How Does Somebody Get an EV Parking Space at Disney World?

[mkt]

An operational provision doesn’t overcome the need for permanently marked, designated spaces, especially since preffered parking is not provided with the same access aisles and minimum stall width. Whether or not they need to provide additional, marked spaces, would depend on the exact number of spaces still provided as a proportion of the total number of spaces.

Just did the math.

There are 11,391 spots at Epcot. To comply with ADA requirements, there needs to be 120 handicapped spots.

Who wants to count them?

 

[Disstevefan1]

An operational provision doesn’t overcome the need for permanently marked, designated spaces, especially since preffered parking is not provided with the same access aisles and minimum stall width. Whether or not they need to provide additional, marked spaces, would depend on the exact number of spaces still provided as a proportion of the total number of spaces.

I had to read this multiple times, but it sound like a YES, they need to still provide the exact number of handicap spaces with the same access aisles.

Where they would put them is another question.

 

[Vacationeer]

Maybe put 4 parking spots around each charger. A new charge will start only after the last one is complete or cancelled. Terms of Use include allowing other electric car drivers to unplug after your charge is complete.

And also charge for plug time, whether it’s still charging or not. Then people will be happy when others unplug it for them once they’re topped up.

There’s gotta be something possible to improve it for everyone?

 

[wendysue]

Why not?

For me, the cost is prohibitive. I Don't know firsthand but reading about how much the batteries cost and will they perform well in our northern climate. Where to charge and will there be a spot available and how much time will it take.... Too many "what ifs" for me.

 

[jimbojones]

For me, the cost is prohibitive. I Don't know firsthand but reading about how much the batteries cost and will they perform well in our northern climate. Where to charge and will there be a spot available and how much time will it take.... Too many "what ifs" for me.

Worrying about the cost of an EV battery is like worrying about the cost of the engine in your car. The battery will last the life of the car it is not something that gets replaced every few years and most are covered by 100k mile warranties now a days just like the drive train in a gas car. I hear this concern a lot but it is not something that should really be factored into it.

The big issue is how many very long trips you take and do you have a private parking space to charge at home. If you regularly take 600 mile plus trips you'd need to buy a more expensive EV that charges quickly (Tesla, Hyundai, Kia, etc) or to stick with gas for the time being. If you mostly drive less than 250 a day and you have your own parking spot where you can charge at home you will almost never need public charging and you can buy a cheap EV like a Chevy bolt which can be had for less than 20k brand new. If you regularly dirve for 8+ hours at a stretch and have no private parking, stick with gas.

I have had an EV for a little over a year in a cold N Climate and it has been shockingly cheap to own and more convenient than gas. I charge overnight at home once a week and have only used a public charger a handful of times on road trips. It has convinced me that I will never by a gas car again. The cost of ownership of the EV is not even in the same ballpark as the gas car, its an order of magnitude cheaper to own the EV.

I will be driving it to WDW this summer as it seems like there is plenty of charging infrastructure in Orlando and along the major highways in to Orlando

 

[lazyboy97o]

I had to read this multiple times, but it sound like a YES, they need to still provide the exact number of handicap spaces with the same access aisles.

Where they would put them is another question.

You’re allowed to provide extra spaces. If there were extra spaces then they don’t need to be replaced.

 

[mkt]

For me, the cost is prohibitive. I Don't know firsthand but reading about how much the batteries cost and will they perform well in our northern climate. Where to charge and will there be a spot available and how much time will it take.... Too many "what ifs" for me.

That's fair, they do tend to cost more than comparable ICE cars (although to be fair, ALL cars are expensive now).

As far as northern climates go, yeah, they are mostly negatively impacted. However, if the car's mainly a commuter car and you charge at home, it's not a concern for most drivers.

Remember, that's the biggest thing people need to understand: you effectively the need for a gas station/gas station equivalent, since the idea is to charge overnight at home.

When someone asks: "Where do I charge?", I answer: "Where do you charge your phone?"

Anyway, best of luck.

 

[mkt]

I will be driving it to WDW this summer as it seems like there is plenty of charging infrastructure in Orlando and along the major highways in to Orlando

The turnpike for sure. Every rest area has plenty of Tesla superchargers and at least few DC Fast Chargers (if not more depending on the rest area).

I4's a bit more dicey - but with ABRP, you can make it work.

 

[Wendy Pleakley]

Worrying about the cost of an EV battery is like worrying about the cost of the engine in your car. The battery will last the life of the car it is not something that gets replaced every few years and most are covered by 100k mile warranties now a days just like the drive train in a gas car. I hear this concern a lot but it is not something that should really be factored into it.

The big issue is how many very long trips you take and do you have a private parking space to charge at home. If you regularly take 600 mile plus trips you'd need to buy a more expensive EV that charges quickly (Tesla, Hyundai, Kia, etc) or to stick with gas for the time being. If you mostly drive less than 250 a day and you have your own parking spot where you can charge at home you will almost never need public charging and you can buy a cheap EV like a Chevy bolt which can be had for less than 20k brand new. If you regularly dirve for 8+ hours at a stretch and have no private parking, stick with gas.

I have had an EV for a little over a year in a cold N Climate and it has been shockingly cheap to own and more convenient than gas. I charge overnight at home once a week and have only used a public charger a handful of times on road trips. It has convinced me that I will never by a gas car again. The cost of ownership of the EV is not even in the same ballpark as the gas car, its an order of magnitude cheaper to own the EV.

I will be driving it to WDW this summer as it seems like there is plenty of charging infrastructure in Orlando and along the major highways in to Orlando

A plug-in hybrid is also an option if range is an issue.

That's what I have. I charge at home and my daily commute and errands are all electric. I use gas for trips that are more than the 25-40 mile range the battery covers.

No need to worry about access to charging while away from home.

 

[JMcMahonEsq]

Worrying about the cost of an EV battery is like worrying about the cost of the engine in your car. The battery will last the life of the car it is not something that gets replaced every few years and most are covered by 100k mile warranties now a days just like the drive train in a gas car. I hear this concern a lot but it is not something that should really be factored into it.

The big issue is how many very long trips you take and do you have a private parking space to charge at home. If you regularly take 600 mile plus trips you'd need to buy a more expensive EV that charges quickly (Tesla, Hyundai, Kia, etc) or to stick with gas for the time being. If you mostly drive less than 250 a day and you have your own parking spot where you can charge at home you will almost never need public charging and you can buy a cheap EV like a Chevy bolt which can be had for less than 20k brand new. If you regularly dirve for 8+ hours at a stretch and have no private parking, stick with gas.

I have had an EV for a little over a year in a cold N Climate and it has been shockingly cheap to own and more convenient than gas. I charge overnight at home once a week and have only used a public charger a handful of times on road trips. It has convinced me that I will never by a gas car again. The cost of ownership of the EV is not even in the same ballpark as the gas car, its an order of magnitude cheaper to own the EV.

I will be driving it to WDW this summer as it seems like there is plenty of charging infrastructure in Orlando and along the major highways in to Orlando

When charging at home, especially in Northern/colder climates, are you charging in an exposed parking area, or do you have a garage? I have been told (anecdotal evidence only) that especially in the winter, that not having an indoor garage is prohibitive for EV's.

 

[MickeyLuv'r]

Here’s pics

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When we visited WDW a few weeks back, they had numerous cones marking both sides of that whole traffic lane, so to speak. My interpretation was that they marked it, I'm not quite sure how to word it, but the cones were there to mark the path they wanted rideshare drivers to follow.

That way they could tell drivers to only drop off/pick up passengers in the area marked with green parking cones.

The row of green cones also alerts pedestrians to be alert for drivers/avoid walking through that area.

To me it looks like maybe they removed 2/3 of the cones they were using (to mark that area) just a few weeks ago. A few weeks ago, drivers had to navigate between two long rows of cones, and that lane of cones continued beyond white van on the left side of your image.

 

[jimbojones]

When charging at home, especially in Northern/colder climates, are you charging in an exposed parking area, or do you have a garage? I have been told (anecdotal evidence only) that especially in the winter, that not having an indoor garage is prohibitive for EV's.

Good question. I charge outside, 220v 20 amp circuit, 16 amp charger (~3.5kW). Its not a problem, the car warms the battery up to maintain charging. I have a 32amp charger but have not bothered to install it because the 16 amp is doing just fine and is gentle on my electrical service. In below freezing weather I lose about 15% of my range , but my particular car has a heat pump so it is very efficient

 

[Disstevefan1]

You’re allowed to provide extra spaces. If there were extra spaces then they don’t need to be replaced.

Sorry I was not clear. My concern was if they were going to replace the extra wide handicap spaces they took away that were converted into charging spots.

Does anyone know if they are doing this or are they just taking away handicap spot, converting them to charging spots?

 

[Wendy Pleakley]

When charging at home, especially in Northern/colder climates, are you charging in an exposed parking area, or do you have a garage? I have been told (anecdotal evidence only) that especially in the winter, that not having an indoor garage is prohibitive for EV's.

I've never heard of it being an issue. I charge inside most of the time, but public chargers are generally outside.

The only difference I see is lower electric range in colder temps, but it's not a huge amount. In the Summer I can get to/from work and have 3-5% battery left. In the winter I run out and use gas for maybe 5 minutes to get home.

 

[mkt]

Sorry I was not clear. My concern was if they were going to replace the extra wide handicap spaces they took away that were converted into charging spots.

Does anyone know if they are doing this or are they just taking away handicap spot, converting them to charging spots?

It was two solitary spots.

Two.

 

[Disstevefan1]

It was two solitary spots.

Two.

Technically it’s two more in addition to the two already lost.

I don’t care if it’s 2 or 22, all I was asking was if they are replacing the wide handicap spots they are taking away to make charge spots.

I guess it’s a more difficult question than I thought.

 

[mkt]

Technically it’s two more in addition to the two already lost.

I don’t care if it’s 2 or 22, all I was asking was if they are replacing the wide handicap spots they are taking away to make charge spots.

I guess it’s a more difficult question than I thought.

I said it in speculation owing to the location of those spots. Conversely they could be removed to give Uber/Lyft drivers more of a barrier from guest cars, or removed and blocked so they can't park in them, like they were previously known to do often.

 

[Disstevefan1]

I said it in speculation owing to the location of those spots. Conversely they could be removed to give Uber/Lyft drivers more of a barrier from guest cars, or removed and blocked so they can't park in them, like they were previously known to do often.

You are probably right, they will become charging spots, because you know, that’s what is most important.

 

[mkt]

You are probably right, they will become charging spots, because you know, that’s what is most important.

I just did a bit of googling. Epcot has about twice as many handicapped spots as legally required, plus they regularly expand them into adjacent lots with CMs controlling access.

Sincerely, what’s the big deal about losing two spots that were already difficult to get in and out of due to their proximity to rideshare, and mandatory U-turn to access?

 

[Disstevefan1]

I just did a bit of googling. Epcot has about twice as many handicapped spots as legally required, plus they regularly expand them into adjacent lots with CMs controlling access.

This was my only concern, and it looks like they have it covered so that's good.

Am I bummed the take the absolute best spots for charge spaces, yup.

I know, I know Disney "can't afford" the expense to put them anywhere else.