planning for my PARENTS!! About This Page:

[pita]

I am so excited! I have been telling my parents to go to Walt Disney World for AGES! They haven't been since 1978 when they brought us for our second family trip there and then poof....no more Walt Disney World until I was an adult.

Well, my Mom was a school teacher and my Dad always had a garden and was a bee keeper for his hobbies. He is currently into photography. BIG TIME. They will have such a great time in EPCOT.

My parents are in their early seventies. My Mom has asked me to make out an itinerary for them. HEE HEE like that is difficult! They want to stay on property because they want to be able to get back to their room if they need a break. GOOD IDEA!

So here are my confines so far....3 days (but my Mom told me plan 4 or 5 days once my dad left the room LOL) Moderate resort. Concentrate on EPCOT. I have also suggested that they go in January. They are 'snow birds' so they are down there anyway and January is less crowded.

So, I am thinking POFQ because it is a bit smaller and easier to get to the food court and buses. The boat ride to DTD is nice too.

But, does anyone have any suggestions? I am not sure of how much to plan for a day. I guess a morning, rest and then evening should be a good idea. ( I usually just let my kids just sleep in the stroller....that won't work to well with mom and dad)

So, anyone with suggestions...I would love them.

Thanks,
pita

[ilovedisney247]

If your folks are really into gardening they might prefer to go during Epcot's Flower and Garden Festival, which I think is in April.
I would definitely plan for them to go on the "Behind the Seeds" tour at Epcot!

[chezp]

They should definitely go during the Flower and Garden Festival - they'll love it, that's when Epcot is at its most stunning. The Behind the Seeds tour is a great idea as well. I like the idea of a morning touring, then rest in the afternoon and then an evening out. You could do one of the days with a lie-in, then touring in the later morning and afternoon as well.

[elizabeth shannon]

I think I read on All Ears that the Flower & Garden Festival is going to be extended this year and may start in March - which might help with your planning depending on when they usually fly north again.

I think you've made a great decision on POFQ.

I would give them an easy itinerary with lots of, "you might also go on/see...." so they can tailor the plan according to how much energy they feel they have.

What about an organized tour? Keys to the Kingdom may be good.

I would also try to book an ADR where they can watch Illuminations / Wishes while they eat to save standing for long periods waiting for them to start.

What about Rose & Crown, Tokyo Dining or California Grill?

Have fun with your planning - I bet you will organise them a great trip.

[Colexis Mom]

I think POFQ sounds like a great place When my parents go down, they usually do a tour as well, so I'd second that idea Maybe plan some nice meals for them too??

[Tonichelle]

my parents are 61 and 54... they LOVED the Coronado Springs resort...
and their evening away from the rest of us at the Cali Grill...during the MK fireworks... well worth the $$ lol

[pita]

Thanks!

I will try to get some good ADRs. I like the idea of 'you might also like' so if they are feeling up to it, they could keep on going!

You guys are the best! It is so fun to have people to be a Disney nut with!

-pita

[MsQT]

We just took a vacation to WDW with my parents (56 and 58) this past summer! My mother has some health issues, but we kept things open (like "you might also like to see/ride...). We also planned lots of early day and evening things as a way to avoid the heat of the afternoon and give them a chance to rest between. Besides all of the planning things, it's a great trip to share with your parents, whether you are going with them or not! Also, reserve dining and priority seating for Illuminations and Fantasmic if they go to Hollywood Studios.

[Joy J]

I think your plan for a January trip for them is an excellent one. Although there are no special events going on like the Flower and Garden Festival, that fact is more than compensated for by the total lack of crowds. My husband and I went from mid to late January last year and had a fantastic time. I also think you've made a very wise choice with POFQ. Although it's a moderate, with its smaller, more compact layout, it actually has more of the feel of a deluxe. And, while there, they can book a carriage ride at POR for one evening. That is a lovely experience.

Joy