Traveling with Parents in their 70's

[Wife of Grumpy]

My parents were never able to take us as kids to WDW...but I can take them now! DH and I have invited my Mom (70) and Dad (75) to come to WDW with us. We will be staying at POR in January. Mom and Dad will only stay for 4 nights, which will give them 3 full days at WDW.

My husband and I travel several times a year and on at least one of those trips we invite my parents. They let me do the planning and they just go along. They are great traveling buddies. They speak up if they are ready to rest or eat, and if they want to experience something on their own, they do so. Both are in very good health and keep active in their everyday life.

That being said I am wondering what others experience traveling with their 70ish parents. Any suggestions on what to plan or avoid, or special things we could experience together.

PS: Remember the guy at the office Christmas party who, after a couple of drinks, got up and sang the M_I_C_K_E_Y M_O_U_S_E song? That was my Dad! And I don't think he has sang it since then, because my Mom was so very embarrassed.

 

[Badger Brent]

We did this exact same thing 2 years ago for x-mas. We went at their pace and had a great time. My MiL had knee problems and my FiL had previous heart problems and we were worried. Just go slow and enjoy the time with them. I think shows worked well for us. The busy rides and long lines wore on them. They loved Epcot. They were not fussy eaters so where we ate they loved pretty much. Enjoy the moments and get some park photographers to take some shots. Those are the photos we have around our house up on the walls. We drove down and the luxury of coming and going fairyly easy from the parks. We stayed at CBR.

 

[esmerelda51]

My DM who is 80 and I had a blast at WDW in Sept. She is in very good health and we did just about everything with no problems. However, the one thing that caused any problems was of all things--- the Carousel. She got on just fine but when the ride ended, she she left in the high up position and needed a hand(or two) around her butt to help her get down. If she had known she would have used something more stationary or just stood next to my horse.

 

[Padre Disney]

We took my dh parents on the 7 day eastern cruise in March. We worried about how tired they would get or if dh father would even have a good time. He was in the navy during WW2 and was not very excited about getting on a ship again.
Well they both loved the cruise and we begged them to go again with us in March 2004. We will arrive in Orlando a day and a half before our cruise. We thought about taking them to WDW and using the transportation system to show them all the resorts on our half day. On our whole day we thought about MGM. We love this park and thought that most of the rides and shows they could do. MGM just seems like a smaller park and much easier to get around. I hope they don't get to tired. We will take it slow lke others have suggested.
I did find out that they back lot tour would be closed during our visit. This is one of our favorite rides.

Enjoy ever minute that you have with them. I love my in laws and have a great time with them. They are both 76.

 

[Lezah]

We went with my 71 year old parents last year and it was so much fun. We had to rent ECV's for both of them and we made the funniest looking convoy going along the 5 of us. My Mom is much faster and much more experienced with ECV's and my Dad was much slower and less experienced. My DS and I stayed with my Dad and my DH stayed with my Mom. My hubby and I had the 2 ways and it worked out very well. We took them to the GG for lunch and they loved it even the interaction of the characters (my Dad is a character in and of himself! ) and we did Fantasmic and it was the first time they had done either of those things. I loved watching their faces as Fantasmic happened. It was really a great experience. Have tons of fun!

 

[safetymom]

Padre Disney, I don't know where you got the information about the backlot tour being closed. They redid the backlot tour and moved a lot of the props but the ride is still working.

We took the tour the other day.

 

[Bete]

My number one suggestion is to book an Illumniations cruise and perhaps a MK-Wishes cruise, too. The seniors eat this up.

If you can go at a special time like the Flower and Garden show at Epcot that's another winner. Christmas is a wonderful time, too because of all the special decorations at the resorts and the parks.

I think character meals are a great idea, too.

If you want longer days at the park I strongly suggest the ECVs no matter how healthy the parents may be. It may even be better to do it with them; so, they can feel comfortable about it all. We added 3 hours to our park enjoyment by doing it this way. It's not necessary everyday but it's a good break from constant walking.

 

[monarchsfan16]

my grandparents came along twice (then in their mid 70's) and there wasn't a singal ride my grandfather wasn't willing to try...we always made sure to save the quieter stuff for the days my grandmother was in the parks...both loved the more cultural stuff (EPCOT, shows, parades, ect) and animal kingdom...i believe the only thing they didn't like about the whole experience was the parking prices lol...we made sure that they got to see what they wanted and it was a great trip...

 

[eleanor]

I am 70 and my DH is 78 and we take ourselves and sometimes our kids to WDW. Keep the pace easy and dont commando and everyone will have a great time. I have to remember to slow down now, so that I can last most of the day.

 

[Buckleybunch]

We are going on the cruise next dec. Then to WDW afterwards.. I"m trying to talk my parents into goin to the parks with us. They are excited to go on th cruise. My mom keeps telling me that she can't wait the park??

She does have bad knees..