Advice for taking 60 year young Dad in February

[captainj]

The last time my dad was in Disney World was 1994 for my senior trip. When the kids and I were showing him our goodies from our trip in September he brought out the watch he had bought last time he was there. It FINALLY hit me just how long it had been since his last trip. I have booked a trip for just the two of us in February for 7 days.

It is mind boggling to think of all of the things he has never seen or experienced, for example NONE of Animal Kingdom, no soarin', test track, mission space, rock 'n rollercoaster, toy story mania, buzz lightyear, or stitch! I'm sure I am missing more but you get the picture.

Anyway, I took mom to Branson for her b-day last weekend and it hit me for the first time that my parents are not in their 30's anymore. Mom was a little slower than she used to be, had to watch what she ate, and was ready to go to bed at 10 o'clock every night.

I am not planning to tour the park commando style, I want to enjoy what we can and if we miss it, hopefully he will have caught the Disney bug again like he did when we were kids and want to come back with the entire family next time.

My question is, does anyone have any advice? Have you been with your 30-something year old children and wished they had done something differently? Has anyone traveled with their parents and wished they had made sure to do or see anything specifically? I have been to the World several times and I have my must see list, but I just don't want to go into this thing with blinders on. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! I want this to be a truly magical experience for the both of us!

 

[carouselgirl]

My husband and I took my 85 yr old grandfather and 75 yr old grandmother few years ago... we had a great time. We rented a wheelchair for my grandfather and it made the trip easier. There were days when we were tired and wanted to rest and he was still on the go. He loved everything show related....little mermaid, beauty and the beast, etc.,. Animal Kindom was a big hit also, the safari is a must...

 

[Cupcake2008]

My parents are close to 60. The major difference for them now than when we visited when I was a kid is their stamina-- especially in the heat. My Mom especially has a hard time in the heat, standing in lines, waiting for the parades etc..She prefers to stay in the AC most of the time. Fast passes are also really good for them because they don't seem to have as much patience as they used to for standing in lines. When we go to the theme parks, we typically don't plan too much, and sort of take things as they come. That way there's no pressure to see every attraction or stress. We might have a lunch or dinner reservation planned and take things as they come around that.

Now my parents also like to spend a lot of time resting and people watching. I can't ever remember us sitting down at Disney when I was a kid except during mealtimes. Now my parents love people watch in some of the most beautiful places in the parks. If we want to go see a show, or ride an attraction, they are sometimes content to catch up with us later. My mom has a hard time doing a theme park every single day. We like to break it up with a day at downtown Disney, shopping at Millenia, or doing other things. One thing that my parents love is to take a day exploring the resorts. They like to ride the monorail and check out all of the different hotels.

Your parents are probably going to be really shocked at all that has changed at Disney since their last visit. Just take things at whatever pace is good for them and have fun.

 

[chaoscent]

Your thread caught my eye because I am 61 years old and make 2 to 3 trips to WDW each year. In thinking how to respond to your question I asked my self, what did I enjoy about Disney. I realized that 20 years ago, I enjoyed the thrill rides and now I enjoy a slower pace. I rent an ECV due to back problems and that makes life easier. I am up at the crack of dawn, but don't like to close the parks as I don't do crowds well in my ECV. I love Buzz & Toy Story. We always rent a car, as I don't like the buses.

My best advice would be to sit down and ask him what he wants to do. I love Animal Kingdom and can easily spend two days there. My 31 year old niece gives it a day and that's it. I give the Studios a day as I like Toy Story Mania and that's about it, but others spend 2 or 3 days there. So it's a chocolate/vanilla thing. What each person might like. I think that your Dad will most appreciate spending the time with you, chatting over a cup of coffee or a beer and just being together. As I get older, I realize the fragility of life and cherish all the hours I can spend with my family and family of friends.

DH (who is not a Disney guy) & I just had a lovely trip to Disney, just hanging out with each other, laughing at silly things and people watching.

Whatever you do, have fun. Penny

 

[wdwtheplacetobe]

We went in October with 8 friends-----all in their late 50's and early 60's.
I planned the schedule because DH and I are the Disney Experts. I planned a loose itinerary, with a dinner ADR each day. That gives you time off your feet to talk about the day and the next days' activities. They REALLY enjoy the Photo Scavenger Hunts that we wrote. They said it helped them see things they would probably have missed. We didn't spend every second together, after we had toured the Parks and Blizzard Beach...we had some couple time...it was our Anniversary. Even though it was UNseasonable HOT, everyone had a great time! (You will not have this problem in Feb, but be prepared for COLD---last year in Feb, it was.) Go and have a great time, your Dad is probably a lot younger than you think!

*if you want the scavenger hunts...they are at dbeedle.com....click on PICS, click on FNSC at Disney Oct 2009, click on Scavenger Hunts

 

[captainj]

Thanks to everyone who has responded so far. I will always see my dad as Superman, but this trip with my mom last weekend just made me realize that he isn't the same age he was last time we were there together (neither am I for that matter). I appreciate the votes of confidence and the tips.

I have a loosely planned itinerary as far as which park(s) for each day, but I am flexible beyond flexible. I do have ADR's for almost every day and I can't wait to take him to the restaurants that we just looked at and wished for when I was younger (we packed our lunches or ate out of the parks at Shoney's when I was a younger). I even have 2 character meals planned though I'm not sure how my "manly" father will respond to the characters. They are for mid-visit so I am hoping he will have loosened up by then.

More than anything, I want him to relax and have a good time. He still works WAY too hard because that is how he shows his love, is by working and providing. When we went to Disney, it was from mom and dad sitting through time share presentations. Us kids went to the pool or arcade at the resorts while they sat and listened to presentations to earn tickets to Disney. I don't know that I could or would do that for my kids!

Anyway, thanks again to all that have responded!

 

[cjlvsccm]

Hi captainj!

DH & I just took my 83yo DDad for a 1-day stop in Epcot (after the 11/16 shuttle launch!!). It was his first visit, and he loved it! We had a couple really rough years, losing my Mom and sister , with Dad as primary caregiver for each of them through their cancers, and he really needed a get-away.

I'm extremely lucky that Dad is in excellent health and likes to have fun. He usually walks a mile or two on a treadmill every morning, but he didn't need to on this trip... we stayed on the move, but he kept up just fine all day. We got there before Rope Drop and left a bit before Illuminations. Just be aware of your Dad's limitations, if any, and work with them.

We did do things differently than when it's just us... such as not staying out as late... not slacking on regular meal times (must have meds with meals!)... just a bit slower pace... lots of restroom breaks... and making full use of Fast Passes (well, that part's not really different!). Dad didn't mind sitting for a bit while DH ran ahead to get FPs, then we'd proceed to something else and work our way there.

We were still able to cover all the attractions of Future World, and stopped at most countries in the World Showcase. Even got a walk-in at Garden Grill, where he enjoyed the dinner (ordinary food, he said) and met the characters. It was a real hoot to meet (11/18/09 was Mickey's 81st birthday), and introduce my Dad as 2yrs older!

Dad was most interested in watching the monorails and figuring out their operation . And the queue at Test Track was as cool to him as the ride ... so we had to wave people past us as we looked over the displays. And Soarin' was the biggest hit -- he's been wanting to go hang-gliding since the 1970's , so this was a real thrill for him, and we rode it twice . And the construction of it was almost as interesting to him as the ride ! We even rode Mission Space ORANGE (which I was always too chicken to do ).

Parts of Ellen's Energy Adventure, and even American Adventure, were too loud for him... wish I had brought ear plugs!

We all had a good time, and I think we could easily convince him to go again! I know he would really dig Animal Kingdom, and might even ride Everest . Since your Dad has been there, it will probably be easier to figure out his preferences. But just be ready to go with the flow and you both will have a great time!!

 

[lpizzuro123]

Sounds like you will have a great time. All the suggestions have been great so far. My DH and I took my parents a few years ago when they were in their mid 70's.

I think most important for us was:
Not to be at rope drop every morning (expecially if you are going in February - hopefully will not be supper busy)

Plan at least one sit down meal per day. Honestly we always like a late lunch - this way we can take a nice break during the day - we are not so stuffed late in the evening - we can always stop for some great snacks while watching Wishes or IllumiNations or Fantasmic.

Plan on more shows then wild rides.

Eat snacks sitting down. Something we never think of but my DH and I always get things while we are on the run - we eat in the car while driving somewhere, we eat our snacks while waiting on line or walking around the park, etc. My dad like to have his mid morning or afternoon coffee and danish and has to be sitting down at a table (not table service but at least at a counter service with tables).

I am sure you will have a great time.

Linda

 

[Judy in Texas]

People age differently and put different priorities on physical activity as they get older. I'm in my late 50's and visited WDW twice this year. I have a feeling that if I took my 30-something DD and SIL to WDW, I would be the one dragging THEM around the parks. This last trip my traveling partner used a pedometer and the LEAST we walked in a single day was 5 1/2 miles and that was the last day when we had to leave early to get to the airport. The day at EPCOT we walked over 9 miles. We never felt like we had to sit down to rest or to compensate for our age. The only rides I didn't go on were TOT, RRC, and the wet ones.

Rope drop is important to me. We even signed up for the WDW Behind the Scenes Train Tour and had to be to MK at 7:00 AM.

You need to sit down and find out his expectations. Communication will be the key to a successful trip.

Oh yes, I forgot... I am also tend to be in bed between 10 and 11 everynight because I am up at 6:00 AM to get to breakfast before the crowds. Another topic to discuss with your Dad. You'll have a great time.

 

[lpizzuro123]

So agree about different people feeling their age differently.

I definately agree about a back stage tour. We have done the Around the World segway tour in Epcot twice and the Off Road segway tour at FW once. Both were great (I liked the Epcot one better but Epcot is my favorite park and I just loved being their before the park opened. If your day is 60 Years Young and you feel like he could do it I think a back stage tour would be perfect.

Linda

 

[marmar]

DEFINATELY BACK STAGE TOURS!!!! Pick any... though we prefer the AK one & the Segways.

We go every year, so there aren't many new things we MUST go on. In fact we've been 3 times and haven't been on TSM yet. Last year we took our daughter who had not been in 10 years. We focused on the favorites and on the things that were new to her.

The things that have changed as we've gotten older is the slower pace, and that we eat a lot better. We do a Table service meal everyday. And we always go back to the resort for an afternoon break.

 

[jamstew]

People age differently and put different priorities on physical activity as they get older. I'm in my late 50's and visited WDW twice this year. I have a feeling that if I took my 30-something DD and SIL to WDW, I would be the one dragging THEM around the parks.

That would be me, but I'm 64. I did take two of my 30-something kids, their spouses and three grandchildren for a week in May, and we were at rope drop every day but one. We didn't stay out late at night except twice for fireworks. I ride everything except coasters, but I never have so that's nothing new. I'm going in February with a cousin, her 30-something DS & DDIL, and their two children and will be the "commando leader" for them.

I think if your dad is in pretty good shape, it shouldn't be a problem, but if he gets tired, just take a break and people watch for a while.