June 2015=First Trip for my Mom who is 67. Any Advice?

[Mikeb1892]

My mother will be traveling with my wife and I, and our two sons (8 & 2) in June for 10 nights. This will be her first trip to Disney, and I'm wondering if you could please provide some tips and/or essential items she/we should pack, touring strategies, must do's, etc for her. My wife and I have been to Disney multiple times so we are fairly seasoned, but as I mentioned, my Mom has never been there. We will be driving so packing space and weight is not an issue, and we do plan to take daily breaks at or shortly after lunchtime to go back to the resort (AKL-Kidani, so excited) for swims and naps. I'm sure we'll have at least 1 off day for rest also. Thanks.

 

[DopeyDame]

How active and fit is your mom? We were just there with my parents - both in their late 60s. My mom is in great shape. My dad has some serious health issues. Strategies and tips would be really different for each of them.
I did notice for both of them that they really enjoyed table service meals and were always disappointed when we did counter service. So make sure you're all on the same page aobut dining before the trip.

 

[Mikeb1892]

My mom is very active and fit, and we are trying to do a TS each day we are there.

 

[*pixie*dust*]

Are you from "up north"? If she is fit, heat will be the big issue for her.

Make sure that she brings several pairs of good shoes and extra clothes for changing. When my mom goes with us in the summer months, she changes her socks, shoes and top when we take a mid day break. She also brings some chafing gel, incase she develops any "hot spots" or heat rash. She also brings a sweater for when she goes in and out of air conditioning in the evening. Verify ahead of time that she doesn't take any meds that make her more sunlight sensitive. Sunglasses and a hat might also be a good idea. A lightweight, small cross body bag could also be a good idea if she wants to carry anything with her. My mom does great at WDW and loves it as much as we do! Have a great trip.

 

[dprincessmom]

My parents took a trip at about that age. As hard as this might be for your family, let her set the pace. We are so used to go go go, that sometimes you forget to smell the roses. My parents loved the Hoop Dee Doo Revue, along with most of the shows. Perhaps a tour might be enjoyable for her. Also, don't be afraid to go back out and leave mom at the resort if that is what she wishes on a night or park day. She may need some extra down time, so if she suggests it, let her be and go enjoy the day.

 

[Mikeb1892]

Thanks for the suggestions and tips. What would you say was your parent's favorite park?

 

[msmama]

I've traveled with my mom and inlaws (well, ex inlaws if we're getting specific). All are healthy and fit.

- The restaurants astounded them, especially quick service. They couldn't handle moving at the speed of Disney. (I got a menu and made them decide what they wanted and then I ordered for everyone). If you're a Disney vet, you know how things work, if you're not, apparently it's very confusing.

- At first they thought it was super cool that all the rides exited through a gift shop and wanted to look around at every one. I politely told them that if they were going to spend 30 minutes in each gift shop, they'd never ride another ride.

- They wouldn't admit to needing sitting breaks, so I played the "kid needs to sit for awhile" card a few times. Also, we're used to plopping down next to a wall or on a curb, but we had to actually find seats for them.

- I swear they get more crankier than my son when not kept properly fed and watered. Frozen lemonades were a lifesaver!

- I found that they tended to be interested in the rides/attractions that I have done once and now skip - Hall of Presidents, Carousel of Progress, Country Bear Jamboree, Tiki room, etc.

-Both sets of parents liked Epcot. Inlaws napped in every country while my son did Kidcot stations or the Phineas and Ferb game.

 

[Lavaluma]

My in-laws went with us in 2011 and are going with us again this June. They are 69 and 74. In 2011, we went to the same parks every day and only ate half of our meals together. They eat a much different schedule than us. We often separated for several hours a day and they left the parks earlier than we did each night. My father in-law was very skeptical about the first trip. He ended up loving it so much that they are going back with us again. While we spent a lot of time with characters and rides, they saw a lot more of the slower paced attractions and just explored areas more in depth. Their favorite park was Epcot. In June, we will be there 7 nights. We will be in the parks every day while they are planning 2 days in Epcot and 1 day each in MK, DHS and AK. They want to explore the other resorts and want a rest day.
My advice is to separate a few hours a day. They would have stayed with us the entire time if we had asked, but no one would have been as happy. I let them know what we plan to do in advance, they let me know what they are doing with us and it works out well. After our 2011 trip, we combined our photos and shared a photo pass. We saw all of these pictures of them in places we never made it to ourselves. There was a really good picture of them in one of the Mainstreet Vehicles. We got a 8x10 of them framed for Christmas that year.
Also, they had some things they wanted to do specifically with their grandchildren. At first, they were going to babysit one night. Somewhere along the line it turned into at least one hour a day we were sent away for them to have their time. For our upcoming trip, they already have some special things planned to do with the kids.
The 3 most important things I remember them needing was a lot of water, sunscreen and hats.

 

[jdmccon7]

We always travel with my parents who are late 60s early 70s now. While they can keep up with us in Dec, June is another story. Especially if you are from the north. I would suggest doing rope drop since it is cooler then. Also I try to alternate air conditioned with outdoor rides in June. And make sure she has comfortable shoes that are broken in.
As for what they like to do the best, hands down Epcot. We usually split up for that so the adults can take her time and enjoys the lands. Illuminations was also a big hit with my parents as was Soaring (go figure), Buzz Lightyear, Toy Story Mania and other other well themed ride that does not induce motion sickness.

 

[*pixie*dust*]

Unlike many other posters, my mom's least favorite park was Epcot. She has traveled quite a bit and felt like WS was just a "long strip mall". Her favorite, by far was MK. She loved the "classic" rides, parades and fireworks. She liked BTMR but did not like the other two mountains. She is a kid at heart so Peter Pan, Small World, Jungle Cruise, Dumbo and Haunted Mansion are many of her favorites. Her second favorite park is AK for all of the theming.

 

[jlp879]

It sounds like you're already halfway there with your planning for rest days and taking breaks during the heat. I think having a two year will save you because it's possible your mom may very well have the same requirements for down time and general time away from the stimulation.

When grandpa travels with us, each kid spends half a day acting as "grandparent advocate". The kids are older and want to do thrill rides. So, each one of them (and us) spends time sitting out with grandpa while everyone esle rides Space Mountain or other thrill ride. Then we do rider switch. The appointed advocate notices when we need to take a break, get a snack, etc. Also, many times when we stop for a break, he is done for the day. Fireworks and evening shows can't lure him back, he just wants to decompress in the room.

The best suggestion is to have lots of patience, keep lines of communication open and let mom know she doesn't have to do everything. Let her tell you her "must dos" and you can plan for those too. For my dad, he likes to soak in the Disney atmosphere, so we spend lots of time on Main Street, and througout the parks look for as much impromptu musical entertainment as we can find. His favourite is finding the Dapper Dans on Main Street.

 

[Mouse3Dad]

My Parents went with us for a shorter 6 day trip in the 2nd week of June. My dad was 66 and my mother was 64.

A few things we tried to do ( or didn't do) to make it easier on them.

• Don't plan as much around the hottest part of the day (1pm-5pm) is a perfect time to schedule a late lunch or take in a show. (You sound like you have it covered)

• We made a few TS meals in the parks. The thing we forgot. I made the reservation in the back of the park on a day we did later arrival. So getting to the park, then walking from the front to the back of the park is hard on anyone. Plan ahead. If you can plan on where you will be so a long trip across the park isn't required to make a ADR.

• Use the train at MK if at all possible. Using the train, and then working your way from the back of the park to the front saves some steps.

When I talk to my parents, I'll ask if there was anything they would do different next time. They may have some suggestions as well.

 

[Mikeb1892]

Great tips, thanks so much!

 

[Mikeb1892]

When I talk to my parents, I'll ask if there was anything they would do different next time. They may have some suggestions as well.

Just wondering if you had a chance to ask your parents about suggestions? Thanks.

 

[Mouse3Dad]

Just wondering if you had a chance to ask your parents about suggestions? Thanks.

I did, not alot more to add. A few suggestions they mentioned

One suggestion they made, they may only do one day at the park, instead of 3 or 4 days straight like we did.

Their suggestion, to take a break regardless if we did. The said they would go back to the resort and meet up with us later if they would do it again.

 

[DCbride]

We went DHs 75 yo step dad last Easter. He is extremely fit so that helped.

1) he fell asleep at every movie, hall of pres, etc. shocked me at first, sad he was missing it but he was always a but more refreshed

2) sit downward took longer, always got wine apps and desserts. Eek. We did print menus ahead of time so he had a plan of what he wanted to order.

3) he got up early so we did rope drop, either lunch in park it back at resort, nap and park got dinner.

4) whatever he saw he was smazed. He didn't need to see
Or do everything.

5) just like a family with a 16 yo and 3 yo plan some time apart.

 

[nat1234]

My daughter and I took my mom for the first time when she was 68. We went in November, not June. I planned breaks at the resort during the day. My mom was happy at times just looking at everything, enjoying the atmosphere. She did like a table service meal each day, so a couple of those I made breakfasts and one a lunch. It is definitely a slower pace but my daughter, who was turning 13 at the time and I really cherish the memories of Grandma's first trip to see the mouse. In fact my mom enjoyed that trip so much, I'm taking her back next year to celebrate her 75th. Have a great time and cherish the memories that your family will have of Grandma's first trip.

 

[Mikeb1892]

Thanks again for all the suggestions and tips. We normally take a fairly slow pace when we visit the world, so it sounds like that will fit right in with what my mom needs.

Thanks again.