Traveling with older parents

[jen7233]

We have a similar situation. I recommend a scooter also, we convinced our older family member to rent one, and maybe also will visit guest services. They also can't stand in line due to foot and other things and can't walk long.

 

[disneyseniors]

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....

You can only do what you can do! You have tried, and you have "planted the seed" in her mind.
Maybe she is afraid she will run into someone and that is one reason she doesn't want to do it? You might suggest she just try one at the grocery store just to see how it feels?
The fear of hitting someone is real. People do tend to walk in front of you and stop in front of you. It seems they can't see you. Maybe if she tries the one at the grocery store she will feel better about that.
There is no way of getting away from someone stepping in front of you; afterall, it is disney and there are so many things to see at once. But my husband and I have both rode ECV's (I had plantar fascitis in the foot) and we have never had that problem and the resorts were super busy!
I still have trouble convincing my husband (talk about pride and not wanting to inconvenience anyone ) to use one, but when we talk of vacation, I always drop an ECV in the conversation. Good luck and have a good time

 

[LuvMyEAR]

I was always a walker... THE walker in the family, actually! I could do laps around any park and often doubled back, and cross-crossed parks and more, tracking down necessities or whatever for the whole travelling party. The one thing I could not handle was standing in on place for any length of time. I would be ready to collapse in a painful, tearful heap.

It never ceased to amaze me just how many times you are expected to stand in place at WDW. I got to the point that I just passed on attractions that included a holding area pre-show, or even worse, (yes, I am talking you, “o Canada!” ) consisted of standing through a show.

A rollator is a gift from heaven! A mobile seat!!! How sweet is that??? Plus, it doubles as a little cart for everyone’s sweater, water bottles, etc.
Best of all, you can walk at your pace, and feel part of the group. ECVs are awesome, but they can be a somewhat isolating experience.

 

[kathy884]

My mom plays tennis a few times a week, does aerobics, and is one of the fit people I know in her age group, but gets a scooter at the parks to avoid all the standing (she has some arthritis). She loves thrill rides, rollercoasters, etc. She doesn't need the scooter all the time and then can just park it, etc. But she uses it when the standing gets to be too much. It's just such an easy solution and makes for a very pleasant day without any issues for all involved. Theme park and lines = standing (lots of it). Shows (if those come back) waiting for shows, watching shows = standing (lots of it). Counter Service food, waiting for others who are going to the bathroom = standing. And sometimes places are just so crowded you can't even find a place to sit with your food (more standing).

I really and truly hope that if I am at the point that I wouldn't let pride get in the way and just rent one or take a rollator. They are perfect for this sort of issue.

If she is fit enough to sit on the ground on cement in various situations (easily get up and down), that is what I do when I am tired of standing and that works for me. Benches are not readily available where you want them, when you want them if you are going with a group vs. walking around a bunch to find a bench to sit on and meeting up with the group at a later time.

 

[disney-inspired]

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

Has your mom looked into a stick chair? This is just an example. I've seen cane-chairs as well.

 

[lanejudy]

Canes with a seat are allowed for use as a cane at WDW, however its use as a seat falls under the prohibited folding chair rules. So the cane could be used to assist with balance or to lean on while standing in queues, but not opened into the seat.

 

[horse11]

Canes with a seat are allowed for use as a cane at WDW, however its use as a seat falls under the prohibited folding chair rules. So the cane could be used to assist with balance or to lean on while standing in queues, but not opened into the seat.

This seems so odd since they allow the rollator... With the above rule you would think they would allow people to use the rollator for mobility but not allow them to use the chair part to sit...

 

[horse11]

Has your mom looked into a stick chair? This is just an example. I've seen cane-chairs as well.
View attachment 565400View attachment 565401

This would be easier to use in the park but not sure how comfortable it would be for anyone larger than a medium built person

 

[lanejudy]

This seems so odd since they allow the rollator... With the above rule you would think they would allow people to use the rollator for mobility but not allow them to use the chair part to sit...

The cane-seats can be unstable. It ususlly has just 3 legs and can be tipped fairly easily. Rollators are more stable with 4 wheels and brakes.

 

[goofyernmost]

I might have missed it, but you didn't mention your parents age. I guess it really doesn't matter considering the situation. I solved that problem in Sept. 2019 by renting a scooter. Then the number of miles and the length of queues make no difference at all. An older person can keep up with the youngest among you and be comfortable doing it. Everything in life is simpler if one is completely mobile, but nothing will take the fun out of a theme park visit quicker then fatigue, muscle pain, back pain or sore feet. All things more likely with an older person.

 

[goofyernmost]

This seems so odd since they allow the rollator... With the above rule you would think they would allow people to use the rollator for mobility but not allow them to use the chair part to sit...

Not for the life of me can I think that when a person has a physical problem that requires them to sit that Disney could begin to complain about it. All one has to do is ask about a DAS and they will ask what one's needs are and there are many advanced years problems that require a person to sit. They cannot stop anyone for using it any more then they can stop someone from using a wheelchair. The rollator would be fine. Now a healthy individual with a folding chair will be questioned.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

Not for the life of me can I think that when a person has a physical problem that requires them to sit that Disney could begin to complain about it. All one has to do is ask about a DAS and they will ask what one's needs are and there are many advanced years problems that require a person to sit. They cannot stop anyone for using it any more then they can stop someone from using a wheelchair. The rollator would be fine. Now a healthy individual with a folding chair will be questioned.

yes that cane could be taken and held at guest services until you leave. cane seats are not allowed but rollators are allowed. they will offer to take one of party to go rent a wheelchair for you if they take cane. also what would happen if someone walks behind person not seeing cane part and knocks it out from under person sitting. yes I see that happening even sitting close to wall

 

[Dug720]

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.

This is what I was going to say about the lines. I was there in February during the Valentines Weekend/Presidents' Week/Mardi Gras trifecta and I found that the lines moved pretty constantly without the FP+ line having to be let in first and holding the non-FP+ line. Obviously some have more stopping than others because of the way they load (looking at you Jungle Cruise) or the inevitable people standing and talking with their backs to the line and only when people behind them say something, one of the talkers looks up, or they notice the line next to them has suddenly totally emptied (which happens with or without FP+), but most of them moved pretty steadily. And in many cases the wait time was overestimated. Everest was listed at 45 minutes. It looked like it was moving, so I chanced the approximate meeting time with my friend I was going to say hi to and got in line. 20 minutes later I was walking out of the store - and I still beat my friend to our meeting spot.

 

[horse11]

This is what I was going to say about the lines. I was there in February during the Valentines Weekend/Presidents' Week/Mardi Gras trifecta and I found that the lines moved pretty constantly without the FP+ line having to be let in first and holding the non-FP+ line. Obviously some have more stopping than others because of the way they load (looking at you Jungle Cruise) or the inevitable people standing and talking with their backs to the line and only when people behind them say something, one of the talkers looks up, or they notice the line next to them has suddenly totally emptied (which happens with or without FP+), but most of them moved pretty steadily. And in many cases the wait time was overestimated. Everest was listed at 45 minutes. It looked like it was moving, so I chanced the approximate meeting time with my friend I was going to say hi to and got in line. 20 minutes later I was walking out of the store - and I still beat my friend to our meeting spot.

This would be very helpful.... As long as lines are moving and not stagnant for lengths of time would be easiest for mom... The standing is what kills her....

 

[goofyernmost]

This would be very helpful.... As long as lines are moving and not stagnant for lengths of time would be easiest for mom... The standing is what kills her....

Then get a scooter and the fun will return and the pain will not happen. I know I sound like I get a commission on the rental of scooters. I don't! I just used one and the difference it made was incredible. With my back the way it was at the time, I would never have lasted over an hour without it. I didn't care how long the line was then. Just don't rent a Disney scooter. Get one from outside if you can. Than you don't have to go through the procedure every time you leave or go to a different park. Plus you can crawl on your hands and knees faster then the Disney rentals move. I used an offsite one for a week and surprise, I never hit anyone or even came close. I could, however keep up with the rest of my travelers. It was a godsend.

You may hear rumors about how "some people" think that folks that use a scooter are just lazy and just want to cut the line. It doesn't get front of the line privilege's. I have a special digit on both my hands to wave at them if I hear a comment. I never did, but I was ready and nothing happened. If they whispered amongst themselves, I didn't hear it and even if I did I cannot tell you just how little I would have cared. Ignorance is everywhere and not worthy of recognizing.

 

[coolbrook]

This is the rollator that Gold Mobility rents in Orlando. They only rent by the week., and it must be reserved before your trip. About two years ago I rented one from them. Wonderful service! I highly recommend them. The soft bag pictured on the front was not on the one I rented, but is pretty handy. The ones they have now may have the bag, you could ask them. The bag has loops and velcro to attach to the rollator. It also has a shouler strap to carry it when you take it off the rollator like on the plane.

I am 58 yearls old now and am a pooh sized woman with arthritis in my right foot and left knee. Sometimes me knee gives out for a moment or I will have foot pain that requires me to sit for a few minutes. I can walk fine, but need the stability of something to hang on to and a place to sit until the pain passes. I loved this rollator so much that I bought my own and bring it on every trip to Disney and other places several times a year. I also use it for my long exercise walks in the neighborhood and for outings like the zoo. For shopping I am fine with the grocery cart to hang on to.

I like this particular rollator, because I feel young and I think it looks more youthful and sporty. It comes in several different colors. I have the white one pictured. My mom has a pink one and my friend also has a white one. It folds from side to side instead of front to back like most allowing me to make it narrower for tight spots and allowing it to stand alone while folded. The seat fits my 24w body comfortably. I will post a picture of the soft insulated velcro cup holder from amazon that I attached and leave on even when I fly. To fly with it I just ask the gate desk agent to tag it for gate checking, walk with it all the way down the jetway to the entrance of the plane where I take my cane off to enter the plane and fold the rollator and leave it right there. When I get off the plan the luggage handlers bring it up to the door of the plane for me. Easy
peasy.

 

[Woodview]

Then get a scooter and the fun will return and the pain will not happen. I know I sound like I get a commission on the rental of scooters. I don't! I just used one and the difference it made was incredible. With my back the way it was at the time, I would never have lasted over an hour without it. I didn't care how long the line was then. Just don't rent a Disney scooter. Get one from outside if you can. Than you don't have to go through the procedure every time you leave or go to a different park. Plus you can crawl on your hands and knees faster then the Disney rentals move. I used an offside one for a week and surprise, I never hit anyone or even came close. I could, however keep up with the rest of my travelers. It was a godsend.

You may hear rumors about how "some people" think that folks that use a scooter are just lazy and just want to cut the line. It doesn't get front of the line privilege's. I have a special digit on both my hands to wave at them if I hear a comment. I never did, but I was ready and nothing happened. If they whispered amongst themselves, I didn't hear it and even if I did I cannot tell you just how little I would have cared. Ignorance is everywhere and not worthy of recognizing.

The thing to remember is ......... You do what works for YOU

AND you may Never see / pass by these Nasty people again

 

[jo-jo]

If your mom does goes with either wheelchair or scooter, if she wears shorts, make sure she puts sunscreen on her legs.

First time my DH used a wheelchair, sitting in the sun half the day, he ended up sunburned knees.