Beach Club or Boardwalk for limited mobility?

[WDWorld2003]

My sister & BIL and their 10 year old DD will be using some of our points to stay in a studio at BWV over Thanksgiving. BIL & niece have never been to DisneyWorld and my sister was once many years ago. I have them booked at BWV preferred view for 4 nights.

They both have health issues. My BIL has rheumatoid arthritis which can limit his mobility and my sister has MS. I am not concerned about my sister as she doesn't have any mobility issues and is on the go constantly. However, my BIL does have trouble and never knows when he will be in pain. Walking long distances could be difficult.

Now to the ? - should I try and change them over to Beach Club at 7 month mark - would this involve a shorter walk for them.? Or should I try for Boardwalk View - close to elevators?

I want this to be a great trip for them - they are both teachers and really deserve to have a good time with their daughter. My BIL probably will go to DW only this once - to please his daughter.

Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks!!!!

 

[Pa@okw95]

If BIL goes to any parks he will use the boat and not walk so I can not see the difference, it is just as long to walk to the boat at one area as the other. I would tell MS of these problems and they should make the reservation that is best for your relatives. Don't forget those electric motor things that people ride around on at WDW.

 

[CarolMN]

Make sure you request that their room be close to the elevators and tell MS the reason - medical/mobility issues.

Boardwalk view rooms are not necessarily close to the elevators. In fact, many of them are actually a long way from the elevators. It is possible to get a room close to the elevators (or far away from them) in all view types at the BWV.

I see no reason to attempt a change to the BCV unless they plan to use a car for nearly all of their WDW transportation and do not want to take advantage of the free valet parking. Self-parking is closer to the BCV units than is self-parking at the BWV and finding a spot in the BW lots is often a challenge, especially at the end of the day.

Boat and bus transportation (as well as the valet parking pick up and drop off) for the BWV is actually not a bad walk if your room is close to the elevators. I believe it is actually closer than from the BCV rooms. JMHO.

Best wishes -

 

[Simba's Mom]

I would lean towards the Boardwalk for them for one reason. Once you get on the elevators at the Boardwalk, and go all the way down to "1", you're close to the Boardwalk when you get off. At the BCV, you're in a little lobby and still have to go out the doors and down the walkway. Although Epcot is shorter from the BCV for those who walk, I think it would be much easier from the BWV in a wheelchair.

 

[WDWorld2003]

Thanks everyone! I'll leave the reservation as is and let Member Services know.... I hope they enjoy the Boardwalk as much as we do

 

[kathleena]

I think you should stay with the BWV and ask for near the elevators.

The walk to the boat or to Epcot from BCV is longer than the walk from the BWV to the boat or the bus. They can take the boat to Epcot from BW to save that walk if they wanted. Plus there is all the walking around the BC and the BCV.

 

[pumpkinboy]

You should check out the DISabilities board here. There are lots of folks who have dealt with similar issues there.

I would suggest thet they rent themselves a couple of scooters (ECVs or Electric Convenience Vehicles). I expect they will have a better time if they rent ECVs so they are not exhausted by noon each day. BWV vs BCV will not be an issue if they can just scoot around.

 

[tiggerguy2000]

You made a good choice in the Boardwalk.