Help plan my trip!

[gailann]

Strongly considering a trip with my 84 yo mother, who will need an ECV, 5 days max. Would be flying from Pittsburgh and traveling with myself and my husband. She hasn't taken a vacation in 40 years, and won't ride much. If money were no object, please share your best ideas for on-site hotel scenarios, transportation to/from airport, and not-to-miss attractions. She also sleeps in a lift chair, so any advice on that is appreciated.

 

[Ensusieasm]

Strongly considering a trip with my 84 yo mother, who will need an ECV, 5 days max. Would be flying from Pittsburgh and traveling with myself and my husband. She hasn't taken a vacation in 40 years, and won't ride much. If money were no object, please share your best ideas for on-site hotel scenarios, transportation to/from airport, and not-to-miss attractions. She also sleeps in a lift chair, so any advice on that is appreciated.

Orlando Medical Rentals will deliver a lift chair to your Disney Resort. If money is no object, book a club level room at The Grand Floridian. A deluxe club level resort reservation will allow you to book a Minnie Van for transportation to and from the airport.

 

[NYCgrrl]

I’d choose the deluxe hotel that best fits your idea of luxury and convenience.

Personally, of the three Magic Kingdom hotels, my preference would be the Polynesian, it screams Disney fantasy come true. I would not spend extra money on a Club Level room at this hotel; foods not worth it IMO.

Of the Epcot hotels, you’ve three choices. Pick the one with the features you like best . Animal Kingdom Lodge is fantastic for animal lovers. Saratoga Springs is peaceful but probably best for people bringing a car.. there are more resorts so sit back read the brochures and articles, watch the YouTube videos and have some relaxing time doing it.

You also have Mears Connect as an airport to resort transport; comfortable, and reasonably priced.

Have fun out there.

 

[smrice95]

I would choose a hotel close by the park you plan on staying at the most. This will allow you to walk to that resort so "mom" doesn't have to navigate any transportation. Is mom familiar with an ECV? If you use busing, and she isn't familiar with using an ECV, I recommend just letting the driver know and he/she/they will "drive" it on for you. She can walk on the bus with the ECV ramp or stay on the ECV. I agree about not doing club level unless you plan on staying at the resort for the bulk of the time. We do not do the parks much, so we typically stay at Saratoga if my mom is with us since it is so close to DS. She uses an ECV when we are at Disney. If you are doing parks, I would go to other hotels since they are more "Disney Decorated." Since she hasn't been on a vacation, how about asking your mom what she would like with hotels? Enjoy the memories you are about to have with her!

 

[gailann]

Orlando Medical Rentals will deliver a lift chair to your Disney Resort. If money is no object, book a club level room at The Grand Floridian. A deluxe club level resort reservation will allow you to book a Minnie Van for transportation to and from the airport.

Thank you; I didn't know about the Minne Van. Club level has been a consideration due to the convenience of the breakfast and the evening snacks.

Orlando Medical Rentals will deliver a lift chair to your Disney Resort. If money is no object, book a club level room at The Grand Floridian. A deluxe club level resort reservation will allow you to book a Minnie Van for transportation to and from the airport.

 

[gailann]

I’d choose the deluxe hotel that best fits your idea of luxury and convenience.

Personally, of the three Magic Kingdom hotels, my preference would be the Polynesian, it screams Disney fantasy come true. I would not spend extra money on a Club Level room at this hotel; foods not worth it IMO.

Of the Epcot hotels, you’ve three choices. Pick the one with the features you like best . Animal Kingdom Lodge is fantastic for animal lovers. Saratoga Springs is peaceful but probably best for people bringing a car.. there are more resorts so sit back read the brochures and articles, watch the YouTube videos and have some relaxing time doing it.

You also have Mears Connect as an airport to resort transport; comfortable, and reasonably priced.

Have fun out there.

The Polynesian was my first choice, as she has longed to go to Hawaii and that is not in the cards. I think we would spend the most time at Epcot, due to the broader number of "drive by" entertainment, vs rides. Thanks for your response.

 

[Bete]

I think monorail resorts would be the easiest when considering the scooter if you can spend the money. Keep in mind you will be using an elevator with the scooter which can be tricky at the resorts. One of you may have to do the scooter on and off the elevator. Then, the free one should assist mom and perhaps hold on to her in the elevator. Also, getting the scooter in and out of the resort room can be tricky; so, you may have to do it. Please make sure your mother can handle a scooter before the trip. Use the free ones in the stores like Walmart, grocery store and so forth for practice. If possible, try a local zoo for a day with a scooter. At Disney parks it's crowded with kids and people who will not always pay attention to the scooter; so, she needs to have quick reactions if she has to stop suddenly not to hurt anyone. If scootering is too much for her you may need to do a wheelchair instead. Be careful that the scooter always uses ramps where applicable. For example, around the Magic Kingdom castle there are curbs and you don't want to jump the curb with the scooter; this could be dangerous.

Concentrate on the shows in the parks. That should be easier. Scooters take a wheelchair location at the theaters. Rides where you need to step down and up like boats can be challenging. If you attempt this you will need to have someone before your mom to help her in and do the same getting out. Rides usually require you to park the scooter and walk to the ride. You may be able to get her to the ride with the scooter but then one of you will have to park the scooter. Take a break in the park and do a meal; so, your mom can have a rest.

Your mom may need a rest or nap away from the park; so, you may need to break your day up and go back to the resort. Again. going to a local zoo will help you to know your mom's endurance level.

If your mom has medical considerations be careful with certain rides that they will be okay for her. If she needs prescription medicines through the day make sure you have them with you.

Have fun.

 

[KPeterso]

I go with my 86 year old mom regularly (annually to WDW and several times a month to Disneyland). She loves it and you would be surprised how much she still rides. We go at a pace that works for her. Some days it is a little faster than others, but it always just depends. She does use an ECV at WDW (wheelchair at Disneyland that we own) as she cannot do the walking. I would absolutely purchase the multipass and single pass lightening lanes as those lines are shorter and will have less switchbacks to deal with riding the ECV. As someone else mentioned, I would have her practice a bit on the local grocery store or target ones --- if she can drive those, she can drive any kind. We like renting from Gold Mobility and prefer the smaller go-go with 3 wheels for the tighter turning radius.

In terms of resort, I think any of them will work. My mom particularly likes Animal Kingdom or Wilderness Lodge. She does not mind the bus at either and loves the animals at AKL or the boat to MK from WL. But we also like Boardwalk where we can walk (scoot) to 2 of the parks. We are not big on the monorail resorts, but we also are not big MK people either. Wherever you stay, I would put in a request for close to lobby and/or transportation.

 

[jods]

The Polynesian was my first choice, as she has longed to go to Hawaii and that is not in the cards. I think we would spend the most time at Epcot, due to the broader number of "drive by" entertainment, vs rides. Thanks for your response.

The club level rooms at the Poly are very close to the epcot monorails. No need to transfer monorails from there. Just walk to the ttc and get on the epcot monorail from there. Another option is staying at an epcot hotel and you can all walk/use the scooter. We enjoy cl for the convenience of breakfast and coffee. It's nice having another place to relax at during the day too. Enjoy and make some memories!

 

[Selket]

The Polynesian was my first choice, as she has longed to go to Hawaii and that is not in the cards

The Poly is one of the few WDW hotels I haven't stayed at...so with that in mind....every time I go there (cause I love their shop and restaurants) it always seems like the absolute most hectic place on the planet....at least in the lobby/restaurant areas. Last trip we stayed at CSR in the tower (gorgeous by the way) and I was so happy to get back to it and the quiet, laid back, relaxing atmosphere. It's one reason I haven't stayed at the Poly yet.

Do you think she would want to stay in the room a lot while you're out? If so, I suggest looking at resorts with nice balconies and an interesting view. If money allows, with extra bedrooms so she can have her own space for sleeping.

Is she able to step into a bathtub in order to take a shower? Need a higher toilet and grab bars, etc.? You may need a HC room if so. I've had both knees replaced recently and have to get a HC room or carefully choose my resort and rooms that I know will have a walk in shower.