Advice on taking elderly mom to park.

[SusanMatt]

Hi

We are flying my elderly mother-in-law out to meet us at the park in June. She's 76 and mobile, but her daily life isn't especially active. We have assured her that we will take our time during our 3-4 days and spend plenty of hours just sitting, talking, and enjoying the atmosphere of Disneyland.

However, I'm a bit concerned that she and my husband might be overly optimistic about how well she will do with that much walking and standing in line for attractions. I will be having more of a talk with her about this and offering rental of a scooter or wheelchair, trying to be as gentle as possible so as not to offend her.

Here's my question for you all. I know there is the DAS card for people with documented disabilities. Is there any system or way to get either that card or a way for her to not have to stand in line? We're willing to stand in line then have her meet us at the front.

I apologize if this has been asked a lot before. When I searched I had too many WDW results to sort through, and things might be different at Disneyland.

Thanks,
Susan

 

[iKristin]

Just being elderly isn't why the DAS card was made. They won't give you one for that.

 

[Indiana Scott]

Just a warning, under the very best circumstances she will be walking 4 or more miles a day. We are avg visitors and end up walking 6~6.5 miles per day.

 

[SusanMatt]

I'm not expecting to get a DAS card, just wondering what we could do about line waiting, if anything, and if it's similar.

We're frequent park visitors. We have just never visited with an older parent before. We often average 7-8 miles per day when park hopping, though we won't be doing that when she's with us, of course.

 

[SMD]

I'm not expecting to get a DAS card, just wondering what we could do about line waiting, if anything, and if it's similar.

We're frequent park visitors. We have just never visited with an older parent before. We often average 7-8 miles per day when park hopping, though we won't be doing that when she's with us, of course.

Use fastpass. Rent a rollator, wheelchair or ECV. There is no way to join the line at the front, the loading areas aren't visible from outside most queues.

 

[minnie mum]

Sounds like she has the typical endurance problems that many older guests have. She would not be eligible for a DAS just for that. Nor is there another system in place for her to cut lines. Disney recommends the use of a mobility aid to handle that. If standing and walking will be the main problem than renting one of the devices suggested by SMD would help greatly. Also consider walking distances outside the park. Are you staying at a nearby hotel? Are you driving to the park? A wheelchair or ECV might be of great benefit here as sell

Have some kind of touring plan in mind for each day to minimize backtracking or needlessly crossing the park. Use FPs whenever you can. Try to hit the rides that usually have long lines early in the morning before they build up. Will you take an afternoon break back at your hotel?

 

[SusanMatt]

We're at the BW Park Vue that trip, so are nearby.

I will broach the subject of a scooter and see how she reacts. She prides herself on being still going strong, but she doesn't know what 3-4 days of walking will feel like at her age.

 

[NannyBeBe]

A few years back, we planned a trip to DLR before we found out that my daughter's pregnancy was twins. By the time the trip rolled around, she was 6 months along and very big. We rented a wheelchair for her and used FP's so the time she spent on her feet or walking was not very long. Her biggest issue was that her feet swelled from sitting so much, which was made worse by the warm weather. I would definitely suggest renting a wheelchair for your MIL.

 

[ldarcy]

I'm with everyone 100%! Don't worry -- you & your mom will be just fine. The scooter will give her more independence, so you might consider that, but my mother was a terrible driver! I preferred the wheelchairs because, you know, filling out incident reports on vacation is a real drag. The wheelchair spots for shows aren't usually very good (some are outstanding), but it is better to be farther back & have her with you than not go at all. Just take your time, see lots of shows & parades & fireworks & do the rides when she can. She can walk through the stores when she's up to it. Have a great time!