need help planning DLR anniv. stay for disabled travelers

[heartbeeps]

my BFF is celebrating her 40th wedding anniversary next July (2010) and is considering a stay at DLR for her family; however, money is tight and there are some constraints re accommodations.

I ordered the Passporter and Unofficial Guide but they haven't arrived yet and I'm chomping at the bit to see if they can actually afford this trip. I know enough to be dangerous just by reading this board; I'd say that they have GCH tastes and HoJo budget so to speak.

BFF + DH - need room with a sofa (they can't sit on the bed or at the desk chair for more than a few minutes); close to the park is better as DH be using a walker and/or cane

Two additional rooms needed for rest of their immediate family:
- DS & Wife & 17 mo. baby
- DD & Hubby & 7 & 10 yr. old boys

Thinking maybe DLH is the best they could do with a Disney hotel; maybe Best Western or Fairfield Inn would work for a good-neighbor hotel. But where do YOU think they should stay that would be a nice experience but not break the bank and yet be accessible to the park?

Re days to stay, I've read here that 3 days work for most. BFF & DH won't be able to do mornings but everyone else should be able to so would 3 be sufficient for the rest of the family or do they need 4 days in the park?

I've estimated tix @ $75pp/day; food @ $45pp/day; parking @ $20/car/day; and lodging @ $150/ni/room. How do these estimates sound to you? Is there anything else I'm forgetting cost-wise (besides souvenirs which is discretionary)?

What other suggestions do you have?

Finally, if I wanted to do something special for their anniversary (budget $60), any suggestions?

Thanks for your ideas!

 

[PinkBudgie]

If the goal is to save money I doubt they can stay at any of the DLR properties. You won't get them in July for $150. We just stayed at the Embassy Suites South for that price. You might want to look at my reveiw thread on it. It has a sofa. Paradise Pier, the cheapest of the three, is close to $900 for a three night stay this July. Also if someone can't walk much it probably doesn't matter if they stay close or not because even close places would probably be too far to walk. For the younger families it would be great to be close and walk back to the room for an afternoon nap. You mentioned a car, so if they are driving, a mile wouldn't be too far. Parking is $12 a day at DLR this year, and parking fees at hotels will vary.

 

[heartbeeps]

If the goal is to save money I doubt they can stay at any of the DLR properties. You won't get them in July for $150. We just stayed at the Embassy Suites South for that price. You might want to look at my reveiw thread on it. It has a sofa. Paradise Pier, the cheapest of the three, is close to $900 for a three night stay this July. Also if someone can't walk much it probably doesn't matter if they stay close or not because even close places would probably be too far to walk. For the younger families it would be great to be close and walk back to the room for an afternoon nap. You mentioned a car, so if they are driving, a mile wouldn't be too far. Parking is $12 a day at DLR this year, and parking fees at hotels will vary.

thanks for level-setting me! I had NO idea DLR rooms were so expensive. Embassy Suites sounds like a good idea and, like you say, they will have a car so they can drive to the handicap parking. I'll check out your review, too! Thanks so much for the advice and I'll adjust my budget calculations to $12/day parking.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Although the disABILITIES Forum here is more oriented toward WDW, it also has coverage of DisneyLand Resort.

You mentioned that one person may be using a walker or cane. The official and normal recommendation for people with mobility and/or stamina problems is to rent a wheelchair or Electric Convenience Vehicle (scooter). Although DL is smaller than MK, DCA is very large. At WDW most visitors tend to walk 8-12 miles per day; this may be impossible for a person with a walker or cane.

DisneyLand does rent wheelchairs and ECVs, but the supply is limited. In the disABILITIES FAQs (Posts #2 and #14) we give some suggestions. I would suggest looking there. Note, to get to the disABILIITES FAQs just click on the link in my signature.

 

[tink2dw]

Harbor hotels are closest to the Entrance of DL and DCA. From DLR your must walk thru DTD.
I have stayed twice at Desert Inn and Suites for $79.00 a night, it is so close to the DL Entrance!! Check the map below.

Here is my favorite planning map for the hotels!!
http://www.geocities.com/ashpsyche/DisneylandLinkMap.html

I have rented offsite ECV scooters many times.
a. Your room needs to be big enough for one or
b. do as the Desert Inn and Suites did and let us
leave them to charge over night in the lobby.
c. But you Still had to walk to room.

Remember to watch www.MouseSavers.com for discounts and deals!! Sign up for said newsletter!!

Discounts- AAA, Costco, Entertainment Book, AARP

 

[Escape2Disney]

I agree with the previous poster - renting an ECV from an outside company is the best way to go. It gives you the flexibility to take the scooter outside of the park, and you don't have to worry about availability in the park.

We've used Deckerts and Scootaround - both were reasonable and efficient.

Any of the Best Westerns on Harbor would be a HUGE money-saver. Last time we stayed at the BW Pavillions which is cheaper than Park Place Inn and only a half block away. We've also stayed at Portifino Inn which has just been updated. They were considerably cheaper, but a little longer walk. If your BFF's DH has a scooter, it should be manageable.

 

[heartbeeps]

thanks for the info everyone. BFF DH doesn't have a scooter. Used a walker & cane during our WDW trip in 2008 - from the parking lots into Epcot for specific events. Not sure I can convince them about a scooter.. but will give it a shot! How much are we talking about per day for a rental anyway?

 

[Brady's Mom]

My mom rented an ECV from Deckert's when we were at DLR in Dec. and I am pretty sure it was under $150 for a week. They bring it to the hotel and pick it up when you are done. Hers was waiting at the hotel when we arrived.

She says they were really easy to work with and her room was big enough to keep it in so she could charge it.

 

[Gisele]

Do you know what your friends budget is, or might be, for hotel accommodations?
Definitely comparison shop, so by the time one is ready to book a hotel, it will hopefully be early enough in time, so as to receive good rates, and for the dates that one will need.
How will your friend and her family be arriving at Dl.?
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[fostrmom2mny]

I'm thinking that renting an ECV in the parks are around $45 a day. Believe me, I have struggled and moved very slowly, suffered terrible leg cramps and back spasms on previous trips where I didn't rent a scooter. I finally rented one and I can honestly say it was the best thing that I could do! Not just for my body, but for my family. We were able to see many more things, and didn't have to take constant breaks. If they can possibly afford the cost, put the pride aside and see how much more enjoyable the trip will be!

 

[mrsmusic]

I only rented an ecv for the first time last September. I rented it by the day inside the park. I can see that for the amount of time I plan on being in the parks the next visit, it may be better to rent from an offsite place that I've seen recommendations for on this site. However, I am staying a few blocks away and will be either taking a taxi (I know, expensive) or the ART bus, so am hesitatant about getting a rented-outside-the-park ecv back and forth. I could rent one that disassembles or use the bus lift I guess. Never done it before.

Has anyone done this? or if you rented ecv from Deckert's or OC you were just across the street and just rode it in?

Crystal