Taking my husbands parents

[jnl]

We are taking my husbands parents for their 1st trip ever to WDW. They are both in their late 60's. This will be our 3rd time going(myself, dh,ds8,& ds5). Is there anything they should not do? What things do u think they will like the most and I should add to our not to be missed list? Thanks for any input.

 

[Gary M]

DW and I are just a few years younger than your in-laws. They may like Illuminations and Fantasmic. I would think world showcase in EPCOT, would be enjoyed. At MGM Indiana Jones, Muppets 3-D, Great Movie Ride(if open) and TOT. At AK the safari Flights Of Wonder and It's tough To Be A Bug would be neat. In the MK the train ride, Peter Pan, Pooh Ride, TTA, POC, HM, Jungle Cruise and BTMRR. Visiting some of the resorts might be nice. The monorail resorts and WL and the Boardwalk area.

If they are in good health and game, try Test Track.

A character meal with the grandchildren would be a must.

Just some ideas, I'm sure others can add to the list. Enjoy your trip.

 

[MargaretF]

Make sure you have them read the park brochures and then walk them by the rides so they can see what they look like. When we took my parents with us for the first time, I didn't mention Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Railroad, Space Mountain etc because our kids were too small and I thought my parents were too "old". Well, let me tell you, Dad found them the last day and rode everyone he could and got my DH to go with him and DH won't even ride those with me. The next trip, I made sure Dad read all the park brochures and wouldn't you know, he took the kids on all the biggest fastest water slides at Blizzard Beach and on all the mountains in MK. Mom on the other hand liked the carousel, Jungle Cruise, Winnie the Pooh, Small World and Pirates. Encourage them to try things but don't push it and you'll have a great time. Mom and DH would often sit out rides the rest of us went on and still had a great time people watching.

 

[strawberryblonde]

Have you given any thought to the dinnner/show Hoop-de-doo-Revue? Our group of 11 loved it and it is one of our favorite memories from our last trip. Something to enjoy for every age and being a part of a big group makes it all the more fun. My Mom (58 and in a wheelchair) LOVED it as did the 3 year old and all of the ages in between.

My Mom also really enjoyed pin trading, it is the thing she misses most about her trip. Our entire group got into this and enjoyed trading amongst ourselves as much as with the CMs.

Mom wishes she could have had a bit more shopping time. She spent a couple hours at DTD with my sister but would have liked to have gone again.

Mom's main request was to ride Pirates at MK. She loved RnR at MGM, very smooth and didn't jerk her about at all. She could have ridden it along with TOT all day.

Have fun and best wishes.

 

[Dana49]

We brought my in-laws when they were approximately the same age as your in-laws. On the day they agreed to go, we gave them a copy of Birnbaum's Guide. They studied that book for months. After we arrived, we told them where we were going to be that day. If they wished to follow, they could. If not, they could go and do whatever they liked. We planned a meal each evening, so we could all be together. Most of the time, they would go with us, but there were days where they went their own way. By the way, we did go to the Hoop-Dee-Doo and they loved it. The trip was a huge success, and they talked about it for the rest of their lives. Everytime we return to WDW, my wife and I think of that trip and how nice it was. Enjoy!

 

[jnl]

Thank you all for the great advice. I never would of thought of taking them on tot , RnR, test track,SM,SPM or any of the other thrill rides. Just the idea of it makes me lol. There expressions would be priceless!!!! I have some books that give descriptions of the rides so i'll have them read through it and let them pick n choose what they think they can handle. I never thought of the Hoopdeedoo. I'll definately look into it and give it some thought. I hope they love WDW as much as we do.

 

[loriandmatt]

We did the same thing last year and here are the things my In Laws commented on as the things they liked best:

Hoop Dee Doo, HOP, COP, TTA, any boat ride from MK to a resort, the boat parade on Bay Lake, WS at Epcot (but spread out over several days - lots of walking) especially the Voices of Liberty and the drum and bugle group in the American Pavilion, SE, Killmanjaro (sp?) Safarri, F of the LK, WWTBAM, One Man's Dream, Great Movie Ride, The train around MK...

They also loved being left to sit and people watch. They spent a few hours just exploring the shops on Main Street USA, especially the "side streets" with all the details. The Main Street singers were a particular favorite.

- lori

 

[manchurianbrownbear]

My MIL & FIL are travelling with our family (DW, DS12, DS8, DD7 & DD4) this fall so this information is also helpful for us!

Our thought when we asked them was that they would enjoy experiencing WDW with the grandchildren, but know we're concerned that they don't feel like they have to "babysit" them. We've watched the trip planning video and given them reading assignments (Unofficial Guide, Birnbaum's, etc...) and of course, recommended the DIS hoping that they'll get excited about enjoying THEMSELVES in addition to spending time with the kids!

Any of you that have travelled with grandchildren, what did enjoy/not enjoy about WDW with kids?

 

[finnie48]

What does age matter?

I started riding coasters 60 some years ago, and my wife who is a bit (10 yrs.) younger than I also loves thrill rides. So as long our health permits we will be on line for TOT, R&R, TT, all the mountains in MK enjoying them with gusto! Granted, we no longer hustle our bustle to get from one place to another - people watching, the Hoop-dee Doo, and other more sedate things to do are are also a lot of fun. Don't put us more mature ones out to pasture just yet. Hope ALL of you have a great time!!

Bob (72)

 

[dgaston]

Well I can't top finnie48's post, but my DH is just 5 years shy of 60, and I'm 52, and we love the Disney Mountain Range, RnR, and TOT. I'm surprising Dh with an anniversary trip in August (no kids--family will get to celebrate Christmas in WDW) and it includes two nights at the Hard Rock so we can really enjoy the thrill rides at IOA. Some grandparents might just not care only for people watching, and the Great Movie Ride!

 

[sha_lyn]

took DM last yr when she was 61. She commented jsut the other day that the "fun" meals were her favoirte
Prime time
'Ohana's
and the character meals.

she braved TOT and SplM. She really enjoyed millionaire, fantasmic and the 3 D movies. She even went to BB which amazed me. I thought she would go wiht DH to Epcot that am. but she wanted to go with DSi my kids and myself to BB. Of course all she did was stay in the kids area with DD, but to her,watching her granddaughter have fun was fun for her.

 

[Jordan's MOM]

Don't rule anything out. When we were there last year, we were right in front of this gentleman getting on space mountain that had to be late 80's. He had not one expression on his face. He had to have quite a bit of assistance to get into the ride. As we exited, we waited to see this man come out and he was sitting there still, with no expression on his face. Don't know whos idea his ridding was but he seemed to do fine. I agree to plan together and get thier input on what they want to do and where they want to go. I would make clear any ideas that you have that might effect them. Such as wanting any time just for your family or the possiblity of them watching the kids one night so you could go out.Also make sure the money issues are delt with before hand. Sound like a dream trip in the makings.


jordan's mom

 

[loriandmatt]

i was certainly not putting forth the idea that all folks that might be a bit older than i would just want to take on the tamer aspects of WDW....i was simply giving my feedback as to my experience. My in laws expressed that those things were THEIR favorite attractions and that THEY personally did not get a charge out of the more "thrilling" attractions.

I personally enjoy all of the things i listed as well. COP is probably my favorite of all attractions. I also can't imagine not going on a weekly good wizz around test track when DH and i go for our winter long stay at FW when he retires. (in 26 years! )

to each their own. like someone else noted, don't rule anything out.

- lori