Best resorts for seniors

[tachyonbb]

When our daughters were young we would stay every other year at Port Orleans French Quarter. The beignets were excellent and the bus was not a huge issue. Walking 20K steps a day and doing a morning run was on our daily agenda. Eventually we bought DVC at Grand Floridian and resale at Contemporary. Now we take our daughters and grandsons with us for most trips. As I rush towards 80 I was wondering what the best resort for us seniors would be. French Quarter would be a problem now for me as I am not as mobile. What resorts do you recommend for value, moderate and deluxe.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Frankly, French Quarter is good for people with mobility issues-you'll probably walk less there than at almost any other Disney resort (from someone else who's headed toward 80, and has mobility issues besides-always need a scooter at WDW). For DVC, I like BCV-it's also a relatively small resort (by Disney standards). Others are large, and a few are just HUGE!

 

[Dan Murphy]

When our daughters were young we would stay every other year at Port Orleans French Quarter. The beignets were excellent and the bus was not a huge issue. Walking 20K steps a day and doing a morning run was on our daily agenda. Eventually we bought DVC at Grand Floridian and resale at Contemporary. Now we take our daughters and grandsons with us for most trips. As I rush towards 80 I was wondering what the best resort for us seniors would be. French Quarter would be a problem now for me as I am not as mobile. What resorts do you recommend for value, moderate and deluxe.

If you rent an offsite ECV, most any resort is easily doable. I have always stayed at the Swan Dolphin, a large resort complex for sure. With an ECV, no problems. I've use the DIS sponsor, Buena Vista Rentals, 10% discount.

 

[Lewisc]

I agree with the ECV suggestion. Gold Mobility is a popular vendor.

My resort suggestion is stay in the main building. Being able to go to restaurants without being exposed to weather including heat and rain is a big plus.

Grand Destino Tower at CSR.
Swan and Dolphin
BC and YC.
Contemporary, AKL and WL.
Main building at the GF, if it's in your budget.

Edited to add
Swan and Dolphin might be the best option. Senior rates are frequently excellent. Availability of room service is a plus. You may never use it but availability is great....if you're having a.bad day

 

[Lewisc]

Avoid CBR and POR. Both resorts feature multistory buildings WITHOUT elevators

 

[Simba's Mom]

Avoid CBR and POR. Both resorts feature multistory buildings WITHOUT elevators

Add Old Key West to that list. And it's becoming slightly more difficult over the recent years to get a requested first floor. And it can be a long climb if you're on the third floor.

 

[CarolynFH]

Add Old Key West to that list. And it's becoming slightly more difficult over the recent years to get a requested first floor. And it can be a long climb if you're on the third floor.

Yes, I’d avoid OKW too, unless I felt I had reason to reserve a HA villa.

 

[I Run Long]

Avoid CBR and POR. Both resorts feature multistory buildings WITHOUT elevators

As an FYI, Magnolia Bend mansion bldgs at POR do have elevators. I would still avoid POR due to multiple internal stops though. POFQ is a great size though.

 

[Lewisc]

As an FYI, Magnolia Bend mansion bldgs at POR do have elevators

Unless something has changed Magnolia Bend isn't a reservable room type.

 

[I Run Long]

Unless something has changed Magnolia Bend isn't a reservable room type.

Yes, that is correct unless you reserve the Royal Guest rooms which I believe are all located in Magnolia Bend bldgs. Mind you, it has been years since I've stayed at POR so I most certainly could be wrong. And of course, the Royal Guest rooms may not be to everyone's liking or price point.

 

[byurick]

No one has mentioned the Riviera for DVC, its a small resort and everything is very close. Even if your room is on the other side of the building its a short walk to all the amenities and transportation.

 

[The Mayor]

If price isn't an issue have you considered the Boardwalk Villas or Inn? My wife and I are both 70, but no mobility issues, and love how close the bus stop is in front and the Friendship boats in the back. Being closer to two park, HS and EPCOT, is also a plus. Granted the hallways are a little long but you can request closer to the elevators.

 

[tachyonbb]

We have stayed at Riviera twice. The resort is easy to navigate, on the smaller side and the skyliner is a bonus The walk to the skyliner is a little long. Topalinos is an excellent restaurant. While we own at GF and Contemporary Riviera is a nice place to stay if you are old and have some mobility issues.

 

[Robber Baron]

As seniors, our desirable resorts probably aren't much different than they were 20 years ago.

We like resorts either under one roof, or, in a situation where we can walk from our room to the lobby/main area under cover.

WL and AKL are favorites. Though, last time at AKL our room was 1/3 mile, (509 yards), down the hall to our room. We don't mind that, but some seniors may.

We like Yacht Club, Contemporary.

We've stayed Poly many times but just don't like having to walk outdoors from the longhouses, mainly in the rain.

Though we have always been THE target market for DVC, there's various reasons we never chose to purchase, but, we do rent DVC points quite a bit. We like CCV, Kidani, BLT (Not crazy about BLT room layout), and we'd like to try Boardwalk.

DVC studios have become very popular for us because we like a balcony AND a couch. I have never been much for sitting around my resort room on the bed or a kitchen-type chair.

CSR is also a favorite, with caveats. We like the Tower but but like Preferred rooms even more. From Casitas 1, 2 & 3 we are close to a pool and can walk to El Centro under a covered walkway. I would not stay in the CSR villages if the Preferred category was not available.

If we are taking other family with us we like the 2 or 3 bedroom villas at OKW, mainly for the size, but we would HAVE to be in the Hospitality House area.

 

[_19disnA]

Assuming you are asking about resorts in general and not just Disney timeshares, I think where to stay relates mostly to your budget, which park(s) you plan to visit and what you think about the subjective topic of resort 'theming'. Most everyone who comments on this site has their own view regarding theming. No Disney resort is closest to every park. I can't recall big issues within any Disney resort we have stayed at over the years. Seems like there are ramps and/or elevators for those who are unable to use the stairs. Disney parks typically involve MILES of walking, so one of the electric scooters might be a good option depending on what type of mobility issues you have.

One of the monorails resorts is great for MK, but not nearly as convenient to Epcot/HS which are at the other end of the property. Similarly, I wouldn't recommend an Epcot area resort if mostly planning to visit MK.