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Mom and Daughter at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort Room
  • On May 28, 2009
    Nicole from NY Asked Note: This answer was provided prior to the change to planDisney and may still contain references to Disney Parks Moms Panel.

    Experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    We are staying at Saratoga Springs Villas this fall with 5 year old triplets, one of whom has Autism - we need to minimize the wait for transportation to and from the parks - are we best just having a rental car with us the whole trip?

    HI Nicole,

    I've stayed at Saratoga Springs a number of times, and found Disney buses to be convenient.  Like all resorts on property, you can anticipate up to a twenty minute wait for buses depending upon when you arrive at the stop.  (If you just missed a bus, your wait will be closer to twenty minutes, however, in many cases, it will be much shorter.)  The nice thing about Disney transportation is that buses drop you as close as possible to the main gates of the parks, limiting the amount of walking you need to do.  When you drive yourself, this isn't always the case.  At the Magic Kingdom, for example, you'll need to park at the Ticket and Transportation center, and then take either a monorail or boat to the park gates. The parking lots are large, and depending upon crowd levels, you may have a significant walk and/or have to take a tram to the gates.  If you plan on driving, I'd recommend getting to the parks early in the day, so that you are parked toward the front of the lots.

    Many people prefer to rent cars and drive to and from the parks.  Since you are staying on site, parking will be free for you in each of the parks.  If you plan on visiting the water parks, I find rental cars convenient.  My kids get cranky when they are wet and have to wait for a bus, so having our own car is helpful.  In addition, the lots at the water parks aren't huge, and are manageable to walk through from the gates. 

    I also recommend visiting Guest Relations at whichever park you visit first.  There, you can explain to the Cast Member that assists you that your son has Autism, and will be issued a Guest Assistance Card that will enable your family to use an alternate entrance with a shorter wait.  If you have a stroller, you can also request a special sticker that will enable you to use the stroller as a wheelchair (and use accessible entrances) on certain attractions.

    I hope all three of your kids have a magical vacation!

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Meet the Panelist: Tanya, New Jersey

I am Tanya from FL, full-time mom to two fun-loving boys. I have an array of planning tips and believe I offer a unique perspective on how to make Disney an amazing adventure for individuals with a variety of needs and abilities. Learn More About Tanya

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