Convert a Park Commando into the Bench Loving Guy in the WDW Video!

[aubriee]

I know I am a commando type tourer, but there is so much to do at WDW I can't seem to stop. I never got to go to WDW as a kid, or even while my boys were growing up, so this past January I made my first ever trip at the ripe age of 40+ taking my elder son and 8 y/o GD for their first ever trip. We went from park opening to closing every day and came home exhausted. I went back solo in May for 10 days and for some reason even though I had planned to take it easy, went all day, everyday and again came home exhausted. In three weeks I'm taking my younger son and D-I-L and they have both already said they wanted to do everything possible in our 7 days down there. OK, I can handle another exhausting trip and have planned accordingly. I am normally a type A personality who walks fast, talks fast, and always have to be on the go.

However, I'm taking my 73 y/o mom for her first ever trip to WDW in Dec for 10 days. She is a very brittle diabetic (who must eat well and regularly). She also has arthritis badly in both knees, so will be renting an ECV. I know I'm going to have to go slow with her, but at the same time I want her to have a really great trip. She has said she mainly wants to see the Christmas stuff, explore resorts, see some shows, and experience the dining at WDW. So far I have booked the CP and MVMCP. I printed out the menus from AllEars for her and she has said she wants to do mainly table service meals (I have the DDE card). We've picked out about 21 ADRs we want to try to get. That's alot I know, but she has said she wants to do as many character meals as possible and again she is a diabetic, so MUST eat on her schedule. Also when I get busy I forget to eat, so ADRs will make me slow down for her. Sorry this is so long, but does anyone have any ideas on how to turn a commando tourer like me into the laid back bench warmer on the WDW planning video? She has said she is afraid of slowing me down, so I need to be careful she doesn't feel that way. Any suggestions?

 

[disneylizzy]

Well, as a fellow commando I think our problem has to do with being culturally deprived as children .... I'm starting to relax a little (I hope), but I am very jealous of your 10 day solo trip.

Now rereading your post - you went in January, you went in May, you are going in October and again with your Mom in December. I'm sorry, you are obviously too far gone.

Seriously, I think having your Mom along will be just the ticket to slow you down. Start planning your itinerary concentrating on just shows and your ADR's. You will get to stroll along looking at all the holiday decorations. The key is that slowing down and not seeing "everything" will make for the best trip for her. I might avoid park hopping, just to force yourself to enjoy one thing at a time.

One thought (and I love AK) maybe eliminate AK. You can't see everything and your mom would be exhausted if you did. Concentrate on MK, Epcot and the resorts.

Lucky you - over a month at WDW this year!!

 

[kkmauch]

Another fun idea would be to spend a day or two on the monorail. That way, you and your mom can explore 3 resorts and two parks without the hassle of the bus. The monorail is a slower paced anyway, giving you a semi-guided tour while aboard.
When in December are you going? If it's toward the begining, you shouldn't have a huge crowd to deal with, so you'll be able to get more done in a shorter amount of time. You also have shorter park hours, so mom should be able to stay on a semi-normal schedule on nights other than MVMCP.
From one commando park type to another, good luck!

 

[dreamscometrue47]

I'm also pretty much a commando type, and am also taking my mother (79) in January. I agree that having Mom along is definitely going to make me slow down and enjoy the atmosphere much more, and I can't wait!

I would concentrate on shows and resorts. Have your mom pick out what she really wants to see and any rides she has to experience and work your schedule around them and your meals, since your mom has to eat regularly. My mom has a bunch of MK attractions on her "not to be missed" list and that's what we are concentrating on.

One other thing: My mom wants to have dinner and then relax back in her room at the Poly (except for the 2 nights when we see Wishes and Illuminations.) I plan on going back to MK with my DS-12 (who is also traveling with us) for evening EMH and ride the mountains as much as we can! that should take care of some pent-up energy!

have a great time!