Elderly parents: Which DVC would have least walking to transportation?

[crisi]

Room requests are room requests, not guarentees. If you ask to be close to the hosptiality house, there is a possiblity you will end up far away from a bus stop at the back of the resort up a flight of stairs in a unit without an elevator. Near Hospitality House at OKW and near elevators at BWV are very popular requests - and I've never had a location request met yet. I'd take the worst case scenario at each resort and decide which is the least worse.

And I'd guess that the best worst case would be VWL. The resort is smallest - so the hallways aren't as long. The villas are convienient to the bus stop. The boat to MK is a hike, but there is going to be a hike involved from the worst case at all resorts.

The worst case at BWV puts you down a long hallway from the lobby, and still another long stroll to the bus stop from there. The boat is convienient, but you stand to wait for it - or catch a seat nearby, and the worst case is still that long hallway away from the boat.

I'm not familiar enough with the other resorts to comment on the worst case.
If you parents are mobility impared, consider renting ECVs or wheelchairs.

 

[Lucky'sMom]

My Father-in-law has breathing difficulties and can't walk for long at all. We would be renting a wheel-chair for him at the parks, and he may only be with us for a couple of days. (His daughter lives in FL). My mom is fine, but my dad has knee pain (arthritis) and is way too proud to use a wheelchair or scooter. It makes me kind of mad because they went to Epcot in January and left by 1:30 pm, because his legs were hurting. I was thinking if they went with us and we stayed on-site, my parents could come and go easily and take rests when they need them. We would be visiting all of the parks, and probably some resorts as it would be in December and I would like us all to see the decorations.

 

[SueM in MN]

My Father-in-law has breathing difficulties and can't walk for long at all. We would be renting a wheel-chair for him at the parks, and he may only be with us for a couple of days. (His daughter lives in FL). My mom is fine, but my dad has knee pain (arthritis) and is way too proud to use a wheelchair or scooter. It makes me kind of mad because they went to Epcot in January and left by 1:30 pm, because his legs were hurting. I was thinking if they went with us and we stayed on-site, my parents could come and go easily and take rests when they need them. We would be visiting all of the parks, and probably some resorts as it would be in December and I would like us all to see the decorations.

If they don't have wheelchairs or ecvs, getting back to the room to rest and then back to the parks is going to be a major drain on their energy.

 

[kidsister]

First: to the poster who wished for stairs at BWV near the Swan and Dolphin. Well, there are stairs over there...come out at the croquet court by the canal and bridge to the Dolphin....

To OP: Sorry that we all cnofused you more! You are right, every one has their own preferences usually based on what (in this case) their own parents might like.

I think that if I were you I might rethink a car for at least part of your trip.
You could take ME both ways and then get a car from the car care center or the Dolphin (they will come to the resort to pick you up) and it is cheaper than getting on e at the airport! (Less tax).

Especilaly if you are running around looking at different resorts Xmas decs.
You can valet park at all the DVC resorts or drop off the folks and park yourself. You can get 2 hour parking passes for all the other resort parking lots. For examply, you could go to the GF and park, then walk around inside the resort, maybe grab a bite and then if Dad got tired and needed a nap , he could drive back to your resort and you guys could monorail to MK or Epcot.

I wonder if when you make your request your ONLY request is : MEDICAL!nonmobile parents needing ground floor or near elevator access.

If you have a car, you could drive to any park or resort and drop off the folks right at the gate (and then go park).

It really isn't that far at BWV to the boat dock, especially if you are ground or main level near the lobby. And BW view would be less distance that if you were in PV or Standard. The boats take you close to both Epcot and MGM and the Dolpin, Swan and BC.

OKW with a car would be fine ecause you could just drive everywhere and forget the bus (or use it if your party split up at times.)


Hope you and your folks all have a wonderful time!

 

[dianeschlicht]

As a pushing 60 somewhat able bodied person, I would definitely suggest getting an ECV. I needed one for two trips when I had some health issues, and there is nothing to be ashamed of to need an EVC. It makes getting around the parks possible when it would otherwise be IMPOSSIBLE. See if you can't talk them into that.

 

[Lucky'sMom]

I tried to talk my dad into using a scooter in January. Absolutely not. My parents do not want a car, they do not want to drive around WDW. I could rent a wheelchair from a rental company to use the entire time for my FIL, and then we could use it at the resort. It was my dad that would be the biggest issue. He says he doesn't need a scooter, he will "just sit down when his legs ar tired". Ugh!

 

[Aneille]

I tried to talk my dad into using a scooter in January. Absolutely not. My parents do not want a car, they do not want to drive around WDW. I could rent a wheelchair from a rental company to use the entire time for my FIL, and then we could use it at the resort. It was my dad that would be the biggest issue. He says he doesn't need a scooter, he will "just sit down when his legs ar tired". Ugh!

When I went last May my MIL was recovering from a bad auto accident and still needed a wheelchair to move around.

She was able to get one at All Star Music and at BWV free of charge. She used it the whole week.That may be an option for you parents when they need it.

 

[Lucky'sMom]

That is great to know. So she was able to take it to the parks, as well, or just to use at the resort? I am leaning slightly toward BWV, because I also think my parents may enjoy the boardwalk in walking distance.

 

[Aneille]

That is great to know. So she was able to take it to the parks, as well, or just to use at the resort? I am leaning slightly toward BWV, because I also think my parents may enjoy the boardwalk in walking distance.

She was able to take it into the parks and used it all week. I think she just asked when she checked in if they had one and they let her keep it for the week. I have no idea if this is standard practice or not but thats what happened.

Try giving the resort a call and see what they have to say.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Lucky'sMom

what parks are you going to.

Yes, I agree that this is such an important part of the equation. When I took Mom, 74, we considered which parks we wanted to go to. Since Epcot was most important, and MGM wasn't at all, we chose BCV. If we'd wanted to go to both equally, we might have chosen BWV for its ease of walking to both.

 

[DrTomorrow]

Not sure who thinks that the hallway at VWL is shorter than at SSR, but I was in a studio at the far end of VWL and it would be a hike for someone with walking issues.

I'd vote OKW or SSR. I know that there's a building at SSR in the Springs that is right next to the bus stop, and I bet there are similar buildings at OKW. It's just a crap shoot as to what building you get, but a request might help....

 

[living la vida mickey]

Definitely OKW. You don't need to be close to HH. Just request something close to a bus stop. We've done it several times with my elderly parents who have trouble getting around and OKW has been great.

 

[scootert]

I would suggest calling the resorts you are most interested in and talking with them about your situation. You also might want to call Member Services and see if they could make your request a medical necessity.

Many years ago, we took my MIL to WDW. She was in her mid 80's at the time and healthy. We stayed in the townhomes associated with the Institute (that tells you how long ago this was!!). We thought this would be a great option, but we quickly learned it was going to be difficult. She was very tired by the time she arrived and with the excitement of travelling was exhausted. She nearly fainted on the way to our townhome. We quickly learned that she was not going to be able to walk the distance to the bus stop.

DH left us on a bench and went to talk with the folks at the front desk. The cast members were incredible -- they checked every resort, looking for a solution for us. Unfortuately, nothing was available that didn't involve moving twice during our stay. But they kept trying -- they offered us the use of a golf cart (at the "senior rate" of something like $5.00 a day) to use to and from the townhouse. Once we were at the parks, we rented a wheelchair for the day.

If we were going to do this today, we would choose BWV. Yes, the hallways are long, but they are air conditioned and I'm confident the CM's would work with you to help in any way they could.

Oh yes, dear MIL just turned 99 and still talks about what a wonderful time she had in WDW.

Good luck with your trip -- sending you some pixie dust!!

 

[WOW]

We lost our Aunt last February, she was 91 on her last trip (she came with us 4 times in 5 years). OKW was a very good place for her to be because of the easy and short walking distance. We made it very clear on our reservation exactly what we needed for her. We then would call our guide about a week before we were to arrive and asked that they call the resort and reinforce how important our requests were. Of course, they never guaranteed anything, but we always received our requests and were very thankfull that they were able to accommodate us.

Good Luck and have a great time!!!

 

[Deb & Bill]

I forgot to say that my mother joined my family on one trip to OKW. We were in a ground floor villa. I borrowed a wheelchair from OKW (they imprinted my credit card for $250 and tore up the slip when I returned the chair on our last day). This made it very nice going to the parks. At first she didn't want to use the chair, but my dear husband ordered her into the chair and told her that he always wanted to push her around. My mother was 84 when she went with us.

I think for this trip we were in Bldg 65.

 

[brianm27]

Old Key West has lots of opportunities to be close to a bus stop. BWV and BCV both have the issue of bus stops and boat docks being at opposite ends of the resort.

 

[Alexander]

Not sure who thinks that the hallway at VWL is shorter than at SSR, but I was in a studio at the far end of VWL and it would be a hike for someone with walking issues.

Absolutely! Our first stay was the very last studio down this hallway! Not only did we have that walk, but the infamous dumpster view, and we could hear the generators running outside when the power decided to go out in the middle of the night!

Again, OKW would be a good choice. There are many buildings close to the bus stops. The bus does not only stop at the HH. We actually prefer it away from there since it's so much quieter.

 

[Lucky'sMom]

You have all been incredible in helping me work through this. I am so grateful...thank-you!

 

[DrTomorrow]

You have all been incredible in helping me work through this. I am so grateful...thank-you!

Glad that we could all help - we're usually a pretty friendly & helpful group of people. Just don't ask if you can fit 12 elderly parents in a studio....

 

[cristbaby]

I just returned from OKW and I have severe arthritis. I requested a building with an elevator or a 1st floor and to be close to a bus stop. Although they could not give me a building with an elevator they did give me a 1st fl. in the Turtle Pond area directly across from a bus stop. When I put in my requests I told them that I was not capable of walking to far. Cast members at OKW were very nice and did their best to see to it that I was where I needed to be.