Definately use the handicapped service
Cathy, I would strongly suggest requesting assistance for your husband. We do that for Greg, have for our last three trips and it's just so much less stress for everybody. The wheelchair attendants know the best ways re elevators and stuff, and you'll be fasttracked through security.
If you have a connection, there should be a wheelchair basically waiting at the gate for your hubby and the biggest trick is keeping up with the attendant - the last guy I had to ask to slow down and I can walk pretty fast. But they know their way around, and it was great. !!!
Bev
I can't emphasize this enough - I use a cane and I have used the handicap wheelchair service at least ten times in the last few years. Especially in Ft Lauderdale. In fact, I do not recall whether it was Ft Lauderdale or Palm Beach airport but the first time when I tried to tough it out without a wheelchair, there were 20 wheelchairs lined up for those in the know. I learned my lesson and ordered one ever since. You can order with your ticket or if you have your tickets, I would call the airline and order one.
This area of Florida is well used to seniors, super seniors, and handicapped persons so take advantage of it. While it is quite far from California, I often thought that this would be a good vacation area for super seniors because South Florida caters to them. And, as for the wheelchair assistance, another perk - you get to go to the front of the security line. Lastly, since they end up doing a lot of transporting, I usually tip $10 but they are always surprised when I do so so I guess most folks don't. They are hard working employees and very nice ones.
Secondly, cut down on your luggage - one rollaway each - no more. After all this is a beach vacation.
Lastly, I would rethink the car issue as long as you can drive. Possibly consider renting one at Santa Barabara. (Also bring your handicap placard if you have one - if not, you should get one as you have a handicapped passenger.)
As to the Santa Barbara it is catty corner to the Wyndham Royal Vista which has the beach access and a tiki bar, pools and other amenities and I believe a hairdresser station. And if you go on the tour at Royal Vista they usually give you $100 or so which you can then spend on the dinner cruise that takes place on the dock adjacent to the Santa Barbara (I believe it is a byob dinner cruise.) You end up going up or down the causeway and see a lot of pretty homes etc.
There are strip malls about three miles to the South with a Publix grocery store. You do not have to go on the freeway if you rent a car for a day or two at Santa Barbara. Just up and down the main highway (A1A1??) as you are just a tiny bit north of Ft Lauderdale. There is a bus that does the same thing but I do not think you should shy away from renting a car - at least at the resort. You will not find it that difficult if you stay around the resort. Now going accross Ft. Lauderdale to the everglades by car and then getting lost on the Tamiami trail is something a more adverturous driver (me) did but I certainly do not recommend it.
Have fun. Funtime