Which moderate resort has the best transporation options?

[ForAandA]

Hello, everyone! Looking for some advice on moderate resorts, and my disabled DH. We are probably (hopefully!) going in November to WDW. I have been receiving quotes, and a moderate resort is our best option financially.

My question is: How are the moderate resorts transportation wise for a person using an ECV? DH has also mentioned that he might go as far as try not to use it for a short time. That would be great, but I am not counting on it.

Some quick background: DH has an ECV which does not break down. The wheels are larger, and he will be renting the same type while at Disney. Last time, we stayed at the Wilderness Lodge. We really had no problems with the busses, just the older busses were a tight squeeze (due to the wheels).

Are any of the moderate resorts on the monorail, or close to it walking distance? The monorail was great for transportation. Also, are any of the moderates not handicapped friendly?

Thank you all so much, in advance!

 

[kaytieeldr]

No Moderate resorts on, near, or within walking distance of the monorail. If it's any consolation, this is true of most of the Deluxe resorts as well.

All Disney resorts are clean, all are handicap-accessible - some more than others. Caribbean Beach and Port Orleans were built before the ADA, so two-story buildings don't have elevators... but three-story buildings do.

Coronado Springs was built after the ADA, so is fully compliant - yes, even the two-story sections. Even with that, I'd recommend Port Orleans. While most of its transportation so-called 'options' are limited to one - the bus - you also have the benefit of boats to Downtown Disney and between the two sections of Port Orleans.

 

[ForAandA]

Thank you for the reply. I wish that we could just rent a car, and be done with it. The darn ECV is an issue. It's the only one he will actually use, and it doesn't break down. Otherwise, we would rent a car.

At the WL, the boat wa such a great option. I was looking at pics of CR. Guess they don't have boats, either?

 

[kaytieeldr]

Correct, they don't - at least, not boats that go anywhere . CSR and CBR only have a variety of watercraft that can be rented to use on their respective 'lakes'... which don't go anywhere.

 

[peemagg]

You might want to check out Port Orleans French Quarter. Even though they share a bus with Port Orleans Riverside, they are the first ones on the bus and the first ones off. You also have boat access to DTD at this resort. It is also a nice small, quiet resort.

 

[blondietink]

Best moderate resort for bus transportation is Coronado Springs, I believe.

 

[ForAandA]

Best moderate resort for bus transportation is Coronado Springs, I believe.

Thanks for the reply. Mind if I ask why the Coronado?

You might want to check out Port Orleans French Quarter. Even though they share a bus with Port Orleans Riverside, they are the first ones on the bus and the first ones off. You also have boat access to DTD at this resort. It is also a nice small, quiet resort.

I was reading this last night. First ones on the busses, and first ones off. That could have serious advantages!

Anyone have experience with the transporation at Carribean Beach? The pics look so cool!

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

IMHO there is no one 'better than others' resort when it comes to transportation. Same goes for transportation when using a mobility device when comparing the same types of transport (bus versus bus, etc) and the same type of resort (value versus value, etc.)

It depends too much on personal likes, wants, desires and needs. If DH wants to try to walk some around the resort, for instance, it could be a smart choice to go with a smaller resort like POFQ or a preferred room at CBR (all preferred are close to Old Port Royal). If DH will end up doing the resort per ECV anyway, size doesn't really matter anymore for him when getting around. You'll be the one doing the walking -so it could matter for you - he'll simply just have to push the handlebar and on his way he goes.

Theming likes and dislikes play an important role. I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of folks wont be real happy campers when staying at a resort that has a theme they hate, even if transportation experiences are good.

I have a serious softspot for CBR. The theming is one I love ( just hearing that stealdrum music at OPR or in the busses getting back from the park makes me want to do a happy dance). Combine that with some great stays and amazing CM's we've run into during our stays there and you get a softspot.

Many, many folks do not like CBR. In many disney orientated books, on many such websites and even in many topics on this board, it is recommanded NOT to stay at CBR with a mobility disability. Why is beyond me. Sure, it's a large resort but that also makes it very quiet, great grounds for walking etc. Distance only makes sense when talking about such mobility disabilities that can allow folks to walk small distances at the resorts and even then CBR still is an option. Simply book the preferred rooms. The avarage distance for those will be the same or less than rooms at other mods.

My bestkept secret about CBR with a mobility issue though is the fact that so many people seem so avidly against CBR because of it's size. It seriously scares folks off. Think about it; even on this board everybody always tell posters to go to POR, POFQ or CSR because they are smaller, let alone when talking resortchoice with a mobility device. Result; folks with a mobility device seem to stay away from CBR more than from other resort -> less folks with mobility aids -> less folks that all need to use the wheelchair spots on the bus.


Unless DH stands a chance of doing some walking at the resort, I honestly would make transportation not issue one when picking your mod resort. They're all so little different, it isn't worth putting this issue on the top of the list. I'ld put more importance on the likes of your family. Even if DH would do some walking at the resorts, I wouldn't make that overly important but just as important as preference for theming etc. Seeing there are multiple options even for that (PO, preffered at CBR), you can easily pick a theming that your family likes and still optain the option for DH to walk. That all is of course considering availability.

 

[blondietink]

Coronado is a convention resort and therefore not many people go to the parks. When we stayed there, even though the resort is huge, every time we rode the bus there were maybe 10 people on it, tops! Also never had to wait long at the parks for a CS bus to take us back to the resort. We have stayed at CS, POP, BC, BW, POR and AKL, and by far CS had the best service.

 

[clanmcculloch]

From a bus perspective, I'd have to say POFQ for the reason given by peemagg. POFQ is always the first stop even when is shares with POR. This means that the bus will be empty when you get loaded so nobody has to move to get out of the way and there's no trying to jockey around into position with people already on the bus. When we were at POFQ in December I felt so bad for people on ECVs at POR who were trying to get on the bus. A few times they ended up being told they needed to wait for the next bus. If you choose CSR or CBR I'd find out which stop is first and request a room near that stop.

 

[Debbie Jean]

From a bus perspective, I'd have to say POFQ for the reason given by peemagg. POFQ is always the first stop even when is shares with POR. This means that the bus will be empty when you get loaded so nobody has to move to get out of the way and there's no trying to jockey around into position with people already on the bus. When we were at POFQ in December I felt so bad for people on ECVs at POR who were trying to get on the bus. A few times they ended up being told they needed to wait for the next bus. If you choose CSR or CBR I'd find out which stop is first and request a room near that stop.

I've stayed at both POFQ and CSR with a scooter and totally agree that with an ECV POFQ is the way to go.

CSR may be a convention hotel, but the buses can get fairly crowded and with several stops, if you don't get on first, loading the ECV can be very challenging. The 2 handicapped slots may already be filled... and yes, I've had to wait for another bus several times... or people may have to move and jockey to let you in with the scooter.

POFQ has only the one bus stop so no problems disturbing people when you load and the boat ride to DTD is really quite lovely... and ECV friendly.

 

[Mickeypal1]

We are staying at POFQ with my mother-in-law who is renting a scooter. Can someone tell me if we can use the boats to go over to DTD with her scooter? Thanks.

 

[Debbie Jean]

We are staying at POFQ with my mother-in-law who is renting a scooter. Can someone tell me if we can use the boats to go over to DTD with her scooter? Thanks.

Yes. The captain will put a ramp down for her similar to the ones used on the monorail.

 

[Mickeypal1]

That is awesome. Thank you so much for your reply!