bringing grandparents

[JenetixK]

We are bringing my hubby's parents to Disney for the first time. We've been before, but it will be their first time and our DD's first time (she'll almost be 2). We are both getting worried about the grandparents having a good time. Grandpa can't walk far at all (needs a knee replacement) and doesn't want a wheelchair. I have a million questions, but for now....

any suggestions for a resort?
should we stay on the monorail line if we can afford it?
will the ramp to the monorail be worse than the walk to the busing area?

i realize not everything is on the monorail line, but we plan to spend a lot of time in MK.

any suggestions or advice welcome!

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

My grandparents (my kids great-grandparents) have gone with us to Disney on all but one of our trips (and we missed them.) We love having them. Last trip my grandma's knee was really bothering her so some days they would go watch a show or grab a snack and people watch. They still had an amazing time. She just had her knee replacement. She had been putting it off but decided to do it so she can fully enjoy Disney in November with my kids.

We stay at the Values, so I can't comment on hotels for you. But if you can't afford it I wouldn't worry. Also, several years ago I had an accident 5 months before our trip. I had been in a wheelchair, then through therapy was fine so I went and did a comando day of Disney and my ankle swelled like 4 times, no joke. It was awful, plus I was pregnant. I didn't want a wheelchair either but after that had to. It wasn't the end of the world, so if after a day or 2 he needs it, it's an option. Also, a cheap cane might be a good investment if he doesn't already use one.

Have a great time. I love having my grandparents there with my girls. I know some people don't, but we just love it. We don't spend 100% of the time with them, but it is so nice having them there. They will be 73 on this next trip, don't know how many more years they will want to go but for now they are just as anxious for November to get here.

 

[DisneyDoc5]

we took my mother in law and she isn't able to walk long distances because of knee and back pain (plus we walk FAST). She was willing to use an scooter and it was awesome. She was with us the whole time, the kids rode on it with her (even though they aren't supposed to), it was great for all of us. I recommend info@walkermobility.com. They delivered it to the resort and picked it up. It was about $250 for a week, money well spent!!! Your grandparents could even take turns. Good luck!

 

[Junebugwv]

The only monorail resort we have stayed at is CR and I thought it was a lot of walking. POFQ is our favorite for its small size and proximity to everything.

I am now a granny and I make sure I walk a lot to get in shape for the incredible amount of walking that is required at WDW. If there is any way you could talk grandpa into a scooter, you would be doing him a big favor.

 

[badblackpug]

I think you will have to talk your father in law into a wheelchair or scooter. WDW is a lot of walking. We have stayed at deluxe, mod, and value resorts. We choose to return to All Star Music. We get a family suite. It sleeps 6, so we are all in the same room. It has 2 bathrooms and a kitchenette. It would offer the in laws the chance to have their own room without paying for an extra room. Yes, I believe that the walk up the monorail ramp is more taxing than the walk to the bus stop, however it is easier to get the stroller on and off the monorail. Even if you talk tour father in law into a wheelchair, rmember, someone will have to push that wheelchair up the ramp!

 

[Redbudlover]

As a grandmother I would say I am in your father-in-laws camp. NO wheelchair! and you would hate pushing him everywhere. No one wants to be that dependent. With that said, GET a scooter! He will be independent, not tired, not in pain, have a wonderful time. I do not use one all the time, as I can walk a good distance, but sometimes my knee acts up and sometimes my back or hips hurt. Then I get a scooter. Some days I am just tired and the thought of hiking all over one of the bigger parks like AK makes me cranky. Then I get a scooter. Those are some of the best days. And if he can make it to the bus or monorail then rent one in the parks and avoid taking it on the bus. If he can't, walker mobility is terrific.

 

[Mandychelle79]

My parents have been with us on both trips weve taken the kids on. My dad though has used a scooter since 1996 when he had his leg amputated. My grandparents went this time and Gpa used a scooter while gma walked, but we didnt stay with them all the time. Just met up at prearranged times for meals and things.

 

[cheshireqt]

We did a 4-generation trip to Disney last year and got my still spry, very independent, 92 year old Grandmother to be happy with a scooter somehow! We were very worried about getting her to actually use it but now have pictures of us chasing her, she zipped along so fast. I think the resistance to the wheelchair is about being dependent, where the scooter helped her be independent. I kept drilling it in before we got to Disney about how many people we have seen at Disney in the scooters and how we might all take turns with it, since all the walking can be so exhausting etc. I also made a big point out of the fact that she did not have to use it if she did not want to, but it would be available for her use.
We used Randy's Mobility and had it dropped off at the resort. My DH and I (and kids) drove down and had an attachment on the back of the car that holds luggage (a tray-type thing). We were able to heft the scooter up onto the tray thing and secure it with bungee cords. Plenty of hands with BIL and StepDad to do the hefting. We parked in handicap parking everywhere (with a hangtag she got from her Doctor) and had no problems whatsoever. Grandma even rode the scooter from the parking lot to the room each day! Without a car would absolutely stay at a monorail resort.
I can say that without that scooter we would have all been miserable. She would not have even ventured out the second day with all of the walking we did the first day!
One thing to note, many attractions have a separate entrance for the scooter. Usually was not hard to find, but occasionally it was. They have a spot for you to park the scooter and transfer to the ride.

 

[katied]

I've invited my MIL along twice. I won't exactly call it fun. My MIL is not really that old (in my mind, at least). She's 65 now - was 63 and 64 on our trips. However, she gets almost no exercise, except from the bed to the sofa to the fridge, etc. (as much as you can get sitting in front of the TV 8+ hrs/ day in a 1 bedroom apartment). She is not in the best shape as a result of her lack of exercise.

She knew ahead of time there would be lots of walking, but wanted to go. I suggested a scooter, she said NO. So, we would walk 5 min, then she'd want to take a break, 5 more min, another break... Not sure if anything is a good fix for that. We stayed offsite one time (but still, walk from the parking lot to the park, then she'd need a break). We stayed at CBR another time - walk to the bus, then need a break.

One in the park, lots of walking, standing in lines, etc. My MIL at times would just find a place to sit while DS and I would do things and then come back for her. She was just too worn out otherwise.

So - I would say to really push for the scooter. It will make all of you much happier. If you do have a scooter, CR is the best because then you can walk from the resort to MK, and not have to deal with getting on/off a bus. You can also take the monorail to Epcot, also easy w/ a scooter. You'd have to do a bus to AK and DHS.

 

[happymommy]

I did one trip with my sister and her family (husband, 4 kids ages from 1 to 14) and my parents. Once. Never again. Now, my sister and her family had fun. My parents don't like Disney. Why they wanted to go, I'm not quite sure (except that they paid for my sister and her family, we paid for our trip).

We mostly split up, did our own things, and met up at various times. My dad tried to come into the MK one day, left after about an hour (his back was bothering him as it was in bad shape). My mom joined me and my sister once I think.

If you do this, I'd plan times for just your family and times, like dinners, together. You need some time to do what you want, and also find out what they want to do. It's not a good idea to plan to spend all the time together.

I'd also make sure they understand the amount of walking involved. If the grandpa can't walk far, he absolutely will have to have a wheelchair or scooter, so I'd just make that a stipulation if they want to join you, no questions asked. Otherwise, he'll be sitting and people watching at the resort all day. Or you'll be constantly waiting on him, which would drive me crazy!

I'd also jump over to the Disabilities board, and find out more about getting him the chair or scooter, and any other suggestions to make the trip easier for him.

 

[es45]

Having just taken a trip with my mother (wanted a scooter) and my MIL (refused to get a scooter or chair), two things that we found especially helpful:

Make reservations in MK for a breakfast before the park opens. That rope drop crowd would have been difficult for both of them to navigate, especially my mother who was just figuring out the scooter. We have a great photo of us all in front of the castle without anyone else. Another plus, we were already close to rides when we finished breakfast.

Secondly, find a seat at the train station before Wishes. Give them time to relax and have a snack or drink. Then you are already at the gate when the show is over.

Also, we stayed at WL because of a pin code. Otherwise, we would have stayed at POP. I will say that the WL beds were more comfortable than POP's and that was especially appreciated by our mothers who both have back problems. The boat transportation was very relaxing going to and coming from MK.

I encourage you to take this trip; my husband and I appreciated MK in a different way by experiencing it with them. It was a lot of planning work for us but we would do it again.

 

[JenetixK]

Thanks for the responses. I definitely have lots to think about. Luckily grandpa seems to be changing his mind about a wheelchair or scooter. I'll also check out the disability board as suggested!

 

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

My grandparents are in their early 70s (70 and 71, I believe). My gpa has had both knees replaced and often leaves us in the dust. My gma ditches us to shop when we stop so they can rest. However, they're both still fairly active. My gpa goes to the gym daily (even when we're at Disney!), and my gma still hulas when she has to stand still for any amount of time.

We've stayed on the monorail line (Poly) and in the Epcot area (YC and BC), and I think it's extremely nice to be on the monorail line. We also enjoyed being steps from Epcot, though. On our first trip with the kids, I had asked for a room near the GCH at the Poly because I didn't want the gparents to walk too far to the monorail...psh, they'd get up and wander the grounds at 5:00a! We did get a room very close to the GCH, and we were steps away from the elevator to the monorail platform.

All that to say...yes, I'd stay at a monorail resort.