What #Seniors Need to Know About Navigating Through #Disney

As kids, Disneyland and Walt Disney World (WDW) were my and my sister's favorite vacations. Oh heck, who am I kidding... they still are! There's a feeling that comes over me when I walk through the front gates that, when I was eight, made me feel like one very important little girl! While I don't go as frequently anymore, when I do, I still get that feeling each time I walk up to the entrance and see Mickey's face carefully and meticulously crafted in the flowers and foliage. Only now, as an adult, the feeling means that for a day, I don't have to check my email, respond to a text, or answer my phone. For one day, I really am at the happiest place earth.

But now that my Baby Boomer parents have officially retired and are looking for their next adventures, I'm starting to think about how they can continue to enjoy Disney as much as they used to when they took their baby girls. What can Disney offer people that are my parents' age? Turns out... quite a bit! Thanks to Ken Brown of Chip & Company, the resident Baby Boomer expert on all things Disney, I'm not at all concerned about my parents outgrowing one of my favorite childhood pastimes.

Ken has taken the time to share his expert advice on visiting Disney as a senior with physical limitations and now I want to share with you, and the rest of the Baby Boomers who think they may have outgrown all that Disney has to offer:

"Walt Disney World is huge, it’s busy, and at most times of the year it’s quite hot. This presents challenges to everyone whether they are fully able or have physical limitations. I use the term limitations because we all have abilities in every area of our lives, and through no fault of our own, these abilities may be hampered by accident, disease, etc. I hope to offer some hints so that those of us (me also) that have these types of limitations can maximize the enjoyment that comes from a successful WDW vacation.

• The first, and most important, thing that a person with limitations must do is admit to themselves that these limitations are real and in some way reduce or hamper their abilities. Seniors (I’m in that group) have a tendency to be a bit stubborn and unwilling to admit to these issues. My unwillingness to admit to a limitation landed me in the hospital for 10 days; I’ve learned my lesson!

• Make sure that everyone in your traveling party is aware of your limitations so they can offer you assistance in the event you need it.

• Remember that you have 60,001 best friends at WDW. Your first best friend is YOU! If you are having issues, YOU are the only one who can communicate exactly what is wrong. The other 60,000 best friends are the WDW Cast Members who can either help you with your issue or get someone who can, generally very quickly. If you are having problems get to the closest Cast Member – Do Not Delay!!

• If you will need special equipment (like wheelchairs, mobility scooters, or Oxygen/respiratory equipment) you have choices. You can bring [your own from home] or contact [a company] like CareVacations to arrange to have the equipment delivered and waiting for you when you get there. Do not wait until you get there; do it as part of your vacation planning.

• Meds, meds, meds!!!! Make sure you bring an adequate supply of all of your medication(s) with you – in your carry on luggage. It’s always best to have the medication(s) in the original containers for TSA inspection. If your meds require refrigeration most Disney rooms have refrigerators. If your room does not, a refrigerator will be provided free of charge, if it is required to keep your medication(s) cold. You can also generally leave them at the front desk for refrigeration, but if you do this – LABEL, LABEL, LABEL.

• It’s not just seniors who have limitations but people of all ages. These range from dietary issues to other non apparent issues like Autism. Disney can and will handle/accommodate these issues if you know who to ask. If you have special dietary requirements you can contact Disney directly. The instructions can be found on the Special Dietary Requirements page. Should your child or another adult have have difficulties with crowds, lines, or even just extended waiting times you can get a Guest Assistance Card (GAC) at Guest Services. You can find out more information on the GAC by reading information on the Mom’s Panel on the WDW Forum page.

• If you have any limitations not covered here, make sure you talk to the Cast Members as you check in at your resort and they will put you in touch with the proper people who will help you. Also be sure to check the WDW Services for Guests with Disabilities page for additional details.

I hope these tips will help you maximize the enjoyment of your visit to Walt Disney World. You can find more advice regarding these types of issues and almost everything else on the Chip and Company website. I [also] have a new Facebook page dedicated to us older folks called Disney For Seniors. I encourage you to visit these sites regularly to pick up tips and advice as well as the latest news from the Disney family.

About Chip & Company: Covering everything from Disney Vacation Planning to best in Disney News. We are you one stop shop for all things Disney. 

Want to learn more? You can follow Chip & Company on Facebook & Twitter (@chipandcompany) and you can connect with Ken on his Disney for Seniors Facebook page.

About CareVacations: Serving the cruise industry for more than 20 years, CareVacations is the leading provider of mobility scooters, wheelchairs, Oxygen, and other special needs equipment for cruise passengers with disabilities and aging travelers. Working hand in hand with all major cruise lines and disability experts, and partnering closely with the travel agent community since 1988, CareVacations name is synonymous with trust, reliability, and quality. Our team is comprised of the best and most knowledgeable experts from their respective cruise industry-related fields, and combined with our longevity and reputation for excellence, CareVacations has helped enable thousands of cruisers experience their dreams of travel and adventure come true. Our services are available in cruise ports around the world and our customer service representatives are available to assist 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

Want to learn more? You can follow CareVacations on Twitter and Facebook.