Hotel choice overload, considering split stay (Mobility issues)

[pryncess527]

I have not been to Disney in a very, very long time . . . I'm currently planning to take my god daughters next Christmas and I'm extremely excited, but I have Multiple Sclerosis, difficulty with balance and walking, and of course they are in school so we will be visiting during one of the busiest weeks of the year...

I'm currently bogged down in hotel choices and wanted to get some advice. I'm leaning towards a Split Stay, but not sure if thats too much. I was thinking most of the trip at the Contemporary for monorail access, and then 1 night at AKL. I wanted to do the whole trip at AKL but I'm worried about having to rely on the buses during a busy time and being so far from MK. We will be driving to Orlando, but I hadnt really planned on us driving daily, though I guess we could.

Am I placing too much value on access to the monorail?

 

[LuvOrlando]

I started gravitating towards split stays when symptoms started to show themselves, way before any diagnosis, and getting myself closer really did help with fatigue and pain. You can see when I started doing this in my siggie, this is a few years before I was diagnosed. I think having autoimmune issues with fatigue, temperature regulation, pain and numbness is a different beast than those who are best served with an ECV or chair I can't stand long periods or be in the sun too much at all so I'd end up sitting on the sidewalk waiting for busses, or in the shade so the split stays became a favorite way to manage at least a part of this. I don't know if they still do it this way but I'd just pack up my bags & head out for the day with a few essentials & my stuff would be moved to the next place. I prefer places with boat and monorail access as movement options, you can get to the EPCOT monorail from the TTC with a bit of walking but it's not too much. In recent years, rideshare services helped a lot for this particular set of issues. I do think there may possibly be discounts in parking for those with handicapped placards to help you get around in a way that allows you to manage your well being & enjoy things.

 

[pryncess527]

I started gravitating towards split stays when symptoms started to show themselves, way before any diagnosis, and getting myself closer really did help with fatigue and pain. You can see when I started doing this in my siggie, this is a few years before I was diagnosed. I think having autoimmune issues with fatigue, temperature regulation, pain and numbness is a different beast than those who are best served with an ECV or chair I can't stand long periods or be in the sun too much at all so I'd end up sitting on the sidewalk waiting for busses, or in the shade so the split stays became a favorite way to manage at least a part of this. I don't know if they still do it this way but I'd just pack up my bags & head out for the day with a few essentials & my stuff would be moved to the next place. I prefer places with boat and monorail access as movement options, you can get to the EPCOT monorail from the TTC with a bit of walking but it's not too much. In recent years, rideshare services helped a lot for this particular set of issues. I do think there may possibly be discounts in parking for those with handicapped placards to help you get around in a way that allows you to manage your well being & enjoy things.

Thank you so much for your reply. I am leaning towards the split stay. I think the girls will appreciate getting to stay in more than one hotel anyway. This will be a big trip for them, they’ve only been once and never on property.

I may go all out and just try for a Grand Floridian/AKL split.

 

[fabfemmeboy]

I have not been to Disney in a very, very long time . . . I'm currently planning to take my god daughters next Christmas and I'm extremely excited, but I have Multiple Sclerosis, difficulty with balance and walking, and of course they are in school so we will be visiting during one of the busiest weeks of the year...

I'm currently bogged down in hotel choices and wanted to get some advice. I'm leaning towards a Split Stay, but not sure if thats too much. I was thinking most of the trip at the Contemporary for monorail access, and then 1 night at AKL. I wanted to do the whole trip at AKL but I'm worried about having to rely on the buses during a busy time and being so far from MK. We will be driving to Orlando, but I hadnt really planned on us driving daily, though I guess we could.

Am I placing too much value on access to the monorail?

We never mind the buses, though I will agree it's more of a hassle for people with mobility issues than the monorail is (e.g. only 2 mobility devices per bus, etc.) If we could swing it we would certainly enjoy a stay in one of the deluxes right next to the park (either monorail or Boardwalk/BC/YC area)! Meanwhile, a night in AKL is on my bucket-list and something any animal-lover would appreciate. I don't see any reason not to do a split stay. If you don't feel like messing with the luggage (for me, I know that's exhausting even to think about), Disney will still transfer it for you if you want. I wouldn't bother driving to parks at the moment, what with the lack of trams.

 

[robinb]

Frankly, I think a spilt stay is a PITB. Especially over Christmas when you may be “homeless” for hours. Especially with mobility issues which makes being “homeless” even worse when all you really want to do is go back to the resort and chill out but you don’t have a room yet. I would choose ONE resort and make it easier on yourself. The kids won’t care.

 

[mamabunny]

I agree with @robinb - for me, a split stay can really suck the life out of a trip; you have to go through the entire hassle of packing everything back up, make sure you got everything, empty the fridge, call Bell Services (or schlep your stuff to your own car) and then drag it all back into the next room - *when* it is ready, which could be 4 hours later, or longer. During Christmas week, I'm guessing you won't be able to get late checkout, and I would not expect to get a "room ready" text before 4pm. What will you do between, say 11am (when you and your stuff arrive at the next hotel) and 4 or 5 pm (when your stuff finally gets delivered to your room)?

Personally, I don't have the stamina right now. I don't have the emotional or physical wherewithal to deal with a split stay; I am grateful beyond belief right now that we decided to eliminate the "split" from our next trip, and just stay the entire length at one Resort.

Personally, I would pick one Resort, and then spend an afternoon doing a "Resort" tour - you can hub out of the Theme Parks bus depots to Resort Hop easily - and that way you can see all of the holiday decor (and sample some of the specialty treats) without the hassle of moving.

If you are determined to have a split stay, I would split between AKL & one of the Skyliner hotels; then you only have to worry about MK. The Skyliner serves both HS & Epcot, and AKL is the quickest and easiest bus ride from AK. In theory, you could "triple" split, and have a Monorail stay for MK as well, but that just seems like cruel and unusual punishment, unless you are planning on never unpacking, and basically letting your stuff live at Bell Services.

That's just me. I'm one of those people who likes to really settle in; we unpack everything, and arrange our comforts from home, and fill the little fridge with water and milk and pop. We hang up our clothes, put away our suitcases, and then get down to the serious business of having fun.

Whatever you decide to do, I hope you have a great trip! Remember to book exactly the kind of room you need - so if you require a Roll-in Shower room, be sure to book that room type. It's not something you will be able to request at check-in during the holidays.

 

[pryncess527]

Thank you @robinb @mamabunny and everyone for your thoughts. You bring up a great point about being homeless during part of the day.

So I may forgo AKL, even though a Savanna view sounded amazing, it seems impractical for the majority of the trip. I’ll have to kick that bucket list down the road to a future trip. Maybe.

Which I think just leaves a choice between GF for the monorail or Rivera for the Skyliner.