Best Resort for Senior Citizen

[Montana Minnies]

Hi to All
We have been reading the Dis Board postings for about a month now and finally got up the courage to write.
My sister and I just returned from AKL and had a wonderful time touring the parks. Next year we plan on going again with 8 family members ranging from age 14-84. We are having trouble deciding where we should stay in the park and would llike any input which migh help with the decision.
We will be staying for 10 nights. Is there a resort that senior citizens seem to prefer? We visited many of the on property resorts while at WDW and liked something about each of them.
Looking forward to your suggestions.

Montana Minnie #2
" the little sister"

 

[yooperfan]

We took my father in law at 82 to the WL. He loved it and we found it very convenient. At 84 we took him to PO Riverside and he would tire from the walk from the room to the main building. The did however have complimentary wheel chair at the check-in desk, subject to availability. He was able to keep it for his entire stay and keep it right in the room. However, I think he would still have been more comfortable if we had stayed in one of the resort hotels that did not require a walk, or ride to the room.

 

[Montana Minnies]

Thank you Yooperfan. Nice of you to reply so quickly. Mom is 83 and was last at WDW in 1985. We hate to leave her alone in Montana while the rest of us go to have fun. She is in good health but does not like going up and down steps. Her pace is slightly slower than it use to be too.

Montana Minnies

 

[milmore104]

My DH and I took my 75yro Grandma w/ us for 2 weeks to WDW in Nov. last year.(Her last visit was also in 85') We stayed at AKL. She loved it. It was the perfect kind of thing for her. She has always wanted to go on an African Saf. so this kind of made her feel like she was in Africa. And with all the great tours and activities it was great. She is what you would call a "TALKER" you know the kind of person that holds up the line because she's getting every piece of info about of the poor CM. SO AKL was great for her the CM's were great and loved talking about their home land and their lives w/ her.
But it is a walk from your room to the lobby or the buses. So if this is a concern of yours I would think about OKW. The resort is spread out but there are bus stops all over the resort (and everyone stops at the hospotality house - main pool,rest.,store) Their are 3 pools but you would have to ask for a ground room. I love being as high as I can but after a long day at the parks the 3 flights of stairs really got to me. Hope this helps. They are both great resorts.

 

[jaysue]

Consider OKW where you can get ground floor units and there is parking outside of the units - it is configured as 2-3 story "condo" buildings with no hallways - each unit has an outside front door and parking right in front

Request ground floor....

The bus service is good to the parks and water parks and DTD

thanks
jaysue

 

[Tinkbell]

My grandma (83) loved the AKL. It was perfect for her because on days she didn't feel like going to the parks, she watched the animals from the balcony. When my mom and I got back to the room, she had lots of reports about the animals she saw.

I would also consider the Boardwalk just because there is so much happening around the resort.

Consider getting a nice view at whatever resort you choose just in case your mom wants to relax in the room.

 

[jaysue]

Agreed, Boardwalk Villas/Inn (with Boardwalk view) or AKL Savannah would be a good activity watching spot for the days they do not want to go to a park

Also, consider renting an ECV as well

Thanks
jaysue

 

[franw]

We have been struggling with this same question because of my parents age and health. I would definitely consider the room size and comfort as well as the availablity of close amenities. The hardest part of WDW with my parents is that everything is so far to walk. Even from the bus stops, boat stops, entrances, etc. it is always a huge walk for them and they are tuckered before they even get inside the front entrance. The Poly is nice with the monorail, lovely grounds, boat access and the hotel lobby. The BWI is nice with the activity of the Boardwalk, the boat dock right in front and the bakery and lovely lobby and back porch to relax on. A ground floor at any of the values and moderates is a necessity as there are no elevators. Definitely ask for a building near the food court and bus stop if you go moderate or value and ask for a room close to the elevators if you go deluxe. Explain your parent's situation to the CRO and they are usually quite gracious. When you check-in, have them show you the exact location on the map and try to negotiate a better location for them right then and there. If you are going to be late arrival, call the front desk that morning and ask them about your parent's room location. Sometimes there is nothing much left at the end of the day after they have satisfied everyone else's requests. There are also companies that will rent you a wheelchair or electric cart for the length of their stay. They will deliver it right to you. My parents, unfortunately, refuse to use any type of assistance like that.

 

[Montana Minnies]

Thanks to all who have taken the time to reply. It has been of great help. My sister and I enjoyed the AKL, but since it was our first time actually staying on property we thought we would like to try one of the others next year and are happy to get such great input about the subject.
My sister is the planner type and I'm more of the spontaneous type so this last trip was done rather on the spur of the moment. "Little Sister Mouse" was getting impatient listening to all the talk about going for at least the last 3 years!
So we got in on the Fairytail Package through AAA and although orginally I had thought we would stay at the POR, (which was full,) we got the AKL instead. We were not disappointed.
We had a great time and plan on doing so again with the rest of our family next summer.
Thanks again to all of you!

 

[Demosthenes]

If you can swing it, the GF Royal Palm Concierge is probably the best location for seniors. The monorail is in the same building, and the bus stop is very close. Most of the restaurants are contained in the same building as well. Also, the concierge level offers a comfortable place to relax during the day if you don't want to go to the parks. Finally, rooms at the GF are some of the largest on property.

If that is out of your price range, I'd try the Contemporary Tower (or maybe Tower Club for limited concierge). Again, the monorail is very close and convenient (no long walks or walks outdoors required). There are three restaurants right inside the main tower. The CR has the largest rooms at WDW, and the bathrooms have separate vanity and shower areas from the toilet and additional sink. Also, both the GF and CR offer convenient and relaxing monorail transportation to Epcot (with a transfer).

While the Poly is great, and it would be my third choice, I'd probably avoid it. The rooms can be quite a walk from the monorail, bus or boat, and the walk will be outdoors. I'd also avoid the AKL, which can have very long walks to the rooms, and offers limited dining options at the resort without some rather inconvenient travel to another resort or theme park. Also, there is no quiet pool at AKL (this may be a factor for seniors).
Personally, I love the Epcot resort hotels, but it is a hike to your room no matter where you stay. Also, while Epcot is convenient to these resorts, it takes a long time (and a long walk) to get to any open attractions in the morning through the International Gateway. As for MGM, the boat to MGM is so slow, I bet most hotel busses get you there faster, and drop you off a little closer.