Elderly Parents....what to do outside of parks?

[mrsmtc]

Need ideas of what to do with my parents who are in their 80's. They don't feel they can do a park so I am looking for things outside the parks. Off site - 1 evening - 1 full day - 1 good bye breakfast...

Current plans for the full day: (staying off site)

• Whispering Canyon for breakfast
• Monorail ride, Epcot loop too, maybe stopping at some resorts
• Lunch in the condo so they can nap
• Dinner (early) at Raglan Road (really not sure, I haven't eaten there)

Keeping In Mind:

• Limit amount of walking at one time
• Quieter, less busy places - my father doesn't hear well

No Plans for the first evening or goodbye breakfast together. Trying no to over plan but would love ideas.

Do you think they might enjoy dinner at Chef Mickeys? I have never done this but think it would be really cool to have a picture of all of us with Mickey.

 

[Sudcaro- Sudcaro]

If you are looking for quiet and less busy places, I don't think Chef Mickey would work that well.

 

[NiarrNDisney]

Honestly if your father has some hearing issues I like Sudcaro- Sudcaro mentioned have to agree that Chef Mickey's would be a poor choice but I would also add that Raglan Road and Whispering Canyon are also both pretty loud establishments so you may want to reconsider your ADR's.

 

[Tinkerbell397]

Raglan Road is not only noisy, but it is dark and the tables are very close and crowded. It is also a very long walk from the parking lot....not sure if they will be walking. I would think that The Grand Floridian Cafe would be a great place to eat.....bright and cheery and you can drop them right off at the door of the GF and it is a very short walk to the restaurant. The Wave in the Contemporary is also a very good choice for convenience and I have never had a bad meal there. The Kona Cafe is also very nice....just a short walk from the monorail at The Poly. Chef Mickey's is very very busy and noisy and it is a buffet. Whispering Canyons is not one of my favorites and is noisy and I find the cast members a bit obtrusive. All the restaurants I recommended above are table service so your parents can sit and be waited on. Have a Magical Trip!

 

[deanaandrich]

I agree I would reconsider your dining experiences. All of your choices are loud, busy restaurants.
If you are looking for a nice evening, I would take them to the GF. I'm sure they would enjoy listening to the big band and the piano player. While the main lobby area can get quite busy, there are nice areas on second floor that are more intimate and you are still close enough to the action.

 

[mrsmtc]

Thanks for the heads up on Raglan Road. Any suggestions for DTD or Boardwalk area? Hubby and I have been to Whispering Canyon a couple of times and have enjoyed it and found it quiet. Would love to take them to Kona but the menu isn't very good for them. I will check out the options at Grand Floridian. Yeah, I knew chef Mickey would be chaos but thought the photo opp might be worth it.

 

[Plowboy]

Do you think your folks may enjoy the orchestra at Grand Floridian? I believe they play late afternoon/early evening.

 

[GrammieBee]

You have to define what you mean by limited walking. There are not very many places in Disney World that qualify. It takes a fair amount of walking just to get from the parking area to the monorail station.

I would suggest visiting the Animal Kingdom Lodge. The lobby is quite spectacular and there is not too much walking involved to get to the animal viewing areas.

I agree about the Grand Floridian lobby being a good stop. Plus the Grand Floridian Cafe is very nice.
.
The Boardwalk area in the evenings is well worth a stop, but would involve some walking from the car to the Boardwalk.

Raglan Road for a late luncheon is practically empty. We like their food and go there every trip.

If the Wispering Canyon is quiet at lunch or breakfast it does involve a nice boat ride to get there. We have only been there at dinner and found it quite noisy.

 

[smk]

What about FW and the buffet they offer? The whole food service area is smallish, the meals is reasonable priced as well. I know my mom, who is 92 eats like a bird but likes variety.You can drive them right up to the area of Trails end and the marina is a short walk away tto take the launch to the other resorts to visit.

 

[Tuvalu]

.You can drive them right up to the area of Trails end and the marina is a short walk away tto take the launch to the other resorts to visit.

Can you drive to Trail's End? Because we have always had to park in the main lot at the Outpost and then take an internal bus to the Settlement Depot.

 

[mrsmtc]

They can walk for a while but will need to stop here and there to rest. I think DTD and the Boardwalk will be nice as long as it isn't raining as they can sit when they get tired and still enjoy the view/atmosphere. We will have a car so dropping them off at the door of a resort will save them the walk from the parking lot.

I think they will enjoy the boats and monorails to resorts and late afternoon in the Grand Floridian with the music I think would be very enjoyable for them. Guess I should plan less and just have ideas of things they can pick from depending on how they feel and the weather (late March). Animal Kingdom Lodge is a great idea, my dad is a big animal lover!

Thanks all!

 

[smk]

I guess my thought was they could be driven there and then the car taken back to the registration area. Then take a bus back up to meet with the group.

 

[LAKid53]

I agree with Tinkerbell's suggestions. Raglan Road is crowded, dark and noisy at dinner. I'm not hard of hearing like your father and I still have to strain to hear what my daughter is saying. Love going there, but it's not for those with hearing problems. Plus, it is a hike from the parking lot.

I've eaten at the Grand Floridian Café - very good food, nice restaurant and not too noisy - any restaurant at dinner time can be loud. And I think your parents would enjoy the lobby of the GF, especially if the band or the piano player are performing. And if they have to stop for a minute, they can rest in the lobby and enjoy the view.

I've never been to the Animal Kingdom Lodge. If any of the restaurants have a view of the savannahs, see if you can get a table near the window - you dad would enjoy seeing a giraffe walk by while he eats dinner. But you want to dine early, since most of the animals return to their pens for the night.

 

[GrammieBee]

The easier way to get to the Trail's End restaurant would be by launch to Fort Wilderness from the Magic Kingdom. You could take the monorail to the Magic Kingdom stop. You do not have to enter the Magic Kingdom. This is the same launch that stops at Wilderness lodge. The walk from the dock to the restaurant is dooable.

You cannot drive anywhere near the Settlement Outpost.

 

[lorreejean]

We will have a car so dropping them off at the door of a resort will save them the walk from the parking lot.

Don't forget if they have a disabled placard you can utilize valet parking at no cost. Might allow all of you more time so they don't have to wait for you to get back from parking the car.