Help planning December trip with minimal walking

[msmayor]

Right now, she doesn't want to consider any mobility aids, but maybe after the first day she will reconsider?

I thought maybe I could talk her into us getting a wheelchair "to hold our stuff", and having it as a back-up but she is really against it.

My father took that exact position when we tried to convince him to rent a scooter. He resisted so hard, and was miserable the first five days of the trip. He missed a lot with his grandchildren because he was too tired, and opted to either sit somewhere in the shade and wait, or go back to the hotel. On the last full day we finally convinced him to get one, and two hours into the day regretted his prior decision to skip it. He had a wonderful day - never sapped of his energy and enjoyed watching his grands have a great day.

Of course, you mentioned that your kids are not walkers either. If they give up early on, I think you're going to end up spending a lot of money for park time that goes to waste...whether the other adult gets a wheelchair/scooter or not.

 

[moorish]

Are you planning on bringing a stroller for the kids? With two 6-year-olds who aren’t big on walking, my guess is that the chances you end up wanting to use/rent a stroller at some point is high. So in that case, you’ll be dealing with the stroller and you’ll want your other adult to be self-sufficient, so I’d also strongly recommend considering an ECV.

 

[Lady Hiss]

It is hard... I love her so much but she is really stubborn! And maybe she will be fine and I am just worrying about nothing, as per usual...

We have a couple of food stops loosely planned:

- Gaston's on Sunday
- Docking Bay 7 on Tuesday
- Cosmic Ray's on Thursday

Are any of these appropriate places for her to take a longer, seated break if she needs it? For instance, could she camp out at Cosmic Ray's while the rest of us do Tomorrowland and then we all meet up for lunch?

There are outside tables and chairs over near Space Mountain and the Tomorrowland Speedway. I’ve always enjoyed just sitting there and people watching while family is doing the mountain. Maybe she could take a break there or Carousel of Progress if weather doesn’t cooperate.

 

[RickNJane]

DW has a bad ankle so we feel your anxiety. We do what I call crushing it. That is be like Crush from Finding Nemo and just go with the flow. We pick a ride to rope drop that is central and go from there. We just don't over plan. We don't get in a hurry and rush, we mosey to the attraction. After the ride we check near by attraction wait times an go where the times are short and an easy walk. No LLMP, no sweating details, just let the day happen. You will be surprised at how effective this can be. We have used trip planning apps to make an itinerary, but we always scrap those plans. As the old general said The plan is perfect until the first shot is fired. Same with planning a park visit. Rides go down, weather can change, crowds ebb and flow.
I have seen too many people with their noses in their phones, anxiety building, yelling at the kids to HURRY UP! That's no way to vacation!

Just be like Crush and go with the flow.
Of course YMMV but it works for us.

Google disneygrandpa for more like this.

 

[Mousetopia]

Right now, she doesn't want to consider any mobility aids, but maybe after the first day she will reconsider?

I thought maybe I could talk her into us getting a wheelchair "to hold our stuff", and having it as a back-up but she is really against it.

Tell her to get over it but skip the wheelchair which is a lot of work for somebody..pusher or self wheeled..and get a scooter! Line ques are just 1 piece. Just getting from the car to your park ride destination can be a painful long walk.staying off site adds a lot more walking..plus time.may be only 20 min from Disney ..but once you are on Disney property plan on at least 30 to get to the parking lot.
Reality is that Disney is a vast property. Its a choice between a great trip enjoying every minute or a lot of misery. Off site is problematic though. Renting would be limited in each park daily and its expensive. If saving $$ is goal go with All Stars and rent a scooter for whole trip. I used Gold Mobility. I used one last trip first time. WOW what a relief it was. I could go all day and not be beat to shreds at end of night. Priceless!

 

[lampshadehead]

It is hard... I love her so much but she is really stubborn! And maybe she will be fine and I am just worrying about nothing, as per usual...

We have a couple of food stops loosely planned:

- Gaston's on Sunday
- Docking Bay 7 on Tuesday
- Cosmic Ray's on Thursday

Are any of these appropriate places for her to take a longer, seated break if she needs it? For instance, could she camp out at Cosmic Ray's while the rest of us do Tomorrowland and then we all meet up for lunch?

Gaston's is small and has limited seating. There are a few seats outside that you could possibly grab, if the weather cooperates. Docking Bay 7 you will most likely find a seat even if it takes a few minutes, same for Cosmic Rays. Thing is, they aren't necessarily relaxing places to sit. Its loud and busy. And like others have said, depending on time of year, you may have to order food before sitting down.
At HS, there are some benches outside of the bathrooms in the Pixar Plaza area, near the path that leads to Toy Story Land.

 

[RickNJane]

If saving $$ is goal go with All Stars and rent a scooter for whole trip.

Another thing that staying on property gives you is access to Disney transportation. The busses really cut down on the initial walk into the parks and can give you an easy way to have a midday break.

 

[jo-jo]

I read your plans again. Frankly, I'd be concerned with the part of the party take car, other take uber. If friend takes the car, do kids in Fla have to have a car seat? But even if friend takes uber, that's a long walk for her to make on her own, assuming she is leaving middle of what ever park and getting to the uber spot. What if she needs help along the way?

This is why we like a rollator, helps with walking, has seat when needed, fairly lightweight, folds up for trunk or back seat.

 

[lampshadehead]

Since you asked for ideas to reduce cost/walking, I would suggest skipping the Droid building and instead let the kids do the build your own Lightsaber at Tatooinne Traders (this is the gift shop at the Star Tours ride, NOT the expensive experience at Savi's).
Put the savings toward purchasing either a LLSP for ROR (recommend since your son is a big fan), or LLMP at HS or MK. The LL lines are shorter, so less walking.
100% go with staying on-site at one of the All-Stars. Look for discounts and book the cheapest room available. Whatever you save offsite will be minimal when you are factoring in a rental car and ubers and time.
Easier said than done I am sure, but try to convince this person to rent a scooter.
One more thing is that you want to rope drop HS, but also stay for Fantasmic and are paying for the dining package. That is a long day. Could you do a regular dining reservation somewhere? Do you absolutely need the dining package to see Fantasmic, and will everyone make it that late?

 

[jo-jo]

Since you asked for ideas to reduce cost/walking, I would suggest skipping the Droid building and instead let the kids do the build your own Lightsaber at Tatooinne Traders (this is the gift shop at the Star Tours ride, NOT the expensive experience at Savi's).
Put the savings toward purchasing either a LLSP for ROR (recommend since your son is a big fan), or LLMP at HS or MK. The LL lines are shorter, so less walking.
100% go with staying on-site at one of the All-Stars. Look for discounts and book the cheapest room available. Whatever you save offsite will be minimal when you are factoring in a rental car and ubers and time.
Easier said than done I am sure, but try to convince this person to rent a scooter.
One more thing is that you want to rope drop HS, but also stay for Fantasmic and are paying for the dining package. That is a long day. Could you do a regular dining reservation somewhere? Do you absolutely need the dining package to see Fantasmic, and will everyone make it that late?

I did a quick look at Dec 15, all star sports is about $200 a night. I know you can do cheaper off site, but again like lampshedehead said..........

 

[Caitlin_K]

We were actually gifted the hotel stay by a friend who had Marriot points expiring that they can't use... it is an amazing, generous gift, but we have to stay in a specific Marriot property! Otherwise I would agree, on-site might make more sense for us.

 

[jo-jo]

We were actually gifted the hotel stay by a friend who had Marriot points expiring that they can't use... it is an amazing, generous gift, but we have to stay in a specific Marriot property! Otherwise I would agree, on-site might make more sense for us.

yeah, can't beat free.

Are you flying in? Will your friend walk the airport? One year, my DH said no no no to a wheelchair. After he couldn't make even halfway to the plane's gate, he said to me, get the wheel chair. For a trip or two, we used Disney chairs, then a couple of trips with off site chairs, now he uses off site scooters.

How is your heath? Can you get a scooter and "share"? You 20% , her 80%??????

 

[Caitlin_K]

Thanks! I think she should be OK at the airport. She recently did an event where we stood in line for a little over 3 hours with no breaks. She was OK that day but tired and needed the next day to recover. I am scheduling every other day as a rest day. I also think I should try to plan on only spending about 3 hours (or maybe 3 and a half) before we break for lunch. So, 7:30 to 10:30, or maybe 11 if we stretch it. After we break for lunch, we can all go back to the hotel together. Then the kids and I can come back later in the day if we feel like it. The only twist is Fantasmic, because she really does want to see the show.

Also, thanks for the tip about Tatooinne Traders, I updated my plans!

 

[parasail_of_congress]

NM

 

[jo-jo]

Thanks! I think she should be OK at the airport. She recently did an event where we stood in line for a little over 3 hours with no breaks. She was OK that day but tired and needed the next day to recover. I am scheduling every other day as a rest day. I also think I should try to plan on only spending about 3 hours (or maybe 3 and a half) before we break for lunch. So, 7:30 to 10:30, or maybe 11 if we stretch it. After we break for lunch, we can all go back to the hotel together. Then the kids and I can come back later in the day if we feel like it. The only twist is Fantasmic, because she really does want to see the show.

Also, thanks for the tip about Tatooinne Traders, I updated my plans!

Does the hotel have a shuttle to the parks? I've never stayed off site , but I know some have shuttles but that may only be a few times a day. But still something you might want to check out. This way if plan A , B, C isn't working you may still have another option for transporation.

 

[Giraffe_Zen]

We were actually gifted the hotel stay by a friend who had Marriot points expiring that they can't use... it is an amazing, generous gift, but we have to stay in a specific Marriot property! Otherwise I would agree, on-site might make more sense for us.

The Swan and Dolphin resorts are on Disney Property and owned by Marriott. Would you be able to switch the stay over to there? IDK why it would have to be a "specific" Marriott property that you have to use the points at b/c they should be able to be used at any Marriott owned property. If you were able to stay at Swan or Dolphin, then you would be closer to accessing Epcot and DHS, and would have access to the Skyliner and busses and possibly the monorail sometimes. If she had an ECV she could just drive it into EPCOT's international gateway entrance from there, and could also access the skyliner to DHS there. You would have to bus to MK and AK, but at least the busses would be right there at your hotel on property and take you to the parks and back. You'd also get the Early Entry and Extended Evening hours benefits.

Good luck!

 

[jo-jo]

The Swan and Dolphin resorts are on Disney Property and owned by Marriott. Would you be able to switch the stay over to there? IDK why it would have to be a "specific" Marriott property that you have to use the points at b/c they should be able to be used at any Marriott owned property. If you were able to stay at Swan or Dolphin, then you would be closer to accessing Epcot and DHS, and would have access to the Skyliner and busses and possibly the monorail sometimes. If she had an ECV she could just drive it into EPCOT's international gateway entrance from there, and could also access the skyliner to DHS there. You would have to bus to MK and AK, but at least the busses would be right there at your hotel on property and take you to the parks and back. You'd also get the Early Entry and Extended Evening hours benefits.

Good luck!

I'm assuming marriott points work sort of like DVC and maybe the Swan would be so many more points, her 5 days trip might be 3.

But that's a great idea to at least check out. Would be wonderful if it worked out.

 

[Giraffe_Zen]

T

I'm assuming marriott points work sort of like DVC and maybe the Swan would be so many more points, her 5 days trip might be 3.

But that's a great idea to at least check out. Would be wonderful if it worked out.

That's why I said Swan/Dolphin, sometimes you can get the Dolphin for much less points than Swan. Just a thought and just trying to help OP by getting them closer to Parks and with more convienence.

 

[Pyxie]

Is her issue with a wheelchair/scooter a pride thing? There are SO MANY scooters at Disney that no one will notice or care. I really can't stress enough the convenience of it. My husband had to rent one for a trip when he was having foot issues. It was a life saver.

 

[otten]

Your plan has a long walk right off the bat by going from Small World to Haunted Mansion and as others have said, you can't really avoid a lot of walking in the parks.

We took someone with mobility issues who also refused to use any mobility aids and quite frankly it was miserable. The person complained the entire trip but when offered alternatives, refused. So my suggestion is to have a very frank conversation with this person because the last thing you want is for your kids trip to be ruined.