Best hotel for a disabled person? About This Page:

[Narnia]

My husband has muscular dystrophy and is getting worse so he uses an electric wheelchair. Which hotel has the best rooms for disabled? I have no idea were we should stay but I think my DH would fell better about the$$ if we stay at a value resort.

[spiceypj]

pop century - has some of the flatness areas at WDW.

so easy on wheelchairs. (especially the type you push)

make sure you request a handicapped room (shower only) for MEDICAL reasons.

[Tim Sullivan]

Any of the value resorts would be a decent choice, as the rooms open up to the outside, so there are no hallways, interior doors or anything else to deal with when motoring along to your room using a set of wheels.

I THINK the moderate resorts are the same way (doors to the outside, no interior hallways) but can't remember exactly. As was said, request a ground floor, accessible room, and make sure you state that you need it for medical reasons, and you should be golden.

Also, if the moderators don't move the thread, there is a specail needs forum on this board that you can post the question to that you'll probably find some more specialist answers as well.

Good luck!

Tim

[WillCAD]

The Moderate resorts also have rooms that open to the exterior - no hallways.

Frankly, I think any WDW resort would be just fine for a diasbled person. All WDW transportation is accessible, all the resorts have accessible rooms, all of the restaurants and food courts have accessible areas... I think you can relax and pick a resort based on price and theming alone, and be confident that whichever one you choose, you and your DH will be accomodated and comfortable in it.

That said, transportation is often the deciding factor in resort choice. The Deluxe resorts tend to have lots of additional transportation options that the Values and Mods don't - the MK Deluxes have both boats to MK and are on the monorail (except WL, which is not on the monorail; but WL is considered by many to be halfway between a Mod and a Deluxe, and not a true Deluxe.) The Epcot Deluxes are all arranged around Crescent Lake, with both paved walkways and convenient boat transportation to Epcot and DHS. The only true Deluxe that is limited to bus transportation only is AKL.

So don't fret; have a look at the price ranges and themes first, and check the accessibility features of your favorite 2 or 3 before making your final decision.

[tikiman]

I would have to agree with WillCAD. There are great accessible rooms at all the resorts. My concern about the value resorts (just having been to Pop Century a few weeks ago) would be getting in the door. The door almost hit the bed as you opened it and I had a tough time getting my rolling bag in past the door and the bed.

Monorail resorts will cost more but having access to the monorail would make traveling to MK and Epcot easier and at the TTC you can even roll onto the ferry to go over.

The Polynesian and I believe the GF and AKL have a PVC wheelchair that guests can use to roll into the zero entry of the pool.

[Teresa]

We've taken our DD with her electric chair (NOT a scooter or ECV) often.
We've never stayed anything but Deluxe, partly due to the fact that we have a large family and need the space.

Here's my take: The EPCOT resorts seem to be better. You're within walking distance of 2 parks, and can take the mono-rail from EPCOT to MK if you want. Otherwise, there are buses to the other 2 parks.
If you do an MK resort keep in mind that the boats on the lagoon are NOT wheel-chair accessible. There is NO way you can get an electric chair or ECV on it. That leaves you with either walking to TTC and taking the paddle boat or taking the mono-rail to MK. The mono-rail to EPCOT is great, and there are buses to the other resorts.

We've had no problems with any of the resorts, and we've stayed at: Poly, GF, Boardwalk, and Beach Club. We also did OKW, but for that I'd recommend a car/van.

[disneygramma]

Don't know much about the values, but we have stayed at the Coronado Springs resort and it would be fine for you and it is a moderate. We also stayed at Port Orleans Riverside in Magnolia Bend "the mansions" and it would also be just fine for you. Personally, if you were at all able to do so, you would find that the deluxe resorts have lots more room space for interior movement. WE stayed at the Contemporary 2 years ago and it was soo roomy and well worth the cost in our opinion. As far as getting to and from the parks-the deluxe are great with the monorails running to both MK and EPCOT and of course the buses have special accomodations for wheelchair users.
Hope this helps and good luck with your decision.
By the by...have you ever thought of renting DVC points and staying at a villa (very roomy!) which is a deluxe at moderate level costs! It would be something to check into.