Senior Grandma (80+) at Walt Disney World

[mjandshelby]

What are some favorite/"must do" things at Walt Disney World for an 80 year old (in an ECV scooter)?
Any advice, tips, or suggestions for a Senior's first trip to Walt Disney World?


I am trying to plan a Disney World vacation for my 84 year old grandmother, "Goma".
Goma lived down the street from Disneyland in California in the 1960's and 70's, but she has never been to Walt Disney World.
This lady loves to travel- visiting Italy, Israel, Germany, (and more!) in the last few years.
Her doctors recently told her that she needs to start using an ECV scooter on her trips... and she's not happy about it.

As a 25 year old Florist, it has taken me a while to save up enough money to take Goma to Disney. But I am excitedly now planning a trip for Spring 2021.

I am the type of Disney traveler who goes "balls to the wall". Like rope drop to fireworks and nighttime EMH.
Goma is going to need a slower, easier, and more leisurely day.
She does not want to visit resorts, "I'm going there to see the rides and that stuff!" she says.

Here's what we're looking at:

• Saturday-Saturday
• Port Orleans French Quarter
• 5 park days (all 4 parks- EPCOT twice)
• Disney Dining Plan
• No vehicle (Disney transportation only)
• Only guests will be "Goma" (84 year old grandma) and me (25 year old granddaughter)

 

[Skippyboo]

MK: Small World, Haunted Mansion, Dumbo, Pirates, Is 7DMT or Splash to much for Goma.

AK: Safari, Festival of Lion King, Nemo live show, NRJ

HS: The live shows.Toy Story Midway Mania. MMRR

Epcot:World Showcase, boat ride in Mexico, new Ratoullie ride

Maybe do a desert party to get good spot for fireworks at MK

 

[mjandshelby]

The dessert party is an awesome idea! She would love the desserts and not having to wait for an hour for a spot! Thank you!

7 Dwarfs I think is okay! Great idea. I think she would love to see the difference in dark ride technology.

I’ll have to ask her about the Splash Mountain drop. She loved the Disneyland one- but hasn’t been on it in probably 15 to 20 years.

Thank you so much for your ideas and help!

 

[Skippyboo]

No problem, just try to maximize your time inside. Stuff like Country Bears, Carousel of Progress where it’s 15 to 30 minutes inside a theater in the AC. What’s nice about staying at Port Orleans is you can boat over to Disney Springs.

 

[mjandshelby]

Good tip! I’ll definitely have to be more conscious of the heat with Goma. We’ll need to do more inside attractions than I’m used to.

And yes! I love that about POFQ!
My husband and I have stayed at Riverside and she really liked the idea of a fun boat ride to the nice restaurants.

I chose POFQ because Goma loved the photos we showed her of POR. And although beautiful, Riverside is so large- I thought POFQ would be easier to get around for her.

 

[terpgirl]

I’d just like to add you’re the best granddaughter ever!

 

[terpgirl]

And I think the safari might be too bumpy.

 

[lahobbs4]

Also in Epcot: Living with the Land, Nemo, all of the movies at the World Showcase pavilions, and she may love Soarin!

 

[mjandshelby]

I’d just like to add you’re the best granddaughter ever!

She is the best grandma. Not just to me, but to all of her grandkids! Goma deserves the world.

And thank you for the safari tip. I didn’t think about that! You’re right. It is really bumpy.

 

[mjandshelby]

Also in Epcot: Living with the Land, Nemo, all of the movies at the World Showcase pavilions, and she may love Soarin!

I was wondering about Soarin’. That’s another one that I am debating about.

The sensation is probably so different from anything she’s ever experienced! But would that mean it is “intense”?

 

[Disney Frenhines]

The dessert party is an awesome idea! She would love the desserts and not having to wait for an hour for a spot! Thank you!

7 Dwarfs I think is okay! Great idea. I think she would love to see the difference in dark ride technology.

I’ll have to ask her about the Splash Mountain drop. She loved the Disneyland one- but hasn’t been on it in probably 15 to 20 years.

Thank you so much for your ideas and help!

The Splash Mountain at WDW is a lot easier to get in and out of than the one in DL, so that's another idea if she is fine with a drop.

 

[ChimCher-ee]

There’s some pretty good nighttime entertainment at POFQ and POR. I think there’s a jazz group at FQ (?) and Yeeha Bob at POR (I’ve wanted to see his show for years!).

 

[Simba's Mom]

And I think the safari might be too bumpy.

Request either the first or second row. There's a huge difference between how bumpy it is between there (virtually no bumpiness) and the last row (incredibly bumpy- my back and teeth were very unhappy).

 

[Simba's Mom]

Also in MK, I'd add the Jungle Cruise, Enchanted Tiki Room, and Carousel of Progress.
I'm a grandma not too far from your grandma's age. What your doing is incredibly nice.

 

[mickey520]

And I think the safari might be too bumpy.

I was in WDW with my 93 year old grandma at the end of January. Safari was a little bumpy but like someone said, try for the front of the car and it's manageable. We took her on Dinosaur...probably a bad idea! :-D She had fun, but that's a BUMPY ride!

Most everything was manageable for us - we were a big group so we used rider swap on a lot of things. The thing to be mindful of is getting in and out of the ride vehicle. We had several adults and sometimes it took two of us to help her on and off a ride.

There were some surprising things that she loved (carousel, the pandora drums, dumbo). We did rope-drop to fireworks a couple days, but then had a few rest days. Looks like you're planning for the same.

It will be a memorable trip, for sure!

 

[North of Mouse]

And thank you for the safari tip. I didn’t think about that! You’re right. It is really bumpy.

Request either the first or second row. There's a huge difference between how bumpy it is between there (virtually no bumpiness) and the last row (incredibly bumpy- my back and teeth were very unhappy).

I would say definitely avoid the Safari. To me, the first row is just as bumpy and with less to support you also - have ridden all rows at one time or other. I can no longer ride it at all - in my 70's and ride most things except coasters and 'whipey' rides.

 

[fhtpdw20]

In place of Safari Ride, you could head over to AKL to get a flavor of the animals on the savannah to watch the animals. There are plenty of public viewing areas with rocking chairs. If it is later in the evening, they have the night vision goggles. Several dining options at the Jambo House as well as Kidani for scheduling dinner before heading back to the parks in the evening. A favorite respite is the Garden Tea at the Grand Floridian. The food with the tea could take the place of lunch very easily. The amphicars at Disney Springs would be an interesting experience. I have done it once. It is not a repeat experience for me, but I enjoyed it and depending on your driver could learn some interesting facts about the cars. Last visit I did not focus on rides, but on the atmosphere performers. If you schedule for Flower and Garden Festival and Goma has an interest in gardening you could consider the Garden Tour and Behind the Seeds tours.

 

[disneyseniors]

Being "an older person" myself, LOL, I can just tell you what we do. We both have some medical issues, so that might change things for you. First, we stay at POFQ for the same reasons, ie: easy to get around. However, with only one bus stop it might take longer to get to the parks if there are more than 2 ECV's waiting.
We are morning people, so we are up and gone before rope drop. We eat our biggest meal at noon, then go back to the resort to rest and recharge our batteries,. The it's off to DS or another park for the evening. At our age, we are not morning to night park people, so I really doubt your gramma will be able to do that, even if she says she only wants to ride rides and be at the park. An afternoon rest really helps with fatigue and the aches and pains of getting older. No one escapes those pains. We also find we like to go at a slower pace and check everything out. We like the rides, but also love the shows, restaurants, street acts.
I just think that, even though she said what she said about the parks, she will probably need a break each day.
My daughter came with us on our last trip, and she is not a person to rest. So,, she headed to the pool with a drink and a book while we rested each day. Maybe that will help you out, or you could go to the park alone for an hour or two.
We have both used ECV's before at various times, and it is NOT easy to navigate those crowds with kids and grownups stepping in front of you and stopping. Also you are at bottom level and can't really see anything but that, and watch for other people. So take that into consideration as another factor that could make her more tired than usual.
We always have a great time at our slower pace with rest periods in the parks and at the resort each day. Even with that, our feet and bodies are aching from a day at the parks. Even "younger" people feel the aches and pains that they never would away from all the miles we walk at Disney. Hope this helps out, even if our actual experiences are not what you hoped to hear. You will have fun anyway and adjust; afterall, it's Disney

 

[misonrisa]

To echo terpgirl and others here...what a wonderful person you are... Bravo. And I can only hope I am able to visit and enjoy Disney World when I am in my eighties! As many have posted, a break in the middle of the day is a must, no matter the age. Is she a morning person? If she is not, then adjusting to her schedule even if it means less rides/shows is the way to go. Also, you could show her videos of the rides and let her decide if she thinks she can handle them. That would be a fun pre-trip activity for both of you.

 

[mjandshelby]

The Splash Mountain at WDW is a lot easier to get in and out of than the one in DL, so that's another idea if she is fine with a drop.

Thank you!!! That makes a big difference. I will let her know and ask her to decide!