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Taking Elderly Mother to Disney

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Tue, 09/25/2012 - 23:01
mcky626's picture
mcky626
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Taking Elderly Mother to Disney

I am in need of some advice, which I know this is the perfect place for it.

My mother-in-law really wants to stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge for a few nights. Since she is currently going through quite a few health issues and has limited amounts of energy, it's not the best of times to think about it. But... the medical treatment she is getting is causing her to get depressed and I know that a nice weekend break would really benefit her.

So my question is, what types of events do you suggest we do while up there for the weekend with the understanding that she tires very easily and cannot walk great distances? She is not confined to a chair (and pretty much refuses to even ride in one) and she is not a huge fan of the parks anymore (they brought the children every year for many, many years). I would love to come up with a few ideas, maybe things at some of the resorts, that she can enjoy. My husband and I have annual passes and may want to take some time to enjoy the parks one day, but we don't want to just leave her in the room, even if all she wants to do is enjoy the savanna.

Thanks in advance for all the great tips. mickey

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Wed, 09/26/2012 - 02:43
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I would try to see if she would be willing to go in a wheelchair. The whole bit of her not being able to walk to far worries me. As for stuff to do... AKL is one of the resorts that does have a lot of things to do, but they do require some walking. There is this.... http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/wanyama-safari-resort-tour/

But I would highly try to convince her to ride in a wheelchair. She will have much more fun that way.

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Wed, 09/26/2012 - 21:04
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I would also try to talk her into an ECV. She would be more independent in an ECV than in a wheelchair. I know that I still feel in control mentally in an ECV, but I feel helpless in a wheelchair someone else has to push.

I've always felt that if I went to Disney and had no park days that Animal Kingdom Lodge is the place that I would want to stay. There are lots of activities that you don't even have to leave the resort for, and it's so beautiful and relaxing.

Here are the Resort Activity Guides from Sept 2011, they should still be similar:

The list of Spa Services is here:

Thu, 09/27/2012 - 03:10
Ollie
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I second Mase's suggestion of the Wanyama Safari. It is a great experience and you get to ride - then have dinner at Jiko. That would be a weekend highlight for sure!

And the African culture displays and presentations are so interesting. awesome

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Sun, 09/30/2012 - 12:15
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The Wanyama safari looks like a great idea. She would probably be able to do that. We have eaten at Jiko many times in the past so I know she would enjoy the dinner as well. I think between that and exploring the lobby it would make for a nice time. And if she just wants to sit on her balcony and enjoy the animals, so be it.

Thanks for the tips.

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Sun, 09/30/2012 - 19:11
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Would she be up for going to a dinner show like Spirit of Aloha or Hoop De Doo?? Or are you really just looking for something to keep her entertained at the Lodge? If you could get her to another resort for one of those dinner shows, that might be fun, or even to DD for La Nouba?

Thu, 10/04/2012 - 13:50
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Mcky626 you are so welcome! Does she know that she'll be going, or is this a surprise trip? When do you hope to take her?

Fri, 10/05/2012 - 13:00
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The Spirit of Aloha might be a good idea. We have a Polynesian dinner show where we live and she likes to go there for special occassions. Not sure about La Nouba because of the walking, but she might for the show. Thanks for those tips, Nancy D.

Kirsten K - she knows that we are going, just not sure when yet because of the constant procedures she is having done right now. We did get really good news from the doctor yesterday so she may be feeling a lot better soon and we will have more options to choose from. I'm thinking it may be somewhere around the beginning of December.

Has anyone done afternoon tea at the Grand Floridian? I was thinking about the two of us dressing up and having a lovely tea together, but I wasn't sure if it's more for the kids. Once we are ready to make the reservations, I want to give her some options to choose from in case we need to make reservations for tea or dinner.

Thanks for your help.

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Fri, 10/05/2012 - 13:11
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yay Hoorah for good news!

I think Tea at the Grand Floridian would be lovely. There's a real mixed crowd that you'll find in mixed attire. You'll get families in shorts and t-shirts just having fun, siting next to ladies dressed up in finery doing it "right." Sometimes you'll even run into reenactors who have made victorian or steam punk costumes that are there having tea. It's a lot of fun.

Sun, 10/07/2012 - 05:26
Ollie
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I second the Afternoon Tea!!! It is splendid and charming and you can have just what you want. Just tea and a scone, or a tea package with more goodies. Or just tea!!! Kim and I love it; a quiet and peaceful break from the parks or a serene and relaxing event in a beautiful setting!

muchlove

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If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.
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Sat, 10/13/2012 - 14:16
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Oooh! The Tea IS a good idea! That would be a wonderful activity for y'all to do together!

It would be relatively easy to get to GF for the Tea and to the Poly for the Aloha show...two things she'll surely enjoy!!

 
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