Disney MGM with kids & seniors

[Nostromo]

When we go to MGM on Wednesday, 28th April as per our schedule, we will be taking my elderly (but fit) parents-in-law. I originally planned to start by 9:30am and finish by 6:30pm, but I just noticed that 'FANTASMIC!' is not on until 8:30pm on that day. No one in their right mind will want to miss that show, particularly with the kids along too. But I feel close to 12 hours in the park will be a bit much for the seniors and so I have decided to start a bit later, perhaps by NOON and carry on from there till the Fantasmic show at 8:30pm. Do the others think this is a practical solution, considering possible parking problems etc? Will we have enough time to see everything?

[chrisj]

We took my mum last year (67) and what we found was that we went to the parks
later in the day so that we could manage to see the evening bits, Sometimes though
we hit the parks at opening, left about 2pm went back to the Villa for a rest then
came back for the evening

Chris

[tinkerbell]

I personally would prefer to go in early, do what we want then leave. Head bacn to the villa for a swim/shower, change of clothes, head out for a sizzler/similar then back to the parl just to see the show and use any fast passes kids may have!

[Nostromo]

A break in the middle is something I most definitely want to avoid with my family. I only know them too well. An intended break for 2 hours is certain to become 5 or more and I don't want to take that chance. No siree, once we are in a park, the only 'hopping' will be back into the car at the end of it. Otherwise, it is sure to be a disastrous waste of time. We've tried it before and regretted it profusely.

[chrizzy100]

quote:Originally posted by Nostromo

When we go to MGM on Wednesday, 28th April as per our schedule, we will be taking my elderly (but fit) parents-in-law. I originally planned to start by 9:30am and finish by 6:30pm, but I just noticed that 'FANTASMIC!' is not on until 8:30pm on that day. No one in their right mind will want to miss that show, particularly with the kids along too. But I feel close to 12 hours in the park will be a bit much for the seniors and so I have decided to start a bit later, perhaps by NOON and carry on from there till the Fantasmic show at 8:30pm. Do the others think this is a practical solution, considering possible parking problems etc? Will we have enough time to see everything?

My mums is in bad health and 72 years old and with help from a wheelchair she did a full day at every park......from 9 in the morning until closing ......we seemed to do MGM very quickly......not many shows on....and the back lot was closed..so a noon start would work if the parks not busy.....and things are still closed....its the time waiting in line that eats into your day.........

[Nostromo]

[/quote]
so a noon start would work if the parks not busy.....and things are still closed....its the time waiting in line that eats into your day.........
[/quote]

It looks like the Backlot Tour is due to open before the Easter crowds. We're going 2 weeks AFTER Easter and so should be OK for crowds and lines (I hope).

[chrizzy100]

quote:Originally posted by Nostromo

so a noon start would work if the parks not busy.....and things are still closed....its the time waiting in line that eats into your day.........
[/quote]

It looks like the Backlot Tour is due to open before the Easter crowds. We're going 2 weeks AFTER Easter and so should be OK for crowds and lines (I hope).
[/quote]

We did most of Disney in Jan.......and never waited for a ride.....we did MGM just after Christmas.....and it was busy....but then it was a nice hot winters day....

[mikewj]

We took three seniors to Disney in Nov 2001 and they all enjoyed MGM Studios from 9am until Phantasmic at around 9pm.

One of them isn't too mobile so getting around the park was fairly slow, meaning that the day spent at a very lesiurely pace, whereas the early start meant that us young'uns could get on the bigger rides/attractions before the queues built up.

They all tired later in the day, so we stopped off in a restaurant for something to eat to let them recover, before joining the line for Fantasmic, which they thoroughly enjoyed.

So if you take it easy and plan a proper sit down meal into your day, you should be able manage the whole 12 hrs.

[orlandobabe]

Sorry Nostromo-but I had to laugh at your posting when you said a 2 hour gap would turn into 5 hours with your family.

Your family seems to sound pretty much like mine. No matter what time we leave our villa it's always dinnertime wherever we arrive-and the first thing we head for is the chuck wagon!

By the time we get out, get there and eat at least half of the day has gone!

[Nostromo]

quote:Originally posted by orlandobabe

Your family seems to sound pretty much like mine. No matter what time we leave our villa it's always dinnertime wherever we arrive-and the first thing we head for is the chuck wagon!

I sincerely wish that it was something as straightforward as food. In fact, I still have not figured out the reason for their individual tardiness. If we went home in the middle of a long day, my wife would probably fall asleep and refuse to get-up; my sister-in-law will flop in front of the TV; her husband and their daughter would find something or the other to bicker on and on; and my father-in-law will potter around until the cows come home. Only my poor and long-suffering mother-in-law will be ready 15 minutes before the designated time. By the time I sort such a mess out, I'll be ready to cut paper dolls and eat them too. So, NO BREAKS!!