Many people focus on a Disney vacation as one for families and for those with young children. And while it is true that experiencing Disney with little ones is magical, I can also say that one of the best Disney World trips that my family ever made, was the year that we took my parents who were both in their 70s at the time. We definitely did some things differently in order to accommodate their needs, but it was a truly special and magical vacation for us. There is something about sharing the joy of Disney with those who are old in years but young in heart that is heartwarming in a way that is hard to describe. I treasure the memories that we created on that vacation!
Still, it does require doing Disney a bit differently. There are different needs to consider, such as getting around, dietary needs, dealing with heat/sun, to name a few. So with that in mind, I am sharing today, some of my favorite reader tips for visiting Disney with a senior citizen:
- We take our time, enjoy the shows as a rest stop, and take in the sights also as a way of resting. Disney is fabulous about allowing your own food in the park, so we pack a snack that they can enjoy (special diets).
- I’m the senior, and we always go as a family. My husband is able to keep up, but I use a scooter. Sometimes we are a large group, with a lot of kids, and sometimes we are a group of 5-8 with children. We have the greatest time. If we can’t keep up or stay out as late as the younger people, we get on the bus and go back to our hotel.
- Went with my mother and my in-laws and we did get slowed down a bit but it was still very magical being there with them and seeing them have fun with their grandsons. Don’t expect to see and do all that you normally would do…the pace is much slower. Take breaks as people need them, the older ones can sometimes need more than little ones. Let people go on their own, not everyone will want to do the same things. One day the grandparents went to the space center for the day and we got to do a lot with just our boys and make some special memories with just them!!! We even split up that day and my DH took one boy and did all the roller coasters at MK and I took the other boy and did Epcot and then we switched at lunch. It was very cool doing what they each wanted to do instead of having to compromise.
- The best tip I have from traveling to Disney with my then 80 year old grandmother is to not assume that they will not want to ride something. My cousins and I got the greatest pictures with her on the Rock’n’Roller Coaster.
- I spent a wonderful week with my mom at Disney. She has difficulty walking so she was in a wheel chair at the time. Our favorite day was one we spent in Epcot. We took our time in each of the countries – going to the movies, getting a sample tasting from their counter service dining, talking with the cast members, exploring the shops. We ended up spending the entire day there (we usually take a break mid afternoon) but because it was so relaxing and we were moving at a easy pace we were not tired at all. We have been to Disney over 50 times and I must admit I learned new things from our slow and easy visit. Take time to enjoy the countries, there is so much to offer!
So there you have it – some great tips for how to create magical memories at Disney with the seniors in your family. Have you traveled to Walt Disney World with an older person? What suggestions would you offer?
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