Traveling with older parents

[Heather07438]

Scooter costs around $200/week, so worth the expense tho because it can help the whole party have a better time.

I’m happy we got one for MIL who was 72yo with one slightly wonky knee at the time. She’s 76 now and still refuses her cane and rollator day to day but she gave in for WDW. It’s just so much walking and standing compounded by doing it all week long. And I was surprised to learn on our last trip that taking midday breaks added to our daily mileage. You’d think a few hours of downtime would lessen it but going back and forth to a room adds many miles itself.
Disney world is huge with a ton to see. It’s beyond the rides. Nooks and crannies everywhere that amaze. Without the ECV my Mom would’ve missed out on the fantastic animal trails in AK, the real depth of each country in World Showcase, exploring our resort grounds, etc. A ton of stuff.
I’m a big advocate for seeing the ECV light. It’s common to do 40-60 miles not counting the hours of standing. It took some convincing with MIL between her use it or lose it mentality and thinking it’s only for people worse off. An ECV doesn’t slow the party down either and it’s very safe/easy to drive. One of the best things is you can all focus on your time exploring together without being distracted worried about pushing too hard. And a bonus for your situation might be letting Dad take a turn here and there

 

[horse11]

so everyone I first want to thank you all for your help.... Presented it to mom tonight and...... "I will be fine!" "You will see, Promise." But I did get her to agree with walking with me to build her strength and endurance.... We have two months so going to take it slow and increase the distance when she feels ready.... Should be good for both of us! Told her it would be good for dad and she agreed to do it and have him come with us.... We are going to focus on all the things that are new to her. With that being said I will be sure to add many breaks....

 

[horse11]

so everyone I first want to thank you all for your help.... Presented it to mom tonight and...... "I will be fine!" "You will see, Promise." But I did get her to agree with walking with me to build her strength and endurance.... We have two months so going to take it slow and increase the distance when she feels ready.... Should be good for both of us! Told her it would be good for dad and she agreed to do it and have him come with us.... We are going to focus on all the things that are new to her. With that being said I will be sure to add many breaks....

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!

Can you rent a rollator? or just the ECV

 

[jo-jo]

I don't know about renting. Might cost more than to buy one. They cost about $50-75 for a basic one. They have many on amazon.

And then she would have it in the airport too.

 

[Woodview]

Go for a " Rollator " AND if anyone of your party Does not wish to do the ride

It can be used as a stationary " Luggage Cart / Handbag / Coat hanger & meeting point "

But Placed away from blocking passageways

 

[lanejudy]

Can you rent a rollator? or just the ECV

Orlando Medical Rentals rents rollators.

 

[horse11]

Orlando Medical Rentals rents rollators.

good to know.... Just in case lol!!

 

[horse11]

Go for a " Rollator " AND if anyone of your party Does not wish to do the ride

It can be used as a stationary " Luggage Cart / Handbag / Coat hanger & meeting point "

But Placed away from blocking passageways

actually that brings up another question.... Where do you place it when she goes on the ride?

 

[jo-jo]

actually that brings up another question.... Where do you place it when she goes on the ride?

She can walk it thru the line and then when you go on the ride, the CM will set it off the side or move it to the exit area depending on the ride.

 

[1GoldenSun]

You could just bring one along "to hold our stuff and in case anyone wants to sit down." She may decide she wants to sit down.

I once took my son to the zoo when he was 2 and going through his do everything himself stage. He didn't want me to bring his stroller; he wanted to walk. I convinced him that we should bring the stroller "to hold our stuff and in case anyone wants to sit down." It wasn't long before he decided he wanted to sit down.

 

[horse11]

You could just bring one along "to hold our stuff and in case anyone wants to sit down." She may decide she wants to sit down.

I once took my son to the zoo when he was 2 and going through his do everything himself stage. He didn't want me to bring his stroller; he wanted to walk. I convinced him that we should bring the stroller "to hold our stuff and in case anyone wants to sit down." It wasn't long before he decided he wanted to sit down.

I LOVE This!!!!!

 

[Blondie58]

My parents are still on very good shape.... But with that being said it is difficult for my mother to stand for lengths of time.... She does better walking long distances then she does standing in place for very long.... We are a party of 6 all together... Would it be allowed for my parents to sit somewhere close until we get close to the area where you enter the maze for each line? Hopefully that makes sense

You have clearly stated my reason for hoping that fast passes return. We too are in good shape for seniors BUT standing in place to wait on rides is a killer for my back and left knee. (I have to sometimes take a break doing dishes because of standing.) I can walk and walk and walk but the standing is terrible. I often do find a place to sit and people watch while my significant other goes on the more "active" rides. Fast passes are so nice for those riding and those waiting. No fast passes will greatly impact our Disney vacations. You will be able to find places to sit but most often it may not be on an actual bench.

 

[horse11]

You have clearly stated my reason for hoping that fast passes return. We too are in good shape for seniors BUT standing in place to wait on rides is a killer for my back and left knee. (I have to sometimes take a break doing dishes because of standing.) I can walk and walk and walk but the standing is terrible. I often do find a place to sit and people watch while my significant other goes on the more "active" rides. Fast passes are so nice for those riding and those waiting. fast passes will greatly inmpact our Disney vacations. You will be able to find places to sit but most often it may not be on an actual bench.

Yes sounds so familiar.... Pre Covid I was a pro planner.... Fast passes was gift for my family.... It helped soooo much.... Actually I am not sure why they don't have that... I would think spreading people out would work better with crowds... I actually remember the paper FP system where you would get a ticket telling you what time to return.... Not sure why they can not do that with my Disney Experience? As far as the benches that is why mom does not like going to Universal.... She loves the rides especially the rollercoasters but she claims there are not enough places to sit... I am leaning towards RD and right before the park closes for trying for the popular rides... With lots of breaks in-between... My trip starts May 22nd... Not sure when yours is but I will report back to this thread to tell everyone what worked and what did not....

 

[horse11]

good to know.... Just in case lol!!

Ho

I don't know about renting. Might cost more than to buy one. They cost about $50-75 for a basic one. They have many on amazon.

And then she would have it in the airport too.

$40 first day and $5 each day after. So if I bought one how does it work bringing it on a plane... Do we gave to pay to store it?

 

[jo-jo]

Ho

$40 first day and $5 each day after. So if I bought one how does it work bringing it on a plane... Do we gave to pay to store it?

Have you seen people bring strollers down the walkway and hand them off? It's the same thing with a rollator. The one we have doesn't stay closed, so I use a velcro strip about a foot long and wrap it around part of it to hold it close. I can't say if there is a charge. Some airlines charge for everything, but we fly southwest and there is no charge.

 

[horse11]

Have you seen people bring strollers down the walkway and hand them off? It's the same thing with a rollator. The one we have doesn't stay closed, so I use a velcro strip about a foot long and wrap it around part of it to hold it close. I can't say if there is a charge. Some airlines charge for everything, but we fly southwest and there is no charge.

It is worth finding out... We have United for this trip

 

[Tiggerish]

A rollator is considered a medical device and all the airlines let you take it with you without charging.

 

[nkereina]

Instead of the rollator, maybe something like this would be easier for her? Amazon.com: Heavy Duty Walking Cane with Folding Seat 440 lbs Capacity Adjustable Canes with Seats for Heavy Weight Thick Aluminum Alloy Cane Stool Seat Chairs (Brown with LED Light): Furniture & Decor

Its more of a cane than a walker, and it has a seat that folds out when you need to use it. It has a 440lbs weight capacity and since it folds up easily to use as a cane when not sitting, it wouldn't take up much space or be heavy. Good luck!!

 

[1GoldenSun]

I also have difficulties with standing still (and at a considerably younger age than your mom, alas!) but can walk all day without issue. My experience has been that the lines have been moving much faster than usual, maybe because they never have to stop the line to let people with fast passes in. Most lines seem to move slowly but fairly steadily. Of course they stop sometimes, but usually not for very long, and you have so much space in line now with the social distancing that you can kind of pace around your area a little, rather than stand completely still.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

Instead of the rollator, maybe something like this would be easier for her? Amazon.com: Heavy Duty Walking Cane with Folding Seat 440 lbs Capacity Adjustable Canes with Seats for Heavy Weight Thick Aluminum Alloy Cane Stool Seat Chairs (Brown with LED Light): Furniture & Decor

Its more of a cane than a walker, and it has a seat that folds out when you need to use it. It has a 440lbs weight capacity and since it folds up easily to use as a cane when not sitting, it wouldn't take up much space or be heavy. Good luck!!

before covid folding cane seats were not allowed to be used at WDW. could use the cane part but not the seat. not sure if that has changed