What would you do?

[katied]

I'm trying to plan a short trip in October. I have to speak at a conference, so the trip is mostly free for me. I'm bringing my 6 month old DS, and MIL to watch him while I'm at the conference (only about 1/2 day). It will be my MIL's first (and likely only) trip to WDW.

MIL does not like to walk much at all, gets very tired standing, and is not in the best of shape. I was originally only planning to take her to MK for a couple hours one day, since I thought that would be all she could manage (since I'll also have the 6 mo old DS with us as well to take care of). However, DH said - don't let her miss Wishes, and also make sure you take her to Epcot for the character meal...

So, our travel plan would be:

Wed - land at 5:15 PM, ME to hotel, check-in and head to MK (VERY EXHAUSTING for MIL and DS (and me, trying to take care of both))
Thurs - MK in AM, relax in PM
Fri - relax, Conf. in PM
Sat - Epcot in AM, return home in PM

Any ideas/recommendations? Anyone else travel with a MIL who will find WDW very exhausing, but still wants the experience?

 

[HayGan]

Have her rent an ECV for getting around at the parks. My mom had a stroke several years ago and can not do alot of walking or standing. Using a ECV is the only way she could get around the World.

Which Character Meal are you refering to? If you want to do the Princess breakfast at Akershus you better call and see if you can get a reservation first.

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

I'd probably blow off Epcot (even though it is my favorite park). Most people who have never been to WDW see MK as "Disney World." I think your MIL will be happy with that. Get a ressie at Crystal Palace for breakfast or Liberty Tree for Dinner and your MIL can see a few characters that way. I agree that she would probably love Wishes.

We went with my MIL to WDW once. Now, she's not in the best of shape and we fully expected her to be in wheelchair for part of the trip, but she refused to walk at all (even at the airport) and was generally much more difficult there than she is normally. Thankfully, she was very happy hanging out at the resort for part of the time while we toured.

 

[katied]

The real reason for Epcot was Garden Grill and Soarin... but you're right, it may not be worth the walking.

How hard is a ECV to use? I just worry about my MIL running into people while on it.

 

[Bill From PA]

We got my then 78 yr old Mom an ECV in March 2004 for our Swan stay. Without any experience at all, we toured the BoardWalk that first day while my sluggish kids and grandkids napped. The next day she was an expert in the parks and for the rest of the vacation. Backing into an elevator took some patience, but otherwise, they are very easy to drive.

Bill From PA