IGB40 - Happy Birthday! In answer to your cabana question - IMVHO, cabana #6 and #5 on that side of the pool (near the towel hut) are the closest to the rear entrance of the hotel - they also happen to be quite shady too - #5 faces the jacuzzi - it is not on the beach directly, it is situated on concrete, although it is considered to be located on the "beach side". I think it is a good choice. On the "beach club" side (opposite side of the pool) cabana #1 is closest to the bldg. entrance.
Would your mom consider renting an ECV? Those are the electrical carts that people ride on. The reason I say this is because on this trip we just returned from, I had my friend order one because she is just getting over knee surgery and it would have been too much walking for her. They deliver the ECV to the hotel and it sets up in 2 minutes. The seat is an upholstered seat that you find in automobiles - and the speed varies on them from slow (able to ride along those that are walking) to ZIPPY (had to jog to keep up). There were a great many people the parks with them and at the hotel. They fit nicely in the rooms and plug right into the outlet to charge up. The company delivers them to and picks up from the hotel. If I recall, it was actually less expensive than renting it from the park - and those you can only use while in the park - this she can use around the hotel.
The hotel can provide limo service upon request - 24 hrs. in advance-but it is a separate company that they contact and it is expensive as their is a minimum rate of 3 hrs. I would just explain to the concierge and ask how they can assist you and your family in getting over to RPH for dinner - they are always willing to help. If you rent the ECV, then it will not be a problem. If your mom will not be going to the park(s), then I would not rent the ECV and just relax in the cabana for the day and ask concierge about assistance to the RPH or grab a cab.
I hope this helps you and I pray your mom has a speedy recovery and many years of good health to come!
LuvDisney, if I were choosing rooms that were closest to the pool or that rear entrance and I was concerned about walking, I would choose floors 4, 5, or 6 and rooms that start with "0" - for example - we were on floor 7 and our room was 7059. All the rooms that start with the floor number and followed by "0" are closest to the elevators. If you chose a room that was on the ground floor you would still have to walk around either the restaurant or the health club to get to your room/pool - too much walking, IMO. I would rather have the height of the upper floors, with a nice view, and just be a few steps away from the elevator.
As mentioned above, I travelled with someone that had limited mobility, but rented an ECV. She chose not to bring the ECV to the pool everyday and walked - it was not bad at all for her to walk to the elevator from our room (which was just 2 doors down from the elevator), take the elevator to the "pool" floor and out the door.
No separate check-in for Loew's Members.
I hope this helps you all. Have a wonderful time. Any other questions, just ask.
We had one for 2 days our last trip and loved it.
In the mornings, I watched people do the exact same thing, while dressed in pajamas or bathrobes - there were adults, actually in their bathrobes sitting drinking coffee and eating breakfast in the lounge
Not to my liking. I could see kids doing that, but not adults. IMHO.
