Disney Loving Seniors...question for you

[Sweedee]

We are going with dh's parents (in their early 60's), and I would like to get an idea for what to expect as far as stamina for them (basically in good health), and if you have any thing that you especially love at Disney (being a senior). Thanks!!

 

[PittypatBR]

You will probably get some humorous responses here because a lot of us seniors don't know we have limitations! I am 62, DH is 63. I am the first one up and the last one to bed, and I do all the running for FP's. I also do all the planning, and I love to tour commando style but concede to the rest of the family and add flexibility and rest. My DH has a bad back so generally will go to the parks for a while and then go back to the resort in early afternoon for a nap, TV news, and will watch the grandkids in the pool if they want to go. Then he will rejoin us for dinner and a little more.

It really depends on what your parents are used to doing. If you stay on-site, the Disney transportation makes it easy to split up and rejoin as desired. If you read some of my TR, you will see that our last trip in May was very successful for everyone because of that. I could easily be at the park for opening and stay for EMH with a little break in the middle, or some time sitting and people watching, but no one else in my family wants to do that!

I really love it all. I am a big coaster fan so I will ride anything! I'm not crazy about getting wet, so I carry ponchos for wet rides. I love animals so I like everything in AK. The shows in all the parks are great and offer a little break to sit down and relax. Heck, I could ride the monorail around for an hour and be happy! Hope you all have a wonderful time!

 

[emma'smom]

Wow! Great energy Pittypat! To the OP, we took my mid-60's parents (also basically in good health) last March and they loved it (going back this year). However, after about Day 3,we did discover that they aren't as young as they used to be. My mom had a scooter (planned and delivered at the beginning of the trip because of her recent knee surgery), so she was always ahead of those of us who were walking. However, my dad (who is the big walker) tired by mid-day and the return to he hotel for a a break after lunch was welcomed! By about the 4th day, I switched the schedule around so that we could sleep in/relax and, a few times, we would head out to the parks ahead of him so that he didn't have to try to keep up with our walking pace. When we went to AK, we planned to be there the entire day (with no return to the hotel break), so we rented him a park scooter...which was a nice break for him. I was suprised he was willing to do this, but so many others were using them and he saw how much easier things were for my mom.

Little things seemed to come up, that I just didn't notice....like it was easier to walk along the river from Beach Club to Epcot instead of on the main walkway because it was flatter, etc.

All in all, it was a great trip and, it was my dad, who hinted about coming with us this year (which we think it great!). They loved the restaurants (especially the sugar free desserts that we specially requested- no extra charge).

My dad also liked the Walt Disney walk through exhibit at MGM and, of course, some of the older rides that he remembers taking me on when I was young (in the 70's).

They seemed the most politely clueless with things like Playhouse Disney Live and the High School Musical Pep Rally. They don't live near us, so they really aren't up on pop culture for young children. However, they had fun watching my dd's have fun!