Concerned about elderly parents going to WDW...

[Belle5]

It's one thing for those of us who are a bit younger to handle all the changes, but this morning my mom has asked me to help her (75) and my stepdad (80) to plan a four night trip to WDW before they head to the beach. I used to help them do this about every year, but they haven't been in several years because of deaths and illnesses. I know that northern winter is really taking a toll on them and they are craving the warmth of the FL sun.

I really don't want to even mention the changes (more than absolutely necessary) as I feel they will be overwhelmed and won't want to go. I do want them to go (for the obvious reasons when you see their ages). I am trying to think how I can make this as painless as possible. There is no way they will be messing with cell phones, etc. making changes on the fly. So, my first question would be, if they don't want to make changes with a cell phone, what do I tell them to do? Did I read there is a kiosk for these sorts of things?

I am thinking that I will book their package today and see what FP+ are available (that they would enjoy). Kind of makes me sad. I know that they would just want to ride Soarin' like 3-4 times. That's probably NOT going to happen. Obviously, they won't be doing RRC or ToT, etc...so maybe some of the tiered "lame" choices will work better for them. I know they like the shows... Maybe I should book Soarin' every single day and then, if they choose not to go to Epcot, they can request changes as they enter the park of their choice. Their trip is coming up in several weeks. How would you handle it?

Thanks!

 

[ferd]

Honestly, given their ages and such, I don't think the new system will really affect them much. I mean, I doubt they were the type to make the legacy fastpass dash to secure a Splash or Space Mtn or Soarin' fast pass at rope drop. I'm sure they were able to leisurely do the parks at their own pace and with FP+ they still can. The fact of the matter is they can still visit the parks and do any attraction they want to without even using FP+ at all. They can still do standby for all the attractions, shows and charcters, so remember that's an option.

However, if you want to be able to secure them a certain attraction, you can prebook it for them on MDE yourself before hand and just give them the times and dates. If you want to wait until the day of, YES, there are kiosks allover each park and so you do not have to have a phone at all. There are always CM around each kiosk to help anyone who needs it, and they pretty much do it all for you at this point. There are also CMs at each attraction to help do the scans of the MB for entrance, so I wouldn't worry about the technology discouraging them.

Mostly people like me (a passholder who knew the old system like the back of our hands) are sort of upset that things had to change, as it seems the kinks are still not ironed out and possibly never will be. However, there are some positives to the new system and when taken for face value, it really doesn't have to be confusing at all. They really are trying to make things easier, even if it doesn't exactly come off that way.

Just remember to tell them to ask ANYONE for help in Disney, and someone will help.

 

[Belle5]

Honestly, given their ages and such, I don't think the new system will really affect them much. I mean, I doubt they were the type to make the legacy fastpass dash to secure a Splash or Space Mtn or Soarin' fast pass at rope drop. I'm sure they were able to leisurely do the parks at their own pace and with FP+ they still can. The fact of the matter is they can still visit the parks and do any attraction they want to without even using FP+ at all. They can still do standby for all the attractions, shows and charcters, so remember that's an option.

However, if you want to be able to secure them a certain attraction, you can prebook it for them on MDE yourself before hand and just give them the times and dates. If you want to wait until the day of, YES, there are kiosks allover each park and so you do not have to have a phone at all. There are always CM around each kiosk to help anyone who needs it, and they pretty much do it all for you at this point. There are also CMs at each attraction to help do the scans of the MB for entrance, so I wouldn't worry about the technology discouraging them.

Mostly people like me (a passholder who knew the old system like the back of our hands) are sort of upset that things had to change, as it seems the kinks are still not ironed out and possibly never will be. However, there are some positives to the new system and when taken for face value, it really doesn't have to be confusing at all. They really are trying to make things easier, even if it doesn't exactly come off that way.

Just remember to tell them to ask ANYONE for help in Disney, and someone will help.

Very helpful! Thank you!

 

[BuckeyeBama]

We went with a large group of people last April. Now, this was during the FP- time so it was easier to do this, but you can do it by swapping bands:

We picked up the same fast passes for the entire group, but the ones that certain groups really liked, they got them all (or most) - and we got their fast passes to the rides that we really liked.

Using your specific example, it allowed my MiL and her sister to ride Soarin' 3 times one day, 1 in the standby line when it was shorter, and 2 times using group fast passes. It was really the only ride that they were interested in all week, so we were glad to help them out even though it was also our favorite in Epcot. The teens got to use their unused fast passes for the "coasters".

It really worked out well.

 

[Marthasor]

We went with a large group of people last April. Now, this was during the FP- time so it was easier to do this, but you can do it by swapping bands:

We picked up the same fast passes for the entire group, but the ones that certain groups really liked, they got them all (or most) - and we got their fast passes to the rides that we really liked.

Using your specific example, it allowed my MiL and her sister to ride Soarin' 3 times one day, 1 in the standby line when it was shorter, and 2 times using group fast passes. It was really the only ride that they were interested in all week, so we were glad to help them out even though it was also our favorite in Epcot. The teens got to use their unused fast passes for the "coasters".

It really worked out well.

How would this work if only two people are going?

 

[Belle5]

How would this work if only two people are going?

I think it's a misunderstanding about who is going. Just my parents are going.