Grandparents and Disney

[goofymomof3]

We are planning a trip to Disney Dec. of 07 and staying thru NYD of 08. We have never been at Christmas and think we are prepared for the crowds. What we are not prepared for is taking my parents. They are 68 and in great shape. However, I do not see them walking the parks all day. I know they can get the auto chair but can they drive it in the crowds? Also, they will not be able to leave and go rest then get back in Will they???? I have heard that the parks reach compacity early. Any great ideas??? They have always wanted to go and I want to take them but I want them to have a good time not be miserable. I have seen all the posts, Are you really ever too young??? my question is Are you really ever too Old??

 

[tarheel618]

I don't mean to sound negative but could you go the 1st weeks of December or in January. Christmas was WAY to crowded. WE did it this year and NEVER AGAIN. Anyone in a wheel chair or scooter couldn't move-literally because of the crowds. I would hate for you to feel frustrated. JMO

 

[kmk160]

They can absolutely go out of the park, rest and come back in later in the day.
We have taken ds, 3, to Disney three times and NEVER WITHOUT a grandparent.
Its so nice to have another set of hands to help out and in addition, I know my parents loved seeing their grandson and now granddaughter, have a blast in wdw.
Whatever you choose to do, have a wonderful trip!

 

[dougsmom98]

If your only option is to go between Christmas and New Years, you just have to have a strategy. Get to the parks at opening and you will get a ton done in the first 2-3 hours. After that time, be open to possibilities and be willing to slow down and take in the scenes and smells of the parks. We would do the less popular attractions at that time and explore things that we normally wouldn't have explored (like the MK train, Tom Sawyer Island, or explore some of the buildings on Main Street) We took a lot of pictures at that time and would sit and have a snack on a bench and people watch. We would eat around 1:00 and by then it was very crowded. After lunch we would seek out a spot for the afternoon parade and relax and wait for that. Because we did a lot of resting at the park in the middle of the day, we did not always go back to the hotel for a rest. With the cooler weather, you and your parents may not need a break. We were off site, so we would leave around 4 to go back to the hotel for a swim and something to eat and then we would head back for the night attractions and never had trouble getting back in at that point. The exception to this is probably New Years Eve. We didn't do the parks at night that evening. We went to Animal Kingdom during the day and enjoyed our hotel at night.
As for the wheel chairs, it might be tough getting around mid-day but not impossible. We have twins and had to use a double stroller. It was hard, but doable.
Good luck.

 

[SueM in MN]

Unless they are experienced at using a scooter (also called ECV), I would not suggest trying it at Christmas/New Years. Even during slower times, it takes some getting used to to drive one in a busy area.

We have been to WDW a number of times during that time period (we had not choice, DH wanted to go to Orlando to see the bowl games on New Years). Our last trip was this year. It was busy enought that several of the parks closed to anyone coming into the parks on at least 2 of the days (so it is a possibility to leave and not get back in). We were pushing a wheelchair thru the parks and found it to be a bit like Christmas shopping with a wheelchair; crowded, busy and took longer to get from place to place. The waits for anything were long - attractions, food, bathrooms, so you will need extra time for everything and can't plan on doing everything you might like to do. Having a wheelchair or ECV does not get you any special placement in lines. It was busy enough several times that you could not really choose where to go, you just follow the crowd (like a school of fish).
Because of my DD's needs, we can't get to the parks early, but that is a very good thing to do. Other members of our party have done that during busy times (Easter, on several past trips) and found they could see most of Fantasyland and several of the other high demand things (Splash and Thunder Mountain) with almost no wait. Since the parks are open late most nights, many people are up late and don't get going in the morning. If you do that, you can leave the park once it gets busy and go somewhere else - visiting the resorts to see their Christmas decorations.

If you have to go during that time, I think using TourGuide Mike (a Theme Park Board sponsor) would be a good idea. We have nver used him, but I have read that his service allows you to figure out the least busy places to be so that you can be there.

 

[mericletwins]

We are planning a trip to Disney Dec. of 07 and staying thru NYD of 08. We have never been at Christmas and think we are prepared for the crowds. What we are not prepared for is taking my parents. They are 68 and in great shape. However, I do not see them walking the parks all day. I know they can get the auto chair but can they drive it in the crowds? Also, they will not be able to leave and go rest then get back in Will they???? I have heard that the parks reach compacity early. Any great ideas??? They have always wanted to go and I want to take them but I want them to have a good time not be miserable. I have seen all the posts, Are you really ever too young??? my question is Are you really ever too Old??

My mom goes with us usually and when she gets tired or has had enough (she only has one lung) she goes and hops Disney Transportation back to the resort. If you have to go Christmas week as opposed to any other week my best advice would be to stay on Disney property. The EMH will be a bit helpful and your parents being able to hop Disney transportation and go back to your resort and explore what they want, when they want will keep everyone a little happier.

 

[Tinker-Bee]

We just went to WDW 12/22-12/28 with my parents and had a great time. The last time they were at WDW was in 75'. We had showed them park maps and tried to explain how much walking you do. Once we were there they believed us.

Mom and I went over everything before we left. Although, she thought I was crazy for making ADR's in September. We knew what we wanted to do in each park and went early. We hit the big attractions early and made sure we did any rides they wanted to do. At times I think they were too tired to care and told us to go on they were taking a break. When it started getting really crowded (usually around 11) we would eat lunch then slow it down and just enjoy the parks.

On the last morning they relaxed and met us later. We were at MK at 7. My Mom and Dad were fine being on their own some and I think they enjoyed that time. Make plans the best you can and go with whatever happens.

Have fun planning!

 

[Hannathy]

First 68 is hardly elderly! Why are you worried if they are in great shape? If they get tired there are plenty of places in the park to sit down and see a show or even just have a snack and people watch. If my kids worried about me at 68 I would be offended. Retirement age has been raised to 67 or 68 for Soc. Security for a lot of people so I think everyone needs to revise their thinking. So unless they have a medical problem I call 68 middle aged. Now when you take them back in 20 yrs ask your question. Have fun don't over think everything.

 

[1Prince2Princesses]

My husband's grandparents love to go to the parks. They usually are on a different schedule than us, and want time to rest and see all the shows, while we do rides. We keep in touch via cell phone. (You could always buy a cheapie pre-paid for the trip and keep in touch that way)

In regards to the parks reaching capacity.... once you're in, you're part of the final #. You can come and go as you please. Going back to the hotel to rest is a lifesaver for anyone who tires easily, young OR old!

 

[goofymomof3]

Thanks for all the posts. Please don't be offended about the 68 thing. I am not the one worried about it they are. They do have medical conditions but they are still in good health and worried about all the walking. I didn't know about the thing if you get in that am you can come back because you have already been counted. That doesn't make sense to me, what if everyone leaves and the park is not at compacity? I 'll check on that. I never thought about the practice they may need to run the scooter. That could be hard. I am also worried now about going that week. We have been twice before in the summer and wanted to try something different. THe kids are out of school and I teach so I am out. I sure hope we don't live to regret that week. THanks so much for giving me your ideas.

 

[SueM in MN]

In regards to the parks reaching capacity.... once you're in, you're part of the final #. You can come and go as you please. Going back to the hotel to rest is a lifesaver for anyone who tires easily, young OR old!

As far as I know, that is not quite correct.
There are several levels of closing - one is because the parking lot is full. When that happens, that park is closed to people who are driving, but not to people who are onsite, using WDW transportation. If the park is at that level of closing, it is true that you will be still able to come and go using WDW transportation.

Another level of clsoing is the actual park closing.
They keep counts of people coming and going during the day. When a certain number of people are in the park (which varies depending on the capacity of that park), they close it to anyone coming in and don't re-open until enough people leave to make the number lower again.
If you are at a park that closes to anyone coming in and then leave, you will only be able to come back if the park is re-opened to people coming in. That park might be closed to entry/re-entry for an hour, 2 hours or the rest of the day.

 

[KimK2006]

My parents have gone with us almost every year for 8 or 9 years. They are now in their early 60's and in good health, so I can't speak for issues you might have with them getting around easily. But I wouldn't trade the memories my kids will have remembering their grandparents going with us or the memories I have seeing my parents enjoying seeing my daughter meeting Minnie Mouse for the first time, my son finally being tall enough to ride Rock'n'Roller Coster with them for the first time, etc. So, even if it is extra work, it is well worth it! It is also great to have some extra sets of eyes and hands with your kids.

Have a great trip!

 

[mericletwins]

I am also worried now about going that week. We have been twice before in the summer and wanted to try something different. THe kids are out of school and I teach so I am out. I sure hope we don't live to regret that week. THanks so much for giving me your ideas.

I am a teacher also and we go at Easter for that very reason. Our school break is Good Friday through the next weekend and while the parks are crowded I don't think it is as bad as Christmas week. I think everyone has the same break for Christmas while schools vary a little for Easter.

 

[KimK2006]

My husband is a high school principal and my daughter is in middle school, so, we also can't take off of school for a week. We find a day or two that they are out of school in the fall and my husband and kids will take off for an exta day. This gives us 5 days (we leave the afternoon or evening of their last day of school and fly back on a late afternoon or evening flight the last day) with the weekend. The crowds are light to moderate and we can do more in 5 days than we would be able to do in a week of heavy crowds. Plus, the rooms are a little less expensive and the weather is more likely to be nice.

This is something you might think about!