My Eighty-something year old Mom's FIRST trip to Disney!! What Should We do First?!

[Sorcerer Mom]

Originally Posted by yoyo93

One thing you can do is get the 'First Visit' buttons, from City hall. It's free and a fun little keepsake for her

I'm thinking the CM's would get a kick out of seeing someone my Mom's age having that..so that's a must!

Originally Posted by PinkBudgie

If it was me, I'd take her to Fantasyland first. Peter Pan, SW, Toad, and then over to IASW. Then over to HM and Jungle Cruise. Also POTC while over there to avoid a lot of extra walking. Later on, the DL train and Lincoln. A sit down lunch at Cafe Orleans might be a nice break. The subs are cute and a classic DL attration (even if re-done) if she can go down the stairs in the sub. That is a long slow line though. The Pooh ride is also cute, but rather far back in the park. You could do lunch at the Hungry Bear instead and have a nice relaxing meal by the water, then head over to Pooh.

At DCA, I'd stop by the Animation building, Monsters, and maybe Aladdin if it was running. To me, DL would be the priority though because of its history.

Oh, a picture with a character would be a fun souvenier to take home.

Originally Posted by Susie63

First thing in the morning go to the train station at the main entrance and see if the Lily Belle will be available.That would certainly be extra special and the give you a time to return so no waiting around.

Almost forgot about the train, thank you!! We're always so crazy getting the rides in when we're there with the kids, we miss it most of the time. My Mom would LOVE it

Originally Posted by krispin41

That would be my suggestion as well. And then head into FantasyLand. A Meal at the Blue Bayou would be nice, and of course, don't forget to get her a set of Mickey Ears!! (I like the classic ears, but whatever you choose, I'd get her name embroidered on them as well.)

Mickey Ears for sure and I agree that the classic would be best - those are my favorite too I'll call the hotel and maybe see if I can have them waiting for her at check-in!

Originally Posted by pixiemomof3

Def do the tiki tiki room!

Originally Posted by PineapplePrincessCA

Take the train around the park! When I was a child, we always used to do this first. Such a great way to pick up on the energy of the park!!

These are all wonderful - thank you!!! Anyone have suggestions or thoughts for dinner. I'd like to take her to see WOC - has anyone done the premier dining at Ariel's Grotto or Wine Country Trat. and is it worth it?

[krispin41]

I can speak from experience about the ears being ready for check-in. I had them added to an in-room celebration when my DH and I stayed at the PPH last year. (Pics in my signature.) They are very accommodating. You might want to see if you can have balloons waiting for you! When we checked in, since it was my husband's first visit and our anniversary, they actually had an autographed picture of Mickey and Minnie for us. It was in an envelope that had our buttons attached to.

I had set up the celebration through the Disney Dream Makers, here is the link to it on the Disneyland site: http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disn...onsGiftingPage

I almost forgot, what about a Guided tour? Two of my older friends did the A Walk in Walt's Footstep tour and really enjoyed it. I think it included a lunch and a special pin.

[Sorcerer Mom]

Originally Posted by krispin41

I can speak from experience about the ears being ready for check-in. I had them added to an in-room celebration when my DH and I stayed at the PPH last year. (Pics in my signature.) They are very accommodating. You might want to see if you can have balloons waiting for you! When we checked in, since it was my husband's first visit and our anniversary, they actually had an autographed picture of Mickey and Minnie for us. It was in an envelope that had our buttons attached to.

I had set up the celebration through the Disney Dream Makers, here is the link to it on the Disneyland site: http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disn...onsGiftingPage

I almost forgot, what about a Guided tour? Two of my older friends did the A Walk in Walt's Footstep tour and really enjoyed it. I think it included a lunch and a special pin.

Thanks so much! I will check-out the link for the celebration - great idea!

Was also going to check-out the guided tour...good to hear a great review and will get busy on that today.

I knew I could count on the DIS to help make my Mom's first visit special - thanks everyone! Would still like to hear any reviews on dinner in conjunction with WOC!

[S. S. Columbia]

I would also recommend "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln." It's only about 15 minutes long and it's nicely done. It's also nice to sit down for a few minutes and cool off in the air-conditioning.

This is a small suggestion, but I would recommend taking one of the Main Street vehicles up/down Main Street. It saves some walking, and the CM in the vehicle usually gives a brief introduction to Disneyland. It's extra nice for a first visit.



http://www.wdwinfo.com/disneyland-ca...and-mainst.htm

HTH

[dzny12]

really i would only concentrate on dl. that first stroll down main street will be priceless def get photopass. why WOC not fantasmic? the train first def. imho
tiki room jungle cruise especially with the first timer button. the mark twain is my grandmas favorite, ask to go to the pilot house if she can do some stairs.

[Pixiafurie]

A tour through the castle is very lovely and really will set a magical atmosphere to your trip.

[tinksdreamwishes]

Originally Posted by sonnyjane

... And located on the other side of the continent from Disneyland...

[Sorcerer Mom]

Originally Posted by dzny12

really i would only concentrate on dl. that first stroll down main street will be priceless def get photopass. why WOC not fantasmic? the train first def. imho
tiki room jungle cruise especially with the first timer button. the mark twain is my grandmas favorite, ask to go to the pilot house if she can do some stairs.

Yes! For sure will do the photopass. According to the schedule for the day we'll be there, Fantasmic is not listed as being shown Thanks for the tip about the pilot house on the Mark Twain...will add that to my list - thanks!

[Sorcerer Mom]

Originally Posted by Pixiafurie

A tour through the castle is very lovely and really will set a magical atmosphere to your trip.

Is this a separate tour? Will check it out on the website, but a great idea!

[S. S. Columbia]

Nevermind. This post was O.B.E. -- Overcome By Events.

[SeattleRedBear]

Originally Posted by Sorcerer Mom

Is this a separate tour? Will check it out on the website, but a great idea!

It's the Sleeping Beauty Cast walk-through. The walk-through tells the story of Sleeping Beauty with special effect dioramas through the castle. A number of steps (you go in one side of the castle, up and over the walkway and out the other side). Anyone able bodied can do it (not a lot of steps) but wheelchairs have to be content with doing a virtual walk-through which is close to the exit.

The entrance is just a non-descript open door, just inside the castle courtyard on the snow white/BBB side of the castle. Very charming but scared the crap out of our then 5-year-old grandson (when he pulled on a door knob in the 'prison'...it shook and the guards on the other side starting yelling). The he saw Maleficient's shadow coming after him on the way out and he took off running!

I would highly recommend the Walk in Walt's Footsteps tour. Being an absolutely disney geek, there was very little new information for me, but with a first-time adult visitor, I think it provides a great content that you wouldn't get otherwise.

[soaringirl]

You are lucky that you're mom is very active. We just return with my MIL, just 74, but she has lived a very sedate life and it shown. It was very difficult for her since she does not walk at all, so we took her in a wheelchair and that was just much better. Even so, she stayed at the hotel's room a couple of times since she was so exhausted. I'm not sure she enjoyed the parks very much, we are a very active family and love to walk, so that put a lot of stress sometimes.
The worst part of all is that I'm not sure what she did enjoy since she said that everything was great, but I think she didn't want to let us down.
Anyway, you still might want to think in the WC in case she does gets tired, or if she needs help with the lines, sometimes just standing there may be too tiring.

[Sorcerer Mom]

Originally Posted by SeattleRedBear

It's the Sleeping Beauty Cast walk-through. The walk-through tells the story of Sleeping Beauty with special effect dioramas through the castle. A number of steps (you go in one side of the castle, up and over the walkway and out the other side). Anyone able bodied can do it (not a lot of steps) but wheelchairs have to be content with doing a virtual walk-through which is close to the exit.

The entrance is just a non-descript open door, just inside the castle courtyard on the snow white/BBB side of the castle. Very charming but scared the crap out of our then 5-year-old grandson (when he pulled on a door knob in the 'prison'...it shook and the guards on the other side starting yelling). The he saw Maleficient's shadow coming after him on the way out and he took off running!

I would highly recommend the Walk in Walt's Footsteps tour. Being an absolutely disney geek, there was very little new information for me, but with a first-time adult visitor, I think it provides a great content that you wouldn't get otherwise.

LOL! Awww, I'm chuckling but fell bad for the little guy! I love the wishing well, but don't think I've noticed this before. It has gone on my must-do list! Thanks so much for letting me know

Originally Posted by soaringirl

You are lucky that you're mom is very active. We just return with my MIL, just 74, but she has lived a very sedate life and it shown. It was very difficult for her since she does not walk at all, so we took her in a wheelchair and that was just much better. Even so, she stayed at the hotel's room a couple of times since she was so exhausted. I'm not sure she enjoyed the parks very much, we are a very active family and love to walk, so that put a lot of stress sometimes.
The worst part of all is that I'm not sure what she did enjoy since she said that everything was great, but I think she didn't want to let us down.
Anyway, you still might want to think in the WC in case she does gets tired, or if she needs help with the lines, sometimes just standing there may be too tiring.

My Mom lives in upstate NY and as much as I give her a hard time about mowing 2 acres of lawn on her riding mower, weed-wacking, etc. I guess it has help her keep active in her own way so I'm very thankful for that. I will anticipate she'll get tired but I know she'll be waaayyyy to stubborn to do the wheelchair. We'll have to just plop on a bench for awhile and what the people go by, which is okay since it's just the two of us enjoying the park.

Thanks so much for the feedback and even tho your MIL had trouble getting around, she's lucky to have you and your family to wheel her around the park so she could enjoy the sites and your family...don't doubt that she had a great time That's what great about the parks, I think someone could enjoy it without ever going on a ride

[S. S. Columbia]

I would take some time and see the Disneyland Band.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_EXsVRK9TA

On May 21, the DL Band plays at:

10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m.

http://disneyland.disney.go.com/cale...ent/2012/05/21

The DL Band usually plays at the entrance, in front of the castle, and in town square (by the flagpole).

HTH

[Sorcerer Mom]

Originally Posted by S. S. Columbia

I would take some time and see the Disneyland Band.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_EXsVRK9TA

On May 21, the DL Band plays at:

10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m.

http://disneyland.disney.go.com/cale...ent/2012/05/21

The DL Band usually plays at the entrance, in front of the castle, and in town square (by the flagpole).

HTH

Thanks for this great info. and the times!! I've caught them playing from time to time, but happy to have the specific times so we can plan to enjoy the entire performance. My Mom will love this!