Conference koolit::disney

The times I've gone have always been with my mother, who's now getting on.  We
always worked with the same deal:  We'd have breakfast together, and we'd
schedule dinner together, but the rest of the day we were on our own.  That
way we could each see what we wanted, and she didn't feel guilty about holding
me back.  Usually we'd find some way to spend additional time together, so it's
not as though we saw all of the attractions alone.  You probably won't want to
do this as much as we did, but you shouldn't rule out the possibility either.
They're adults too, there's nothing wrong with spending time apart so that you
can each see your preferred attractions.

My mother has heart and lung problems which result in her energy levels being 
quite unpredictable.  She measures her endurance in mall-lengths; on an
recent day, by mid-morning she could walk half the length of a shopping mall 
before she had to sit down and rest for a while.  I just have to trust her good 
sense for knowing when she's pushing herself, and when she can do more.  I only 
remember her getting into trouble once at WDW, becoming faint.  When that 
happened, a cast member found her a place to sit down, and then helped her to 
the first aid station, where they took her blood pressure and let her lie down
for some time.  (I don't remember which park, but they all have first 
aid stations.)

This time when we go, approximately the same time you'll be there, my mother
has agreed that we can rent a wheel chair for her at least one day, and spend
the time together.  I think this makes tremendous sense, and I'm really looking
forward to being able to see the park with her (neither of us has been to
MGM yet).  It means she'll be able to see the park much more efficiently, and
she's not embarrassed about it (although I'm predicting at least one person
will complain about a person who can obviously walk being in a wheel chair; 
there are well-meaning people who don't appreciate invisible handicaps).

Here are some more concrete suggestions:

Make sure they know what their options are.  The should know where the first
aid station is.  They should know about the three-wheeled electric carts that 
can be rented in Epcot, as well as wheel-chair in all three parks.  They may 
not be embarrassed at all to use the electric carts.  Also, if either one is
hearing impaired, they have special amplifiers at guest services in Epcot that
work on all the rides.

The Florida afternoon can be hard on older people, especially as we're getting
into the hot season.  Schedule yourselves intelligently.  Try to get a very
early start (but you knew that, anyway).  If you can, schedule lunch for 1 or
1:30.  That gives lets you see more of the park during the noon hour, while 
other people are eating lunch, and at the same time keeps you indoors and
comfortable during one of the hotter hours of the day.  If you can afford it,
stick with the full-service restaurants for lunch in Epcot.  It's a good way
of covertly forcing everyone to take a rest, without appearing like an 
overprotective parent.  (If there's one thing parents hate, it's 
role-reversals with their children.)

Also, try to schedule indoor activities for the hottest part of the day.  That's
a good time to see Communicore, even though it will be crowded; an ok time to 
be walking through World Showcase, a lousy time be standing on line outside 
for Journey into Imagination or the other popular attractions.

I think you're wrong about MGM being incidental, unless they're really not the
nostalgic type.  Movies were a very important part of the lives of people who 
are now in their seventies.  Remember, they grew up without TV, so movies were 
the dominant form of theatrical entertainment.  I fully expect my mother to 
enjoy every part of MGM.

Make sure they know how to get back to their hotel room on their own, if they
wish.  

If you can, get one or two portable stools to take along.  That way, one or
both of them can sit down as you wait in slow moving lines, or for parades and
other outdoor shows.  

   Gary

    Linda,
    
    I have  some  experience with traveling with older parents, and basicly
    agree with what Gary said in .1.  Back in '84 my dad who was 70 and mom
    who was 60 and dealing  with  cancer  met  us  at  WDW while they where
    visiting relatives. 

    One of the thing you should  do  is  to pick up maps for the given park
    your visiting and give one to each  of  them, as well as yourself.  The
    reason for this, are
    
    1. Nice to know where the bathrooms are.  Older  people tend to go more
       ;^). I think I now know where all the RR are in MK and EPCOT.
    
    2. Know where the first aid is, as well as any special need.
    
    3. In case you agree to go on your own, the'll know  how  to  get  to a
       pre-arranged meeting place.
    
    My  parents  and  I  decide  to stick together, so beside the above, if
    there is a long line, have them sit down, lean on rail etc., while your
    keeping a place  for  them in line, found this to be helpful, and still
    allow them to rest  and not waste to much time.  It is possible to plan
    a route through the parks  that will altenate from a standup attraction
    like a 360 degree movie to a sitdown like a theather etc.  so keep that
    in mind as well.
    
    Like Gary  said,  if you see they are having trouble walking or getting
    tired and their determined to keep going, suggest a wheel chair.

    Above all plan your daily activities to be  flexible  should  something
    happen to cause you to alter you plan.  Like I  mentioned  elsewhere in
    this file, plan only to visit a park during a certain part  of  the day
    and  what  section  you'll be in.  Don't plan down to the minute,  like
    Space Mountain to 10000 leagues etc.
        
    Whatever you do I know you'll have  a  good  time, it's nice to see WDW
    through your  parents  eyes  as  well  as  your children, there's a kid
    lurking in all of us that WDW just seems able to bring out.  In my case
    it was the last  vacation I had spent with mom prior to her death later
    that year, so now when her  Birthday, Mothers day and any other special
    occasions roll around, I take out my photo  album  of that vacation and
    relive the memories.
    
    Claude

    I agree with the other replies but want to cast an extra strong vote
    for WHEELCHAIR(s)!!!  We managed to sell my father on the idea the
    first time by saying that way he could hold cameras, purses, umbrellas,
    etc, so it was more like we were renting a cart than a wheelchair. 
    That's how we convinced him; the truth of the matter is he was 79 at
    the time and with a 'gimpy leg' from WW II, he really did need the
    help.
    
    Even when he went back to the Contemporary to rest, we kept the chair
    and my mom used it!  (She was 76 at the time!)  Now we no longer have
    to insist; it's just part of the plan for my mother or my husband's
    mom.  (My dad passed away in October, so those memories are very
    precious to me as well!)
    
    The other thing that I would add, is not to worry if one parent decides
    to spend whole days back at the hotel.  My father actually spent VERY
    little time in the parks (at least compared to the rest of us!) but
    loved wandering around the hotel and talking to people.  We stayed in
    the Contemporary on that trip and there is definintely LOTS of 'people-
    watching' opportunities!
    
    We're all going again in June (44 days, 1 1/2 hours!); this time there
    will be 11 of us:  my husband and daugther, my mom, my brother,
    sister-in-law and 3 kids, and my husband's sister and brother-in-law.
    
    Maryann
    

    Thanks to all of you for the terrific suggestions. I didn't know
    about the amplifiers for Epcot attractions -- my father-in-law 
    will definitely be getting one of those. We suggested the motorized 
    carts and both thought that was a good idea. If I had suggested a
    wheelchair to my mother-in-law I wouldn't have lived to tell the story.
    She had thought of one for her husband, NEVER for her!!
    
    I will give my father-in-law written instructions for getting back to
    the hotel (he gets confused), and escort him to the correct bus. If I 
    don't he may end up at the Disney Inn, and we may never see him again. 
    One of the best parts of CBR is, if you forget which village you're 
    staying in, they're color coded. He'd remember if he's staying in the
    yellow buildings. 
    
    We've already suggested resting during the middle of the afternoon,
    then returning to the parks for dinner and more attractions. Both 
    liked this idea, too. 
    
    Again, thanks for the pointers -- we will use most of them.
    
    
    
    Linda
    (4 days for us -- 6 days for them -- and counting)
    
    
    

My sister and I will be traveling in November to Disney World with our 75 year
old mother who has sciatica (pain down her leg).  She's looking forward to Epcot
because she heard they had motorized carts, but she's pretty adamant about not
having a wheelchair at Disney World.

Since we will be traveling slowly (at her pace) can any of you give me some ideas
from your own experience, of what to avoid (too bumpy, not worthwhile, etc)
and what should absolutely not be missed.  We will have to prioritize, 
unfortunately.  Both my
sister and I have been there before, years ago but  it's Mom's first time.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Janet

    I believe that after a few hours your mom will ready to use the
    wheelchair!  That's alot of ground to cover.  I have an aunt with very
    bad knees and on one trip with her we did end up using the wheel chair 
    and she welcomed it.  It's not the type of place that will make her
    feel uncomfortable or a bother because of the chair.  You should try to
    describe the entire park to her and explain what she will miss because
    of her unnecessary stubborness.  Buy her the Official Guide and let her
    read about it.  Maybe this will help her to realize how large the park
    is and what she really doesn't want to miss.  You pay an incredible
    amount of money so you should make it worthwhile!
    
    Kathy
    

    Janet, 

    Do try to convince her. Usually guests who are in wheel chairs and
    their accompanying families at WDW use the handicapped entrance to 
    each attraction and thus, are put at the head of the line. 

    					Jim.
    
    P.S. I hope this didn't come out sounding heartless... 

    I'm going to Disney World (and Busch Gardens) with my mother and
    grandmother in a few weeks.  Gram is going to be 84.  Does anyone have
    any specific advice for me?  I'm planning two days at EPCOT, one at 
    MGM, and one at MK.  I know I'll have to go on all the "good" rides
    alone, so I've resigned myself to that!  ;-)
    
    Specifics on them are:  both have high blood pressure and arthritis;
    Gram has angina and is allergic to the sun (!); both are very stubborn,
    but Gram is more stubborn (refuses the wheelchair possibility).
    
    I know I've read trip reports from people who went with elderly parents
    and grandparents, but thought it might be a good idea to have a
    separate note on tips.
    
    
    Susan

    We are going to WDW in November, I would like to take my Mother
    along,last year she had triple bypass and had lost her only
    kidney. She is getting around by herself o.k but the problem
    is the dialysis, I was wondering if anyone has any experience
    with this. We are staying at WDW(Fort Wilderness)are there any
    Dialysis centers at WDW or near there so She won't have travel
    far. 
    			thanks
    				George Claffey

    Rep to <<< Note 193.9 by WEFXEM::CLAFFEY >>>

    George,
    
    Did you try asking/writing WDW Information? 
    
    the number is 407 824-4321.
    
    Claude

    Rep to <<< Note 193.9 by WEFXEM::CLAFFEY >>>

    also you can try these sources
    
    Florida Department of Commerce
    Tourism Division
    101 Ganes St. Fletcher Building
    Tallahassee, Fl 32399-2000
    (904) 487-1462
    
    Orlando Visitor Information
    8445 international Drive
    Orlando, Fl 32819
    (407) 325-0412
    

    You could also call the Buena Vista Walk-In Medical Center
    at 407 828-3434. That's in the Park-way Pavilion, I-4 on Highway 192.
    
    There's also the Orlando Regional Medical Center/Sand Lake on 9400
    Turkey Lake Road in Orlando. I-4 East to Exit 29, Left on Sand Lake. Go
    about 200 feet then left on Turkey Lake for about 2 miles. 407
    351-8500.
    
    Maybe these two places canhelp you.
    
    Mike

    
    	Thank you for the quick reponse's, I will call Disney and
    	these other places this weekend. Any information that I
    	collect I will enter in this note.
    
    				George

    Yesterday in The Barnes & Noble Bookstore I came across a book that has
    been especially written for the handicapped who visit Walt Disney
    World. I cannot recall the exact title but I do recall that it is
    entirely devoted to providing information on how the folks in Orlando 
    go to all ends to make handicapped visitors enjoy their vacation.
    
    If you are planning a vacation and a member of your family is
    physically challenged I strongly suggest you check this book.
    
    Mike
    
    P.S. Look for it in the Travel section.