Taking Granny!!!

[Selina]

We are thinking of taking a 79 nearly 80 year old with us!! Now she is lively and loves walking (but she walks in little steps - size 3 feet and 60inches tall!!! and walks at a much slower pace.) I have suggested we hire a wheelchair as I think it will take us ages to get round the park - but she isn't too keen and wants to walk! Has anyone else taken a granny and how?

 

[Rain]

Selina,

This not be what you want to hear lol.

Mobility is very important to the elderley along with independence, If granny loves to walk, then you will have to slow down to her pace.

It is really important with elderley relatives to take frequent breaks and to keep well hydrated.

I do not know what month you are travelling but hopefully not during the hot summer months.

Maybe after walking around the parks for a while then granny may suggest she need a little help especially Epcot. You may also be suprised and find she has more energy than the children!!!

 

[gilld]

We took my Mum in 1997, then 69 but with a severe back problem, who could only walk extremely short distances.She had vowed she wouldn't ever use a wheelchair. We went during the busiest time over Christmas. I explained about the vast distances involved and she agreed to use a wheelchair, which we hired here and took with us so we had use of it at the airports, hotel etc. It worked really well. When she realised just how much wslking there was, she was more than happy to "sit'n'ride" and using the disabled entrances at the rides was an added bonus which shortened our queuing time considerably. I'm sure if you explain all this to yourMum/Mum-in-law she will be happy to have the wheelchair "just in case".
Good luck

PS Mum went on everything except Back to the Future and Space Mountain!!!!!

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

My dear MIL came with us the first trip as a family Hmmm, not that I'm saying we didn't have a good time, but to be really honest (and she would have been the first to admit it) she was a little bit of a hindrence.

However, take into account the heat, the humidity, the crowds and the massive food portions, you are forewarned

I would strongly suggest a wheelchair. Don't push her into renting one ahead of time, just get into the parks and then let her see the sheer size of them. If worst comes to worst, you could always get someone in your party to head back over to the wheelchair rental shop and get one for her later, once she's realised it'll be hard work all the walking

 

[Little Starfish]

Hi

We took nan with us a few years back now, she had a good time but it did slow us down quite a lot. She was often more than happy to sit and just watch people having fun etc.. she really enjoyed seaworld. We did have to keep reminding her to drink plenty of water (which she really didnt like!!) and kept insisting on coffee!! It was really hot and we ended up having to go back to the villa on a few occassions..
Overall she had a lot of fun and has plenty of great memories

 

[Selina]

My way of thinking is that the parks will be too vast for her to walk too and will need a wheelchair or an electric car. Can anyone remember how much approximately they are to hire and if you can hire electric ones where she can "drive herself"!!

 

[Selina]

I've just been on the disabilities board - seen that you can hire ECV's for $40 daily at parks - but that's alot. Anyone know how much to hire an ordinary wheelchair?

 

[Kevin Stringer]

Now, I know that my view will be different to the majority, but my mother leaps around WDW like a young gazelle!

I have to admit that at 79 my mum is not at all typical of a woman of her age. She is coming with us again in 6 weeks and the very thought of offering her a wheelchair fills me with fear!

Obviously each case is different and I would think that a little help might well be appreciated in coping with the vast distances involved in moving around WDW. Just don't tell my mum.

Kev

 

[florry]

We took mum and dad 73 and 74 with us. We thought that they would have trouble getting around and keeping up with us and all the children.
However, how wrong we were. They were fantastic. They went on everything despite our warnings to them re: speed, getting soaked etc etc.
The only slight problem was food. We like anything but they are very much meat and 2 veg. so as DH was driving everywhere, we had to eat at places where they served more traditional British grub !
As for wheelchair hire. We have to hire one sometimes and we find that the red cross are more than willing to hire for a donation.
They can be found in any local telephone directory.They also don't mind if you take it abroad.

 

[Selina]

Interesting. Our Granny is the same, the only drawback is pace...she really walks 2 little steps forward and it seems 10 back!! She just has little feet. When we all go out to town centre for example, we find ourselves constantly waiting and we are not in anyway walking fast or even moderate. She actually walks quickly but never seems to get anywhere as she takes such little steps. With the vastness of the parks, I felt that it would make it doubly tiring for us. I don't know - maybe we wouldn't. To our advantage this is not our first time - infact we have been a few times - so in that respect - it's not as if we are newbies. Perhaps it will be okay if she walks. I'm going round in circles here....