Am I making the wrong choice?

[Dawna]

Eleven of us are going to Disney for Spring Break and I was so excited to reserve 2 THV, but now I am worried. My father-in-law has a lot of trouble with his knees so the remote location plus the number of stairs may be too much for him. Also I have heard that we would have to walk to the bus stop to get a bus to go to SSR to get another bus to the parks, is this correct? For anyone who has stayed there and gone to the parks daily, was the bus service a big hassle?

It looks like a wonderful place to stay and I still want to try it sometime, but I'm not sure this is the right time with the in-laws.

Alternative would be to try
AKL - to wow the kids with the animals and fun water area
BeachClub - to wow the kids and adults with the pool area / location
Boardwalk - to please the husband as he loves the location - his favorite

I remember Beach Club villas seemed to be a bit of a hike also though - am I remembering correctly? I know really I can't go wrong here, but all suggestions are welcome!!

What would you do?

Thanks!
Dawna

 

[bobbiwoz]

I haven't stayed, but I did ask about the bus situation because we will be staying in one. There are two bus stops in the treehouse areas, north and south. The bus then usually goes to the Springs section, which is right by that main area of SSR. At 11AM, another stop is added on that internal bus, it stops at the Grandstand. Since the Grandstand is the first stop for the park busses, this enables the treehouse people to be at the front of the loop, where as the Springs section is the last of the park loop.

There are two treehouses with ramps, they are HA. Have you considered getting one of those if possible? I have to admit, one of the things I don't like about OKW is the fact that there are so few buildings with elevators, and I cannot do steps well at all. However, these treehouses look so inviting to me, I just had to give it a try. I know my family will be generous and patient with me, and I'm sure you will be helping your DFiL. I like the idea of the deck and the barbecue grill right "there." Would you want to ask his opinion of what he can handle?

Best wishes on what you finally decide. Since Spring break is not the same for everyone, you probably have a chance to get whichever of the others you want if you call exactly at 7 months.

Bobbi

 

[disneynutz]

Eleven of us are going to Disney for Spring Break and I was so excited to reserve 2 THV, but now I am worried. My father-in-law has a lot of trouble with his knees so the remote location plus the number of stairs may be too much for him. Also I have heard that we would have to walk to the bus stop to get a bus to go to SSR to get another bus to the parks, is this correct? For anyone who has stayed there and gone to the parks daily, was the bus service a big hassle?

It looks like a wonderful place to stay and I still want to try it sometime, but I'm not sure this is the right time with the in-laws.

Alternative would be to try
AKL - to wow the kids with the animals and fun water area
BeachClub - to wow the kids and adults with the pool area / location
Boardwalk - to please the husband as he loves the location - his favorite

I remember Beach Club villas seemed to be a bit of a hike also though - am I remembering correctly? I know really I can't go wrong here, but all suggestions are welcome!!

What would you do?

Thanks!
Dawna

Rent him a ECV and stay anywhere other than the THV's.

Bill

 

[Dean]

I would not stay in the THV for this situation personally. See if you can get a 3 BR at OKW or SSR or two 2 BR at one of those or other similar. Alternatives depending on the group makeup would be one 2 BR and two additional studios with keys to the larger unit for kitchen access.

 

[TiaMaria]

Much as I love AKV (and AKL), the walks from some of the rooms to the bus stops can be daunting, especially to those with issues.

Our last room at AKV was 1/3 of a mile to the lobby. Whew! It really wasn't a bad walk because you are inside and have all the viewing windows along the way. However, the 2 people in our family that used ECV's could not have done it without them.

I would also recommend getting him an ECV to make his life easier. Then you could stay anywhere. I'd skip the THV though - the multiple bus changes can eat up time loading and unloading the ECV's.

Try for a couple of 2 bdrms at OKW or a GV, and ask for the buildings that have elevators. You'll get great value for your points and a lovely resort to boot. Or go for AKV/AKL (the Jambo GV's are single story) - but do get the ECV for your dad. He may complain, but will thank you when all is said and done.

 

[Chuck S]

Much as I love AKV (and AKL), the walks from some of the rooms to the bus stops can be daunting, especially to those with issues.

Our last room at AKV was 1/3 of a mile to the lobby. Whew! It really wasn't a bad walk because you are inside and have all the viewing windows along the way. However, the 2 people in our family that used ECV's could not have done it without them.

I would also recommend getting him an ECV to make his life easier. Then you could stay anywhere. I'd skip the THV though - the multiple bus changes can eat up time loading and unloading the ECV's.

Try for a couple of 2 bdrms at OKW or a GV, and ask for the buildings that have elevators. You'll get great value for your points and a lovely resort to boot. Or go for AKV/AKL (the Jambo GV's are single story) - but do get the ECV for your dad. He may complain, but will thank you when all is said and done.

I would request first floor or a building with elevator, as only 3 buildings at OKW have elevators, they are somewhat limited. Request that on his room, and then request that the rooms be near each other on both reservations.

 

[Dawna]

I haven't stayed, but I did ask about the bus situation because we will be staying in one. There are two bus stops in the treehouse areas, north and south. The bus then usually goes to the Springs section, which is right by that main area of SSR. At 11AM, another stop is added on that internal bus, it stops at the Grandstand. Since the Grandstand is the first stop for the park busses, this enables the treehouse people to be at the front of the loop, where as the Springs section is the last of the park loop.

There are two treehouses with ramps, they are HA. Have you considered getting one of those if possible? I have to admit, one of the things I don't like about OKW is the fact that there are so few buildings with elevators, and I cannot do steps well at all. However, these treehouses look so inviting to me, I just had to give it a try. I know my family will be generous and patient with me, and I'm sure you will be helping your DFiL. I like the idea of the deck and the barbecue grill right "there." Would you want to ask his opinion of what he can handle?

Best wishes on what you finally decide. Since Spring break is not the same for everyone, you probably have a chance to get whichever of the others you want if you call exactly at 7 months.

Bobbi

Bobbi,

Thank you for the information on the bus route - It sounds like it would be better if we weren't "morning" people at the parks, but I can't help myself haha! The HA treehouse may be a great option, thanks!

Dawna

 

[Dawna]

Rent him a ECV and stay anywhere other than the THV's.

Bill

Bill,

My DFiL is a stubborn man, who, even though he is miserable after walking around a lot seems like he would rather be miserable than ride on an ECV. We personally are thinking of his comfort not his "pride" or whatever causes him to avoid the ECV. It's not that he can't walk, but he can't walk very long. He just sees it as people need it more than he does and he can walk so why "ride"? I say it is okay to ride to not have the pain later? I don't think he is looking forward to the trip, which is a little bit sad, since he is focused on not being able to "keep up". The ECV would change all that - IF, and that is a big IF, he would actually use one!

Thanks!
Dawna

 

[Dawna]

....Alternatives depending on the group makeup would be one 2 BR and two additional studios with keys to the larger unit for kitchen access.

Dean,
Love this idea - I felt a bit guilty to keep the 2 bedroom and give the other two families the studios but, with extra keys, they would feel they have access to the kitchen / washer/dryer also!!

Thanks,
Dawna

 

[allshookup]

Have you considered BLT? It is so convenient to the monorail & the TOWL is such a nice place for adults to sit & relax w/ a drink at the end of a long day. It really is not a long walk to anything & there are elevators or escalators to get where you need to go. Plus the CG is a favorite restaurant of ours & I think it would be a great place to take the in-laws for dinner.

If not BLT, maybe BCV or BWV just for convenience of getting to Epcot or DHS & some nice restaurants for the adults to enjoy, but you could still end up w/ a long walk to your room. Perhaps as a PP suggested another area of SSR would be a better choice since they have elevators in the buildings & but then I would be sure to have a car at least for DFIL since it would be a lot easier to just pull a car up for him & drive him where you need to go?

We took my DM before she passed away a couple of times & although she could walk, she had COPD & it she would get winded easily. We ended up purchasing a compact wheelchair that was easy to fold up & store. It worked out great because she had a place to sit while waiting for buses. but she could just walk on the bus & DH would fold up the chair for her. Plus it made touring the parks so much easier for her in the long run. Not sure if DFIL would go for that, but just a suggestion. Good luck w/ whatever you choose!

 

[Dawna]

TiaMaria / Chuck,

Thanks for the suggestion of OKW - We've never stayed there and I have heard it has a lot of space and I know it is a bit of a save on the points!

Dawna

 

[VrBchJ]

I suggested to the friend who went with me to Flower and Garden last April that she get an ECV. Much like your FIL her pride would not permit it. But after the first day of walking around Epcot, and a night of pain as a result. she decided to cast off her pride and get the ECV for the remainder of the trip. (The ECV had two speeds, tortoise and hare. She had it on hare for the duration and I could hardly keep up with her.) Your FIL may come to a similar conclusion.

 

[Dawna]

Have you considered BLT? It is so convenient to the monorail & the TOWL is such a nice place for adults to sit & relax w/ a drink at the end of a long day. It really is not a long walk to anything & there are elevators or escalators to get where you need to go. Plus the CG is a favorite restaurant of ours & I think it would be a great place to take the in-laws for dinner.

If not BLT, maybe BCV or BWV just for convenience of getting to Epcot or DHS & some nice restaurants for the adults to enjoy, but you could still end up w/ a long walk to your room. Perhaps as a PP suggested another area of SSR would be a better choice since they have elevators in the buildings & but then I would be sure to have a car at least for DFIL since it would be a lot easier to just pull a car up for him & drive him where you need to go?

We took my DM before she passed away a couple of times & although she could walk, she had COPD & it she would get winded easily. We ended up purchasing a compact wheelchair that was easy to fold up & store. It worked out great because she had a place to sit while waiting for buses. but she could just walk on the bus & DH would fold up the chair for her. Plus it made touring the parks so much easier for her in the long run. Not sure if DFIL would go for that, but just a suggestion. Good luck w/ whatever you choose!

Diane,

It is so great that you and your DM enjoyed Disney together before her passing - what a blessing! That is a great idea with the lightweight wheelchair - maybe that would be a good compromise with him so that he could walk onto the bus and not have the delay of the ECV with the bus. His two sons can definitely manage the chair (no more kids in strollers now!!

Thanks!
Dawna

 

[Dawna]

I suggested to the friend who went with me to Flower and Garden last April that she get an ECV. Much like your FIL her pride would not permit it. But after the first day of walking around Epcot, and a night of pain as a result. she decided to cast off her pride and get the ECV for the remainder of the trip. (The ECV had two speeds, tortoise and hare. She had it on hare for the duration and I could hardly keep up with her.) Your FIL may come to a similar conclusion.

I hope he does!! Then we will have a hard time keeping up with him!

I think Epcot is his favorite park too - but I think it may be the most daunting because of the World Showcase - once you start your way around, you have the whole circle in front of you. ARRRGGG!

Thanks!
Dawna

 

[TisBit]

I agree that THV might not be the best option, but all things considered, most of the resorts have a long walk to the busses. I wouldn't necessarily stay at BWV or BCV for proximity to Epcot or HS, just because it involved walking there, which is quite a hike for a bum knee (comparing to walking from THV to Grandstand for a one bus solution). I would also recommend maybe doing BLT and even SSR 2 bedrooms, most buildings are pretty close to the bus stops and have elevators, etc.

 

[Pakey]

I would do any of them except THV. We stayed there 3 months ago and I would never recommend it for anyone who didn't have their own transportation. Yes, the bus service was a huge hassle. Also, we were there the first week of May and the mosquitoes at our villa were horrible. We could not use the deck at all, which was unfortunate because we considered the deck to be the best part of the villa.

BCV and BWV are more convenient but we like AKL the best for the resort itself.

 

[ToddyLu]

My FIL had cancer and hip surgery before our 2004 trip to WDW. We got Pop an ECV after discussing it with MIL. I sweetly reminded her that pushing a WC around WDW would be more difficult than she could imagine, due to slight elevations. Of course each of us would have carried him on our back to get him there....we basically told him not to worry about it--that he would be able to do everything he wanted. I agree with a lightweight chair and sharing pushing with other family members if you go this route. But the ECV gave him independence. He could wonder off if he wanted, didn't have to wait on us, didn't have to feel guilty for us pushing him....it was great for him and he LOVED it. If it were me and I was the planner....I would just get the ECV, I would pay for it and I would have it there....if he used it great and good, if not...it was worth the try just to have an alternative. I think you will find that if you just take care of it and don't make a big deal out of it, he will use it after the first day. So many times pride gets in the way until you are there, on the trip and wanting to go with the Grandkids to the pool. Just have it ready at check in and put it in your room. Does he realize how big the place is??

My MIL couldn't thank use enough for encouraging the use of the scooter. It saved the last trip with him for us. DH just got a pic of him, (from Mom for his Bday), his brother and their Dad on that trip with Dad sitting on the scooter. DH just grinned when he saw it and will treasue that photo for a long time.

 

[DrMath]

Last December, my husband and I took the whole family (9 of them) to WDW for our vow renewal and we stayed in 2 THV. My father has a severe heart problem and cannot walk very far, but there is NO WAY he would ever ride in a wheelchair or an ECV. However, we requested that the villas be near a bus stop and he only had to walk about 30 feet. Yes, you do take the internal bus to Saratoga Springs and catch another (park) bus from there, but there is no walking involved really and nobody in the family found it a burden.

My family really enjoyed the THV -- they are new and spacious. We had no problems with mosquitoes (or any other bugs).

If you're not sure what your family will like and whether your FIL would enjoy or refuse a WC or ECV, ask them -- they might have a preference.

 

[skelooch]

I also have a bit of a problem walking for long periods, probably much like your DFIL. I do rent an ECV at times when the family decides to a commando day. I don't do very many rides so they would have me to their front work and ride head to get fastpasses, the ECV also comes in handy for carrying a cooler or whatever other items you bring to the parks, or acquire at the parks.

Perhaps if you could convince him how convenient it would be for you all if he got an ECV he wouldn't feel he is a burden and that he is contributing to everyone else's enjoyment. And I'm sure he'll have fun doing it.

Hope it all works out. And you have a great trip.

 

[ToddyLu]

Ohhhh, I never thought of the EVCer getting FPs...what a great way to help out.