DH in wheelchair. Resort Advice?

[Trishtack]

My DH is confined to a wheelchair and we are planning a trip to take our 3 year old to Disney. Any recommendations for resorts? He has a manual chair and has been paralyzed since Sept. I worry that I won't be able to manage helping him and take care of our 3 year old as well without major stress. Both love animals and I was considering Animal Kingdom but the cust serv line recommended the Polynesian. Any thoughts? Thanks so much!

 

[luvmarypoppins]

I would say the Polynesian too., especially with your child. Things to also consider is what park will you be spending the most time in etc. I am not confined to a wheelchair but have used it extensively at both the Yacht Club and the Polynesian lately.
I also cannot comment on the handicapped accessible rooms either but at the Polynesian you can also use the zero entry pool. I know at one time they even have a special adaptve wheelchair that you can wheel on the beach.
You could also watch wishes from the beach. The grounds themselve are very wheelchair friendly.
Good luck in your resort decision. I would say one drawback could be since all the longhouses are outside access if you were in a storm etc. you would get pretty wet getting back and forth to the room, versus the AKL where all the rooms are inside etc. We have been to AKL but I didnt use the wheelchair back then so I cant comment on it.
Best of luck deciding.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Choice for resorts depends on which will be your primary parks.

If most time will be at MK and Epcot, you would be best with a "monorail" hotel (Contemp, GF or Poly).

If most time will be at Epcot and DHS then you should choose Y&B, Boardwalk or Swolphin.

Otherwise bus or car is required.

 

[bopper]

I would suggest a monorail hotel if that fits in your budget. Polynesian would be great. It is also close by (to MK) so if you want to go back for a nap for the little one it is not such a major undertaking. Also, it would be much easier to get on with a wheel chair...a bus would require the chair be tied down.

 

[SueM in MN]

I agree with the other posters - stay close to the park you will spend the most time at.
AKL is a beautiful resort, but it would require buses to go to any park, compared to one of the resorts on the monorail that would be close to MK, or one of the Epcot resorts which would be easy to get to Epcot and the Studio.

If you haven't yet, check out the disABILITIES FAQs thread.

 

[darthtatty]

Def pick a monarail hotel if youre going to be at Magic Kingdo or Epcot a lot.
the monorail is ideal for wheelchairs, just wheel on. the buses are ok but it takes a while to get hooked up and strapped in.
we stayed at the Contemporary Resort last time and was so easy we're doing it again. this time we're staying in a Disabled room (son was only 2 last time and didnt feel we needede it then) so i will do my best to take lots of pics.