A 78 yr. old does Disney....plans?

[Fallon3248]

I would certainly appreciate some help to ensure that I make the best vacation plans for my 78 yr. old mom who is coming with us (me, my husband, my two kids (14 & 10), my brother, his wife, and their two kids (14 & 9).

We are staying at the Poly because it is a monorail resort and easier for my mom.

I have made reservations for a sit down dinner most of the 6 nights that we are there. We are going 19-25 December.

For those of you who have taken a grandparent, an elderly mom or dad, or elderly family friend, what can I expect and what should I do to make it a fun trip for everyone?

 

[everylastbreath]

We went to Disney a few years ago w/my Mom, my kids and my sister w/her kids, no husbands, I don't know what type of health your mom is in, but I would recommend getting her a wheelchair, and if your planning on renting a car, don't forget to bring her handicap parking pass. If possible try and get her to rent one of the motorized scooters, my mom would not, she was afraid to drive it and it was extremely hard to push the wheelchair in the parks (thank goodness we had my son & nephew, who were big teens) I think you are very smart to be going in December, we went in August, it was way too hot for her, which made travel more difficult.

I would suggest that you just take it slow, don't let her overdo it because if she is anything like my mom, she will try to keep up and end up hurting herself. Keep it low key so she will not feel like she is holding you back.

 

[Mickeys_n_me]

Even if your mom is in the best of health I recommend renting a wheelchair or scooter for her.
Take it easy. Don't expect to go comando through the parks. Go for the morning, then take a break in the afternoon so she can nap and cool off, then head back to the parks after Dinner or just intime for your ADRs.
I would also take a break day somewhere inbetween the start and end of your trip. Where you can play the day by ear and see what she is up to doing.

 

[Vovoa]

Fallon - Last November my husband and I took our entire family to Disney from the youngest grandchild (2) to my mother (80). It depends on your mom I suppose - mine is a "young" eighty and was able to keep up with me (57). We went from about 8:30 every morning until our dinner reservations which were always a sit down meal at around 6:30. We also stayed at the Poly and found it very convenient. At the Magic Kingdom and MGM the adults walked and the kids were in strollers (a 2 year old and 2 four year olds). We did rent an ECV for my mom at Epcot and at the Animal Kingdom. She was able to operate it without any problem and it saved her back and legs! We're all going back next month for a repeat performance!

 

[Tink901]

I have taken both of my grandmothers and my great aunt.

My great aunt has a visual impairment so we would get her a wheelchair. Plus she didn't get tired and was comfortable waiting in lines and watching parades. We made matching tshirts and sweatshirts, she loved that we matched. We made sure to take her to character meals (1900 Park Fare & Cape May Cafe) she enjoyed the pictures with the characters and we even made sure they had autograph books to get signed by the characters.

It's a great time to watch them be a young child again and just have fun and act like a child.

During the holiday season - it is fun to visit all of the resorts since the parks do close a bit earlier and to see the various holiday decorations.

A few fun events that time of year is Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom (it requires a separate ticket) its a lot of fun there is snow on main street, the christmas parade and you can get hot chocolate and cookies.

At Epcot they have the candlelight processional which a narrator tells the christmas story - you can book this with a dinner package at Epcot.

At MGM - they have the Osborne Lights - it is incredible to see all the holiday lights.

If you have any questions feel free to PM me. I've been to WDW many years for the holiday season.

Have a wonderful trip!!!!

Brenda

 

[Fallon3248]

Wow! I knew I wasn't the only one who had vacationed with an older person. My mom is in good health. She can walk and she loves to sight see. I am a little concerned about the amount of walking so I think that renting a wheelchair or ECV is the way to go. If she has never driven a chair, is it hard to learn? Maybe she can practice at the local grocery store. Are they similar?

I have booked the CP package and am considering MVMCP for the evening of the 20th of December. However, I have not purchased tickets for the event because I want to make sure the weather is good. My mom does get cold easily especially if it is raining.

What rides, if any, did your mom or grandparents ride?

 

[everylastbreath]

Believe it or not, my mom actually went on Space Mountain , but I wouldn't recommend it for the elderly. I would say they could go on mostly everything expect the wild rides (coasters/TOT etc) I would say any ride that does not have any "warnings".

 

[Mickeys_n_me]

What rides, if any, did your mom or grandparents ride?

My parents are close to 70 and my dad is a thrill ride junky to this day. He has no medical conditions that is a concern for most the rides. So he does them and enjoys them. My mother on the other hand is mostly your "Dumbo" rider.(Although she enjoys motion stimular rides as well - we do the green side of Motion Space)
I would leave it up to her on what rides she is comfortable with, of course explaining what it is like before she goes on so she is aware of what is about to take place. I would also point out the medical alerts to her.

 

[Tink901]

My Aunt did all the rides at Magic Kingdom - except Space Mountain and she didn't go into Swiss Family Treehouse. She loved going on the carousel it reminded her of when she was a little girl.

MGM - She liked the backlot tour, little mermaid, the great movie ride, muppets 3D.

Epcot - Soarin, mexico boat ride, norway ride and she even did Test track.

Animal Kingdom - kilimanjaro safari, conservation station, tough to be a bug, kali river rapids, the lion king show, mickey and minnie character trails.

You might want to consider getting her a planning guide to look at - Passporter is a great one, very descriptive of restaurants, attractions, just about everything at the Walt disney resort. Then she could be prepared before you get there.

Have a great trip!!

 

[ILoveDisney&Cruising]

My 70 year old MIL has more energy than I do ...... but at Disney she ALWAYS gets an electric scooter. She loves it. VERY easy to operate!

 

[Mr. Pig]

I have taken my 82 year old mother (going again in a week) and she gets around fine. We won't do late nights and she will wait when I go on some rides but not many. The kids will want to move around more so you might consider splitting up some times. Just don't forget about her. I have found that elderly people like to do a lot of people watching so give her some rests at park benches where there is a lot of activity while others do a thrill ride then meet up for shows. Don't force a wheelchair issue if she would not want it.

 

[ducklite]

We took my 74 year old mom for a day earlier this year. Frankly it was enough for her. (No ECV or wheelchair, she wanted to walk.) I would just make sure the pace is kept slow and take her cues if she gets tired and wants to go back to the room to rest. Have a great time--it sounds fun!

 

[beccasmom]

My mom just turned 78 and loves all things Disney, especially WDW! In fact, she would like to visit Disneyland to see the differences between the two.

I have noticed that she has slowed down quite a bit over the past couple of years, so I usually stay with her and let the faster members of our group go off on their own. She adores Splash Mountain and Fast Track! But we try not to overdo and plan for lots of rest stops - bathroom breaks, sitting down to watch the "passing parade" of folks, beverage breaks (Dole Whips, ice cream ), etc. At Epcot, we try to use the watercraft to get over to the countries instead of walking the entire way to conserve energy. We make sure to dress for comfort and the weather, which usually means taking a light wrap for her since she is often chilly inside the cooler attractions. She does not like the 360 shows at China and Canada because they make her dizzy; she does enjoy the film in France, which has seating.

My mom actually enjoys the buffets more than the sit-down meals. We try to do a mix of both. She also enjoys the ice cream at McDonald's at DTD!

 

[Fallon3248]

I appreciate the tips on the rides. I did pick up the Unofficial Guide. There is a section there for Seniors. I like the idea of letting the kids go off with the younger adults (my husband, brother and sister-in-law) and allow for me and mom to take it at a slower pace.

My mom lives in Texas and I live in Nevada. I enjoy our time together as we don't get to spend too much time alone. Most holidays are spent with all my brothers, sister-in-laws, and grand kids. My Dad passed away a year ago and now I especially cherish all the time I can spend just chating and laughing together.

 

[sah95]

I too cherish going to WDW w/ my mom If possible, send her a guidebook to read so she can pick specific activities she wants to do and read the ride/restaurant descriptions. Oh, and a character meal would be really fun!