Old DVC Members!

[Candace]

I was there Nov 29th til Dec 6th. This is my first year as a retiree, and I was so excited to be able to go during that week (taught school for 30 years)! Well, my first day there I spent 7 hours at Epcot and the next morning I could hardly get out of bed! My ankles and shins were killing me! I did not go back to a park for several days. Thank goodness, as a member, I do not do the commando thing anymore. (Not that I ever did, really). I am 61, and I don't walk daily as I once did. Maybe I need to start back!

 

[LindaBabe]

I have fibro - Started using an ecv for Disney about 10 years ago, otherwise, I couldn't go. At home, I work out 4 days a week at the gym and pool. I can do my groceries or one floor of the mall. But Disney? There's no way.

Even with an ecv, though, 6 hours is about my limit. Constant vigilance is required because people don't see anthing that isn't on their agenda. Wait times for everything from buses to rides can be longer than when afoot, it's true, especially as more ecv's are in use.

However, without it, my day would be done by the time I walked up from the bus stop.

Also, the generic 650 mg arthritis strenght at Walmart works great!

 

[LindaBabe]

I have fibro - Started using an ecv for Disney about 10 years ago, otherwise, I couldn't go. At home, I work out 4 days a week at the gym and pool. I can do my groceries or one floor of the mall. But Disney? There's no way.

Even with an ecv, though, 6 hours is about my limit. Constant vigilance is required because people don't see anthing that isn't on their agenda. Wait times for everything from buses to rides can be longer than when afoot, it's true, especially as more ecv's are in use.

However, without it, my day would be done by the time I walked up from the bus stop.

Also, the generic 650 mg arthritis strenght at Walmart works great!

 

[sandieb]

You guys are great! I bought some Tylenol for arthitis and feel wonderful. I try not to take pills but will use this when I get too achey.
Thanks!

 

[Poppin]

We will be 60 pretty soon. Tylenol Arthritis is my friend. Ibuprofen is DH's friend. But as others have mentioned, at our age, it is really important to keep your weight down and do both aerobic and strength exercises. I want to be able to hop in and out of roller coasters til I'm 90 !!!! (Now if I could only lose those damn 15 lbs that snuck up on me............)

 

[chainkid]

I don't try to fight it any longer . The last three trips were alot of fun and i lasted much longer than usual because of my scooter. I had two hip replacements this year and still need a double knee replacement so i know what it is like to be limited by pain. I am not overweight and swim daily at home to keep my joints flexible but at 61 , I have to live with that but I only take pain meds as a rare last resort because of stomach issues. I never gave it a second thought once my arthritis started to limit my life. i want to enjoy every minute of my disney trips and the scooter is a blessing for me. I Don't suffer. I will often let my hubby ride the scooter so i can get out and walk and believe me he is more than happy to rest his aching legs. He is too proud to get one for himself so my feeling is let him suffer and suffer he does. I choose to leave the aleve in the medicine chest. I can't walk more than a couple of miles at home without experiencing severe pain and swelling so going to disney where you can walk 5 miles or more per day is a no brainer..get a scooter.

 

[El&Asmom]

I don't know if this will make you feel any better, but I am 36, training for my first Disney marathon and I do triathlons all summer. Even though I'm in good shape, when I'm at Disney my body hurts by the end of the day! There is just something different about walking around and being on your feet all day standing in lines.
I say don't ever sell. My grandma was in great shape until she passed in her mid 90s. I remember walking to town with her when I was a young teen and having to chase her when she was in her late 70s.

I always cherish every minute at Disney no matter what we're doing. Whether it's sitting around the pool, walking the parks, running the paths WL and Fort Wilderness, or even sitting on a bus or monorail. It's my happy place. Enjoy it as long as you can, even if you spend less time running through the parks.

 

[Norm1]

What a great thread. I am 64 and DW is 63. Just came back from DW yesterday. We were with the kids and grandkids and pretty much kept up with them most of the week. On the last day we took off on our own and spent some alone time without the kids. We were very relaxed at a much slower pace. While we walked we talked about everything mentioned here such as scooters, pain relievers, knee replacements, etc. We even wondered when the time comes will the kids take us to DW as we have taken them so many times. We haven't got any firm commitments yet. LOL

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

I'm only 42 and have trouble walking, but I do it !!!

I finally figured out that I have plantars fascitis, over pronate, and have a strange gait from being born with hip dysplasia.

I had my first pain free trip ever in September, and started going to Disney on my honeymoon at age 23.

SEE A PODIATRIST!!

The other thing is that you can still enjoy Disney and be in some pain. Its just a different trip. I'm not afraid to find a bench, use the fast pass system, and plan my days around crowds. The worst thing for me is parades and fireworks. At some point you just decide to sit on the ground. I ruined a pair of white pants sitting on the ground. I've now found a great new use for my used rain ponchos.

Also...there is no shame in getting an ECV.

 

[M5ward]

I'm 65 and my husband is 67 ( we're in the four month period where he is 2 years older than me . Because of multiple health issues, he has had to rely on an ECV for the past couple of years; he could never maneuver the parks without it. I walk on a daily basis at home, and that certainly helps doing the parks at WDW but..the knees are aching...a lot. Ihad the Supartz shots in both knees this past summer, and got pretty good relief in my right knee but the left one still bothers me. For our trip this past fall, I wore a brace on my left knee that really gave good support. We usually start by 10 and spend the whole day in the park sometimes staying for the fireworks. Yes, I ache, especially the first couple of days, and always pack my trusty heating pad. I switch shoes every other day, make sure I stay well hydrated, and always have Aleve and Tylenol with me. As the day goes on, I loosen up but we take breaks to sit on a bench and people- watch ( sometimes enjoying an adult beverage during the break.)
We take a more relaxed approach now which I think our kids appreciate. We bought into DVC in 2006 with the intention of enjoying trips with our children and grandchildren. We were pretty commando the first couple of years, but necessity has slowed us down. Traveling with the ECV makes my husband kind of invisible, so we have to be extra careful not to run into the people who stop short or cross directly in front of the scooter.
We absolutely love our trips to the World and sharing the magic with our five kids and their families. We also love our "alone" trips where there are no must- do's. *

 

[GraceDVC]

We purchased in 1995 and have changed our Disney mode somewhat now that we are 68 and 70. We now visit mostly in warm weather and focus on relaxation and pampering ourselves by getting up later and having a sit-down breakfast around 9:30 or 10 a.m. at our hotel or another hotel. After an enjoyable breakfast, we head back to our hotel and go to the pool area, find an umbrella table if available, and read a newspaper or magazine. We eventually go in the pool to get some light exercise, then relax on a chaise to take in the glorious Florida sun, and then we usually go back in the pool for awhile. By then we look forward to a cool drink and a light snack by the pool. Afterwards, we return to our room, shower and dress for our late afternoon excursion into one of the parks, or Downtown Disney area, where we spend a couple of hours. We then head to our dinner reservation, and later return to our hotel area to walk around the grounds, lake, boardwalk area, etc. until we feel like returning to our room. A little TV time before bedtime and we call it a day -- a well spent, relaxing Disney day!

 

[dmoore22]

I know how you feel. We've really tried to keep this from happening to us.

I'm 61 and my DW is just a little younger, but we try to keep in great shape. We eat right and walk two miles a day. And yes.... I'm a little overweight but working on that..... kind of.

I'm very active and I wouldn't think of letting anyone mow my lawn or clear my driveway of snow.

My best tip for you is keep very active and do as much as your Doctor..... and body..... allow you to do.

Then you will stay in "Disney" shape, as we like to call it.

Good luck and I hope you never decide to sell what gives you so much pleasure.

I had back surgery about ten years ago. The neurologist and physical therapist gave me a ritual of exercises to follow on a daily basis. It makes all the difference in the world. If I skip a day then I'm miserable. Also having the right shoes makes a big difference. It took me awhile to find a pair that allows me to maintain my stamina without pain. Ironically what worked for me was not an expensive hi-tech pair of shoes but the good old stand-by PF Flyers. Plus I pace myself. I'll get a margarita at the Mexico kiosk before walking to Norway. There I'll have a Viking Coffee before heading to China for a mango gingerita. Then the long hike to Germany for a refreshing Spaten Oktoberfest. Then, while my DW is shopping in Italy I'll have something in a plastic champagne glass because, by that time, I really remember very little, other than . . . No Pain!

 

[Greysword]

It is going to be awesome when it comes time to ride a scooter at WDW! Of course if I were able to bring my own, I might modify it a bit, such as adding a cow catcher on the front to "plow the road" per se



Maybe something like this would work

For rope drop?

gotta get those fast passes!!


If you are staying off site...

Sometimes the lines are so long, it is difficult to decide whether to leave for a potty break or just try and hold it... fear not!

I'm a fan of the idea of leaving in the afternoon for a nap and rest in your room. However, why even leave the park at all?

Just slide up to the lake, castle, or where ever and take a quick nap while watching the Disney Channel

Yep, can't wait to use a scooter at WDW!

 

[DisneyFreaks]

I am really enjoying this thread. DH and I are both 63 and now realize we have to do WDW at a whole new pace. We simply cannot keep up with the kids and grandkids anymore. Due to back and knee issues I can no longer walk for such long periods of time. It was so hard to accept the help of that wheelchair and scooter but they sure do make my trips enjoyable again.

 

[dmoore22]

As I reread this thread it occurred to me can we really call ourselves "old" as long as we are younger than Mick Jagger and Keith Richards?

 

[Buzzsgramma]

Have owned DVC since 2000..BWV....i am 65 & DH turned 70 in Sept..our health is good.....we just returned from a wk in WDW at Thanksgiving...there were 13 family members.
We have been taking the kids now 43 and 45 and the grand kids now 22,18,15,16, & 14 since they were very small..
They know the drill so we dont have to lead them everywhere...we start out all together & after lunch DH and I head back to the resort...We all met for dinner at Boma's,Ohana's,Teppan Edo, & Kozzunia's..
We have always let the families have their space...if they want to go to dinner or a park ...fine if not they make their own choice.
I cant tell you how much we have enjoyed our time together over the years..We are happy we have a resort for the family to enjoy...
DH & I usually go down in Jan. for 2 wks. to escape the cold of northern Ill.

 

[Inkmahm]

Ths is a great thread. DH is 52 and I'm 53. We just got back from WDW last night.

I have arthritis in both knees and the doc is talking about knee replacements. My mom has already had both of hers replaced and unfortunately, I've inherited her bad knees.

I can't take any NSAIDS at all although they help the knees when I cheat. I have prescribed Vicodin to help with the pain. I would rather take the NSAIDS, they actually help more.

I have had shots in both knees of Synvisc as well as cortisone shots. I have a compounded jelly of drugs for my knees that include NSAIDS which helped on this recent trip. I think I will keep using it.

On this trip, we didn't do the parks commando style. Only one day was a really long one being at Epcot for about 13 hours. On that day, I used a scooter. Other days, I just walked slowly and took a lot of breaks. It works for us. I'm not sure what we'll do in Spring when we have family with us. I don't think the nieces will want to walk as slowly as Auntie Inkmahm needs to walk. I could get a scooter for each day but I really don't want to if I can make it walking.

As with some of the earlier posts, we also take care of our feet. I use Glide to avoid blisters and army foot powder to absorb sweat. We also rotate shoes. Usually two different pair in a day. DH takes 4 pairs of shoes for a 1 week trip so that he can rotate between days easily. I think the shoe rotation helps the most out of anything we do at WDW.

 

[mouseaider]

I had back surgery about ten years ago. The neurologist and physical therapist gave me a ritual of exercises to follow on a daily basis. It makes all the difference in the world. If I skip a day then I'm miserable. Also having the right shoes makes a big difference. It took me awhile to find a pair that allows me to maintain my stamina without pain. Ironically what worked for me was not an expensive hi-tech pair of shoes but the good old stand-by PF Flyers. Plus I pace myself. I'll get a margarita at the Mexico kiosk before walking to Norway. There I'll have a Viking Coffee before heading to China for a mango gingerita. Then the long hike to Germany for a refreshing Spaten Oktoberfest. Then, while my DW is shopping in Italy I'll have something in a plastic champagne glass because, by that time, I really remember very little, other than . . . No Pain!

We HAVE GOT to meet at WDW sometime.

I think we'd do well touring Epcot.

But you forgot my new favorite.... the Grand Marnier Slushy in France!

 

[sandieb]

As I reread this thread it occurred to me can we really call ourselves "old" as long as we are younger than Mick Jagger and Keith Richards?

Actually, a lot of the time I don't feel like a grown-up. Not that I am into perpetual youth (I could never do the late 1960s again - my brain is fried enough). Anyway, the only part of me that really feels 62 is my right hip and feet. Other than that, and wanting to be in bed at 9pm, I feel good to go!

 

[mecllap]

I bought my DVC points mainly because I'm getting older. Staying comfortably on-site at least for part of the visit (we also still stay off-site for some of our days) will make things easier for me. Don't have to all travel together in the car (or bus) -- we can split up and be on separate schedules as needed. For the last trip, I took along a rollator/walker, which was a big help on days we stayed longer in a park. It helps support me, has a basket to carry stuff in, allows me to sit when needed, occasionally served as a table, etc. It also offers access to some of the "handicap" services, which gave me an introduction to that, and was sometimes helpful (sometimes not -- some things take longer, or you end up seated further away).

And it's pleasant just to hang around the resort, (I'm planning to stay at OKW mostly as my mobility issues get worse, for its larger balconies), fix food in the room, etc.

Love those pics of the mobility devices (really want the one with the built-in potty)!