Taking 71 year old mother

[Twinklee]

Its taken me about 8 years, but I've finally convinced my 71 year old mother with me. We leave on Saturday for a week. I know my mom won't have the stamina to walk a lot so I'm trying to convince her to rent an ecv . Even if I convince her though, she is still going to want to park it so she can stand in lines and shop.....she's very independent and hates the idea of riding an ecv. My question is....are there areas in the World Showcase countries that she can park the ecv while she shops? How about Main Street in the MK or Hollywood Studios? I really wish I had checked this out when my family and I were there a few weeks ago.

Toni

 

[bidnow5]

You can park them at the stroller parking areas all over the parks

 

[everylastbreath]

Oh boy how I can relate. We took my 81 year old Mom w/us to Disney last year and we had the same problem, she was extremely resistant to the ECV idea, so I didn't even tell her that I had already arranged one before we arrived. Once we were in route on the trip I did tell her so it wouldn't be a complete surprise, but once we got there and the heat hit her, I think reality set in and she was accepting of it. We took her out for a little test driving in the morning and once she got use to it, she was fine, she didn't park it nearly as much as we expected, and did use it more than I think even she expected, so let her have her plan to park it, and I bet she uses it way more than even she expects.

Good luck, It's such a wonderful trip I would do it again in a heartbeat, we had my mom (81) and my daughter & her son (3) and Mom just saw Disney thru his eyes which made it all worth it. Just take it REALLY slow.

 

[pudge the fish]

just remember once you park the ECV you gotta walk back to it

of course the heat may help her decide to us the EVC more

have an awesome time

 

[disneymarie]

Ohhh,
We all start that way, then no matter the age or limitations we find that we all have a better vacation for the use of wheels. My 34 yr old son with back, problems and walking with a few surgeries under him was stuborn. Told me not to rent one for him. I got one for my own needs and ended up using my walker as he was a crabby hurting mess. His wife with herniations ended up riding out on my rollator every night especially at Epcot.

I wish there were golf carts I could send them all out on while I use my wheels to finish the day out....
I had my dd in a stroller until 6 because it was something to use to rest on, but ended up renting wheels for the week. DH had to push the stroller.
Have fun, take water bottles in for her, a small cooler can ride on the basket or feet area. You need the fluids. Also a spray water bottle. A hat helps too, even if she normally does not wear one. Getting them from being stuborn to a kid like frolic is the trick. Kids have to sun protect, Mom too. Kids need water, Mom too. Kids need shade and snack, Mom does too,

Some day our kids will be Momiming us

 

[DisneyDreamer2]

This is exactly my situation with my mom! i am renting a wheelchair (her driving an ECV would be very scary). I thought of just parking it in stroller parking areas but i was worried it might get stolen. I plan on marking it with our name so i guess i'll just hope for the good in all people.

 

[toocherie]

This is exactly my situation with my mom! i am renting a wheelchair (her driving an ECV would be very scary). I thought of just parking it in stroller parking areas but i was worried it might get stolen. I plan on marking it with our name so i guess i'll just hope for the good in all people.

One thought on the ECV (since I just posted it is a good idea on another thread)--unless you think it is a lost cause, take her to Costco or a grocery store that has scooters available for shoppers with disabilities and let her "try it out"--once she gets used to it she might not be so resistant. And remember that if you get to WDW you can always call one of the rental companies (your hotel can help too) and get a wheelchair or ECV--generally the companies have them available.

 

[Indychick]

Make sure she practices! Those things can be dangerous! Also, make sure to rent out of the parks because all the buses etc. can accommodate the ECV's. People may grumble and stare when you get loaded on first, but who cares, it is worth it to keep your mother safe and not exhausted! My mom parked hers all over the parks and we never had any problems. She even took hers in some of the stores. So other than it being kind of a slow going at times, it is definitely important to have one if you need it!

 

[Windjammermay]

By all means get her a scooter. Take some time with helping her learn to controll it. I found it difficult to keep up with the people I was with threw the crowds. I have been using a chair a long time and it was very over whelming to deal with trying to keep up with my group and avoiding pedestrians.

When I stoppped to pull over in an area to slow down it was easier to handle the crowd. Just don't let the poor dear get all flustered with trying to keep up you with out giving her a little time to stop and look around. There is just so much to see.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Please ask her the following questions. Here are the suggested answers to go with them.

1. Are you disabled (even temporarily)? Yes.

2. Do the people you are traveling with, such as your family, know you are disabled? Yes.

3. Do you expect to meet anyone you know during this trip who may not know you are disabled. Probably No!

4. Do you expect to meet a bunch of people who you will probably never meet again in your life? Probably yes!

5. Is there any reason at all that you should care what these people think about you? Absolutely No!!

6. Will using a wheelchair or ECV make for a better vacation for you and your family? Absolutely YES!