Suggestions for making trip magical for my aging parents?

[Marionnette]

DH, DS12 and I will be traveling to WDW November 8-17. We are bringing my parents along. This will be their first trip to WDW. As a matter of fact, they have never been more than 100 miles away from home more than a few times in their lives. They have always struggled financially. While my sister and I were growing up, we never took a single vacation. There were many times we wondered where our next meal would come from. But enough doom and gloom. Things are better for them now, but they still don't have alot of extra money. So, we are taking them to WDW! And I want to make the trip amazing, because it will probably be the only time they ever go. We are staying at CBR -- I've requested a room close to OPR, etc. to cut down on walking a bit (they are only 61 years old and both in pretty good shape, but my dad has gout and sometimes has issues with ankle swelling). We have FD and I've reserved some great, unique restaurants that my family loves so that they can try them. We are going to HDDR and MVMCP. And I got Memory Maker so that we can capture the memories without having to worry about carrying around a camera. I guess I'm just looking for any suggestions for other things we can do to make the trip really special and magical for them?

Wow! 61 is aging! Who would have thought it? I need to tell my husband. He turns 61 next month.

All kidding aside, I think that the most magical moments will be the ones that they experience with the grandkids. I see by your signature that the kids are older (19 and 12?). Perhaps a fishing trip? Behind the Seeds tour? Fireworks Dessert Party?

 

[kathy884]

I personally think SeaWorld is the best park in Orlando for an extended family group -- show based with animal attractions and such beautiful landscaping. It's by far the park my parents and older relatives enjoy most in Orlando and it's one the entire family loves. It's just a great place for us all to enjoy together. I think you have great things planned and you might not want to venture out of Disney -- might not be convenient if you don't have your own transportation. // Just wanted to mention not to overlook this park if not on this trip, maybe on another one. // 61 is pretty young, though, so really any of the parks I think would be just fine. // My dad who is 79 just love SeaWorld and gets a season pass, but skips Disney and Universal -- does his own thing on days we do those parks.

Our older relative are in shape late 70s. And my mom who is 79 still does all the coasters at all the Orlando theme parks with the grand kids, is a Stephen minister at her church, does aerobic twice a week, and tennis twice a week. She's the only one in their 70s though that is really into Harry Potter, coasters, etc. though, so was the only over 70 who did Universal with us too and loved it. It wouldn't have been a good park for any of the other over 70s in our group except her.

 

[Jewel3k]

Plan out the days and provide them with an itinerary before you go. That way they know what is expected each day. What time to wake up and what time you have some place to be. That way everyone is on the same page expectation wise. Not that you have to stick to it to the plan. I know we never do, but in a large group its better to know where to go next and be able to say we are going there at this time. That way you aren't standing there asking well where to next. If you want them ready to make it to rope drop make sure they know now and are not surprised that you are waking them up at 6am to go to Extra Magic Hours. Also think about if they can ride the thrill rides. If they can't handle them and you want to do them think of alternatives for them to ride. For example, if they don't want to do splash or big thunder, they could ride the paddle boat or sit in the hall of presidents. Make sure you have a plan if your dad's ankle bothers him. A long show to sit in, a bench in the shade with a snack, renting a wheel chair at the park, an afternoon relaxing at the resort, a late night soak in the pool.... Have fun. I planned a trip for my 87 year old grandmother in February and it was magical.

 

[margot31]

My dad is over 65 and still gets on the rides with his adult children. What about getting your dad a scooter while there? That might help the walking issue.

 

[hsmamato2]

just be sure to have your iphone for all the pics you'll want to take on your own (they take great pics!) and if your parents start tiring to much from all the walking, don't hesitate to rent scooters for them, it can make a big difference... (I like the offsite places that drop them at the hotel best) we took my older dad last year and he loved it! I like the length of stay rental for the scooter, the walks within each hotel can be LONG for an older person with leg issues.... my Dad felt like it saved the trip to have that!

 

[fairy oma]

They are going to have a blast! We went with both DGs 2 years ago and are going with the both of our grown kids and their families this December; DH was reluctant to go to WDW but after getting home he said it was one of the best vacations ever! If you are staying at a WDW resort be sure your parents know it is ok to go back to the resort and take a break in the afternoon or to just have a resort day. We took a picture when we arrived at WDW and on the last day and we both looked worn out at the end, but it was a delicious exhaustion. Sea World was wonderful and DSIL and I went to HP at Universal while the rest of the group had a resort day. I hope you all have a wonderful, magical time...what memories you will make!

 

[Mom2Stitch]

I think it's wonderful that you are taking them! Definitely bring a camera-MM is great but they can't capture everything.

One word of caution-don't expect their excitement to be the same as yours. In taking other family members and friends I have found that not everyone has the same love and appreciation for all that is Disney that my own family does.

I love the printed plans suggested by a PP--it's always helpful when you know what's coming next.

 

[Julylady]

It sounds like you have already put a lot of thought into this trip! My Mom is 80, but a young eighty. My best advice is to plan, but make sure you are sensitive to their needs. For example, you might have that great Sci Fi reservation at 2pm, but 1pm they are exhausted and all they want to do is return to the room and put their feet up. There are days where my Mom doesn't want to go to the park at all, and other days where she is ready to go back to the hotel after 3 hours. We just let her go according to her own schedule. I do try to make our reservations for either first thing in the morning, or right after a break time so that I think she will be most rested.

My Mom loves some of the rides.....Soarin, Splash Mountain, and Buzz Lightyear are her favorites. Other rides she just sits out. She really doesn't mind just sitting on a bench and people watching while we ride. She also really likes the "extra" things like Wishes Dessert party and Hoop De Doo.

 

[White Rose]

My dad is taking the extended family to WDW for his 80th. He took a bachelor trip with my uncle ( his brother in
Law) in 2013 and they went on everything including rocking roller coaster..which my dad did not like...lol...he said it went a bit too fast, but he can't stop talking about it.

He plans on going on everything but the roller coasters that might hurt his back. He will be wearing a Velcro back brace, so that will help. The only rides we are suggesting he skip are dinosaur and space mountain because of jarring turns and such.

btw...my dad goes ballroom dancing 6 days a week. He started this after my mom passed away in 2012. Beforehand he was a lump on the sofa, so no matter what the age...you can before more active and change your lifestyle...just saying.

 

[jacksgirl]

I like the idea of renting an ECV for my dad. Any suggestions for the best place to rent? They won't do the thrill rides. Like I said, they are of the mindset that they are "too old" for such things. However, they will enjoy most of the tamer rides. I think they will probably only skip the mountains and mine train in MK, ToT and RR in DHS, and EE in AK. I think the rest will be fine.

 

[deedeetoo]

Too funny about the aging thing. I opened this thinking that I could help because we just went with my 80 year old mother earlier this month. I'm surprised to find that I am closer to the age of the "aging" parents. Seriously, if they are slowing down at that age, maybe they need a gym membership or something? And they are too old for thrill rides? They need an attitude adjustment. Maybe work on that on the vacation. 61 is still young enough for everything.

 

[mejo]

Too funny about the aging thing. I opened this thinking that I could help because we just went with my 80 year old mother earlier this month. I'm surprised to find that I am closer to the age of the "aging" parents. Seriously, if they are slowing down at that age, maybe they need a gym membership or something? And they are too old for thrill rides? They need an attitude adjustment. Maybe work on that on the vacation. 61 is still young enough for everything.

Me too, I'm 55 and taking my mother to food and Wine in October, she is 72. I was just telling her how good it will be for her and if we need to stop and take a lot of breaks so be it, it will still be fun.

 

[jacksgirl]

They do need a mindset adjustment. However, they are set in their ways. It's just the environment they grew up in, fueled by the region in which we live. It's rural North Mississippi. My dad has been a logger his whole life, and my mom worked in factories. They were both raised by older people (well, older at that time). My dad's aunt and uncle raised him and neither of them ever even had a driver's license. They traveled by horse and wagon only, had a family farm, no tv or air conditioning in the house. Not even a radio until my dad was a teenager. My mom's parents had nine children, also owned a family farm. My grandfather had a driver's license but my grandmother never did. They raised their family in a two bedroom house with a fireplace for heat, no air conditioning, 5 boys in one bedroom, 4 girls in another, grandparents bed was in the living room, no indoor plumbing other than in the kitchen. Baths were in a washtub on the back porch. Laundry was done (for 11 people) in an old ringer washing machine. Neither my dad's aunt and uncle nor my mom's parents ever held a public job or received a regular salary. All of their sustenance came from the farm, or from selling the crops or livestock from the farm. So, you see, they both lived much of their lives completely detached from the modern world. I know all of that sounds foreign to most people now, it's like something from 150 years ago instead of 50 years ago, but that is the world they were raised in.

 

[Grandma G]

just be sure to have your iphone for all the pics you'll want to take on your own (they take great pics!) and if your parents start tiring to much from all the walking, don't hesitate to rent scooters for them, it can make a big difference... (I like the offsite places that drop them at the hotel best) we took my older dad last year and he loved it! I like the length of stay rental for the scooter, the walks within each hotel can be LONG for an older person with leg issues.... my Dad felt like it saved the trip to have that!

I am one of those 'aging' parents (72) planning a visit in October of 2016 with my daughter, son-in-law and two adult grandchildren. We're staying at The - very long - Beach Club. And, although I hope that I'll continue to be quite capable of keeping up with everyone over short distances (and of standing in long lines), I've visited often enough to know that I'm not going to be able to do all of the things I've always done at Disney (including the 'strolls' around the Boardwalk that I so much love) without the assistance of a scooter or power chair. And that is my dilemma:

Edited to insert ... blush!

I have now visited the disABILITIES forum and read the answers to my questions about scooters. And that revealed all of my ignorance of scooters in the process.

On another note (to the original poster) ...

I was last in WDW at the age of 60 (with my daughter and two of my three grandchildren). And my current Facebook photo is of me parasailing (a 'sport' highly recommended for those 55 and beyond ... ) high above Bay Lake on a day during that trip when I had only intended to ride along on the boat.

Your 'aging' parents may just surprise you, and themselves, a bit too.

 

[disnut8]

I like the idea of renting an ECV for my dad. Any suggestions for the best place to rent? They won't do the thrill rides. Like I said, they are of the mindset that they are "too old" for such things. However, they will enjoy most of the tamer rides. I think they will probably only skip the mountains and mine train in MK, ToT and RR in DHS, and EE in AK. I think the rest will be fine.

Ask that question over on the DisAbilities board and you will get a lot of helpful advice. Personally having to rent a manual wheelchair twice (once for me and another time for my husband), we went with an offsite company and it was very nice. It was delivered before we arrived to our resort (once offsite, once on property) and then we just left it when we departed. If you rent from offsite, you will have the ECV 24/7 and it's not a problem with the buses. I would highly suggest that your father practice in the parking lot before he takes it to a park so he can use the controls without a problem. Since he's not entirely dependent on the ECV, he can get off and on when he needs/wants. Also, just about all the Disney World queues are handicapped accessible so you can all be in the main queue. But, for those queues that aren't that accessible, the entire party can use the alternative entrance. However - if that's the case, just realize that you might need to wait for the next accessible ride vehicle.

We had fun with my husband's wheelchair since he looked perfectly fine after just being diagnosed with gout. I pinned a sign to the back that said "Rich's Wheelie!"

And you can do what my Dad did when he had a wheelchair in Epcot (at the age of 80). He would have my stepmother roll him up next to an ECV and ask the person in the ECV to race and say my stepmother could beat anything!

 

[jacksgirl]

Thanks. I will ask that question on the Disabilities board.

 

[glassslippergirl]

I'm glad that you're considering an ECV for your dad. If he ever uses or really could use one at the store at home, he will probably need it at WDW. Renting from an off site vendor will ensure that he has it wherever he needs it. If he doesn't need it, he can just park it and go.

Just based in what you've shared, your parents may not be the type to buy themselves good walking shoes or new weather-appropriate clothes. These might be a nice gift before the trip along, of course, with some Mickey shirts.

 

[Bluegrrl]

Have you thought about really splurging and getting a VIP tour for one day? They drive you everywhere, get you behind scenes to get on rides - you just tell them what you want to do, and they help you get it done. I think that would be pretty special to do - one day of being super special!

 

[jacksgirl]

The shoes and Mickey shirts are a great idea glassslippergirl. You're right. They won't go buy what they need for themselves. The VIP tour is a cool thought too. Not sure how much those cost. I'm also thinking of getting them each one of the F&WF Discovery Sampler Packages because I think they will both really enjoy our F&FW day.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I don't think you need the package for F&W. It really works out to spending about $7.50 per food/beverage item you choose and the vast majority of the offerings are usually priced beneath that. If they want all lobster and champagne it might work. Also, if you buy the package and they decide they don't want to consume 16 items between them or they feel pressured to order 16 items they might not like it. the other 2 things you get with the package are a pin and a seat at the Eat to the Beat concert. There's usually seats available for those, especially for the later shows, without having a package or anything special reserving a seating time. Maybe get them the F&W gift cards and load them up. All they'd have to do is have the card scanned to buy whatever items they want.