Recommendation for Epcot resort for wheelchair user?

[Mary976]

Hi everyone,

We recently returned from another fabulous WDW trip. It was a short stay and we got a great deal so we upgraded to a deluxe hotel and stayed at the Contemporary. DD (wheelchair user) liked the transportation because the buses pick up at the Contemporary before the Poly, and we all agreed the resort was beautiful.

That being said, DD said she could tell the hotel was built pre-ADA and then retrofitted later. She HATED pushing on the carpet...it was low pile but DH thinks it had a thick pad underneath. We also didn't have great luck with the elevators. They were small and you had to take two to get to the monorail (one to the fourth floor, then one to the monorail platform).

We're actually thinking about squeezing in a second trip this year, and we'll probably stay at an Epcot area resort. I'm leaning toward BC/YC or Boardwalk. We might consider Swan/Dolphin but I really do like the special "Disney" theming. SO, does anyone have recommendations for a wheelchair user? I'm most interested in the ease of getting around the resort and experiences with transportation.

Thanks much,
Mary

 

[twinmum]

Hello! We are a family of 4: me, DH and twin sons (Now 13). One of our sons has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair in the parks/resorts. Our favourite park is Epcot so last year we stayed at the Beach Club for the access without transportation. Previously we'd stayed at the GF and the Poly (and Give Kids the World for DS's Wish Trip!).

We LOVED the Epcot access from the BC!!! SO close, although we'd also requested a room near the international gateway so that helped too. DS has a manual chair and I usually do the pushing so I can indulge in WDW treats - it was easy pushing, even seemed the carpet in the halls at BC wasn't too bad. It's a big building with long hallways, so might be a good idea to request a room near the elevator? Depends on what you want to do. The pool area (the magnificent Stormalong Bay) was a huge hit with both boys - only problem was dealing with a wet w/c seat and a dripping wet boy (must plan better this year). SAB has ready access to Beaches & Cream and Hurricane Hannah's, Cape May is close to the lobby etc.

It's a bit of a hill to get over the bridge to the Boardwalk, but nice and smooth. So, between Epcot, BC/YC/BW there are lots of dining options.

We were just staying 2 nights before a cruise, so we didn't get over to DHS. I do know there is a boat and I do think it is w/c accessible. I cannot tell you anything about the bus service to other parks - trip was short so we didn't go anywhere other than Epcot, BW and around the BC resort.

This year (again pre-cruise...we're excited!) we're staying at the YC and will park hop more. To get to MK, you can take the bus, or if it's after the WS is open, you can walk through and take the monorail. To be honest, if we're going to MK, I'll probably be taking a taxi van. I used this approach one year when I was at WDW with the 2 boys (and a friend) on my own without DH and decided to spoil ourselves with a taxi to DHS...worked like a charm and was only about $12 and worth it for me that day.

FYI, for that trip with just the boys, we stayed at the Poly and enjoyed using the resort monorail for MK and eating at some of the other resorts. We also enjoyed being able to walk over to the TTC and grab the Epcot monorail.

In summary, we LOVED being at an Epcot resort and I think will stick with that for future trips...of course, every year, we say "maybe this is our last trip"...and it never is!!!