"Mature" adults-need help convincing MIL

[mommystieg]

We are trying to plan a family trip for next year. Last night, FIL informed me that he was going but "Mom doesn't want to go if it is just a bunch of rides" Don't these people ever listen to us talk about our trips or actually look at the pictures Anyway, if you could let me know some of your favorite things to do then I can show her there is A LOT more than rides. My DILs are in their mid 60's and in great health so lots of walking is not a problem. TIA

 

[tricia]

Isn't one of the WDW planning videos specific for Mature guests? Also, maybe post this on the WDW for adults board. You might get a better response.

 

[crisi]

We have a similar issue.

We invited my in-laws. My father in law was never really interested and finally decided he had to work (which he does, its just if he'd told us that months ago we'd have rescheduled). My mother in law isn't sure about the whole thing, but definately wants to go to enjoy us and the grandkids. She'd probably rather go somewhere else, but she is eager for the time with us and the kids.0000

Which is what we are selling her on. We are picking a few "musts" for us as a whole family, making some dinner arrangements for the group, and telling her that the rest of it she can decide to do or not do. If she wants to sit by the pool with a book, thats fine with us. If she wants to sleep in and join up with us at lunch time, thats good. The musts are things that we really think either she will enjoy (the Safari ride and Lion King show in AK for instance, Illuminations and Spectromagic), or where the look on the kids face makes Disney worthwhile - A morning in the MK. A character meal. And there are a few things on the agenda we've just said "you can join us if you want, but you probably aren't interested (i.e. waterparks)."

We are also paying for the whole thing - so she isn't spending her money doing something she isn't interested in. And we are bringing her sister along (since her husband is being a stick in the mud), so I don't need to worry about her tagging along just so she won't be alone. The two of them can roam through Epcot or DTD or see Cirque if they want.

 

[Figment&Piglet]

My mother, who's just turned 75, goes once a year, sometimes twice. She wouldn't be caught DEAD in WDW if it were "just a bunch of rides," LOL! She'd never go to an "amusement park," and USIOA, for example, bored her out of her mind. What keeps her going back to WDW every year for the last 20 years or so? Well, first off, definitely the gardens/flowers/landscaping (especially during the EPCOT flower & garden festival). Then the general look of the grounds (buildings, architecture, etc.), the people-watching, the shows and all the other non-ride types of entertainment, the nice restaurants/good food, etc., etc., etc.! She rarely goes on any rides (certainly nothing more "wild" than Pirates, LOL), and she loves it. (And she's not a beach/pool person, either.) It's funny, but anyone who hasn't been to WDW and thinks it's a "bunch of rides" is in for a very, very pleasant surprise, don't you think?

That said, does your MIL have any particular interests -- like gardening, trying cuisine from other countries, etc.? If so, you're bound to be able to talk them up easily if she needs convincing as to whether she'd enjoy herself.


Hope this has helped!

 

[Daxx]

We just came back from WDW. On our trip, there was me, DH, DS (age 6.5) and my 83 yo Grandmother (who is DS's great grandmother). There was so much for her to see and do w/o riding all the rides.

The shows ... Tarzan Rocks, Beauty & The Beast, Voyage of the Little Mermaid, Fantasmic, the Artists show (can't remember what it was called), the movies in the various EPCOT pavillions, The Hall of Presidents, the movie about W. Disney's life as told by him, Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular, It's Tough To Be A Bug, Pirates of the Caribbean, IASW, Kilimanjaro Safari, the Lion King show, Spaceship Earth .... visiting every country of EPCOT ... I could go on and on and on. She enjoyed people watching w/DS when DH & I went on the more "adult" rides (TOT, R&RC). She totally loved Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin.

My 83 yo Grandmother kept up pace w/us throughout the whole trip! She enjoyed our character meals and had the biggest thrill watching her great grandson playing and enjoying the magic!!!!

If my grandmother can find so many things to enjoy at WDW, then your MIL can certainly find something equally wonderful as well!!!!

 

[mmiller711]

My mother, who is 79, LOVES Disney! She goes with us every year. She uses a scooter to get around and feels independent that way. She is going with us in Aug. because she wants to see her Great-Grandson (my first grandchild) at Disney. I wasn't planning water parks because my mother is very afraid of water and dose't swim...she has gone to see the kids but I thought with the baby being small (19 months) we would just skip it. She had a fit. "Can't you just see him running through the water and sliding. Playing in the fountains. How can you go and not take him to a water park!" She can't wait to see his face. Tell you MIL it is not about adults at Disney it's about kids and there is a little kid in all of us. I know how you feel because my family always goes and my IL will not! My husband would love his mother to go just once.

 

[Sue & Co.]

The one place I would be sure to stress to her is Epcot. yes there are one or two rides (test track and mission space) but mostly it is just such an interesting place to look around. There is so much to see that even if you are fit and good at walking you need at least two days to do it.

Animal Kingdom is also a good choice as long as she doesn't hate animals.

 

[Disney1fan2002]

Here is something you can tell her "Trust me, you will love it. It is hard for me to tell you why you will love it, because different people love different things about Disney. But it is hard to explain the Magic, you have to be there to feel it"

Let me tell you how I ended up on a trip to Disney for the first time at 27 years old. My sister had taken her kids when her oldest was 5. That was her first trip. When she got back, she could NOT stop talking about how great it was, it was so CLEAN, the rides were all great, ect. She even vowed right then and there, that she is never going to a regular amusement park again. They seemed so filthy after going to Disney. So, at the time I was isngle, and worked 2 jobs. She kept telling me I had to go. I would look at her like she had two heads! Why would I, a single girl with NO kids think Disney is a great place for a vacation? My sister took her 1st trip in 1989, it wasn't until 1995 that I finally decided to go. SHe had been backfor another trip in 1991, and was even more adament that I should go. 6 years of her HOUNDING me to go! LOL. SO, my best friend was graduating from college after 7 long years of being a student ( don't ask, LOL)
So, knowing she couldn't afford to pay for her half of the trip if I invited her to come with me, I bought a 10 night trip with airfare for her graduation gift. We went, and to this day, still talk about that trip. It was the best time!!! We were wrapped in the Magic! I am forever a Disney fanatic now. Since then, I have been 7 times. My sister just laughs now, I go more than she does! ( well, that has to do with her having a family of 8)

Please tell your MIL to just come and have an open mind. That is the best you can tell her, if you try to tell her what is "great" about Disney, it could backfire. She may get there and not thinks that those particular things are great, and it could ruin how she perceives everything else. If you let her find her own magic, I am pretty sure you are going to leave there with a new Disney fan!!!!