Tips For/From Active Seniors?

[deekaypee]

Long post, sorry! I've divided it in sections for folks if they want to skim.

The Situation:
DH's parents will be coming with us to Disney in their first visit to the parks since DH was young. (The Studios & AK didn't even exist.) They've shown no real interest in our Disney vacations before, but this year DH and I are participating in the Disney Goofy/Marathon and a half, and they want to support the races. I'm making the itinerary--I'm the planner and a Disney tour commando, usually--and I would really like this first-time-together trip to be magical for my DILs. I've already sent my ILs a copy of Birnbaums & the planning DVD to get a sense of their interests, which initially overwhelmed them.

In short, I need as much input as I can get from other sources. I know that my ILs will become more interested and vocal as the trip gets nearer, but I need to plan now. I haven't even made any ADRs yet!! And to be honest, I'm worried that my ILs, knowing how much I like Disney, will either 1) agree with anything I suggest or 2) try to tough it out beyond their interest/energy level. That's their way on some things. And while I appreciate it, I'd rather they have such an excellent time that I can convince them to make Disney part of the rotation for family vacations.

The Question:
So I'm hoping my fellow DISers out there would share with me their tips and strategies, favorite attractions and events, and anything else I should know about doing Disney as or with an active senior. What attractions and events are priorities, how do you manage your touring days, what should I take into consideration? Any position on or insights about seniors & the following: thrill rides, roller coasters, parades, early mornings or late nights, Pleasure Island, Disney Quest?

The Background Information:

• There will be four adults going, staying in two hotel rooms. DH and I arrive two days before his parents show up. That way, we can catch any of our "must-dos" that they might not be interested in/up for, stock up our hotel fridge, etc.
• We'll have 4 1/2 days in the parks together with all four of us, plus whatever DH and I have the energy for after the Sat. half-marathon and the Sun. full marathon. We're not planning on anything rigorous those days.
• We're staying at a DTD hotel (not my preference, a compromise b/c of my ILs' concerns with being immersed in Disney 24/7 ), and will have one rental car & the hotel's bus service.
• We're planning on eating early and often, and on taking an afternoon rest break. DH and I need these things as much, if not more, than anyone else!
• Both my ILs are active seniors in their 70s. In the couple of years, they've visited Mexico and Israel, gone on a cruise, and made several cross-country trips to visit family. That said, they tend to do well on large guided tours or leisurely self-paced trips. They don't really do well with rigid schedules--or, rather, they like to make itineraries for their trips that they don't follow. (Also, they've never been particularly good about sharing the itinerary-making or following others' itineraries when it comes to family vacations. I don't think it's conscious on their part, they've just always been the planners/parents.)
• DMIL has two artificial hips and some arthritis problems--knees mostly.
• DFIL has diabetes, managed by diet and blood testing, but tends to eat poorly with regards to it.
• Neither of them needs a wheelchair/ECV in daily life or for their other vacations; I'm fairly sure they'd refuse to use one if suggested.
• DH & I are open to separate touring strategies, especially after the races, but we're not sure how his parents will feel about it.
• As a side note, does anyone know how crowded the parks are DURING the marathon?

Anyway, TIA for any suggestions you may have and for helping me spread the pixie dust to some neutral/reluctant but-soon-to-be Disney Seniors!

 

[OKW Lover]

We're rapidly approaching that demographic. And we have experience from bringing Val's dad with us to WDW for many years. Picture an 80 year old who had AP for both the parks and PI!

Our best suggestion is to be sure to let your parents have some time off. We find that a mid-day break from the parks is a really good idea. Just go back to the resort and spend some time around the pool, or just take a nap. It does wonders.

 

[believen]

In January of this year, 4 of us did a girl trip. I'm 40, DD 20, DA 66, & DM 70.
My DA rented an ecv, but gets one everywhere. She also had just had hip replacement.
We started early, had one table service ADR's each day. I had scheduled the park days, and a few things I thought they would really enjoy at each park. But mostly we toured the park as we came to it.I knew the parade times,but did not do this trip commando-style.The crowds were very light.I don't remember if it was during the marathon or not. We watched parades, and shows, and rode almost every ride all at a very slow pace.
We did fast pass for those that had it, but sometimes did stand by then used our fast pass, as lines were not bad. We did encounter some large groups and would just head a different direction until they had moved on.
I was surprised at how excited they got and tried everything. My DA did not do rollercoasters, dinosaur, or anything I thought might hurt her. My DM rode everything but Expedition Everest. They loved Soaring and Tower of Terror. I had thought we would return to the resort midday, but never did. Each night we closed the parks and many times, went exploring or sat on the beach with hot chocolate till midnight.
They kept going strong and had a great time! It was a much slower trip than I usually do, but we saw tons of stuff, walked slower, enjoyed more of the sights, found tons of hidden Mickeys, talked to more CM's, than I ever have before, ate tons more, and made many great memories on this trip!
They are used to traveling and my mom walks several miles a day at home, I had a plan and they loved that I could explain the attraction and then they decided if they wanted to do it or not. I know them pretty well and was only suprised that my DA liked the rides as well as she did. We are Six Flags fans (Texas) and DM will ride most everything there.
One funny memory, we realized my DM was stopping at every restroom she saw. There are thousands of restrooms at Epcot! After 3 stops from the WL to Soaring, we were worried she wasn't feeling well, so we asked. No, she was fine. She said she was stopping each time she saw one, in case there wasn't one when she needed it. We assured her there were many and after that did not tour each restroom we passed! The only time we hit huge crowds was after Fantasmic one evening. Have A great trip

 

[deekaypee]

Thanks for the replies so far. We're definitely planning on taking rest breaks and leisurely TS for dinner. That way, if we have more energy, we'll keep going and treat it as "found" time, but won't feel guilty if ANY of us want to take a break. I have a feeling I might be the first one to need a nap, as I'm not a morning person.

And thank you for the tip about the restrooms. I'm so used to WDW I think I'd forget that knowing how many restrooms there are, and where, would be important information!

DH and I aren't show/parade people & usually try to hit rides during the fireworks, etc. We tend not to do them, in part, because we have to wait so long to get good seats. But I was thinking that my ILs might like these activities a lot, and enjoy the excuse to take a walking break. On the other hand, I worry that sitting so long on sidewalks/benches might be uncomfortable (it's that way for me).

Any thoughts?

 

[believen]

I'm not sure if it was luck or the time of year, but we walked up minutes before the parade and could see fine- at AK and MGM. At Magic Kingdom on Main Street for at least 3 parades,My mom loved them, we would get a spot about 15 minutes before on the curb-2 of us would run get a snack and be back for the parade, the crowds were so thin, that it was no problem to join right back up with them. We sat on the porch at Crystal Palace during one wishes and stood during another one right in front of the castle. One night we sat on a bench by the tea cups a totally different experience. We were almost the only people watching from there ( can you tell I love Wishes?)We were able to see the one at Epcot on a very cold night with great seats by Mexico, the crowds were very thin that night as it was so cold -again probably 20 minutes before it started. We started the week in capris and ended in hat and gloves! I hope you get more replys on the other board!

 

[M&N]

It sounds like you're working with a lot of variables since they aren't into the wanting to help plan stage. When my mom (74) goes, she goes around with us. If we do something she doesn't want, she parks herself on a bench and people watches or talks to people beside her. She loved sitting on the train station deck and saving seats for the parade. She's not a big ride person but did love Soarin...after she realized she wasn't that high off the ground! Use your cell phones to keep in contact if they want to explore on their own. Read somewhere that their group had a special meeting time and place to catch up with others. I'm sure they'll love it.