Best Monorail Resort for Elderly?

[AC7179]

Quarantine has been really hard on my mom (74). My dad has CHF, so they have truly been quarantining and not in public for about a year. Over quarantine, we have noticed some memory loss with my mom. Not sure if it is the lack of stimulation or something more, but she has struggled a bit. She is definitely still herself, but it's been hard. However, they have both received their second dose of the Covid vaccine and are looking forward to brighter days.

My oldest daughter lives in Orlando. Mom would like to go visit her and my husband has offered to stay home with my dad. We would like to make it a quick and easy trip. I will have my two daughters with me (9 and 16) as well as my oldest that lives in Orlando (27). I was thinking Maybe fly out on Tuesday, spend the night with my daughter. Early Wednesday we would head to a resort, check in, go to the Magic Kingdom, take a long midday break, the maybe back to the Magic Kingdom that night. The next day, we would spend the day at the resort before going back to my daughter's house and flying home on Friday. I think anythink more than that may be too over stimulating. Also, Mom walks well but probably has very little endurance and will be easily tired, especially in June when we will be going. I decided we would stay a night at a Monorail resort but can't decide which one. Bay Lake Tower is tempting because it is so close and walkable, but I'm also considering a room at the actual Contemporary tower for easy Monorail access. As far as the resort goes, I think Mom would enjoy all of the landscaping at the Poly. She loves Disney gardening. I've never stayed at any of these resorts and we are a mainly Disneyland family, but one of Mom's favorite part of Disneyland are all the plants and landscaping.

I just wanted to get some opinions. I would love to make this a great trip for her.

 

[Dug720]

There is no monorail station AT the Poly right now - you'd have to walk to/from the TTC.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

So you have 4 people in the room?

Only the DVC/Villas part of Poly is open for your date, so the only room option is a Studio Villa (or a Bungalow if you have the cash). The sleeping surfaces in a Studio are one queen, one pull out queen sofa bed, and a fold down single bed. Not sure if that works or not with your party makeup. Make sure to check your dates to make sure there is cash availability for a Studio.

While the Poly grounds are still as beautiful as always, there is abundant construction going on at the front of the Grand Ceremonial House and there is active work going on in/around the hotel-side longhouses. If you are looking for a ‘perfect’ Poly experience, now may not be the best time to visit. Also the Poly monorail station is closed with no announcement as to when the re-building will be complete (I suspect June is not likely from the latest photos).

Over at CR, in case you don’t know, they are about to start Tower room renovations. I don’t think Tower rooms are available in June. Garden Wing rooms are available. These would have 2Qs and a fold over single sofa bed. The Garden Wing is OK, but it’s not the Tower.

There is no construction at GF right now and other than some of the restaurants, it is mostly open and operating as usual. GF rooms will have 2Qs and a fold over single sofa bed.

From your description, I’m feeling GF should get strong consideration. One-stop monorail ride to MK, one-stop boat ride back, the grounds are beautiful and mom may appreciate the Disney gardening that you say she enjoys, the rooms are big and comfortable for your size party, and there is no construction to worry about.

 

[Dug720]

So you have 4 people in the room?

It actually sounds like 5 - the OP, her mother, 2 live-at-home kids, and the kid in Orlando.

 

[AC7179]

Thank you to you everyone! I didn't know ANY of that information, so that gives me lots to consider. It does seem like the GF may be the best bet! Thanks!

 

[TexanInTheMidwest]

My MIL - who we took for her 90th birthday - just LOVED the Grand Floridian. She didn't go into the parks and loved her balcony as well as the lobby!

 

[CarolynFH]

I agree that with the construction going on at Poly and CR, the easy transportation between GF and MK, and the length of the walk from BLT to/from MK, GF would be an excellent choice.

 

[Sue M]

We love GF, so do my adult daughters. The landscaping is beautiful, rooms are large, and it’s a small resort. Nothing is very far. The Courtyard pool is very nice. Both pools are gradual entry. We like Big Pine Key or Boca Chica room locations.
The lobby is beautiful and lots of shops to browse thru!

 

[Best Aunt]

I wonder if your Mom would be able to do the walk from Contemporary (whether garden wing or Bay Lake Tower) to the Magic Kingdom. I know everybody acts like it's an easy walk, but I find it tiring.

If you're a Disneyland family, are you sure you want to do Magic Kingdom rather than Epcot? Magic Kingdom can be tiring, and it's more like what she has already seen. I find Epcot more relaxing. If she's interested in gardening, she might be interested in the different types of trees and flowers in different sections of Epcot. (In the past, there was even a tour about this.) The walk from YachtClub/Beach Club or BoardWalk to Epcot is easier than the walk from Contemporary to Magic Kingdom.

 

[KittyKitty]

I don't know it this is possible, but the best way to get her stamina up is to get her to walk before the trip. Either outside around the neighborhood, or in front of TV/Computer. I give myself a # of steps to do each day. I have a wrist step counter, If I can't get outside, I walk in front of the TV, watching a show. I am 71 1/2. It really helps with my energy level when I'm at WDW.

 

[Eastern]

My parents are elderly. They have stayed at Poly and CR. They really liked CR because they could walk at their pace to the parks, and stay in for the evening fireworks. That doesn't apply now, and with construction at Poly (which they did not prefer as they had to walk between buildings) your best bet seems to be GF.

 

[brockash]

Quarantine has been really hard on my mom (74). My dad has CHF, so they have truly been quarantining and not in public for about a year. Over quarantine, we have noticed some memory loss with my mom. Not sure if it is the lack of stimulation or something more, but she has struggled a bit. She is definitely still herself, but it's been hard. However, they have both received their second dose of the Covid vaccine and are looking forward to brighter days.

My oldest daughter lives in Orlando. Mom would like to go visit her and my husband has offered to stay home with my dad. We would like to make it a quick and easy trip. I will have my two daughters with me (9 and 16) as well as my oldest that lives in Orlando (27). I was thinking Maybe fly out on Tuesday, spend the night with my daughter. Early Wednesday we would head to a resort, check in, go to the Magic Kingdom, take a long midday break, the maybe back to the Magic Kingdom that night. The next day, we would spend the day at the resort before going back to my daughter's house and flying home on Friday. I think anythink more than that may be too over stimulating. Also, Mom walks well but probably has very little endurance and will be easily tired, especially in June when we will be going. I decided we would stay a night at a Monorail resort but can't decide which one. Bay Lake Tower is tempting because it is so close and walkable, but I'm also considering a room at the actual Contemporary tower for easy Monorail access. As far as the resort goes, I think Mom would enjoy all of the landscaping at the Poly. She loves Disney gardening. I've never stayed at any of these resorts and we are a mainly Disneyland family, but one of Mom's favorite part of Disneyland are all the plants and landscaping.

I just wanted to get some opinions. I would love to make this a great trip for her.

CR for your plans.

 

[KittyKitty]

Here is a video of a walk around Poly as of couple of days ago. Looks pretty good. No monorail stop, but buses will take you to parks, Disney Springs.

 

[Keetchino]

I’d say if contemporary main tower is available go for that, or main building at GF. Main GF building is pretty expensive, but if it happens to be rainy a lot then could def be worth it so you don’t have to walk outside to get to your room or to get to any of the main stuff. That would be the same reason to get Contemporary main tower, everything you need is under one roof. Bay lake tower and GF villas could also work, you have to walk to/ from main building but the walkway is covered at least

 

[_19disnA]

I wonder if your Mom would be able to do the walk from Contemporary (whether garden wing or Bay Lake Tower) to the Magic Kingdom. I know everybody acts like it's an easy walk, but I find it tiring.

I agree, with anyone who is elderly and/or perhaps has mobility issues, need to recognize that Disney involves a LOT of walking, regardless of where you stay. A good bit of walking is required to get around any of the resorts, which is clearly in addition to walking at the parks. If someone doesn't regularly walk x miles per day, they won't suddenly be able to do that when at Disney.

If the OP goes in June as mentioned above, there is also the issue of how hot it will be that time of the year.

 

[Eastern]

It really is a LOT of walking. My parents bring a walker that converts to a seat and rest as needed. It is a slow day. Wheelchair or scooter is an option, if they will accept it (mine will not). Another point is that park hopping is probably not needed for them. A short visit to parks early in the day and resort time the rest of the day is a good expectation. Make dinner reservations that are easy to get to.

 

[tinkerdorabelle]

The only thing about Contemporary is the grounds are not as beautiful as Poly or GF which looks better with construction at Poly, just an opinion. But do agree that the closeness is great but GF grounds are much prettier. I get what she thinks, I honestly enjoy the flowers and landscaping when I go to WDW and at parks. It is honestly the landscaping, flowers and beauty there I enjoy most hehe