Question about Parking

[Piglet]

My DD has a disease that affects her ability to walk long distances and tires very easily. She doesn't normally have a handicap parking permit as we really don't need one at home but may need one for when we visit WDW. She receives a GAC in the parks, but is there anyway that WDW will permit us to park in closer parking? She is 13 and does not ride in a stroller, we could get a wheel chair, but as long as we take our time she is fine with walking in the parks. I am just concerned about walking through the parking lots as it is sometimes quite a hike from the trolly stops to the car.

Is there anything we can do or someone we can talk with, short of getting a handicap parking permit?

Melinda

 

[Chuck S]

If you inform the parking CMs that are directing people where to park, you can often park on the end of a row, near the tram pick-up areas, without a permit. The actual HC areas closest to the parks will require a plate or hangtag.

You may want to check with her doctor (allow plenty of time for processing) about getting a temporary HC hangtag from your state.

 

[Piglet]

Thanks for the info. I will check into the temporary Handicap Parking Pass. Our trip is scheduled for November, so hopefully that would be plenty of time.

 

[SueM in MN]

Thanks for the info. I will check into the temporary Handicap Parking Pass. Our trip is scheduled for November, so hopefully that would be plenty of time.

If you look in the disABILITIES FAQs thread, one section does have information about parking.
You should be aware though that for someone who can step up the one step to the parking lot trams, you will actually have a shorter walk by parking on the regular lot and using the parking lot trams in most cases. There is tram service from the regular parking lots, but not from the handicapped lots and the distance walked in the handicapped lots could equal the distance from the end of the row plus the walk in to the park.
The handicapped lots do have 'shuttle' wheelchairs that can be borrowed to get from the handicapped lot to the park entrance where wheelchairs can be rented. There is no guarantee that one will be available though.
Another possibility to think about would be Using drop off points at the parking areas.

For MK, you may want to consider using the bus because the buses drop you off close to the park entance for MK. If you drive, after you park, you need to walk to the Ticket and Transportation Center and either take a walk up a steep, long ramp to get to the monorail station or walk a little farther (but more level) path to get to the feeeyboat to get to MK.

 

[Schmeck]

To use the buses to get to MK, you'd have to be staying onsite - the shuttles from offsite hotels drop off at TTC, right?

 

[SueM in MN]

To use the buses to get to MK, you'd have to be staying onsite - the shuttles from offsite hotels drop off at TTC, right?

You are correct.
The OP is starting on site according to the signature, but that's a good point.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

A word of warning. The parking lots are patrolled by Orange County Sheriff's Office as well as Disney Security. If you park in a disabled lot without a handicap plate or tag it is a $250 fine.

 

[515_renae]

I just recieved a temporary parking permit for for my trip later this month. I can only walk short distances because of a bad ankle due to having CP. I have to wear brace all the time.
I explained to my doctor why I wanted one and he wrote the letter for the DOT. In Iowa you just take the letter to a driver's license station and they issue the permits right there.
I did feel funny about asking because I don't need to use on a daily basis. But our last trip was miserable because I tried to handle all the walking and I don't want that to happen this time.

Good Luck!

 

[Piglet]

Thanks for the info - I printed out an application for a temporary Handicap parking permit. I plan to talk with DD's doctor to have her sign. Does anyone know how long it takes to get one after it is turned in???

 

[Chuck S]

Thanks for the info - I printed out an application for a temporary Handicap parking permit. I plan to talk with DD's doctor to have her sign. Does anyone know how long it takes to get one after it is turned in???

That depends upon how your state handles it. Here in Texas, we simply take the signed application to our tax office (DMV) and they have the tags there. Some states have different processes, like mailing to a central state office.