Question about handicapped parking at DVC Resorts

[pb4ugo]

just venting today!...is there any policy, rule, or suggested procedure regarding the use of handicapped parking spots on resort property. If not, and if we have to rely on common sense and the consideration of others, it’s no wonder the white compact car with Pennsylvania license tags and the big blue vehicle with New York license tags ‘TA DA’ never moved their vehicles from the handicapped spot in front of "our" villa.

The white car was there Sunday to Tuesday and the blue vehicle was there from Wednesday to Friday - and the cars were NEVER moved from the handicapped spot! I vacationed with three handicapped individuals and an authorized handicapped hang tag in our car - and the ONLY time we got to park in that spot was when we unpacked our vehicle on Sunday afternoon!

It was obvious that both parties were using resort transportation- so why could they not have shown some sort of consideration for others and parked in the row opposite the handicapped spot so that another guest might have benefitted from the closer spot? Did they think that they were the only handicapped persons in our little corner of the world - or were they just inconsiderate and selfish?

 

[BCV23]

Do you mean those cars did not have the proper license plates or hang tags?

If they did have them, I agree it would be considerate to move them if they had no intention of driving at all during their stays IF they had someone who could move the car easily. But perhaps the only driver is also the disabled person.

Also just because you didn't see them move doesn't really mean they didn't. Perhaps they weren't at the parks as long as you were or not at all.

But sorry for your frustration. When I get frustrated with accessible parking, I try to remember that my momentary difficulty is nothing compared to what our daughter with cerebral palsy faces throughout her day. Sometimes that helps me gain perspective.

However, if they had no plates or tags! I would call the front desk!

 

[Pa@okw95]

The handicap parking is for those who need it. They have every right to leave their car in the spot while they are at the parks. I don't understand your complaint-- you really believe people should move their cars from the spot after the they park it there?? Why would they need the spot in that case? I think you are barking up the wrong tree on this.

 

[colleen costello]

I get your point. We had a similar issue when we stayed in #49 at Old Key West. One vehicle was in the closest spot to the walkway ALL week - I don't think it ever moved. In fact this spot was way closer than the HC spot, for some reason, and every step matters to my Mom.

I don't doubt that this person had the "right" to park there, just thought it would have been nice enough to consider others. If you are leaving your vehicle "beached" all week, for goodness sake, put it in one of the farther spots!

 

[Chuck S]

I see the OPs points, but as long as the cars had the proper tags, they are entitiled to park there. I don't drop Mom off, then go find another place to park at Walmart, why should I do the same thing at OKW? Besides, I'm not sure the OP had any way of positively knowing the cars may not have been moved at all during the day. We use our car daily at OKW, but I'm sure folks that perhaps left earlier in the day and retuned later in the evening than we do may also assume our car isn't ever moved, I'd be upset if someone posted such a thing with my license plate number, especially considering that ANYONE can walk into any police department (in Texas) and request to know who that car belongs to...it is public record.

 

[pb4ugo]

I see the OPs points, but as long as the cars had the proper tags, they are entitiled to park there. I don't drop Mom off, then go find another place to park at Walmart, why should I do the same thing at OKW? Besides, I'm not sure the OP had any way of positively knowing the cars may not have been moved at all during the day.
** we sure did! this trip was not one of visiting the parks - we were enjoying the resort this time and spent most of our time right in our little neighborhood! leaving the resort wasn't necessary this trip; and the times we did leave were a hassle because of the all day paving work being done on penninsular drive!

We use our car daily at OKW, but I'm sure folks that perhaps left earlier in the day and retuned later in the evening than we do may also assume our car isn't ever moved,
** we only used our car to go off property to dinner between 5pm and 7pm. so i feel pretty confident in my observations.

I'd be upset if someone posted such a thing with my license plate number, especially considering that ANYONE can walk into any police department (in Texas) and request to know who that car belongs to...it is public record.
** i so wish i could get the ownership records on those two vehicles - then i could let them know how i feel toward them personally!

i am not a person to make empty threats [or empty promises on the other hand]. 35 years of covering my butt in business and teaching others to do the same has made me a whiz in identifying facts and documenting same - no need to disparrage me or my report.

 

[BCV23]

I don't think Chuck disparaged you or your report. Just disagreed with you.

I admit to being confused. If you were only leaving the resort at dinnertime, what would you have done if the spot was open one of those times you returned?

Do cars parked in accessible spots block the ramps at OKW? If not, then couldn't you have dropped off those in your party who needed the ramp or shorter walk and then parked in another spot?

We have not yet stayed in an accessible unit at OKW. What type did you have and were the members of your group who needed those accommodations satisfied?

 

[Chuck S]

i 35 years of covering my butt in business and teaching others to do the same has made me a whiz in identifying facts and documenting same....

Well, how about the FACT that if these vehicles had the proper tags they were perfectly entitled by law to park there?

BCV23, no, if a vehicle is parked in the handicap area at OKW the ramp is still freely accessible.

 

[dis-happy]

I really don't understand how these cars were parked in front of "your" villa. Two different cars, parked for two different sets people staying at different times, were parked in front of "their" villa as well. What's wrong with that? Did they display HC hangtags? If not, I would have reported them to security. If they did have the hangtags, they had as much right as you did to park there. Don't see what the big deal was. When I travel with my 90 year old grandmother and there's no convenient place to park, I just pull up and let her out, park the car and walk. Not worth getting upset about, even when we have the HC tag and all the spaces are filled....