MR and WDW

[Madmother]

I am looking for any ideas for our Thanksgiving trip. My DH and I are taking my uncle and his "girlfriend" to WDW for his retirement trip. Uncle is a high function MR and is quite adaptable. He looks after his "girlfriend" very well (She is NOT high function). He works and will be retiring in October. So, for a celebration, we are getting them down to WDW as a gift to himself.

I want to make this trip really memorable for him. Any suggestions? He will do fine on the buses, but to be on the safe side, I booked the Contemporary (less walking for his arthritic knees). DH and I are going along to help with the airport and check-in and to be there in case. I think after a few days of walking, we might get him to rent a wheelchair.

DH already suggested WalkieTalkies. That will help Uncle in case we get separated. But any ideas to give this trip some ooomph? He also hasn't been to WDW since 1979.

Any imput would be greatly appreciated.

 

[s&k'smom]

What a wonderful gift. What does your uncle like to do? Any particular food, favorite charector? How about one of the charactor meals. They are as much fun for adults as they are for the kids. Or how about one of the dinner packages where you have your meal and then watch fireworks like at The Rose and Crown pub at epcot, get a seat with a view of the evenings fireworks? Anyway hope that helps.

 

[SueM in MN]

That sounds like a really neat thing you are planning!
One thing you might want to think about with the Contmeporary is at the hotel you enter the monorail without any stairs, ramp, etc. But to get on or off the monorail at MK or the TTC involves a long, steep ramp. Unless they put one in in the last 6 months, there is not an elevator to avoid the ramp. Also, as far as I know, going to any park other than the MK involves taking the monorail to the TTC and then taking another monorail to Epcot or a bus to other parks.
If he rents a wheelchair, who will push it? If he can manage an ecv (also called a scooter or electric cart), that might be a beter option since he and his girlfriend could be more independent.
You could make him a little book based on his reading level about the parks before they go. There are maps available on line or in books so he could work on figuring out how to navigate before he goes. You could find pictures of the rides/attractions that would interest him and include them in the book. maybe even include a little space for him to write in the book and he wold have nice keepsake of the trip.
If you give us more ideas of what he likes, I'm sure we can come up with more ideas.

 

[Madmother]

The only thing Uncle has mentioned so far is Seeing Mickey. Since we are at the Contemporary, I am going to book a Chef Mickey breakfast. A friend also gave me the idea of the Ice Cream Social (he loves his ice cream). The princesses didn't interest him when I mentioned it. He wants me to make him an itinerary to follow. The motorized wheelchair won't do. He isn't quite coordinated enough to steer (he doesn't drive - epileptic) and neither is the "girlfriend". They would probably wind up hurting/running into people.

My plan, at this point, is to make the itinerary to include several breaks during the course of the day. I figure he'll want to spend most of his time in MK, and AK. MGM we can do together (i want to see the Xmas lights). Epcot will be a whenever for them. DH and I want to "do" Epcot. Thanks for your help. If anyone thinks of anything else, please post.

 

[SueM in MN]

I posted something yesterday, but there was aproblem and it didn't "stick"
I wondered if he likes the characters from Winnie the Pooh. The Crystal Palace has buffest meal featuring Pooh and friends. The food is good and there is even a dessert buffet with soft serve ice cream and "sprinkles" for the ice cream. They have some traditional children's favorites like macaroni and cheese, chicken fingers and stuff like that in case he and his girlfriend are not adventurous about trying new foods. (And you will see more than kids eating the kids buffet items).

He might also enjoy Mickey's Toontown (he wouldn't be the only adult who does). You can see Mickey and Minnie's houses and they also have a character meet and greet. The nice thing about it is that it is in a building, so no worry about the weather or people who just notice the characters and try to butt in line.
Think of some of the transportation, like the train as an attraction and also a way to avoid walking. If he rents a wheelchair, it can go on the train, either with him sitting in it (first car of the train, behind the locomotive and coal car) or folded up and placed on the seat like strollers are.
The wheelchair might be a bit difficult for his girlfriend to push. Maybe you could borrow or rent one at home for them to try out and get comfortable with.

If you go to Epcot, he and his girlfriend might like the Epcot passports that you can get for about $10 at any of the Epcot giftshops. They aren't only for kids. When we went one year with 2 over 18 yr old foreign students, they really had a ball getting all the stuff done. It's a small passport sized folder with stickers to put in place for each country. There is also a place to stamp the passport. you can do that at the KidCot stations or at the gift shops in each country in WS. The foreign CMs will also write something in their own language.

 

[Madmother]

Epcot Passports are a Tiggerific idea! Many thanks! Our two DD's loved the Crystal palace Buffets and so did DH. We thought the food was good and the characters were outrageous. I'll ask about the Pooh and Tigger thingie at the Palace. I think mostly buffets or counter service would work best for Uncle and Girlfriend.

Also good idea for the practicing with the wheelchair. I'll ask Uncle and look around for the rentals. He might do "okay" for the first day or two, but I know how bad his arthritis can get. It will only be a matter of time before he cannot walk as much. His way of dealing with it will be to stay at the resort and not go to the parks. He waited toooo long for this trip. He's looking forward to retiring. And even more looking forward to this trip.

????? If I mention his retirement to the CR staff, do you think they would do anything special for him? I did this at the CBR in 2000 when my DH and DD's went for our wedding anniversary and they did nothing at all.