Traveling with the grandparents - Where do we stay?!

disney-inspired

Disney on the brain 24/7/365!
Joined
Jan 24, 2008
Hello!

In planning on surprising my grandparents with a trip to Walt Disney World (their first visit!) for the 2015 Flower and Garden Festival.

My grandparents are elderly (early and mid-70s) but are very active. My grandma is the one with some mobility issues (joint pain). I know we will be taking full advantage of whatever resort amenities are offered so, what resort would you recommend that is not too expansive but is great for relaxing?

Thank you!
 
Hello!

In planning on surprising my grandparents with a trip to Walt Disney World (their first visit!) for the 2015 Flower and Garden Festival.

My grandparents are elderly (early and mid-70s) but are very active. My grandma is the one with some mobility issues (joint pain). I know we will be taking full advantage of whatever resort amenities are offered so, what resort would you recommend that is not too expansive but is great for relaxing?

Thank you!

One of the Epcot resorts might be good because you can either take a boat or walk to Epcot from the resort. Plus you will have a balcony or porch where the grandparents can sit when they don't care to go to the parks.
 
I agree with the Epcot resorts as well. You have a lot of choices for food right there at boardwalk, yacht& beach and swan/dolphin. My parents (60 and 53) loved the Swan because of the location. We walked through Epcot and would take the monorail to MK instead of the bus--the walk through the countries was their favorite even though it took a little longer. If grandma needs an EVP they might rent them at the international gateway entrance to EP too. Boardwalk is busy and louder because of the nightlife but makes for great people watching. Good luck planning, sounds fun! Hope you all have a great time.
 
Thanks for the responses. Deluxe resorts are a bit out of my price range at the moment (should have made that clear in my first post). I'm thinking more along the lines of a moderate resort. If I'm able, I will definitely spring for the deluxe though.
 


The cheapest way to do this would be to stay off site, some place like Wyndham Bonnet Creek. You would have plenty of room and privacy. Two bedroom condos run about $120. A night. Check vacationupgrades.com

You could also do two rooms at Port Orleans Riverside or at a value resort. Both would be more expensive.

You could also rent points and use the vacation club places. I don't know the first thing about doing this other than you can find really good deals on deluxe resorts by doing it. If you check the vacation club threads here you can find more info on it.

I think you are doing a super sweet thing by taking them. Cherish these days that you have with them and make all of the memories you can. :goodvibes
 
We have stayed at the Poly, AKL, Port Orleans-Riverside and Port Orleans-French Quarter. And my last trip we did a couple of days at All Stars Movies. My favorite resort is still Port Orleans--either one! The grounds are beautiful and it is one of the quieter resorts. It is very laid back. I did find that the buses seemed to be less crowded going in/out of FQ.
 
The cheapest way to do this would be to stay off site, some place like Wyndham Bonnet Creek. You would have plenty of room and privacy. Two bedroom condos run about $120. A night. Check vacationupgrades.com

You could also do two rooms at Port Orleans Riverside or at a value resort. Both would be more expensive.

You could also rent points and use the vacation club places. I don't know the first thing about doing this other than you can find really good deals on deluxe resorts by doing it. If you check the vacation club threads here you can find more info on it.

I think you are doing a super sweet thing by taking them. Cherish these days that you have with them and make all of the memories you can. :goodvibes

I'm very anti off-site. I've never done it and don't plan to because it really takes away the magic for me. Also, I think the car rental to get from off-site to WDW would be a hassle (especially if we are transporting an ECV). This will be their first visit ever so I want everything to be perfect (or close to it!)

I am looking into DVC rentals but I need to do more research before I feel comfortable doing it. I have a few friends who are DVC members so hopefully they cant point me in the right direction.
 


I'm very anti off-site. I've never done it and don't plan to because it really takes away the magic for me. Also, I think the car rental to get from off-site to WDW would be a hassle (especially if we are transporting an ECV). This will be their first visit ever so I want everything to be perfect (or close to it!)

I am looking into DVC rentals but I need to do more research before I feel comfortable doing it. I have a few friends who are DVC members so hopefully they cant point me in the right direction.

I have always been against staying off site too, but Bonnet Creek IS on Disney Property right next to CBR, and it gets great reviews!! I had thought about staying there this time but I can't pass up the free dining so we are staying at our favorite resort, Riverside.

Since you have friends who are DVC members, they should be able to help you with renting points. That would be very helpful!! ::yes::
 
I'm very anti off-site. I've never done it and don't plan to because it really takes away the magic for me. Also, I think the car rental to get from off-site to WDW would be a hassle (especially if we are transporting an ECV). This will be their first visit ever so I want everything to be perfect (or close to it!)

I am looking into DVC rentals but I need to do more research before I feel comfortable doing it. I have a few friends who are DVC members so hopefully they cant point me in the right direction.

Port Orleans French Quarter. It's a smaller resort and you get the benefits of it being a sister resort to Port Orleans Riverside.

Only downside is shared buses.

If not there, then Coronado Springs but that's really spread out. I'm just not a fan of Caribbean Beach.
 
Only downside is shared buses.
.

Everyone talks about the shared buses between POR & POFQ but we were there for 2 trips in April & never shared. POR is our favorite resort & we always book preferred so we get AB & we are close to a quiet pool & the food court & bus depot.

Enjoy your stay!
 
I am looking into DVC rentals but I need to do more research before I feel comfortable doing it. I have a few friends who are DVC members so hopefully they cant point me in the right direction.

Well, you've got a year-ish to get comfortable with the idea :) honestly the first time is scary, but we are now on rental #4 and wouldn't do it any other way now.
 
Port Orleans French Quarter. It's a smaller resort and you get the benefits of it being a sister resort to Port Orleans Riverside.

Only downside is shared buses.

If not there, then Coronado Springs but that's really spread out. I'm just not a fan of Caribbean Beach.

French Quarter for sure.... CSR, been there and won't ever go back, for elderly it's too spread out and terrible dining ....

Our last trip, May 2013, POFQ...we did not share buses...we enjoy taking the boat to and from POFQ just for an evening ride... Resort is so quiet and compact....easy to get around...

If you can swing deluxe, WL is a deluxe but way down on the rate scale and compact, themed to death, serene and in the MK area...
 
Everyone talks about the shared buses between POR & POFQ but we were there for 2 trips in April & never shared. POR is our favorite resort & we always book preferred so we get AB & we are close to a quiet pool & the food court & bus depot.

Enjoy your stay!

When we stayed in 2006 I never felt like the wait was very long.

Port Orleans French Quarter. It's a smaller resort and you get the benefits of it being a sister resort to Port Orleans Riverside.

Only downside is shared buses.

If not there, then Coronado Springs but that's really spread out. I'm just not a fan of Caribbean Beach.

We stayed at Port Orleans Riverside on our first trip and we loved it. The landscaping is gorgeous and we even rented a surrey (not doing that with my grandparents :rotfl:) .

The carriage ride looks like something they would enjoy.

French Quarter for sure.... CSR, been there and won't ever go back, for elderly it's too spread out and terrible dining ....

Our last trip, May 2013, POFQ...we did not share buses...we enjoy taking the boat to and from POFQ just for an evening ride... Resort is so quiet and compact....easy to get around...

If you can swing deluxe, WL is a deluxe but way down on the rate scale and compact, themed to death, serene and in the MK area...

I was thinking CSR because of the theme but if it's like that, then never mind.


Well, you've got a year-ish to get comfortable with the idea :) honestly the first time is scary, but we are now on rental #4 and wouldn't do it any other way now.

I have spoken with my DVC friends and one of them has used David's vacation club and it was very easy and clear cut. That makes me feel better. Also, that he allows you to pay through Paypal.
 
I have used both a rental "company" (TTS) and private individuals. I've always purchased trip insurance, used contracts when renting from individuals, and never paid more than $12/point- which adds up to a decent savings vs using David's.

It all comes down to your personal comfort.
 
We've often gone to WDW with my husband's parents (who are now both in their early 70's), and have stayed at all levels of hotels.

CSR is really spread out, as stated earlier. May be a challenge for mobility issues.

The Value resorts were definitely good for saving some money, but the ambiance was a little "much" for the grandparents. I guess they prefer a bit more subtlety like at the Deluxe or Mods.

POFQ was their favorite - they liked that it was manageable in size and loved being able to take the boat to DTD.

This last spring we rented David's DVC and I would highly recommend it. We stayed at Villas at Wilderness Lodge and thoroughly enjoyed our visit (especially being at least 40% off rack rate :) ). We would absolutely rent DVC points again.
 
What about the Swan or Dolphin? I've never stayed there but hear that they are the price of a moderate!

Have a a great trip!
 
I agree that Swan Dolphin is a good choice, and you could book it under your grandparents and get a senior rate. It is a beautiful resort, and right on the Boardwalk. I am also a grandparent and enjoy staying there!
 

GET A DISNEY VACATION QUOTE

Dreams Unlimited Travel is committed to providing you with the very best vacation planning experience possible. Our Vacation Planners are experts and will share their honest advice to help you have a magical vacation.

Let us help you with your next Disney Vacation!





Top