I think we have to cancel because of crowds.

[FreshTressa]

I was sooo looking forward to taking my elderly parents to disneyland, but there is no way they can handle large crowds. From what I'm reading, there is no time during the year to 'guarantee' low crowds. I feel so bad!

 

[GailT]

I did the same thing as you a few years ago when I was going to take my father to DW, between crowds but more so all the walking we decided not to go. I think you did the right thing

 

[FreshTressa]

I feel so bad because they have never been and I finally can afford to take them.

 

[WatchinCaptKangaroo]

I say go anyways. Go in the middle of the week and go at their pace. They may just love wandering down Main Street and taking it all in. Does it matter if you don't get to go on every ride? Go make the memories.

 

[staley7580]

We just got back, and I was pleasantly surprised that during the week there was VERY little crowds. Especially on wednesday. Try during the week, its not too bad.

 

[Harmony]

We went first week in June and the crowds were *very* bearable. I can send you a few pictures to prove it. I say go and enjoy it at their own pace. Do sit down restaurants...maybe one character meal to get a few good photos. Shop at the gift shops. Pause at the typical photo spots and just 'take it slow.' You'll have your pictures for the memories.

 

[ORMom2Four]

I agree with everyone else. Go in the middle of the week, maybe go for a few days in order to take your time. Take breaks during the day, head back to the hotel for a nap or a swim (or soak in the spa). Kinda like going with the little one's Don't go hardcore, relax, take time to see things that you don't normally notice...have fun!

I'm sure they will love it!

Jennifer

 

[cats mom]

Boy, that is a tough one.

Unfortunately it does seem to be getting harder and harder to predict crowd patterns.

What with year round schools, floating breaks, cheerleading competitions, conventions, discount promotions, etc. etc. even if you go at a time that has historically been slow, it could very well end up being downright ugly crowd-wise. I know.

We have gone every Oct. for years and although I think the days of walk ons for everything are gone, it's still usually very nice. Last year it was an absolute zoo. We scrapped our Oct trip this year for the 1st time in ages.

How about picking a time that is likely to be great weather-wise, going mid-week and taking your best shot at low crowds?

I know when we take my elderly in-laws there are not all that many things that are must dos for them, so even if it's more crowded than we like, we just drop the commando mode, slow things way down and make sure we get to the things they really enjoy.

I hope you can make it work.

 

[abby]

You can still take them, just adjust your expectations. My advice, if they are early risers is go when DL open the first few hours crowds are not bed at all.

 

[Captjackson]

I was sooo looking forward to taking my elderly parents to disneyland, but there is no way they can handle large crowds. From what I'm reading, there is no time during the year to 'guarantee' low crowds. I feel so bad!

I know there's no guarantee, but there are times you can pretty sure of low crowds. The first part December is usually considered good, as is the latter part of January and the early part of February. Our last vacation in DLR began Super Bowl Sunday and ended the next Friday. Sunday wasn't bad and Friday seemed crowded only because on Monday-Thursday the crowds were nowhere to be found.

 

[hlbtimes2]

I wouldnt cancel because of crowds. We've taken my MIL and FIL a couple times. They are in their 70's. They will probably go again in the spring with us. They'll be 75 and 78. They do great early in the day, but often take longer afternoon/ evening breaks then us.

Early March and early May are both good times to go. Avoid any holidays. If even a portion of the working world is off, the park will be busier. Go mid week. Make your trip a day longer then you think you need. Relax and go at a nice easy pace. Plan for breaks mid day. Go to DCA mid day when DL is the busiest.

 

[Tigger Fans!]

If walking is an issue rent a motorized wheelchair for them. When boarding rides using a wheelchair you board immediately with your party. This should help with any standing or walking that might cause issues (learned this with my Dad on our trip New Years' Eve 05). Hope this helps

 

[Beana]

Don't ever miss the chance to make a memory!!! Everyone has given perfect advice, take your time, they do have the motorized chairs for rent. Grab a box of popcorn and a bench and sit and people watch for a few minutes ...I truly feel that your folks will do just fine. Never waste the gift of a day spent with loved ones.

 

[CaptainJacksWench]

Oh dear! There has to be a slower time of year and time of week to take them. Maybe if they have the motorized carts, would that help them? I really hope you are able to take them. I know they'd love it so much, like you do!! I wish you the very best in your plans working out.

 

[FreshTressa]

Yes..standing in line with people bumping into them would be bad. They are both rather fragile. I think getting a wheelchair for my mom so they don't have to wait so long and people will give them wide berth. She walks slow anyway so the wheelchair would be nice.

Can you get out of it to go into the shops? I know it might have trouble using it in the shops. Will it get stolen outside?

 

[CaptainJacksWench]

I've seen wheelchairs sitting outside of shops a lot (as well as strollers) and they have shopping bags on them, etc. It would be a pretty pathetic person to steal someone's wheelchair! I'd say if it did happen...a CM would help get you another, but, I doubt anyone would take it. Also, you may consider getting one of the special assistance passes or whatever they are called, you can get it at City Hall if your mom or dad have health conditions.

 

[Beana]

My Grandmother uses a motorized chair (scooter, is what she calls it) and hasn't had any problems with leaving it to go into a shop. She's pretty slow and has to take things easy as she's had both hips replaced and had several surgeries on her spine. We just take our time when she's with us, she's also gone to Las Vegas several times and manages the crowds in the casino's and shows with no problems at all.

 

[Leofoenget]

I was sooo looking forward to taking my elderly parents to disneyland, but there is no way they can handle large crowds. From what I'm reading, there is no time during the year to 'guarantee' low crowds. I feel so bad!

I hear just after the holiday is good. Go the week after Thanksgiving, the beginning of Dec mid week. There was a thread on another board that just this last Weds 1 in the afternoon was totally dead. They had the place to themselves. I took my son very end of sept day before the halloween stuff opened it was walk on everyride. Splash FP line was even dead open to anyone. They didnt have FP even running on space. I say give it a try and escape to dca for lunch or something.

 

[Rella Bella]

I haven't taken a parent... but if your folks are early risers I think you'd be fine. We went for early entry and the park was vacant! The first few hours weren't crowded at all... and that was at peak season!

If you planned to take them early in the day and let them relax the rest of the day while you take the kids in the afternoon and/or evening... I bet you'd have a great time! Or just do the park in the morning and spend the rest of the day enjoying some thing else together. Older people won't want to do long days anyway. There are so many other things to do nearby in LA... or they may be content just to hang out and watch tv (depends on your folks) and that way you'd have the Disney memories too!

 

[Dakota_Lynn]

Yes..standing in line with people bumping into them would be bad. They are both rather fragile. I think getting a wheelchair for my mom so they don't have to wait so long and people will give them wide berth. She walks slow anyway so the wheelchair would be nice.

Can you get out of it to go into the shops? I know it might have trouble using it in the shops. Will it get stolen outside?

I was there last week with my mother who just had double knee replacement surgery. She can walk for about 15-20 minutes before she gets tired so she did a lot of that; parking the scooter and going into stores or on rides. The scooters come with a key that you carry with you when you park it so I doubt anybody could steel it unless they had already rented one themselves. And really, there were periods where she left her scooter unattended for quite a while.

The parks aren't that bad Monday through Thursday and with the help of a scooter, I'm sure they would do fine. My mum was able to get on most rides very quickly because of her disability and that sure helped a lot.

Good luck! I sure hope you guys get to go!!!!