Wheelchair parking without a disabled permit.

[barnum42]

I’m taking my Mother to WDW as a 70th birthday present this month. Due to her having a short walking range and a difficulty with stairs, she now has a manual wheelchair. So yours truly will be doing a lot of pushing which will help me work off some of the over eating we plan to do in the parks. This will be her third trip, but the first for over a decade.

I have scanned the boards for parking information and see there are a couple of options – at the ends of the regular rows, where the tram will need to be used or in the disabled parking lots.

I was last at the parks two years ago, so I know the regular lots and the distances involved from them.

My only concerns about parking in the regular lots are the big step into and out of the trams, plus where do you put the wheelchair? I know it folds flat, but it will still take up a lot of space! Of course I can always push the chair to the gates when parked close enough.

Regarding the disabled parking lots, there seems to be a difference of opinions – some posts have said the Magic Kingdom one is a long way from the entrance, plus you must display a disabled parking permit. Unfortunately the UK local authority where Mother lives has decided that because she can walk a short distance, regardless of her needing a stick and being in pain that they will not grant her a disabled parking permit. I have read on another post where a CM has said they take you at your word, so you do not need the permit.

So, to anyone still reading this (and I thank you for making it this far) have you any tips / advice regarding the above.

Thanks

 

[crazygirley]

Perhaps when you visit the parks, you can speak to someone at the main gates about whether or not you can drop off your mother at the front of the park, park your car and then walk to meet her. That is if you are willing to leave your mother alone while you park. I am pretty sure that if you ask, they will let you. However, at MK, you have to get on the Monorail regardless, so you would still have to push her. Have you consitered staying at a WDW resort? Your situation wouldn't be a problem on a WDW transport bus!

 

[1000th_Guest]

I don't think that the trams will be problematic with a wheelchair. I always have a stroller and we rarely (I hate to say never) have a problem during this time of year.

That said, you have a VERY good point about the height of the steps. Sorry, I don't have any info about handicap parking.

 

[LaTinkerbell]

On May 30 I fell and broke my ankle while exiting Splash Mountain. Following surgery, two day's recuperation in our room, and some really great pain medication, I was ready to hit the parks.

EPCOT is the most handicap friendly of all of the parks. After seeing my cast, the parking attendant directed us to medical/handcap parking, even though I did not have a handicap permit at the time. The whole park is accessible via wheelchair.

MGM, on the other hand, was not a great experience. The parking lot attendant was rather rude and would not direct us to medical parking. In fact, he told me I might as well turn around and go home since I would have to walk some of the time. He upset me tremendously. My sister almost ran him down trying to get to another parking lot attendant who directed us to medical parking. It definitely put a damper on the whole day.

My daughter and I flew in for Labor Day weekend and rented a car. With my handicap permit, I had no trouble accessing handicap parking. However, at Magic Kingdomit it is quite a walk from handicap parking to the monorail or ferry and the pathway is rather steep in one place, making it difficult for someone pushing a wheelchair.

Bottom line is I think you'll have no trouble parking in handicap/medical parking, but you might want to contact WDW Guest Services to see about getting Guest with Disabilities card.

I hope you have a great time!

:wave:

 

[barnum42]

Thanks for the replies - I've scanned Disboards and posted my question there to throw the net wider.

Regarding staying onsite, much as I would love to it would cost over twice as much as the offsite deal I found - which is very near at Lake Buena Vista.

Thanks for the well wishes - we will have a great time.:sohappy:

 

[barnum42]

Notes from the guidebook for guests with disabilities

On the official WDW site you can download PDF copies of the guidebooks for guests with disabilities. I've just noticed in one of these guides that it states
“Parking for guests with mobility disabilities, or who are travelling with personal wheelchairs, is available adjacent to the Entrance Complex”.
As we will be travelling with a personal wheelchair the implication here is that we may use the special parking lots.

 

[LaTinkerbell]

That's great! Now you're all set.:sohappy: :sohappy: :sohappy:

 

[barnum42]

Just come back from my holiday – parking in the medical sections was not a problem without the badge. Every cast member I asked said it was OK to park there as we were travelling with a wheelchair. As we had no badge cast members often stopped us on our way down the blue line, but as soon as they knew we had a wheelchair they happily waved us on.

Also, in my opinion, contrary to what I have read elsewhere I don’t think the medical parking in Magic Kingdom is very far from the Transportation and Ticket Centre. Certainly not when compared the shoe leather I expended in the parks!