visiting the world with seniors

[Sylvia Lynn]

My husband and I are empty nesters and his parents will be staying at the world with us for a couple of days. They haven't really experienced Disney before and I so much want them to have a good time .Both are fit for their age and walk regularily. There will be golfing on the agenda for the guys and as a special treat, my mother-in-law and I are going for a manicure/pedicure. I have never done that before,but it sounds very fun and pampering.Does anyone have any suggestions for activities/restaurants/ or even things to avoid for us? Thanks so much ahead of time!We always love our time at Disney so much and it would be great if a little bit of the magic went home with them too!

 

[twotoohappy]

I go with my mom and my dd -
My mom is almost 70 going on 29

things we like to do....
1. tea at the grand floridian
2. dinner at Boma's , you can view the animals in the savannah before dinner
3. illuminations cruise - sit back, relax in a boat so you don't have to fight the crowds
4. resort hopping

 

[steveanddonna]

DH & I took my aunts, 80 & 84 at the time, a couple of years ago. The aunties rode everything except RnR and Space Mountain. They also really enjoyed the tea at GF. We made PS for Rose & Crown for about half an hour before Illuminations, with the understanding that they couldn't guarantee an outside table, but the CM's were wonderful. We mentioned at the podium at check-in that the aunties were in their 80's and while in good health, probably not up to standing for a long time. The CM's at Rose & Crown actually set up an extra table outside so we would be guaranteed a seated view of Illuminations. We found this kind of consideration everywhere we went. Our overall strategy was just to break up each park into a few "riding" attractions, then a show (cool off, rest the tootsies) and to head for a store or a shady spot every so often. Also, take extra care to stay hydrated, because by the time you're thirsty it's too late.

 

[linda_pizzuro]

My boyfriend and I went to Disney this past October with my parents (in their mid 70's and both fairly active). We were together for 5 days. On the first day they arrived mid-day so we went to Downtown Disney for some Disney experience before they could check into their hotel (Port Orleans Riverside). We then brought them to check in and helped them to their room. We left them for a few hours to unpack, rest and redress. That night for dinner we went to 'Ohana, requested a window table and watched Wishes while enjoying coffee and desert. We hit a different park each day after that. It was October so it was not too busy so we did not do early entry. We met them each day around 10:00 at one of the parks. I had made PS before leaving home for dinner each night at a different park - that way if we wanted to separate we could always regroup for dinner. We had PS at Rose and Crown in Epcot and requested an outside table and were able to watch IllumiNations from our table. At MGM I had made reservations for the Fantasmic Dinner Package. We had a nice dinner at Hollywood and Vine and were able to just walk into Fantasmic without waiting on line. We did MNSSHP one night and were in the MK the whole day. Not sure if I would do this again. I think they were tired from walking all day and then doing the party at night. The day we did AK we left the park after the 4:00 parade, went to check out the AKL, which they loved, and then went to MK for dinner in LTT. This was great. It was like a Thanksgiving dinner with just enough character interaction to make you feel that you were at WDW. They even had their picture taken with Minnie. We finished in time to catch SpectroMagic and then Wishes again from inside the park. My boyfriend and I go to Disney quite often and this was my parents first visit in 17 years. I think they really appreciated us taking them around and trying to keep to a somewhat schedule. We are always go go go when we are in WDW and we had to slow down a bit but it was worth it. I would recommend having some PS for dinner so if you do separate you can get together for a nice meal. They enjoyed the resort but felt it was very large and spread out with alot of walking. Last time they were down there they stayed in one of the hotels near Downtown Disney so they only had to come downstairs from their room to catch the bus. I think they appreciated the resort but did not like all the walking - and I did try to get them a room that was near the front of the resort. We are hoping to get down this year the along with MVMCP. We ususally go down with my boyfriends son the week between Christmas and New Year. I don't think my parents would enjoy this time because it is do busy.

 

[IvyandLace]

Just a tip that I thought I'd pass along...when my DH and I took his mom and dad this past October/November, we were quite surprised at how often they complained of the "noise"...at restaurants, at shows and on rides! The music at IllumiNations was too loud as was the music that cordinates with the Innoventions fountains. This pretty much puzzled us and was not something that I had even considered. Something that I would want to know if I was going with seniors again....

IVY

 

[Micca]

Hi Sylvia, Welcome to the Dis We have done WDW with DMIL several times. She is now in her 80's. She has always been a good sport, but all the walking tests her endurance. The only ride she didn't like was BTMR. She loved Star Tours though.

 

[jennymouse]

I just returned from going with my 80 year old father. I guess it all depends on their temperment too. My father got nervous and agitated in Magic Kingdom with crowds all the people darting and stopping in front of his scooter. He didn't care for the fantasy character cartoony stuff at Magic Kingdom.

On the other hand he absolutely loved Epcot, MGM & Animal Kingdom. He and I didn't do any thrill rides, just slow rides & shows. We took it a lot slower than my trips with my granddaughter. Instead of up and at the parks upon opening, we got up when we woke up, went for breakfast, then hit the parks.

We also went to Cirque de Soliel one night and he really enjoyed that. If it fits into your budget, I urge you to get tickets for that show.

 

[Deb & Bill]

When we took my 84 yr old mother, I got her an autograph book. So when my son got his autographs and photos, so did she. We went to Cirque, we did dinner at Boma, we did breakfast at the Castle.

We also took more frequent breaks, naps for her and swim breaks for us. Her sister lived about 35 miles from WDW, so she also spent a few days with her sister.

When we took my husband's parents (both in mid 70s), we were surprised that my FIL was up each morning and ready to go. He loved the rides and all the parks. My MIL loved spending the time with all of us and having more time with our son.

My Inlaws also took time to visit the Shrine just off I-4 during one day they were there.