which SSR location .... wheelchair???

[Crazy4mandms]

I am traveling to WDW with a friend who uses a cane/crutches/wheelchair. She uses her crutches most average days here but will need a wheelchair while touring WDW. She won't need a wheelchair accessible room really, not necessary to have wheelchair accessible bathroom, etc...but I am looking for a location that will make it easier for her to navigate around the grounds to the pool/food court area. I know ground floor, but what section of SSR would be best for her? SSR wasn't my first choice, but after seeing the chair lift for the hot tub and the zero entry pool I think we found a great spot to fit her needs!! Any other advice???

 

[Zoom]

We stayed at SSR for the first time 3 weeks ago and loved it! We were at the Springs building/section which is 5 min walk to the main pool and Artist Palette.

 

[daisyduck123]

We just got back Sunday from 8 nights at SSR.

We were in the Springs section & I think our building was the closest of all buildings to the main pool. We were in room 4236. This building is directly across the street from the pool area.
My DH was using an ECV each day & it was only a 3 minute ride over to Artist Palette.

 

[BroganMc]

Springs and Grandstand are your best bets. The only issues concerning her needs relate to whether she's using a manual or power chair. If it's a manual that can be folded up and she prefers to walk some on her crutches, I'd ask for Springs. The reason is that things are mostly level to the pool with only one side having a sloped walkway to Artist Palette. It's all a gentle incline but can be a bit of an issue with some manual wheelchair users.

Springs is also the last stop on the bus route. If your friend has a power chair (or one that can't be folded), she may run into the issue of the bus being full. (Each bus has two wheelchair/scooter spots.)

In a powerchair situation, I'd recommend the Grandstand section. It is the first on the bus route so always empty. There's also an easy walkway to the Carriage House which I found shorter than my Springs unit last December, although it does involve an incline as well. If she can manage to get in the pool with a few steps, the Grandstand buildings are also much closer to the pool.

I used the main pool the most this last trip and stayed in the Grandstand building nearest the bus stop. It was wonderful. The pool's zero entry eliminated all my mobility issues (I have severe arthritis). There's also the pool lift chair (ask the lifeguards to bring it out for you) and a pool wheelchair to wheel right into the pool. I didn't use the lift for the hot tub. I'm not even aware it works there. Wish I'd thought to ask now. I love a nice hot soak. In any case, the pool's accessibility was so great that I found myself passing up park days just to go swimming. (Who needs to watch Illuminations for the 15th time when you can spend your last hours floating along?)

Don't fret about the layout of SSR. There are tons of scenic walkways, benches and ways or getting around. We loved our strolls around the resort so much we'd just get the bus driver to drop us off somewhere else and wander back to our room. It only feels big when you are in a hurry or it is during the hot midday sun. 1-4pm. That's when you just want to grab your suit and hit the pool.

 

[Crazy4mandms]

Thanks so much!!! We rented DVC points so I will ask the owner to request either of these because of mobility issues. She will be using a lightweight wheelchair, not an ECV. I think she can use her crutches most times getting around the resort or her cane, but won't if we are too far away from everything....can I ask, if she has a folding, lightweight wheelchair can we enter just fold up the chair and enter the bus as usual, like those with a stroller?

I am so looking forward to the SSR now that I know that there are lots of ways to make her stay more enjoyable (she's a first timer too!!!). And I think we will also pass on a 3rd park day and just hang out at the resort for the day!