Handicap Parking for Football games

[intrepid27]

Looking for some advice/info. We have a family member that wants to attend a couple of home games this year. (She has a permanent handicap parking license plate.) Do the fill up fairly early. Also what about the handicap spots by Hilton? Any tips appreciated.
Thanks

 

[pcjcy]

A few years ago we called the ticket office and said it is first come- no reserve parking and said it filled up fast so would need to be there a few hours for sure!

 

[KennyPratt42]

It fills up early, although I have heard depending on who is working in that area they will find you an open spot in a lot close to the handicap lot. But that happening isn’t something you can completely count on.

 

[1SEIACLONE]

Its first come first serve, and handicapped is the only lot that they do take a card and not have to be prepaid. They start in the lot of S1 and then slide you over to S4 or S5 as the first lot fills up. As long as you have a valid handicapped sticker or license plate, you can get into those lots, but they do fill up fast for some games. If you have paid for prepaid parking, just have them scan the code from your phone, just like your tickets and you should be good to go.
As you go into the stadium, just tell them the handicapped lots and they will shoot you around to that way.

 

[1SEIACLONE]

I would park by JTS, the walk from the Hilton lots over to the stadium is going to be very difficult for a handicapped person and back. Lots of people tailgate in the handicapped lots and it easy to get in and out of that area after the ballgame if you get there early and park in S1. If you can go west of the stadium on Beach and come in that way, there will be attendance at the top by Reiman Garden and just turn in there and tell them you are going to the handicapped lot and they will mark on your windshield and shoot you down to park.
They do allow a little handicapped parking in S2, but its limited before they push your around to S4 and S5. Remember if she has a handicapped plate or sticker, they have to provide parking for you, its federal law, they cannot shoot you out to GA parking and if they try to do that, raise hell with them.
I have been around the block more than once with ticket takers that would not allow us to park in the handicapped lot when we had our daughter with us. One time they said I did not have a sticker, and I just told them, "I have the handicapped license plate and my daughter is right behind me in her wheel chair." A supervisor came over, he saw what was going on and flagged us through.

 

[bozclone]

I used the S1 lot several times with the Dad in the past. I would suggest that you arrive early and do some tailgating before the game. Many of the people in S1 are tailgating. It is low key and everyone is very friendly. Even if there are spots open closer to game time, it is a challenge driving through the lot with all the tailgates set up. Things are pretty tight. I don't recall that we had to be their super early, but I wouldn't suggest showing up an hour before game time. I don't recall exactly, but it seems like we showed up a couple hours before kick. My Dad and I would typically back a couple chairs, some drinks and some snacks/sandwiches.

Maybe go earlier the first time and then you can see how early you need to be there for future games.

 

[1SEIACLONE]

I used the S1 lot several times with the Dad in the past. I would suggest that you arrive early and do some tailgating before the game. Many of the people in S1 are tailgating. It is low key and everyone is very friendly. Even if there are spots open closer to game time, it is a challenge driving through the lot with all the tailgates set up. Things are pretty tight. I don't recall that we had to be their super early, but I wouldn't suggest showing up an hour before game time. I don't recall exactly, but it seems like we showed up a couple hours before kick. My Dad and I would typically back a couple chairs, some drinks and some snacks/sandwiches.

Maybe go earlier the first time and then you can see how early you need to be there for future games.

S1 will be packed for the first two games at least, the EIU game is always a zoo, and that lot will be full by 9:00 at the latest. As the weather cools off later in the season, it's easier to get into S1 and find a parking spot. We have gotten into S1 as early as 6:00 for the EIU game and it's third to half full by 7:00.

 

[cyclonemarc]

In S1, all those that arrive super early want a spot along the grass to tailgate. Those without a grass spot are way better at not clogging up the lanes compared to those in other cemented areas.

 

[1SEIACLONE]

In S1, all those that arrive super early want a spot along the grass to tailgate. Those without a grass spot are way better at not clogging up the lanes compared to those in other cemented areas.

They park you starting on the east side of S1 and going west. They used to let you find your own parking spot, they stopped that two or three years ago. If you ask nice they do let you drive down to unload your tailgating stuff if you tailgate up by the stadium fence and then its back to our assigned spot for the day to park.

 

[LarryISU]

Public parking is on sale starting today. I went into the site and about all I am seeing is tickets for resale. $135. $237. For one game. Is that how it always is? How are all the tickets presold before today when they supposedly just went on sale?

 

[1SEIACLONE]

Public parking is on sale starting today. I went into the site and about all I am seeing is tickets for resale. $135. $237. For one game. Is that how it always is? How are all the tickets presold before today when they supposedly just went on sale?

Looks like they sold out GA parking for the EIU game, but have spots for the rest of the games. I would guess people purchased and are trying to make a quick hundred off the GA parking for that game.

 

[oliver233]

You can also call the stadium's guest services ahead of time, they'll tell you when the ADA lots usually close.

We did that for my aunt after getting her placard from ParkingMD California, and they even gave us a printable map showing where drop-offs were allowed.

Don't rely on ride-share near kickoff though, traffic gets insane