Anyone stay at the Ronald McDonald House in Rochester?

@happyccl8, I'm so glad that you were able to get an appointment and to secure a place to stay at the Ronald McDonald house (RMH). I read in your other post that you will be going to Mayo Clinic Rochester, so I expanded the title of the discussion.

I think you and your son will like RMH. They really are special places. You might appreciate this blog about it:
- When a House becomes a Home: The Ronald McDonald House https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/hlhs/newsfeed-post/when-a-house-becomes-a-home-the-ronald-mcdonald-house/

Have you ever been to Rochester before?

No I haven’t been .

I have been at Ronald McDonald house in Oakland, Ca for my oldest son in 90s but he has passed away back in 2018 . It was nice there from what I remember.

But I’m most stressed about whether to fly into Rochester or Minneapolis and transport to and fro and cheapest, I haven’t flown since 1994!!!
Haven’t left state of California since 1999 and I just drove to Utah.

So big trek for me with a kid with special needs by myself

@happyccl8

Welcome to Rochester Mayo.

Flying is different from 1994, (ha ha). Make sure have valid IDs , read up on what can carry on plane and arrive at airport in plenty of time. If in doubt check TSA website.

Does your son have any mobility problems? If so, might be easier to fly into Rochester even though more expensive. RST airport is smaller and easy in and out. Rarely any lines.

Flying into MSP and driving to RST or taking shuttle to Rochester is very simple. There will be more options in airlines and flight times.

Also, starting June 13th, Rochester has "Thursday on First" with live music, food and craft vendors, in downtown Rochester. It is located few blocks from downtown Mayo campus.
https://www.downtownrochestermn.com/events/thursdaysdowntown
Mayo Connect is great place to get questions answered.

Does he need a picture id even though he is a minor? We don’t have any picture id for him. Not even school Id.

He walks slow and fatigues but he can manage. I heard in Rochester - tons of wheelchairs sitting around on the streets so we can grab one if need be and hopefully don’t need to bring our own.

@happyccl8
From TSA website:
Children: TSA does not require children under 18 to provide identification when traveling within the United States. Contact the airline for questions regarding specific ID requirements for travelers under 18.
https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification#:~:text=Children,requirements%20for%20travelers%20under%2018.
I have traveled with my minor nieces, and have never been asked for ID unless traveling out of country.

Also, if traveling to or from large airports, ask airlines for a wheelchair assistants if needed. They can help you get to and from gates. At some airports it can be a long walk.

@happyccl8

When you arrive at entrance of Mayo, there are employees to assist you with wheel chairs that you can use. There are not random wheel chairs around downtown on streets. But if at Mayo and using a wheelchair you can take outside and use in the downtown area.

Another good resource at Mayo is Mayo's Concierge. Advice is free and can assist with travel arrangements for a fee.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/patient-visitor-guide/minnesota/concierge-services
Keep asking any questions you have, glad to help.