Wouldn't it be easier to skip the busses and drive to the parks?

[SueM in MN]

do you have a special badge for handicap parking, the reason i ask my wife has a badge here in the UK, so would i be able to use it for parking in the handicap lots at the parks

You do need a special handicapped parking permit to park in the handicapped parking area. The badges from the UK are honored. If you follow the link in my signature to the disABILITIES Board, there is a recent question addressing that.
But, if you don't have a wheelchair or scooter and your wife can step up to the tram, you are probably better off parking in the regular parking lot - the handicapped lots don't have tram service to get to the front gate. The regular parking lots do.

 

[momimouse27]

I know that some may dispute this but we drove down this trip and used the car. We LOVED it. In the past, we've flown and didn't rent a car. Our neighbors went the following week, after one of our trips and rented a car. They said that they loved the convenience of the car. We thought they were nuts. Well, this year we drove and figured we'd use the busses sometimes and our car others. We used the car the whole trip and loved it. It may have been a few steps more to get to the lot but we had Diamond Parking (AAA) which is right behind handicap parking. We always got a great spot on the first or 2nd row. When we got to the car at the end of the nite, we cranked up the a/c, got a cold drink from our cooler and off we went.

I would suggest your car if you have all of that stuff to lug....

Do AAA members get special parking or is diamond parking something extra?

 

[rpbert1]

thanks SueM in MN

 

[marj70]

DS loves to ride the busses, but if I had two strollers to deal with I'd definintely not want to use the bus. I found folding up and lugging ONE stroller a huge pain. Now that DS can walk to the gates and then we rent a stroller the busses are great, esp since he enjoys riding them. DH also likes not having to drive. Dinner at other resorts and DTD we will drive.

 

[maxaroni]

Do AAA members get special parking or is diamond parking something extra?

If you book through AAA, you get a voucher for the Diamond Parking area, no extra charge. Some have said that if they just bought their tkts through AAA, they were still given the parking voucher. We booked a pkg through them so I don't know.

 

[TDC Nala]

If you are hauling that much stuff with you, take a car. It's been noted that at the Magic Kingdom you are going to have to take a monorail or ferry AND parking tram, so if you want to avoid that try the buses. If it doesn't bother you, drive.

My only real problem with the bus system is that you cannot get to Downtown Disney from a park. I missed a show on PI last trip because of the necessity to switch buses at a resort. Took the first bus for a resort that showed up at MGM, but once at the resort, the Downtown Disney bus did not appear for another 20 minutes. If they had a bus to Downtown Disney I would have made the show I wanted to see.

 

[DisneyMom5]

The only thing I would say is that you still will have to fold up the strollers and haul your stuff if you end up taking the trams.

I love the buses, but we only have one dbl stroller.

I can't remember what resort you are staying at, but I would warn that some of the bus stops are quite a distance from the front entrance. Have you considered renting a scooter for the week instead of at the parks? Might be cheaper, and you could take it on some buses.
Try the disabilities board for questions like that.

 

[GrumpyBa*D]

If you book through AAA, you get a voucher for the Diamond Parking area, no extra charge. Some have said that if they just bought their tkts through AAA, they were still given the parking voucher. We booked a pkg through them so I don't know.

I actually bought tickets there last year and was given a pass. We are going back this year and still have some days left. I went to my AAA office and asked for another pass and they gladly obliged.

 

[debloco]

I actually bought tickets there last year and was given a pass. We are going back this year and still have some days left. I went to my AAA office and asked for another pass and they gladly obliged.

So these Diamond parking passes are date specific?

 

[antmaril]

We always rent a car and it's just three of us. If I were in your situation, there is no doubt in my mind that I would have my own car to come and go as I please with the kids, the strollers, MIL, etc.

Rent the car - you'll be glad you did.

 

[minnie61650]

Hi
It is me again.
I have been giving this a lot of thought and I think I have come up with a pretty good solution that might work well for MIL.
When you check into POP ask for a hotel courtesy WC. I think they are a small fee to use and require a deposit.
Then on MK days MIL and FIL can take the bus and you take the car and meet them at MK.
MIL can walk the wheelchair to the bus stop then rest in it while waiting for the bus.
WC are loaded at the back of the bus.
Bus driver needs to see them when he pulls up so they won't wait in regular line but about 8 feet away
where the rear of the bus will be when it pulls up.
Bus driver loads WC before passengers so MIL and FIL will have a seat on the bus.
Bus pulls up to Main Gate of MK. MIL walks WC to EVC rental. She has chair with her in case she needs a rest before she gets to rental. MIL rents EVC has
rental place tag her WC so it is waiting when she returns. The rest of your group drives to Mk parking lot. Then all of you meet at a certain place. Say 9:30 or 9:45 . I would suggest the Partners statute
(the one with Walt and Mickey right at the end of Main Street or in front of the Hall of Presidents in Liberty Square. Hall of Presidents does not open till
10 AM so it should not be crowded there. DO NOT meet at the castle. That area is too big. Sometimes it is blocked off for special shows too.
If there is room for the strollers and the fold up chair in the van/car you are using I would suggest you take it with you to all of the parks. That way MIL can walk it herself (Gives her something to hang onto for security and a seat if she needs to rest a minute) to the front gate until she rents her EVC. I hope this works for her and you.
If you have any questions please PM me.
Linda

 

[mommyoeo]

To all: Thanks! I have enjoyed reading your replies! You have been very helpful!

Linda, thanks for the PM's. You have been a wealth of information and encouragement. I like the plan you had-- I will try it out and let you know how it goes! We go in 20 days-- I hope the time flies--

Christy

 

[minnie61650]

To all: Thanks! I have enjoyed reading your replies! You have been very helpful!

Linda, thanks for the PM's. You have been a wealth of information and encouragement. I like the plan you had-- I will try it out and let you know how it goes! We go in 20 days-- I hope the time flies--

Christy

It was my pleasure. WE will be there the same time, Hope the weather is great. Please let me know how it goes. Hope all of you have a magical time at Disney!
Linda