Taking my mom to Disney for the first time. Looking for suggestions

[princesslover]

So we are taking my Mom for a surprise Disney trip in December. It’s a short, 4 night trip. She’s never been.

For MK I feel like I have a good idea of our plan and we also have tickets to MVMCP. We are skipping AK. Epcot doesn’t have a lot of rides to strategize.

That leaves DHS that I’m unsure of. We are planning just a half day there. She’s 75. I’d say she’s a fairly young 75 in spirit but also not super brave. I think RNRC may be out. TOT might be fun since the Twilight Zone is from her day. But not sure about the drop. To me it’s not bad but maybe I’ve forgotten what it’s like for the first time.

Any suggestions on how to prioritize? Thanks!!

 

[SleeplessInTO]

Rise of the Resistance is fun and a young 75 might really like it.

Runaway Railway is a similar system but without the elaborate set up.

Beauty & The Beast show is a nice way to rest the feet and watch a nostalgic favourite. I’d use this as a break from walking.

Muppets is surprisingly cute. Worth seeing once especially to get an indoor rest that doesn’t involve hundreds of children screaming the lyrics to Frozen.

I keep meaning to watch the Indiana Jones show but haven’t made it there yet.

 

[_19disnA]

I think the other thing to consider is Disney parks are HUGE and involve a LOT of walking. I would take let her the lead on what she wants to do and if she can't go all day long at a park, perhaps you might split up at times. Rides that involve spinning or those motion simulators can cause some people to get dizzy. Does she like to do rides at other parks you have been to previously?

 

[gatorlisa]

I would ask your mom how she feels about "thrilling" and/or jerky rides. When my mom was younger she was game for those types of things, but now in her 70s, not so much. There's not a lot at HS she would ride these days...Toy Story Mania would be ok and Mickey and Minnie Runaway Railway would be fine too. Rise of the Resistance I think would be alright, but everything else would fall into the too thrilling or too jerky category for her. Now the shows, all of those are fine and they are all great, so I would prioritize those for your trip. Don't discount the Frozen Sign-a-Long. The historians are hilarious. And I've been watching the Indy Stunt Spectacular since 1990 and it never gets old for me.

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

Wow, sounds like a fun trip. While you know your mom best, I'd double check with her on TOT. It's a good speed drop (it's really being pulled) clocking in at over 30mph and you do come out of your seat some. While I'm sure it's fine for most, I do think anyone with certain health conditions that are not in check or under control, may need to think twice.

I'd venture to other rides first before you hit TOT and see how she does and feels. I'm not a super brave 44yo and I have to hype myself up every time I go on TOT. I love it, but it scares the crap out of me.

TBH, I would not ask my MIL of 68 years to do TOT and she's pretty young spirited too. She walks a ton of miles every day, works out, keeps up with grandkids and has zero health conditions. I just don't think there's enough risk v reward on that one. The fact that you said she's not super brave, I'd leave that one out. Maybe have her do the queue with you since she might enjoy it and then she can tap out.

If it were my mom, I'd try other rides first and go from there like MMRR, Slinky, Smuggler's, TSM, ROTR. If you are going to do G+, you should be able to stack some rides for a half day visit. We did DHS post lunch with G+ and had a great time.

 

[MomOTwins]

it’s hard to know because people are so different. My parents would avoid anything with the slightest thrill (eg slinky) or bumpiness (eg MFSR), and would prefer seeing the shows (indy, beauty and the beast) and having a nice long linch at Brown Derby. My in-laws would love it all including TOT. I think it’s a question for your mom.

Note: long waits can also be hard at that age. I would definitely buy and use G+

 

[KittyKitty]

I would surprise her now, so she can prep for the trip.

I'm almost 73, I suggest she start walking before the trip. It really helps the stamina. My goal is 10K a day before I leave. Don't know if I'll make it. Get good walking shoes to break in. Wear socks to protect the feet. At our age, comfort is the #1 priority.

I also have a fanny pack and/or string bag to keep my stuff in while in the parks. I like to keep my hands free.

Does she stay up late? If that is her normal, MVMCP is great. If not, don't be surprise if she wants to leave early. And don't plan anything important the next morning. Just in case she wants to sleep in.

Have a great time!

 

[unrequited23]

When we went with both sets of our parents (aged 77-60 at the time) they really seemed to enjoy the tamer rides/experiences. Jungle Cruise, Liberty Belle, the train and parade were some of their favorites. The rides with the moving sidewalk load/unload were a little tricky for them--but I think there were 2 replacement hips and 3 replacement knees among the four of them at the time. I might do 2 MK park days so you could slow down and soak in the experience.

 

[princesslover]

Thanks for all the suggestions. My Mom is not a Star Wars fan so I’m not sure ROTR is something she would enjoy.

Good point about seeing the queue in TOT and then tapping out. I think she would LOVE the queue!!
We saw Indy for the first time last trip. It was good, but a one and done for us.

I think we’ll prioritize Slinky, MMRR, and TSM along with Muppets and Beauty and the beast. We are staying at Boardwalk so we may be able to rope drop Slinky if necessary. The rest are pretty easy to get genie+ (although near Christmas that can change)

Keep the suggestions coming! Thanks again.

 

[princesslover]

When we went with both sets of our parents (aged 77-60 at the time) they really seemed to enjoy the tamer rides/experiences. Jungle Cruise, Liberty Belle, the train and parade were some of their favorites. The rides with the moving sidewalk load/unload were a little tricky for them--but I think there were 2 replacement hips and 3 replacement knees among the four of them at the time. I might do 2 MK park days so you could slow down and soak in the experience.

We are planning 2 MK days, (one is the party so not buying a regular ticket). The other is a regular ticket. DHS is only scheduled to be a half day. Epcot we will divide up: morning at FW, long break during the day and exploring the countries at a slow pace at night. I’m a little concerned with the walking in Epcot. I wish there were more places to sit around world showcase lagoon.

 

[Darcy03231]

I took my mom when she was in her late 70s. She didn't do RNR or TOT. She enjoyed:

Star Tours (only star wars ride at the time)
Muppets
Indiana Jones
Beauty & The Beast
Great Movie Ride (now Runaway Railway)
Toy Story Mania
Art of Animation
One Man's Dream
Voyage of the Little Mermaid
Fantasmic

She also really enjoyed catching the impromptu street performers.

 

[Her Dotness]

We like to pull the rope in the well outside the Indiana Jones show. The well "talks" when you do, saying various fun phrases.

We both were pouting last trip when it wasn't working.

If you enjoy scavenger hunts, the interactive pirate one in MK can be fun and lowkey. There are various special effects you trigger by finding the clue symbol shown on your map and using your MB. Look for the little hut called A Pirate's Adventure near POTC and Tortuga Tavern.

 

[SleeplessInTO]

We are planning 2 MK days, (one is the party so not buying a regular ticket). The other is a regular ticket. DHS is only scheduled to be a half day. Epcot we will divide up: morning at FW, long break during the day and exploring the countries at a slow pace at night. I’m a little concerned with the walking in Epcot. I wish there were more places to sit around world showcase lagoon.

For Epcot, would she enjoy the Candlelight Processional or the fireworks? I like both. I’m not religious but the CP is beautiful.

If she has a sweet tooth, La Creperie in France is a nice sit down experience that doesn’t hurt the wallet or stomach. It’s not the finest dining in Epcot but we love it.

 

[DisneyFive]

It's really hard to tell but my parents are both 76 and would go on anything at HS. (at least they did when they were 72). One caveat, my mom won't do RnRC, but that's about it.

The only ones that are the big questions in my opinion are Tower of Terror, and Rockin Roller Coaster. However, HS is a totally different park than it was just a few years ago. There is NO NEED AT ALL to do either of those two attractions, as awesome as they are. Personally, any spry 75 year old could tackle the following below.

Are you doing HS as a half day park because you are doing the MVMCP that evening, or just because you don't feel that it has enough to occupy a full day. When you look at this list, especially with all the shows available, it easily packs a full day for us (even without TOT or RNRC)

Attractions in order of priority considering your mom's age. (just my opinion of course)

1. Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway
2. Toy Story Mania
3. Rise of the Resistance
4. Slinky Dog Dash
5. Star Tours (my be a struggle for those with motion sickness)
6. Millennium Falcon Smuggler's Run (my be a struggle for those with motion sickness)
7. Alien Swirling Saucers

Shows in order of priority

1. Beauty and the Beast
2. For the First Time in Forever Frozen Sing Along
3. Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular
4. Muppet Vision 3D
5. Walt Disney Presents

Have a great time!!!

I hope we can get back to WDW with my parents before they have slowed down too much to be able to enjoy it. Our family has some truly amazing memories that WDW has provided when we've taken the three generations at one time.

Dan

 

[princesslover]

It's really hard to tell but my parents are both 76 and would go on anything at HS. (at least they did when they were 72). One caveat, my mom won't do RnRC, but that's about it.

The only ones that are the big questions in my opinion are Tower of Terror, and Rockin Roller Coaster. However, HS is a totally different park than it was just a few years ago. There is NO NEED AT ALL to do either of those two attractions, as awesome as they are. Personally, any spry 75 year old could tackle the following below.

Are you doing HS as a half day park because you are doing the MVMCP that evening, or just because you don't feel that it has enough to occupy a full day. When you look at this list, especially with all the shows available, it easily packs a full day for us (even without TOT or RNRC)

Attractions in order of priority considering your mom's age. (just my opinion of course)

1. Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway
2. Toy Story Mania
3. Rise of the Resistance
4. Slinky Dog Dash
5. Star Tours (my be a struggle for those with motion sickness)
6. Millennium Falcon Smuggler's Run (my be a struggle for those with motion sickness)
7. Alien Swirling Saucers

Shows in order of priority

1. Beauty and the Beast
2. For the First Time in Forever Frozen Sing Along
3. Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular
4. Muppet Vision 3D
5. Walt Disney Presents

Have a great time!!!

I hope we can get back to WDW with my parents before they have slowed down too much to be able to enjoy it. Our family has some truly amazing memories that WDW has provided when we've taken the three generations at one time.

Dan

Thank you!! To answer your first question, it’s a timing issue. We are doing a split stay that day (checking out of Boardwalk and moving to Grand Floridian.). We have MVMCP that night. Either Epcot or DHS will need to be a half day park. I’m more inclined to think that DHS is a better candidate as a half day for my Mom.

Since this is a short trip, I have accepted she will not see and do everything, so trying to prioritize the best I can.

 

[princesslover]

For Epcot, would she enjoy the Candlelight Processional or the fireworks? I like both. I’m not religious but the CP is beautiful.

If she has a sweet tooth, La Creperie in France is a nice sit down experience that doesn’t hurt the wallet or stomach. It’s not the finest dining in Epcot but we love it.

She probably would. I don’t mean to sound cheap but after buying tickets for MVMCP for $847 for four of us, I’m just not sure I want to spring for another extra experience.

 

[SleeplessInTO]

She probably would. I don’t mean to sound cheap but after buying tickets for MVMCP for $847 for four of us, I’m just not sure I want to spring for another extra experience.

You can watch Candlelight Processional for free You may not get the best seats but we hopped into the standby line about 10-15 mins before a show last December and got seats with no problem. Blair Underwood was the narrator and did a great job. (I wouldn’t try this with Neil Patrick Harris as he’s probably the most popular narrator.)

 

[SleeplessInTO]

And yes MVMCP is pricy. You don’t sound cheap at all. I balked at the price tag for MVMCP myself lol.

 

[_19disnA]

Epcot we will divide up: morning at FW, long break during the day and exploring the countries at a slow pace at night. I’m a little concerned with the walking in Epcot. I wish there were more places to sit around world showcase lagoon.

One good thing about Epcot around showcase lagoon is there is (or at least there was last time we were there) a boat ride that takes you back to the other side of the lake so you really only have to walk 1/2 way around. Someone who has been there recently can probably comment on if those boats are currently running.

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

One good thing about Epcot around showcase lagoon is there is (or at least there was last time we were there) a boat ride that takes you back to the other side of the lake so you really only have to walk 1/2 way around. Someone who has been there recently can probably comment on if those boats are currently running.

Yes those boats have been up and running for a while now. Super convenient and a fun way to get around World Showcase.