Down To Disney

A trip to Disney is all about making memories with the people you love, and that often includes parents and grandparents. When the first grandchild was born on my dad’s side, my grandma and grandpa became members of the Disney Vacation Club (I know, so incredible of them) so they could experience the parks with their eventual seven grandchildren as we grew up. They were much more mobile when I was younger, and they could withstand almost a full day at each park with us. Unfortunately, as our loved ones get older, it’s harder for them to walk long distances, stand for extended periods of time, and sustain enough energy to enjoy a full day’s worth of activities. Luckily, there are ECVs and scooters available to rent on Walt Disney World property, but there is a chance of them all being taken on busy days, they are expensive and can significantly affect your budget, and, if your grandparents are like mine, they may be embarrassed or upset regarding the fact that they require one.

I spent the afternoon with my mom’s parents at Epcot, and I believe it is the best park to take your grandparents to if they have a limited capacity in which they can experience Disney.

This set of grandparents had only been to Disney World one other time, and they undeniably wouldn’t have ever gone again if they weren’t already driving to Naples to visit their friends and I wasn’t in the middle of my Disney College Program. One of the reasons I chose Epcot for them was because they aren’t big fans of Disney characters or movies (they obviously appreciate them or else I’d be ashamed to be related to them, I just mean they don’t need the Magic Kingdom-level of magic), and I’d wholeheartedly argue that Epcot has the least amount of Disney theming. I also thought they would enjoy the World Showcase; what Italians don’t love to eat and drink?

The previous morning, we had to stop at World of Disney to buy my grandfather a hat, since he somehow forgot to pack a single one to cover his bald head. Still, I didn’t understand my grandmother’s logic when we arrived at Epcot and she asked, “Where’s the hot air balloon?” as if Disney Springs and Epcot look alike in the slightest. Once we established where we were, we started for the World Showcase (I will never not specify that Mexico is the proper pavilion to enter).

The World Showcase is perfect to go through with your grandparents: you can take as much time as you need in each country. If there was one they didn’t care to explore, we would move on to the next one. They could stop and have a snack or drink, walk through an air-conditioned shop, or take a seat when they needed to. There is a bathroom in every other country which is extremely convenient, and shows or restaurants for an extended break. I naturally expected my grandparents to like the Italy pavilion the most, but my grandpa loved his funnel cake and beer from America out of everything he passed, during the Flower and Garden Festival no less.

While my grandparents were able to slowly make their way around the entirety of the World Showcase, walking is not the only option, and it may even seem too daunting for some people. Alternatively, there is a Friendship Boat that travels from a dock at the World Showcase Plaza, the area in between Canada and Mexico, to either Germany or Morocco. This way, if you start at either end and don’t want to walk any further, you would only be four countries in on either side of the half circle and can take a boat back to entrance. Or, if there is a specific country or group of countries you want to see, the boat can bring you right to it or near it. This transportation feature essentially creates four different beginning and ending points, making the World Showcase remarkably accessible.

I consider Epcot as being split into two parts: the World Showcase, and the attractions. Seeing that most grandparents wouldn’t dare to ride Test Track, Mission Space or Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, all of the rides they might want to try are in one convenient area. Journey into Imagination with Figment and The Seas with Nemo & Friends are excellent slow-moving dark rides. My grandpa didn’t know who Figment was and didn’t particularly care to find out, so we went with the latter option. They thought Nemo was adorable, and my grandpa shouted “Nemo!” along with the characters the entire time he was in his shell.

The next ride I suggested was undoubtedly questionable for them, especially since my grandfather is prone to vertigo. Neither of my grandparents have a fear of heights, and I honestly think you don’t move too much on the “hang-glider” once you’re in the air, so they agreed to try Soarin’. I said if worse comes to worst, they could close their eyes (that’s what my mom does and she is highly susceptible to motion sickness). They absolutely loved it and were amazed by the projections, scents, and surreal feeling. I always request a seat on the top row so I don’t see people’s feet, and I’d like to think I contributed to their flight.

Our last Epcot endeavor was Spaceship Earth; we had to end on a classic, and it completed our clockwise route around the park. My grandparents were astonished by this ride as well and kept looking up at it when we got off, unable to believe we were inside the massive sphere.

And that was our day! It was certainly ideal for them and what they wanted out of their Disney trip. If your grandparents or any members of your group are looking for a park where they can easily get around, experience almost everything it has to offer, and is geared more towards adult interests, Epcot has it all, not to mention the festivals it holds throughout the year: the Festival of the Arts from mid-January to mid-February, the Flower and Garden Festival from March to July, the Food and Wine Festival from the end of July to mid-November, and the Festival of the Holidays from the end of November until the end of December. Essentially, no matter when you visit Epcot, there will be special booths with food and merchandise relating to the current festival.

The Disney parks do an amazing job in terms of accessibility, and Epcot provides a slower pace with still plenty to see and do for the older members of your group.

I’d love to hear about your family’s experience at Disney and what you learned or would recommend!