Close hotel to share with grandparents - with specific questions

[Piglet99645]

Hello All,

I've been reading all the close hotel threads (Del Sol, Tropicana, Carousel, Desert Inn, Ramada Maingate).

We have a situation here. My FIL has terminal cancer. I think we will try to do Disney for a week in October before things get bad...... hopefully. We were going to do WDW in February but I am afraid to wait that long, and WDW may jsut be too huge of an endeavor for him. Today we learned it has gone to his brain and he starts radiation this week.

ANYWAY, last time we stayed at BWPPI which was adequate for our needs, but it is full. I wanted to try Park Vue, but not after Jack's bedbug thread!

BWPPI was so close to walk, but as you know it is still a hike to the gate, so I hesitate to go too far down Harbor. (I feel the HOJO is too far). We will be 5 adults and three children ages 11, 7 and 3. Last year we had a sit and stand stroller for the younger two, but not sure if we will have it this time. That walk home at the end of the day is tough.

I am also concerned that my FIL will not have a lot of energy, so we definitely want to be close so he can go back to the hotel if he wants. And my MIL will probably always stay with him, so I am thinking a nicer pool area may be a perk that normally we wouldn't desire. Someplace where they can sit and relax outside.

Finally, again for the reasons discussed, a view of fireworks from the hotel may be really nice for them. A way to extend their Disney experience but still be at the hotel.

I haven't even looked into the on-property options, but I guess I should consider that for this last-in-a-lifetime trip. Can you see the fireworks from any of the on-property hotels?

Thanks in advance for any advice you may offer.

P.

 

[Aladora]

Hello All,

I haven't even looked into the on-property options, but I guess I should consider that for this last-in-a-lifetime trip. Can you see the fireworks from any of the on-property hotels?

Thanks in advance for any advice you may offer.

P.

The only question I can answer is this one! We stayed at DLH last August and our suite had an amazing view of the fireworks from the balcony! If I remember correctly, we were in the Frontier Tower.

HTH and good luck with the trip planning. I hope this is an amazing trip for your whole family. Cancer really and truly is a terrible thing.

 

[mrswh]

I'm sorry to hear about your FIL. I hope that he is able to make this trip and enjoy it.

I was going to suggest on property, as that is the most comfortable and convenient for a Disney trip, especially for someone who might need some extra rest. You can see fireworks from the GCH, though it is kind of an "over the treetops" view. I'm not sure from what rooms or areas you can see them other than the concierge lounge, but if you call the hotel directly (not WDTC at the reservations #) they would be able to tell you.

You can also see fireworks from the esplanade and some parts of DTD - I don't know if your FIL has a wheelchair, or if maybe you can rent one? That way you could wheel him out to watch without having to deal with all the hassle and chaos.

Hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[hlbtimes2]

Candy cane! Its small, well kept and the shuttle will be really helpful for your FIL. The pool area is small, but its nice. Plenty of chairs and tables with umbrellas.

 

[Piglet99645]

Thank you for the suggestions. Last time I checked a few weeks ago the Candy Cane was booked for our dates.

He is not currently in a wheelchair, but after some brain radiation he may be fatigued, so we will see.

Cancer is certainly awful. I had breast cancer in 2006 and I am happy to be alive. It is a terrible, terrible thing, and devastating for families. I would like to do this for him if he feels up to it.

P.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

... Last time I checked a few weeks ago the Candy Cane was booked for our dates...

Sorry about your FIL's situation. This trip will be a great gift to him and to your family.

If the dates do open up, you might want to try the CCI premium rooms for your in-laws. In addition to the great staff and general perks of the CCI (private shuttle, etc.), premium rooms include robes and breakfast delivered to the room. That way your in-laws can enjoy some special treatment and not have to expend energy getting breakfast (so they can save some energy for the parks).

We've always found the CCI staff to be very, very helpful. Maybe if you call the general manager and explain your special circumstances, he/she might be able to work with you.

 

[Piglet99645]

Sorry about your FIL's situation. This trip will be a great gift to him and to your family.

If the dates do open up, you might want to try the CCI premium rooms for your in-laws. In addition to the great staff and general perks of the CCI (private shuttle, etc.), premium rooms include robes and breakfast delivered to the room. That way your in-laws can enjoy some special treatment and not have to expend energy getting breakfast (so they can save some energy for the parks).

We've always found the CCI staff to be very, very helpful. Maybe if you call the general manager and explain your special circumstances, he/she might be able to work with you.

Thank you. I will do this!

 

[Nonsuch]

I haven't even looked into the on-property options, but I guess I should consider that for this last-in-a-lifetime trip. Can you see the fireworks from any of the on-property hotels?

Grand Californian rooms with a DTD view have a view of the fireworks. Grand Californian concierge lounge also has a fireworks view. Staying at the Grand would also allow access the WOC viewing patio.

 

[Pesky]

Have you looked into whether you can obtain any DVC points for a villa at GCH during that time? That might be the best option for a close stay at a decent price. Not as cheap as some of the others but definitely premium convenience, nice pool, and lovely lobby where your FIL could choose to sit and while away some time.

 

[scoker]

So sorry for your family's situation. If it wasn't a financial stretch I would definitely recommend the GCH. You walk straight into DCA and a short walk to DL. If you are staying mid week the fireworks might not be happening every night in October. We stayed at GCH in april and had a room with a view of the WOC. We watched it every night. If you decide on GCH you will see a good amount of discussion about where to request a room. If you ask to be near the main lobby you will have pretty short walks to DL and just right out the door into DD for dining and shopping. I've heard that while very pleasant the walk to the DL hotel can be a bit long especially if there are mobility issues.

I also think I've read on here that there are places to rent scooters. I know they have some fancier name like personal convenience vehicle or something but any how a scooter. I saw a couple of guys using them on our last trip that looked like they were probably conventioneers that decided to spend a day at disney but didn't bring their sneakers. Whatever works.

Good luck with your planning. I hope your family makes some really special Disney memories with your FIL.

 

[Piglet99645]

Have you looked into whether you can obtain any DVC points for a villa at GCH during that time? That might be the best option for a close stay at a decent price. Not as cheap as some of the others but definitely premium convenience, nice pool, and lovely lobby where your FIL could choose to sit and while away some time.

I'm not a member of DVC. I'm not familiar with what you are referring to. Please do elaborate or point me to a link.

Thanks all for the good suggestions.

I am hoping for gamma knife rather than whole brain radiation so he will feel good enough to go.

Cancer sucks.

 

[KateDrake]

I'm so sorry to hear about your father in law, that is so sad. But I'm so glad you are taking the time to all be together one last time! Your kids will have that great memory of your grandpa, and that will be awesome.

If you get a theme park view at Paradise Pier, you can watch WOC from the room, and they pipe the music in, so that is kind of fun. Obviously it's not as nice as GCH, but it is more budget-friendly.

Something you should totally look into - that I just recently discovered - is the Senior Discount available for staying on property. Each person over 60 in the party can book two rooms under the discount. So that is totally worth looking into, the discount is 30%!!!! So if one of them is over 60, it's totally worth asking about.

The last thing I'd say is to let whoever is taking any of your reservations (dining, hotel, anything) know your situation, and explain why you want to make it special. You never know what fun and happy memories the CMs might dream up to make it a memorable trip.

Best of luck to all of you, especially your father in law!

 

[Piglet99645]

If you get a theme park view at Paradise Pier, you can watch WOC from the room, and they pipe the music in, so that is kind of fun. Obviously it's not as nice as GCH, but it is more budget-friendly.

Something you should totally look into - that I just recently discovered - is the Senior Discount available for staying on property. Each person over 60 in the party can book two rooms under the discount. So that is totally worth looking into, the discount is 30%!!!! So if one of them is over 60, it's totally worth asking about.

The last thing I'd say is to let whoever is taking any of your reservations (dining, hotel, anything) know your situation, and explain why you want to make it special. You never know what fun and happy memories the CMs might dream up to make it a memorable trip.

Best of luck to all of you, especially your father in law!

Great info. Thanks.

 

[Nonsuch]

I'm not a member of DVC. I'm not familiar with what you are referring to. Please do elaborate or point me to a link.

Board sponsor David's Vacation Club Rentals is a good place to start

Reservations usually need to be made far in advance, but it does not hurt to try.

 

[Malcon10t]

Consider an ECV for your grandfather. Conserve his energy. It will also be easier if you need to walk further. Check Deckert's Surgical. We rent there, and they are great.

Hotel options I would consider would include the Fairfield. You can get connecting rooms. One room would be a king with a sofa, the other would be a double queen with a sleeper chair.

Or the Carousel Inn. They have a resort suite if you all want to stay together.

Otherwise, my choice would be Candy Cane, and hope for an opening!

 

[SplashMo]

GCH would be ideal. PPH would be great.

The tropicanna is very close by and on the third floor near the breakfast room you have a pleasent view of the fire works. It is only the one side of the hotel with a view...

Get an ECV and also get a pass so folks do not need to wait in line...

 

[Piglet99645]

Thanks again all. I was considering wdw instead so also posting over there. Florida is a little more convenient for them.

But still waiting for news and a plan re radiation so this probably won't happen at all.