"Mature" adults-need help convincing MIL

[mommystieg]

We are trying to get together a family trip for next year. FIL informed me last night that he is definitely going but "Mom doesn't want to go if it is just a bunch of rides" Do these people ever listen to us talk about our trips I was wondering if some of you could let me know your favorite things to do so I can help convince her that there is A LOT more than just rides. My DILs are in their mid 60's and in great health so lots of walking is not a problem. TIA

 

[jordgubben]

I think maybe I should have my parents call your in-laws. My folks love WDW and can't wait to go back "without the kids".

I seem to remember getting a video from disney called "Disney for Big Kids" that was geared more for adults. Maybe you can order that for them.

 

[April76]

Been there - done that.....

In February, we took a "whole family trip".... including both moms & friend (ages 75, 77 & 83) and two toddlers with 3 adults

What we did was divide the trip days into days "with or without" kids or oldies... this gave us the freedom to do the kids stuff or leisurely take in shows and attractions with the oldies that kids wouldn't be patient with. Of course, we also had days where everyone went together so the oldies could enjoy seeing the toddlers have fun.

We not only took the oldies to every show in all the parks (which they LOVED) but we got them on quite a few of the rides (plan carefully and use fastpass)... we also threw in some nice sit-down lunches or dinners in the parks and DTD shopping and don't forget some quiet time at the resort pool!

We stayed at ASMo and on the days we left the oldies behind, they were able to negotiate around the resort and do whatever they wanted on their "days off".

They are still raving about that trip!

Have a great trip!!!!!

 

[Mrs. Snowgod]

...and she LOVES going to WDW with us.

In fact, next week we are doing a quickie 3 night trip (yes, my signature says 2 but it keeps growing), and not going into the parks other than one night at PI, during which we plan to spend most of our time at the Adventurer's Club & Comedy club. The other nights we'll spend checking out Jellyrolls at the BW area, and watching the EWP and FITS from the Poly beach after a PS at 'Ohana. During the day we plan to swim, ride the boats between WL and MK, ride the monorail, shop at DD, visit other resorts and chill in our room.

On prior visits with Mom, we've done the F&WF at Epcot's WS, and taken her to AK, which she loved.

Good luck twisting her arm... if you can just get her there, WDW should be able to do the rest of the convincing on its own!

 

[AKASnowWhite]

My in-laws LOVE Epcot.....my MIL isn't into the *ride* thing either...just not her style....but they enjoy the shows (especially American Adventure & Hall of Presidents)....Riverboat in Liberty Square....Tom Sawyer's Island....Walking trails at AK.....Great Movie Ride....there is SO much to see and do that has nothing to do with thrill rides.

Good luck convincing them....I'm sure they'd love it if they gave it a shot!

 

[helenk]

My mother was 68 years old when we went in '99, she has rheumatoid arthritis which slows her down a bit, but she went on just about everything, except for Space Mountain, and the RNR. She was not real thrilled with body wars in Epcot, but was okay with Star tours. She really had a good time, it had been 15 years since she had last visited and so much had been added.
We took afternoon breaks, we would go back to the GF and the kids would go to the pool and my mother and I would get coffee and sit on the balcony and relax or sit in the room and read. It was the best vacation, we did the tea at the GF and one morning we had a massage at the GF spa. One night we went to the Hoopdedoo revue and another we went to the Luau
The family is going again next year and she is anxious to go again, the only thing she asked is that we do not start off so early, I like to do the early entry and she is not an early riser.
I hope you can talk her into going, it would be a shame to miss a family vacation.

 

[Tara8595]

In my opinion - the very best part of being at Disney World is feeling like a child, and you don't have to ride any thrill rides to get that feeling.

Also, in my opinion, the best 'attractions' in the park are the parades and Illuminations, and Fantasmic. All you have to do is sit and watch those. And the shows are great - tell them about FOTLK, and B&B, and Cinderella's surprise Celebration. How about making a list of all the non-thrill rides and showing them how much there is to see and do! Or show them the Unofficial guidebook with the senior ratings.

Thrill/motion rides - I think there are only what - 7 at MK (counting spinny ones), 3 at AK, 3 at MGM, and 1 (soon to be 2) at Epcot. So they miss out on maybe 5% (if that) of all that Disney offers.

Good luck. I wish I could get my 88 year old grandmother there, but she won't fly and can't be in a car that long.

 

[Jen D]

Since you used the term "Mature Adults" maybe you are familiar with the guidebook "WDW for Mature Adults." Geared toward folks in their fifties and up, it is great at addressing their needs and also convincing them that WDW is a great vacation spot for them. Amazon that book right over to your MIL! I checked it out from the library once-- it makes a very good case.

This may come up with my family eventually too-- my mom expressed interest in going, which will be a challenge because she has serious mobility issues but is too stubborn to use a wheelchair-- hsn't sat in one since she left the hospital for her stroke almost 20 years ago. But she moves very, very slowly (with a cane) and can't walk too far. So we'll have to convince her there is no shame in sitting in a wheelchair every now and then if she wants to see the parks. The bigger hurdle is my dad, who is in fantastic shape, he's like the Picture of Dorian Gray, but says in a disgusted voice whenever the subject comes up: "what would I do at Disney World?" They've only been once, on a day trip to MK in the 70's staying offsite.

 

[DancingBear]

Been with my parents, last time in December (ages 71), with my now-late FIL three times, into his 70s (including as his mobility was reduced), and with a 63 yo mobility-impaired cousin-in-law. All these folks had a great time.

My parents are in good health (knock on wood) and enjoy just about everything in the parks (other than "thrill rides"), also nice meals (CA Grill, Artist Pointe, Flying Fish, Chefs de France), golf, boat rides, etc.

My FIL and wife's cousin rode in wheelchairs much of the time. [JenD, I never thought my FIL would give in and ride, but he quickly realized all of the walking involved--he made himself useful by carrying our gym bag with the camera, etc., and was happy, got out and walked from time to time.] They enjoyed many rides (several, particularly at the newer parks, will accomodate a wheelchair directly), but also the live entertainment, fireworks, Illuminations, Fantasmic, parades, stage shows, character encounters, animal demonstrations at AK, etc.

Two favorite memories of my FIL---(1) leaving Epcot after Illuminations, he says "That was really something---and I'VE BEEN PLACES" (this from a guy who, among other things, regularly took fighters to pre-Castro Cuba), and (2) watching Spectromagic, with my FIL (sitting in the wheelchair section) leaning over the ropes to see what was coming next.

Your MIL would have a great time. Get the seniors DVD from Disney, show her the long list of things she can do.

 

[MOQ3424]

You shoud tell her there nor just rides there, there are great spactacular shows and tell her its not like other theme parks this one is the most magical of all!

 

[mommystieg]

Thanks for all the support! I plan on printing these out and showing her what everyone has to say. I also took the liberty of ordering her the video yesterday. I think part of her reluctance is that she is afraid that DH's siblings won't be able to afford to go. We only told them about this last July with the hope that 2 years would be enough time to save some money--however DH's siblings are not all that "fiscally responsible" We are willing to use ALL of our available DVC points to help reduce the cost of the trip for them. Wish us luck!!!!

 

[letfuller]

As I have stated in other posts, my DH and I went for a 10 year anniversary trip, without our kids. We did not spend too much time at MK, but we did go on the big rides and enjoyed some things which we might not have stopped for before: Country Bear Jamboree, Cinderella's suprise, etc.

We did find ourselves migrating back to Epcot. It was nice to casually go through the countries, and we really enjoyed the Imagination areas of today, tomorrow, etc. I would think older individuals would also enjoy this.

Perhaps your ILs would enjoy a back stage tour. We took The Land tour and it was an hour long walk through the green house. It was very interesting.

There are also the shows in all the parks, I especially enjoy The Lion King". And the dinner shows. We went to Hoop de Doo and even my, not interested in dinner shows husband, enjoyed and sang along.

We learned that Disney can be for any age. Hope they jump on the boat: OH, the Friendship boats from MGM, Epcot, Boardwalk, etc are fabulous to ride as well. At night we just sat on and enjoyed watching families return to their hotels and we even got to watch the higher fireworks from Illuminations.

 

[Sonar]

Along with all the rides, and other great & fun things to do there, one of my favorite parts of my trips have been just walking around, and soaking up the atmosphere & theming that is in the parks. If I had extra days to spend in the parks, I would spend them just walking around, being amazed at all of the detail that goes into the parks.

 

[donna in Oz]

In October, we are taking my MIL for her third trip. She is 72 years old and is totally BLIND. We usually navigate the parks with her in a wheelchair because she also has a recent hip replacement which doesn't seem to be quite "right".

Even though she cannot see the magic, she certainly feels it and loves the sounds/smells of the world. (If any of you have ever been annoyed by someone talking behind you during an attraction, I apologize . . . . it was probably me explaining her surroundings to her!! )

But she LOVES the world. . . . so much there for her to enjoy. Consider getting Guest of Honor badges for your MIL & FIL; they'd enjoy the extra personal touch!!