Tips for the elderly.

**weavemswee** · 01-03-2004, 00:20

Hello,

I'm off to Orlando this November with the family and Mum.
She's the one I would like some tips for - she'll be 65 by the time we go (in pretty good health but seems a little frail sometimes).

2 hectic weeks at the parks probably isn't the ideal holiday for her but anyway it's all booked.

Just wondered if anyone has any experience of being with elderly relatives and can pass on anything useful.

PS - This will be our first visit - in fact we've never been further than Devon before!

Thanks,
Swee.

**chrisj** · 01-03-2004, 00:35

We take my mum she is 67, and to be honest she puts me to shame. What we do is try to
have some rest days where we do nothing apart from wake up late and laze around.

When we go to the parks at opening, we come out mid day and relax back by the pool for
a few hours and go back in the evening,

this seems to work with my mum

**Ray&Sarah** · 01-03-2004, 00:42

We take Sarah's parents on holiday with us every year. They are in their sixties and will go to all the main attractions with us. They like to sit and people watch in the parks, you'd be amazed at what they report back. We also give the rest days between trips to let them get their second wind.

**mikewj** · 01-03-2004, 01:17

We took our mothers (late 60s and early 70s) in November 2002 and they were OK.

Its not too hot at that time of year which helps a lot, so as long as you pace the days to take a little longer around the parks and take a couple of rest days, they should be fine.

Having said that, when we've been to Orlando on our own in previous years (albeit in June), there have been days when a spritely couple of thirtysomethings have been too tired to do anything and spent a day by the pool instead of whatever else we'd planned....so if you're not used to it, take it easy yourselves.

I seem to remember one of the Toy Story Soldiers telling us that on average, you'll walk 16kms going around MGM Studios, and that's one of the smaller parks !!!

**DISNEYDIVA** · 01-03-2004, 01:35

Now we always do a Park day then a Pool day other wise it becomes more like an assault course

**george** · 01-03-2004, 01:56

Tips for the elderly?
Give 'em 15% !!

W[msnwink]e took my mother-in-law who was 78 at the time and is blind[8D]. She had a fantastic time. Go with the flow but remember they can't do all we can.

**blott** · 01-03-2004, 02:05

My Mum is 82 and goes to Florida twice a year - she sits out the worst of the roller coaster type rides but loves Universal type rides like Jaws, Earthquake, etc and also Boggy Creek Airboat rides (her favourite!). She also loves Seaworld, especially the Shamu show. She usually leaves the rest of us standing...

I bet she'll love watching the all kids in the parks have a great time. If you want to go on something that isn't suitable, make sure she's got a comfy seat and some shade. I bet she'll have the time of her life, just like the rest of you!

**ruthless333** · 01-03-2004, 02:47

blott
i know this sounds cheeky, but could that comfy seat be a wheel chair and near the front of the queues??

we hope to bring my mum, early 60's, and she will struggle walking alot so we suggested a wheel chair - is it true what I have heard about Q's?

honest, my mum really does struggle to walk alot.............

**blott** · 01-03-2004, 02:55

By all means, if your mother has problems walking, then rent her a wheelchair (but note that you can't reserve them in advance and it's first come, first served so make sure you get there early and not too long after the park opening time).

It used to be some years ago that if you had a wheelchair, you got to the front of the queue/line but I don't think that the parks allow the queue/line jumping with wheelchairs any more from what I've heard and they're usually to be found waiting in with the rest of the masses now, apart from a very few exceptions.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news...