Best Resort for Back Problems

[katybugsmom]

Hi everyone! My husband and I would like to take our two children DD(age 9) and DS (age 3) to Disney World in July. I know, I know, the crowds will be horrible, but we don't have a choice. We would have to go in June or July because we are school district employees. We would love to go any other time during the year, but because of my back problems I can't save enough days to be able to take a week off for a WDW trip. I just had surgery in December for a herniated disk, but so far it hasn't helped much. I also have Spinal Stenosis and arthritis. I'm only 42, but I have the back of a 60-80 year old. I have trouble walking great distances or even standing for long periods of time. Does anyone have any suggestions on the best resort to stay at (Value or Moderate-we work in public schools you know! ) and if so, exactly where to stay in that resort-building numbers, etc. I would like to be close to bus stops, restaurants, pools, etc. My idea is to go to the parks first thing in the mornings and leave around lunch and go back to the hotel for lunch and rest time or maybe some swimming because I know it will be hot! If I feel like it we could go back to the parks at night. I want to stay a week so we can take our time and not feel rushed.
Any help that someone can give me would be great! We have taken our DD twice and she's only 9, but our DS has never been and would love to meet Mickey Mouse! He just had a Mickey Mouse party for his 3rd birthday! We took our DD when she was almost 3 and the pictures we have with the princesses are priceless!!!!!!!


Thanks in advance and have a great night!
Katybugsmom

 

[ireland_nicole]

I'm sure someone will have better info then me, but here goes for starters. First off, I'm guessing that you will either have your own scooter/chair or rent one for your trip. If you need space for it, the CBR rooms are the largest. The resort is spread out, but if you get a room in Martenique you would be closest to Old Port Royale, which has the food court, shops, restaurant and pool. The pool is undergoing rebuilding now, not sure when it's scheduled to be completed. The resort is huge, and at peak times the busses are very crowded. I've heard great things about POFQ as well, smaller resort, great pool, only one bus stop, but also no sit down resturant. If you are not planning to rent an ECV for the trip, please reconsider. 8-10 miles a day is an awful lot, and there's no point in being miserable the whole time. HIH Enjoy your trip!

 

[SueM in MN]

One really nice Moderate resort is POFQ. Because it is a smaller resort, everything is pretty close even if you are not in the closest building to the Food Court, pool and bus stop.
Here's a link to the DIS site's page about POFQ, which does include a link to a map and pictures. YWhen my girls were the age of your DD, they really thought the resort was pretty and liked the pool (kind of reminds you of Little Mermaid).

POR is also a nice resort, though it is larger. Here's a link to the DIS site page about POR. There is a link to the map at the top of that page. You can see from the map which buildings are closest. The pool is like an old fashioned swimming pond. The food court has quite a bit of variety and a lot of seating.

CBR is a large resort, but nice. Here's a link to the DIS page about CBR (with a link to the map). It is a larger resort and is the oldest Moderate; none of the buildings have elevators, so you would need to request first floor (ask for it for "Medical Reasons"). The rooms that are the closest to the food court are "Preferred" and you do have to pay an extra fee for them. The pool is being redone, so I'm not sure what it will be like when you get there. There are also a number of quiet pools around the resort that you can use. The food court is pretty nice, cute street decor.

The last of the Moderates is CS (link to DIS page). The food court and the main pool are not in the same area, so you would have to choose to be close to one or the other. The food court there was not our favorite. There is a lot of variety, but the food buying stations are pretty far from each other and spread out.

Keep in mind when looking at the resort maps that they are not all to the same scale. So distances may not be that easy to compare.

Another thing to think about is the possibility of renting an ECV (power scooter). There is information about this is the disABILITIES FAQs thread.
The average person walks between 3 (a REAL LOW estimate) and 9 miles a day at WDW. If you already know you have problems standing and walking, you will definately have problems during your trip. An ECV can help you (and your whole family) have a better trip because you will not be using all your energy to get around and can spend it having fun instead.

 

[Piper]

POFQ is great for someone with an ECV or WC. I stayed there last July and had absolutely no problems! Everything is close and the boat to DTD was great!

 

[Piper]

Just thought of something else. I have stayed at the Dolphin before and am going this June. They have a teacher's rate of $159 a night. It is very close to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. It is a fabulous hotel.

 

[magsnden]

just wanted to mention, there are no elevators at POR either. we went right after thanksgiving with a pretty large group, and one person had an ECV, another had a wheelchair. you MUST tell them you need the first floor for that reason. i would really stress renting an ECV!! it will be much easier on you. there was a place i rented the ECV from for my MIL, i have to look for the number. they'll drop it off at your hotel before you arrive, and then pick it up when your trip is over (boo hoo!).

thought i'd also say that if you can get that discounted rate for the dolphin, definitely go there!!! we've stayed there a few times, and the convenience of the boat is amazing! you can take the boat to either epcot (england entrance) or DHS. you're right next to the boardwalk, a great place to bring the kids at night to stroll, and have a meal or just some ice cream. there are really cool street performers that my 3 year old is still talking about.

either way, have a GREAT time!!

 

[SueM in MN]

just wanted to mention, there are no elevators at POR either. we went right after thanksgiving with a pretty large group, and one person had an ECV, another had a wheelchair. you MUST tell them you need the first floor for that reason.

The Mansions at POR do have elevators, but the other part does not (Alligator Bayou).

 

[magsnden]

The Mansions at POR do have elevators, but the other part does not (Alligator Bayou).

opps, my mistake! we stayed in AB.

i'm looking for the company we rented the ECV from. i'll post it later, when i find it!

 

[GrammyJudy]

You can stay at a value if you want to save money. went in 2005 and stayes at ASMovies in the Fantasia building on the first floor. It was close to food court, pool and buses. In 2007 stayed at POP in the 60's which was a longer walk for me. I rent ECV in parks but walk to buses. If that is your plan, take a folding cane to aid in the walk and will fit in the ECV basket. I don't want the hassle of the ECV on the buses.

 

[taekwondo mom]

I have back problems also .. In fact I just had a second surgery in Jan.. I can relate to having a back of a 60-80 year old it really Sucks .. I was only 34 when my injury occurred. 39 now

When we go I rent an ecv (I use Randy's Mobility and received great service every time) I prefer the Amigo easy to maneuver on the buses and in the park(request the one that has a light on it makes things easier at night at the parks..
For the resort be sure to let them know that you need ground floor or close to an elevator .
I have stayed at Pop a couple times my family just moved the table over a little so I could pull my ecv in and plug it up without any problems.( for the resorts you will be fine yes some have a little more room have you thought of a DVC room they are larger esp. Old Key West)
The buses are easy to load on and the drivers are Great ( most any way )

We usually went to the parks early then came back to the room so I can rest then go back in the evening..I think Disney really does a great job helping everyone feel special and offering things to enjoy even without the rides . Its one place I can go and have a little relief just remember not to over do things take breaks even if it means you spend sometime at the resort by yourself while your family visits the park just get the R&R that you need..

I stop for now if I can help just send me a pm .. Enjoy your trip

 

[katybugsmom]

Thanks so much for all the helpful information! I really had not considered using an EVC, but I am now! I will look for the post with the rental information. It would be great if they will deliver it and pick it up! What service! I had considered POFQ and PORS as two of our possiblities. I liked the idea of table service at PORS, but I know my kids would love the pool at POFQ! I will definitely look into the Dolphin too! Thanks again!!!!

 

[ireland_nicole]

I'm really glad you're going to rent an ECV; I think it's going to make a huge difference for you, and allow you to enjoy your trip much more. In relation to the PO pool situation, I just want to make sure you know that whichever side you stay on PORS or POFQ, you are able to use both pools, so don't completely make your decision on that; do what works for you all the way around. Pictures of both resorts are avail. also on allears.net and there are videos on a website that starts w/ you****.com (you probably know what I mean.) I looked under pool port orleans and was able to get a really good view of both pools and the grounds of the hotels as well. I don't know if you're into fishing, but PORS has catch and release fishing at the fishin' hole as well. Whichever you choose, I know you're going to have a great time! Nicole

 

[lizcro326]

One really nice Moderate resort is POFQ.

Ask for building 2 or 4. I have same type of problems. Location was great.

 

[OneLittleSpark]

I liked the idea of table service at PORS, but I know my kids would love the pool at POFQ!

The boat that runs people to Downtown Disney can also take you between RS and FQ. The way it does this is it starts at DTD, then goes up, picks up at FQ, then goes to RS. On the way back it does the same in reverse. So you could always stay at FQ for the pool and closeness of amenities, then get the boat to RS when you wanted a TS meal. On our trips, we don't eat at TS places that often, because we just want to get on to the parks to play! Oh, and all the boats doing this journey are accessible, so you can just drive your ECV on and off (though practice first, as it can be a little fiddly sometimes).

Both of the hotels you're thinking about are absolutely lovely, so I think you'll enjoy whichever you choose. Hope you have a great trip!

 

[Earstou]

I will also recommend the Dolphin Hotel. It is a deluxe hotel, but with the teacher discount, it's moderate price. I enjoy their pillow-top mattresses, as beds are an issue with my back problems. We really enjoyed our stay there last summer, very peaceful location! I used an ECV my trip, too.

 

[ntsammy5]

I can relate to having a back of a 60-80 year old it really Sucks ..

I can relate to that too, but then again I'm 62..... I do have an artificial knee however (too many airborne jumps). I had to use an ECV on a trip a couple of months after surgery and it was difficult for me. I didn't have any bad experiences but I felt terrible having to do it. I wore shorts all the time and held up my leg so everyone could see the incision. No way I could have gone without an ECV though. Went again at 9 & 11 months after surgery without an ECV (no problems) BUT, I know how people feel now when they have to use one. It's no fun, but then again not going to WDW is no fun either. Good luck!


BTW: I think all the resorts are roughly the same, BUT you may want to consider preferred rooms so you can be closer to the buses and food court, especially at the big Mods & Value resorts