Down Syndrome

[M&N]

A friend wanted information about WDW. She wants to take her brother who is in his 30's and has Down Syndrome. She needs suggestions on where to stay. He likes hot tubs and pools. She wants a resort that would have easy to access to the parks. They would be flying from PA. Do they still have the service to take you from the airport to the resort? Convience is top priority. Any other tips would be appreciated too...Thanks

 

[HopperFan]

My DS is an adult with DS. We stay all over. I have traveled there with him on my own twice. He has a hot tub at home, so it isn't as important on vacation anymore. FYI - Values do not have hot tubs.

We really liked CSR for the moderates. Very large hot tub (largest on property) so that is nice for the comfort level of being in there with others. Pools is very large with a true adult size slide which we like. We found on visits there were less younger children there than other moderates. I think they would like it.
Does not share buses with other resorts so that would be a plus. Nice food court.

Many more deluxe, and they are a wide variety and it would depend on her budget as well.

They do have airport buses, but we have never used it so I can't help there.

 

[SueM in MN]

We have used Disney's Magical Express with a wheelchair for DD. The last time we used it was early October, so I can tell you for sure it is still there.

I agree with HopperFan that the first thing to look at is their budget to see whether they are interested in looking at a Moderate or a Delux resort (or maybe a Home Away From Home resort).
For the Moderates, whether or not the resort shares a bus or not might be very important to them. For the Delux resorts, which resort they stay in will determine which park(s) they have easiest access to, so they might want to decide which park is most important before deciding.

 

[OneLittleSpark]

Just to throw my opinion on resorts in, CSR is actually my least favourite moderate, due to the restaurant system (please don't take offence, Hopper, I understand different people like different things). The problem I had with the restaurant is that you wait to be seated, the server takes your drinks orders, but then you have to get up to go around the CS stations to pick your food. This wouldn't get to me, other than the fact that they put service charge on your whole order, when all they actually brought to you was your drinks (and when we went they actually got or drinks orders wrong half the time!) . However, I know some people prefer this system, but I find it an odd mix between TS and CS which I don't get on with.

I do, however, love all the other moderates. POFQ is a more compact hotel, whereas CB and POR are more spread out (depends on whether she wants space or short distances to walk.

This September just gone, my mother and I rented a DVC room from another board member and stayed at OKW. It's an absolutely lovely resort, and having the kitchenette in the room made a lot of difference for us.

This is probably all fairly babbled and nonsensical, but my brain is mush right now.

 

[KPeveler]

for convenience to the magic kingdom, i would suggest wilderness lodge (if it is in your budget)... a boat right over to the MK, and it has 2 hot tubs - "hot" and "warm" and a great pool with a slide (if he likes these things)... just a thought!

 

[OneLittleSpark]

If they want to stay in Wilderness Lodge, they could look at renting it from a DVC member (see the DVC boards). That could make it cheaper and would also give them kitchen facilities. Be careful with the deal, though, as it's down to a trust agreement between you and the person you're renting from (a written contract can help here, see the board for more information on advised renting procedure).

GL!

 

[M&N]

Thanks for the suggestions...I'll pass them along. Her first priority is making it easy. Jimmy can walk ok but does get tired. He loves music and shows but animals do not keep his attention. He gets scared with 3D and roller coasters. Any other ideas would be appreciated. I've only been several times and know nothing about the hotels/resorts.

 

[bopper]

If money is no object and convenience is, I would suggest one of the Monorail resorts like the Polynesian Hotel or the Contemporary Hotel. You can't get more convenient than that.

 

[HopperFan]

Just to throw my opinion on resorts in, CSR is actually my least favourite moderate, due to the restaurant system (please don't take offence, Hopper, I understand different people like different things). The problem I had with the restaurant is that you wait to be seated, the server takes your drinks orders, but then you have to get up to go around the CS stations to pick your food. This wouldn't get to me, other than the fact that they put service charge on your whole order, when all they actually brought to you was your drinks (and when we went they actually got or drinks orders wrong half the time!) . However, I know some people prefer this system, but I find it an odd mix between TS and CS which I don't get on with.

I understand ..........but the food court is one reason I do like it. It is worth the 10% (and once when they didn't do much for us I asked it to be removed and it was) to have that little extra help. It is difficult for DS to carry trays of food let alone the drink. Having someone get me those little extras helps me out. It is also spread in a way I can let him sit, while I get food and yet still see him. And if on the DDP, it is a great value due to the upgraded menu there. Traveling on my own with my DS, every little bit of extra help is great.

But if they can swing the deluxe, I would do that.

 

[OneLittleSpark]

If he gets tired easily, a wheelchair would help conserve his energy for the fun stuff. If he needs a lie down during the day, and they don't feel like returning to their hotel room, the first aid stations have beds that anyone can use if they need to. Tell them to take it easy and let him be their guide as to how fast they move and when they take a break.

If your friend wants to 'preview' rides and shows before they go, to see whether her brother would enjoy them, you can get lots of ride videos on YouTube. There are loads of good shows in Disney, and if he likes music make sure they do Country Bear Jamboree, especially! Hoop De Do Review is supposed to be good too, but I've never been myself. If he's not good at 'intense' attractions, Stitch might be too much for him.