Reality Check...

[Lydia91]

"Agree with pooh4evr about the Handicapped parking at MK.
It is closer than the regular parking, but still a long trek to the TTC. The regular lot has parking lot trams, which Handicapped parking does not.

Once at TTC, you still will need to take the monorail or boat to get to the MK turnstiles."

I know there must be a good reason why this doesn't work (or isn't better), but why couldn't we use handicapped parking at some place like the Polynesian and catch the monorail from there? I assume the hotel must have typical handicapped parking arrangements (near the entrance of the hotel).

 

[pooh4evr]

Unfortunately you can only park at the hotels if you have a reservation (room, meal or something like a fireworks voyage) we have had to provide conf. #'s to the security guards, or show a key. On the days you are eating at Chef Mickeys, or another restaurant in that particular hotel you can park there for a very limited time. There simply isn't enough parking at the hotel/ resorts for every handicapped parker, and the guests staying there, and then you get into another hot button topic on here too- trying to skip out on paying for parking (not that you are at all, but just a warning)
I would check on the disabilities board for more info on that kind of thing. Also to get to the monorail for the monorail resorts, you have to actually go into the resorts, and up a story or two.

(and yes FWIW I have seen cars towed from the Contemporary lot)

However it works out I am sure it will be a fabulous time, and the girls will love every minute of it!

 

[Robbi]

Thanks BuzznBelle's mom! Out of curiosity -- do you know if that is true about parking at MK even with a handicapped sticker?

A handicapped sticker will get you first row parking.

 

[ghtx]

I for one think the new and improved itinerary is much better than the original - more time for rests, fewer late evenings combined with early mornings. Everyone will be happier (you too - not just the kids!).

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

As others have stated, handicapped parking for MK is still at the TTC--front row, of course, but still, you have to get from the lot to the TTC, including under a road, and then to the monorail or ferry station (I would recommend the ferry, just due to the incline for the monorail, but it's personal preference). Then you take the transport and get from there to the front gate. This can take a good 20 minutes of walking/waiting/riding, even for an able-bodied person. The bus/shuttle drop-off is right by the monorail and ferry exits points. For every other park, HA parking and the bus stops are roughly equi-distant.

I also don't think a car can go near the bus/shuttle drop-off for any reason, just in case you were thinking you might drop off your mom and then park. The best you could do (I think!) is drop off by the ticket booths at the TTC.

 

[Lydia91]

Thanks ghtx and everyone else for the advice on actually reaching the gate!

Obviously, I'm going to have to do some research and figure out a couple of options for us -- as long as Mom is in a wheelchair and the girls are in the strollers worst case scenario we can always just schlep it over.

I'm kind of surprised that the handicapped arrangements for arrival aren't more convenient at Disney, but it is what it is.

 

[SueM in MN]

As others have stated, handicapped parking for MK is still at the TTC--front row, of course, but still, you have to get from the lot to the TTC, including under a road, and then to the monorail or ferry station (I would recommend the ferry, just due to the incline for the monorail, but it's personal preference). Then you take the transport and get from there to the front gate. This can take a good 20 minutes of walking/waiting/riding, even for an able-bodied person. The bus/shuttle drop-off is right by the monorail and ferry exits points. For every other park, HA parking and the bus stops are roughly equi-distant.

I also don't think a car can go near the bus/shuttle drop-off for any reason, just in case you were thinking you might drop off your mom and then park. The best you could do (I think!) is drop off by the ticket booths at the TTC.

You are correct.
The bus area at MK is only for the WDW buses. No one else is allowed into that area.
The point for dropping guests off at MK is at the TTC.

Thanks ghtx and everyone else for the advice on actually reaching the gate!

Obviously, I'm going to have to do some research and figure out a couple of options for us -- as long as Mom is in a wheelchair and the girls are in the strollers worst case scenario we can always just schlep it over.

I'm kind of surprised that the handicapped arrangements for arrival aren't more convenient at Disney, but it is what it is.

MK was built in 1971, so they did not anticipate the number of people with disabilities coming to the parks. There were also few guidelines at that point about accessible parking.
One of the 'goals' of having the parking lot away from the actual park was for people to have the experience of arriving at the park by monorail or boat - that controlled the experience and meant all guests get a first glimpse of the park from monorail or boat.

The handicapped parking at MK is not that bad if someone has a wheelchair or ECV with them. Many of the people who find the walk long have a problem with mobility and plan to rent a wheelchair or ECV in the park. Disney added 'shuttle wheelchairs' for those guests to use to get from the parking lot to the park. The trick is that there may not be any available when you get there.

 

[Lydia91]

Just updating this to show how we came out once I was actually able to get reservations.

Here is the close to final plan:

Saturday

Arrive at hotel around 6. Order pizza for dinner and put girls down to bed.
Run errands (grocery store) after girls are in bed with grandparents.
Pull together the "princess surprise" for the girls to see tomorrow morning.

Sunday:

Breakfast in Room
Arrive for Rope Drop at Magic Kingdom
Touring of Fantasyland
Leave Magic Kingdom around noon. Head back to room for lunch and nap.
Arrive back at Magic Kingdom around 5:30 for 6:40 pm dinner reservations for Cinderella's Royal Table.
If feasible, stay for Electric Parade (9 pm) and Wishes (10 pm)

Monday:

Sleep in morning, with breakfast in room, time at pool and early nap.
Head to Disney Hollywood Studios for arrival around 3:15-ish.
Tour Disney Hollywood Studios.
Fantasmic Dinner Reservations at Hollywood Brown Derby for 5:20.
Tour Disney Hollywood Studios
See Fantasmic (arrive about 1/2 hour before show starts).

Tuesday:

Breakfast in Room
Morning at Pool.
Mom and Grandma to have Organic Pedicures at the Ritz Spa at 4 P.M. Mom and Grandma to have lunch at the Ritz before appointment if time permits.
Dinner Out

[Need to consider dinner options.]

Wednesday:

Breakfast in Room
Tour the Magic Kingdom (everything but Fantasyland) and have lunch at park.
Home for nap by 2.
Hoop de Doo Dinner Reservations at 6:15

Thursday:

Breakfast in Room.
Be at Epcot at Rope Drop to tour Futureworld.
Home for Lunch and Nap around 1.
Return to Epcot for World Showcase. Have dinner at World Showcase and if feasible stay to watch Illuminations

Friday:

Open day -- consider a pool morning or touring one of the Parks.
Kids Night Out Babysitting Service reserved to arrive at 5. Consider having them come earlier (like 4 or 3) if the adults want to go to the Morse Museum of American Art in Winter Park before dinner (open until 8).
8:55 Dinner Reservations for Narcoosees to celebrate parents' 50th anniversary, Wishes fireworks visible from Restaurant.

Saturday:

Last morning at Magic Kingdom.
[Consider whether to have a last character lunch or breakfast if reservations are available.]
Flight leaves at 6:15