Best resort

[maxiesmom]

My 77 year old dad would like to visit WDW with me. While he is not truly disabled, his stamina and balance, due to a heart attack 2 years ago, is not what it was the last time he visited the parks.

What resort do you think best for someone who will be focused on Epcot and The Magic Kingdom? I won't rent a car, as my sense of direction is AWFUL. As in, when I drive it is terrible, but if I am looking at a map I'm fine. And I wouldn't want dad driving.

I'm thinking either the Contemporary or Beach Club. Thoughts?

 

[redberyl]

Something on the monorail line, contemporary or poly

 

[Selket]

I think the Contemporary (maybe any monorail resort) or the Beach Club are good choices. Perhaps the monorail resorts are best as you can easily go over to the MK or transfer over to another monorail to get to Epcot. If you're at the BC then taking a bus is the easiest way to get to the MK.

Is he renting an ECV? Really with an ECV you could stay in any resort and he'd have no problem getting around I think.

 

[stitchlovestink]

If you are willing to pay to stay in the tower, then Contemporary is a good choice but if not, then I would go with the Poly. I think the Poly is a better choice than the garden wing of the CR. JMHO

 

[mamabunny]

If you are willing to pay to stay in the tower, then Contemporary is a good choice but if not, then I would go with the Poly. I think the Poly is a better choice than the garden wing of the CR. JMHO

I agree - although, as @Selket pointed out, if he rents an ECV, then they are free to choose a resort regardless of location.

We love to stay at POR & POFQ because of the boat rides to/from Disney Springs.

But...

We also love to stay WL because boat rides to/from FW & MK - plus we love the theming so much.

And..

We also love to stay at... Never mind. This could on and on. You get the idea, though. Disney is so very ECV friendly, that it won't matter where they stay. And renting the ECV offsite means its available for around the resort and at Disney Springs as well.

 

[maxiesmom]

He won't rent an ECV. I plan on taking everything at his pace, but I go to WDW often enough that it won't bother me one bit. I like the Beach Club because we tend to spend a lot of time in Epcot, and it would be nice if he wanted to walk back to the resort for a break. But I like the Contemporary as it is so close to the Magic Kingdom. Plus if we are at any other park and he wants to go back for a rest I could just put him in a cab. Also it is much easier to cab to/from Epcot than it is to/from MK.

Dad would love to stay at POFQ. Maybe I should make that work by planing on using cabs to the parks.

 

[DisneyOma]

My 77 year old dad would like to visit WDW with me. While he is not truly disabled, his stamina and balance, due to a heart attack 2 years ago, is not what it was the last time he visited the parks.

What resort do you think best for someone who will be focused on Epcot and The Magic Kingdom? I won't rent a car, as my sense of direction is AWFUL. As in, when I drive it is terrible, but if I am looking at a map I'm fine. And I wouldn't want dad driving.

I'm thinking either the Contemporary or Beach Club. Thoughts?

From this info, I'd pick the Contemporary. You get the monorail to MK and EPCOT.

He won't rent an ECV. I plan on taking everything at his pace, but I go to WDW often enough that it won't bother me one bit. I like the Beach Club because we tend to spend a lot of time in Epcot, and it would be nice if he wanted to walk back to the resort for a break. But I like the Contemporary as it is so close to the Magic Kingdom. Plus if we are at any other park and he wants to go back for a rest I could just put him in a cab. Also it is much easier to cab to/from Epcot than it is to/from MK.

Dad would love to stay at POFQ. Maybe I should make that work by planing on using cabs to the parks.

Cabs are great to get to and from the park entrance, (or TTC at MK) but can he handle the walking/balancing in the parks and resort? Does he use a cane? A Rollator? Why won't he rent an ECV?

 

[bookgirl]

I was going to suggest POFQ. It's so small that he could easily navigate it without being to long of a walk and it's very pretty, plus boats to POR and DS.

You might want to download the uber app. It's much cheaper than cabs plus if you know someone who uses it you can use their invite link for a free ride (uber can not pick you up from the airport in Orlando) or if you need one I'll send you a link.

I used it last trip and never waited more than a few minutes for a pickup.

 

[maxiesmom]

Cabs are great to get to and from the park entrance, (or TTC at MK) but can he handle the walking/balancing in the parks and resort? Does he use a cane? A Rollator? Why won't he rent an ECV?

He still gets around pretty good. He grocery shops, goes to the hardware store, without much trouble. He just has a day every so often where he is a bit wobbly. I wouldn't chance him having to stand on a bus, even though I bet he would say he is fine. In the parks he will go on anything not too rough (no more Everest I'm afraid) and one of his favorite things to do is grab a snack and people watch. As long as we take it easy he will be fine walking in the parks.

And I know not much of anything is tmi for you guys, so the meds he is on mean frequent bathroom breaks. Sometimes without a whole lot of notice. So being close to Epcot or MK would be ideal.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

best for someone who will be focused on Epcot and The Magic Kingdom?

1) As an option, may I recommend either Wilderness Lodge or Fort Wilderness?
2) I assume he might want a ECV, which would make movement a lot easier for him.

Wilderness Lodge
. . . great lobby for viewing and people-watching
. . . boat cruiser access to MK and then monorail to Epcot
Fort Wilderness Cabins
. . . super-duper campground with lots of exploring
. . . everyone is so friendly (both staff and guests)
. . . boat cruiser access to MK and then monorail to Epcot

 

[gap2368]

isn't the polynesion at the TTC then to you two parks it would just be a minerail ride over to either park, then he ould not need to get off one mode of transportation and no another so he might be able to go back a forth him self