WDW for Elderly

[youngdizluva18]

Has anyone heard of a good website that has tips on bringing older people to the parks? We're bringing our grandmother on our trip this december and she has trouble walking. We don't really know what kind of rides/shows that we could take her on, so we thought someone out there probobly made a website about that sort of topic. Thanks!

 

[mitros]

One of the places you can go is www.allearsnet.com and type in handicap in the search box. This will give you a whole page with subjects regarding folks that have a difficult time getting around due to age and/or infirmities. We have taken my mother and my mother in law to WDW several times, and they are both in wheelchairs. No real problems at all. Disney is pretty well set up for that type of thing.

 

[SueM in MN]

Also, come to the disABILITIES Board here on the DIS site.

 

[donnabc]

Has anyone heard of a good website that has tips on bringing older people to the parks? We're bringing our grandmother on our trip this december and she has trouble walking. We don't really know what kind of rides/shows that we could take her on, so we thought someone out there probobly made a website about that sort of topic. Thanks!

Had the very same question myself...tried the disability board here but did not have any luck there....if you pm me in a couple weeks I can let you know our experiences. I am taking my 64 yo father and 63 yo mother next week (my mom has knee problems and can't walk very well)

 

[Chuck S]

Is she already planning to use a wheelchair or an ECV? If not, please, please, encourage her to do so. All theater shows can accomodate both wheelchairs and ECVs, some rides can accomodate wheelchairs and/or ECVs, some rides she will need to transfer to a ride vehicle. Belt load rides, like Haunted Mansion and Spaceship Earth can stop the ride long enough to she can transfer in to the ride..but she can not take the wheelchair on the ride itself.

Here is good list of attractions from the official Disney website:

Guests with Disabilities

 

[SueM in MN]

Had the very same question myself...tried the disability board here but did not have any luck there....if you pm me in a couple weeks I can let you know our experiences. I am taking my 64 yo father and 63 yo mother next week (my mom has knee problems and can't walk very well)

what did you want to know?
If you are interested in wheelchairs or ECVs, there is information in the disABILITIES FAQs thread near the top of the board.

That thread also has links to the official WDW Guidebooks for Guests with Disabilities and also links to past threads about touring with people who may need extra time to board rides, wheelchair experiences in the parks and Ray Sharpton's experiences as a new (and enthusiastic) ecv user.

Other than that, it's helpful to know a little about what sorts of things they like. If they like music, if they prefer longer shows, are they interested in how movies are made, do they like "wild" rides, or more "tame" things.
My MIL and FIL won't go on any rides with warnings, but my mom (who is in her 70s the same as they were) was game for anything (she went on Test Track and Kali River Rapids!).

 

[kjs1976]

My 78 year old great-aunt and her 70 year old friend went with us on a family trip in 2002. Although they could both walk well with small breaks, we weren't sure what things they might like in terms of attractions. But here are a few...

MK-Small world, Peter Pan's Flight, Carosel of Progress, new now but Mickey's Philharmagic, Haunted Mansion, Pirates (DGA LOVED this one!), Country Bears, Tiki Room, Jungle Cruise (she loved this one as well), Hall of Presidents, all of the parades and shows (she can't get enough of parades)

EPCOT-A lot more to do here in terms of taking your time and strolling through the countries. Also, the rose garden is a great thing you might want to consider taking her though. My DGA loves flowers and we spent 20 min. one morning just taking a moment to "smell the roses!"

Hope this helps!

 

[jann1033]

when my close to 80 yr old mother and stepfather go they usually enjoy the shows and only spend about 1/2 a day in the parks each day. they are early risers so they go at opening but almost always go back to the resort mid afternoon. other than that ( and not going on some of the thrill type rides) they are pretty "normal" in their touring. so your grandmother might like a break mid day

for someone with trouble walking definitly get some kind of "vehicle" for them. it'll make it possible for them to enjoy the parks much longer per day.

i have some physical limitations and the biggest problem rides i have encountered are some like space mountain that you really have to be able to flex your knees to get on. don't know if they would like to ride that one anyway but imo that one is hard to get on and off. lots of them you need to step down( like most of the boat type attractions) to get into so it is alittle hard if you have balance problems. if so have someone else board first to lend a hand and the ones with moving sidewalks are hard if you have balance problems . i think some can be turned off to help with boarding. as always, if in doubt make the problem known to the cms and they can help make it as easy as possible. if there are some things they don't want to ride but others do they can still go through the line as some of the themeing is so good . then they can just exit while the rest ride and sit on one of the benches outside to meet the group after the ride.