FINALLY convinced parents to join us...

[psu4glory]

DW and i have made 7 trips to WDW since we were married in '01 - 4 since we joined DVC in '06. i've tried to convince my parents to come along on several of those trips, but to no avail. they've never been down there - have never even been on a plane before - and always use the excuses that they're 'not amusement park people', or 'florida is too hot'.

my dad (54) was diagnosed just over a year ago with leukemia, and was told that he most likely had 2-3 yrs left. so DW and i decided that we'd try one more time to get them to join us on one of our trips this year. to our surprise, they said 'YES'! we're so excited...they're going to be coming down with us on our annual christmas trip - the week after thanksgiving...which is perfect. temps will be comfortable...holiday decor will be in full swing...and the golf courses will be lush for me and my dad! i'm already praying that his health holds up through this year so that he might enjoy the trip...

it's amazing what a different feeling it is planning a trip for someone who's never been to disney. even though it'll be our 10th trip, it's like WE'RE going for the first time! we're already trying to put together lists of 'must-do's' in each park...restaurants that we have to hit...resorts that we have to see...we can't wait....

 

[LVSWL]

I am so happy for you! That is our favorite time to go. Which resort are you staying at for your trip? You will be able to see the Candlelight Processional and the Osborne Lights and your parents will enjoy all of the beautiful decorations and music without the crowds. Not to mention how fantastic the resorts look with their decorations up! I will say a prayer that his health remains stable and that you have a wonderful trip together.

 

[I'mNoPrince]

Thats is real great .

I'm glad I don't have to any arm twisting to get DM and DsF to come down with us.It's so nice when we can share our Happy place with family.

Have fun planning

 

[DVC Mike]

Wow, that is great news! You're taking them at one of the best times to go.

 

[psu4glory]

I am so happy for you! That is our favorite time to go. Which resort are you staying at for your trip? You will be able to see the Candlelight Processional and the Osborne Lights and your parents will enjoy all of the beautiful decorations and music without the crowds. Not to mention how fantastic the resorts look with their decorations up! I will say a prayer that his health remains stable and that you have a wonderful trip together.

right! one of the big reasons we decided to wait so long was to allow them to be able to enjoy WDW at the holidays. they'll love the osborne lights - and the wilderness lodge decor - and everything else that makes disney a winter wonderland in DEC!

assuming that i can still get a 2-br for the week tomorrow when i call MS, we'll be staying at BWV...

 

[psu4glory]

I will say a prayer that his health remains stable and that you have a wonderful trip together.

thank you so much...i really appreciate that!

 

[Alexander]

I told DH last night that we HAVE to get his parents there. They aren't getting any younger and our boys are getting bigger. I looked at the calendar and we too decided on going to get the first week of December. I don't know how we'll convince my FIL, but I guess I'll just get it all booked and tell him he IS going. MIL is all for it, but he FIL doesn't want to leave the farm.

 

[LVSWL]

thank you so much...i really appreciate that!

You are welcome! Hope you get your BWV ressie, but if not, you will still have a wonderful time and could go over there and check out the decorations by way of the back entrance of Epcot, maybe eat on the Boardwalk, do they like seafood, eat at the Flying Fish maybe?, or get an ice cream at Beaches and Cream. When you are sure about your ressie, you might want to sign up for the Christmas tree on the DVC thread. There are always several small trees at each DVC resorts that are passed around each week starting before Thanksgiving and you can sign up for them and pick them up at the desk to use in your room for your trip. That would be really cool. If that interests you, find the thread and the info is in it. I think everyone puts a few $s in so that at the end of the holidays the tree can be mailed back to the first Diser that originally brought it down to WDW. We drive so we usually bring our own just to brighten up the place. Oh gosh, I'm getting excited for you!!!

 

[psu4glory]

You are welcome! Hope you get your BWV ressie, but if not, you will still have a wonderful time and could go over there and check out the decorations by way of the back entrance of Epcot, maybe eat on the Boardwalk, do they like seafood, eat at the Flying Fish maybe?, or get an ice cream at Beaches and Cream. When you are sure about your ressie, you might want to sign up for the Christmas tree on the DVC thread. There are always several small trees at each DVC resorts that are passed around each week starting before Thanksgiving and you can sign up for them and pick them up at the desk to use in your room for your trip. That would be really cool. If that interests you, find the thread and the info is in it. I think everyone puts a few $s in so that at the end of the holidays the tree can be mailed back to the first Diser that originally brought it down to WDW. We drive so we usually bring our own just to brighten up the place. Oh gosh, I'm getting excited for you!!!

yeah...i'm hoping that we can get in at BWV - but if not, i'm not all that concerned. we'll have a great time either way.

thanks for the info on the christmas tree - i didn't know that. i'll have to look up the thread and check it out!

 

[ChelleinNC]

I'm excited for you! I lost my mom to colon cancer 7 years ago, she never got to come with us I did get my Dad & his new wife to come with us in December (see trip report ) and we've scheduled a trip for Easter with my inlaws.

Here's the link to the share a tree thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1504281
Wdwstar will start taking names in July, so keep your eyes open. It was a great part of our trip

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Glad this opportunity has come about for you. Just be sure in your excitement that you do not pack the schedule to tight. Leave some down time, winding down time, and some alone time (at least available) for your parents. You probably want them to see and experience everything you have been experiencing over the years, but that is not possible.

Don't mean to be a stick in the mud (whatever that means), but this could easily be too much at once for older newbies who have never really been keen about it start with. Go slow and thoughtfully.

Then have a great trip.

 

[psu4glory]

Glad this opportunity has come about for you. Just be sure in your excitement that you do not pack the schedule to tight. Leave some down time, winding down time, and some alone time (at least available) for your parents. You probably want them to see and experience everything you have been experiencing over the years, but that is not possible.

Don't mean to be a stick in the mud (whatever that means), but this could easily be too much at once for older newbies who have never really been keen about it start with. Go slow and thoughtfully.

Then have a great trip.

that's not being a stick in the mud. it's great advice....i thought the same, but know it will be difficult. i definitely will need to keep this in mind when i feel myself getting too excited during our planning...

 

[Flyerfan]

it's amazing what a different feeling it is planning a trip for someone who's never been to disney. even though it'll be our 10th trip, it's like WE'RE going for the first time! we're already trying to put together lists of 'must-do's' in each park...restaurants that we have to hit...resorts that we have to see...we can't wait....

We've been wanting to take DH's parents and would love to plan for someone who's never been there. I'm a little hesitant because they are not travelling people and maybe they would be nervous to go but we'll keep trying. Have fun planning and I hope they have a great time. Love to hear about it when you get back!

WE ARE......PENN STATE!!

 

[disneymom8589]

I'm so glad you have a wonderful upcoming trip planned with your parents!

 

[BamaEd1]

We went with my in-laws over Thankgiving. They will celebrate their 50th this year and had never been. I saw Disney Magic work on them and they are still talking about the trip and want to go back. They are worried about paying for it, but since we are now DVC members, that is not a concern. I hope everyone's health holds out so that ya'll can have a magical, memory-filled vacation!

 

[BroganMc]

that's not being a stick in the mud. it's great advice....i thought the same, but know it will be difficult. i definitely will need to keep this in mind when i feel myself getting too excited during our planning...

Some tips I've learned traveling to Disney with a dad in his 70's (as well as various newbies and groups of all ages):

Don't plan too many sit-down meals. Older folks can get filled tummies fast and want to go take a nap instead of walk it off. One big meal a day or alternate days so they can have a half day schedule. (Small meals and snacks are preferable to maintain energy without depleting stamina.)

Don't do full day commando touring. Chances are they'll be spent by mid-day and cranky come late afternoon. (Yes, the older you get the more you can resemble your younger self.)

Plan lots of "stop and smell the roses" experiences throughout your trip. Walking around a resort, sitting on those rocking chairs and people watching, enjoying a show, all those things low-adrenaline mature people have the wisdom to enjoy.

If any older folks are iffy on the walking (i.e. not used to a 5 mile sprint EOD), look into renting scooters for the trip. Perhaps just getting one that can be shared so both older folks can have the opportunity to walk or ride as their energy level permits.

When planning park touring, stick to your TOP THREE MUST-SEES. Treat the rest as "if we have time" or "spur of the moment decision". This is to help veterans focus on newbies without overwhelming them. It isn't possible to see and do everything in a theme park. Your goal should be to give the newbie a well-rounded taste of Disney so they'll want to come back and learn more.

Florida in December can get downright chilly at night. Older folks also have a tendency to be more sensitive to extreme weather shifts (too hot or too cold). So keep that in mind if you plan any after dark touring. A light fleece sweater or jacket helps ward off any chill.

Always, always have some sort of itinerary in your head with lots of contingencies. This is for your sanity. Resist sharing all the little details with your newbies but know it for yourself. Then when someone is cranky, tired, unexpectedly getting their second wind, hungry, or whatever, you have an alternate suggestion of what to do. The last thing you want to do is waste 20-30 minutes debating all the different things you could do. That'll breed frustration in everyone. (On the flip side, sharing too many details can lead folks to see you as their slave-driver instead of helpful guide.)

One thing I do for my groups is to print up a weekly calendar with the top activities for the day (sit-down meals, shows, etc.). It also includes pool time and down days. We put it up on the fridge at the resort (along with a guide of park hours) so everyone can see what's to look forward to next.

With "not amusement park" people, concentrate on attractions that differentiate Disney from other plain jane amusement parks. For instance, POTC and Peter Pan are fabulous because they are 90% audioanimatronic Disney imagineering. The rollercoasters, Tea Cups, Carousel, etc. are rides every amusement park has in some form. (Splash looks just like any log ride from the outside.)

Good luck. May you and your dad have several more years of Disney fun ahead of you. Back in 2000, my mom was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. They gave her 1-2 year odds. She too decided it was time to start doing things, and she put in 4 years of Disney trips until the disease trumped her. My dad still travels in her memory.