Frances,
Thanks for stopping by for another question. I always enjoy repeat guest questions.
The beauty of staying on property at one of Walt Disney World's amazing resorts is the convenience and availability of the transportation system. Whether it be by monorail, bus or boat, you will have access to the parks as well as Downtown Disney, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, or the water parks.
My favorite moderate resort is
Port Orleans Riverside. The serenity of this one will transport you to the deep south and its antebellum homes or the rustic homes from near the bayou. It is a fairly spread out resort, but there are several bus stops at this resort rather than having to walk through the entire resort to get to a main bus stop. There is also a boat landing where you can catch transportation to Downtown Disney. When making your reservations, you can note that you would like to request a building near a bus stop for your convenience since you stated that you have arthritis. Please note that these requests cannot be guaranteed and are based on availability.
For your convenience, I have also linked to some information on wheelchair or
ECV (Electric Conveyance Vehicles) rentals as that might be something that would make your trip more accessible and enjoyable since there is a lot of walking involved in the parks themselves.
I hope you will come back by and ask me more questions as your trip planning begins to take shape. I would love to help you with any dining or activity questions you might have!
~Allison L