Need support getting older father to WDW!

[noopy]

I'm trying to get my father, who's 70, to take a trip to WDW with me and my dd(7). My mom passed away a year and a half ago - we never thought she'd lose her battle with breast cancer, so it hit our family very hard. She was the center of everything - it was like losing our ballast.
Anyway, I'm a single mom and I took my dd to WDW for our first trip a few months after Mom died. It was magical, like a world beyond our worries and our sadness. Now, I want my dad and his new friend to go back with us and stay at the Poly. However, Dad sees WDW as a place for kids and a theme park with rides he doesn't want to do. I was wondering if anyone out there, either his age or a person who has taken a parent his age to WDW, could write a response that he might find encouraging or persuasive. I have reservations for late Oct., and I even purchased plane tickets! I just know he'd love the resort and the parks, but I can't get him to respond positively.
Thank you so much in advance!!!

 

[philaround]

DW & I took my mom to WDW when she was about 70. Everyday we rented a stroller for our DD [5yo] and a wheel chair for my mom. After we got back my mom told me she had never had such a wonderful time in her life and never stopped thanking us for this trip over the next seven years until we lost her at age 77. About the only thing my DD remembers from that trip is Goofy kissing and hugging her grandma at King Stephans banquet hall [now CRT] in the castle.
My mom was like your dad, she thought she would not really have a good time as "WDW was for kids" but she learned she WAS a kid at heart.

 

[faeflora]

My dad passed away on Feb.1 of this year. It was a complicated passing. So for Spring Break I decided to take my Mom back to WDW. For one weekend in March mom and I watched baseball at Wide World of Sports, and went to Downtown disney. We sat and watched the kids playing in the fountains, had tea at the Grand Floridian and breakfast at the Kona Cafe. It was a first try without dad. Mom had a really good time. We are heading back in 19 days for a three day vacation. Mom is really excited, we are going to take it slow since my mom is 77 and prioritize what we all want to see. Mom loves WDW and she is not a ride person, she just loves seeing the kids, watching her 39 yr old daughter ride the carousel and taking time out to share some magic.
Hope this helps.

 

[dzneelvr]

I admire your compassion in wanting your dad to go, but you may have to consider that he has issues with going that he doesn't want to admit to you. I work with a large population of seniors, and as they age, some things just don't come easy for them anymore, but they don't want to burden anyone else with it (such as physical activity...walking, insomnia, financial problems, etc.),
If your dad really doesn't want to go; let it be. Have a "we're back from WDW" party with him and his friend and share your pictures, momentos, memories, etc.
My mom is in a similar situation as your dad, and there's just some things she will not do since his death. No matter how hard we try, it's just not going to happen.

 

[rmontgo892]

I'm trying to get my father, who's 70, to take a trip to WDW with me and my dd(7). My mom passed away a year and a half ago - we never thought she'd lose her battle with breast cancer, so it hit our family very hard. She was the center of everything - it was like losing our ballast.
Anyway, I'm a single mom and I took my dd to WDW for our first trip a few months after Mom died. It was magical, like a world beyond our worries and our sadness. Now, I want my dad and his new friend to go back with us and stay at the Poly. However, Dad sees WDW as a place for kids and a theme park with rides he doesn't want to do. I was wondering if anyone out there, either his age or a person who has taken a parent his age to WDW, could write a response that he might find encouraging or persuasive. I have reservations for late Oct., and I even purchased plane tickets! I just know he'd love the resort and the parks, but I can't get him to respond positively.
Thank you so much in advance!!!

My Dad is 69 and Mom is 62, respectively. My Dad had the been there done that mentality. Zero interest in an amusement park.

Dad and Mom have now been on about 4 trips with us. Why does Dad come? He comes because he enjoys being with his Grandson and seeing his face light up! He enjoys the time with his daughter and her family.

Mom and Dad are far from people that do ride after ride. They enjoy people watching and taking their grandson around.

The Poly is a great resort to relax at. Pool time, restaurants to try, on the monorail loop so it's easy to hit other restaurants. Boat rentals...you name it!

October is a lovely month to visit weather wise and lower crowds!!!

It can certainly be looked at for kids, that is for sure but what about experiencing it with the grandkids and making wonderful memories!!! A wonderful chance, in my opinion!

My parents don't do the parks every day. They hit each one maybe once and usually take a day off every other day.

Get Dad a car rental if ya don't have one with you and let him explore the area off park. One of my parents favorite things.

I've got my fingers crossed for you all!!!

 

[noopy]

I admire your compassion in wanting your dad to go, but you may have to consider that he has issues with going that he doesn't want to admit to you. I work with a large population of seniors, and as they age, some things just don't come easy for them anymore, but they don't want to burden anyone else with it (such as physical activity...walking, insomnia, financial problems, etc.),
If your dad really doesn't want to go; let it be. Have a "we're back from WDW" party with him and his friend and share your pictures, momentos, memories, etc.
My mom is in a similar situation as your dad, and there's just some things she will not do since his death. No matter how hard we try, it's just not going to happen.

It isn't that Dad is opposed to going with us to WDW. One of the reasons I asked him is that he has been very interested in the trip my dd and I took to the CR. He's never stayed in a resort hotel, and he loved seeing how happy my dd was there (she also called him every night to tell him about our day). Dad is the father figure in her life, and they spend a lot of time together. I think he feels that the cost of the trip won't be justified because of his view of WDW as a place for kids. He also doesn't understand that the resorts are nice all on their own without going to a park, and that he will enjoy just being at the Poly relaxing, swimming (he loves pools), strolling the grounds, etc.

 

[DeeDeeDis]

This is a special place and time in their life when they get to create some wonderful memories at a very magical place, memories that your daughter will carry with her all her life.

I have three sons and they are very fortunate to each have their own very special memory of time they shared with their grandfather. Nonno had a way of making each child feel like they were the "Cat's Meow", you know special.

I hope he changes his mind, maybe if you approach it as wanting your dd to have this time with him while shes young enuf to appreciate all her grandfather has to offer.

good luck-hoping he changes his mind

 

[Costumesaremylife]

I think you should tell your dad about how wonderful it will be for your DD to have him there. Can you try to get him to belive he will be helping you by letting you go on rides that she won't? Tell him straight out Dad I want you to go because, I love you, I'd miss you and memories we wouldn't be sharing, it's really cool to be staying in a monorail hotel.
My dad started saying "Never again." He agreed to go one more time because my brother and niece came. Then my mom and I went once without him and he said, "Great have a good time." The other day he told my sister he'd like to go back. Hopefully Christmas!! I am kind of glad, because he can't get around very well without his scooter and all of Disney is level and the Castmembers are so helpful to him. I like watching his face when he sees a parade or goes on a ride. It brings back memories of when I was a kid and he wasn't sick.

 

[Nolcrest]

We took my retired parents with us once when my children were younger. My parents are not AT ALL amusement park people. Needless to say they had a wonderful time. It was the best trip we've ever taken to Disney. They went on the stuff they wanted too and we did some things seperately. My father loves the pool too and every afternoon he put his walkman on and took his newspaper and layed out by the pool. My parents loved being with the grandchildren. I never asked them to babysit for us. One evening we left the kids at the Cubs Den at WL while the 4 of us had an adult meal in EPCOT.

I have 6 other siblings and I cherished this trip myself because we all had "Grammy & Poppop" to ourselves. When we were home my mother wrote me such a nice note saying that she was so glad they went with us because we were able to show them around and see things they would never have explored or knew about if they were by themselves. She wished that all of her grandchildren would have the opportunity to visit Disney.

I hope it all works out for you.

 

[zurgswife]

A friend at work late 60's took her grandkids and adult kids on a once in a life time trip last Oct. Her husband has a terrible time from complications from Lyme's disease...uses a ECV and felt that he wouldn't really enjoy WDW....Well they both came back raving how great it was that there was soo much to do....and how ALL members of there large extended family group found wonderfully exciting things to do every day.

Tell your dad that he needs to share a memory for your dd's sake. If he isn't haven't a enjoyable time at the parks...tell him to feel free to just spend time at the hotel or pool....My guess is that he will enjoy the company.

I have found that my dad 66, my step mom passed away 14 months ago from breast cancer also and I have found that my dad sometimes just needs to be told he is doing something. He seems to get lost in his loneliness and can't make a decision. Each time we have basically told him he needs to participate he has ended up having a wonderful time.

Good luck.

 

[OceanAnnie]

I'm not sure you are dealing with an age thing! My brother thinks the same way --- Disney is just for kids. (!) He just needs to stop working so hard and relax! He likes to have fun like everyone else. He's just neglected the fun loving side of himself. I just know he'd change his mind if I could just get him there!

My dad was alright about going. Not excited per se. Just ok. I did have to good naturedly twist his arm on some of our planning. Once he got there --- HE LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT! Can't wait to go back! Talks about it all the time. We are planning another trip and he asks from time to time are we going to do the same things as before? Because that was a lot of fun! He has said it is by far the best vacation we've ever had. (Now if he can just work on my brother!)

Good luck! Get him there and he will come around! I really think so.

 

[PoohHappens]

Noopy,
I am sorry to hear of your loss. We lost my dad in march of 2003, he had cancer and it progressed very quickly he was 62. We had taken a family trip a few years before with my dad ,mom , my sister, her husband and daughter (then 7) and my husband. My dad talked about this trip as one of his top ten lifetime memories. He listed it with marrying my mom and us girls being born. We talked lots about it as he was getting sicker. Anyway, 4 weeks after he died we had a trip planned with my husbands family so we invited my mom to come with us. She really felt she was not ready to go or do anything. My dad had been her strength and her all. She agreed to go but did not know why. She now says that it was the best decision of her life. It was the first glimpse that there would be happiness and life again. My mother just got married 2 weeks ago to a wonderful man. We are all going to take a trip like we did with my dad and celebrate my dads life as well as my mothers new life. They are both in their 60's and looking forward to being with the family. we have lots of rests planned and will take it easy. My mom loves watching my son's yes light up with everything he sees. My niece is now 17 and it will be fun to watch her reactions since she has not been since the last time when she was 7. I hope your dad decides to go if he is able. It is such a magical place and it is very freeing to escape the loss and the worries of the world sometime. Have a wonderful trip.

 

[dawgsgirl]

I took my mom, age 71, on her first trip last month. It was a mother-daughter trip for Mother's Day. She had heard me rave so much that she wanted to go. However, she had a much better time than she ever thought she would. She was amazed at the shows and especially the fireworks! She loved people watching and eating at the great restaurants. She could not believe how much there was for her to do! She loved all the beautiful flowers. She says she found the Magic and cannot wait to go back. On our way back, she told me that this was the very best vacation she had ever had, including all the places she went with my father! Tell him I said to go! My mother had a wonderful, magical time and the only "ride" she really went on was Soarin'. She loved it!

 

[minkydog]

We took my mom with us two years ago when we camped at FW. She had never been to WDW and didn't have a high opinion of it, but she wanted to go with my kids. We saw a couple parades, ate popsicles, watched some shows, caught Illuminations, & ate at CRT. We also toured the Poly & CR. She had a great time and was really surprised at how much there was to interest her BESIDES going to the parks. In fact, we're taking her with us again in November and she can hardly wait. This time we're taking her to HDD and DTD

 

[NancyK]

I think people who haven't been to Disney can't really comprehend what it's all about. They imagine that it's like Six Flags etc. After many years of trying to get my in-laws to go to Disney, they finally agreed to go last May. Dad was 70 and Mom was 66 at the time. They really didn't think they would enjoy themselves but thought what the heck - it would be nice to spend a week with DH and me. Well - after the first day at MK, they couldn't believe how wrong they had been. My in-laws really enjoyed Fantasmic, Wishes, Illuminations and SpectroMagic as well as the 3-D movies and Lion King show etc. I know they were worried about the crowds but we managed to use fastpass to our advantage. We also did a two-hour fishing excursion to celebrate Dad's 70th birthday. That was definitely a highlight for us. Since you are going the end of October, you should have lovely weather and fairly moderate crowds.

 

[lovethattink]

My dad is 70-ish. We took him for 2 weekends recently. We stayed at POR the weekend of his b-day and a couple weeks ago we stayed at All star movies. He's not into rides, but he is really into his grandchildren. He loved watching them. I think his video camera was permanently attatched to his hand. In the evening, he and mom would leave us and go do their own thing, watch the concert at American Gardens. There is so much at WDW for anyone at any age.

 

[Suzanne74]

We have been debating taking my parents on a WDW trip. My dad has had some unexpected financial troubles and retirement isn't looking so good. He has always been the type of man who would NEVER let anyone pay for him, esp his daughters so it has been a little awkward lately when we have to FORCE him that we are buying a dinner etc...

So my sister and our families are going to WDW in October and we really want them to go but we am afraid that we might offend them by buying their trip for them and surprising them. I REALLY want to do it and I know if I even bring it up they will say no just because they don't want to "burden" us financially. The fact is, they both love Disney. They would have 3 grandkids down there and it would be a blast.

Any suggestions??

By the way, half of these posts almost had me to tears. I love how Disney makes you feel.

 

[Lou-Ann]

Disney is one place where I do not feel old. I hop on a scooter and enjoy the faces of the children, the beautiful scenery, the wonderful dining experiences, luxuriate in the whirlpool, ride the boats to all the water based resorts, tour the monorail resorts, visit the various cultures in Epcot, and that is only scratching the surface. You can do all that without contemplating one single ride........

Have you gotten him the film on Disney for adults??? I would start there. Then I would let my kids work on him.......

Good luck. If he turns you down I am available. I have 6 grandchildren but would love some more......LOL.....

 

[xterratri]

My grandfather passed away somewhat unexpectedly in Feb 04. I had just got accepted to medical school and my sister had been accepted at her first choice college early decision. He had a chronic(and terminal) lung condition but we all expected to have more time. My sister and I had just lost our paternal grandmother 5 months earlier completely unexpectedly and our parents had split up in Dec. We had started planning our first ever trip to the World in Jan 04 for end of April for a graduation trip for my sister. Our paternal grandmother had taken me to HI so I decided to take my sister to DisneyWorld- another long desired travel location. Mom, sis, and I had a great time and started talking about going back before we even left the World. We figured another graduation trip in 08, staying for 2 weeks. We were home about 48 hours before I called our AAA travel person and started our Dec 04 trip in motion. The big difference this time was that I wanted to take Grandma(73 yo). We got 2 connecting rooms at ASMo and had a great time, loved the X-mas stuff. We made some errors though in that we were commando just like for the April trip without Grandma. She's had both knees replaced and has problems walking long distance. Solution was a wheelchair- the only problem is my sister and I squabble over whose turn it is to push Grandma.

It's really hard not to be commando because there is just so much to see and do. We knew if we wanted to take Grandma again we had to change. So we decided to buy DVC and booked our first trip home for the limited time between end of school and playing Army for me. I panicked over airline ticket prices and had bought them(4) back in January even though Grandma hadn't commited to joining us again. We stayed 7 nights at OKW this time, went back to the villa every afternoon, didn't rush to get an early start in the morning, and made better food choices. Yes, there were rides we didn't do, shows we didn't see, but so what? It's not(hopefully, you never know what will happen tomorrow) a once in a lifetime trip. Since my sister is in VA for school, I'm in ME, and Mom and Grandma are in NY, Disney is a great place to connect and here's hoping we get many more 3 generation trips. Next one planned is another week in Dec and then a week again next May- DVC was a great choice for us.

 

[DisOrBust]

My DH had a heart attack when he was 34 yo. One of the first things he said to me in the ICU was"we're taking the kids, (then 1 and 4) to wdw!" I thought yuck,how cheesy! I started planning and invited my then 65ish parents along. I NEVER thought they would want to go. Hell I didn't even want to go,lol! We had travelled all over the world and WDW seemed so cheesy to us.

Needless to say we wnet and it was a great experience beyong any of our expectations! That was 7 years ago and now we go every year and my 75ish parents join us every year. They REALLY enjoy it! They love watch the kids, eating at the restaurants, the shows etc... The big bonus is the onsite transportation...they can come and go as they please. They really have been everywhere and now in their Senior years rather go to WDW then Europe, etc because it is so "senior friendly". My DF has Parkinsons and Mom has 2 artifical hips and hey still navigate all over WDW on their own without any assistive devices. If your parent can handle activities of daily living then a trip to WDW is not that much more difficult. Granted you can't do it in Comando mode,lol!

We are only able to go every year because of these boards and the discounts I have been able to scronge.