Wheelchairs & parking lot trams?

[pat fan]

Ok, so the consensus here was for us to use our own (rental) van to transfer my parents & their wheelchairs to the parks from our hotel instead of WDW transportation.

Now, how does that work with the trams in the parking lots? Are they willing to wait for you to fold up the chair and put it on the tram and for us to assist my parents onto the tram? What if it's a really crowded tram? Should we wait for another one out of defferance to others or what?

Thanks everyone!

 

[Michigan]

No wheelchairs on the trams. You will have to have one of their handicap parking passes and park in the handicap lot. At MK it is a long walk and you will have a steep hill to get on the monorail unless the water level is ok for wheelchairs to get on the boat.

I have 2 children in wheelchairs and have never had a problem with WDW transportation. If there is already a wheelchair on the bus the driver calls for another bus for us and that has been rare.

 

[vhoffman]

My experience, at least with the parking lot at MK, is that the tram doesn't even come into the handicapped parking area. They just assume if you are handicapped you have a wheelchair (or will use one provided in the lot). Either way, they assume you'll be happy to push yourself from the parking lot in to the park.

We found this out the hard way on a visit about a year ago. We rented a car, parked in the handicapped lot at MK, then waited for a tram. Several came by but didn't stop at our lot. Finally we flagged one down and were told they didn't stop at the handicapped lot nor were they equipped to take on wheelchairs. We then found a CM in the parking lot and asked just how we were expected to get in to the park, he told us there were plenty of wheelchairs available for our use. We were expected to just push away, along a rather long and in places steep path, while non-disabled guests rode by in trams. Makes perfect sense?

That particular incident, I was by myself with my 2 children, we were meeting dh inside the MK. Neither child was old enough to push a wheelchair. I opted to walk what I thought was a short distance, however, it was longer than I realized. When I finally got there I was exhausted.

My advice--park in the regular, not handicapped lot, so you have access to the tram. When they said they weren't equipped to handle wheelchairs, I think they meant they didn't have lifts, etc. If you're capble of self transfer and the wheelchair can fold up I'd do it that way. Don't worry about holding the tram up, that's the only realistic option WDW provides someone in your circumstances so tell others to complain to Disney!

 

[pat fan]

I have 2 children in wheelchairs and have never had a problem with WDW transportation. If there is already a wheelchair on the bus the driver calls for another bus for us and that has been rare.

I'm confused. Can the busses only have 1 wheelchair on the bus? Or they can't have more than2? BOTH my parents will be in chairs....I don't want to have to split up and be on 2 differant busses

My advice--park in the regular, not handicapped lot, so you have access to the tram. When they said they weren't equipped to handle wheelchairs, I think they meant they didn't have lifts, etc. If you're capble of self transfer and the wheelchair can fold up I'd do it that way.

That's what I was figuring on doing. I don't really recall the trams being full except for at the end of the day leaving after the fireworks. Our solution to that is to stay after them and have an ice cream in the park or something and wait out the masses. I'm hoping that will work out as long as my folks aren't too tired.

 

[Talking Hands]

The buses can hold 2 wheelchairs/ecvs. Sometimes they already have someone aboard and you will need to wait for a second bus which they will call. Big problem is if you have 3 wheelchairs like our family. Then the buses are a pain.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

There are "reserved" spaces in every parking lot row right next to the tram areas. If you have an HP tag (or hang tag) just tell the parking attendent that you can use the tram but need to park close, and usually you will be directed to one of the spaces that are marked as reserved.

Even if you do have an HP tag let the parking attendent know of your needs and you should be able to get the special parking.

 

[pat fan]

There are "reserved" spaces in every parking lot row right next to the tram areas. If you have an HP tag (or hang tag) just tell the parking attendent that you can use the tram but need to park close, and usually you will be directed to one of the spaces that are marked as reserved.

You know, now that you say that, I do remember seeing those spaces at the end of the rows! You guys are great, I really apreciate all the help.

 

[mjmcca]

When my DD injured her foot and I had to use her stroller as a W/C I spoke with the parking lot CM and they let me parkin in a spot closer tot he entrtance but not in a handicapped spot at MGM so I wouldnt have to push to the stroller as far.