Anyone take a stubborn senior to WDW?

[poohfriend77]

This falls under the category of "worrying before I need to," but I could use some Dis support and suggestions.

We're going to WDW the week after Thanksgiving. My brother and his girlfriend are joining us. We're thinking of taking my mom for part of the time, too, as an early Christmas present. We have an ASMu fam suite, so we have room for an extra adult.

The (potential) problem is that, although my mom is only 58, she is overweight, out of shape, and has knee problems. But she NEVER complains. I know she'd slow us down (No flames, please... I know the bigger picture is that Grandma gets to join my kids on a wonderful vacation. The rest we can deal with!) I'm worried that she won't tell us when she's tired/in pain. We went to a craft show last November, and she kept up with me fairly well, but sat down while I walked around the last few booths. That was less than 2 hours, and I could tell her knees were really bothering her by the end, so I know she can't take 3 or 4 full days at WDW.

Anyone take a family member who just couldn't keep up? What are the chances we'd be able to rent a wheelchair or scooter in the afternoon, if her knees give out? Do you need reservations for those? I really think she'll resist either of those options, but I'm worried she'd overdo it and really hurt herself.
Sorry so this was so long, but I'd appreciate any suggestions!

 

[mjkacmom]

This falls under the category of "worrying before I need to," but I could use some Dis support and suggestions.

We're going to WDW the week after Thanksgiving. My brother and his girlfriend are joining us. We're thinking of taking my mom for part of the time, too, as an early Christmas present. We have an ASMu fam suite, so we have room for an extra adult.

The (potential) problem is that, although my mom is only 58, she is overweight, out of shape, and has knee problems. But she NEVER complains. I know she'd slow us down (No flames, please... I know the bigger picture is that Grandma gets to join my kids on a wonderful vacation. The rest we can deal with!) I'm worried that she won't tell us when she's tired/in pain. We went to a craft show last November, and she kept up with me fairly well, but sat down while I walked around the last few booths. That was less than 2 hours, and I could tell her knees were really bothering her by the end, so I know she can't take 3 or 4 full days at WDW.

Anyone take a family member who just couldn't keep up? What are the chances we'd be able to rent a wheelchair or scooter in the afternoon, if her knees give out? Do you need reservations for those? I really think she'll resist either of those options, but I'm worried she'd overdo it and really hurt herself.
Sorry so this was so long, but I'd appreciate any suggestions!

Had the same issue with my dad - the rest of us are in great shape, and even my mom walks very fast. We thought he'd resist the scooter, but he had no problem using it (we were always there at rope drop, so he always got one, we went back to the resort in the afternoon, and evenings were more relaxed, and he just walked.

 

[disneybridetobe]

This falls under the category of "worrying before I need to," but I could use some Dis support and suggestions.

We're going to WDW the week after Thanksgiving. My brother and his girlfriend are joining us. We're thinking of taking my mom for part of the time, too, as an early Christmas present. We have an ASMu fam suite, so we have room for an extra adult.

The (potential) problem is that, although my mom is only 58, she is overweight, out of shape, and has knee problems. But she NEVER complains. I know she'd slow us down (No flames, please... I know the bigger picture is that Grandma gets to join my kids on a wonderful vacation. The rest we can deal with!) I'm worried that she won't tell us when she's tired/in pain. We went to a craft show last November, and she kept up with me fairly well, but sat down while I walked around the last few booths. That was less than 2 hours, and I could tell her knees were really bothering her by the end, so I know she can't take 3 or 4 full days at WDW.

Anyone take a family member who just couldn't keep up? What are the chances we'd be able to rent a wheelchair or scooter in the afternoon, if her knees give out? Do you need reservations for those? I really think she'll resist either of those options, but I'm worried she'd overdo it and really hurt herself.
Sorry so this was so long, but I'd appreciate any suggestions!

We had this problem with DH's Grandmother. Make sure your mom will be OK with using a wheelchair or ECV. His grandmother wasn't, so someone had to stay back at the hotel with her at all times.

 

[Crystal824]

My mom is like this too. She went the very first day of our first visit to WDW without. It was grueling for her. The next day she got a scooter and was quite happy. I would get it in the morning. The amount of walking for one day at a park is intense if you are there all day. If she was tired after a couple of hours at the crafts, it will likely be the same at WDW. The parks often rent out all of the scooters. Also, at WDW it is usually several days of walking, etc. Life will probably be easier for her and you if you just rent the scooter while at the parks. If she hasn't used one before, let her practice at Wal-mart, etc.

 

[powellrj]

Check out the disabilities board and they have great advise about renting an ECV off-site. They will deliver it to your resort and you will have it available to use all the time. Its also cheaper.

I am younger than she is, but I rented one before my knee replacements last year. It was an amazing difference. I enjoyed my trip for the first time in years because I felt great!

There are lots of great posts that help you get over your initial concerns.

 

[poohfriend77]

Check out the disabilities board and they have great advise about renting an ECV off-site. They will deliver it to your resort and you will have it available to use all the time. Its also cheaper.

I am younger than she is, but I rented one before my knee replacements last year. It was an amazing difference. I enjoyed my trip for the first time in years because I felt great!

There are lots of great posts that help you get over your initial concerns.

Thanks, I'll have to check out the disability board. We'll keep that in mind, but I really think she'd resist renting one offsite/taking it on bus/etc. because she doesn't "need" it. But I like the idea of renting in the morning, then letting her walk for a while in the afternoon, when my kids are tired and we're all moving a bit more slowly anyway. I was thinking she'd walk all morning, then need a ECV around 3 or 4 and was worried they wouldn't have any available.

GREAT idea about having her practice at Wal-Mart or somewhere first! I'll feel much safer letting my kids walk near her.

Thanks for all the support! I'll start talking to her about it soon, to try to ease her into the idea, assuming she can go at all.

 

[trennr]

If you want to do a Scooter or Wheelchair...you'd best get it when you get there. They are limited and first come first serve. She'd probably welcome the scooter as no one would have to push her...plus the kids may want to ride with her.

But there are also rental companies in Orlando you could probably rent from that would be cheaper.

Wow...just had visions of my FIL going along in his scooter welding a Turkey leg in one hand and his cup slooshing drink everywhere while he's plowing over people in his way and a crazed look in his eyes.

That's a memory from my 2005 trip with stubborn/cranky seniors...he didn't run over people...but a guy he was following stopped short and he ran right into his ankles...ouchy! (I don't know this man...never seen him before in my life...but are you OK sir ) We learned to walk in a perimeter around him from then on to keep from a repeat offense.

 

[ms_missy66]

My dad!!

Let me give you a quick list of what worked for us.

Dad rented a scooter from an off-site company so he could have use of it at the resorts and anywhere else we went. Note to self, though...get a smallish one. The first one dad had was huge and it was a super tight squeeze to get it on and off transportation. It was my fault because I picked it out thinking it would be more comfortable. Wrong wrong wrong! And what's funny is that my dad isn't a big guy. He certainly didn't need the bigger one. The smaller held up to 300 lbs, I think. Soooo, definitely get your mom a scooter. It made things SO much easier! Just know that there is a very limited amount in the parks. I wouldn't count on one being available to rent if you don't get there first thing in the morning.

Now normally when we go to WDW, we're out the door by 8:00 and don't come back until 8:00 or after. Because my dad tires easily and just generally takes longer, we adjusted our schedule and met each morning at 10:00. At first I was kind of bummed about missing time, but I quickly got over it. Seriously some of our best memories from that trip were created while we were hanging around the room, relaxing and eating breakfast. Looking back, that extra time to just breathe was wonderful even though I thought I'd be watching the clock, tapping my foot impatiently.

Something else that worked well for us was being really honest with my parents about the schedule and what things we really really wanted them around for. For example, the second day they were with us, we went to Epcot and had breakfast with the princesses planned, rides, dinner at Le Cellier and passes to the Candlelight Processional. Dad was REALLY tired that day and so we leveled with him. We thought he'd truly enjoy dinner at Le Cellier and the Candlelight Processional so he ended up taking the morning/early afternoon off to sleep and rest. My DH went back to the room to help him get ready and he joined us late. That ended up being a very wise investment because he, then, was able to pretty much keep up the rest of the trip. If we had pushed him that day, I think the whole week would have suffered.

This is probably un-PC to say, but one benefit of traveling someone who is disabled and using a scooter is that you can use the handicap entrance to rides. Now I'm not sure if your mom is truly disabled, so use your best judgement on that one. But dad is, most definitely, disabled and we absolutely took advantage of the services offered to him. That rocked because on the Haunted Mansion, for example, we were able to skip the pre-show, which typically freaks my kiddos out. So where I'm going is that while your mom may slow you down, you may make up some time.

 

[fortheluvofpooh]

we had my dhs aunt with us last year and her dh rented her a wheel chair, when she wanted to walk she leaned on the chair, then when she needed to sit she always had her seat right there, and one of the adults would push her. Hope this helps.

 

[design_mom]

My dad sounds similar to your mom (won't complain, but will overdo it). He would *not* use and ECV or wheelchair because he was too proud to do so.

There is a lot of walking/standing at WDW but there are also ways you can minimize it. We planned our day to take a "20 minute rest" every hour or so -- whether that was a meal, a snack, or a show where we could sit for 20-30 minutes. (Dad loved the Hall of Presidents, the WDW Railroad -- all the way around, all the movies about the different countries in Epcot, etc.) It was definitely a slower pace than we would have kept if we were alone, but it was enjoyable.

If you think your mom can handle getting around on WDW transportation, you can always tell her she's welcome to do her own thing (rest at the hotel, relax at the pool, etc) then meet up with you at an agreed upon time.