How to get Grandparents Interested

[gadb1]

We are taking my parents to AKL on a couple of weeks.

My dad is around 70 and he is only going because my Mom (74) wanted to go 'while she still could'.

Dad doesn't like Disney much and he doesn't have any interest in the characters although he is interested in movies and so on.

Anyone got any ideas of how to engage his enthusiasm on the first day so that he will be interested and happy during the rest of the trip

Thanx

 

[grumpyandbashful]

Hopefully once he gets there, he will get into the spirit of things and have a great time. If your parents are fit enough to walk through the parks, etc., they should have a great time. You picked a good time for weather, and hopefully the crowds won't be too heavy.
How long will you be there? Are you planning to visit all the parks? Your Mom and Dad might enjoy some slower-paced things such as touring the other deluxe resorts, etc.
When will you be at the AKL? We'll be there March 6-11 !
Good Luck - I hope you have a great time, and I congratulate you on getting your parents to WDW. Mine are too elderly now to go, and have never been. My Mom still rolls her eyes and says "You're NOT going THERE again, are you??" .

 

[ncbyrne]

You didn't mention if kids are coming on the trip. DH and I are grandparents to six little darlings. I love going to WDW with my kids and their kids, but DH, well, let's just say he stays home on those trips. DH and I have another 'just us' trip coming up in May. My advice would be to take things at your parent's pace. Start the vacation in Epcot. It's usually the favorite park for seniors! And if your dad or mom wants to hang back and enjoy the resort, let them...and go on your way.

 

[zulaya]

Are you taking the grandkids? That seriously could make all the difference. Seeing the kids reaction to MK and characters and the "magic" gets my parents more than anything.

And if your dad is ho-hum about it...just give it some time. My DH was only tolerating my wish to take the kids to WDW the first time we went (stayed offsite no less). He came home an addict - as in how long till we can go back. His conversion is now total - we got DVC in 2002.

You never know...being immersed in WDW can do strange things to people...like permanently etchign a smile on their face while they are there.

 

[gadb1]

Many thanx for the advice.

Yes my children (all boys aged 10, 8 and 5) are going and that will make all the difference for my Mom. Just seriously worried about my Dad enthusiasm. He just doesn't get enthused by anything very much. But as you say WDW can do strange things to people.

It is our 3rd visit and we are going for 15 days (so we can chill out especially as my wife is recovering from cancer treatment) so we can go as slow as we need.

We had thought about MGM for day one planning to hit the Indiana Jones stunt show as it is one of Dad's favorite movies and then go to Epcot for fireworks after dinner.

Hopefully this will get him in the spirit of WDW.

 

[winniedapooh]

My suggestion was going to be take him to MGM first park if he is a movie buff. Off the top of my head I think he would enjoy Indiana Jones, the Great Movie Ride, and that movie and walk through about Walt's Life. We took the cherubs to Walt's Life in Dec. and cannot wait to go back alone so that we can actually walk through it and read it. Kids kept pushing on and moving ahead! Hope this helps.

 

[auntpolly]

Do they golf ? Book it for them in advance (it's expensive). They say the courses are georgeous, and it sounds like a good bribe to me!

 

[DisneyObsessed]

My dad went with us when he was about 75. He wasn't all that thrilled about it. He was saying, "oh yippie, I'm going to an amusement park." Boy did that change once he got there. He fell in love with the whole atmosphere. He ended up being such a trooper, going on all kinds of rides and everything. Even after having had 2 heart attacks in previous years, he didn't let anything stop him. He had an absolute blast. Hopefully that will happen with your dad too.