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!!!  

 

[JANETTE BARCENA]

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

Hi Buseegal! thanks for that input definitely renting offsite sounds better and better every time LOL they really have a hard time walking whether it's from the car to the tram or from the tram to the turnstiles so I'd rather definitely get them and I'll take scooter. The good news is that they might not even have to rent a scooter at all because they already have two of their own so I might just be able to put them in the van and head up to Disney with both scooters in the car. Might take a little longer than normal since there so heavy hahaha

 

[buseegal]

at MK, I have taken both the monorail and the boat to parking. depending on time of day, crowds, I have found boat a little easier than monorail. it is a pain to stop and start on the ramp up to monorail. they have a ramp that they put up to monorail car to roll scooter on with. can not remember if you have to back off or not, seems like there was one stop where you did have to back off. i know someone will correct if I am wrong. the big boat from TTC, you just roll on, find a spot near one of the few benches on lower level for others to sit and roll off after arriving at MK. you can easily take scooter through bag check line and at the turnstyle, just stay with rest of party when you get to front of line they will open the gate and let you thru. that part is the same at each park. hardest part of that came year one grandson became upset when he could not go thru with me even being right beside me. got him over it very quick when he was told get in stroller and let little brother walk in. yeah the joys of going with grandkids. have a great trip, you are headed in the right direction with your planning

 

[GrammieBee]

We would suggest eating at the Liberty Tree Tavern in Liberty Square in the Magic Kingdom. It would require a small amount of walking from the scooter to the table and possibly a stair or two. The food is good and is served family style. You might want to get a reservation. For short order where there is usually some seating available we like Columbia Harbor House in the same area. If they like fuzzy charactors (Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, Eeore) and you can get a reservation, we like the Crystal Palace. It is fun to watch the children relate to the characters which stop at each table. It is a buffet, however, which requires walking and carrying a tray..

Please consider visiting The Hall of Presidents in Liberty Square and The American Adventure in EPCOT. We old codgers tend to like and appreciate that type of show. They probably would also like the boat ride around Tom Sawyer's Island and the Webway People Mover in Tomorrowland.

Finally, please make sure they are comfortable driving their scooters. It will be crowded (particularly in the Magic Kingdom) and people tend not to see someone in a scooter who is below their eye level. They will need to be "defensive" drivers witth endless patience.

 

[GrammieBee]

Definitely have them take their own scooters!!! What is the difference between hauling their scooters or hauling rentals in and out of the van? Take out the batteries and lift them in and out of the van seperately for less weight. The seat can also usually be separated from the rest of the scooter.

The ferry is easier than the Monorail, but if they are used to driving their scooters, the small low ramp used for the Monorail shouldn't present much of a problem. I believe I usually have to back off the Monorail car.

 

[JANETTE BARCENA]

at MK, I have taken both the monorail and the boat to parking. depending on time of day, crowds, I have found boat a little easier than monorail. it is a pain to stop and start on the ramp up to monorail. they have a ramp that they put up to monorail car to roll scooter on with. can not remember if you have to back off or not, seems like there was one stop where you did have to back off. i know someone will correct if I am wrong. the big boat from TTC, you just roll on, find a spot near one of the few benches on lower level for others to sit and roll off after arriving at MK. you can easily take scooter through bag check line and at the turnstyle, just stay with rest of party when you get to front of line they will open the gate and let you thru. that part is the same at each park. hardest part of that came year one grandson became upset when he could not go thru with me even being right beside me. got him over it very quick when he was told get in stroller and let little brother walk in. yeah the joys of going with grandkids. have a great trip, you are headed in the right direction with your planning

Yeah for sure i'll take them on the ferry. Besides, I like that ride...it's very calming. It would be too much of a hassle on the monorail.
That poor grandson of yours. Gotta love those grandkids though.
Thanks for your help!!!

 

[JANETTE BARCENA]

We would suggest eating at the Liberty Tree Tavern in Liberty Square in the Magic Kingdom. It would require a small amount of walking from the scooter to the table and possibly a stair or two. The food is good and is served family style. You might want to get a reservation. For short order where there is usually some seating available we like Columbia Harbor House in the same area. If they like fuzzy charactors (Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, Eeore) and you can get a reservation, we like the Crystal Palace. It is fun to watch the children relate to the characters which stop at each table. It is a buffet, however, which requires walking and carrying a tray..

Please consider visiting The Hall of Presidents in Liberty Square and The American Adventure in EPCOT. We old codgers tend to like and appreciate that type of show. They probably would also like the boat ride around Tom Sawyer's Island and the Webway People Mover in Tomorrowland.

Finally, please make sure they are comfortable driving their scooters. It will be crowded (particularly in the Magic Kingdom) and people tend not to see someone in a scooter who is below their eye level. They will need to be "defensive" drivers witth endless patience.

Hmmmm I've never eaten at the Liberty Tree Tavern, Columbia House or Crystal Palace. I think Crystal Palace would be superb. That would be super cute. Or, even at Chef Mickeys. They would enjoy either.

The Hall of Presidents is not a bad idea either. They love history as well, especially of our country. Oh and The American Adventure, i was just talking about that this weekend. I didn't even know it was a ride.
The boad ride around Tom Sawyers island should be fun too. I was also thinking the Riverboat as well. And yes, let's not forget the people mover.
Defensive driver's is right. They're good though. I'm not taking them the weekend of Thanksgiving because i know it will be packed. I can't wait!

 

[JANETTE BARCENA]

Definitely have them take their own scooters!!! What is the difference between hauling their scooters or hauling rentals in and out of the van? Take out the batteries and lift them in and out of the van seperately for less weight. The seat can also usually be separated from the rest of the scooter.

The ferry is easier than the Monorail, but if they are used to driving their scooters, the small low ramp used for the Monorail shouldn't present much of a problem. I believe I usually have to back off the Monorail car.

Yeah GrammieBee, I will definitely be taking them in their own scooters. That way we can spend that money at character meals
I'll ask them which they want to ride. Whether the monorail or the ferry. I can't wait!

 

[GrammieBee]

I believe Chef Mickey's in the Contemporary only serves dinner. You will definitely need reservations. It is also a buffet.

The day with the least people that we ever experienced was the Monday after Thanksgiving weekend. Have no idea if that would still be true.

You are doing a very nice thing for your Grandparents. Have a great time.

 

[JANETTE BARCENA]

I believe Chef Mickey's in the Contemporary only serves dinner. You will definitely need reservations. It is also a buffet.

The day with the least people that we ever experienced was the Monday after Thanksgiving weekend. Have no idea if that would still be true.

You are doing a very nice thing for your Grandparents. Have a great time.

Hey GrammieBee... I might just start making those reservations now lol. They're gonna love it. Thanks so much.

 

[popsicletrees]

My grandmother is in her 80s and loves visiting WDW. She has been in a scooter when we visit the parks for the past several years. CMs are always very accommodating. For the first several years we rented a scooter for her, but she has her own now to take on trips. Her personal scooter folds up very nicely and fits in the back of a SUV with room for another one. We typically drive to WDW and have started driving to the parks when we have her along. She has a disability pass, and it is so much easier being able to park ourselves and unload her scooter. If that isn't an option bus drivers are always very helpful when it comes to loading and unloading scooters. The buses are the most difficult to maneuver. Monorails can be tricky as well. The scooter will load in going forward but in most cases they will need to back out of the monorail. The staff will ask you what your destination is and key it in. A CM will be waiting for you with a ramp when you arrive. For backing out of the monorail make sure that the speed is turned most of the way down. With other monorail cars unloading at the same time sometimes you have to maneuver around other guests while backing out. To help my grandmother back out of the monorail we typically stand in front of the scooter and steer for her while she backs out. Boats are a breeze to get on and off of.

Several years back we celebrated my grandmother's 80th birthday at WDW. We went during the first weekend of December. The crowds and the weather were perfect. I would definitely recommend getting your grandparents out first thing in the morning when the crowds are lower.

Also, this sounds ridiculous but trust me. Ask the company that you are going to rent from if their scooters have a light on the front. My grandmother's personal one does not so we rig a flashlight on top of it at night. The parks can get very dark in certain places at night (and even some of the queues like the Seas with Nemo and Friends) making it hard for her to see, as well as for other guests to see her. Having a light to turn on at the front of the scooter prevents a lot of mishaps at night.

 

[JANETTE BARCENA]

My grandmother is in her 80s and loves visiting WDW. She has been in a scooter when we visit the parks for the past several years. CMs are always very accommodating. For the first several years we rented a scooter for her, but she has her own now to take on trips. Her personal scooter folds up very nicely and fits in the back of a SUV with room for another one. We typically drive to WDW and have started driving to the parks when we have her along. She has a disability pass, and it is so much easier being able to park ourselves and unload her scooter. If that isn't an option bus drivers are always very helpful when it comes to loading and unloading scooters. The buses are the most difficult to maneuver. Monorails can be tricky as well. The scooter will load in going forward but in most cases they will need to back out of the monorail. The staff will ask you what your destination is and key it in. A CM will be waiting for you with a ramp when you arrive. For backing out of the monorail make sure that the speed is turned most of the way down. With other monorail cars unloading at the same time sometimes you have to maneuver around other guests while backing out. To help my grandmother back out of the monorail we typically stand in front of the scooter and steer for her while she backs out. Boats are a breeze to get on and off of.

Several years back we celebrated my grandmother's 80th birthday at WDW. We went during the first weekend of December. The crowds and the weather were perfect. I would definitely recommend getting your grandparents out first thing in the morning when the crowds are lower.

Also, this sounds ridiculous but trust me. Ask the company that you are going to rent from if their scooters have a light on the front. My grandmother's personal one does not so we rig a flashlight on top of it at night. The parks can get very dark in certain places at night (and even some of the queues like the Seas with Nemo and Friends) making it hard for her to see, as well as for other guests to see her. Having a light to turn on at the front of the scooter prevents a lot of mishaps at night.

Hi Popsicletrees! I definitely will be using the ferry instead of the monorail. It seems easier to get them on and off. Hmmm the light on the scooter sounds like a great idea. I never thought about that. Thanks so much for all your info!