question about parking & ECV

[Zoemakes5]

Hello! It looks like we're going to WDW for Christmas week (I know, we're insane!) and it's likely we'll be using an ECV while we're there for my mom.

I got to thinking, we won't have handicapped parking stickers/cards, as my mom is able to stand and walk, just not long distances and for long durations, thus the ECV.

I was wondering about parking. Are we able to get special parking privileges? If not, how do we get into the parks using the ECV, with the trams, etc.

For those that have done this before, how would I go about getting a handicapped placard that would work n FL? That might be our best/easiest option?

Thanks!

 

[Michigan]

You have to have a handicap parking pass to park in the handicap parking which at MK is a long walk.

You can either go to the drop off spot and then drive out of the lot and back into the lot again or you can ask to be parked next to the tram and you and your family ride the tram and she drives the ECV.

 

[spindoctors]

Can you get a temporary placard from you mom's doctor? Do temporary placards from other states not work in FL? I assumed they would.

 

[Zoemakes5]

Can you get a temporary placard from you mom's doctor? Do temporary placards from other states not work in FL? I assumed they would.

I wondered about that. I don't think they're "universal", as they aren't given by the doctor, they're given by the state with recommendation by the doctor. But, I'm not sure, as I've only ever had one in MN when I had surgery and it was for only 6 weeks.

 

[Chuck S]

I think all states honor placards from the other states. Talk to her doctor about a temporary placard, he will have to give her the paperwork, and she will have to go to whatever office (DMV) handles it in her state.

 

[SueM in MN]

I wondered about that. I don't think they're "universal", as they aren't given by the doctor, they're given by the state with recommendation by the doctor. But, I'm not sure, as I've only ever had one in MN when I had surgery and it was for only 6 weeks.

As part of the ADA, each state agreed to certain guidelines for Handicapped Parking Permits. That includes that they will all follow the same guidelines for eligibility to get one and that all states will recognize the permits issued by other states.

This is a link to the Minnesota Department of Vehicle Services page about Handicapped Parking Permits. This page shows the requirements of who may apply for a permit and the last item under 'Certificate' is a link to print a pdf file of the 'Application" for a handicapped parking certificate.
The certificates can be issued to be valid for 1-6 month for temporary disabilities all the way up to 6 years for people with permanent disabilities.

If she doesn't get a permit, then your options are to use the WDW transportation (monorails and almost 100% of the buses, along with most boats are accessible) or let the CM know when you are parking that you have an ECV. The CM will either direct you to a parking spot close enough to the entrance that you won't need the parking lot tram or tell you how to get to the drop off point, as Michigan mentioned.

Sometimes, the CMs will direct people with ECVs who don't have a permit to the handicapped parking area. If they do, don't park in any spot with a handicapped parking sign or blue paint divider lines. Those mark the official handicapped spots and you can get ticketed or towed if parking there without a permit.
I don't remember which day it was last week, but we were at the Studio and there were no parking spots in the handicapped lot at all when we arrived. A CM at that lot directed DH to a place where he could let DD and me off, then DH drove back out and parked in the regular lot. The CM was conversing with an Orange Co. policeman who was writing out tickets to people who were parked in those spots without a permit.

 

[Mom of 3]

We had exactly the same worries last year. However, we found the CM's to be very nice and they keep extra spaces near the front for situations exactly like this. We all but once parked right up front, within walking distance, no need for a tram. Only once did DH drop me off with the ECV and then go and park. I think DH stresses about the parking situation so this year I may ask my doctor for a temp. handicapped parking permit for the 2 weeks we'll be at Disney.

I have Rheumatoid Arthritus so I can't walk for long periods of time but in my usual day-to-day life parking is not an issue as I can walk for a couple of hours before my feet start to hurt and swell.

 

[angelbaby29871]

being from the uk we didn't have a local handicapped hang tag so we asked to go to teh disabled lot but didn't park in the marked bays but in the unmarked bays in the diamond lots that were close by. each time we always made sure it was ok with the cm

 

[Cheshire Figment]

If you have a UK "Blue Badge" that is accepted at Disney and generally in the Orlando area just as a US state issued handicap placard.