Resort for family with medical needs

[mollyandsam]

Hi all,

We're starting to plan a trip to Disney for next spring, and I could use some help.

We're a family of 5 - 2 adults, 3 kids. One of our kids has some medical needs including a feeding tube, so we need a room that has a fridge and a microwave, at the least. We have to have enough room to prep/store his food for the week.

He also gets very tired (but does not use a wheelchair or other mobility aid) so something with easy bus access or other transportation options would be nice.

Is there a resort you think would fit our needs and not cost an arm and a leg? We could just rent a condo off-property, but I wanted to see if any of the Disney resorts would work first.

Thanks!

 

[Deb & Bill]

You could try a DVC one bedroom or two bedroom villa. And rent points to get it cheaper than directly from Disney. Check out David; he's a sponsor on the DVC Boards. He links people wanting to rent points with owners who have the points to rent.

 

[LongLiveRafiki]

Hi all,

We're starting to plan a trip to Disney for next spring, and I could use some help.

We're a family of 5 - 2 adults, 3 kids. One of our kids has some medical needs including a feeding tube, so we need a room that has a fridge and a microwave, at the least. We have to have enough room to prep/store his food for the week.

He also gets very tired (but does not use a wheelchair or other mobility aid) so something with easy bus access or other transportation options would be nice.

Is there a resort you think would fit our needs and not cost an arm and a leg? We could just rent a condo off-property, but I wanted to see if any of the Disney resorts would work first.

Thanks!

I believe all of the regular resort rooms have a mini fridge but no microwave although the food court at each resort should have a microwave. With 5 people, unless one of the kids is under 3, you will be limited on resort options unless you want to get two rooms (which again are not going to have a microwave). If you get a family suite at All Star Movies or Art of Animation, they will have a kitchenette with a microwave and mini fridge. Cabins at Fort Wilderness have a full size fridge and microwave. All of these resorts will accommodate 6 people. Other than that you will probably have to go with a 1 or 2 bedroom DVC villa to get a fridge and microwave, though these options will be more expensive than the previous 3 listed. As for transportation, all of the resorts have bus transportation and you can request a room close to transportation though it's not guaranteed.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

It will almost certainly be cheaper to stay off-site, so it really depends on how you want to travel.

 

[baler31]

You can look into offsite and on for budget purposes. You will need a resort that accepts 5.

For your medical requests, I believe all the resorts have some microwaves on hand and that you can request one for a medical need. I know I have seen them sitting in the hallways when they are cleaning rooms on what I assume was check out day. All have the mini fridges and the microwaves in the food court. Ideally, if you plan to spend a lot of time in MK a monorail resort would be nice in your situation.

Maybe not what you want to hear but Disney is a physically demanding trip, you may want to discuss if using a mobility aid for this trip would be appropriate. I understand your son would normally not use one and I also know what that means for his independence. However, you may find the demands of just walking around the parks much greater than you anticipated. It would be much easier to come and go and for one parent to take him back for a bit of a rest if you were at a monorail resort or Epcot resort.

As PP mentioned the cabins do have a bit more space, the fridge and microwave. You can also parkyour car right beside your cabin and I think that would be a positive in your situation. However, I believe the transportation to the parks may not be optimal for you. You may still want to drive and drop your son off in the drop off area and then have your spouse park the car and tram or walk to the park to limit how much walking he will need to do. There is a drop off area at each park that is typically closer than handicapped parking.

There is also a thread: https://www.disboards.com/forums/disabilities.20/ for disabilities that may have good information on specific needs. You may want to see if your son qualifies for a DAS pass. https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/disney-parks-disability-access-service-card-fact-sheet/

There is much more info on the DAS pass on the disabilites thread.

 

[happymommy]

I'd add that even if he doesn't use a wheelchair, the amount of walking at Disney is immense. You may want to consider getting one for a trip there.

My daughter has a condition that causes chronic fatigue, and her joints are loose (her collagen isn't formed properly). She was just diagnosed two years ago, finally, and we started renting a wheelchair for her for her fatigue and joint pain. It helps so much! I bought one then, from Amazon (same one we were renting so same cost as renting for 2 weeks at Disney). She can go longer resting, and her joints don't get so sore. Also do look into the DAS. She sometimes needs to have a place to rest instead of standing in lines, or has to be out of the sun.

A family suite my be a good option, or a cabin at Ft. Wilderness. Oops that was already mentioned! But staying on property gives you the advantage of if one of you needs to take him back to the room, the other can stay with the kids in a park, with the provided transportation.

Also, be sure to check out what is available at First Aid in the parks. They have a room with a bed for him to rest if needed or if you need privacy for a feeding (the bed/cot is like an exam table at the doctor's office, perfect also for changing an older child or adult diaper). They have water and band aids, plus other things to help you.

 

[Nancyg56]

Hi all,

We're starting to plan a trip to Disney for next spring, and I could use some help.

We're a family of 5 - 2 adults, 3 kids. One of our kids has some medical needs including a feeding tube, so we need a room that has a fridge and a microwave, at the least. We have to have enough room to prep/store his food for the week.

He also gets very tired (but does not use a wheelchair or other mobility aid) so something with easy bus access or other transportation options would be nice.

Is there a resort you think would fit our needs and not cost an arm and a leg? We could just rent a condo off-property, but I wanted to see if any of the Disney resorts would work first.

Thanks!

I think that you may like the Cabins. I know that they have already been suggested, but given your circumstances, having that space, along with the campground itself may make a big difference in terms of keeping everyone happy. There is a lot to do right there, so if your son needs a break and you all want to head back to the cabin, the kids have a "yard" right there. I think you can also see the fireworks from shore, although I have no firsthand knowledge of that.

I also suggest a wheelchair for your son. People who do not have mobility issues or suffer fatigue are exhausted after a day in the parks. The wheelchair may not be ideal but I bet can make the difference for your son.
Please head over to the DISabilities forum for a lot more practical information. Those folks are very experienced, and can offer plenty of tips that will make your visit easier for you.

 

[Rikariko12]

I'd add that even if he doesn't use a wheelchair, the amount of walking at Disney is immense. You may want to consider getting one for a trip there.

My daughter has a condition that causes chronic fatigue, and her joints are loose (her collagen isn't formed properly). She was just diagnosed two years ago, finally, and we started renting a wheelchair for her for her fatigue and joint pain. It helps so much! I bought one then, from Amazon (same one we were renting so same cost as renting for 2 weeks at Disney). She can go longer resting, and her joints don't get so sore. Also do look into the DAS. She sometimes needs to have a place to rest instead of standing in lines, or has to be out of the sun.

Ehlers-Danlos? This is what they think I have. No one wants to diagnose me b/c the doctors around here do not have any experience with it. I'm not sure if I even want an official diagnosis due to our upcoming healthcare system/insurance. I don't want to be screwed for a Pre-existing condition. A lot of joint pain. I have trouble sleeping on my sides b/c it hurts my hips, spine, and rib cage. I'm 34 and I have never used a wheel chair. Everything is manageable at home and I have more problems when I try to sleep than during the day. How do you go about getting a wheel chair there?

Also, we pick the Poly b/c it was on the monorail for easier access. But, now I'm scared of the beds.

 

[potterfanatic]

If you do decide to stay off property we have stayed at Embassy suites Lake Buena Vista on a couple of occasions (also a family of 5). It's about 6 miles from Disney and they have plenty of space and a microwave and mini fridge in each suite.

 

[DG25]

One thing to consider when you have someone with a disability and on site off site, is ability to park and get to your car. If off site you have to pay $20 to park each day. On site that will be included. Off site you need to drive a long way to get to and from resort, so missing an extra 1.5 hours on top of the 2 hour break eats up lots of time.

Because you are a family of five your options as people have said are limited. I would say your cheapest would be the cabins at fort wilderness or a family suite at AoA, or even ASMu. Although if you wanted to try someplace like the moderates they do have rooms that sleep 5 and you can for medical reasons have a microwave brought in, but these rooms would be very tight.

Depending you can rent points for DVC thru Dave's. You may be able to get a studio for about the same price as cabin or AoA depending on what time of year. I myself like the studio over the 1 bedrooms, but it depends on how much time you need in the room and how much storing you need. A one bedroom will be bigger, twice the size, but since we don't cook on vacation and we only sleep in the room, it is way to big for us, but if you need a kitchen and you need more space than it is good. Only a few sleep 5, BRV I know sleeps , but they won't give you extra bedding for the fifth person so you have to bring your own. Studios, sleep 5, your best bet would be like poly or GF, yes a little more money, but with these you have a double bathroom type thing, yes you get only one toilet, but you get two showers, one a walk in shower, one a tub shower, you also get two sink areas in different rooms and two changing areas so girls and boys can be getting ready at same time. They are cheaper than a one bedroom, have better bathroom areas, have less room but cost less than a 1 bedroom. Poly and GF both offer some of the largest rooms on site.

All in all you will pay about $250 to $300 for your room either at resort or thru DVC. It you go moderate yo will pay about $200 but will be ever tight with 5 people. This spring, at least May, the cabins are about $230, but that is with an AP, against only one person needs an AP and it might save you enough to get the AP and then get the discount, you would also get discounts on food and merchandise and parking is included. I thin AoA with AP is about $313 but not sure exact. For renting it will be $15 per point and you will need about 150 points for a week. To do this you will have to book at least 11 months out. You could do like BRV for about 120 points. So basically since you are a family of 5, hotel will be about $1800 to $2000 if you get good discounts, for a week.

Hope that all helps. And I agree, think about renting a w/c so he won't tire as fast, you will all be happier.

 

[happymommy]

Ehlers-Danlos? This is what they think I have. No one wants to diagnose me b/c the doctors around here do not have any experience with it. I'm not sure if I even want an official diagnosis due to our upcoming healthcare system/insurance. I don't want to be screwed for a Pre-existing condition. A lot of joint pain. I have trouble sleeping on my sides b/c it hurts my hips, spine, and rib cage. I'm 34 and I have never used a wheel chair. Everything is manageable at home and I have more problems when I try to sleep than during the day. How do you go about getting a wheel chair there?

Also, we pick the Poly b/c it was on the monorail for easier access. But, now I'm scared of the beds.

We rented off site twice from Apple Scooters to have the chair the whole time at the resort, after one time renting just in the parks daily (you can rent them by the stroller rentals in the parks). Then I found the same one online from Amazon for about $150, so we bring it now with us. It's nicer to have our own one (last one we had rented had seen better days).

 

[MichaelWill&Megan'sMom]

All moderate and deluxe rooms have a fridge. (Haven't stayed at a value for years and don't remember, but with 5, like my family, it's almost a moot point)

I would pick a resort based on your most visited park. We love the Epcot resorts. The walk to Epcot from the beach club is like walking to the castle at the magic kingdom. You can walk to Hollywood - but there is a boat you can hop on. There are busses to AK and MK.

 

[LovesTimone]

Our Friends have a 1 child with special needs, and 2 younger children ( all in their teens) they rent points for a 2 bedroom DVC.. While more costly it is worth it for them as it gives everyone some space and privacy. They like the magic of staying on property, and the convenience of the buses, boats, monorails to get around. They have rented 2 room at POR once when the kids were younger. Her husband does a lot of driving for work so not having to drive for 10 days is wonderful for him, he says its more like a real vacation. They did stay off property a couple of times and for their family it did not work out, to much running back and forth, and wasting park time. Last year they stayed at the Beach Club, they love the pool but have stayed at old Key West, and AKL several times. This coming year they are staying at Bay Lake, so the first time on a monorail resort. Which they are so looking forward to.

I strongly suggest a wheelchair, or a over size stroller. Our friends have one that they bring, the seat is much higher like almost sitting in a chair and has large wheels, almost like you would see on the beach, this chair goes through anything. It is easier for him and them to help him to get and out of the chair. He walks but tires easily, with having the chair with them, this means the family can go more and see and do more together.

They rent from DavidsDVC rentals, and always been super happy with the service and communication.

You might want to order grocery to be delivered from maybe garden grocer, one less thing you will have to worry about.

My friends also use uber or lyft if their son is having a hard time to get back to the room in a hurry.