WDW with Senior Citizens

[CrystalPalace]

Hi friends!
Our group of 10 includes 2 seniors, 4 other adults (who may feel like seniors, lol) and 4 kids age 16, 13, 12 & 6.
Does anyone have any advice for playing the parks with the aged to perfection? My inlaws are in their 70s. They both walk but are slow and won't last but maybe a half mile. I'm sure we'll get them scooters. We're traveling in September, so temps will peak around 89F average. Hydration is a must for sure! Any advice on how to help them have an amazing trip?

What are some favorite shows / gentle rides / spots that you think they'll love?

Thanks!!

 

[Goofyernmost]

First, as a rapidly advancing Senior Citizen, I would recommend getting a video or, at the very least, some available travel guides that explain the attractions. Then once they have looked through it, ask them what they would like to do. If they say something that you feel might not be the best of ideas, then find a way to avoid it, but, please do not automatically consider them unable to make decisions for themselves based strictly on age. I'm a year and a half away from 70 and right now I will take on anyone, any age in my ability to do it all, if I want, however, there are some things that I do not want to do. Not want and can't are two different things.

If walking is a problem, then the easiest solution are scooters. If you go that way rent from an outside source so that they can be taken in and out of the parks when the need applies.

 

[CrystalPalace]

Awesome advice! Thank you. I know the scooters will be a must. They both have bad hips and knees
I'm SO excited for them to come visit in a couple of weeks (they're out of state) so that we can go through the website and see what interests them. Perfect idea! This is THEIR 50th anniversary trip so I want them to be the STAR of the trip and have the most fabulous time.

As an experienced disney guest, what are your favorites, Goofyernmost?

 

[Goofyernmost]

I try not to miss any of them, but, I've been lucky physically and can tolerate any of them. I have no back problems or motions sickness problems. I cannot speak for what they might like, just give them the chance. I am assuming that you have been before and know how most of the attractions work, so if they decide on something that you have doubts about, just tell them why you have some reservations about it and I'm sure they will take your concerns into consideration, however, the final decision should always be theirs.

Everyone is different. They might just want to see shows. Others want to do rides. The gentle ones are easy, but, the more intense ones might need some thought. Ones like ToT, RnRC, Mission: Space, Splash, Space or Thunder Mtn. Along with TT or Everest may be something that they decide to skip. The important thing to do is to be aware of them when in the parks. It is easy to get absorbed in the place and all of a sudden forge ahead. If they are the slowest, don't go any faster then they are able to go. If not they will feel left out or maybe even a burden. Just remember that someday you will be their age and even if you don't understand now, you surely will when you get there.

 

[CrystalPalace]

Great advice. thank you. I know for sure they won't want to do any rides that are remotely jostling... but dumbo, peter pan, etc... those will probably be great. I've been several times so I have no problem hanging back with them while the newbies take off and do their own thing. They're also really into theater so I know they'll LOVE the shows. I guess I just didnt know if there were any "Do not miss" attractions that are popular among that generation. So fun, can't wait!

 

[epcotisbest]

A couple of do not miss things for this older couple are the Festival of the Lion King show at AK and the Sunday Gospel brunch at House of Blues at DS.
The Gospel Brunch has become one of our very favorite things to do. Great food, great music, great time all around. I think it is way underated and a kinda hidden gem, especially if they might like rollicking, uplifting gospel music and incredibly good and plentiful food too!

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Just a general suggestion....with a large group don't feel like you have to do everything together all the time. Plan for some time together but make sure everyone has a little time for themselves. This way those that move at a slower pace can do that without holding everyone up, and people aren't stuck doing attractions they don't want to see or waiting for others.

If the seniors in your party do move around slower that isn't bad, it's always a good idea to move slower and take in the details. But please don't make the people that are moving slower feel like they are holding the group up or anything. We did a family trip a few years ago and my sister didn't really want to slow down and my mom had difficulty walking. At one point at the opening of AK she (my mom) was practically in tears because she couldn't keep up and my sister went reading for the safari. When I saw how my mom was valiantly trying to keep up I slowed down so people had to wait for me and I kept up the leisurely pace all day which really irritated my sister but my mom realized that I was doing it for her and was grateful. The next day my parents and my husband and I did our thing and my sister and her family did theirs and we met for dinner.

 

[NeedMoreMickey]

My parents rent the scooters from off site. It is delivered to the resort so the have it all the time. It can be a little difficult getting on and off the bus but just walking from the bus to the front of the park and my mom was done. Also you never know if a scooter will be available at the park.

 

[CrystalPalace]

A couple of do not miss things for this older couple are the Festival of the Lion King show at AK and the Sunday Gospel brunch at House of Blues at DS.
The Gospel Brunch has become one of our very favorite things to do. Great food, great music, great time all around. I think it is way underated and a kinda hidden gem, especially if they might like rollicking, uplifting gospel music and incredibly good and plentiful food too!

great!! I agree the lion king is a must... I haven't heard of the Gospel brunch... I'll be sure to show that to them, I bet they'll be all over it!

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

My parents rent the scooters from off site. It is delivered to the resort so the have it all the time. It can be a little difficult getting on and off the bus but just walking from the bus to the front of the park and my mom was done. Also you never know if a scooter will be available at the park.

And if you rent it from a park you can't take the scooter out of the park.

 

[Smiley/OCD]

Hi friends!
Our group of 10 includes 2 seniors, 4 other adults (who may feel like seniors, lol) and 4 kids age 16, 13, 12 & 6.
Does anyone have any advice for playing the parks with the aged to perfection? My inlaws are in their 70s. They both walk but are slow and won't last but maybe a half mile. I'm sure we'll get them scooters. We're traveling in September, so temps will peak around 89F average. Hydration is a must for sure! Any advice on how to help them have an amazing trip?

What are some favorite shows / gentle rides / spots that you think they'll love?

Thanks!!

They (and you) will have an AWESOME trip to the world...After my mom passed away, our family took my dad in 2013...he had never been there and the last plane ride he took was coming home from the Korean War!!!
He had his own scooter and Spirit Airlines flew it down for free! While he was there, the CM's treated him like a king...it truly was a magical experience for him and the other 9 of us...
One word of advice...ABSOLUTELY rent scooters from off property...they are cheaper, they will be waiting for you upon arrival, and they will repair/replace it if anything goes wrong. Just remember to plug it in EVERY night, and even during the trip while eating (restaurants will be more than happy to let you plug them in while dining). If they have never used ECV's, or are not used to the model provided, I would STRONGLY recommend that you take 30 minutes or so and let them drive it to get a feel for it (steering, stopping, acceleration, etc.) BEFORE you make your first trip into the parks...it will make everyone in the group, including the drivers, relaxed upon venturing out "into the real world" that is Disney. It will also lessen the chance of an accident in the parks. ENJOY YOUR TRIP!!!

 

[Minnie Mum]

Just a reminder, if you're of the "open til close" persuasion: September will not only be hot, but oppressive humid. Seniors and young children are particularly susceptible to its deleterious effects. Keeping hydrated isn't enough. Periods of time in a cool environment are also important. A resort break in the afternoon to avoid the hottest part of the day is a very good idea. At the very least, concentrate seeing the shows during the afternoon, to minimize exposure in the outdoors.

 

[danyoung56]

About a year before my mom died, it was my honor to escort her on a day at Disneyland. I had to throw out my style of park storming, and walked at her pace. And we went on the attractions that she wanted to visit, like Dumbo (which I haven't been on since I was 12 or so!), etc. It was a really fun day, and it was the source of a lot of very special memories for me.

 

[Minnesota disney fan]

Well, we are seniors in our late 60's with mobility issues. My husband just had major back surgery and I have arthritis/fibromyalgia. So, when we do move, we move at a slower pace. When we went with the kids/grandkids one time, we split up and did what we wanted to do. We spent time with the grandkids and even rode most of the "wild" rides with them. it was a blast.
I would suggest very strongly that your parents go back to the resort for a mid day rest. Even just laying down and relaxing is a Big help to recharge there batteries. We do this every time, and find we are refreshed and rested to go to the parks in the evenings. It is a very important thing for them to do. We also take the time to actually look at the amazing architecture at WDW and visit with other people too.
I think the most important thing is to let them know they do not have to keep up the pace with everyone else, and that midday rest is essential. Also, the heat in September can be terrible (we know from experience when we almost melted one year. So keep in mind lots of water and shade. I bet you will all have a great time!
Oh, as for our mobility issues, we do not need a w/c or evc, but need frequent rest periods while in the parks.

 

[CrystalPalace]

Just a reminder, if you're of the "open til close" persuasion: September will not only be hot, but oppressive humid. Seniors and young children are particularly susceptible to its deleterious effects. Keeping hydrated isn't enough. Periods of time in a cool environment are also important. A resort break in the afternoon to avoid the hottest part of the day is a very good idea. At the very least, concentrate seeing the shows during the afternoon, to minimize exposure in the outdoors.

Great advice, Thank you!

 

[SteveW]

If you're flying, consider taking advantage of the wheel chair services in the airports. On two recent trips with my father, wheel chair services was a huge help navigating the airports. We have always used Apple Scooters when my Dad was with us at WDW.