Hi Jan,
The International Gateway entrance at
Epcot is something of a hidden gem. It's seldom busy (except maybe on Epcot International Food & Wine Festival weekends) and leads you directly into the heart of the World Showcase between the United Kingdom and France.
The
Beach Club resort is the closest to the International Gateway entrance. I spent several days at the Beach Club earlier this month, and though our room was at the
Yacht Club end of the Beach Club resort, the walk to Epcot still was only about 5 to 7 minutes. Boardwalk and the Yacht Club also are convenient, though a few steps farther, depending on where your room is located.
One option to save steps (but not time) from
Boardwalk or Yacht Club is to take the water launch from the Boardwalk dock or the Yacht Club/Beach Club dock to the International Gateway. Usually, the boats coming from Hollywood Studios stop at the Swan/Dolphin, then Yacht Club/Beach Club, then Boardwalk enroute to Epcot. If you are in the Beach Club, you probably will be just as close to Epcot as to the boat dock.
No matter which hotel you choose, I would suggest that you note on your reservation that you would like to be near an elevator or on the ground floor because you have a guest in a wheelchair.
Thanks, Jan, for stopping by the Disney Parks Moms Panel with your question. Please let us know if we can do anything else to help as you make your plans.
Enjoy,
Wilma