Friends son with Muscular Dystrophy - Resort Choices

[amystevekai&bump]

Hello, I am new to this board, but I have a good friend who has asked my advice about the best resort for her nephew. He is 10 years old and in a wheelchair due to muscular dystrophy.

I understand that the family are applying to a 'Make a wish' type charity for a vacation to florida, and they were wondering what the best resort is, in terms of wheelchair access to the rooms and generally around the resort.

My friend has stayed at Carribean Beach and thought that due to the flat nature of the resort and the lovely suroundings that this would be a good choice for her nephew, but neither of us really know about the rooms and she also asked me if the new pool was a zero entry one? - but again I didn't know the answer.

Any advice I could pass on would be much appreciated - or indeed if you think there are better hotels for his needs, I would also be grateful for any of your ideas and comments.

Many thanks for your time

 

[minniebeth]

As far as the resorts themselves, all the resorts have handicapped accessible rooms. You can see a photo of each of the resorts' accessible rooms on the website allears.net if that helps. More of a question would be what type of WDW experience are they looking for and what theme appeals to her nephew. If price is not a factor, I would suggest one of the monorail resorts. (Grand Floridian, Polynesian, Contemporary) The bus services are great with the wheelchairs, but the monorail is even easier. These hotels also have larger rooms which will be nicer with the wheelchair and the ammenities at the hotel are nicer and easier to use, such as the food court. I know both the Polynesian and the Grand Floridian have zero entry pools, not sure about the Contemporary. Also, for when they are tired, there is a lot more going on at the resort to just relax and enjoy while taking it easy, like seeing the fireworks from the Magic Kingdom at night, watching the boats come and go, seeing other resorts from a distance, watching the monorail, etc.
I hope they have a wonderful vacation, Muscular Dystrophy is such a tough disease to cope with~

 

[peemagg]

I am not sure, but if they get their "Make A Wish" trip, they will probably be staying in the "Give The Kids The World" resort. There they have things that would make the trip easier for everyone.

I'm sure others will be by soon with more options.

 

[visitingapril09]

Definately Give Kids the World...........there is NOTHING like it.

 

[maroo]

If they are approved for a Wish - have them check out the Wish Trippers thread here on the DIS - we can give them lots of information about Give Kids the World or Disney Resorts and how it works with a Wish Trip.

 

[amystevekai&bump]

thank you all so much for replying

I am not actually sure which charity they have contacted, but it will be one over here in the UK. I think they have to give the charity three quotes and then the charity lets them know if they have been successful in their request - so I am guessing, they were looking at one of the moderates, so as not to request too much??

Its great to know that all the hotels have the wheel chair accessable rooms. It would be incredible for them if they could get a monorail hotel, but I am sure they will have a wonderful time whatever.

Thank you so much again for you time

 

[kaytieeldr]

They actually probably want to consider requesting either Port Orleans French Quarter or Coronado Springs - since the other Moderates either have no elevators (CBR) or elevators in only half the resort (POR). I did hear there's one building at CS with no elevator.

 

[D L and K's Mom]

We have stayed at POR many times with DS and his wheelchair. We love the big rooms and it is nice to have the extra trundle bed for one of us to use so he can have the big bed. It is also nice to be able to take the boat to DTD for a change of pace. It was easy with the wheelchair.....