Advice: WDW with Inlaws.

[disney junky]

We leave in about a week for 5 days at BWV with the inlaws. They are 69, FIL had open heart surgery in Sept and hasn't bounced back as well as expected. However, he's a very proud man, so I suspect we won't get him in a wheel chair. MIL is overly protective, so there will be constant banter about what he should and shouldn't do. This trip was planned well before that and we didn't want to change it. They aren't by any means feeble, but they have had to slow down considerably since the surgery.

They've only been to MK back in 1979 and remember little if anything about it.

Generally, I am the commando sort, however with DVC, not as bad as I used to be. I am really really really trying to think of things that won't be too tiring, stressful, hot or remotely dangerous for the elderly, and I am well prepared mentally and emotionally to take it easy or just leave them in the rooms when they are tired.

If anyone has any tips about how to really make this a memorable and enjoyable experience without having them feel they are missing out, I'd appreciate it. Please post, I'll be reading your responses.

Thanks.

 

[WickedWench]

When my Dad (73) and I went to Disneyland, I found that he didn't enjoy the rides as much as he did when I was a kid. He had trouble getting into and out of some of the fantasyland cars (but he's also over 6 ft tall, which may have contributed). He really enjoyed any type of show or theatre experience, such as Honey I shrunk the Audience, and It's tough to be a bug. He even told me he liked Universal more than Disney. *GASP* Anyway, I'd definately make time for all 'show' type attractions.

He also turned in very early. We usually quit before dinner, and and he'd go back to the hotel and rest for the next day. A few nights I went out shopping while he rested.

 

[mjmcca]

I think with the situation you descibed afternoon naps are a must. Do you think you could talk him into a scooter?

 

[Baloo]

I did several trips with my Mom who was in her 70s.Trips with her were done at a much slower pace which was okay with us because we go to WDW several times a year like you do.She had some troubles walking so she did get an ECV.

You will have to hold back on your commando style but you'll still have a wonderful trip!! Try not to rush and keep in mind you WILL be back so don't stress you're missing something! Since they haven't been in almost 30 years everything is going to be new and wonderful to them...well let's hope they feel that way!

Mom was okay about waiting for us when we rode some of the things she wanted nothing to do with like ALL the thrill rides! RnR ToT,Star Tours,SPL,SPace or BTMRR. Sometimes we'd get her a cold drink or a snack and she usually found someone to talk to while we were riding.

Don't let yourself feel guilty if you do leave them in the rooms.They will probably be happy to have a break!

Okay let me think of things she did and liked.

Epcot was her favorite park.All the rides in there are pretty tame.She even did Test Track. I'll never forget her giggling ans squeeling like a kid during Honey I Shrunk the Audience!

In WS there are several movies to see,but the one in Canada you remain standing.

There's are many great places along the way in WS to stop,have something cold to drink and rest.

Do you know what kind of food they like? Plan a few special dinners.All the older people I know LOVE to eat!!! Maybe you could tell them what sorts of restaurants there are and they could pick a couple? Here's a link to WDW menus: http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/disneydining.cfm


If it's really hot you might want to do the parks in the morning ,have a rest in your room or pool during the hottest part of the afternoon and return in the evening when it's a little cooler.

MGM

She liked all the shows and the Great Movie ride...oh how about eating at the Prime Time Cafe? I bet they'd like that place!


MK
The different rides that have boats to climb in and out of were sometimes a challenge but between me ,the other people traveling with us and a kind CM she'd get in and out okay. The Jungle Cruise is the steepest one.


We never did the AK with Mom so I can't help you with that one.


I know you're stressing a bit because you want them to have such a good time and love the place you love. Relax and try to take it easy.That is a HUGE part of having a great vacation!!!
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[Minky]

If at all possible, try to get at the parks at opening, it is SOOOO much less stressful and waits are so much shorter, this will be good for your FIL. Take things slowly and use that as an oppurtunity to soak up all the little details everywhere. Plan a 2 hour break into your day so everyone can relax and cool off for a while. The previous poster mentioned a scooter, what if you rented the scooter for "yourself" one day for "tired feet" and offer it to him for a little while or see if he doesnt want to try it on his own. Just a thought

 

[deekaypee]

I wish I had advice to give on this one, but I'm posting so that I can see what comes up. I've got a MIL and FIL that I'm trying to convince to go to WDW to see their son run the WDW marathon (and see the sights) and I'd like to have a game plan ready!

 

[Quinn222]

I travel with my elderly mom a lot. She's in good health but she is 80 so we do have to take that into account. She loves MK the best. Needless to say we don't do thrill rides. I'd probably avoid AK. She really found the rough pavement and heat there tough. We get up early and get to the parks at opening and usually leave by one. Two at the latest. We either eat lunch at the park or at our hotel. We rest in the afternoons. It's time in the room or at the pool. Then we enjoy a nice sit down dinner (usually at a resort but sometimes in a park.) After dinner if we do anything it's something relaxed and easy. Such as a train ride around MK, or just sit and talk at Epcot while we wait for Illuminations.

It's really wonderful and I just treasure memories of my mother's enchanted face on It's a Small World. She also really liked Jungle Cruise and Peter Pan and Mickey's Philarmagic. At Epcot she like Living with the Land and Mexico (she likes the boat rides!) and Maelstrom (but not the backwards part.) She was terrified on Soarin'. AK was kind of a washout though she enjoyed the Safari and Flights of Wonder. Next time we're going to to the Studios, she hasn't been there yet. She's looking forward to the Great Movie Ride and the Muppets.

I'd also like to add that she recently told me that she starts looking forward to our next trip the day she comes back from the previous one. It's not just for kids

 

[xbatman]

You don't mention if you have children or how many. We're going next year with my dad and stepmother. My dad's a "young" 67 year old who golfs every day weather permitting and my stepmother's only 55. They're very capable of doing and riding everything, but they're main purpose in going is to enjoy it with our DD4. If you have any children, that will probably be a main highlight, if not THE main highlight for your in-laws too. Besides not tiring them out too much and dining at places they'd like, I wouldn't worry about a lot of the other stuff.

 

[fantasia4]

Hi, We just got back from 9 day trip to Disney with the inlaws. We found letting them head back to the hotel when they had enough worked well There was one day where my father-in-law just wanted to stay back at the hotel and although it was stressing me out that he would be missing some of the fun, I went with the flow. We also found walkie talkies worked well. If they wanted to rest under a tree we could tell them where we were. All in all it went well.

I am a lets move lets get to the park....They are more slow starters. I just had to adjust....

 

[jennyl772003]

I have traveled quite a bit with the In-laws. What works for us is NOT doing everything together.

Last year for our 10 day trip, we had seperate rooms. We spent a bit of time together in the morning and told them our plans. Then we did our thing.

We planned dinner together every night and a couple of days of touring together. They took DS a few times for their touring.

We have found this "seperate but together" touring works really well for us. We are more go go go, and they are more slow. If we did everything together, IL's would be exhausted and we would be annoyed at how little we did.

 

[Callalily6]

We had a similar event with my Mom after surgerry a few years ago. There are perks with the wheelchair (freaky short lines) that will help him feel like a big help rather than a burden. The other thing is that most parks arent totally flat. My Dad had trouble pushing my Mom around - espically up the long slopes. I would opt for a scooter rental. Then he can feel more independant too.

The other thing I found out at old people vacation capital of the world (Branson, MO) is that many, many people that should NOT be walking around in the heat push themselves too far. The guy next door to us had a heart attack and died the 1st night we arrived. The medics said that is normal around vacation time - folks over exert themselves in the heat and it catches up with them later that night. So, be careful!

 

[disney junky]

You don't mention if you have children or how many. We're going next year with my dad and stepmother. My dad's a "young" 67 year old who golfs every day weather permitting and my stepmother's only 55. They're very capable of doing and riding everything, but they're main purpose in going is to enjoy it with our DD4. If you have any children, that will probably be a main highlight, if not THE main highlight for your in-laws too. Besides not tiring them out too much and dining at places they'd like, I wouldn't worry about a lot of the other stuff.

The kids aren't an issue...22 and 20 and the 20 is a cm at tower. thus the reason for the trip in the first place; to see where their granddaughter is working as part of the college program. i don't see them riding the ride but i would like them to go through it and then take the chicken door. if my son is along (recent college grad and looking for work) he'll be a great help because he gets along well with his grandparents.

i'm determining not to stress. i just want them to have a really enjoyable trip. they aren't travellers at all; all their trips are short, local and usually to visit family. mil has never even flown, so this is a big deal.

i appreciate all your suggestions and encouragement.

 

[disneymomto5]

We have gone to WDW several times with my parents who are in their early 60's and while we have a good time, there were many times when they went back to their rooms after lunch when it was blazing hot. Although the first few times I was upset about it, the reality is they preferred doing that to roasting and my Mom is not into Disney much anyway. Just relax and let them tell you when they've had enough.

 

[sbsteel]

We had a Grand Villa at OKW with me, DBF, his Mom, his dad, his youngest brother, and the two grandmas. Having the space of the grand villa combined with being on a DVC property (tend to be quieter IMO) was a blessing. The grandmas bought day passes when they wanted to go to the parks - the ended up spending one day at each park. We got wheelchairs for each of them from OKW so they were at our disposal all week.

The grandma's loved Hoopdee Doo Review and it didn't require park admission but still gave them a feeling of being in Disney. Amongst their favorites, they liked the Great Movie Ride, Fantasmic, Who Wants to be A Millionaire, Wishes, Illumiations, the train at MK, Spaceship Earth, Haunted Mansion, and touring the World Showcase the most. They also enjoyed the Biergarten when the show was playing - we just filled their plates for them. They really enjoyed just taking in the atmosphere and looking around and often insisted that we ride TOT or some other ride so they could people watch.

Don't get me wrong, it was not always "magical" (I still have nightmares of the constant bickering and the war of the thermostat) but I have many fond memories.

We would feel guilty initially when we went to the parks without them, but they truly enjoyed staying around the villa and taking little walks around OKW. They had their books and cross word puzzles and just enjoyed being somewhere other than home.

 

[disney junky]

We do have a 2BR at BWV so the space is going to be nice.

 

[ainmama2001]

Did WDW for nine days with my parents (both in their 70's) my MIL (63) my GMIL (83) my BIL and SIL and my husband and dd (3). We got a two bedroom villa. Grandma spent more time at the villa then with us at the parks, but it was nice for the older folks and my dd who needed a nap. Keep your plans flexible and you'll be fine and plan a little time a DTD. The older folks like the marketplace!

 

[3boyzmom]

We've visited with our parents several times at WDW. We have also found that the parents like to do their own thing in the evenings. We also like to plan a few special events we can all enjoy together ... a fireworks cruise, breakfast at CRT. BTW, both parents disliked AK.

Good Luck!

 

[Rafikifan]

Well, you've been given a lot of great advice from lots of posters so I'm not sure what I can add. My family and my best friend's family went to WDW in June. One day we sent the rest off to the water parks and could do whatever we wanted to do. We rode a couple of rides but mainly had the best time just relaxing and people watching. As previously mentioned, Epcot is great for that. Don't assume if your in laws are sitting that they aren't enjoying themselves. And most of all, do not feel guilty that you may do things without them. They want you to have fun too.

 

[SueM in MN]

We had a similar event with my Mom after surgerry a few years ago. There are perks with the wheelchair (freaky short lines) that will help him feel like a big help rather than a burden.

That might have been the case when you went, but most of the lines at WDW are now what is called Mainstream Access, which means the lines are wheelchair/ECV (scooter) accessible and people using those wait in the regular line with everyone else. For the few attractions that were not able to be built or renovated with Mainstream Lines, there are alternate entrances, but in some cases, the wait will actually be longer (one example is the Safari at AK, where the regular line may be loading as fast as they can possibly walk in, while people using wheelchairs or ECVs have to wait for a tram).

If you want more information about touring with a wheelchair or ECV, please follow the link in my signature to the disABILITIES Board. There is a a disABILITIES FAQs thread near the top of the board that should be helpful.

 

[disney junky]

For those of you who were kind enough to offer advice, I posted this on the TR board. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1181884