Which Disney resort?

[loadsapixiedust]

Which Disney resort would you recommend for our first time staying onsite? Our DS uses a wheelchair so not sure if that would influence our choice for accommodation or transport. Just interested in your opinions.

 

[minniemick]

I would recommend the Polynesian, there are two lovely pools and it would be easy to get the monorail with a wheelchair. It is also possible to walk from the transportation station to the Polynesian.

 

[Goofyish]

A lot would depend on your budget. All resorts look after wheelchair guests' requirements very well and all WDW transport buses have wheelchair access.

The Poly. is a good choice for access to MK and Epcot via the monorails, but as a Deluxe resort it's pricey.

The Epcot resorts (Boardwalk, Yacht/Beach Club/Swan/Dolphin) would also be very handy for Epcot and Disney Studios - you can either walk or catch the Friendship boats to wither park. But, again these resorts are all Deluxe resorts.

If you have any specific questions on WDW and wheelchair access there is a board on the DIS to cover disabilities at WDW:

DISability Board
There are folks there who will be able to answer every question you can think of

 

[Hilary]

I agree this is probably more down to personal preferences and budget considerations than on wheelchair accessibility as all WDW resorts are able to accommodate disability requirements.

The only other factor (which may or may not be relevant) I can think of is the fact that all the budget and moderate resorts are 'motel' layout with external corridors and entrance doors and limited lifts in each each building (although wheelchair accessible rooms would, presumably, be on the ground floor). The deluxe resorts are all (??) hotel layout with internal corridors and are less spread out than the motel-style resorts, making resort bus stops / restaurants / shops, etc. closer to all rooms.

 

[Andrew Bichard]

Polynesian is one of only two (or three?) hotels with a zero-entry pool. This means that at one end, you can wheel your son into the water, just like at a beach. The Polynesian has waterproof plastic wheelchairs for that purpose. None of the moderate or budget class resorts have zero entry pools. All the other resorts will have at least one pool with what I call 'bump steps" where your son can bump himself out of the water on his backside one step at a time onto a wheelchair height platform.

If you are not renting a car during your visit, The Polynesian is the closest (walking distance) Hotel to the Ticket and Transportation Centre (TTC) where you can pick up a Lynx (Orlando public transport) bus direct to Sea World. Lynx buses have wheelchair lifts. You can also use Lynx to get to universal, but you have to change buses.

The Wilderness Lodge is also fun for younger guests, especially the Roaring Forks restaurant. However, it doesn't have a zero entry pool. It is however, only a short bus ride away from the Polynesian if you want to visit for a meal. Fort Wilderness, also nearby, has a fun dinner show called 'Hoop de Hoo', a petting zoo, and an outside barbecue and film show, which youngsters would enjoy.

The polynesian restaurant also has entertainments provided by the wait-staff geared to younger visitors.

The Polynesian is a good choice especially if your son is at the age to enjoy the Magic Kingdom. If he is older, and doesn't need a zero entry pool, Beach Club/Yacht Club and Boardwalk are also good choices because access to Epcot and MGM are so good.

Andrew

 

[Miffy2003]

In December we stayed at a value resort (approx $70 per night) and a deluxe home from home 2 Bed villa (approx $1200 per night at the time we were there, New Year's Eve). I just wanted to say that we felt equally as special at both resorts, though obviously you get a lot more amenities at the Deluxe!

What everyone says about wheelchair access is spot on. The pool at Saratoga Springs - a DVC resort which you can stay at if a non DVC member if there is availability or you can rent points from a member - was zero entry and there was a little slide that seemed designed for use by wheelchair users.

HTH - there is a wonderful choice of resorts to stay at at WDW

 

[vernon]

Disney works very hard to accommodate guests with special needs. I would agree that to give a full answer it would help to know if budget is an issue as well as what you plan to do with your time.

If you tell the front desks (ahead of your arrival ideally) that you have mobility issues they will do their very best to make sure you don't have long walks to your rooms, however there is only so much they can do. If you're near the front desk and transportation, you may be a trek to the pool.

If you're planning on spending time at the hotel pool then Y+B club, Saratoga springs, and the Poly all have pools that would be particularly helpful to you.

If you're going to be in the MK most of the time then the monorail resorts are the best bet. Of these the Poly probably offers the best option. If you prefer MGM and Epcot then the Yacht and Beach Club may be a better choice.

 

[SueM in MN]

What everyone says about wheelchair access is spot on. The pool at Saratoga Springs - a DVC resort which you can stay at if a non DVC member if there is availability or you can rent points from a member - was zero entry and there was a little slide that seemed designed for use by wheelchair users.

HTH - there is a wonderful choice of resorts to stay at at WDW

DH and I stayed at Saratoga Springs resort last July. We did not have DD (who uses a wheelchair) with us, but DH and I went into the pool. The zero entry was nice, but the entire pool is only 3 feet deep. That means if DD had been with us, she would not have been able to get out of the water wheelchair to use the pool. In order to "float" her in the pool, I need the water to be at least 4 feet deep. I tried to swim in the pool, but kept hitting my feet on the bottom. Other adults seemed to have the same problem - it was very strange to see adults sitting in the middle of the pool.
There are 2 other zero entry pools that I know of (Contemporary and Grand Floridian). I have no idea how deep they are. I actually had not thought of that "problem" until we stayed at Saratoga Springs.

 

[Miffy2003]

DH and I stayed at Saratoga Springs resort last July. We did not have DD (who uses a wheelchair) with us, but DH and I went into the pool. The zero entry was nice, but the entire pool is only 3 feet deep. That means if DD had been with us, she would not have been able to get out of the water wheelchair to use the pool. In order to "float" her in the pool, I need the water to be at least 4 feet deep. I tried to swim in the pool, but kept hitting my feet on the bottom. Other adults seemed to have the same problem - it was very strange to see adults sitting in the middle of the pool.
There are 2 other zero entry pools that I know of (Contemporary and Grand Floridian). I have no idea how deep they are. I actually had not thought of that "problem" until we stayed at Saratoga Springs.

Hi Sue,

I agree that the entire pool is shallow - what an absolute pain for you if you need it to be at least 4 feet deep for your DD! Totally unacceptable. I am absolutely rubbish at guessing depths but my 8 year old DD who I think is about 116cm was out of her depth in the middle - I think it's more than 3 feet deep?

Cheers

Karen

 

[SueM in MN]

Hi Sue,

I agree that the entire pool is shallow - what an absolute pain for you if you need it to be at least 4 feet deep for your DD! Totally unacceptable. I am absolutely rubbish at guessing depths but my 8 year old DD who I think is about 116cm was out of her depth in the middle - I think it's more than 3 feet deep?

Cheers

Karen

I think it might be a few inches over 3 feet (like maybe 3 feet 6 inches). I do know that I walked out to the deepest spot I could find and sat there with my head out of the water. When we first came into the pool, I saw a group of 3 women right in front of a lifeguard. I assumed they were standing there, but after a while, I noticed they were sitting.

 

[Miffy2003]

LOL Sue, you can probably tell that I am very short!!

 

[SueM in MN]

LOL Sue, you can probably tell that I am very short!!

Well, I'm pretty tall, so the pool seems especially shallow to me.