Looking for Advice on traveling with elderly parents.

[Jonesloonybin]

Hi. I am looking for any advice. My dh, dd10 and I have been to WDW a few times now, but this upcoming trip is different. My in-laws are coming with us.

They are in their late 70's and have only been to Disneyland (30 years ago)

My father in law is a rather large man and he has mobility issues. I am planning on having him rent a scooter from an offsite vendor. He can walk, but VERY slowly and he HAS to use a walking stick. He has had multiple back surgeries and with his height, weight and the inability to walk standing straight up, it makes using a regular cane impossible. He has a walking stick that is about 4ish feet tall and made of wood (it is an actual walking stick and not a piece of wood he found.)

Some concerns/questions I have....
Will they let him bring in the walking stick?
Does he need one of those card things?
What happens on the rides that the scooter cannot fit through the ride lines?
What about rides like the peoplemover that have moving walkways to get on the ride?
We are driving our SUV to the parks (and father in law has a handicap parking thing), but how hard is it to get the scooter on to one of those scooter holder things that attach to our trailer hitch?
Is there anything else I should know or do? They are leaving EVERYTHING up to me and I am very nervous that they are going to have a horrible time.

Thank you so much for any advice!
Terri

 

[lanejudy]

Welcome! If dad's only issues are mobility/stamina related, the ECV will be all he needs. The DAS card is only for "invisible" disabilities that are not resolved by a wheelchair or ECV or other mobility aid. I don't believe you'll have any trouble bringing the walking stick for when he is ambulatory, and you are very smart to rent the ECV from offsite.

Nearly all ride lines at WDW are accessible. There are a few where ECVs are not allowed, so at such rides there will be a wheelchair available for ECV users to transfer (Pirates of the Caribbean comes to mind, but I believe there are a couple of others); however since you mention his size, I don't know if oversized wheelchairs are necessarily available at such rides, or if so you may need to wait for it if currently in use by another guest. I suggest you check the disABILITIES FAQ sticky near the top of this forum and there's a section that outlines which rides are mainstreamed or not and which require a transfer to wheelchair.

Most rides with a moving walkway can be slowed or stopped on request (mention this to each CM you see along the queue). However, since you specifically questioned the Peoplemover, that is one where the walkway cannot be stopped or slowed (nor at Peter Pan). ECVs and wheelchairs are not allowed on the moving walkway up the ramp, so unless you think he can manage under his own power, those 2 rides may be out.

I can't really answer about the scooter trailer, other than to ask if you already have one? I'm not sure how easy they are to rent, but maybe. I wouldn't think it's terribly difficult to park the scooter on it but it may take a little practice at first.

I suggest planning a more low-key visit than your family might be used to. The inlaws may need afternoon breaks, or even non-planned evenings. You don't mention if mom has any concerns, but it is quite a bit of walking. Many 70+ yr olds are quite up to this so it may not be a concern. They should also be aware of the heat and humidity, stay well-hydrated and take measures to not get overheated. That can come on much more quickly in older people.

Feel free to come back with any other questions that crop up.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[Bete]

First, make sure you get a scooter size that works for your dad. It very much sounds that you need a bigger scooter. The Pride Victory 10 which is rented out by Apple Scooter is rated for up to 350 pounds; although, it's never a good idea to max out the total weight capacity on the scooter. That particular scooter actually comes apart into 5 pieces; so, you can fit it into a car. It's considered to be a portable, travel scooter, but it's a larger scooter. It will take up a lot of room, but you may be able to manage in your car. You may have to be creative like putting the battery below your child's seat on the floor. Someone may have to have the chair portion on their lap.

I have not heard that you can rent a scooter lift, but I can't say it's not possible. It's not that hard to get a scooter on a lift; just make sure you have the right size lift for your particular scooter. You may have to tie the scooter down on the lift to secure it for driving the car. The average person goes 6 miles a day at a Disney Park. If you plan on a longer day that can jump up to 10 miles a day. I'm not sure your MIL may not need a scooter, as well. You can rent a scooter in a Disney park. If she can do some walking that could work for you. The scooter cost is well worth the cost; because, you can last so much longer in the parks. Park tickets aren't free and if a scooter allows you to stay longer in the park it's well worth it. Another consideration is you are doing this walking day in, day out. This can be exhausting.

I believe your in laws may be happy to sit out a few rides. It may not be worth the effort and exhaustion to go on some of the rides. I strongly suggest alternating rides with shows, eating, parades, and fireworks. This way they will get a rest. I would also go with the attitude that you are not doing Disney commando style on this trip. You may need to review this with your child, as well. Let the child know this will be a slower paced trip with grandma and grandpa. I would go early to the parks. The park is less crowded and it's cooler in the morning. Use fastpass plus for everyone. I would consider skipping long waits in ride lines. If there is a wait of an hour or more you may want to consider skipping that ride.

How active are your in laws at home? I would gage much of how to structure your Disney day based on their normalcy back home. If either one has a nap back home then you should allow a nap at Disney, too. If they need at least 8 hours of night sleep make sure they get it. If they are couch potatoes then you can't expect to be too active at the parks. Actually, I would consider a local zoo and give it a try with them and see how it goes. Most zoos allow you to rent scooters there. This would be good practice for the in laws. You may find yourself having to help with the scooters. The Soarin' ride in the Living Land complex in Epcot actually requires the scooter to use an elevator to get to that ride queue. This could be too hard to maneuver for them and one of you may have to do this for them. What is there medical condition? Is anyone diabetic? Does either one have a heart condition? What about respiratory conditions? All of this has to be taken into consideration for their trip there.

As far as the walking stick that could be a tricky one. I'm not sure this would be allowed at Disney. It could be considered a weapon. There are many different canes available and maybe a three prong type could work for him. There are canes that connect to your arms by your wrist like a bracelet and that type of cane might work for him. You may be able to use a wheelchair and do a transfer at some rides. You may have to be his balance and each one of you may have to be on his side (you and hubby) to help him into restaurants and certain rides. You can also get your father in law close to boarding a ride with the scooter and then one of you can ride the scooter over to the parking area. Do it in reverse when you get off the ride and get the scooter for him.

I would either stick with quick service restaurants or I would absolutely make advance reservations for table service places. I think quick service would be faster and perhaps easier. Even with advance reservations you have a wait before being seated. Make sure they stay hydrated. You can get free, tap water and ice at many places. Make sure they use suntan protection. They should bring sunglasses. I recommend a sun hat, too. You do need to watch if either in law is short of breath or similar. Don't think because you can handle it that they can, as well.

My husband is 77 and we still enjoy Disney, but we realize it's not the same trip to Disney as when we did it in our forties. We enjoy more shows, now and he does get a nap.

 

[sleepingbean]

You got great answers already and I don't have much to add. BUT...had to add that sometimes a slower trip can be fun in different ways where you will likely do less, and maybe spend more time over meals and at the pool, but what we have found, at Disney World, is that magic moments pop up in the most unexpected places and memories can be made around any corner.
We have traveled in large groups where some have mobility issues and we don't cover anywhere NEAR the territory, but we've found delight in spending time at the Epcot Aquarium and having the dolphins swim right up to us when we waved to them at the glass. Stopping to rest and chatting with a cast member who has a game or story to share with an enraptured child. Watching a parade together, and enjoying a root beer float on a warm day.
While the rides are fantastic and definitely a huge draw, the shows are wonderful, too. We were able to get into some shows with very little wait time. For Belle's show at Hollywood, they put us in front row (with wheelchair) and with Fantasmic, they put us in the back. Both were easy. We even enjoyed Ellen's Universe show at Epcot, which we had always avoided in the past. Everyone liked it and it lasted longer with more sit down time, which was good.
And what an experience to share. Those memories really do last a lifetime. My mom went with us after chemo and with an issue on her foot that caused her difficulty walking. We were a group of 10, and all ages, and we still had such a fantastic time and I am so glad we got to do it. I wish we could do it again!
Enjoy your trip

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I have read on the boards where folks who rented a scooter were about to disassemble them and put them in to small compact cars! So you should be able to do the same thing with the suv. The ECV come apart in two pieces and are easily to put back together.

 

[Tink575]

We have an old 2 door 1994 Ford Escort (low mileage and it wows Car Care when we bring it in for maintenance) and there is room for an ECV.

We had been pondering buying one, but my vision precludes driving it in the parks. I could manage driving it in our resort community to the pool and clubhouse, where it is uncrowded on the sidewalks, no problem with folks darting in front of me, so we are still considering getting one.

 

[Jonesloonybin]

Thank you all for the replies! So much great information!

The in laws live in Oregon and we are driving down from NC. Our plan is to arrive about 4 days before the inlaws and do our more commandoish style and then when we pick them up from the airport, we would have a nice slow and leisurely time with them.

We did go with them to DC last year and they told us that they would have no problems, well...that was not the case! He could not walk very far and had to go very slowly. She wore heels (because that is what she wears all the time and INSISTED was the most comfortable) well, after the second day I had to take her to the store for flat shoes.

She has been told that she MUST bring sneakers and NOT HEELS! She thinks she will not need a scooter, but our plan is to be there at rope drop since they are really early risers and with the time change for them, early is good. Then we could have her rent a scooter for the park if needed.

We are afternoon break people anyways so they will be getting some rest then too. We are looking forward to a relaxing touring style with them.

I will talk to them about alternatives for the walking stick. I am waiting to hear back from them with his dad's actual weight.

Thanks
Terri

 

[Golden Rose]

We have traveled frequently with a parent with mobility issues, my DM, who tires very easily and who can't stand or walk for long periods of time.

Our solution has been to stay on property, rent an ECV from one of the companies that actually lets you pick up at the hotel for the length of stay, and use Disney transportation to get to the parks (or walk and let her ride, when we were close enough to do so, as from the BW to both Epcot and DHS.)

When she is doing a park day with us, we try to do a few rides before lunch, have a table service ADR in the park, do one or two more rides, and let her go back to the room for a rest. Sometimes she naps, and sometimes she relaxes in the pool during her afternoon break. After her break, she will sometimes return to the park, and will sometimes decide that she has had enough rides and will just meet us for dinner. This is enough for her, and it makes her happy. She has found that more than that is just too ambitious for her, and will generally tire her so much that she doesn't enjoy the rest of the trip.

Honestly, we've gotten so used to touring this way with her that we've come to really like the slower pace.