Returning to WDW as 80 yr old

[Badger Karin]

We grew up going to WDW since it opened. After our kids grew up we stopped. My mom turns 80 this year and all she wants to do is return one more time. We have no kids or grandkids to take. I believe she just will spend one day at Magic Kingdom. She has a difficult time walking very far and is a little unstable. Would it be possible to rent a wheelchair there? Would that be weird? Thanks!

 

[BrianL]

Nothing weird about it. They do have wheelchairs available at the parks, though I don't know specifics. I know a lot of people recommend offsite rental agencies, but for one day it might be easier to just get one at the park. There will be plenty of people in wheelchairs and ECVs at the parks. Go and have a great time!

 

[GreatLakes]

Not weird at all. They rent wheelchairs and ECVs at the parks. If you mom uses an ECV in her daily life that might be a better option. If she doesn't it would probably be best to try one out at home before trying it for the first time in a crowded theme park or stick with the wheelchair in that scenario.

As the baby boomers start to get older there will be more and more assistance devices in the parks. There are already a pretty fair number so you won't stand out at all.

 

[Accident]

We grew up going to WDW since it opened. After our kids grew up we stopped. My mom turns 80 this year and all she wants to do is return one more time. We have no kids or grandkids to take. I believe she just will spend one day at Magic Kingdom. She has a difficult time walking very far and is a little unstable. Would it be possible to rent a wheelchair there? Would that be weird? Thanks!

She may not be aware that there are 3 other parks, I know some people thing MK is all there is to do.. she might like to see the rest also.. You didn't mention if you were local or taking a trip to visit. If your staying nearby or at a resort there, I recommend you rent the chair from the third party, the resorts can be a lot of walking too and disney transportation is friendly to mobility devices. I also agree with the ECV as none of the parks are all that flat, can be a workout to push someone in a wheelchair around.

I think there is a free planning video still you can request from the website, that might be a good starting point.. You will not be the old adult only group any nowhere near the only with a mobility device.

 

[minnie mum]

Unless your mom is used to using an ecv in heavy crowds, I'd recommend a wheelchair. Every park has rentals available near the entrance. The DisAbilities forum has a sticky at the top of their page that gives excellent information about using wheelchairs and ecvs, accessing attractions, etc. Here's a link:
http://www.disboards.com/threads/disabilities-faqs-temporary-permanent-disabled

 

[Badger Karin]

Thank you all. She just had wrist surgery so the ECV would be out and not sure she could handle anyway.
As far as renting from the park I thought that would be easier leaving the chair behind if going on a ride.
We have been to all the parks in the past. I know her pretty well and I think she is just going to like the romance of the Magic Kingdom and be happy. I will leave the planning to her. We are giving her a gift of our time to go with her, she will have to decide what she wants to do. Because of her claustrophobia we have to drive from Wisconsin and take boat transportation to the park, no buses or monorail . So we ARE going HER way LOL.

 

[ktlm]

The only things about renting from the park are that 1) you have to get there early and get in line to be sure to get one before they run out and 2) renting at the parks means you have to get from the resort to the park without one. That can be an issue if you are in line for the boat, walking from the parks to the boat, walking from the room to the car, and from the parking lot to the park, ferry tram, and getting around the resort .

 

[Joy]

If you are staying at a Disney resort, they have wheel chairs you can borrow and take to the park. They aren't the best but would be ok for a day or two.

 

[china mom]

My mother just visited WDW in November at age 83 after a 40 year hiatus. She had a great time and we are going back in 4 weeks.

We actually purchases a wheelchair for @$150 prior to travel because we knew we would get use of it otherwise (outings to the mall, etc).

 

[Badger Karin]

If you are staying at a Disney resort, they have wheel chairs you can borrow and take to the park. They aren't the best but would be ok for a day or two.

We would definitely be staying at Disney. That is good to know. I didn't realize there was high demand and lines at the park. Thanks for all of this useful info!

 

[Badger Karin]

My mother just visited WDW in November at age 83 after a 40 year hiatus. She had a great time and we are going back in 4 weeks.

We actually purchases a wheelchair for @$150 prior to travel because we knew we would get use of it otherwise (outings to the mall, etc).

LOL my mom was insulted when people would ask if she qualified for senior discount. She would flip if we bought her a wheelchair. She would use a rented one if it got her into Disney.

 

[Otter49]

Kudos to your mom and hoping she's just at the beginning of a long and happy life.

 

[andiraye]

We took my grandmother for the very first time when she was in her 80s. This was many years ago, in the late 90s. She was a very proud woman who would never ride in a wheelchair "in real life" but she did at WDW. We went to MK and EP, I think for two or three days.

She absolutely loved it. Kept saying how beautiful it all was (meaning not just physically but the people, everything). She became a kid again. She was a really tough woman, so watching her be all soft and childlike was memorable for all of us.

The one thing I would say is try not to going during the summer. It's really hot, and the heat can get to an older person.

I know that didn't answer your question but I thought I would share. I hope your trip is as special and magical as ours was!!!

 

[jerseygal]

Thank you all. She just had wrist surgery so the ECV would be out and not sure she could handle anyway.
As far as renting from the park I thought that would be easier leaving the chair behind if going on a ride.
We have been to all the parks in the past. I know her pretty well and I think she is just going to like the romance of the Magic Kingdom and be happy. I will leave the planning to her. We are giving her a gift of our time to go with her, she will have to decide what she wants to do. Because of her claustrophobia we have to drive from Wisconsin and take boat transportation to the park, no buses or monorail . So we ARE going HER way LOL.

HAPPY AND HEALTHY "80" to your Mom! HOPE you have an awesome time! You will never regret "doing it Mom's way" and taking it at her pace for this special gift!

 

[Hopefully]

I do not believe this is the case anymore. I read they have phased out wheelchairs at the resorts. I would rent one from an offsite vendor so she has it for all of the necessary walking

 

[FeralCatRogue]

we went when my grandparents were in their 80s and they both used ecvs and loved it. Also, the airport had someone help my grandfather with using an airport wheelchair all the way thru security and to the gate.

 

[Amanda999]

Hi OP - just fyi, there's a whole section of disboards called DisAbilities, with many very experienced park goers with - or who travel with - physical and/or other challenges. So you could get lots of specific and just general 'does this sound ok' responses there. Friendly posters, and tons of stickies with helpful info. Have a great trip!

 

[minnie mum]

If you are staying at a Disney resort, they have wheel chairs you can borrow and take to the park. They aren't the best but would be ok for a day or two.

This is no longer true. The resorts are no longer providing "courtesy" chairs. The OP will have to rent one either from an outside agency or the individual parks.

 

[disneyseniors]

Hi OP: I rented a wheelchair for the first time ever last November due to health issues. It is so easy. I found that the parks usually have many WC's to rent when we rented them. We even rented one in the evening at HS with no problem. It costs $12.00, a bargain if you don't know if she will need or use one every day. You keep your receipt and you can get another one in another park that same day. It really worked for us.
Congratulations to your 80 y/o Mom. Mine is 88 y/o and goes everywhere. She is very active with no health problems at all. She hasn't gone to Disney because she doesn't want to and has gone several times, including when it first opened. She told me about there only being HM and space mountain, POC, I believe(don't quote me, my memory isn't that great I know your Mom will appreciate just being in the magic atmosphere at WDW. Have fun

 

[BLLB]

i agree with the posters who suggest renting from offsite vendor. We did that for my mom. It was nice to have the wheelchair from the room to the lobby and elsewhere. We all realize how much walking there is in the parks, but there is a ton of walking in the resorts.