Disney for Seniors?

[lisaland]

My parents are taking a trip to Disney with us in about 2 weeks. I have our daily itineraries made for the family as a whole but I'm worried about how my 60 year old parents are going to handle it. (No...that's not really old but they have health concerns.) I don't want to have them waiting around a long time while we ride rides that they have no desire to get on. My father is large and has health issues. He will have a hard time getting around sometimes, and I think he may not possess the stamina to keep up with us and the grandkids. My mother *thinks* she can ride whatever she wants but I am going to have to stop her when the warnings say her health issues won't allow her to ride (high blood pressure, seizures, etc). I booked our hotel rooms on site so that they can go back to the hotel tor rest when needed.

I have looked all over for tour plans for seniors but I can't find any. Has anyone else seen tour plans for older people?



Lisaland

 

[spiceycat]

hey I am near that age myself.....it has benefits - I can retire in 10 years!!!

Mother is 84....

Anyway since you are staying at a Disney hotel - get a free wheelchair - just go over to bell services and ask for one. If they have it (and I have never been turned down) get it.

Now at first your parents will probably refuse to use it.... that is just fine - it can fold up and you can wait with everyone else in the lines for the bus. It is heavy - but nothing your husband and probably your father can't handle....

let everyone push it..... makes it fun for the kids.... once your parents realized that you are kepting it - expect one (hopefully your father) to start using it....

that will solve his problems.

Mother generally won't get on some of the rides. She won't do rollercoaster....

but everything else - is fine.... She loved Soarin', Splash Mountain - like Mission:Space (she loved the take off - it was the Disney wants me to work - that she didn't like), Tower of Terror....

mother doesn't like Star Tour - says it makes her dizzy.

but if she liked star wars the movies - she would find someway to ride it....

mother back and neck can't take bumps - so WInnie the pooh is out. she hates the dark so Pirates of the Car is out, but she can do Haunted Mansion - the handicapped access is easier...

which rides were you trying to kept your mother off...

there are plenty of benches at Disney. so when they need to rest - just say you will meet them back here.

mother problem is she won't be left. She has a melt down if I try it. Be sure your parents are okay with being left or going back to their rooms without you. Mother won't do that either...

you know I was thinking of taking my mother on this trip too - glad I posted - now I know I am NOT taking her....I deserve my solo trips once a year - I take her the other 3 times - but I have to go alone once in a while....

 

[vacationwoman]

My parents are taking a trip to Disney with us in about 2 weeks. I have our daily itineraries made for the family as a whole but I'm worried about how my 60 year old parents are going to handle it. (No...that's not really old but they have health concerns.) I don't want to have them waiting around a long time while we ride rides that they have no desire to get on. My father is large and has health issues. He will have a hard time getting around sometimes, and I think he may not possess the stamina to keep up with us and the grandkids. My mother *thinks* she can ride whatever she wants but I am going to have to stop her when the warnings say her health issues won't allow her to ride (high blood pressure, seizures, etc). I booked our hotel rooms on site so that they can go back to the hotel tor rest when needed.

I have looked all over for tour plans for seniors but I can't find any. Has anyone else seen tour plans for older people?



Lisaland

My DH and I are now in our 60's and have some health concerns also.
DH can no longer go on most "rides" as they make him dizzy and disoriented.
Neither of us walks as fast as we used to either.
That being said we would never miss our annual trip to WDW. There is so much to see and do that's not a "ride and many "rides" are very mild.
In MK there is HOP, JC, Tiki Room(lame I know), HH, CP(if open)TTA, POC, PP, MPhilM, and more. In Epcot, Soaring and the boat ride in the Land, Living Seas, Imagination, HISA, Universe Energy, all the countries in WS, In MGM, Chinese Theater, Mermaid, Millionaire, Muppets, Indiana Jones, Stars Tours (if they are up to that), Backlot tour, In AK, the live Lion King show is not to be missed.
Plus the parades and all the various little shows put on around park. I'm sure I'm forgetting more (Disney Moment's ).
They probably won't be able to keep up, I can't with my kids and grandkids anymore, and they won't want to hold you up. Let them walk (or sit and watch) at their own pace and arrange to meet them at certain times (lunch, etc). Keep in touch with cell phones. Make sure they are comfortable going back and forth to the hotel by themselves. (we took my Mom a couple years ago she was 86 then and absolutely refused to go anywhere by herself but at home she goes everywhere alone.) But she went on every ride including TOT (for which my DB's and DS's gave me the devil for when we got home, but it's what she wanted to do.
They'll have a great time.

 

[Tink901]

I've taken my great aunt who will be 87 in Oct. We get her a wheelchair and tell her just easier then she can do more and not be as tired.

She loves seeing the characters and getting photos and autographs, she says she likes that she can be a kid again. She has done all the rides at Magic Kingdom, she does all at Animal Kingdom, she has already told me she doesnt think she wants to do Everest. She's fine at MGM to see the shows but won't do RnR, TOT, or Star Tours. Epcot she just won't do Mission Space.

I've found it easier for her when I tell her what the ride is all about and I let her decide.

We even do character meals that way she gets to see the hotels and isn't rushed.

We are going in 15 days and her excitment is already there.

Have a great trip!!!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

First I would suggest going to the "disABILTIES!" forum. Start off by reading the "disABILTIES! FAQ".

My personal suggestion would be to rent at least one ECV from an off-site vendor for your father. Emotionally an ECV is better than a wheelchair as the person is independent. Also, unless you are used to pushing a wheelchair it can be very tiring, especially with a heavy person and there are hills at WDW that you will notice with a wheelchair but not when walking.

Also, even the rides which your parents cannot or will not go on, they can stay in the queue and use the chicken exit just before baording, this will allow them to stay with the rest of you and not sit off by themselves somewhere.

 

[Moodyzblu]

I agree with renting an ECV. I plan on renting one for my mom when we go in Nov. I'm actually going to rent it from our town, that way she will have it in the airport as well. I told her if she didnt feel like using it at any point, then I'm sure SOMEONE in our group wont mind using it for awhile !!

 

[lisaland]

Great ideas and I also like the list of rides that you think are ok for the old folks. My mother would absolutely die is she knew that I had referred to her as old or a senior citizen but I really feel like they will have trouble keeping up with us. I am going to encourage them to do what they want...not necessarily feel like they have to keep up with the group, and take rests at the hotel as they feel like it. They can always catch up with us at dinner.

To those of you who took your 80+ parents...WOW! And for the Granny who rode Mission: Space...DOUBLE WOW. I'm a chicken won't ride a lot of things, myself!

Thanks a bunch,

Lisaland

 

[Linda Bell]

They are THAT old! Gasp. 59 here and I cannot imagine anyone thinking I could not do my beloved coasters or even considering I was a senior!

However I do have a handicapped daughter I push through the parks so you might find this site helpful:
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/common/Plain?id=PlainHomePage

Just click the links at the top.

Linda

 

[spiceycat]

here a couple of sites

not because they are seniors - these are good tips for anyone
http://www.wdwinfo.com/tips_for_touring/keepingcool.htm

here is one just for seniors
http://www.wdwinfo.com/tips_for_touring/seniortips.htm

for everyone
http://www.wdwinfo.com/tips_for_touring/rookiefmm.htm