79 y/o at Universal?

[aubriee]

I already had a solo trip planed for WDW/Universal for Sept 1st-8th when my mom threw me for a loop this past Monday. She's decided she wants to join me for my Sept trip. She will turn 79 y/o Sept 9th, so decided to go for her birthday. (Surprisingly I was able to get fairly decent airfare for her.) We'll be staying at WDW, but using Mears to go over to Universal. I had planned on two days, but now am not sure. The problem is she has high blood pressure, very bad arthritic knees, poor balance, and gets motion sickness very easily. She won't do motion simulators, spinning rides, or the big coasters and no way could she get into the logs at Dudley Do Right's. What can she do over there for two days (or even one day)? Another problem is that we'll be renting an ECV from an offsite company (Apple scooters) for WDW, but since we'll be using Mears to get from WDW to Universal what are her options, besides leaving her ECV at WDW and just renting another one at the parks for the days we are at Univeral? Also what would be our cheapest option to get her park to park tickets (I have an AP). I've told her I could just skip Universal this trip as there is not that much for her to do over there, but she says she wants to try, just so she can say she's been.

 

[Maytrix]

It sounds like she really can't do any of the rides. She could do all the shows though.

You may want to re-think your hotel arrangements though, especially if you want to be able to spend the whole day. Might make sense to stay onsite, take Mom back when she's had enough and wants to relax by the pool or something.

Bonus for you is the express you'd get with the onsite room.

As far as tickets, the discount you can get with the AP might be the best option - or a senior rate.

 

[DCTooTall]

Can't really offer any advice on the ECV question. It might be worth contacting MEARS to see if they have any ideas or suggestions on if the ecv can be transported with you guys.

I'm thinking with her, you might want to try a compromise. You were planning on 2 days for both parks, but why not see if she'd be willing to do just a single day at US and then you can go do IOA the next day. I'm thinking that at IOA she really won't be able to do a whole lot, but US there would be enough that she would enjoy it.

Horror Makeup Show, T2:3D, Graveyard Revue... All shows that her mobility and health issues won't really cause much issue.

She may even be able to do Twister since it's a pretty tame show/attraction.

Depending on how susceptible she is to Motion sickness, She may also be able to experience Despicable Me and Shrek, even if she doesn't take advantage of the moving seats.

ET and Disaster may also be tame enough that she could ride them.

At IOA, she'd be limited to just Poseiden's Fury, Sinbad, the Castle Tour, The Discovery Center, and maybe 1 or 2 small rides in Seuss, so I really don't think she'd be able to enjoy her time spent there, or feel it's worth the $$ she paid to enter.

 

[macraven]

contact guest services by email and ask what the discount will be for park tickets for you w/c handicapped mother.

i believe UO will allow a discount since the person will not be able to do any of the rides.

But, check with gs for the official information.

policies do change from time to time.

 

[aubriee]

Might make sense to stay onsite, take Mom back when she's had enough and wants to relax by the pool or something.

Can't really offer any advice on the ECV question. It might be worth contacting MEARS to see if they have any ideas or suggestions on if the ecv can be transported with you guys.

I'm thinking with her, you might want to try a compromise. You were planning on 2 days for both parks, but why not see if she'd be willing to do just a single day at US and then you can go do IOA the next day.

Thanks everyone! I'll check into those discounted tickets, because I know she won't be riding anything over there. She keeps saying she doesn't want me to change my plans, but I can't see her having much fun over there and I really don't mind, since I'll be back over there staying onsite two nights in early Nov during another WDW/Universal trip. She gets her feelings hurt really easily though, so I have to be careful what I say. She never wants to feel like a burden and has a fit if I try to change my plans for her.

There is no way my mom will let me out of her sight down there. As she's gotten older, her memory has gotten really bad, but even before she got older, she is one of those people that has absolutley no sense of direction and for some reason has never been able to read a map. What's perfectly logical and easy to understand for us, makes no sense to her. When I've taken her down there in the past, she won't even try to go to the resort food court alone and sticks to me like glue, terrified she'll get lost. If I park her in a gift shop or on a bench she will wait there for me without moving an inch. I've told her hundreds of times to wander around and I'll find her when I get out, but she's just too terrified of getting lost. She moved in with me about six years ago. We live in a fairly small town. She usually makes me drive everywhere, but if I am not available she will drive to Brookshires, Wal Marts, the post office, the bank, and to church, but that's it. We have an outlet mall less than a mile from my house, but despite me taking her over there multiple times, she refuses to go out there by herself, afraid she won't be able to find her way home. I love her to death, but she clings to me like a leech (which is why I was planning the solo trip). When I go to WDW several times a year (to get a break from her), we have neighbors, friends, and family that keep an eye on her, but she always does fine at home.

 

[macraven]

i just thought of something.

there are limited electric chairs but a lot of manual chairs at UO.

this information will help you plan to reserve the ECV in advance:

The following is a listing of rental options available to all guests who visit the Universal Orlando theme parks.

http://www.universalorlando.com/Resort-Information/Rentals.aspx?Intsrch=electric wheel chair rentals

Stroller & Wheelchair Rentals

Guests can rent strollers, wheelchairs and Electric Convenience Vehicles (ECV) upon entrance to either theme park, to the left side of each park's entrance. Manual wheelchairs are also available at the Rotunda area of the parking structure. Due to limited numbers, please note that ECV Rentals are on a first-come, first-served basis and must be operated by a single person 18 years of age or older.

NOTE: We suggest you place a request in advance for ECV rentals (at least 1 week prior to your arrival). This can be done by contacting Guest Services by calling 407-224-4233.

The rental fees are as follows:
Single Strollers: $14.99 tax inclusive
Single Kiddie Car: $17.99 tax inclusive
Double Strollers: $24.99 tax inclusive
Double Kiddie Car: $27.99 tax inclusive

Stroller Rentals Gallery

Wheelchairs: $12.00 per day + a $50.00 deposit & a signed rental contract
Electronic Convenience Vehicles: $50.00 per day + a $50.00 deposit & a signed rental contract

and for another option:
there are some rental companies that will deliver the chair to you at UO.

i think Apple has the best price for chair rentals.
i see that is the one you are using while at the motherland stay.