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

[princesslover]

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.

I totally forgot about the boat! We have never used it so I didn’t consider it. Can you remind me where the loading points are? We will enter from the IG entrance.

 

[princesslover]

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.)

Good point about seeing it for free by jumping in line. Thank you!

 

[loves to dive]

It really depends on your Mom's physical capabilities and if she even likes to ride rides. When we used to take my Mom after she got older she wasn't able to walk a lot so we pushed her around in a wheel chair and I don't think she rode any rides. She would just wait with my son when he was too small.

I'm 65 and in decent shape, if I were to skip a park it would be HS and not AK but I love AK, it's just so peaceful.

As far as rides, I have bad hips and a bad back/neck so I don't ride RNRC (the launch kills my neck) I do ride ToT, I'm been known to get off and right back on. I ride RoTR sometimes but it's not a must do. I haven't ridden Star Tours in years, it makes me sick and I haven't ridden MF much lately. My last trip I didn't even step foot inside of Batu. I like SDD, it's an easy coaster and I do TSMM. I've ridden MMRR a few times but it's not a must do for me. The dance scene kind of jerks you around a lot (especially if you are smallish) and it can hurt my neck. I love all the shows, Indy is my fav. but they have modified it so it isn't as much fun as it used to be. I love HS at night at Christmas, they use retro decorations and it's so pretty.

Epcot can be a challenge to walk, I've been known to go back and forth across the park more than 3 times in a day and the last time I usually take the boat. She would probably enjoy just walking around the countries and going in the shops. Of the rides, I pretty much like them all except Frozen (I don't like the movie but oddly I love the show at HS) and the Mexico ride. I'm bitter they changed it and put Donald Duck in it. I love the Land and love walking around the Living Seas, I usually skip the ride.

If you have time, take her over to GF to see the tree and gingerbread house there. All the resorts really do it up for Christmas.

MK is what it is, not my favorite park and I usually just do a half day there but it is beautiful at Christmas. Stay away from Space Mountain, it hurts. BTMR can be a bit jerky, I can ride it but my son who has nerve damage in his spine can't. SDMT can be a little rough but it's doable.

 

[loves to dive]

Good point about seeing it for free by jumping in line. Thank you!

There is a boat dock outside of Morocco and the other one is next to the gift shop right across the lake. If you are coming from IG, Morocco is going to be the one you are going to want.

 

[_19disnA]

Yes, Morocco & Germany at far side of the lake. The other two boat docks are near the entrance of World Showcase, just depends on where you are and/or what countries you want to visit.

 

[princesslover]

There is a boat dock outside of Morocco and the other one is next to the gift shop right across the lake. If you are coming from IG, Morocco is going to be the one you are going to want.

Thank you!

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

MK is what it is, not my favorite park and I usually just do a half day there but it is beautiful at Christmas. Stay away from Space Mountain, it hurts. BTMR can be a bit jerky, I can ride it but my son who has nerve damage in his spine can't. SDMT can be a little rough but it's doable.

every year space mountain gets to me more and more. It's by far one of the jerkiest coasters I've ever ridden. My kids will ride it multiple times when the waits are down and I am one and done!

 

[princesslover]

It really depends on your Mom's physical capabilities and if she even likes to ride rides. When we used to take my Mom after she got older she wasn't able to walk a lot so we pushed her around in a wheel chair and I don't think she rode any rides. She would just wait with my son when he was too small.

I'm 65 and in decent shape, if I were to skip a park it would be HS and not AK but I love AK, it's just so peaceful.

As far as rides, I have bad hips and a bad back/neck so I don't ride RNRC (the launch kills my neck) I do ride ToT, I'm been known to get off and right back on. I ride RoTR sometimes but it's not a must do. I haven't ridden Star Tours in years, it makes me sick and I haven't ridden MF much lately. My last trip I didn't even step foot inside of Batu. I like SDD, it's an easy coaster and I do TSMM. I've ridden MMRR a few times but it's not a must do for me. The dance scene kind of jerks you around a lot (especially if you are smallish) and it can hurt my neck. I love all the shows, Indy is my fav. but they have modified it so it isn't as much fun as it used to be. I love HS at night at Christmas, they use retro decorations and it's so pretty.

Epcot can be a challenge to walk, I've been known to go back and forth across the park more than 3 times in a day and the last time I usually take the boat. She would probably enjoy just walking around the countries and going in the shops. Of the rides, I pretty much like them all except Frozen (I don't like the movie but oddly I love the show at HS) and the Mexico ride. I'm bitter they changed it and put Donald Duck in it. I love the Land and love walking around the Living Seas, I usually skip the ride.

If you have time, take her over to GF to see the tree and gingerbread house there. All the resorts really do it up for Christmas.

MK is what it is, not my favorite park and I usually just do a half day there but it is beautiful at Christmas. Stay away from Space Mountain, it hurts. BTMR can be a bit jerky, I can ride it but my son who has nerve damage in his spine can't. SDMT can be a little rough but it's doable.

We have two nights at the GF!! (Split stay - we are staying 2 at the Boardwalk the first half of the trip).

 

[princesslover]

every year space mountain gets to me more and more. It's by far one of the jerkiest coasters I've ever ridden. My kids will ride it multiple times when the waits are down and I am one and done!

Same. And it makes me sad because it is my 18 yo’s favorite ride in the Kingdom but I’m one and done. At some point (I’m 55) I will be zero and done.

 

[MomDoc_99]

I am 66 and ride everything except Mission Space. I may have to give up RNRC soon due to neck issues, and can only ride Space Mountain once at a time (used to ride it over and over at DL in my younger days - now it's Expedition Everest that I ride over and over). So everyone is different, talk things over and maybe start with some of the "medium" intensity rides and see how she likes them.

 

[JLTraveling]

My dad's 70 with severe spinal arthritis, and he rides everything. That said, he's been going to the parks since they opened, so he's very familiar with all the movements and knows how to brace to protect his bad spots. And the doctor has said he won't cause any damage, so it's safe.

I agree with the others, it will have to be up to your mom. Have you done other parks together? What did she ride? If not, I'd start off easy and progress from there. She might end up loving everything, she might decide she's not a ride person at all, or somewhere in between.

 

[princesslover]

My dad's 70 with severe spinal arthritis, and he rides everything. That said, he's been going to the parks since they opened, so he's very familiar with all the movements and knows how to brace to protect his bad spots. And the doctor has said he won't cause any damage, so it's safe.

I agree with the others, it will have to be up to your mom. Have you done other parks together? What did she ride? If not, I'd start off easy and progress from there. She might end up loving everything, she might decide she's not a ride person at all, or somewhere in between.

We have done rides at fairgrounds together. Think merry mixer or tilt-a-whirl. She typically has been afraid of rides with heights but I think if she couldn’t see the height (indoor) it might not be an issue. I’m guessing big drops would be a no. Thinking of showing her some videos of TOT online.

 

[JLTraveling]

We have done rides at fairgrounds together. Think merry mixer or tilt-a-whirl. She typically has been afraid of rides with heights but I think if she couldn’t see the height (indoor) it might not be an issue. I’m guessing big drops would be a no. Thinking of showing her some videos of TOT online.

Honestly, my mom HATED drops. But she loved TOT anyway because of the story and all the cool effects. But if she'd seen a video first it would have been a hard pass. It sounds like your mom is plenty healthy enough for it...so if you have the sort of relationship where you can get away with it, I'd be inclined to ask forgiveness rather than permission. Maybe at the end of the day, in case she gets nauseous/freaked out/mad at you? If that would work for you, of course.

 

[princesslover]

Honestly, my mom HATED drops. But she loved TOT anyway because of the story and all the cool effects. But if she'd seen a video first it would have been a hard pass. It sounds like your mom is plenty healthy enough for it...so if you have the sort of relationship where you can get away with it, I'd be inclined to ask forgiveness rather than permission. Maybe at the end of the day, in case she gets nauseous/freaked out/mad at you? If that would work for you, of course.

I do think she would love the nostalgia of it, Maybe instead of showing the video I will describe it,

 

[JLTraveling]

I do think she would love the nostalgia of it, Maybe instead of showing the video I will describe it,

That sounds good. It's so worth letting her be surprised by the details

 

[sheilafri]

For reference I’m 64, overweight, but walk a fair amount. At HS I might skip RnR, Indy (cuz I’ve seen it) and Toy Story Land (cuz too many kids). I like the rest. I love Star Tours, Frozen, MMRR, and ROTR and ToT if the lines aren’t outrageous. Educate yourself on the bumpiness of the rides, relay it to her and get her feedback.

 

[KittyKitty]

I do think she would love the nostalgia of it, Maybe instead of showing the video I will describe it,

I always take the chicken elevator while my friends ride ToT. I grab a coffee and sit in the area where the ride picture is displayed.

 

[princesslover]

For reference I’m 64, overweight, but walk a fair amount. At HS I might skip RnR, Indy (cuz I’ve seen it) and Toy Story Land (cuz too many kids). I like the rest. I love Star Tours, Frozen, MMRR, and ROTR and ToT if the lines aren’t outrageous. Educate yourself on the bumpiness of the rides, relay it to her and get her feedback.

Thanks for the feedback. Just to be clearer, we have been to Disney many times as a family. It’s just the first time for my Mom.

I don’t think she would be all that excited about Star Wars. I think she would giggle over TSM and love slinky. I guess everyone is different, even at similar ages.

 

[princesslover]

I always take the chicken elevator while my friends ride ToT. I grab a coffee and sit in the area where the ride picture is displayed.

It’s really great that’s an option. I’ll try to remember this thread and report back how she does!

 

[JodyK]

When I was there a few weeks back I never saw the boat at Epcot running at World Showcase and looked for it to escape the heat a few times. I know many people have reported them as running so it may have been a fluke but just thought it was worth mentioning.