Parents first trip

mindale · Jun 30, 2015

I am taking my parents on their first trip to Disney World in March. Is there anything that they shouldn't miss? I'm still a newbie myself.

Accident · Jun 30, 2015

I know for my parents, they love the different resturants and the things they have found memories of. For them, it's the atmosphere, seeing thigns they saw as kids (and with their kids). Trying things that are very disney or just can't do at home. What about disney interests them and we can probably steer you to specifics.. (and what do you want to do/see/like?)

Best advice I can give, I've seen many a grandparent sitting at the resort saying they were booked crazy and just left the family to get a break and slow down. Don't forget to give them breathing room.

mindale · Jul 1, 2015

My dad loves food, so good restaurants are a must. I was thinking about Ohana and the Brown Derby. Mom, I know, will enjoy the parades and fireworks. I don't believe either of them will want to do any of the rides.
I have been to DW before, but it was with a veteran Disney family that knew all the ropes and every minute was planned out. I was exhausted!

minnie mum · Jul 1, 2015

You didn't state your parents ages, but if that's your mother in your avatar, I'm assuming they're quite elderly. So stamina will likely be an issue. Make sure you give them adequate rest. Dont make them get up at the butt crack of dawn to make RD if theyre used to sleeping in. Perhaps a report break every afternoon. Will they be walking all day in the parks, or will one or both use an ECV to help maintain their strength? Or would they share one, taking turns?

Select your park days with care, to avoid the most crowded parks. I use easywdw.com for their crowd calendar and park recommendations. Then you can select your ADRs based on the park(s) you'll be in each day, to avoid unnecessary travelling time.

You say they won't want to do rides, but I'm sure they would like all of the shows, and possibly some of the rides. My 80 yr old dad still loves most of the rides, but now avoids the coasters, ToT and MS. If they won't be doing a lot of rides, maybe use your FPs for Wishes and parade spots.

mindale · Jul 1, 2015

Thank you! That really has helped. My parents are in their late 50s early 60s (the picture is with my grandmother), but my Mom is not in the best of health. I will definitely add in a lot of rest and a easy pace. The afternoon break is a great idea as well.

I'm really looking forward to spending time with them, and want to make it a vacation they will enjoy.

ToddyLu · Jul 1, 2015

FP+is really your friend here. I know they do not want to "do rides" but everyone can ride Its a Small World, Peter Pan and the Haunted Mansion...all classics. So when we took my parents in May ( Mom 72 and Dad 77) we met around 9-10, went to a park, did FP rides and maybe a couple of shows, then back to resort for rest, then evening meal and maybe back to park for fireworks. It was a great pace. They loved the fact that we could walk right up to the rides. They LOVED Toy Story Mania and we got my Mom on Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. We had a blast and it was just enough. They also enjoy Soarin, the Safari and Festival of the Lion King. It is in a new theater and fabulous. You also do not want to miss Finding Nemo the Musical. These are all Broadway type shows and really fantastic.

Parents loved eating at Sci Fi and remembering the drive ins they used to enjoy. They love Brown Derby, Bluezoo and Jiko. If you do Jiko remember to get the night vision goggles for animal viewing at night and see if you can listen to a story around the firepit. The CMs are amazing and love talking about the animals and Africa. Grab a Lava Smoothie ( non alcohol drink) from the pool bar and tour the resort. My parents love the monorail tour of resorts also. Don't forget to give them permission to do a few things alone. On one of my first trips with them, after two days, I turned to my Mama and said, " OK, you know how the buses work and where we are staying, ya'll go out for a bit while we had back to the room. We will see you both in the morning for breakfast at 0900." She was shocked and a little disappointed but I told her, "look, we are DVC and will be back for years, you know DH and I work hard to come here for vacation and we are going back to the room to rest...it is your vacation too, ENJOY!!" I gave her a hug and walked off...tough love that is what I had to do. :smooth:

ToddyLu · Jul 1, 2015

Another idea is the YeHaa Bob show. It is at PORS, usually Wed-Sat nights from 8:30-11:00 or so. He has a website and you can check his schedule there. Go to your closest park and get the bus to PORS, make reservations at Boatwright's for 7:00 or so, then go down hall for Ye Haa show. When you are ready to leave, just take bus or boat to DTD and go back to resort...or hail a cab...Fun night and his show is free. You just want to get there about 7:45 or so to get a seat. You can also order appetizers and there may be a drink minimum also. Even DH enjoyed it and after about an hour we left.

Accident · Jul 1, 2015

The shows is probably a good focus. There is a lot of "rides" that are more of a show you move around in. They will probably really enjoy animal kingdom since it's a few sit down adventures past live animals. That generation tends to be rather do it yourself also, so pay attention to what epcot has to offer them in future world. It's a lot of educational how they do that things.

MataHari22 · Jul 1, 2015

I go with my friend who is 67, and I am 47. I am the one in poor health though. I have to go at an easier pace. I think there are a lot of rides that they may like to do. My friend gets motion sickness and I have neck issues, so we don't ride the thrill rides, but we did do many rides together. She even did mine train and test track with me, even though they may not be able to do those, don't automatically rule out rides. There are plenty of calmer ones. I don't know if you're involving them in the planning or not, but you (and possibly they) can always look up some videos of the attractions and view them and see what appeals. If it isn't a surprise I would get them in on the planning. Rides like Haunted Mansion, Peter Pan, Pirates, Soarin', Jungle Cruise, The Safari.... And many more are on our not to be missed list.

You may want to look at the seniors touring plans and the adult easy wdw cheat sheets, especially you don't involve them in the planning. These will list a lots of the must see attractions. Since I need to take it slow and have other medical issues, I always schedule at least one table service, if not two, per day. Gets me off my feet for a good break.

l hope you guys have a wonderful time.

minnie mum · Jul 1, 2015

Aw sheesh. I thought they were elderly. Heck, I'm older than they are! If one of them has health concerns, then just avoid the rides with warnings. Here's a link to the list: http://allears.net/tp/rr.htm

Not all of these restrictions will apply, but you'll be able to see which ones aren't suitable for them. If in doubt, look at one of the you tube videos.

mindale · Jul 2, 2015

Love the idea of the You tube videos! I'll show them the rides you suggested and see what they think.
Animal kingdom sounds great as well. I've never been to that Park but I heard that there is a really good BBQ place inside.
Will definitely check out the restaurant ideas too. We love to eat!

ConnecticutNonna · Jul 3, 2015

mindale said:
I am taking my parents on their first trip to Disney World in March. Is there anything that they shouldn't miss? I'm still a newbie myself.

How old ate your parents? Might make a big difference in what they will enjoy!

ConnecticutNonna · Jul 3, 2015

Just realized your parents are quite a bit younger than me and DH! Lol... We still love all the rides, but since we are also Broadway fans we truly love the shows at WDW. They are almost all BW show quality. Also love Disney after dark. The lights and rides are phenomenal! We actually try to find out when dusk is at ybe time of year we're visiting and plan many of our touring plans around after dark rides. For example MKs Tomorrowland's Astro Orbiter is amazing at night... Hope this helps!

ConnecticutNonna · Jul 3, 2015

ToddyLu said:
Another idea is the YeHaa Bob show. It is at PORS, usually Wed-Sat nights from 8:30-11:00 or so. He has a website and you can check his schedule there. Go to your closest park and get the bus to PORS, make reservations at Boatwright's for 7:00 or so, then go down hall for Ye Haa show. When you are ready to leave, just take bus or boat to DTD and go back to resort...or hail a cab...Fun night and his show is free. You just want to get there about 7:45 or so to get a seat. You can also order appetizers and there may be a drink minimum also. Even DH enjoyed it and after about an hour we left.

Another vote for Yehaa Bob! Love that show!

andiraye · Jul 4, 2015

We took my grandmother for the first time when she was in her 80's. I think we did one day in MK and one day in EP. I don't remember much from the trip other than that it was February and surprisingly cold so we had to buy sweatshirts, and my grandmother was in a wheelchair so we called her our "line buster" (this was a long time ago). But what I DO remember is her saying, "This is beautiful" over and over again, especially as we walked through Workd Showcase. She was a pretty tough, jaded person so seeing her become childlike and open up to wonder and other people's joy was a pretty amazing thing.

So for that reason, World Showcase would be high on my list!

PlutoFan10 · Jul 4, 2015

Trip is in March? Don't miss the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival! Absolutely gorgeous flowers in that park including on the banks of the World Showcase Lagoon! Disney character topiaries!

mindale · Jul 4, 2015

The World Showcase and Flower festival sound amazing!

It sounds like we are going to have to plan another trip or two. (But I'll take any excuse to go to Disney!)

fairy oma · Jul 12, 2015

Aren't you sweet for taking your parents to WDW!
We are in our late 50s and early 60s and we loved every minute at MK. We saved Epcot for our last day after all the grandchildren had gone home and that was a mistake...Epcot is huge. This trip we are ditching the kids and their families after breakfast at Tusker Hse on the 3rd day to go to Epcot to ride Soarin', Test Track and lunch at WS. We will go back to the Poly for some downtime and then we are doing an adults only evening at WS with DD, SIL, DS and DIL
Have fun and enjoy yourselves.

MagentaMulan · Jul 15, 2015

My mom is in her late 50's and loves MK. Slow rides like It's a Small World and Journey of the Little Mermaid are her favorites.

Parents first trip

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