Mother/son trip..Mom's first visit....How's this look?

Devin36

Member
HELLO FRIENDS!!!
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This is my first post so let me start off by saying hello to all of you & thank you for all the great info you guys share!! I have been a lurker for a while, on here & the DIS boards, but wanted to get some input on my upcoming trip so I decided to register!

I'm 25 & have been to wdw twice, the first time being in Feb 08 & the second being in Feb 09. Both times I went with a gf, no family. I have always wanted to go to wdw since being a little kid watching the disney channel (when ya paid for it & it was good), seeing all the info on the parks they would show.
Ever since the first visit in 2008 I have been dreaming of going with my parents, as I know they would love wdw once there, It's just acually getting them to go. They are very cool people, but dont seem to get out much, let alone go on a real vacation. For a while I tried to start bringing up the idea of a trip but it always seem to fall on deaf ears & they showed little interest.......common misconceptions about the property probably.....fast forward to Aug 2010.......one day I found myself at the wdw.com site & started pricing some stuff just for fun.....at the time they were running the 25-40% off promo for resorts & the gears in my head started turning......I started asking my mother if she woud be interested in going on a trip after xmas & she actually showed some interest......my father not so much....after a sales pitch of sorts on my end I found myself booking a 5 night stay @ The Poly for me & my mother, while my dad opted to stay home & watch the house & our 4 dogs.....so now it's less than a week away & I still can't believe after nearly 26 years alive I am finally getting to go on a magical trip with my mother (hoping to take them both in a couple years after she talks him into it
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).

My mother is 56, active & in pretty good shape. However, I still know the toll wdw can take on people, so I planned these 5 days as best as I could with her in mind. To me, this trip is about doing all the things she will enjoy, so if that means I dont get to do TOT or RnRC then It's all good. So enough with my rambling, here are my plans....

5 nights @ The Poly
DME
DDP
5 day Magic Your Way w/ Park Hopper

Wed Jan 26:
Land in orlando around 10:30am & we are using DME.
after check in @ The Poly, straight to MK for the day.
Lunch @ Columbia Harbour House
Main street around 7:30 for the projection show & wishes
8:45 ADR @ Kona @ The Poly

Thurs Jan 27:
Arrive @ Epcot around 9:00am
spend time in future world til 1ish pm
Then start making our way around WS for a 2:00pm ADR @ Via Napoli
After luch I was thinking of walking from WS to either beach club or boardwalk so we can hop a bus to DTD, arriving @ DTD by 4:30ish....I was thinking I could take her to the 6pm Cirque Du Solei show which means we have to be there @ 5:30. Then after the show, it should be around 7:30 so I was thinking of taking her to cooks of dublin for a late QS dinner (she loves fish & the fried candy bars are great!) maybe stop in a couple shops & still get back to the poly by 9:30ish so we can get to bed at a good time...What do you guys think of that? as opposed to walking all the way back to the epcot bus stops only to have to go to another resort & switch again....this is prob the best way to get to DTD from epcot without wasting more energy & time right?

Fri Jan 28th
Animal Kingdom around 9am opening
my mother is a huge animal person, so this is gonna be great for her
hit the safari first along with some of the walking trails & spend time in AK def wanna get her on Dinosaur!
3:30ish head back to the Poly for an hour or so to break/change, then hop a monorail to Epcot by 5:30 for a 6:15 ADR @ Coral Reef
get a spot for Illuminations accross from the American Adventure around 8:30.
Illuminations @ 9pm followed by EMH from 9pm-12am(doubtful we will stay for all of EMH)

Sat Jan 29th
I know this is prob the worst idea being a sat, but we will spend pretty much the whole day @ HS
EMH @ 8:00am (not sure we will be up early enough, I'm hoping by 9 or 10 the latest)
I figure we will stay @ HS until about 5:30 then catch a bus to the Grand Floridian for a 6:45 ADR @ The Grand Floridian Cafe. That's it for the day, so we can go back & get to bed early or spend some time at the poly etc.

Sun Jan 30th
Thinking the morning of this day we can sleep in a bit, maybe grab a sit down breafast @ Kona (no adr?) then do whatever my mother wants, like maybe go back to animal kingdom around noon or hit DTD again for a bit...from either of those places we can hop a bus to AKL for a 5:00pm adr @ Boma.
After dinner take a bus to MK for EMH until 11pm

Monday morning we catch a flight home @ 11:30am
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What do you guys think? any tips or info would be greatly appreciated....I have thought about revising things in different ways but I keep going back to my original plans, plus I booked all my ADRs already....
Any info on getting around the poly to the TTC would be great too, like how long the farthest walk might take....
I know it really is hard to see so much in 5 days, but I figure with the sit down meals & shows where we sit for a bit, along with relaxed touring, we should be able to do this & not be too beat up. I can handle it, but I dont wanna burn my mother out. Figure if we are up by 7am most of the days we should be in good shape & we can alwasy be sleeping by 11 so thats 8 hours each night......now I'm just hoping for sunshine & dry conditions
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sorry for the long post & please excuse any typos....
 

Dunleyg

New Member
I think its absolutly terrific! One of my best memories is the Lua Dinner at the Polynesion with my mother. She has since pasted, but she remains in my heart.

Alot depends on your mothers energy level, I would have a very fluid plan, and not get caught up in the details of planning (I wish I could take my own advice). You have a good location on the monorail, and park hopper ticktes, and DDP. It will be hard not to want to see everything in 5 days, an eat everywhere. When you come back please post what you ended up doing.

One thing is you land at 10:30, by the time you get your checked bags, get the ME Bus, get to your hotel (maybe unpack), then monorail over to MK (Columbia House), you will probably have a late lunch. This will be a long day of traveling. Depending on your and her energy level, concider lunch at Captain Cooks and get a salad with a Dole Whip, and head to MK after 6:00pm, do 1 ride (being the OFF season, maybe 2) and see the show, then eat late dinner.

Also, check out web sites and unoffical books that rate each ride by age group, what a 25 thinks is great, may not be the same thing a 55 person thinks. Maybe get a video of the park, or a map, and talk with her, and have her pick 2 "must see" attractions, and plan from there.

Best wishes.
 
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switts

Member
Definately sounds like a good plan. I find that when your down there sleeping doesnt exist at all. I could be out until 1 or 2 in the morning and still be awake and ready to go by 7:30 the latest. It is alot more fun when you can get more family involved in going just have to convince your dad. Last time i went down in '09 there were 9 of us and had a blast. Good luck and have fun down there
 
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limeleo

New Member
This is my first post, too, but had to comment because I'm 25, my mom is 57, and we arrive at Pop Century tomorrow night! It'll be too late to do anything tomorrow, but here is what we came up with for the rest of the time:

Saturday 1/22: Crystal Palace Character Breakfast (Pooh is her fave!) then all day at Magic Kingdom before heading over to Epcot for dinner at La Hacienda and Illuminations.

Sunday 1/23: Epcot first thing, early lunch at Via Napoli, then over to Hollywood Studios for their new parade, Fantasmic! and Extra Magic Hours.

Monday 1/24: Epcot again, and lunch at Akershus with the Princesses, afternoon at Epcot before heading to Magic Kingdom for the Electrical Light Parade, Wishes, and Extra Magic Hours

Tuesday 1/25: Animal Kingdom all day, dinner at Sanaa, evening at Downtown Disney

Wednesday 1/26: Epcot (yes, again) for lunch at Le Celier, then over to Magic Kingdom for the rest of the day until our Magical Express back to the airport around 6pm
:cry:

We don't have our days scheduled out much further than that, just want to take it easy and play it by (mouse)ear!

Boma is really good! I hope you enjoy it! As far as walking from Poly to TTC, in 2002 we stayed in the Tahiti building and it was only a few minutes, if I remember correctly. It was really far away from the main building, but we had a great view of Cinderella Castle and Space Mtn.

If you have time for a tour, I highly recommend Keys to the Kingdom, it was pretty cool! Though, with Splash Mtn. being closed, I'm not sure what they'd replaced that part of the tour with...The Wild Africa Trek looks pretty cool, if your mom is active.

Also, for the rides my mom doesn't want to ride that I will (Rockin Roller Coaster, Space Mtn, etc.) I'm going to use her ticket to get a second fast pass so I can do it twice! Of course attractions she'll want fastpass for will come first, but I'm sure she'll need a break sooner or later!

I've lost track of how many times I've been, but I get just as excited each and every time! We've been going since I was a toddler and my last trip was in May '10. Mom hasn't been in years, so I'm definitely looking forward to re-introducing her to the magic!

Have a great trip and maybe we'll pass you somewhere on Main Street!
 
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PHSCoach

Member
Sounds like a great plan and you should have a great time. Took my elderly parents numerous times and they absolutely loved it. The only problem I see is the day you are going to the studios. Since it is an EMH I would try to stay away unless you are going to get there at 8. The park will be very busy and if you get there between 9 and 10 you will not have an enjoyable day. Good luck and have a great time.
 
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foreverbelle

Well-Known Member
Sounds like a plan to me. You are going to be busy, but I think as long as you both know this you guys will be fine. If you feel like she needs to take her time I would totally suggest DTD for some shopping or something. Another thing my husband and I do, and we took my mom who was 56, was to go look at what the resorts have to offer. It allowed us to see what resorts we would like to check out in the future.

Overall I think you guys are going to have a fabulous time!
Enjoy and safe travels.
 
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Tink28

Well-Known Member
I am going to WDW in September for 15 days with my Mum who will be 83 at the time of our trip, she is pretty active and at her request we are staying at POR as she loves it and likes walking. Have already done a schedule including some pool time and quieter days.
Mum feels this may be her last trip and in no way wants to go if I have to push her around, she would hate it.
Enjoy, am sure your Mum will love it
 
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Devin36

Member
Original Poster
Sounds like a great plan and you should have a great time. Took my elderly parents numerous times and they absolutely loved it. The only problem I see is the day you are going to the studios. Since it is an EMH I would try to stay away unless you are going to get there at 8. The park will be very busy and if you get there between 9 and 10 you will not have an enjoyable day. Good luck and have a great time.


Yea this was my concern too, I know the combo of being a sat & EMH will make that park super busy that day.....but I figure if we hit TSMM first for a fast pass or to ride stand by, by 9am, we should be able to hit some of the other things she will enjoy while most other people are hitting RnRC & ToT...I know she will like GMR, MV3D, Indiana Jones, One Mans Dream, Back Lot Tour......I figure if we can hit 6 or so attractions in like 7 or so hours I'll be pleased...if not there is always next trip!:animwink:
 
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Devin36

Member
Original Poster
Thanks so much guys!! Appreciate the tips!! I really can't wait! I almost don't even believe she is coming with me, It's gonna hit me hard when we get there..... I'm Def gonna be trying to pace things out for her.....I have a plan of attack at the parks in how we will navigate them, hoping to use her energy carefully...

on our second day, would you guys say it's better to walk to a bus for DTD @ boardwalk or beach club from world showcase....I know where the bus stop at boardwalk is, having visited the resort for dinner before, but I wasn't sure if it was better to go to beach club.....Looks about the same distance on google earth! lol....
 
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Devin36

Member
Original Poster
This is my first post, too, but had to comment because I'm 25, my mom is 57, and we arrive at Pop Century tomorrow night! It'll be too late to do anything tomorrow, but here is what we came up with for the rest of the time:

Saturday 1/22: Crystal Palace Character Breakfast (Pooh is her fave!) then all day at Magic Kingdom before heading over to Epcot for dinner at La Hacienda and Illuminations.

Sunday 1/23: Epcot first thing, early lunch at Via Napoli, then over to Hollywood Studios for their new parade, Fantasmic! and Extra Magic Hours.

Monday 1/24: Epcot again, and lunch at Akershus with the Princesses, afternoon at Epcot before heading to Magic Kingdom for the Electrical Light Parade, Wishes, and Extra Magic Hours

Tuesday 1/25: Animal Kingdom all day, dinner at Sanaa, evening at Downtown Disney

Wednesday 1/26: Epcot (yes, again) for lunch at Le Celier, then over to Magic Kingdom for the rest of the day until our Magical Express back to the airport around 6pm :cry:

We don't have our days scheduled out much further than that, just want to take it easy and play it by (mouse)ear!

Boma is really good! I hope you enjoy it! As far as walking from Poly to TTC, in 2002 we stayed in the Tahiti building and it was only a few minutes, if I remember correctly. It was really far away from the main building, but we had a great view of Cinderella Castle and Space Mtn.

If you have time for a tour, I highly recommend Keys to the Kingdom, it was pretty cool! Though, with Splash Mtn. being closed, I'm not sure what they'd replaced that part of the tour with...The Wild Africa Trek looks pretty cool, if your mom is active.

Also, for the rides my mom doesn't want to ride that I will (Rockin Roller Coaster, Space Mtn, etc.) I'm going to use her ticket to get a second fast pass so I can do it twice! Of course attractions she'll want fastpass for will come first, but I'm sure she'll need a break sooner or later!

I've lost track of how many times I've been, but I get just as excited each and every time! We've been going since I was a toddler and my last trip was in May '10. Mom hasn't been in years, so I'm definitely looking forward to re-introducing her to the magic!

Have a great trip and maybe we'll pass you somewhere on Main Street!

Looks like you have a great plan too!! Crazy how similar our situations are!! Probably will pass eachother on main street! I know I'll be there on your last night, which is my first for the new castle projection show, which looks pretty great, & wishes!!! I hope you have a great time with you mom too!!:sohappy:
 
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mickeysshoes

Well-Known Member
Thanks so much guys!! Appreciate the tips!! I really can't wait! I almost don't even believe she is coming with me, It's gonna hit me hard when we get there..... I'm Def gonna be trying to pace things out for her.....I have a plan of attack at the parks in how we will navigate them, hoping to use her energy carefully...

on our second day, would you guys say it's better to walk to a bus for DTD @ boardwalk or beach club from world showcase....I know where the bus stop at boardwalk is, having visited the resort for dinner before, but I wasn't sure if it was better to go to beach club.....Looks about the same distance on google earth! lol....

I would suggest going with what you know unless you want to check out the Beach Club!!!!
 
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Devin36

Member
Original Poster
Thats what I was thinking, Thanks!!! Plus I figure it might be more fun to walk on the boardwalk & maybe see some of the performers on our way to the bus......just wanted to see if maybe there was a better way i didn't know....Thanks again!
 
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Tiggerish

Resident Redhead
Premium Member
I'm taking my 76-year old mom in March (same time as Stefan74 is there with his mom--hope we run into each other!). It will be her fourth trip. I haven't really planned anything except ADRs yet, I guess I better get to it!!

Have a great trip!
 
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minniemickeyfan

Well-Known Member
I took my parents in their 50's two years ago and for some things like Expedition Everest they had a great time in the queue part of the attraction in the regular line (not FP) and then they didn't have to ride. They really enjoyed it as there is so much to look at.
Your schedule looks well thought out. Have a great time!
 
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minniemickeyfan

Well-Known Member
on our second day, would you guys say it's better to walk to a bus for DTD @ boardwalk or beach club from world showcase....I know where the bus stop at boardwalk is, having visited the resort for dinner before, but I wasn't sure if it was better to go to beach club.....Looks about the same distance on google earth! lol....
I have walked this before from Epcot and it will be much closer than trying to walk back to the front to get a bus back to a resort and then to DD.
I believe you will come to Beach Club first, if you walk past Yacht Club and turn left you will come to Boardwalk, so getting a bus at BC may be a shorter distance, but Boardwalk is neat to check out.
 
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PHSCoach

Member
If your looking at saving some time walking I would go to the Beach Club Bus stop. If walk around the outside of the resort by taking the walkway on the right as you go over the bridge that leads to the Beach Club it will take you to the Villas. You will just walk over to the front of the beach Club and out to the bus stop.
 
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kmdisney

Member
You two are going to have the best trip. I took my teenage daughter last year for our first ever "Mom/Daughter" trip and we had a blast!

I am not sure what your budget is for the trip, but QuickSilver transportation is only $115/roundtrip from Orlando airport to your resort. They meet you at baggage claim and take you to a waiting town car. It starts the trip off with a real smooth and relaxing beginning. I surprised my daughter with the car and she was so excited that someone was waiting for us with our name on a sign. (It's the little things...)

Make sure you get a Photo Pass as soon as you enter one of the parks and have your picture taken at every opportunity. You will really enjoy looking through the pictures once you are at home.

Also, get your Mom a "First Visit" pin from the Concierge at your hotel. Cast members will welcome her all throughout your trip.

Remember you are there to have fun, so when you start wanting to rush, make yourself slow down and take it all in...:wave:
 
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