Taking our amazing 80 yr old Grandpa??

[GoldenAfternoon]

Hello everyone Just a couple quick questions: My brother and I would like to take our wonderful grandfather to WDW in Sept 2007 for his 80th birthday. He's so special to us, and I want to make this trip truly magical- that's why I'm planning so far in advance. He's in great health, and is really a big kid at heart. Which resort do you suggest? Any activities to aviod? Any tips from anybody that has traveled with an elderly loved one to WDW would be greatly appreciated. Also, any suggestions from anyone else would be greatly welcomed, as well. Thanks so much!

 

[newman7501]

I don't have much advice but I just wanted to say how great it is that you and your brother are taking your grandpa on vacation. My 80 year old "pop pop" passed away one year ago and not a day goes by that I don't miss him terribly. My only piece of advice is to enjoy every minute of your trip and take lots of pictures. He will probably enjoy anything you plan because you guys are all together. Have fun.

 

[mmiller711]

My mother has gone with us many times the last being in 2003 when she was a "young" 79! She had her own scooter to take that year but we had rented them in the past from a company in orlando, you can check the disability board and they can give you the names of companies. I can't remember! It was nice to have her own scooter so she could use it from the room to the bus and back. She had trouble getting it on the bus. She hated making people wait and it was hard to get set just right so my DH rode it on the bus and she just went up the stairs with some help. This year we are taking her again at 82! She says it will be her last trip, and it may be because her health is failing. She broke her hip in Feb. so she will not be able to do the stairs on the bus so we are taking her manual chair this time. Much easier to get on and off busses with her in it! Just enjoy every second and if there is anything else I can help with just send me a pm....

 

[SueM in MN]

My mother has gone with us many times the last being in 2003 when she was a "young" 79! She had her own scooter to take that year but we had rented them in the past from a company in orlando, you can check the disability board and they can give you the names of companies.

I was going to suggest considereing a scooter or wheelchair too.
If you check out the disABILITIES FAQs thread near the top of the disABILITIES Board, there is lots of info, including the places DIS posters report renting from most often.
WDW involves a lot of walking, even if he is in good health. If he's not sure about the scooter idea, have him try one out at a store like Target, Walmart or a grocery store. (I'd suggest Target because they have nice big aisles and don't have merchandise sitting in the main aisles.) If he can use one of those, he would have no trouble at WDW - the scooters in the stores are much larger than any you would rent (plus they have that cart on the front).
If he's not sure he needs one, pick out a familiar place that is about 3-5 miles from his house. Asl him if he could walk there. He will probably say no and then you can tell him that the average person walks at least 3 miles at WDW. Most walk a lot more.

For the resort, what are you looking at - moderate, value or deluxe?
For activities to avoid - I'd look at the attractions that have warnings for a start. For ones to go on, I'd be inclined to buy him a guidebook (for someone his age, I'd suggest the Birnbaum Official Guide). Let him read about the attractions and figure out what he would like to do, restaurants, etc. The planning process could be almost as much fun as the being there part.

 

[ADisneyQueen]

I was able to take my Grandma for one day to MK and had a wonderful time. She passed away a few years ago, but we are glad we all got to go.
I would make sure Sept. is the best month for you. It is still hot and humid. My elderly aunt passed out from the heat once when she went in August.

 

[Jenn]

September is very hot and humid. For Grandpa's comfort (yours too), you might want to consider November, Dec, etc. instead.

 

[GoldenAfternoon]

Thanks so much for your suggestions and advice. Every little bit helps

 

[SueM in MN]

September is very hot and humid. For Grandpa's comfort (yours too), you might want to consider November, Dec, etc. instead.

Nov and Dec are also past hurricane season.

 

[KerriSue]

Sometimes just sitting on a bench people watching is fun. My grandparents went to Disney and they did alot of this.

Obviously Epcot will make for a great adventure....so much to see. If I were you I would share with grandpa all the great restaraunts and let him help choose what and where to eat.

My Grandpa just died in April, so many times I had asked him to come and visit, or even go places with me. Of course he was happy to stay home in his chair and just listen to everyone elses adventures. I miss him terribly, you know he actually died at home in his chair....what an adventure

 

[GoldenAfternoon]

"September is very hot and humid. For Grandpa's comfort (yours too), you might want to consider November, Dec, etc. instead."

I was thinking Sept is a good time to go because he/we wouldn't have to deal with the crowds or long lines, meaning less time on his feet (for my grandfather.) He would never rent a wheelchair or scooter. Hurricane season is definitely a risky time to go. Hmm. . .maybe Oct or Nov would be better.

"Sometimes just sitting on a bench people watching is fun."

He loves doing this at home, and I know it would be a lot more interesting at WDW!

"Of course he was happy to stay home in his chair and just listen to everyone elses adventures."

My Grandpa oves listening to my little trip reports every year. Last year he actually said "I'm about ready for a trip to Disney World myself." Thats how I got the idea to take him next year for his birthday. He hasn't been since the year Epcot opened, and I know it would be quite an adventure for all of us

Thanks again, everyone

 

[SueM in MN]

"Sometimes just sitting on a bench people watching is fun."

My FIL recently passed away, but people watching was his favorite thing to do and he spent amny hours sitting on the benches or rocking chairs on the porch of the building where Tony's Restaurant is in MK.
We also said that he could talk to a post and get an interesting conversation out of it. He loved to talk to people and spent hours talking to other 'bench sitters' in all the parks.

 

[nu cruzer]

If your budget will allow, I'd consider one of the resorts on the monorail system. Getting on a monorail should be alot easier on him than a bus. Plan on taking breaks every day. I've gone to WDW the end of September and it was less crowded and the weather was very pleasant. Have fun!

 

[erik'smom]

My 81 year old aunt went to WDW last year with my cousin and her daughter. They rode all of the Mountains in MK, Spaceship Earth and Test Track in Epcot and Tot and RNR at MGM. My aunt got a certificate for being one of the oldest people to ride RNR. The CM was really amazed.
It depends on your grandfather what to avoid. My aunt wants to do it again next summer with the rest of us, but she said that she might skip Tot.
Good Luck and Have a wonderful time.