Best Resort for Knee Problems!

[Andreak0428]

Hello everyone!

I am surprising my family with a "real" trip to the world in June 2013. We have been to Disney a bunch of times but my parents have never stayed onsite and therefore arent crazy about it! I know they will love it once they see the difference of a disney resort!

My question to you all: What would be the best resort to stay at for people will knee problems? My dad has a bad knee and while we can take our time and take breaks with attractions at the parks I am worried about booking a huge resort like Carribbean Beach. What do ya'll recommend?

Thanks!!!

 

[P00H1010]

Can't give you much info on other resorts but I would agree CBR is probably not the best for you in this case. I love the resort and would generally recommend it, but with someone in your party with knee problems it probably isn't your best option. It is a rather larger resort(granted they do have the internal bus shuttle) but there are also no elevators. If you do end up with CBR, request a 1st floor room .

 

[hockeymomNS]

I took my visually impaired Mom to CB and it was great. We asked for and got a preferred room. It was a corner ground floor room and I think that it would be ok in your situation.

 

[danceintherain]

Every resort on the Disney property has room locations that require some walking. A moderate may actually be the best option, since there are bus stops throughout. A preferred room should put you close to the food court area. A preferred room at a value should do the same thing.

All of the pool view rooms at AKL are close to the lobby, pool, and restaurants. Pool and standard view on the giraffe trail is about as close to the buses as you can get, but the parking area is on the other side of the resort.

At any of the other deluxe resorts, you can request a room close to the lobby. Making yourself aware of where the bus stops are can be helpful for making requests as well. If you will have a car, then I've heard that self parking at the Grand Floridian is a trek away from the main building. Some of the other resorts may have similar problems.

 

[Bev J]

any resort will work out, when you book and again when you check in ask for a room on the first floor. Also good to book a 'prefered' room. We stay at POP and ask for these (pay a little extra for the prefered room) and we have always gotten a first floor (no stairs) and close to the foodcourt/shops and bus
My DH had his knee replaced last May and will have surgery next month on the other knee so with all the park walking the last thing he will be needing to do is go up the stairs after a long day.
We stayed at WL one trip and we walked further in that hotel then any we have ever stayed at.
POFQ is another resort we have been able to get first floor/close in.

Good luck
Bev

 

[mugglebe]

I vote for POFQ!

It's small, quaint and quiet. Not much walking to the food court or the bus stop. It's beautiful along the water.

 

[*Fantasia*]

I vote for POFQ!

It's small, quaint and quiet. Not much walking to the food court or the bus stop. It's beautiful along the water.

This place is very lovely and quaint. Very compact. You can easily get around without walking too much. Ask for bldg #2, 1st floor closer to the food court.

 

[Belle83]

For a moderate, definitely POFQ.

I would go for a monorail resort if you can afford it, though.

 

[maxiesmom]

For a moderate, definitely POFQ.

I would go for a monorail resort if you can afford it, though.

That is just what I was thinking too!

POFQ is the smallest resort at WDW. It is compact enough that no matter where your room ends up, you are not too far from the bus stop. Another good thing about POFQ is that there is only one bus stop, so you don't have to worry that by the time the bus gets to the stop by your room it will be full.

POFQ has elevators in every building, so you don't have to worry about your parents having to do the stairs either. My mom has had knee trouble for years, and we have found POFQ is a great resort for her.

 

[vickalamode]

Any resort that offers the ability to book a preferred room-close to the pool and lobby area!

POFQ is a really small resort-the furthest buildings really are only a couple minutes walk to the main area and pool.

CR, in a tower room-NOT garden wing! Everything is located in one convenient building, plus monorail to MK and Epcot

 

[shannonstar]

POFQ is a great resort for someone that needs to walk less. I took my nephew in a boot last year and he got around with no problems.

It's the smallest resort, so there is a lot to do within a little space.

 

[hannaconda]

You can request a room on the first floor for Handicap and a bad knee is. I had knee surgry in 2008 and stayed at SSR. They put me on the first floor. Also for the parks your dad can rent one of the electric scooters at each park so that should help out and not put a strain on him. Have fun

 

[creativeamanda]

If you are looking at a moderate resort, I would recommend POFQ. Book a preferred room. The bus stop is not far from the preferred rooms. Ask for first floor, but the resort does have elevators. I don't know that I would choose CBR, as it is really huge. POFQ is very compact.

 

[Kimberle]

Maybe you should consider renting a scooter for your dad. There are offsite places that will rent to your for the lenght of your vacation. They will deliver and pick up from your resort. Ask over on the DisAbility board. They're lots of help.

WL is the smallest deluxe resort. It's under 1 roof. The standard view rooms are closest to the lobby. It's really expensive, but the CR tower is the best for people who have walking issues. It's up and down with elevators. The hallways aren't terribly long. He could just take an elevator ride down to the monorail or shops.

 

[HANDYMOM]

another vote for French Qtr just for the overall smaller size.

If you aren't going during a busy time of year, you could easily make a reservation at Riverside, CSR or CB and call a week or two ahead and talk to the room assigner at the resort. They have always been very accomodating from what I understand

 

[fla4fun]

Will you have a car? Will you be using it to get to the parks? If so, why not a FW cabin? The parking space is right outside the door. They do have some accessible cabins with a ramp if you feel that is necessary, or the regular cabins have about 4 steps to get up on the deck and in the door.

Otherwise, it's pretty much luck of the draw. They don't guarantee any room location and some of them are pretty far from transportation.

I would consider an Epcot resort after the cabin. There aren't any steps up or down from the boats to Epcot and DHS (ramps at BW, self elevating dock at YC and Swan/Dolphin). I like the BW or YC because the dock is fairly close.

I would agree that you should consider renting an ECV from an off property company if you feel walking is going to be an issue. It's generally less per day than renting from Disney, you have access to it 24 hours a day (not just in the parks) and you don't have to worry that they will run out. There is a lot of walking in the parks - no, make that a LOT of walking. If you have foot or knee issues, it can be agony. No reason it has to be though.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

I agree with everyone who suggested an ECV. I have a bad ankle and knee, and have never wanted to use one, even though it is sometimes very painful to walk. Most people seem kind, but there are enough who think everyone on a scooter is simply trying to get away with something, and I didn't want to get angry stares.

However, last August I stood for too long waiting for Wishes on our first night and was unable to walk for days afterward. Rented from Walker Mobility, and it was the best decision I ever made. DD didn't have to keep waiting on ol' Mom to catch up, we were able to see and do more and the vast majority of CMs and other guests were generous and helpful. I came home rested and relaxed, instead of in pain, leg elevated to get rid of the swelling.

If using a scooter, any resort will be easier, so that won't be a factor. I personally feel the Y&BC are the best situated for anyone with mobility issues, as you can get to 2 parks quite easily without using a bus, but that's just me.

Good luck! Hope you all have a great trip and your parents love it onsite.

 

[shellybaxter]

Honestly - if you are worried about the walking at the resort the parks will be a nightmare. I have bad knees and couldn't do the parks without a scooter. If you get a scooter then you can choose whichever resort appeals to you.

 

[spencera]

My wife and I have been taking our children and grandchildren to Disney World for many years now. We are both 62 years old and in 2008 we rented 2 scootors for the first time. I must say with all honesty, that was the beginning of a wonderful vacation with the kids. with these scootors we are able to keep up with the kids and never get tired like you do when walking. we have a trip planned with the kids and grandkids in October 2012, before I made the flight & hotel reservations I called Vacation Scootors in Orlando and they will deliver 2 dream scootors to the Contemporary Hotel when we get there. we have found that most of the Park benches and chairs are always taken and that is understandable, when one has his or her scootor, you always have a nice soft seat to sit and rest. most all of the things to do and see can be done on the scootor, and if one feels like walking just park the scootor. I guess you can see that we are sold on the scootors, yes we are it just makes the Disney World Vacation with the kids and grandkids so much better for us as well as the kids. Good luck, Spencer from Louisiana

 

[Janilou2012]

I vote for POFQ too. Or if a deluxe resort is an option for you, then one of the resorts that has monorail service. I have a hip replacement so I understand the difficulty of getting around at times.
Jan