Parking with Dis. Placecard

[Disney_bound2010]

we just rec'd our disability parking permit for our son and I was wanting to know how easily accessible the parking is for people who park in these locations

 

[Cheshire Figment]

First of all there is no Tram service from any of the disabled parking areas as they are so close.

At DHS disbled parking is up very close to the entrance near the Disney Bus Station.

At EC It is the first few rows on either side of the monorail beam and extremely close to the entrance.

At AK it is again very close to the entrance, and about the same distance from the entrance as the tram stops.

The only potential problem is for MK where it is at TTC. It is very close in, but you have to go down a ramp under Seven Seas Drive and then up on the other side, and then get to either the Monorail or Ferry. If he is going to be in a wheelchair and you are staying at a Disney Resort you may really be best off for using a bus or Monorail to MK.

 

[SueM in MN]

Besides what Cheshire Figment wrote, there is some information in the disABILITIES FAQs thread about parking.

I would agree that it is generally better to ride the buses to MK if you are staying at a WDW resort hotel.

 

[Disney_bound2010]

we are staying at the wyndham and they do have shuttle service, but we were wanting the convienence of being able to leave and come back... I will have 3 children all together a 1 yr old, my 4 yr old *who has braces* and 12 yr old and of course hubby, we will also be toting along a double stroller with us as well. so im wanting to consider ALL options!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

The Wyndham is considered off-property and they have their own buses which go to the Charter lot and not the Disney Bus Station. So the TTC Disabled Parking is much closer in than where those buses would drop you off.

 

[prncess674]

The difference I noted with handicapped parking vs regular parking is the distance to walk. If everyone is willing and able to board the tram then at least at MK it is easier to join the regular parking line and then ask to park at the front of a row which is right where the tram boards.

My father is in a wheelchair and the path down and up under the road was a challenging push for me and I thought was "far" for typical handicapped parking.

 

[sharadoc]

I use a disabled permit, and we have found that the best solution when it comes to Magic Kingdom is valet parking at a monorail resort. It is free with handicapped and gives you access to the monorail without the long drive/walk from the disabled lot at Magic Kingdom.

 

[SueM in MN]

I use a disabled permit, and we have found that the best solution when it comes to Magic Kingdom is valet parking at a monorail resort. It is free with handicapped and gives you access to the monorail without the long drive/walk from the disabled lot at Magic Kingdom.

Just to be aware that at busy times, the MK resorts do limit their parking to people who are staying at the resort of with reservations at the hotel's restaurant (this is according to what people have posted).

 

[sharadoc]

Just to be aware that at busy times, the MK resorts do limit their parking to people who are staying at the resort of with reservations at the hotel's restaurant (this is according to what people have posted).

Good to know, since we are going in June! I guess I'll have to try the bus to MK on an ECV! Never did it before, I prefer to avoid the dirty looks.

 

[SueM in MN]

Good to know, since we are going in June! I guess I'll have to try the bus to MK on an ECV! Never did it before, I prefer to avoid the dirty looks.

The specific times I have read about were during Spring Break, Thanksgiving, Christmas/New Years and assorted other holidays.
You may or may not have a problem during a non-holiday time in June.

 

[bidnow5]

Before I got my mobility scooter when we went to MK I used to ask for a space near the tram for medical reasons and was always given a space on the end right near where they stop the tram. Without my scooter I can't walk that far

 

[SueM in MN]

Before I got my mobility scooter when we went to MK I used to ask for a space near the tram for medical reasons and was always given a space on the end right near where they stop the tram. Without my scooter I can't walk that far

That's what they save those spaces for - it's still the same as when you used it before getting your mobility scooter.

 

[kaytieeldr]

My father is in a wheelchair and the path down and up under the road was a challenging push for me and I thought was "far" for typical handicapped parking.

Yeah, that's a common misconception.

The actual purpose of handicap parking spaces is to get the eligible person out of the flow of traffic as quickly and safely as possible. It's not necessarily to allow that person to park as close to the entrance of the business as possible. Sure, a lot of HP spaces are right up by the door. A lot aren't. Given the Magic Kingdom's design and access, they simply can't be. They are as close as possible to the 'entrance' - TTC - as possible, and allow the person with the HP plate or placard to park as close to the walkway to the TTC as possible, while encountering as little motor traffic as possibe = safely.

Not exactly related, but recently here there was another "drive right through the front door" accidents. The driver claimed the car accelerated itself unexpectedly : but in part the accident was caused because the handicap parking spaces and the resulting 'flat' curb/ramp were directly in front of the office doors. There was no curb to stop, slow, or redirect the car.

 

[peemagg]

I am not sure if valet service is still free to those with a disability. There was some changes to that this past year and they are no longer free to anyone else (DVC, annual passes, etc), so you might want to check on that before assumming it is.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I am not sure if valet service is still free to those with a disability. There was some changes to that this past year and they are no longer free to anyone else (DVC, annual passes, etc), so you might want to check on that before assuming it is.

It still is. But don't forget the valets are tip positions.

 

[SueM in MN]

I am not sure if valet service is still free to those with a disability. There was some changes to that this past year and they are no longer free to anyone else (DVC, annual passes, etc), so you might want to check on that before assumming it is.

They took away the free valet from DVC members (I'm not sure if it was free for people with Annual Passes or not).
Many hotels do give free valet parking to guests with handicapped
parking permits ( not just WDW).

It's not a perk - it allows the resort to get people with disabilities out of the busy arrival area where busses and cars are dropping off guests and luggage.

 

[sharadoc]

It still is. But don't forget the valets are tip positions.

Yes, we are always generous with the tip and hope that others are too. We certainly don't do it to be cheap, we do appreciate the service, that's for sure.