3A 2 C close to parks at Presidents week

[canwegosoon]

We are owners at SSR. And my MIL wants to come with us on our trip in Feb President's week. I was wondering if any one has advice. We need to stay close to the parks to allow MIL to go rest, and she does not do well alone(this will be her first trip, and she will be 70). The options as I see them are:
1) Hope at the 7 month window for a 2BRM at WLV/BW/BCV
2) Use points for a deluxe stay at Poly or Contem.

We are happy to have SSR open.

Does anyone have advice or can think of other options. My children will be 7 on the trip, and are very flexible.

Thanks

 

[PamOKW]

Originally posted by canwegosoon
We need to stay close to the parks to allow MIL to go rest, and she does not do well alone(this will be her first trip, and she will be 70).

Do you mean that she wouldn't want to travel back and forth on her own or that she would be uncomfortable staying at the resort by herself? (or both) Any of the DVC resorts are not that far from the different parks (including OKW and SSR). If you are going to concentrate your time at Epcot/MGM, then BWV or BCV would be the best choice.

If your MIL would be comfortable at the resort, she might enjoy being able to sit out on the patio/balcony at either OKW or SSR to really unwind during the day.

I'm not sure how active she is -- some 70 year olds can run rings around me -- but you may not need to return to the resort to rest for her sake. Consider just taking it slower at the parks. Stop and watch the shows. Get a drink -- take the boats whenever possible to conserve walking, even if it does take more time. The "resting" can be done as part of the park visit.

 

[momsully]

I would try for a room at the 7 month window at any of the resorts you mentioned. If you plan to spend more time at MK I would go for VWL. If you call right away at 7 months you should be ok. We switched to BCV last year exactly at the seven month window and had no problems. Good luck!

 

[jaysue]

I would go for one of the Epcot area resorts - BCV or BWV to be as close as possible to 2 of the 4 main parks and also the Boardwalk - are you renting a car or mini-van?

thanks
jaysue

 

[KNWVIKING]

..... but what does " 3A 2 C " mean ?

 

[CRobin]

Originally posted by KNWVIKING
..... but what does " 3A 2 C " mean ?

Had me for awhile there too....first I thought is was a highway abbreviation, but now I suspect it means 3 adults, 2 children.

 

[canwegosoon]

What I am trying to say is that she cannot take a bus back by herself, so one of us would have to go with her. She has several medical conditions, that although the spirit is willing, the body isn't. She would love to go go go. But has really bad dizzy spells, and heart issues. She usually has to take a nap in the afternoons.

I just thought that the Poly/Cont/WLV were all very close, and might be of help to her, just as a ease of getting on a Mono/boat and you are there. I know she would love Epot too...and thought it might be good to stay over there too.

We fly, and take a towncar. Too long in the car from Upstate NY.

It is 3 Adults and 2 children...I listed the people coming, since it limits the rooms we can use.

At least going in Feb. I think the parks close a little earlier than in March when we usually go, so it won't be too long of a day on everyone!!

 

[FLYNZ4]

If she cannot take the bus back by herself, would she be able to take the boat by herself? It is not obvious to me why that would be the case.

I think that the difference in times (transportation wise) is really minimal between the various resorts. The only real exception being able to walk from BCV/BWV into Epcot. The rest of the transportation options require boarding a boat/monorail/bus... with a direct hop to the destination resort and back.

While there are a few minutes of time variance... I think it is minimal.

My recommendation would be to book your home resort at 11mo, and then try to switch to one of the Epcot resorts if you value being able to walk into Epcot.

/Jim

 

[dianeschlicht]

I agree that no matter which resort, she is going to have to do transportation, so that would make them all more equal. Why not get her a ECV (electric cart) to use? I had to do this the last two trips because of a chronic illness, and there are lots of places that not only rent them for the length of your stay, but bring them right to your resort and pick them up again when you leave. In January, I had one at OKW for a week, and it cost $200. It was SO easy to go on and off the bus with it, and the bus drivers were wonderful at helping me drive it on and off.

 

[ripleysmom]

We were able to get a 2BR at VWL for President's week this year so you should be able to get something for that time period next year I would think.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

Funny my Mom has those dizzy spells (she's 76). I found it curious how all of that goes away when she's on vacation. However her heart is good.

Anyhow... we get Mom an ECV so that helps quite a bit. If you rent one for a week rather than from the parks you'll need to use the bus anyway. If she doesn't need one all the time then consider paying the extra to rent it inside the park.

 

[crisi]

We stayed at BWV with my 65ish mother in law and her 70ish year old sister. BTW, if you can swing it, a friend for Mom isn't a bad idea - bringing my mother in laws sister along was a stroke of genius! The poked through Epcot at a snails pace (not fun for preschoolers) while we took the kids on multiple runs of Goofy's Barnstormer (not fun for Grandma), then met up for dinner. If they wanted a rest or a nap - they went - and it didn't slow the kids down a step. They did spend a few days with us - enjoying the kids enjoying WDW. But a few days at our pace was about as much as they were going to do.

They LOVED BWVs - the convience of Epcot was wonderful for them - that's where we generally met up for dinner and where they really wanted to spend their time.

Also, if you can swing it - cabs are a wonderful method of traveling with Seniors. There is no risk of them needing to stand on a moving bus, no waiting at a bus stop.....

 

[Pa@okw95]

I would not stay at BWV or BCV because for someone that is having problems the walks to either EPCOT or MGM is not close but far. I would stay at one of the mono-rail resorts or like one suggested rent an electric cart then it pretty much does not matter. She may not go for that though. The walk from say BCV can be a long walk especially up the hill after the gift shop on the left. When you are healthy you do not notice those things, when you are not a hill like that can look and be like a mountain.

 

[canwegosoon]

I think the EVC is a great suggestion, just on days she's is not feeling so good. I would never leave my MIL to go back alone, I just thought the POLY/Cont/or WLV might be quicker to get to. But I think it seems that most posters feel that it 20 minutes going back to SSR or POLY(etc) is about the same. Does anyone have a different opinion? I think I will definatly try to split the stay with something at Epcot though (if available). I love DVC for the flexibility....even though it might not be cost effective, perhaps trading for Deluxe part of the time might be the way to go this time.

 

[jaysue]

Originally posted by Pa@okw95
I would not stay at BWV or BCV because for someone that is having problems the walks to either EPCOT or MGM is not close but far. I would stay at one of the mono-rail resorts or like one suggested rent an electric cart then it pretty much does not matter. She may not go for that though. The walk from say BCV can be a long walk especially up the hill after the gift shop on the left. When you are healthy you do not notice those things, when you are not a hill like that can look and be like a mountain.

Good point and agreed - I assumed that they were thinking of getting an ECV if required

thanks
jaysue