DME or towncar for my 75 yr. old mom?

[exit30]

We are taking my Mom in Dec., staying at the Poly, but she is flying into MCO from PA, we are driving from SC. We won't be arriving in Orlando anywhere near the same time so I have to get her from MCO to Poly as easily as possible but have never used DME. My mother is pretty frail, she has survived both breast and lung cancer, and two years ago had open heart surgery, her mobility is fair but tires easily. DME is free, that's a big plus, but I'm worried that it might be too confusing for her. A towncar would probably a lot easier overall but $100. Any thought on which would be simple yet cost effective?

 

[Lewisc]

You're driving. If it was my Mom, and she was that old and in that condition I'd drive to MCO and pick her up.

 

[goofy4tink]

I have to agree...if you have that many concerns, I would just make the drive back to MCO and park and meet her in at the tram area..just outside security. That way, you won't be worried about her and she'll feel really special that you were concerned. It will be about an hour out of your day.
Otherwise, I would pay for the car service.

 

[GoofItUp]

Here's another option: speak with the airlines and arrange for someone to have one of the carts or wheelchairs pick her up and take her to the DME desk. We've done this when traveling with my grandfather, and it's worked great. They are very accomodating and get him where he needs to be quickly without tiring him out.

ETA: You also might tell her to mention to the stewardess on the flight that she will need assistance when they arrive. They can also help to make sure someone is there.

 

[exit30]

Well that was the initial idea, but with the flight options for her from Philly, she will be arriving before we can even plan on getting there, it's a 7 hour drive from here in SC, we would have to leave at 3am to get her, can't do that at all. So while I appreciate your input, it's not feasible. For someone in PA to drive to Philly and drop her off it has to be an early a.m. flight, I can't be getting up at 2 a.m. to be out the door at 3 to pick her up at 10 a.m.

 

[Alesia]

Here's another option: speak with the airlines and arrange for someone to have one of the carts or wheelchairs pick her up and take her to the DME desk. We've done this when traveling with my grandfather, and it's worked great. They are very accomodating and get him where he needs to be quickly without tiring him out.

This is what I'd do.

 

[Muhlenberg]

Other considerations re DME...can she physically climb the steps to get on the bus? Does she have any other conditions that would make riding a bus less than desirable? e.g. Does she get dizzy? If riding the bus would be a problem, I'd go with a Town Car or similar.

If her plane ticket isn't bought yet, make sure the little box indicating needing assistance through the airport is checked. The airlines/SkyCaps will provide wheelchairs and a person to take her through both airports. If the ticket is bought already, I'd call the airlines and see if that can be added. It's a great service, and makes getting through the airport MUCH easier.

Good luck!

 

[LSchrow]

If her plane ticket isn't bought yet, make sure the little box indicating needing assistance through the airport is checked. The airlines/SkyCaps will provide wheelchairs and a person to take her through both airports. If the ticket is bought already, I'd call the airlines and see if that can be added. It's a great service, and makes getting through the airport MUCH easier.

Good luck!

that was very informative
btw, my 80's parents love DME. they do use wheelchairs to get to the DME area, but enjoy knowing everything, especially luggage, is taken care of (this with replaced/needing to be replacred knees, bouts of cancer, stroke, and other problems).
enjoy your vacation

 

[SueM in MN]

Other considerations re DME...can she physically climb the steps to get on the bus? Does she have any other conditions that would make riding a bus less than desirable? e.g. Does she get dizzy? If riding the bus would be a problem, I'd go with a Town Car or similar.

If her plane ticket isn't bought yet, make sure the little box indicating needing assistance through the airport is checked. The airlines/SkyCaps will provide wheelchairs and a person to take her through both airports. If the ticket is bought already, I'd call the airlines and see if that can be added. It's a great service, and makes getting through the airport MUCH easier.

Good luck!

This is a picture of the bus steps on the DME bus

There are good sturdy handrails, but the steps are quite steep.

People have borrowed a wheelchair from the airport and ridden the wheelchair up the bus lift to enter the bus, then gotten out of the wheelchair and sat in a bus seat (the wheelchair stays at the airport). That may mean an extra wait for a bus equipped with a wheelchair lift because not all buses have them. It can also be a bit of an intimidating ride up the lift because it is quite high (not quite 2 stories like one poster wrote, but pretty high).
Here’s a picture of the wheelchair lift at the top position:

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

Have her use DME.

Not having to go to baggage claim, and having her bags delivered to the room, more than makes up for any difficulty with the bus.

And, as PP said, call the airline and DME and they can make a note that she will need help, and they will help her.

 

[Lewisc]

A web posting doesn't really tell us that much about your Mom. It sounds like she may be arriving at the POLY before you get there. Is her name on the reservation? Does she have whatever is necessary to check in? Will she be comfortable waiting for you in your room? In the lobby?

I don't know if it's possible but I'd leave the night before. Either drive straight through or take a break. You could even get a hotel room near MCO for the night. Leave at 7p and get to a MCO airport hotel around 2a.

I maybe reading too much into this. Your Mom may be in better shape then those of us reading this thread think.

 

[goofy4tink]

A web posting doesn't really tell us that much about your Mom. It sounds like she may be arriving at the POLY before you get there. Is her name on the reservation? Does she have whatever is necessary to check in? Will she be comfortable waiting for you in your room? In the lobby?

I don't know if it's possible but I'd leave the night before. Either drive straight through or take a break. You could even get a hotel room near MCO for the night. Leave at 7p and get to a MCO airport hotel around 2a.

I maybe reading too much into this. Your Mom may be in better shape then those of us reading this thread think.

We must truly be on the same wave length here. I was just going to make those same points.

I guess I'm confused. When are you, the OP, arriving at your resort? It now looks like your mother will be arriving there well before you do. What is she going to do while she waits for you to arrive? If she has any type of mobility issue, it may be an issue. But...I may be incorrect in my assumptions...that's happened once of twice in the past lmao.

 

[a1tinkfans]

We are taking my Mom in Dec., staying at the Poly, but she is flying into MCO from PA, we are driving from SC. We won't be arriving in Orlando anywhere near the same time so I have to get her from MCO to Poly as easily as possible but have never used DME. My mother is pretty frail, she has survived both breast and lung cancer, and two years ago had open heart surgery, her mobility is fair but tires easily. DME is free, that's a big plus, but I'm worried that it might be too confusing for her. A towncar would probably a lot easier overall but $100. Any thought on which would be simple yet cost effective?

With what you stated about her health, $100 is well spent! Please do not put her on ME, seriously, the car service will hold up a sign with her name, and escort her right in an AC car that will take her directly to resort, no delays, no other drop offs/stops, no confusion and Best for her situation! Hope you all have a magical visit!

 

[Lewisc]

A car service is around $100 R/T. Can you take her back to MCO? You may only need one way service.

PP suggested the airline will arrange to have a skycap with a wheelchair transport Mom from the gate to the DME area. That's even easier then having her walk to level two and look for a driver with her name on a sign.

I don't know if the skycap is tipped (probably). Make sure Mom has whatever is appropriate for a tip available.

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

PP suggested the airline will arrange to have a skycap with a wheelchair transport Mom from the gate to the DME area. That's even easier then having her walk to level two and look for a driver with her name on a sign.

Plus she won't have to stop at baggage claim with ME.