Traveling with older parents

[disneyseniors]

No mom is not your normal senior....she is completely fine only limited by standing long periods of time... Walking is fine as long as we take breaks throughout the day.... But she would never agree to a scooter due to pride as well as her mobility is not that bad... I was just looking at options which could limit the amount she has to stand in lines.

OP, I sympathize with your situation. My husband has mobility problems due to nerve injury to his legs. He uses a scooter while at disney,and it's been great for him. Like your Mother, he was reluctant to use one, but he finally did and now wouldn't go without one. If you Mom doesn't want to do that, she could use a rollater. That way she could sit down while in lines and walk when she is able. Like a PP said, there may not be many places for her to sit down.

The way we understand mobility issues, is that DAS is not given for mobility issues (as in the ones you mentioned). They feel that this issue could be helped best by using a wheelchair, ECV, or rollater. I don't pretend to understand it all, so a trip to GS would be good, but I really think they will not give one for that mobility issue. Good luck

 

[daae3]

No mom is not your normal senior....she is completely fine only limited by standing long periods of time... Walking is fine as long as we take breaks throughout the day.... But she would never agree to a scooter due to pride as well as her mobility is not that bad... I was just looking at options which could limit the amount she has to stand in lines.

My mom is the same. Loves Disney, has had two knee replacements but refuses to consider a scooter/wheelchair or any version of DAS (we went 6 months after the first knee replacement and still wouldn’t inquire). Her solution is to take breaks and not ride things that are more difficult for her. Space mtn, too Hard to get in and out...7 dwarves....bad angle...etc...since our group are frequent visitors we can usually tell her if there will be an issue...she always finds a nice spot nearby to people watch or grabs a snack. I think they are encouraging parties to stay together and not allowing line breaks that were more common in the past.

 

[horse11]

We experienced a problem with the people in front of us while waiting in an extended queue for 7DMT. The dad waited in line and the mom and 2 boys sat in the stroller eating ice cream under one of the umbrellas...we passed by them and then right up at the entrance for the ride the dad stopped and called the wife and we had to wait till she came with the boys. It was probably less than 2 minutes but when you see that line constantly moving and you are stuck, it's frustrating. The CM didn't notice the hold-up because they were busy explaining DAS to a group of people. The line was empty by that point down to the covered part, so it didn't get us on the ride any slower, it was just annoying that they couldn't keep their party together. I'd recommend an ECV also.

Obviously they are not physically impaired and that would be very frustrating.... But sometimes people have impairments that are as obvious... not even sure mom would sit and have us call her back to the line because she is the type she does not want to inconvenience anyone do if she did sit she would make sure it did not slow anyone down that is a guarantee lol!!

 

[horse11]

OP, I sympathize with your situation. My husband has mobility problems due to nerve injury to his legs. He uses a scooter while at disney,and it's been great for him. Like your Mother, he was reluctant to use one, but he finally did and now wouldn't go without one. If you Mom doesn't want to do that, she could use a rollater. That way she could sit down while in lines and walk when she is able. Like a PP said, there may not be many places for her to sit down.

The way we understand mobility issues, is that DAS is not given for mobility issues (as in the ones you mentioned). They feel that this issue could be helped best by using a wheelchair, ECV, or rollater. I don't pretend to understand it all, so a trip to GS would be good, but I really think they will not give one for that mobility issue. Good luck

Thank you for the information.... I am leaning on the rollator if she can swallow her pride lol!! Mom never thinks of herself so I might have present it to her that it would make it more convenient for the whole group but in reality it will hopefully make it more fun for her with less uncomfort.... I will take any good luck your guy are willing to give lol!!! It will be a challenge for sure

 

[Mango7100]

My mom has had 2 knee replacements and we rented a scooter the 2 times she was with us. There is no way she would have made it without it. It would have been awful for her and for us because she would have ended up sitting somewhere for hours because she couldn’t walk anymore, and then we would feel bad if we left her there. She was very hesitant at first and kept insisting she would be fine to walk. I presented it as she would be helping us with the scooter since she could easily keep up with us with the scooter, we could put all our stuff in the scooter basket and not carry it, and DD could sit on her lap if she got tired too.

 

[tobikaye]

I could mention this to her.... So it has a seat that she could sit in when the line was not moving correct?

Yes, this would allow her to sit wherever she needed. It is treated like a wheelchair in the few attractions that have stairs and the CM at the entrance can direct you on how to proceed for those.

My mom would even use her feet to move herself a little bit while sitting. Some rollators will not move with anyone sitting on the seat, but some will at least let someone scoot a bit from place to place when only moving a bit at at time. As a heads up, my mom was in her 50's when she started having issues with standing in place. At first she was hesitant to use it, but then gave in when she was not able to go places she wanted without limiting her time she started using it more. Funny enough, once she started going out with it, she got so many people coming up to ask about it, they were not seen as frequently.. The people that seemed the most interested in it tended to be in their 40's and 50's then. She found that a few of those that were younger had the same degenerative disc disorder she did.

She is now 65 and has more need of her ECV due to the disc issues and nephropathy she developed from her successful fight with cancer eight years ago.

 

[disneyseniors]

Thank you for the information.... I am leaning on the rollator if she can swallow her pride lol!! Mom never thinks of herself so I might have present it to her that it would make it more convenient for the whole group but in reality it will hopefully make it more fun for her with less uncomfort.... I will take any good luck your guy are willing to give lol!!! It will be a challenge for sure

Oh I know what you are talking about with the pride issue. My husband used to limp around the parks, and I knew it was really bothering him. He didn't want to use an ECV because of what others would think???!!!! I finally got him to use one, and he loved it and drove like Mario Andretti, LOL.
Honestly, the way you are going to present it to your Mom is a good one. Make it sound like it will be a help to you, as in you won't have to worry about her standing so much, etc. Good strategy. It will be fun whatever you do.

 

[MICKIMINI]

Thank you for the information.... I am leaning on the rollator if she can swallow her pride lol!! Mom never thinks of herself so I might have present it to her that it would make it more convenient for the whole group but in reality it will hopefully make it more fun for her with less uncomfort.... I will take any good luck your guy are willing to give lol!!! It will be a challenge for sure

That is EXACTLY why your Mom is hesitant to use a mobility device. She is afraid of being humiliated. Until we stop judging people based on what they "look" like or how able they "look", most people will be reluctant just like your Mom. The emotional pain inflicted on people being judged is excruciating. Those judging don't understand...

Each person has the right to have joy in their lives. Please encourage Mom to give it a try. It is a huge step to get over this fear from people she doesn't even know and will never see again. Best of luck and don't give up!

 

[robinb]

That is EXACTLY why your Mom is hesitant to use a mobility device. She is afraid of being humiliated. Until we stop judging people based on what they "look" like or how able they "look", most people will be reluctant just like your Mom. The emotional pain inflicted on people being judged is excruciating. Those judging don't understand...

Each person has the right to have joy in their lives. Please encourage Mom to give it a try. It is a huge step to get over this fear from people she doesn't even know and will never see again. Best of luck and don't give up!

I used an ECV the last time I went to WDW because I have knee problems. I tried to use a cane on the previous trip and it didn't work as well as I was hoping and the ECV was better in every way. We went with friends and one of them had a flare up of foot issues that made him quite slow and he was in significant pain when he did walk. He looked down his nose at me and my ECV and ended up staying back at the resort more often than not. I was sad that he judged me so harshly ("I would never use one of those!") and I was also sad that his pride got in the way of enjoying his trip. The only thing that made me feel better about him was that he is an AP holder and DVC member and goes to WDW often. I hope the OP's mom isn't like my friend and rents an ECV.

 

[horse11]

My mom is the same. Loves Disney, has had two knee replacements but refuses to consider a scooter/wheelchair or any version of DAS (we went 6 months after the first knee replacement and still wouldn’t inquire). Her solution is to take breaks and not ride things that are more difficult for her. Space mtn, too Hard to get in and out...7 dwarves....bad angle...etc...since our group are frequent visitors we can usually tell her if there will be an issue...she always finds a nice spot nearby to people watch or grabs a snack. I think they are encouraging parties to stay together and not allowing line breaks that were more common in the past.

Mom's only problem is standing and she is pooh size so she is afraid she will be stuck in the seat lol!!! But she would rather die than not ride the rides... Our last trip in 2016 we had to keep up with her lol!! But that was also 5 years ago.... Now that she is 75 it is harder for her to stand for long lengths but you can bet she will be on every ride minus the spinning ones lol!! And honestly I can't do those any more either without dramamine

 

[horse11]

I used an ECV the last time I went to WDW because I have knee problems. I tried to use a cane on the previous trip and it didn't work as well as I was hoping and the ECV was better in every way. We went with friends and one of them had a flare up of foot issues that made him quite slow and he was in significant pain when he did walk. He looked down his nose at me and my ECV and ended up staying back at the resort more often than not. I was sad that he judged me so harshly ("I would never use one of those!") and I was also sad that his pride got in the way of enjoying his trip. The only thing that made me feel better about him was that he is an AP holder and DVC member and goes to WDW often. I hope the OP's mom isn't like my friend and rents an ECV.

Be sure mom would never judge others but sometimes I do think her pride gets in the way... hoping this year will be different

 

[auntlynne]

Per Disney -

• What is DAS and how does it work?
  The DAS Card is designed to accommodate guests who aren’t able to wait in a conventional queue environment due to a disability (including non-apparent disabilities). DAS will be issued at Guest Relations main entrance locations and will offer guests a return time for attractions based on the current wait time. As soon as the Guest finishes one attraction, they can receive a return time for another. This service can be used in addition to Disney’s FASTPASS Service and Disney FastPass+ service.
• 
  
• Does a Guest whose disability is based on the necessity to use a wheelchair or scooter need DAS?
  No, a Guest whose disability is based on the necessity to use a wheelchair or scooter does not need DAS. Depending on the attraction, the Guest will either wait in the standard queue or receive a return time at the attraction based on the current wait time. For some attractions at Disneyland Resort, these guests will go directly to an alternate entrance. Guests with additional needs should discuss them with Guest Relations.”

Your mother does not have “mobility” issues. She can move her own body. She has difficulty with the queue environment that requires standing. And, yes, those moving lines still mean standing. Been there, myself. Made for an uncomfortable day. My niece researched the DAS on our last day and suggested it for our next trip.

is her pain any less significant than an autistic‘s child inability to stand in line? No. That’s why Disney doesn’t have a list of qualifying diseases.

There are some lines that will be short and fast enough that she won’t need to use the pass. She’s not locked in to using it.

And you don’t all have to wait out for the DAS come-back time if you are willing to split up. Some of you can choose to go stand in line and ride while part of the family sits it out and rides with grandma when her ride time comes.

 

[robinb]

Be sure mom would never judge others but sometimes I do think her pride gets in the way... hoping this year will be different

I don't think your mom would judge either! I think that my friend was afraid to be judged by others for driving an ECV which was why he said what he did. He was voicing the thing he was afraid of.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

great idea but mom would never go for it lol!! She does not think she is old

have your mom read mamabunny's post about first time she had to get an ECV. you will find her posts about ECVs on the disability page. and to ad to that I agree with what she says. ask your mom assuming she does not wear glasses, would she leave her glasses home if she needed them because she does not like how they make her look. I am guessing she would wear them. the hardest part about going to an ECV is learning it is a tool to help you do what you want.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

No mom is not your normal senior....she is completely fine only limited by standing long periods of time... Walking is fine as long as we take breaks throughout the day.... But she would never agree to a scooter due to pride as well as her mobility is not that bad... I was just looking at options which could limit the amount she has to stand in lines.

but what will happen when she needs to sit and rest and there is not place to sit or it is already being used?

 

[Betty Rohrer]

This is exactly what I was thinking...she would be aware of where the line would start at the building and I could call her when we got close... I know she would not be willing to use a scooter but I would be interested in finding out more about rollator...

it will probably meet with same reaction tom scooter she is not old enough for

 

[jo-jo]

It may not all just pride, but fear too. My DH is afraid to use a scooter , he may hit someone.

When is your trip? Is it possible to take her to a drug store or walmart and check out a rollator? No pressure, just plant the thought. While shopping for other things, oh look, this might be something good for disney.

.

 

[horse11]

It may not all just pride, but fear too. My DH is afraid to use a scooter , he may hit someone.

When is your trip? Is it possible to take her to a drug store or walmart and check out a rollator? No pressure, just plant the thought. While shopping for other things, oh look, this might be something good for disney.

.

Not until the May 22nd.... May be a good idea...

 

[scrappinginontario]

I'm not sure if it's an option for you but my mother also has trouble standing and even walking long distances. We rent a scooter for both she and my dad. In normal, everyday life they're just fine walking but Disney walking is unlike any other. Renting scooters for them allows them to fully enjoy Disney.

Just a note of clarification. My parents use scooters but there is no need for DAS.

 

[herdtoDisney]

I took my parents to Disney with us in 2012. Even then, my dad's Parkinsons was causing him to walk unsteady and get very fatigued. He also was resistant to an ECV, or a rollator or wheelchair or anything...he thought people would see him get off the ECV and walk onto the ride and think he was 'cheating' (his words). Honestly, anyone who sees him walk knows he has mobility issues but he was afraid of being judged.

I rented the ECV, had it delivered to our resort and said please please try it, if you don't like it I'll take it back. He tried it and had a GREAT trip! He was able to conserve his energy by not walking the long distances (and not tripping on storm grates, sidewalk cracks and his toes LOL)-maybe you could present it to your mom that way? And we all got to wait together in most lines. That was nice too.

But I had to 'take the lead' and do it-I rented it and said please try!