offsite hotels and ECV transportation?

[NightAngelX]

Hi all. We wen to Disney for the first time last year and can't wait to return. We went all out last time since it was my first trip. We loved AKL but honestly didn't get a chance to explore or enjoy the resort at all.
So we decided next trip we'd stay somewhere cheaper.
So our first thought is the value resorts, but i also wondered how offsite hotels did with ecv transportation. My DH has severe arthritis and needs one to get around at Disney. The Disney buses were great (for the most part) for getting around.
I am thinking that staying onsite will be our best bet but i don't want to miss a great hotel/deal simply because i did not look.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Strawberry's mom&dad]

Are you renting a car? We stayed off site in Oct. and put the ECV in the trunk until we got to Disney and then took advantage of Disney transport to go where ever we wanted to go. You would need one of the smaller ones for this to work.

 

[Bete]

You will be hard press to get off site bus transportation that will support ECV. Disney goes out of their way to make ECV transportation a breeze on site.

If you have a car then most travel ECVs can fit into the trunk. Travel ECVs come apart. Sometimes, you may need to use the back seat for part of the ECV if you have a small vehicle. Keep in mind, you need to take the ECV apart and put it back together if you are using a car.

If you have a power chair then it all becomes more difficult; they don't come apart. I'm just clarifying, here.

There are some private handicap taxis that may be able to accommodate an ECV. It would be most cost prohibitive.

If you plan on staying at Disney only and want to save money then I would try a Disney value resort. You get the same transportation options and you get the Disney theming. Keep in mind as an off site guest if you use your own car you pay parking fees to get into the parks. As an on site guest you don't pay parking fees.

Depending when you go there may be a deal for staying on Disney property. There's a resort discount code available right now. If you will have a car you can always grocery shop to save on food costs. You can eat out off site, too. We even take snacks, cereal bars, protein bars, and so forth in our luggage. There's other ways to save without staying off site.

 

[NightAngelX]

Thanks for the info. I just wanted to make sure i wasn't missing some great off site hotel with bus transportation for ecv.

It looks like a value resort would be our best option. Last time we drove there...from Iowa (bleh). Hoping to not do that again but if we did we'd have a car but due to his arthritis lifting it in and out of a car is not a good idea. I would likely need help and its just the two of us. We were looking to maybe go early December this year or next winter sometime but flights seem stupid expensive and roads suck then so i don't know when/if we'll go again.

We got a super awesome deal on our first trip in August. Basically akl was same price as a mod. At that time it would have been cheaper to fly but DH didn't want to so we drove. After driving we agreed flying would be preferred. lol. Whenever we go we'd want a special offer or not go. I hate paying full price.

Thanks again!

 

[lanejudy]

Thanks for the info. I just wanted to make sure i wasn't missing some great off site hotel with bus transportation for ecv.

It looks like a value resort would be our best option. Last time we drove there...from Iowa (bleh). Hoping to not do that again but if we did we'd have a car but due to his arthritis lifting it in and out of a car is not a good idea. I would likely need help and its just the two of us. We were looking to maybe go early December this year or next winter sometime but flights seem stupid expensive and roads suck then so i don't know when/if we'll go again.

We got a super awesome deal on our first trip in August. Basically akl was same price as a mod. At that time it would have been cheaper to fly but DH didn't want to so we drove. After driving we agreed flying would be preferred. lol. Whenever we go we'd want a special offer or not go. I hate paying full price.

Thanks again!

Early December is a terrific time to go - you get to see all the holiday decorations without the crazy holiday crowds! Though it is getting to be known that's a good time, so there are SOME crowds but not too bad. You might want to watch when Pop Warner is there, they stay at the Value resorts in early Dec. - I think they stay at the All Stars so go with Pop or AoA if there the same time.

There is rumor that Disney may not be putting out their highly discounted offerings this year as in recent years - maybe doing more room discounts without as much free dining. But that's just rumor. Keep your ears and eyes open and see what comes up.

Enjoy your vacation!