Taking the Grandparents - advice? About This Page:

[Luv2golf]

We just made resv for next June and we'll be taking my parents! We are very excited since they last time we went with them was over 10 years ago! We are looking forward to planning our itinerary with them. We are currently booked at BCV but are hoping to get a larger unit at OKW at our 7 month window. Our kids are 18, 16 and 13 and my parents are young and young at heart. But, my stepmother has parkinsons and even though she is always up for a good time, her body doesn't always cooperate. I'd like to plan some special things to do with them - good restaurants, shows, etc that we could all do together. They will be staying with us Sunday-Friday and we plan to stay an extra few days with just my family. This is what I have so far:
Dining plans:
O'Hana dinner - the first time my dad brought us to Disney we stayed and at the Polynesian and i'd like to try and recapture that magic again.
Teppan Edo - a favorite for us and entertaining
Tony's at MK - has become a favorite of my kids
Boma breakfast buffet - a really good breakfast on a day that we take it slow.
Other misc fun stuff:
Riding the mini power boats around OKW or BC - depending upon where we end up.
Mini-golfing at Winter Summerland
maybe taking in 9 holes of golf on site - another good memory for my dad and me and my DH loves to golf too

Does anyone have any other suggestions? Also, if we can talk my stepmother into using a ECV for the week to keep her mobile, what company is the best?

Thanks!

[Sue M.]

Your plans sound great. I'd stay at BCV. Can't beat location, and walking to Epcot and boat to DHS. You'll spend a lot less time on transportation staying there. And with mobility issues with mom, and the ages of your kids, I think staying in Epcot resort would be great. The kids will enjoy SAB, and being able to walk to Epcot and boardwalk.
And you'd have all the dining options of Epcot. We liked Cape May Cafe and Captains Grille at BC/YC. Cape may also has a character breakfast.

There are a few off site EVC rentals that deliver to your resort. I'd just do a google search.
There is also a special needs thread here, you may find some recommendations therefor rentals.
Sounds like a great holiday!

[phoebec]

we did a fireworks cruise with our parents last summer, it was great. It is a bit pricey, but divided up its not too bad and was a really magical experience

[CinderAbby]

We used Walker Mobility and were very, very happy with their prices and services. We also have seen many other scooters from there around the parks.

[Luv2golf]

Yes, BCV is a great location - our favorite for restaurants and SAB If we stay at BCV we would be in two studios, but at OKW we could have a 2 BDR. I can't decide whether location or room is more important

I will look into the fireworks cruise - that would be a neat surprise for everyone

[HakunaMatata]

Your plans look great - sounds like it will be a very Magical trip

The Fireworks Dessert Party might be a good thing to do as well - while we didn't find the desserts to be spectacular (granted we haven't been to it since it started a few years ago), they were good - and it is nice to enjoy time together and not have to get stressed out trying to get a good view of the fireworks.

[kurtholley]

We love the room size at OKW and never thought it was to bad with transportation to anywhere. I also say look at getting her a scooter. My parents I think are finally ready to go back to the world,their last time there was when they took us in 1976. My mom was worried about walking around,she wouldn't be able to do it,till we told her about the scooters,then she got excited

[Luv2golf]

Originally Posted by kurtholley

We love the room size at OKW and never thought it was to bad with transportation to anywhere. I also say look at getting her a scooter. My parents I think are finally ready to go back to the world,their last time there was when they took us in 1976. My mom was worried about walking around,she wouldn't be able to do it,till we told her about the scooters,then she got excited

I haven't approached the subject of the scooter with her yet. I don't want to hurt her feelings by thinking that she needs one. But, on the other hand, she might be worried about not being able to keep up. I hope she has the same reaction your mom did. A lot has changed since 1976 - I hope you can talk them into a trip soon!

[Sue M.]

Originally Posted by Luv2golf

Yes, BCV is a great location - our favorite for restaurants and SAB If we stay at BCV we would be in two studios, but at OKW we could have a 2 BDR. I can't decide whether location or room is more important

I will look into the fireworks cruise - that would be a neat surprise for everyone

With mobility, and kids ages, I think everyone would enjoy BCV more. Can you get a 2 bdrm there?
I think with BC amenities and only having to bus to 2 parks. ESP with an EVC would be a big plus.
I'd go for location!!!

[wmanderson]

Plans look good. I think it's great that you want to recapture some magic from your childhood memories.

I don't have any advice on where to stay, as I've not stayed at either.

Good luck with the EVC discussion.

[Colexis Mom]

Great plans! I hope you guys have a great time!

[chezp]

Your plans look great to me. I'd personally stick with the Beach Club Villas as well, because of their great location and, as has already been said, you'll spend less time travelling around to the parks from there.

[notjustamom]

As someone who travels to WDW with a mom with Parkinson's all I can say is PLEASE get her a scooter. She was diagnosed over 2 years ago and the progression is becoming more obvious. We got her and ECV on our Oct. trip and quite frankly probably should've done one for the trip the year before. My mom is vain, doesn't even like being called a senior citizen at 71. Before our last trip I sat her down and told her "look, I get how independent you are, how you don't want the disease to win but for everyone's sake you have to (didn't really give an option) get a scooter". Her biggest concern was getting in on/off the busses so one of us just did that for her. She reluctantly agreed and after 3 minutes on the ECV was thinking me up and down. She gets tired as the day goes on which in turn kicks up her symptoms, with the ECV we had a hard time keeping up with her. If it helps, tell you step-mom about our experience and how much more my mom enjoyed the trip. We stayed at BCV too and it was nice to "scoot" over to Epcot and hop on the Friendship boat for DHS. The loading on the busses takes the most time and that'll be your only option at OKW. We used Walker Mobility and I reserved it a couple weeks out. They had it waiting at the valet for us when we got there and that's where we left it on check out day. The only "problem" is now DDad wants one too for next trip!!

[Luv2golf]

Thanks for sharing your experience with your mom. I will share them with my stepmom. Her symptoms are more pronounced when she is tired and she has fallen a few times when we have been out at events. Knowing her and my kids, they

You are all making a really good point for staying at BCV because of the transportation issues.

[Luv2golf]

UPDATE: I really pondered what you all were saying about BC being a good location especially for transportation with a scooter. So, I called and bit the bullet and used more points to get the 2 Bedroom. I know that my folks will really like the action of the Boardwalk and it will make getting around so much easier for my stepmom.
Thanks to you all for your help.