Touring tips for seniors

[cwnhokie]

My DMIL is getting worried about being able to keep up at WDW. She says she's slower than she used to be, this will be the first time for them since the like 1972 I think, and the first time for 4 of the grandkids. I told her not to worry, it is so beautiful and there is so much to see, that she can take it slow and just take it all in. Does anyone have any tips for the dear grandparents for touring the parks with their children and their spouses and 6 crazy grandkids?

 

[SusanWasHere]

rent a wheelchair, that's what we did. my mom has a lot of trouble walking. there were 4 other adults and 3 grandkids. we rented the chair and it helped her a lot. granted, she is a stroke survivor so walking is harder since then, but it was nice knowing she could sit and rejuvenate herself at all times. esp when crowded. not sure if that will work for you, but it worked wonders for us. have a great trip!

 

[pepe of ohio]

When my mother was able to still go to WDW, through her 70's, the walking and heat would drag her down and make her, "not a happy person", I would rent her a wheelchair at the parks every morning. Told her its easier for her and all of us is she was comfortable. After some griping, she agreed and the whole vacation was more beneficial for her and us. Its a small price to pay for the well fare of the seniors even though they complain that they can still walk. We did this for 3 trips, and we let her walk around the resort all she wanted.

 

[spiceycat]

here are some tips
http://www.wdwinfo.com/tips_for_touring/seniortips.htm

mother is 84 and still goes.

we stay onsite on the days we are visiting WDW - so she can get the free wheelchair. now these are not guaranteeds.the rentals at the parks are nice - but she really needs one the entire time.

we also do the EMH - leave when the parks get crowded or the heat and humdity get to be a problem, and come back later....with EMH this is a nice solution.

be sure that she come and go to the resort as she wants too...She might get tired and need a break - we leave. but your kids probably won't want too... So staying onsite helps here, too.

I guess I better wait until you say where you will staying first...

 

[disnut8]

Having just gotten back from a trip with my father who is 76 and has had both knees replaced and refused to rent a wheelchair, I have this to say....

RENT A WHEELCHAIR!!!!! The first two days (without me being there) were horrible for my stepmother. She actually called me from Epcot and said she didn't think she'd be able to get my father out of there. The second day at Animal Kingdom was bad too. They couldn't enjoy alot of stuff because my dad had to sit down so often.

When we got there on their third day, my dad was in a wheelchair and it was SO great!

Yes, it's difficult for the one in the chair. Pride needs to go out the door. But this is how I explained it to my father, who I dearly love. It's not for you. It's for us. Because we hate to see you struggling and in pain. After my father finally had the wheelchair, he saw the light and now says he's getting a scooter for the next trip. It really made a difference in the trip.

 

[cwnhokie]

MIL just turned 60, she's had two knee surgery's and has some arthritis. She just gets stiff a lot. I think she is thinking about renting a scooter. FIL just turned 62 he is retiring, I think today was actually his last day. He's a retail manager and spends 12-15 hours on his feet. Hopefully that will serve him well at WDW.

We are staying offsite, Windsor HIlls which is supposed to be close. We are all taking our own cars so they can leave when the want. Also the temps are forecasted in the 70s so we won't have to deal with the heat and humidity. I'm glad we decided to go this time of year.

 

[Bill From PA]

Another vote for an electric scooter. My then 78 yr old mom came along in March '04, never drove one before but operated it like a pro. Not only did it save her legs but my 2 yr old granddaughter hitched a ride on her lap, saving her too.

Bill From PA

 

[Mainebound]

MIL just turned 60, she's had two knee surgery's and has some arthritis. She just gets stiff a lot. I think she is thinking about renting a scooter. FIL just turned 62 he is retiring, I think today was actually his last day. He's a retail manager and spends 12-15 hours on his feet. Hopefully that will serve him well at WDW.

We are staying offsite, Windsor HIlls which is supposed to be close. We are all taking our own cars so they can leave when the want. Also the temps are forecasted in the 70s so we won't have to deal with the heat and humidity. I'm glad we decided to go this time of year.

My mom is 69, and has come with us on our early March trips the last three years. She has some arthitis and generally tires pretty easily. The weather was great for her, not too hot. We always had a sit down lunch scheduled, so she would have a chance to really sit and be cool. We made sure she had a way to get back to the resort or pool home (either a cab or we escorted her), and she often would do that after lunch. Some days she preferred to hang out at the resort or pool home and rest. You just have to take it slower. Sometimes she would tell us to run (pushing the boys in the double stroller) ahead -- she really didn't mind catching up later if it was a ride she didn't want to do. Other times we just slowed it down to her pace.

My mom always cries when we enter the Magic Kingdom. I cannot imagine going there without her. It is such a wonderful thing to bring the generations together at WDW! Have a great trip!

 

[RumpleMom]

Having a written itinerary helps our group. Everyone has a copy. We make a adr for lunch or dinner each day. We can split up, teenagers can go off by themselves for awhile, others of us can people watch for a while and everyone knows we will meet up later for the next meal.

 

[Bete]

We took my 88 year MIL this last October. She knows how to drive; so, we knew she could handle a scooter. You can practice ahead of time at a Wal-Mart or a similar store using one locally. We rented the scooter from the park. There are some who believe it's better to get one from an off-site company. I don't agree because I don't want to recharge them, nor do I want it in my room. If there's a problem with a scooter at the park, you can get it easily replaced. The cost is $35/day after you get your $5 deposit back. You can park hop and get a receipt for a scooter to be rented at another park without paying again. There's one problem with park scooters; they are first come, first serve. There's a limit and if you don't go early to a park, you may not get one. The wheelchair, if you are lucky can be had at your Disney resort as a request and it's free there, but not at the parks. You can have the wheelchair for the length of your stay. We had no problems getting one, but it's again first come first serve with what they have available for wheelchairs at the Disney resort. The wheelchair we got would not fit in a Town Car trunk; so, you are forced to use Disney transportation.

We feel both are necessary. The wheelchair gets you access on the Disney bus transportation first and you wait in a special line to board the first bus available. I found that to be such a welcome relief. Standing in line is tough for the older crowd; unless, they are exceptionally healthy. Also, getting to the park is still a good walk after getting off the bus, etc.; so, it's nice to have the wheelchair. A scooter will do the same, if you want to go that route. Once, you get to the park, the scooter rental place will tag your wheelchair and you can leave it there and get a scooter. The scooter is faster and easier then doing a wheelchair all day. Also, I think there's a better persona for the scooter for the person using it. They have more freedom with them; because, they control them. You can do many rides and attractions with a scooter and a wheelchair. You'll have access with them up to the ride point. Again, this helps because you are not standing and waiting for your turn as long. Another good thing is there are special zones for wheelchair and scooter people for the parades and fireworks, etc.

I would not venture a trip especially for one who doesn't go there all the time without this help of a scooter or wheelchair or both.