Best resort for grandparents when walking is difficult

[KAT4DISNEY]

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

Bill

They do and have for a few years now, but if one doesn't want to book an HA room and just requests a first floor due to medical reasons then it's not guaranteed. Some people want to avoid the HA rooms but don't want to do stairs. So - a request.

 

[disneynutz]

Back to the ECV issue. Another family member can drive the thing when in close quarters like elevators and loading on the buses. That way she won't be embarrassed and other than watching out for other people, using an ECV around the resort and parks is really simple and enjoyable. Plus she can haul around your extra stuff that you don't want to carry.

Bill

 

[MountainMouse]

I would go Beach Club if you can get it since I believe you indicated that Epcot is their favorite. I think with Beach Club she could possible walk over and enjoy some park time without the ECV if she wants. That said, get the ECV. I'm relatively young and haven't travelled with anyone that needs one yet but I have noticed how awesome Disney is at accommodating ECV's and wheelchairs. From what I've seen Disney allows ECV's to board the buses first (with family) so you should do well traveling to other parks. I would go so far as to order the ECV even if she didn't want it, park it in the room and see if she will take it, if she doesn't take it in the room I would drive it to the park myself in the belief she will take it when she needs it.

 

[wheredreamsbegin]

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?

Thank you all for your thoughtful and honest responses. I actually don't know why my mom is opposed to using an EVC. I was just accepting her decision, but you have all convinced me that it is worth having a conversation with her to find out why she feels the way she does. Explaining that there are different rental options might be enough to get her to change her mind.

 

[BLLB]

My mom would never use an ECV while at home. But we convinced her to get one at Disney. Best decision we ever made. She would have never been able to go. We stayed at the Contemporary.

 

[ozzie2131]

Boardwalk or Beach club for sure. Everything is so close and such good food. Also if she does get an EVC then she can just scoot over to Hollywood and Epcot. My Mother in Law loves this location.

 

[Dean]

Thank you all for your thoughtful and honest responses. I actually don't know why my mom is opposed to using an EVC. I was just accepting her decision, but you have all convinced me that it is worth having a conversation with her to find out why she feels the way she does. Explaining that there are different rental options might be enough to get her to change her mind.

I agree, but specific to the original question, I have a different approach. I'd do SSR and ask to be near a bus stop but get a rental car if you won't have one otherwise and a HC registration if you don't have one otherwise. I might even pay for the behind the scenes drop-off transportation. If she refuses but you get there and she realizes she's made a mistake, the resorts have wheelchairs to be checked out first come.

 

[jimmytammy]

VWL(the newly named BRV, I for one refuse to call it that)and the new CCV, all located at Wilderness Lodge get my vote when it comes to mobility issues. VWL is the smallest DVC resort on property, therefore, you are closer to the main lodge, bus stop, restaurants, etc. than most other resorts. Ask for close to elevator for mobility issues for your mom, and they will be accommodating as possible. The grounds of the Lodge are beautiful, and IMO, WL itself is the best resort on site for scenery alone. The new Geyser Pt is a great place to just hang out, watch the boats, and enjoy the breezes.

 

[Dean]

VWL(the newly named BRV, I for one refuse to call it that)and the new CCV, all located at Wilderness Lodge get my vote when it comes to mobility issues. VWL is the smallest DVC resort on property, therefore, you are closer to the main lodge, bus stop, restaurants, etc. than most other resorts. Ask for close to elevator for mobility issues for your mom, and they will be accommodating as possible. The grounds of the Lodge are beautiful, and IMO, WL itself is the best resort on site for scenery alone. The new Geyser Pt is a great place to just hang out, watch the boats, and enjoy the breezes.

I think VGF is the smallest.

 

[michelleiada]

There is a lot of ground to be covered at Disney and if you are not able to walk A LOT then you will have a miserable time without a scooter. I understand some people are too proud to use a scooter but it will really make the overall experience so much better. And I know this from experience when we bring my mom. She also can't do the walking anymore due to several minor issues. We tried it without the scooter and she had to stop at every bench for a rest and felt terrible about holding everyone up. She wanted no part of the scooter but I rented it anyway and told her she had no choice but to use it. And...she LOVED IT! Now she automatically gets one every time she comes with us and its great...she keeps right up with everybody without any problems and if we go on a ride that she doesn't want to do she just parks herself in a shady area and waits...its like having her own built in bench. I highly recommend the scooter.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I agree, but specific to the original question, I have a different approach. I'd do SSR and ask to be near a bus stop but get a rental car if you won't have one otherwise and a HC registration if you don't have one otherwise. I might even pay for the behind the scenes drop-off transportation. If she refuses but you get there and she realizes she's made a mistake, the resorts have wheelchairs to be checked out first come.

Are the resorts offering wheelchairs again? When we were at CR/BLT we needed one for a short bit as my sisters electric wheelchair was having battery issues. They did not have any for us - said that as of a week earlier Disney resorts had stopped with the loaners and you had to rent in the park - of course your can't take them from the parks - and they now had zero onsite as we happily would have rented. That was in Oct 2015. Prior to that we had used the loaners at a couple other resorts at times.

 

[Dean]

Are the resorts offering wheelchairs again? When we were at CR/BLT we needed one for a short bit as my sisters electric wheelchair was having battery issues. They did not have any for us - said that as of a week earlier Disney resorts had stopped with the loaners and you had to rent in the park - of course your can't take them from the parks - and they now had zero onsite as we happily would have rented. That was in Oct 2015. Prior to that we had used the loaners at a couple other resorts at times.

The last I saw yes but first come. One should check it it's in question though.

 

[chainkid]

I can walk 5 miles one day and be fine but if you make me walk 5 miles on consecutive days my arthritis kicks up and I become a painful cripple. I found having an Ecv for the entire stay is about the only way I can enjoy Disney at all. I do not use it for ride areas but park it in spots that are convenient for me to get as much or as little walking as I want. My husband shares it with me so we each get a good amount of walking each day without putting us over the edge. I hope your parents will listen to you as it is nearly impossible to enjoy all Disney has to offer when you are looking at it thru the lens of severe pain. My pride goes out the window when it comes time to do everything I want and not feel limited. I love the boardwalk area as you can experience nearly all the parks without using a bus except animal kingdom. The monorail is easy for magic kingdom and you can scooter to epcot and the studios. I personally love the challenge of parking my ECV on a bus but I'm abit crazy that way. The only problem I have is my 3 year old grandson who wants to ride with me. I don't let him and he has a fit for the first couple hours.

 

[crisi]

My opinion on the original question is that if she doesn't have an ECV (or another conveyance device - an old fashioned push wheelchair if the bulk and automation of the EVC is overwhelming) - it won't make a darn bit of difference. All the resorts are fairly large. But any resort walking you do is going to be dwarfed by the walk from the MK bus stop to the castle, or from the front gate of Epcot to Soarin. There is a lot of walking at Disney - removing a little of it by choosing a smaller resort is like bailing the Titanic with a bucket.

 

[DVCRSheridan]

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!

There's several layers to this. On the surface, without the use of an EVC it won't really matter much where you are. Even at the most convenient locations there will be significant walking, even if it's simply to/from a bus stop at the resort and parks. So it is definitely worth your time to try and talk your mom into taking advantage of an EVC.

Now then, all other things considered I would say your best bet is BWV or BCV. They love EPCOT and World Showcase, check! Lots of good dining close by, check! Lots of transportation options, check! For me personally it would be BWV/BCV hands down. The convenience of this area would only be heightened if you could end up talking mom into using a EVC. You'd even be able to avoid buses for the most part in this scenario. Walking/boat to EPCOT and DHS. It's not for everyone, but we also enjoy walking through EPCOT and taking the monorail to MK when we stay at BWV. Plenty of options around the BWV/BCV area. The only places you'd HAVE to take the bus would be DS and AK.

 

[Lisacast71]

I just took my parents and in laws with some walking issues to BLT. No long hallways, nice elevator It was great and they loved it. I thought for sure a scooter or a wheel chair would be involved in the trip but they did great.