Staying Offsite With Mobility Issues and No Handicap Tag

[lilwhiterabbit]

We're planning another adults-only trip this fall for the Food & Wine Festival before the big kids trip we're preparing for next year. Since we're trying to do this one on the cheap, we are most likely not going to stay onsite, which brings up a few questions when it comes to transportation to and from the parks and the parking situation.

Right now we're leaning heavily toward Bonnet Creek Resort as our "hotel" and, although their shuttles do allow for passengers with mobility devices, you have to call two hours in advance of each shuttle to reserve a spot. This seems like a huge hassle to me, so I was thinking we'd just drive and park, since we'll have our own car.

Unfortunately, this raises another potential issue. I've never parked in any of Disney's parking lots before--we've always stayed on property before now--so all I know is that there's a tram which will take you to the TTC if you're at the MK, or the gate area if you're at another park.

Let me know if I'm wrong, but I'm guessing my rollator isn't going to fit on the tram?

Is it then possible to walk from the parking lot to the TTC/gates, or is the distance so far that I should bite the bullet and invest in a handicap tag for my car?

I'm actually pretty good with the rollator for walking around the parks, but I have no idea how large the parking lots at WDW actually are. I keep picturing miles and miles of parked cars with the TTC in the distance.

 

[jdb in AZ]

How expensive is the hang-tag for your car? When I got one for my DMIL in AZ, there was no charge.

The feet/legs you save may be your own.

 

[brat]

I'm also in AZ so also did not pay anything for our tags, just a Dr filled out form that we turned into DMV. Simple.

 

[SueM in MN]

You can go to the Department of Motor Vehicles website for your state and actually download the application for a handicapped parking permit in most states. You fill it out and then take it to your doctor to have a part filled out that certifies your need for the card. Many doctor's offices have the forms and will fill it out for you. Once it is filled out, the application is sent in to your state and a card is issued.
Permits can be permanent for disabilities that are not going to improve or temporary ( usually 6 months) for temporary needs.

Folded strollers, wheelchairs and walkers can be put on the parking lot tram. Some people have difficulty stepping up to the tram or lifting their folded device on, but it is doable.
You are correct that there are no parking lot trams in the handicapped parking lots. If you are parked near the front of the lot, it may not be that far of a walk. But, at MK, Epcot and AK, your walk from the handicapped parking to the entrance will definitely be longer parking in the handicapped parking than if you park in the regular lot and use the tram (even if you are at the end of the row). The parking lot trams take you right very close to the actual entrance.

There us more about parking in the disABILITIES FAQs thread, which is near the top of this board or you follow the link in my signature to get there. Post 1 is an index that tells which post contains which information.

 

[lilwhiterabbit]

Thanks Sue, that was really helpful. I don't have an issue stepping up or down, as long as it's done carefully, so it sounds like parking in the regular lot, collapsing my rollator and taking the tram might actually be the best plan for me. I read through the stuff under the FAQ but this was the sort of information I was really looking for. It's hard to predict distance without ever really seeing it!

 

[bidnow5]

Before I got my handicap tag I used to let the parking attendants know I had mobility issues and most of the time they got me at the end of the row near the tram. A few times they couldn't but they were always great.

Getting a tag in Rhode Island can be a nightmare if you don't have any of the standard issues that they give tags for. It took me over a year I finally had to take them to court to get my tag

 

[lilwhiterabbit]

It's a little easier to get one in Georgia and I'd qualify on a couple of levels, but it is an additional hassle and I don't necessarily feel like I need one on a daily basis. Plus there are other people who are less ambulatory who need those parking spaces more than me. I suppose I could get a temporary one just for the trip but, once again, it would be a bit of a hassle.

I saw in another thread that there might also be the option of my partner dropping me off closer to the TTC, then going to park? I'm thinking maybe the best thing to do is ask the parking CMs what they suggest when we get there. Maybe say something like, "She needs to use a walker but we don't have a handicap tag. Where should we go?"

 

[mdvlprof]

Get a tag. Keep in glove compartment, or pocket in door. Then use it only if you need it. Better to go thru the 'hassle' now, when it is just inconvenient, than go thru hassle when it is literally a pain...

 

[WheeledTraveler]

Why not get the tag for the days you need it and for places like Disney? Nothing says if you have a tag that you can't park in a regular space most of the time and only use it on days when you feel you need it. That would help with Disney and then mean you had it when you really needed it.

The other thing to thing about is if you need extra space on the side of the car. I don't remember exactly how wide the non-handicapped spaces are at Disney, but they always look like sardines to me and I'd worry if you need extra space to get in/out with the rollator.

 

[starshine514]

We forgot our tag when we went to WDW last year. We had a scooter, parked in the regular lot the first couple of days (but couldn't take the tram b/c we had the scooter). Then, my FIL decided to ask to park in the handicapped lot anyway. They let us and we didn't get ticketed or anything.

 

[Cinderella94]

I got a temporary tag because we were going to WDW not long after I got out of the hospital---there for 60 days, 2 surgeries, long story. The tag was worth it.

 

[SueM in MN]

We forgot our tag when we went to WDW last year. We had a scooter, parked in the regular lot the first couple of days (but couldn't take the tram b/c we had the scooter). Then, my FIL decided to ask to park in the handicapped lot anyway. They let us and we didn't get ticketed or anything.

There are some spots in the “Medical Parking” lot that are marked with handicapped parking signs, wheelchair symbols or blue paint. If you park in one of those, you may get ticketed. (Medical Parking is what WDW calls their handicapped parking lot).

There are also some spots that are not marked that way - they have white painted lines and are usually farther away in the lot than the marked on. Those are the spots you can park in and not worry about being ticketed.

Someone who has an ECV or otherwise can’t ride on the tram will need to either park in the Medical Parking or be dropped off. As was already mentioned, people who don’t have a handicapped parking permit should tell the CM as they are entering the lot and also tell each CM you get to.
People who don’t have a mobility device or have a foldable walking device may find that the Medical Parking lot is farther than they want to walk. For those people, the total walk will be shorter parking in the regular lot and using the trams.