Parking Tram Horror!

[seashoreCM]

I cannot object to a policy where, in order to get preferential treatment such as handicapped parking, you have to tell a cast member about your disability. There are too many people abusing the system, including using handicapped placards that belong to somebody else. Also the cast members can then (and should) direct you to the facilities that best help you based on the condition you describe.

There is a dip through which pedestrians, folks in wheelchairs, and trams must go getting from the MK/TTC parking lots to the TTC proper since there is a roadway crossing overhead.

For the couple with the 10mo, maybe it is time for you to ask for help too. You would have to stand where the back of the tram would stop since the cast member overseeing the boarding is at that end.

Any suggestions on how to end this horror? Replace the trams with buses without open sides from which people could fall? There have been numerous rumors about Disney's having misgivings about the trams but not having hit upon a solution yet.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[ducklite]

seashore has some very valid ideas.

I'd like to add that IMHO WDW needs to add additional trams in the rush hours.

Anne

 

[sgtdisney]

We didn't experience any trams on our last trip to Orlando (we just got home Sunday) because my Father in law was with and he has severe difficulty walking and we parked in the handicapped parking when we were with him. I did notice how long of a walk it was for people from the handicapped section of the MK parking to the TTC, but we used the wheelchairs at the end of the aisle to push him in. Lucky for us and him we were there and able to push him, I can see how it could possibly be a problem for someone who didn't have assistance. We went to Universal last Saturday and their parking situation was terrible. We parked in the handicapped spaces again and there were no loaner chairs, no employees nothing. The walk from Universal's parking to get him a chair was far for him. We finally sent my Brother in law ahead to flag down a universal employee to get him a chair.

I don't know about anyone else who was there in the last two weeks but I can see what the OP is talking about with the tram situation. We have been going to DW for over 20 years now and I have to say I have NEVER experienced so many RUDE people in the parks as I did this summer. I don't know if it was the time of year with the heat (and boy was it hot) or what but I commented a couple of times how rude the people were. My poor Father in law with his electric cart, I can't tell youw how many people cut him off, rammed him with a stroller, etc. I don't think we will be going back in the Summer again for a while.

 

[Kristi1357]

Originally posted by seashoreCM
For the couple with the 10mo, maybe it is time for you to ask for help too. You would have to stand where the back of the tram would stop since the cast member overseeing the boarding is at that end.

Any suggestions on how to end this horror?

There is no excuse for rude people - people that purposely cut in front of and push people out of the way. It really shouldn't be necessary to bother a CM - people should have manners and common sense for goodness sake! I know I could have asked a CM for help. But you know what? They have a hard enough and thankless job as it is. They shouldn't have to babysit the people that should not be allowed out in public!

I also was usually at the end, near the back of the tram anyway. Yes, I did not ask for specific help. But I know the CMs saw what happened each time as we had to back up the folded stroller and wait for yet another tram. I also know they heard my "rude people" chant. What can they do, really? Either way they have unhappy guests. If they help me, the rude ones are mad. If they don't help me, I am mad. A no win situation for them.

As to suggestions to end this horror? Parents should teach their kids manners and common courtesy so they grow up to be respectable adults. Maybe then I can go one day without being trampled on, cut in line, etc at WDW. I know, I can dream...

 

[Forever a Princess]

To the original poster, we have experienced this pushing and shoving scenario when boarding the tram as well.

I have often found that boarding the tram from the Magic Kingdom to the parking lot, is a whole lot better experience than going from the parking lot to the Magic Kingdom.

I have thought this was because
1. People are as not as excited about going home as they are about getting into the Magic Kingdom and

2. At the tram pick up site at the Magic Kingdome there are metal bars that divide the rows for spaces for the trams. These organize a set of people who are waiting for the tram.

All in all I often find it to be a rat race for tram boarding and sometimes we wend up walking the distance (if close enough) to avoid "the tram boarding circus."

 

[inkkognito]

I agree...walking is often preferable just to avoid the mess! I think that's why it took so long for us to experience this. We generally walk if our parking spot in anywhere in the same county as the park, but this time we were in the second-to-last row of the farthest lot at Disney-MGM. I think that the holiday weekend had a lot to do with it. Most of the time when we drive we visit the parks in the afternoon and can find a decent parking spot where someone else has cleared out. At peak times, I guess I'll just have to pack my taser Actually, I think that tasers should be issued to the CMs too.
Oh well, I guess I shouldn't complain. My poor co-worker brought her severely handicapped son to Disneyland last weekend and had a worse experience with rudeness. He has a special (and expensive) wheelchair that was delivered to the gate. She got him off the plane, and a man was sitting in it! She asked him three times to get out, and he kept replying, "I don't speak English." She finally got an airline employee to make him leave, but if it were me, I'd would have spoken the universal language of tipping butt out onto the floor.
Barb

 

[Chicago526]

Originally posted by vhoffman
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!

I've never, ever heard of Disney NOT mailing out the Disabled Park Guide upon request. Who told you that it was only available in the park? Disney even has it printed in their vacation brochures to call them and request a copy if needed.

 

[Eeyore1954]

Originally posted by vhoffman
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??)

My DW received their guide by just asking the CM she spoke with while making reservations. It came in the mail a few days later. She's asked for a copy of the guide several times -- we always seem to misplace the last copy. Never had a problem obtaining one.

If a CM told you they were only available in the park, I'd hang up and call back, speaking with another CM. Or ask to speak to a manager. Disney is very good about providing information to guests prior to their arrival -- at least that's been my experience.

 

[safetymom]

I have found it worse boarding the tram from the MK to the parking lot. People totally ignore where they are supposed to go once they walk past the yellow line. They should walk straight ahead and they all feel that they have the right to sit ahead of someone else.

In the parking lot people still seem to have their manners.

 

[SuzieQMomof3]

The dreaded tram is the most important reason I stay at a WDW resort. I know it's not for everyone, but it's a necesity for me. The pushing and the shoving really gets to me and I would "hold on" to that all day. Last time we were there we took our car to Animal Kingdom and I remembered again why we never drive. Even with the trams there is always a long, hot walk wherever you go. You do enough walking in the park!

 

[SuzieQMomof3]

The dreaded tram is the most important reason I stay at a WDW resort. I know it's not for everyone, but it's a necesity for me. The pushing and the shoving really gets to me and I would "hold on" to that all day. Last time we were there we took our car to Animal Kingdom and I remembered again why we never drive. Even with the trams there is always a long, hot walk wherever you go. You do enough walking in the park!