Taking grandparents in electric scooters...what activities would you recommend?

[JANETTE BARCENA]

Hi everyone!!!
I would just LOVE to take my grandparents to the world this December for the holidays. They haven't been there in forever and would be SUPER excited to go. What activities would you recommend for them and us? They will both be in electric scooters all day. They will be able to get up and walk but only for a short distance.

SEPTEMBER VACATION WOOHOO!!! CAN'T WAIT TO SEE MICKEY!!!  

 

[Master Yoda]

If they can walk short distances, there is really not a single thing that they can not do. All 4 parks are very HC friendly.

 

[JANETTE BARCENA]

If they can walk short distances, there is really not a single thing that they can not do. All 4 parks are very HC friendly.

Yeah they can walk a bit. They're so cute. I can't wait to give them the new that they're going to the happiest place on earth. Thanks so much Master Yoda!

 

[buseegal]

they can do anything they want to do in the parks. most rides they can take ECVs right to the ride and it is moved to exit for them. few rides will need to transfer to a supplied wheelchair. they can take ECVs into any show but some have special seating areas. with the ECV i always have a seat to get off my knee when I need it.

 

[JANETTE BARCENA]

Thanks Buseegal. I'm sure they'll enjoy anything I take them to. Can't wait for them to see the New Fantasyland.

 

[Weather_Lady]

If it's possible, I'd suggest taking them during one of the first three weeks of December, and not on the holidays -- the Christmas decorations will all be up, but the crowds won't be overwhelming or as difficult to navigate. But that's just me -- for me, wall-to-wall crowds =stress!

If you are doing this as a surprise and can't get their input, I'd plan on an itinerary low on thrill rides and rough simulators (unless you think that's what they want), that is slow-paced with lots of breaks, and which preserves your grandparents' typical daily waking/dining/napping/sleeping schedule. Introduce them to the many forms of scenic Disney World transportation -- trains, ferry boats, monorails -- and plan some special sit-down meals and live shows or parades. If the trip is not a surprise, then get their input: if you don't already have the 2014 Disney Vacation Planning DVD, order one. Sit down and watch it with your grandparents, and have them point out what interests them.

I hope you all have a wonderful time!

 

[UncleMike101]

ECV Drag Races sounds like a good time.....
With us Baby Boomers getting older, and living longer, WDW needs to make plans to keep us entertained.........
But seriously, I hope you get to take them. They'll likely have a ton of stories about how the parks used to be set up and how much fun it was.

 

[JerseyDad]

ECV Drag Races sounds like a good time.....
With us Baby Boomers getting older, and living longer, WDW needs to make plans to keep us entertained.........
But seriously, I hope you get to take them. They'll likely have a ton of stories about how the parks used to be set up and how much fun it was.

....I was thinking that maybe they take a ECV defensive driving class ...with traffic cones and all the good obstacle course stuff!!

....and perhaps they get T-shirts that say, "Walking guests are our friends ...they are not targets"

 

[JANETTE BARCENA]

....I was thinking that maybe they take a ECV defensive driving class ...with traffic cones and all the good obstacle course stuff!!

....and perhaps they get T-shirts that say, "Walking guests are our friends ...they are not targets"

Hahaha that's great! I think I'm going to get them those shirts...thanks for the idea lol

 

[JANETTE BARCENA]

If it's possible, I'd suggest taking them during one of the first three weeks of December, and not on the holidays -- the Christmas decorations will all be up, but the crowds won't be overwhelming or as difficult to navigate. But that's just me -- for me, wall-to-wall crowds =

If you are doing this as a surprise and can't get their input, I'd plan on an itinerary low on thrill rides and rough simulators (unless you think that's what they want), that is slow-paced with lots of breaks, and which preserves your grandparents' typical daily waking/dining/napping/sleeping schedule. Introduce them to the many forms of scenic Disney World transportation -- trains, ferry boats, monorails -- and plan some special sit-down meals and live shows or parades. If the trip is not a surprise, then get their input: if you don't already have the 2014 Disney Vacation Planning DVD, order one. Sit down and watch it with your grandparents, and have them point out what interests them.

Nah it won't be a surprise, I would like their input just in case. I would also love to take them to the Food and Wine Fest. I wonder if it goes on at the same time the Christmas decorations are up??

 

[JANETTE BARCENA]

ECV Drag Races sounds like a good time.....
With us Baby Boomers getting older, and living longer, WDW needs to make plans to keep us entertained.........
But seriously, I hope you get to take them. They'll likely have a ton of stories about how the parks used to be set up and how much fun it was.

Thanks Uncle Mike. I hope to take them too. With all the new stuff going on I think us baby boomers will be busy for a long time lol. And stories? Absolutely, they'll be told lol

 

[Weather_Lady]

Nah it won't be a surprise, I would like their input just in case. I would also love to take them to the Food and Wine Fest. I wonder if it goes on at the same time the Christmas decorations are up??

Food and Wine typically extends into mid-November. I'm told the Christmas decorations go up right after the Halloween ones come down (beginning of November), but I'm not sure how "decorated" Epcot (where the Food & Wine festival is) will be for any holiday. I do think it's an event that your grandparents would really enjoy -- you can go around World Showcase at a very relaxing pace, trying a little of this and a little of that.

 

[docdebbi]

as someone whose parents wanted to go to disney for their 80th birthday celebrations, i agree with master yoda. there is nothing they cannot do.

some advice:
if you can afford to rent a car, and your grandparents can walk short distances i recommend it. made life easier. that way we only had to deal with the ecv in the parks.
my parents used a disney rented ecv all day at the park, that way you can just go the parks without having to transport 2 ecvs back and forth from the park in either the bus/boat/personal car. if you are staying onsite there are free wheelchairs at the bell stand to use to help them from the car to their rooms. the bellmen held them for us while we were gone and brought them right out to the car at the hotel entrance when we returned (then someone went and parked while we pushed them to the room).
at the parks, we would park in handicapped spots and walk short distance to where you rent the ecv. at some parks there are complimentary wheelchairs to get from parking lot to park entrance.
downside to this plan- a few minutes spent renting them in the morning when you arrive, it is not as cheap as renting from an outside company.
upside- transport as above, and if it breaks down (or your mother runs into something and it breaks- just saying ) or the battery dies, they drive a new one to you instantly. never waited more than 5 minutes for a replacement.

as far as going onto/into attractions, the CMs have this down. at the entrance, they always ask if you can "transfer". yours can apparently. so you have choice of parking them where the strollers park and walking the short distance to the ride- but be warned some queues are LONG- or riding right up to the front and getting off there. the CM at each ride will give you directions for that ride if they choose not to park at the strollers. oftentimes, we would approach the CM and ask which would be easier at that attraction and they will advise you. the CMs seem to go out of their way to help anyone on an ECV, always helpful, pleasant, almost embarrassingly kind to my parents.

remember, slightly older folks may not want to do tower of terror and expedition everest, be sure to explain each attraction to them ahead of time and make your plan accordingly. although my dad did insist on doing big thunder and splash mountain! 80 years old- what is wrong with him??!!

based on the fact that your grandparents are probably not super-young, plan a trip home for a rest every afternoon. we did. many days they wanted to stay later than we planned because they were doing so well, but we went home for at least a little while, despite what they wanted to do, and they did fall asleep every afternoon when we went home.

don't push them too hard, i learned this early, you don't need to do every ride for your grandparents to have a wonderful time. sometimes less is more enjoyable.

sit down meals in air conditionin gave my parents a chance to rest and recuperate while in the parks. do at least one a day

 

[JANETTE BARCENA]

as someone whose parents wanted to go to disney for their 80th birthday celebrations, i agree with master yoda. there is nothing they cannot do.

some advice:
if you can afford to rent a car, and your grandparents can walk short distances i recommend it. made life easier. that way we only had to deal with the ecv in the parks.
my parents used a disney rented ecv all day at the park, that way you can just go the parks without having to transport 2 ecvs back and forth from the park in either the bus/boat/personal car. if you are staying onsite there are free wheelchairs at the bell stand to use to help them from the car to their rooms. the bellmen held them for us while we were gone and brought them right out to the car at the hotel entrance when we returned (then someone went and parked while we pushed them to the room).
at the parks, we would park in handicapped spots and walk short distance to where you rent the ecv. at some parks there are complimentary wheelchairs to get from parking lot to park entrance.
downside to this plan- a few minutes spent renting them in the morning when you arrive, it is not as cheap as renting from an outside company.
upside- transport as above, and if it breaks down (or your mother runs into something and it breaks- just saying ) or the battery dies, they drive a new one to you instantly. never waited more than 5 minutes for a replacement.

as far as going onto/into attractions, the CMs have this down. at the entrance, they always ask if you can "transfer". yours can apparently. so you have choice of parking them where the strollers park and walking the short distance to the ride- but be warned some queues are LONG- or riding right up to the front and getting off there. the CM at each ride will give you directions for that ride if they choose not to park at the strollers. oftentimes, we would approach the CM and ask which would be easier at that attraction and they will advise you. the CMs seem to go out of their way to help anyone on an ECV, always helpful, pleasant, almost embarrassingly kind to my parents.

remember, slightly older folks may not want to do tower of terror and expedition everest, be sure to explain each attraction to them ahead of time and make your plan accordingly. although my dad did insist on doing big thunder and splash mountain! 80 years old- what is wrong with him??!!

based on the fact that your grandparents are probably not super-young, plan a trip home for a rest every afternoon. we did. many days they wanted to stay later than we planned because they were doing so well, but we went home for at least a little while, despite what they wanted to do, and they did fall asleep every afternoon when we went home.

don't push them too hard, i learned this early, you don't need to do every ride for your grandparents to have a wonderful time. sometimes less is more enjoyable.

sit down meals in air conditionin gave my parents a chance to rest and recuperate while in the parks. do at least one a day

Sweet! I think I might just rent the ECVs at the parks. I forgot they have a handicap decal as well, so they don't have to walk so much to the turnstiles. Or even if they can just lend us one to get them to the turnstiles would also be great. How much are they renting the ECVs for now a days? I would like to rent one from the parks instead of an outside vendor, just in case, like you said, if they break down. I'm afraid of that. I wouldn't want our vacation to be spoiled because of a dead battery.

I trust the CMs will take good care of them as far as walking distances and such. They've seen most of the rides from videos and pictures that I've showed them through the years. They're more low-key

How did your dad like Big Thunder and Splash Mountain!?!?

Yeah I plan for this trip to be very relaxed...just enjoying the sights and architecture of WDW.

Air conditioned sit-down meals sound wonderful as well.

Thank you very very much for your input. I will take it all into consideration

 

[JANETTE BARCENA]

Food and Wine typically extends into mid-November. I'm told the Christmas decorations go up right after the Halloween ones come down (beginning of November), but I'm not sure how "decorated" Epcot (where the Food & Wine festival is) will be for any holiday. I do think it's an event that your grandparents would really enjoy -- you can go around World Showcase at a very relaxing pace, trying a little of this and a little of that.

That's great Weather_Lady! I was thinking of taking them to Epcot Saturday so they can enjoy the Food and Wine Fest and Magic Kingdom on Sunday so they can get out there early for rope drop. We can just head back home on Sunday afternoon. We're 4 hours East in Miami.

 

[GrammieBee]

Since we're in our eighties and I have been first in a wheelchair and then in my own mobility scooter for the last few trips to WDW I would like to offer a few suggestions. We drive to WDW and stay on property so I take my own scooter as it is usually less of a hassle to park in the handicapped area than take the Disney busses. Taking the monorail or a boat (depending on where you stay) is no problem at all. While there may be wheelchairs at the handicapped parking area to get you to the scooter rental---they are not always there and it is a LONG walk to the scooter rental if you can only walk short distances. Since you will be with your grandparents it should not be much of an effort for you to move the scooters in and out of a small van. I would recommend renting scooters for your entire stay from a scooter rental co. rather than at the Disney parks. It can be considerably less expensive, the scoters are delivered right to your hotel plus the scooters at the parks drive like old tired plow horses. Also, you do not continually have to transfer from a scooter to a wheelchair and back again. If you fly to WDW and your grandparents have their own scooters; take them with you. The airlines fly the scooters at no charge. You can ride them right up to the departure gate and they are delivered back to the gate when you arrive.

As far as what attractions to visit; it would depend on them and what they like and want to do Everything is handicapped accessible. Personally, we no longer go on "thrill" rides as they just aren't fun anymore. We're actually in prety good shape for our age, but our bodies seem to resent being bounced around and our blood pressure doesn't adapt as quickly as it once did.

We would definitely recommend a luncheon break in a sit down restaurant and afternoon down time time if you plan to spend evenings in the parks. Either that, or get to the parks for a late luncheon and then just keep going. With this method there is less time spent coming and going. Just remember,your grandparents are going to tire much more easily than you.

One final tip. Look for handicapped viewing areas for parades and Illuminations. If you get to one of them reasonably early you have a great view and no one trying to squeese in front of you.

 

[docdebbi]

they are not cheap at $50 a day, but this trip was special and I bit the bullet. who knows if they'll ever go again.

my dad had every condition that the signs say not to go with, he loved them. he has done them before and knew they aren't too wild, good news- no chest pain!!!

have a wonderful trip. i know how excited you must be to share your special place with your grandparents.

 

[buseegal]

another vote to rent off, even though you would want to go and rent to bring to them, park scooters are not allowed past gates for any reason. at MK even parking in handicapped section, it is a long hike to either monorail or boat. I have never been lucky to find wheelchair to take to gate. plus it is an uphill walk on the way in. other parks are not as bad with parking but again you can not bring ECV or wheelchair out the gate to get someone. I do not think that you can leave someone off at the gate and then go park car. I know that on grandsons MAW trips, I had a very hard time walking to gate everywhere but AK. tough to get around bus stops to get to the gate

 

[JANETTE BARCENA]

Since we're in our eighties and I have been first in a wheelchair and then in my own mobility scooter for the last few trips to WDW I would like to offer a few suggestions. We drive to WDW and stay on property so I take my own scooter as it is usually less of a hassle to park in the handicapped area than take the Disney busses. Taking the monorail or a boat (depending on where you stay) is no problem at all. While there may be wheelchairs at the handicapped parking area to get you to the scooter rental---they are not always there and it is a LONG walk to the scooter rental if you can only walk short distances. Since you will be with your grandparents it should not be much of an effort for you to move the scooters in and out of a small van. I would recommend renting scooters for your entire stay from a scooter rental co. rather than at the Disney parks. It can be considerably less expensive, the scoters are delivered right to your hotel plus the scooters at the parks drive like old tired plow horses. Also, you do not continually have to transfer from a scooter to a wheelchair and back again. If you fly to WDW and your grandparents have their own scooters; take them with you. The airlines fly the scooters at no charge. You can ride them right up to the departure gate and they are delivered back to the gate when you arrive.

As far as what attractions to visit; it would depend on them and what they like and want to do Everything is handicapped accessible. Personally, we no longer go on "thrill" rides as they just aren't fun anymore. We're actually in prety good shape for our age, but our bodies seem to resent being bounced around and our blood pressure doesn't adapt as quickly as it once did.

We would definitely recommend a luncheon break in a sit down restaurant and afternoon down time time if you plan to spend evenings in the parks. Either that, or get to the parks for a late luncheon and then just keep going. With this method there is less time spent coming and going. Just remember,your grandparents are going to tire much more easily than you.

One final tip. Look for handicapped viewing areas for parades and Illuminations. If you get to one of them reasonably early you have a great view and no one trying to squeese in front of you.

Hi Grammiebee! I really appreciate your input in this. I think you're absolutely right I should rent from an outside vendor not only will it be less of a hassle but less expensive. Were actually not staying on property but we should be able to rent the scooters from an outside vendor easily. I was also wondering about taking the monorail while on scooters and if it was going to be a hassle or not. I hope not because the monorail is the best way to go. The good thing is that were actually driving up in the van so we could put both scooters in there. Coming from Miami, Florida. Definitely no thrill rides. They actually just like riding around and just looking at all the beautiful landscapes. I luncheon break sounds fantastic. We're planning to spend Saturday in Epcot and Sunday at the Magic Kingdom. There will be plenty of food at the food and wine festival at Epcot on Saturday. The Magic Kingdom part is the one that I don't know about yet.
I'm also definitely going to look into the handicapped areas for the firework shows or even any other parades that they want to do. Thanks again for all your help and for replying to my post have a beautiful night!!

 

[JANETTE BARCENA]

they are not cheap at $50 a day, but this trip was special and I bit the bullet. who knows if they'll ever go again.

my dad had every condition that the signs say not to go with, he loved them. he has done them before and knew they aren't too wild, good news- no chest pain!!!

have a wonderful trip. i know how excited you must be to share your special place with your grandparents.

Hi Docdebbi!
Thanks for the info yeah $50 a day is kind of expensive we might just go with an outside vendor for the weekend. Glad your dad enjoyed that
Thanks for the well wishes!!