Mom & Dad's first visit @ 70

[sentimental13]

I'm taking my parents for their first visit ever in December. I've been with my teenage daughter several times and I feel pretty good about navigating all the parks and the resorts, even in the Christmastime chaos (we're DVC, but there is always so much more to learn!). I wondered if you all would have any suggested must-dos or sleeper hits I could take my mom to. This is particularly for her 70th birthday and neither she nor my dad have ever been to Disney World.

We will attend MVMCP night as a family (I've never done this before, but I have done Jollywood Nights).
We are getting them 4 day base tickets - one park per day, so as not to overwhelm the senses with too much at once.

I bought us matching Star Wars flannel pajamas (mom is a big Star Wars fan and even saw the original at the drive-in movie theatre). Mom seems particularly excited about meeting the original characters, like Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Pluto. She also seems quite keen on meeting Mary Poppins. She is not a huge princess fan, but loves movies, and will likely enjoy riding SDMT. She keeps talking about "it's a small world" because she remembers seeing so much about it when she was a kid, so I'm thinking starting our MK day there and buying LLSP for SDMT.

What do you all think? Thanks for your suggestions and hard-won wisdom!

Edit to include your suggestions and the must dos I already have:

Meals / non-park days
-Top character meal option - Topolino's (my daughter thinks the art costumes are cool, and does not want monorail dust flying around while she's eating so no Chef Mickey's for this trip) - non-park day with Crescent Lake Christmas at the resorts, then monorail resorts or rest time depending on how much time we are taking at each.

HS
We'll have one meal option for Minnie's Seasonal Dine, but have Red Carpet Dreams as a backup if mom and dad like the menu for 50s Prime Time Diner better.

Sci-Fi Diner it is for one meal on HS day!

Star Tours
Rise of the Resistance
Millennium Falcon
Oga's Cantina (maybe)
Slinky Dog
Edna Mode Experience

Fantasmic (never experienced this one, but I hear good things so we've been waiting to experience it with mom as it sounds like something she would enjoy)

AK
Merry Menagerie
Festival of the Lion King (will be a new shared experience for everyone)
Dinosaur
Pandora (maybe)

MK
it's a small world
Country Bear Musical Jamboree
Tiana's Bayou Adventure
Philharmagic (we've been saving it to experience for the first time with my parents)

Epcot
Garden Grill breakfast
Candlelight Processional
All the Christmas experiences around the world that we can handle
Spaceship Earth
Living with the Land (after dark so there are lights)
Turtle Talk with Crush & the aquarium animals

 

[gottalovepluto]

How fun!! I'd consider splurging on a character meal that covers most of the characters she wants to see. That will save the time in lines to meet them individually.

 

[sentimental13]

How fun!! I'd consider splurging on a character meal that covers the characters she wants to see. That will save the time in lines to meet them individually.

When I explained to mom what Garden Grill was, she thought that sounded pretty cool, so I think that will be on the list so we can be sure to get Candlelight Processional seating. I think mom would prefer the Sci-Fi diner at HS, so I'm not inclined to do the Minnie's Holiday dining option. Given the options of Cape May, Chef Mickey's, Topolino's, and Tusker House, which would be your suggestion and why? I've done Tusker House more than once and loved it, and did Cape May shortly after covid, and have never done the other two, so I feel like I'm flying blind with the choice.

 

[sponica]

When I explained to mom what Garden Grill was, she thought that sounded pretty cool, so I think that will be on the list so we can be sure to get Candlelight Processional seating. I think mom would prefer the Sci-Fi diner at HS, so I'm not inclined to do the Minnie's Holiday dining option. Given the options of Cape May, Chef Mickey's, Topolino's, and Tusker House, which would be your suggestion and why? I've done Tusker House more than once and loved it, and did Cape May shortly after covid, and have never done the other two, so I feel like I'm flying blind with the choice.

I personally prefer Topolino's out of those listed. Tusker House is a nice second but I don't do buffets until my little people are big enough to get their own food.

 

[fla4fun]

When I explained to mom what Garden Grill was, she thought that sounded pretty cool, so I think that will be on the list so we can be sure to get Candlelight Processional seating. I think mom would prefer the Sci-Fi diner at HS, so I'm not inclined to do the Minnie's Holiday dining option. Given the options of Cape May, Chef Mickey's, Topolino's, and Tusker House, which would be your suggestion and why? I've done Tusker House more than once and loved it, and did Cape May shortly after covid, and have never done the other two, so I feel like I'm flying blind with the choice.

If you are going primarily to meet characters, Chef Mickey’s has Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, and Pluto. She could meet all of them at one time, since those are the characters she wants to meet most. I am not a huge fan of buffet dining, but in your case I think having those characters together in one place would be perfect.

Topolinos has Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Daisy
Cape May has Minnie, Donald, Daisy, and Goofy
Tusker House has Mickey, Donald, Daisy, and Goofy
Garden Grill has Mickey, Pluto, Chip, and Dale

Of course, they are all subject to change this far out, but I really wouldn’t expect them to. If you are going to Garden Grill, Cape May might be a good compliment character wise since you will see Mickey at one and Minnie at the other.

 

[liamthompson]

Just brought my parents (also in their 70s) for the first time in 30 years. My mom really enjoyed turtle talk with crush because of all the enthusiastic little kids. I had marked that one as skippable for them because I thought it would be too "kiddie" but turns out, all the happy little kids made my mom happy too!

You probably recognize this but sharing anyway - go slower, more breaks, more chances to sit. My parents are in good shape but I forgot how slow their pace has gotten in the last few years and I learned quickly that I needed to recalibrate my expectations!

 

[sentimental13]

If you are going primarily to meet characters, Chef Mickey’s has Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, and Pluto. She could meet all of them at one time, since those are the characters she wants to meet most. I am not a huge fan of buffet dining, but in your case I think having those characters together in one place would be perfect.

Topolinos has Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Daisy
Cape May has Minnie, Donald, Daisy, and Goofy
Tusker House has Mickey, Donald, Daisy, and Goofy
Garden Grill has Mickey, Pluto, Chip, and Dale

Of course, they are all subject to change this far out, but I really wouldn’t expect them to. If you are going to Garden Grill, Cape May might be a good compliment character wise since you will see Mickey at one and Minnie at the other.

I detest buffet dining, but I think it would remove sticker shock for mom and prevent her from seeing the costs of the meal and worrying about it. I think you're right that Chef Mickey's sounds like the best option for what she wants to experience. I guess we could start our non-park day at Wilderness Lodge to get pictures in front of the Christmas tree (trying to decide whether to start with this one or end with this one), have a brunch break at Chef Mickey's, then check out the Christmas decorations at the monorail resorts (sans Grand Floridian I guess since, depending on the construction), then head over to the Epcot area resorts before heading back to our room to make Christmas cookies.

I might ask them to check out the menus for Cape May and Chef Mickey and see which food they would prefer. Good options. Thank you.

 

[sentimental13]

Just brought my parents (also in their 70s) for the first time in 30 years. My mom really enjoyed turtle talk with crush because of all the enthusiastic little kids. I had marked that one as skippable for them because I thought it would be too "kiddie" but turns out, all the happy little kids made my mom happy too!

You probably recognize this but sharing anyway - go slower, more breaks, more chances to sit. My parents are in good shape but I forgot how slow their pace has gotten in the last few years and I learned quickly that I needed to recalibrate my expectations!

I have reviewed where the wheelchair and ECV rentals are in the parks just in case we have a parental meltdown day of. We are definitely taking afternoon nap breaks every park day regardless. We are bringing the dog, so having her will be a great excuse to have to go back to the room for rest every 7 hours without anyone feeling bad about needing to rest.

Good note about Turtle Talk! I had definitely marked that as skippable, too, so I will add that back to the maybe list!

 

[DL1WDW2]

I am in my70s I wouldefinitely want SciFi and Minnie’s Holiday Dine for Minnie in her Holiday dress costume and the autographed post cards for my keepsake memory.
Take the time to look at your photo pass photos on last day especially if you are in the MK… You can all look at them together and they usually add some surprise photos too.

 

[David Gardner]

My wife and I are in a similar age group as your parents. We love 50's Prime Time. The vibe is similar to our memories from our youth, and the wait CMs and their spiel are a lot of fun.

 

[CarolynFH]

LOL, we're in your parents' age group, and I agree with Sci-Fi (we remember those movies!) as well as with 50s Prime Time (we remember the TV shows!). As far as character meals, my favorite is Topolino's due to the theming (characters' clothing) and the food, with Tusker House a close second also due to theme and food.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I might ask them to check out the menus for Cape May and Chef Mickey and see which food they would prefer. Good options. Thank you.

Make sure everyone likes seafood for Cape May. Just walking by Cape May is a strong seafood scent (not like fishy bad, just like cooking seafood smell).

 

[Fangorn]

Bring in our 70s also, I'd strongly suggest Topolino's for breakfast instead of Chef Mickey's. 1) the food is much better. 2) the costumes are much cuter 3) you will get a lot more character interaction at Topolino's. The overall experience is calmer, and less stressful.

At Animal Kingdom, be sure to hit Festival of the Lion King. Since you'll be there in December, be sure to stop and see the Merry Menagerie (assuming they appear again this year).

BTW. Where are you staying?

Steve

 

[sentimental13]

Bring in our 70s also, I'd strongly suggest Topolino's for breakfast instead of Chef Mickey's. 1) the food is much better. 2) the costumes are much cuter 3) you will get a lot more character interaction at Topolino's. The overall experience is calmer, and less stressful.

At Animal Kingdom, be sure to hit Festival of the Lion King. Since you'll be there in December, be sure to stop and see the Merry Menagerie (assuming they appear again this year).

BTW. Where are you staying?

Steve

I appreciate your input about Topolino's. The chaos of the monorail has kept me away from Chef Mickey's and I've taken a second look at the character outfits and Topolino's are much cuter. As long as I can find a way for mom to see Goofy, I think we can get the characters without sacrificing too much time for shows and rides, and we might manage it with the Disney Visa photo op at Epcot.

Festival of the Lion King is definitely on the list! I will add Merry Menagerie to the list.

We are staying at Cabins at Fort Wilderness so we'll have the full kitchen (really I just wanted to give my daughter and mom and opportunity to make Christmas cookies together) and the dog will be with us. I have our golf cart reserved.

 

[jtopp]

Have to do Chef Mickeys for the characters. Could also consider Crystal palace for Pooh and friends. Hope they enjoy the experience.

 

[focusondisney]

Late 60s here & I agree with Sci Fi & 50s PT at Studios. Much more fun than jumping up & down for a buffet & hurrying back or hanging around waiting for characters.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

I hope you and your parents enjoy a wonderful trip. What a special Christmas time adventure together

 

[Simba's Mom]

I might ask them to check out the menus for Cape May and Chef Mickey and see which food they would prefer. Good options. Thank you.

Great idea, and have them check Tusker House menu also. My parents traveled, so they loved foods from other countries. Some may not however. Tusker House tends to be a little more adventuresome food. I'd highly recommend 50s Prime Time for a meal-I'm roughly your parents age, and I'll bet they'll love singing the Theme song to "Car 54, Where Are You?" and knowing what "Idlewild" is/was. One of my fondest memories was singing that!

 

[sentimental13]

Great idea, and have them check Tusker House menu also. My parents traveled, so they loved foods from other countries. Some may not however. Tusker House tends to be a little more adventuresome food. I'd highly recommend 50s Prime Time for a meal-I'm roughly your parents age, and I'll bet they'll love singing the Theme song to "Car 54, Where Are You?" and knowing what "Idlewild" is/was. One of my fondest memories was singing that!

I think they've decided they want Sanaa after I shared some AK and AKL menus. They are fairly adventurous eaters when we travel!

My biggest concern about 50s Prime Time is the menu; it's far too much like what they still eat at family and church gatherings! They definitely know "Car 54" as I remember them singing that from my childhood! I am sure the experience would be fun, but I am hesitant. I'll still share the menu with them after they decide which shows they are interested in at HS.

 

[hardcorestitch]

I'm taking my parents for their first visit ever in December. I've been with my teenage daughter several times and I feel pretty good about navigating all the parks and the resorts, even in the Christmastime chaos (we're DVC, but there is always so much more to learn!). I wondered if you all would have any suggested must-dos or sleeper hits I could take my mom to. This is particularly for her 70th birthday and neither she nor my dad have ever been to Disney World.

We will attend MVMCP night as a family (I've never done this before, but I have done Jollywood Nights).
We are getting them 4 day base tickets - one park per day, so as not to overwhelm the senses with too much at once.

I bought us matching Star Wars flannel pajamas (mom is a big Star Wars fan and even saw the original at the drive-in movie theatre). Mom seems particularly excited about meeting the original characters, like Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Pluto. She also seems quite keen on meeting Mary Poppins. She is not a huge princess fan, but loves movies, and will likely enjoy riding SDMT. She keeps talking about "it's a small world" because she remembers seeing so much about it when she was a kid, so I'm thinking starting our MK day there and buying LLSP for SDMT.

What do you all think? Thanks for your suggestions and hard-won wisdom!

Edit to include your suggestions and the must dos I already have:

Meals / non-park days
-Top character meal option - Topolino's (my daughter thinks the art costumes are cool, and does not want monorail dust flying around while she's eating so no Chef Mickey's for this trip) - non-park day with Crescent Lake Christmas at the resorts, then monorail resorts or rest time depending on how much time we are taking at each.

HS
We'll have one meal option for Minnie's Seasonal Dine, but have Red Carpet Dreams as a backup if mom and dad like the menu for 50s Prime Time Diner better.

Sci-Fi Diner it is for one meal on HS day!

Star Tours
Rise of the Resistance
Millennium Falcon
Oga's Cantina (maybe)
Slinky Dog
Edna Mode Experience

Fantasmic (never experienced this one, but I hear good things so we've been waiting to experience it with mom as it sounds like something she would enjoy)

AK
Merry Menagerie
Festival of the Lion King (will be a new shared experience for everyone)
Dinosaur
Pandora (maybe)

MK
it's a small world
Country Bear Musical Jamboree
Tiana's Bayou Adventure
Philharmagic (we've been saving it to experience for the first time with my parents)

Epcot
Garden Grill breakfast
Candlelight Processional
All the Christmas experiences around the world that we can handle
Spaceship Earth
Living with the Land (after dark so there are lights)
Turtle Talk with Crush & the aquarium animals

Don’t forget 7DMT if they are up for it. It is a coaster but it’s not at Universal levels of intensity. And make sure they grab at least one Mickey shaped snack from the carts as well… those Mickey ice cream sandwiches and pretzels are literally Disney’s snack kings.