didnt know about the situation that awaited you. All I was saying is that once you saw it wasnt coming you could have drove to an area that the tram serviced. nobody has to get excited about my comments, they are not insensitive, just an obvious answer when common sense is applied, some times we are too busy getting our feathers ruffled to react to a situation and go on. From what I have seen Disney bends over backward for their handicapped or impaired guests(as they should). Again , let me say not trying to be insensitive, as I have arthritis myself, But like I said it seems that many would rather see red then look for an easy solution, not saying thats you, so relax, just saw an easier answer to this situation.(And yes my arthritis is severe enough that im taking an injectible medication twice a week, before you ask)

 

[Mymatisse]

Originally posted by disfanRN
You should have driven to a non handicapped parking spot and jumped on the tram, Problem solved. Seems kind of obvious to me

I totally agree! Just because you CAN park in handicapped parking doesn't mean it's mandated. I myself have a hang tag and COULD park in handicapped parking but if it's easier to hop on a tram that's what I will be doing.

 

[SueM in MN]

Originally posted by vhoffmanI posted about this incidient when it happened several months ago on the DisAbilities board. However, it seemed like most of the people there already knew about this particular parking "quirk" and knew how to work around it. Just how they knew in the first place I don't know. However, I really do think that whatever accomodations for disabled parking that Disney comes up with should be obvious to the first-time visitor.

The explanantion is that some of us have been to the parks many times and had found this out in our trips from CMs or from word of mouth. As I pointed out in my answer on the disABILITIES Board, my family's personal experience is most of the time, when we tell the first parking lot CM we need handicapped parking, we are asked if we have a wheelchair. When we say we do, we are often asked if the wheelchair can be folded and the person who needs it can climb onto the tram. This is not a possibility for us, so we are directed to the handicapped parking lot. Other people have posted that when they indicate they do not have a wheelchair with them, they are told that if the person with a disability is able to climb onto the tram, they should tell each parking CM that they need to park close to the tram because of a disability. People have posted that when they say they don't have a wheelchair, and the person is not able to board the tram, they were told about the "shuttle" wheelchairs in the handicapped parking area.
I'm not sure why the poster quoted above didn't get this information, it may have been omitted by the first CM (and the rest assumed it was asked), or by looking first in the regular lot (as was posted was done), they may have bypassed the CM who would have told this information.

I really don't see the point of handicapped parking there--its more convenient to park in the regular lot, ride the tram, get to MK, then rent a wheelchair there. Their system just doesn't make sense the way it is now (or at least then--last January).

MK parking was built before the ADA, before there were any standards for handicapped parking and at a time when the handicapped parking that did exist was basically parking for people with wheelchairs. The expectation at the time it was built probably was that people who parked in it would have their own wheelchairs/ecvs. People who didn't have wheelchairs would have parked in the regular lot and taken the trams. The handicapped lot was basically for people who could not ride the trams.
Epcot's parking was originally in the same area as the Epcot buses are now, but was recently (in the past 5 years) moved closer. Parking at the Studio and AK is approximately the same distance as the bus stops. If you are in the ends of the handicapped parking areas, you will walk a ways to get to the point where you can enter the park. So the "parking quirk" is really only a problem at MK.
If you assume that the parking lot CMs will be able to advise people with disabilities where to park, then the system makes a lot of sense. But, there are always chances for CMs to sometimes miss people. I also know of people who sort of bypassed the CM by going directly to the handicapped parking because they knew how to get there from the internet, word of mouth or books.
What has Disney done to address this?
The information is in the Guidebooks for Guests with Disabilities for each park and the electronic version of disability information posted by Disney on their official website . The printed Guidebooks are available from most Guest Services locations (including WDW resorts). I don't know how long it has been on the website, but I have a Guidebook with a print date of 12/98 that includes the information.
They do have benches along some of the walking routes from the handicapped parking areas to the actual park entrance. (One of the "criteria" for getting a handicapped parking permit is the inability to walk more than 200 feet without stopping to rest or to need a cane, walker, or wheelchair to cover that distance). So, there are places to rest (although I don't know about MK, since I have not paid attention there.)
They also have put wheelchairs in the handicapped parking areas that can be used to get from the parking area to the park turnstiles.
They do make changes based on guest suggestions. I've been told that a guest suggestion led to the wheelchairs in the handicapped parking lots that can be used to get to the park entrance.

 

[vhoffman]

Well, when we had our experience with the handicapped parking at MK we just drove into the parking lot, showed the cm my handicapped permit, and were waved on to the handicapped parking. We weren't asked any questions about the nature of my disability--did I use a wheelchair, etc., nor was I given any information about the handicapped spaces. I was just waved on through. Obviously there was more information I needed and wasn't given. However, I don't think this information should have been kept basically a secret--why should I have to read bulletin boards such as this or the Disney's guide for disabled people (which, btw, I was told was only available inside the park, they wouldn't mail one to me, so I needed to park somehow in order to find out how to park??) I just think their whole system stinks! At least now I know better and can work around it. Live and learn!

 

[Kristi1357]

The parking trams are a horror! I always hated the fight to get a seat on the trams, but now with an infant & stroller in tow, it is just plain awful. Aren't people suppossed to be happy and spreading the magic in WDW?

During our last trip in May, DH & I hauled ourselves by foot from the far parking lot (Daisy?) to the MK rather than fight the obnoxious people to get a seat on the tram for us and DS. How sad is it when someone with a 10 mo. old in a stroller gets shoved aside (literally) after waiting their turn? There are alot of sick, sick people out there!

I hope no one takes this as I expected special treatment. I just expect to be able to board when my turn is here. I should not have to wait for 2 more trams to come, baby in tow or not!

I guess I will forever be chanting "mean people suck" as I encounter these situations! (I have another chant I do also, but I can't post that on these boards! )