80 year old Mom

[kcs]

I would like to take my Mom next year to WDW for her 80th birthday. Would the week before Thanksgiving be the best for her? I want her to experience Christmas and the Osborne Lights at WDW. I would like to stay at POR so I am afraid of the week after Thanksgiving and Pop Warner. I may have to rent a wheelchair for her if she gets tired. What would you suggest. Has anyone taken someone this age who can walk on her own but may tire out. I don't think she would consider a scooter. Thanks

 

[zurgandfriend]

I would recommend the week after Thanksgiving, less crowds and everything is decorated.
Pop Warner should not affect you too much as most of the personnel involved stay at the Value resorts.
POR is a large resort and it is spread out so there will be some walking just to get to transportation. POFQ or if you afford it, a Monorail resort may be better, of course it all depends on your budget and your Mom and how spry she is.
Many of us here, me included, have made comments about scooters, however I believe that is due more to scooter abuse than to scooter use. If your Mother needs a scooter than she needs one, period. There should be no shame in using one if it is necessary nor should her enjoyment of WDW or the quality of her life be effected.
Another thing I recommend is to pace yourselves WDW is a marathon not a sprint.
I would have loved to have taken my Mom to WDW but never got the chance I hope you and your Mom have a great trip.

 

[mickeysshoes]

I would also suggest the week after Thanksgiving. Week before you take a change on missing some of the decorations. I would also try to talk your mom into a scotter....yes she might not need it all the time but that way you dont tire out having to push her all the time. You want to enjoy your time there with her. I would not want to think about having to push a wheelchair in AK.....that would be a grave workout!!! Take it slow and enjoy your time with Mom in the world!!!

 

[smk]

I have traveled many places, including Italy, with my Mother after she turned 80. We went at her pace, never forcing anything, and she would not rent a chair at all. She continues to walk her dog daily and lives alone, (she is 88!) but does not want to vacation anymore until she turns 90, when she intends to climb the bridge in Sydney Harbor. So, if your Mom and my Mom are anything alike you will have a great trip, slower than what you may be used to but special at the same time.

However, she does not handle confusion and crowds like she used to and gets annoyed rather easily in loud places. Have you thought about renting DVC points somewhere and staying in a studio or one bedroom? Some place she can have her own breakfast and a quiet place to rest in the afternoon? Might be worth it. I would hate to take my mother and have her end up hating it because she was tired and over stressed. Either way, have fun!

 

[THEMEPARKPIONEER]

My has no balance so she has to use 2 cain's since her walker is a pain to use outside and she walks everywhere, not to mention all the steep hills that are on my block. Right now her knee is really bad but then that can prevent anyone from walking thru the parks. Your mom will do just fine . There's not to many hills, plenty of benches and there's the option of a scooter or a wheel chair. Honestly I think she will do fine and when my grandparents go to the parks they just go mostly for the atmosphere. They used to go on the rides at epcot but not any more, I wonder why?

 

[DizneeGirl]

I been taking my mom for years. She is 78 now and I rent a wheel chair. When she wants to walk she does and when she needs to sit I have it there for her. I usually stay at the swan and dolphin because you can get a senior discount and it is so very convenient.

 

[lilclerk]

Pop Warner should not affect you too much as most of the personnel involved stay at the Value resorts.

FYI, Pop Warner was offered the 3 All Star resorts and POR for their stay, so Pop Century or a different Moderate resort would be better if you're going during that time.

 

[trr1]

I think that the holiday decorations are up around the begining of november also my inlaws are going this year in november around the 12 or 14 and the OSBORNE FAMILY SPECTACLE OF DANCING LIGHTS at disney's Hollywood Studios is open this year from November 8, 2010 -January 3, 2011

 

[Duckberg]

Wheel CHAIR

IMO a wheel chair is a great option for seniors to get from point a t b etc. at WDW, whether they need it or not,a great strength saver! Duckberg

 

[popsicletrees]

We take my grandmother who is turning 80 in December to WDW every year. About 6 years ago we finally convinced her to get a wheelchair. She can walk short distances fine, but she would tire out easily and want to go rest in the room for awhile. Plus, she would start to feel guilty because she thought that she was holding us up. So, the wheelchair was great to keep her out all day. About 3 years ago we convinced her to get a scooter. She was really apprehensive about it at first and still insists that my mom drive it onto the bus for her, but other than that she has no problems with it.

 

[kcs]

Is WDW the only time that your mom uses a scooter? My mom doesn't need one at home so she is worried about driving one.

 

[kcs]

If I wanted to rent points where would I go to do that? Does Disney ever come out with free dining before Thanksgiving? One more question-If we go the entire week before Thanksgiving week will all the holiday decorations be up? Sorry, one more-If we go the week after is the candlelight processional worth the wait. TIA

 

[popsicletrees]

Is WDW the only time that your mom uses a scooter? My mom doesn't need one at home so she is worried about driving one.

My grandmother doesn't use one at home. She was worried about driving one as well but quickly became comfortable with it.

 

[Disneybird]

Is WDW the only time that your mom uses a scooter? My mom doesn't need one at home so she is worried about driving one.

My mom is the grandmother that Popsicletrees referred too. The only time she has ever driven a scooter is at WDW, and she actually manages it pretty well. She occassionally gets nervous about it when she has to back off an elevator and people are waiting, or someone walks right across her path without looking, driving onto the monorail, etc..

Most of the times you can get a complimentary wheelchair at a resort, but we found the scooters give her more independence. We order one ahead of time and it is always waiting for us when we get there.

While POR is a great resort, I definitely would look into POFQ instead. The bus stops there before going onto POR, so you could load her on a bus while it is still uncrowded. POFQ is my mothers 2nd favorite place to stay on Disney property (Contemporary is #1).

The first time we ever used a wheelchair for her, she was loaded onto a boat at Listen to the Land, and she cried. It took a while to convince her that it was okay and she had nothing to be embarrassed about. She has been to WDW at least once a year since 1976 and has an annual pass. And she lives over 500 miles away. She also has been disabled with a bad heart since she was 47 years old. But WDW is her refuge.

We will be there the 1st of December celebrating her 80th birthday.

So take your mother and enjoy. I don't know what I will do when I take my first trip without mine.

 

[kcs]

Thanks so much for your information. I am still wondering if the week before Thanksgiving would be better than the week after because of Pop Warner. All those teens could put a damper on the trip, or their parents from what I have heard. Is the Candlelight Processional a must do? Do they have the Christmases around the world going on in WS before Thanksgiving? Christmas is her favorite holiday-mine too!

 

[drp4video]

I took my mom three years ago, although she was a little younger at the time than your mom, she was 75. She was having a little hip pain, so we rented a scooter. First time driver....oye. Can you say crash into everything till she finally got it? lol. We went at a slower pace, but she did everything. She went nuts when she met Pinochio, who she has loved since she was three (I had to remind her he was an actor in a suit lol). Her fave ride was Tower of Terror.

I would avoid Pop Warner if you can. Loved the Candelight Processional, and if your mom is a big fan of Christmas, she will too. ( I am Jewish and loved it). Not sure about the Osbourne lights before Christmas, as we always had to go the week before New Years due to school breaks, so I can't answer that one. Have an awesome time, and just take it a little slower.

 

[Mukta]

While most of the holiday decorations are up before thanksgiving, the Christmas around the World is usually available after as is the Candlelight Processional. Watch it once on youtube and you'll be able to decide if it is worth it to go after Thanksgiving or not.

 

[Mukta]

Free dining was offered this year from 11/12/10 - 11/18/10, 11/27/10 -12/2/10, so it might be available around that time next year.

 

[Princess Tiana]

I took my Grandma, who is "Seasoned" as well last year. We just took plenty of bench brakes and had a ball. have fun!:wave: