parking near disney florida

sogs

Hi

We are currently staying in davenport and have been going to the parks but only able to stay for an hour or so as my son has special needs and it all gets too much for him the noise, people etc it has cost us a fortune in car parking as it is $14 every time is there any way round this such as somewhere nearby to park and getting a bus? We bought 14 day passes and have hardly seen anything due to the short time we are able to spend in the park and because of mobility problems.

Would welcome any advice.


Thanks

macman

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/faq/directions/

jackieblack

I know there is a bus you can get from Downtown Disney but it is not direct and takes about half an hour.
If your son is struggling in the parks after an hour would he cope with a congested bus ride as well?

jfdi

If by any chance you have with you your Blue Badge (assuming you have one) you can use this in Disney car parks - but not sure if it's free or not.

When I was there last year the Parking at Downtown Disney was free - & there's a connecting bus? Try that?

Phoolgrrrl

I'm not sure what your son's needs are. There is something called a guest assistance card. More infor on the links. You get it from customer services. It gives you access to waiting areas/quiet rooms and while it doesn't make your wait time any shorter for rides it can let you use a different route that is less busy.

http://www.everythingwdisneyworld.com/2012/05/special-needs-and-disabilities-at-walt.html

http://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/Disney-and-a-child-with-Autism-p-216.html?hl=guest+assistance

IIRC if you keep your reciept you can go out and in to disney parks in one day, eg magic kingdom in the morning, out for a few hours, back into epcot on the same parking ticket.

the dibb has a special needs forum, people on there may be able to help more.

http://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=112

KarenG

jfdi wrote: »

If by any chance you have with you your Blue Badge (assuming you have one) you can use this in Disney car parks - but not sure if it's free or not.

When I was there last year the Parking at Downtown Disney was free - & there's a connecting bus? Try that?

IIRC you can't use the Blue Badge, you have to apply for something to show?? The Dibb's Special Needs forum will have full details.

I really wouldn't suggest using Downtown Disney to get buses. You would have to get a bus to a resort, and then get off and wait for another bus to go to the park you want. You would then have to do that in reverse to get back to your car. In your situation I can't imagine this will be a welcome journey to do it in half an hour is extremely optimistic, I'd suggest you could easily double that most of the time.

I would absolutely recommend you call into Guest Services and explain your situation to see what they can do to ease your visiting. There may be special arrangements for rides which would be better for your son.

I really hope you get something sorted out! It must be a very difficult situation.

Best wishes

KarenG

According to the Dibb, you've not been able to use the Blue Badge for many years. I am really sorry. Do ask for advice / help at Guest Services, they are usually fantastic and will move mountains to try and help you.

http://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=163767

d61mts

As stated, the Downtown Disney shopping area has free parking. You can take a bus to a hotel resort, and from there another bus to the park you desire. This process could take up to 1.5/two hours each way, which for the sake of the daily parking fee may not be worth it. For the Magic Kingdom if you took a bus to the Grand Floridian, Polynesian or Contemporary resorts, you could then take the monorail to the park, you could also walk the 10-15 mins direct from the Contemporary resort. For Epcot the Yacht and Beach Club resorts or Boardwalk resorts are good change over points where you can walk from them to the back entrance to Epcot in the Wolrd Showcase. You could also take a boat from these resorts (Swan and Dolphin are a bit closer) to the Hollywood Studios Park. For Animal Kingdom any Epcot or Animal Kingdom area resort will probably be best. If you enjoy the journey then fine, but for the sake of about £8 consider if thats worth an up to four hour round trip. As others have said, speak to the Guest relation cast members a the entrance of each park as they may be used to dealing with similar situations and provide some improvements to your visits.

sennypijama

Please please please follow Phoolgrrrl's advice and go and see Guest assistance. Take your son with you. They will go out of their way to help you.

shykins

re the parking u can use your Blue badge to park in disneys medical assistance areas BUT it isnt free. they are closer but that doesnt really solve your problem unless u could sit in the quiet of the car for a while to help

NB... u cannot use your blue badge in other disabled areas in florida u have to apply for a florida one

hth