Dad realizes the perks of a DVC daughter!

[Rock'n Robin]

On the first five days of our July trip, we hope to take my parents along in our 2 BR BWV. Mom is really waffling because she can't relax unless she knows good care is being taken care of her dog and cats (it's usually me). Also, dad's back bothers him at times but he's willing to give it a shot.
Today I gave him my Birnbaum to look at and said something about him buying us a dinner or two, and he said "how much is this going to cost me?" I told him "The hotel isn't going to cost you anything! We will have a 2BR whether you guys come or not, but you can stay for free!"
He looked at my mom and said "Jannie, we're definately going now!"
I hope it works out. I worry about July and my parents being 70 and 72, but I think being so close to Epcot and MGM will help for breaks, etc. They did MK in 88 and really don't care to go back (we'll go back on the last 4 days of our trip after they leave). I think they'd also like a morning at AK. Mom refuses to swim but likes to nap, so it would all work out if I can just get them there!
Robin M.
BWV/Poly/VWL July 2002

 

[MickeyMagic]

Hope it works out. I just bought into DVC and one of the things I'm looking forward to is treating family members with free accomodations.

If your parents decide not to go, I'll gladly take their place!!

 

[fkj2]

Dis prints a brochure for guests with disabilities. Not that your folks are, but there may be some useful suggestions in it.

Take the same precautions for them as in any heat situation; lots of fluids (esp water), frequent rests, air conditioning to help cool them down. Carry one of those water bottles. Cool clothing, loose fitting and light in color. Hats, definitely hats. Comfortable shoes. The walking at Animal Kingdom is hard I think; my legs kill me when I'm done there. PLAN what things you definitely want them to see. For ex, at AK, that live presentation of Lion King is GREAT! I took my mom until she was 79 and frequently in a transport chair but she would love to go to WDW now. The spirit is willing........

 

[WDWLVR]

We may my in-laws true believers. They are coming down with us for a week in October to stay in a two-bedroom at BWV.

We also gave them 5 nights at Vero Beach last year that they loved. They so wanted to do the 7 day cruise with us but said they couldn't afford it. We were using points for the cruise and offered them points for the 5 nights at Vero. That meant the costs for their usual two weeks in Florida (one spring and one fall) could all be put towards the cruise. We took care of the cost of thier fall trip. They loved Vero and we will definately send them there again!

 

[ohiominnie]

My dh and I took his mom and her dh with us in August. She had been to WDW one time before and HATED it! Swore she'd never go back. 4 days into the trip she was buying points!!

We took my mom and dad in December. They had gone a few times before (twice in the mid-70's, then once in the late 80's) They went because they "had-to." (to take their children or grandchildren. They always did commando, during peak season and ate counter service. In December when we went we were in low season, showed them around the best sights and took them go nice, sit down (and sometimes character) meals.

About a month later my mother and I were talking and she non-chalantley (sp?) mentioned they'd like to go back with us sometime. I told them we are going back in May and December for the foreseeable future and so now they are planning to join us again THIS December. I do believe that we've converted them!

It's such fun to share WDW and DVC!

 

[cassie714]

We were in Disney the this past year the week after July 4th and loved it. The weather wasn't as hot as we expected and the crowds were rather low. It did rain a couple of times but not all day. I would definetly bring rain gear though.

 

[bananie]

I brought my parents along on our first DVC trip in September of 2000 at OKW. My mother sounds exactly like yours! She is turning 70 at the end of the month and is not a very good traveler in general. I basically just prepared her for the heat by buying her a battery operated mist fan, brita filtered water bottle, backpack, fannypack and a great pair of new balance sneakers (best walking shoes in my opinion- which I forced her to break in!)

The result- they loved OKW so much I am not sure if I will be able to get them to stay at BWV (where I actually own).

In fact, they loved it so much that they bought my boyfriend & I a 30 point add-on for BWV off the waitlist the following XMAS. So now I am bringing them along on our trip to Vero Beach in April which I think they will really enjoy.

Hope you enjoy your trip.

 

[NancyDVC]

My best friend & I became members early in 1992. The following spring (Easter, 1993) we went with my sister her 3 kids (then 13, 11 and 7) and my folks (then 73 and 68). My folks had a blast. My mother has a heart condition so we rented her a wheelchair in the parks. They stayed with us sometimes and went off on their own other times. One day the rest of us went to River Country and they toured Discovery Island. (We actually saw them from River Country.) It was one of the best parts of the trip for them. My mother came home to brag to all her friends about this wonderful place that her daughter 'owns'. (I think she gave the impression that I own all of DVC.)

Thanksgiving week 2000 we all went back. My folks were then 80 & 75. My friend and I took them to the AP night at the studios for the Osborne lights and they had a blast! (They wore the special glasses to watch their own Christmas tree again this year!) Some days they stayed in as we left for the parks and then took the Trumbo ferry or the bus to DD. At AK we all rode Kilimanjaro Safari and then separated. The kids were off to rides. My folks spent extra time 'walking' (my Dad pushed my Mom in a wheelchair) the Gorilla Falls trail and the Pangani River Forest trail. They actually helped several CMs draw a crowd by asking some pretty astute questions about the gorillas and the tigers and taking the time to listen to the explanantions. My Dad loves to talk! We chose not to eat a traditional Thanksgiving dinner but instead went to the Candlelight Processional with the dinner package at Germany the next night. They had such a great time that we bought them the CD. My folks had a wonderful time on both trips. On that trip we rented wheelchairs for both of them in Epcot. They kept a slower pace and were willing to wait while we rode ToT or RRC or went off to explore on their own. We planned time for all of us to be together time to explore other things. One non park day I was 'in charge of' them and took them to see the duck parade at The Peabody, shopping at the Disney outlets and then to lunch in Celebration.
I say go for it. Set some ground rules for space etc. Once my father had a map of OKW and the bus schedule down they did just fine. They spent less time in the parks because of my mother's endurance level. On the day we went to see the CP & dinner they met us at Epcot about an hour before the show and then we stayed for Illuminations after. That made sure that no one was too tired and we all had a great time.
Make sure that you give them a chance to spend park and non park time with you. My folks loved AK even more than Discovery Island but were disappointed that it no longer exists. They kept to their own pace and went back to rest in the afternoon if it suited them. Enjoy!

 

[DVCinderella]

Ohiominnie...

I can totally relate! My parents did the same thing...they took us to WDW as kids, during peak times when we had off from school. My Mom's memories are of crowds and heat! We were park commandos, because there wasn't much else to do in those days. She has no desire to go back to WDW. Plus, she's doesn't like amusement park rides. My Dad, on the other hand, loved WDW. He was the one who took us on the rides and he was like a big kid.

Now that my DH and I are DVC members, I would love to take my parents to WDW! My mother hasn't been to WDW since 1982 (Epcot was brand new). She has no idea what she is missing! She has never seen MGM or AK, nor any of the on-property resorts (with the exception of the CR and Poly).

I think she would LOVE the BWV. I would love to get a 2-bedroom...I think she would be VERY impressed! There's no reason to be park commandos anymore. She can lounge by the pool, or take a nap...we can go to delicious sit-down restaurants in the evening. I would particularly love to go in December...I think she would love the decorations, parades, Candlelight Procession, and Osborne Family Christmas Lights.

I know Dad would jump at the chance...we just have to convince Mom. Of course, I'll have to twist DH's arm too...after all, he would be spending a week with the in-laws

We don't have kids yet, so part of me thinks we should wait until my parents can enjoy the experience as grandparents. Has anyone treated their parents to a WDW vacation as an all-adult scenario, or only if grandkids are in the picture?