Best resort for grandparents when walking is difficult

[wheredreamsbegin]

We are planning a trip with my parents in 2018. I'm want to make our time in Walt Disney World as enjoyable for everyone as possible. My mom has a difficult time walking long distances without becoming winded. She also suffers from chronic back problems. Unfortunately, she will not consider using a wheelchair or scooter. My parents love the International Showcase at EPCOT. My dad has no mobility issues and really enjoys rides. I want to choose a resort that has good dining close by, that has lots of transportation options and that has lots for them to do in case they decide not to leave the resort one day. When we visited with them five years ago we stayed at BLT. It is our home resort and we love it, but I'd like to show may parents one of the other DVC properties if possible.

I think that our best choices might be: Boardwalk, Beach Club, Wilderness Lodge, or Animal Kingdom (not because of the many transportation options, but because it is a beautifully themed resort). I can't decide which might be best. Is there an option that I am overlooking?

Thanks!

 

[supersnoop]

If walking is a problem, I think the near-park resorts are a bad choice. I think AKV Jambo House would be your best bet. Walking to the bus stop should be reasonably short.

 

[disneynutz]

I understand her not wanting to use an ECV but for her comfort, and the families, you need to get her to come around. Explain that ECV's are in common use at Disney due to the large size of the property and that you would be really upset if she couldn't enjoy the family vacation due to her health issues. An ECV will allow her keep up with the family and conserve her strength. Many stores have ECV's for use so she can learn and practice prior to your vacation.

Bill

 

[_auroraborealis_]

There are lots of things people HAVE to suffer through. A mobility issue at Disney isn't one. ECVs are inexpensive to rent and easy to use.

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

We love the BC or the BWI - we are not DVC but we love the proximity to EPCOT and HS. If walking is an issue - you can take a boat from the BC or the BWI to EPCOT. Also the boat to HS is easy. Either of these hotels are right by the countries for meals. At the BWI to get to the Boardwalk it is 2 elevators or 1 elevator and 1 set of stairs. We love the CR but if you want something different I would do one of these EPCOT resorts.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I think I would pick Animal Kingdom, Jambo, because your mom may very well decide to stay at the resort. I needed to use a scooter before my knees were replaced, and now I use one just because I get tired sooner. I wish you can talk your mom into using one. Get one only in the parks if she doesn't feel comfortable getting on a bus or a boat with one. I do not get one for length of stay, because I do want to walk for the exercise, but really, going to WDW is so much better if you have a scooter if you need one.

Bobbi

 

[BillPA]

I would look at Wilderness Lodge area, either of the DVC resorts there. The bus is close and the boat to MK is a short walk. Also if "mom' where to get an ECV she could just ride it to the boat dock, no need to load it on the bus.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I have mobility issues and refused an ECV for a long time, and yet I always loved BCV (I love it more now that I use an ECV and am not in such pain). Close to the parks, relatively short hallways (AKL-Jambo seemed long, and Kidani seemed forever).

 

[ppjluvsdvc]

I Think I would look into WL or AKL. BWV and BCV are still a long walk to the boat and to the gates for EPCOT and DHS and there is no other way to get to those parks. At WL and AKL the bus stop is not that far from the main entrance. Really, I understand the no ECV but no matter where you go on property there is a lot of walking involved. You can rent it and have it delivered to the resort and it will be at her disposal through her entire stay. If she resists until you get there, maybe you can rent one in the park for her. If she decides while she is there that she would be willing to use one, you can call any one of a number of rental companies and they can send one over usually within a few hours.

 

[Mrs.Milo]

I would choose Boardwalk. There is plenty of seating down on the Boardwalk as well as the lobby. Lots of places to stop and take a break, and get out in fresh air, people watch. (I love to watch bridal parties come through.) Take the boat to Epcot or the Studios, or even across the lake to the Yacht or Beach Club, or the Swan or Dolphin, different places to eat. And close when entering Epcot to the restaurants of World Showcase.

Maybe once there and seeing how many people move around easily in an ECV she won't be afraid to try it.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

As one who had a parent who had similar issues I'm just going to say that it's virtually impossible to do Disney if you can't walk at least a couple of miles. Everything is a walk, even just the hallways at the resorts. There's no magic resort for this. I'd have a real heart to heart about how an ECV might change the trip and make it enjoyable instead of painful and a huge physical effort.

You'll want nearby transportation so I'd skip BWV, BCV and VGF. I'd probably skip AKV because of potential long walks in the hallways but it would have lots of interesting things at the resort. OKW is iffy because of stairs. SSR may be big but bus stops are generally never too far and easy access to DS. PVB can be a bit longer to transportation depending on where you end up. I'd think VWL or the new CCV might be decent. The bus stop is close for VWL and there are buses to all the parks, including MK if the boat dock is too long of a walk. There's bus or boat to Ft Wilderness making that easy to get to and also all the amenities at the Wilderness lodge resort.

 

[imaginiff]

We are planning a trip with my parents in 2018. I'm want to make our time in Walt Disney World as enjoyable for everyone as possible. My mom has a difficult time walking long distances without becoming winded. She also suffers from chronic back problems. Unfortunately, she will not consider using a wheelchair or scooter. My parents love the International Showcase at EPCOT. My dad has no mobility issues and really enjoys rides. I want to choose a resort that has good dining close by, that has lots of transportation options and that has lots for them to do in case they decide not to leave the resort one day. When we visited with them five years ago we stayed at BLT. It is our home resort and we love it, but I'd like to show may parents one of the other DVC properties if possible.

I think that our best choices might be: Boardwalk, Beach Club, Wilderness Lodge, or Animal Kingdom (not because of the many transportation options, but because it is a beautifully themed resort). I can't decide which might be best. Is there an option that I am overlooking?

Thanks!

You are such a good person to want to make a Disney vacation wonderful for your parents. However, you need to bring some "tough love" into this situation. To make a long story short, I had the opportunity to take my motherinlaw to Disney. Same situation as you....I could not see her taking 10 steps without being in pain or looking for a place to sit down. Combine that with the extreme heat in Florida and the unpredictable storms. Anyway, she was TOLD....you don't get to take this unbeliveable, once in a lifetime trip with your family unless you AGREE to using a "scooter". My motherinlaw ended up really enjoying the scooter. However, when it came to boarding a boat or bus or whatever, someone else would take the controls. It all worked out great. And the upside is....if you can get a "handicapped" thingie for the car, you can bring it along. Not sure if this is still in place, but if you produce a valid handicapped parking thing for any state, you can valet park for free at any resort....but you really should tip the people. Worked out great for parking at CR, and going to MK. Much less stress with getting the elders there.

That being said, I think Boardwalk, BeachClub or Swan and Dolphin are good for those that just want to meander around. BLT is okay too if you have a scooter.....MK in 5 minutes, monorail to the whole world in maybe 10!!

 

[DenLo]

BLT would be my choice because the monorail and ferry boats could get her around to other resorts for more dining options. But really every where at WDW has lots of walking whether it is a resort or a park.

She should really consider an ECV and lot of it is up hill at the parks because of the way they are designed.

I love AKV either Jambo House or Kidani Village but you run the risk of ending up with a room at the end of a long hallway.

 

[lawgator]

My late Dad had MS and an ECV. He always requested a handicap unit at OKW near the HH and it worked out well for the whole family since they are on the ground floor and he could park the minivan for transporting the scooter close by for when he didn't take the bus. The rooms in those units at OKW are larger than most Disney resorts and plenty of room for an ECV or wheelchair. If you don't have a H.A. unit, you can request ground floor for medical reasons at OKW and usually get it, but it is not guaranteed. I requested one last week for our studio for medical reasons due to recent knee surgery and did not get it so had to creep slowly up and down the stairs. At least it was the 2nd and not 3rd floor and only one night.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I thought that if you requested the first floor, and it was for medical reasons, you'd be guaranteed the first floor. Did you ask again at check-in why they couldn't give you the first floor?

 

[DenLo]

I thought that if you requested the first floor, and it was for medical reasons, you'd be guaranteed the first floor. Did you ask again at check-in why they couldn't give you the first floor?

It is still a request and not a guarantee. Think of it this way, all of the ground floor rooms could have checked in the day before you arrive and no one is checking out with a ground floor room that day either. That is why some members although they love OKW switch to SSR where they always have access to an elevator.

 

[disneynutz]

I thought that if you requested the first floor, and it was for medical reasons, you'd be guaranteed the first floor. Did you ask again at check-in why they couldn't give you the first floor?

A category should be guaranteed, but not a request. Disney resorts now have HC room categories as required by Federal law.

Bill

 

[LionKingCPA]

Mimicking some earlier comments about pushing for the ECV.

But also recommending that, if she's ok walking short distances, just get the one to use at the parks as opposed to the one that you rent for everywhere. My mom had a surgery about a month before we went on on earth trip. She was a real trooper using the ECV. But she got embarrassed trying to guide them onto the bus, monorail, and elevator since she had never used one before. Even asking for help was a little embarrassing because it took time for the driver/operator.

The parks, on the their hand, have plenty of room to learn how to use them. And so many people have them there you don't even feel awkward.

 

[disneyseniors]

We, being seniors, have had the same problems with mobility at times.
The short answer is: there is no easy, quick, close way to get around the resorts. The walks just to get to transportation is are long, and then you have to walk quite a ways to the main gate, and then finally you get to walk a lot in the parks.
So, take it from someone who has had this issue many times, it is easier to rent an EVC. My husband did not want to rent one last year post back surgery. However, he did consent to renting one at the parks each day. His concern was that he didnt' want to inconvenience anyone on the buses or places other than the parks.
So, our compromise worked for us. It is not cheaper, but the only way he would do it.
I would ask my mother why she doesn't want to rent one? Maybe it is because of the same thing my husband stated, or? Knowing the reason might help get the answer for her.
Because the distance from the room to the transportation to the main gate to the park is NOT close or convenient, I would opt for the help she needs. Good luck!

 

[Deb & Bill]

I used a scooter for the first time last summer when my hip was really bothering me after our first two nights. I had a hard time parking it on the bus, but the bus drivers were so kind in helping me. Just tell her to set it on Turtle instead of Rabbit and she will go nice and slow.