DW with seniors

[YOUFAM]

Our first trip to DW will be in December. 12, 9, two parents and two GP's. The GP's are in their 70's, one with a scooter. We want to stay 7-8 days...realistically, is that too long for the GP's? They were thinking 4 days might be good for them? We would stay longer.

Has anyone traveled with older parents?? What do you suggest?

 

[aubriee]

My mom is in her late 70's and every time I've taken her it's been for nine days. She loved it and it gave us enough time to really take our time and let her enjoy the small things. I'm taking her back to WDW Sept 1st-8th but we are only staying eight days. However that's because I had orginally planned on a solo trip and wanted to be back in time for her 79th birthday on Sunday Sept 9th. However, this past Monday morning she surprised me with the announcement that she had changed her mind and wanted to go to WDW with me.

Four days would only allow for one day in each main park. My mom can easily spend 2-3 days wandering around World Showcase in Epcot puttering around. By the way she uses an ECV down there too. She doesn't use one at home, but needs one down there. We usually do 2-3 days in Epcot, 2 days in MK, 1 1/2 days at AK, 1/2-1 day in DS, then spend part of a day at DTD and then also spend some time relaxing around the resort.

 

[mom2cookies]

I agree with PP, a longer stay would be better as they would have time to go back to the places they missed. My parents unfortunately went with us on our first trip and we were so inexperienced they missed so much. ( both are gone now) What i wouldn't give to be able to take them now. ANyway, for days would not imo be the better deal. If they are agreeable to staying longer, i highly suggest it.

 

[boltfan]

We used to go with my mom to WDW, in '04, '06 and '08. In 2004 it wasn't too bad as my sister and son were also with us and she was with them most of the time. My sister is much more relaxed with her touring, unlike me, who likes to have a plan and follow it as closely as possible. Anyway, the next two times my mother (who was in her late 60's) had a hard time keeping up with me and the 3 kids. It got very frustrating for all of us, for her who wanted to just walk and take in the sites, and us who were rushing around to fit in everything we wanted to do. And she is a very active woman, who works out at the YMCA every day, but she either couldn't or wouldn't keep up. Let's just say that our last trip in '10 with just me and the kids was much easier and with less conflict. Again, that was just my experience. I think it really depends on what you want to do and how you want to do your touring of the parks.

 

[pooh4me]

Boltfan,I understand your frustration but I also understand your mothers as I am a senior citizen who loves WDW. Cell phones and separating in the parks would have been the answer. I love to take my time and having the ability to keep in touch makes it much better. Also having a place to meet up and check in or having set time and places for meals will help both of you. If you are staying on site your mother would be able to go back and rest in the afternoon and meet up with you later. I hope you will be able to travel again together to WDW soon and have fun .

 

[tzeitel]

I agree that a longer stay might be better for older people. This way you are not running around trying to do everything in just a few days. If they get tired they could skip a day and stay in the hotel - they can sleep in, relax by the pool, have a quiet lunch and then be ready for you the next day

Maybe plan on doing more shows and TS meals when they are with you and then when they are not you can do rope drop, mad dash for Toy Story/Soarin/Peter Pan and stay until custodial is using their brooms to sweep you out of the parks at the end of the night

 

[boltfan]

pooh4me,

We tried to get my mom to get a cell phone, but she refused until 2 years ago, and even now she rarely uses it. And we went back to the hotel from around 1-4 every day to rest and use the pool. We even offered to separate and meet up again so she could take her time, but she wouldn't. She's not great with directions and easily gets lost in a parking lot, let alone a place like Magic Kingdom. We've offered to have her come with us each year, including this year's coming trip, but she says she just can't do it anymore. I do admit we are Disney commandos and with so little time there (4 days), I just can't slow down for her. We've been going to the Outer Banks with her on our off years instead...nice and relaxing for all!

 

[Dismom55]

We took mom in 09, she is 80 yrs old now, we typically stay 10 days, she was slow, surprised us by walking at a snail pace, so rather than be frustrated, I just rented her a wheelchair as she was hesitant to do the ECV, she did protest the wheelchair at first, but with my three kids in their early 20's we soon made her understand it was for the best. She saw so much more, enjoyed herself and we often talk of the fun. While her health would not withstand a trip now, it was the best decision at the time, we got to do those things we wanted to do and mom was able to keep up because we wheeled her along. Then she walked into the attractions along with us. Renting a wheelchair is much less costly too! Another plus, the pocket in the back, we did not have to carry as much. When it came to the shopping, she was able to browse just like back home, just got up and browsed and sat back in the wheelchair after making her purchases.

 

[msp2mco]

We took my parents on a 6-day trip, and it was the right amount of time. They stayed back at the hotel one morning when we went to EMH at AK, but we met them later in the day. Whatever you do, temper your expectations that their stamina will be the same as yours and that you do take time to separate or slow down to accommodate them.

 

[pat fan]

We have been with my parents twice for 5-6 days respectively, and I think a longer stay VS a shorter one is better. You can go at a slower pace that way, and while I would not split up in the traditional sense, I would let them stay at the resort for an afternoon or evening if they were tired and take kids to the parks if they wanted to go. My parents both had manual wheelchairs so if we weren't pushing them, they would not be able to navigate the parks. Have fun!