Attractions for Aging Parents

[dcwesley]

My sister and I are accompaniny our 78-year-old parents on thier first trip to WDW. We have been there once before, six years ago, with our kids. At our parent's request we are doing all of the trip planning (and boy are we compulsive).

Attractions such as Splash Mountain, Tower of Terror, and Space Mountain are defintely out. They would not enjoy them, and they are too rough.

However we are trying to decide about the "appropriateness" of a couple of other attractions.

1) 3-D movies. Unfortuantly we will not make it to MGM, but would really like them to see a 3-D movie. Would they be better seing Honey I Shrunk the Audiance (with mice) or It's Tough to be a Bug (with the bugs)?

2) Is Kilimanjaro Safaris too bouncy? My mom has some back and hip pains.

3) Is the ride at Norway difficult to step down into? Mom takes steps slowly and needs help sitting and getting up at times.

Thanks for the help.

 

[TY31088]

From what I've read the seniors really like Epcot.

It's Tough To Be A Bug is great!

I think the safari is too bouncy for anyone with back or neck problems.

I think they would do good at the Norway ride.

Enjoy your time at Epcot. Make sure you see the parade and Illuminations. The schoolbread in Norway (?) is delicious.

 

[Ronda93]

I believe HISTA is less dependent on the movie for its laughs than ITTBAB. The effects are equal in their eeeww factor.

It's too bad you're not getting to MGM. If you've got park hoppers try to get over there just for a walk down Sunset Blvd. The 40's and 50's touches might be neat for them. The great movie ride may hold some pleasant memories for them as well.

I love the safari, but I wouldn't take them on it. The vehicles lurch badly. When you come off of one bridge there can be a huge bump. We are a couple in our thirties and felt that we were literally *holding on* this last trip.

We rode the Maelstrom on our most recent trip, the step in to that one is similar to POTC and Living with the Land. Not bad at all with flat, spacious landing areas for feet.

Have a great time.

 

[SnackyStacky]

1.) I don't know your mother, and what she's comfortable with, but I would take her to the Muppets at MGM. For those who don't like to be shaken up to much, I would say Muppets would be safest. But if you're trying to decide between those two, I would pick Tough To Be A Bug. You said your mom has back and hip pain, and the bouncy floor might be rough for her? You know her better than anyone, but that's my $.02

2.)Yes. I would avoid the Safaris. Towards the end when you start to chase the poachers it gets pretty rough.

3.) The ride at Norway is no more difficult to step down into than Pirates, and Small Word. If she can handle those, she can handle Norway I would say. Step on the edge of the boat, then the seat, then the floor.

Hope that helps!

 

[DisneyHumbug]

We took my 83 y.o. parents for the first time this past Christmas. My Mom thought ITTBAB was better than the other 3D's. She wished she would have seen that one first.
We took them on the safari. My Dad has back problems and a heart condition, but we decided he'd be ok, and he was.
Norway was not a problem, Dad also managed POC and Small World.
My folks really enjoyed visiting all the other resorts as well. They oohed and aahed.
Have a great trip!

 

[Jordan's MOM]

We are trying to talk my 70ish parents into a trip so I think what you are doing is great!! I would look at rides without a height restrictions for children as being not to rough for your parents. IMHO I think that the safri ride would be ok. My DH has back problems and rides this one without issues. While i love AK, I am not sure that your parents would not like MGM better. If this trip is about them, and you have to leave out a park, I might would consider going to MGM rather than AK. They would love the shows and I would hate to think they would miss fantasmic. Epcot and MK are must dos. If mobility is an issue check on the disabilty boards for all kinds of information on getting around the park. Enjoy every second and make those memories.


jordan's mom

 

[dcwesley]

Thanks for all of the information so far.

I have been spending lots of time on the disability boad which is very helpful. While my mother does not usually use a wheelchair she has started using one to shop. So we will certianly be using one at Disney. An EVC will not work for her for several reasons.

We debated at length MGM vs AK, but finally decided on AK. My parents have always been bird watchers so we just cannot pass up visiting AK.

Epcot is where we will spend the lion's share of the trip. My mother has wanted to see the World Showcase ever since it opened.

We are looking forward to the trip. The four of us haven't been on vacation together for years. My sister and I do plan on checking out the Boardwalk, Quest, and Pleasure Island in the evenings after my parents have packed it in for the day. Their stamina is our biggest concern. We figure about 6 hours a day will be their limit.

 

[Deb & Bill]

My mom is 84 and a bit frail. We borrowed a wheelchair from the resort for her and took her to a lot of places. She loved the safari. We even took her on Test Track - it was a bit rough on her though, but she did have fun. We did lots of shows, Great Movie Ride, PotC, Ellen's Energy Adventure, Spaceship Earth, Tomorrowland Transit Authority. We also saw lots of parades. She loved Fantasmic and Spectomagic. She did take afternoon breaks (naps) while we hit the resort pool. Took her over to DTD for a little shopping.

We usually like to get up early and head to the parks, but we started the day a little later with her. We ate at some nice sit-down restaurants like Plaza Restaurant, Olivia's, etc.

One thing with the safari ride. With a wheelchair, you sit right behind the driver and it's not as bumpy as when you sit near the back of the vehicle.

 

[JKLLady]

I wouldn't rule out the Safari; my Dad is 83 & just went on it for the third time in Nov(& he's got a compression fracture in his back).......it's one of his favorites; he also loves Test Track & insists on doing it whenever he comes with us!!! He uses an ECV, and we do take it a little slower when he comes with us, but he always has a great time. I'd suggest doing all the countries in WS and as someone else suggested, Fantasmic, Illuminations & the parades; my Dad really loved the AK parade. Also look into booking Fantasmic Dinner Package so that you don't have the long wait before the show, it'll reduce the fatigue factor. Good luck & have fun!!!

 

[AJA55]

My mother is 70 and loves Disney. I know everyone is different but here are her likes and dislikes. She hates roller coasters….. and Test Tract and Dinosaur. Any ride that makes here feel like she is going to fall out of the vehicle. As far as parks go, her favorite listed first…. EPCOT, AK, MGM then MK. She doesn’t garden but LOVES the Land ride. Likes the ride in Norway. I always make sure I’m helping her during the loading of any ride. She like all the 3-D movies. But she hates the mice at HISTA and since the first time has always put her feet up during that part of the movie. The safari is one ride that she looks forward to at WDW. One on her “Not to be missed” list. We quit around 2 to 4. And that’s it for the park that day, unless we plan to go to something that night. In which case we take a nap. We don’t do night shows two nights in a row and usually plan a down day after a late night. In our 10 days trips we do night things only 2 to 3 times. But my mother is an early to bed, early to rise girl. Even if we are out late she still is an early riser. Have a great time! !