MIL first and only trip...must do's?

[TygerHawks]

Planning our third trip in June, with the added bonus of my first timer, over 60, MIL. I have been so focused on making sure the wife and I have fun, my son enjoys his graduation trip, and my daughter enjoys her 9th Bday, that I don't want to overlook my MIL. A few quick facts:

- Not into fast, spinning, or real bumpy rides. Doesn't expect to do much, despite me stating otherwise.
- Slow mover, currently debating on Scooter rental.
- Eyes glaze over when asking planning questions, doesn't understand scope of parks.
- Very frugal (we are paying for QSDP for this reason..can't argue food prices)
- Has traveled Europe (Military spouse)

I am probably making it sound worse then it is lol, but trying to keep the Disney Magic feeling as much as possible by focusing on the experience of Disney. What are some "must do's" that you would incorporate? Planning on all shows and fireworks. Have ADR's at BOG breakfast and Ohanna (we are paying for daughter birthday). Looking for both in parks and outside.

 

[teachmedis]

I understand where you're coming from! I've only been on one trip, but I brought my mom and mil (both over 60) on the trip and planning was a bear. For our trip next year it'll just be mil but she can't wait. Initially, both were very annoyed with my constant planning questions, once the scope of the size of the parks became clear to them they thanked me endlessly. I made sure they had one nice sit down meal a day. I made sure they had time to shop (even frugal grandma's love it right?). We took breaks every afternoon for pool and naps. I made sure I had lots of information about the history of the parks. All this said, we were also traveling with young children. So both ends of the spectrum had more or less the same needs-- no thrill rides, lots of rest breaks, and a little extra patience. For our next trip we're giving mil a whole day off from parks while we go to a water park. I love that my kids get these memories with their grandmas and I look forward to seeing other ideas mentioned.

 

[IrishNYC]

If she doesn't want to hear about plans, just make your own plans, include her, and she can sit out when she needs to.

 

[MamaBelle4]

Just got back from my trip with my MIL. Her one and done trip (she's already talking about going back).

Same thing! They splintered off when they needed rest. Her favorite rides were TSMM and Buzz. I would recommend planning the trip around the kids, asking MIL for input, and going at your normal pace but let her know you'll rest if she needs it and she can go back to the room if she needs to.

Try to plan one thing at each park for her. DHS, I had planned the GMR, knowing she would love it. AK, the safari. Epcot, Soarin. And MK, Buzz & the parade.

 

[MamaBelle4]

Also, I would add a trip to DS if you can. I found it to be lots of fun and MIL enjoyed the quiet walk over from SSR and the shopping and food choices.

 

[housetomouse]

Where will you be staying? I ask because I wonder if heading back to the hotel will be easy for her or would you be better off finding her places to take breaks in the parks.

 

[Kerriowl]

I would make sure to do Carousel of progress and small world. My mom remembers hearing about those when they were designed. Plus, its just sitting. No spinning or bumping. Is having her go back to the room while you stay in the parks a reasonable expectation? If so, she could go back and relax while you do things she isn't interested in. Otherwise, it may be wise for her to bring a book or something else to do while you are on things she isn't interested in. Also, on most rides that she would want to skip, I believe it is possible for her to stay with you in line and take the "chicken" exit. This would add to family time, plus she would get to see the designs in the line.

 

[TygerHawks]

Great tips, thank you! Great to hear that others have experienced this. We are staying onsite at Art of Music, so headed back to the resort is an option. Whether she takes that option or not we will see. I do know that on our last trip, the plan was to go back to the resort mid-day but that never happened. In fact, the final day where we were supposed to leave after lunch ended up with us closing out MK. Splitting up at times is something that needs to be discussed, but tempted to wait until she sees the world first hand.

 

[lovethattink]

I hear you about the glazed eyes. It's hard to explain the size of WDW to someone who hasn't been. My mom thought we could walk from Epcot to MK when we were going to park hop.

If your MIL is anything like my mom or MIL when they were 60, it wasn't hard to please. They both went on all the rides when they were in their 60's. But MIL never went back on TT after her first.

The one thing they didn't like was the hurry up to wait. So we didn't rush into preshows or shows. We'd just meet at the exit if we got separated.

Our moms walk at a snail's pace compared to us. We had to resolve to the fact that sloth was the only speed we'd walk. But you'd be surprised how many hidden treasures you can find along the way when you stop to smell the roses.

 

[agavegirl1]

60 yo MIL here...

Remember, we are the ones who grew up watching Walt on TV. Davy Crockett, Nature Shows, Mickey and the gang, Pollyanna, Tall Tales and so on. Your MIL might actually know why Pecos Bill's is named Pecos Bill's and Casey's is Casey's. While the nostalgia is inspiring, I also ride roller coasters, love shows, enjoy street performers. But, please don't skip the classics. I love the Treehouse because the movie is part of my childhood and I always wanted to live there. For her first time "one and done" trip, classics are a must...even if you split up your group to do it.

The scope of WDW can be difficult to fathom if you have never been there. Have you considered showing her some of the WDW specials or the planning DVD? Do you use the planning books at all? You don't have to ask a lot of questions while her eyes glaze over. Just have a little corner of a table with a stack of planning books and papers with notes hanging around. Move it aside when she is there and casually mention, that it is your WDW planning stuff. Ask if she would be interested in seeing the planning DVD.

Be sure and tell her she is welcome to go back to the room at any time and you will be happy to accommodate her wishes into your plan if she would like to do something special. Please don't assume, as a PP mentioned, that she might want to shop. Find out if she would like to. I don't shop. I detest it actually. Pictures are my keepsakes. Lots and lots of pictures... so please take lots and lots of pictures.

I really wish my adult children would take me to WDW. Only one of the four ever even goes there. If I could find a time that worked for the whole tribe I would MAKE them all come on a trip with me...I would even pay. They are such busy people and they live all over the place.

 

[kmb584]

My grandmother, 83, comes with us on all of our WDW vacations, which are twice per year. She has arthritis in her knees and shoulders but is physically and medically fine otherwise.

1: We've learned to slow it down and go at her pace. At 83, my grandmother is not able to walk as fast as we do, and we're completely fine with that. If it takes us 20 minutes to go down Main Street U.S.A. then so be it. All of us are just happy that she's healthy enough to join us.

2: My grandmother is not one for thrill rides, but she's also not one for attractions such as IaSW, PoC, or Frozen. Stepping into and out of the boats, as well as sitting on a low seat, are difficult for her as well as uncomfortable. So, that's something to take into consideration. I know that I never even thought about it, nor did she until she joined us when DD was 2 1/2 (she's now 8).

3: If we're riding an attraction that we know she won't go on, we find her a nice shaded area where she can sit or stand to wait for us. Keeping her out of direct sunlight is important.

4: We have stayed in almost all of the Disney Resorts, but have taken to booking a 2-bedroom villa at BLT as my grandmother is adept at navigating the monorail and busses. We spend a considerable amount of time in MK and BLT is the first stop on the monorail coming from MK, hence our decision to stay there as of late. If she does decide to head the resort before us, it's either an easy monorail trip or we'll walk her to the bus stop. When heading from Epcot to the TTC, we send her up on the elevator to the platform; the ramp is too hard on her knees (she won't ride in a wheelchair ... we've tried!).

I hope that some of this information will be helpful!

 

[mrzrich]

My grandmother, 83, comes with us on all of our WDW vacations, which are twice per year. She has arthritis in her knees and shoulders but is physically and medically fine otherwise.

There is a huge difference between 60 and 83.

 

[disnut8]

One thing to remind her of is that she can go through any queue with you even if she doesn't want to do the actual ride portion. So, if she balks at going on something she thinks she won't like, encourage her to at least join you in the queue so she doesn't have to sit out by herself the entire time. She would just be escorted out right before you board the ride vehicle. If she opts for this, make sure you know where she will be once you are done - you can ask the Cast Member before you enter the queue. It's really quite easy to do (I've done it several times and had my father-in-law do it a lot).

 

[Christinecinti]

One other thing, not sure if heat bothers your MIL (it really bothers my mother who is very active and healthy, but just gets very grumpy with the heat when we did summer trips before)... but be aware of some of the air conditioned shows/things to do in the park for a "break". Even if she does choose to go to the room for a break, they'll still be lots of heat to go around the other parts of the day My teen daughter and I have been known to take spontaneous trips to the Hall of Presidents at MK when need a nice 20 min heat break!

 

[Crystal824]

There is a huge difference between 60 and 83.

Not always. Depends on how active they are and any health issues they may have. My mom who is in her 60s and has heart issues isn't as active and healthy as a few 80 year olds I know who are very active and healthy.

My mom goes with us and is slow moving too. We always get her a scooter. She loves Small World, Carousel of Progress, Soarin', the Lion King Show, and all the night shows.

 

[MamaBelle4]

Not always. Depends on how active they are and any health issues they may have. My mom who is in her 60s and has heart issues isn't as active and healthy as a few 80 year olds I know who are very active and healthy.

My mom goes with us and is slow moving too. We always get her a scooter. She loves Small World, Carousel of Progress, Soarin', the Lion King Show, and all the night shows.

Completely agree with that. My DH's grandmother is 80. She broke her hip. They decided to give her a full hip replacement because of how active she is. She tried to leave an hour after she woke up.

 

[hermhogwarts55]

Following

 

[kmb584]

There is a huge difference between 60 and 83.

Very true. I didn't see the age in the OP.

 

[mustlovecats]

If you are planning a vacation with her you likely know her well enough to do all the planning with little to no input from her.

When I planned my trip with my parents I had similar worries. We did the dining plan for the same reason, I knew my dad would refuse to eat without it because of the prices.

I felt I knew my parents well enough to make plans without consulting them so I didn't ask their opinion during planning. Be prepared to change your plans though if things don't go quite right. I did make one bad call and my dad got motion sick on 7dmt, but he took a nap and felt much better.

My dad also found a few things that he loved, such as the performers in the Harambe area of AK, so we took a lot of breaks there.

I also planned some extras (like an Illuminations cruise) so I could be sure we would be able to see the fireworks without having to worry about crowds or stress. Since I paid for those things, he could enjoy them without worrying about the cost.

He spent the entire six months before the trip (the whole time we were planning) convinced he would hate it. He only came because my mom wanted him there and booked mom-refundable flights. He came back saying it was the best vacation he's ever been on.

 

[Moxiepup]

Seeing as she's traveled Europe, World Showcase at Epcot might be enchanting for her... Bringing back memories. Ask her about the places she's been.