So sad I don’t know if I can do WDW

Disneyhenry

DisneyRosie
Joined
Jul 24, 2010
in 2016, 2017 we went on DCL and just went to WDW for a few day prior to the cruise.
But this year we did 12 nights and 10 days at the parks, we live in Washington State so it take a day to travel each way, we didn’t do the parks nonstop, we really took it easy.
But it was still exhausting to me . When my older kids where young we would go to the parks from rope drop until they closed. But now I have a disability I can’t ( my oldest is 30 and this is such a huge surprise to him, he is actually worried about me ❤️ He is a sweet heart)

I guess my question is, have anyone of you (or a loved one) been in this situation??
Do you have any tips in making WDW when it’s just exhausting? I love WDW, I love DCL too,
What can I do? Should I just accept that I can no longer spend time at WDW? Btw I have one son at home he is 9, DH is always a great help on vacation too.
I may check out Aulani
Thx for listening,
 
Last edited:
I used to go to Disney twice a year. Between Disney and Universal I would go down for 9 days and do parks for 9 days. Never an issue. 2015 I had a kidney transplant and in 2016 a bad virus that almost killed me and took away my ability to walk to two years. I fought back and can walk moderate distances with little effort. Standing in place or long distances different story. Saturday I leave for my first trip in 3 1/2 years. I will be renting an ECV to get me around. I would look into that.
 
I used to be a park open to park close guy in my 20s-30s. But as I got older I'm more of a 6-8 hours in a park guy. I've been a full time wheelchair user all though this time. It's not the wheelchair that's slowing me down it's that I'm almost 60 years old. Now I just adjust my day and plan longer trips. Let the youngsters do the whole day and join up with them when you can. Have them hang back at the hotel with you and enjoy the pool. Or do like I do and toss some solo trips in where you can enjoy as much or as little of the parks as you want.
 
Anything is possible. You will just need to do things differently now. What are concerns for at the park depending on what is hard for you someone here probably has some similar challenges as you. If you tier easer an ECV would help breaks specially if it is during the summer and hot weather effects you. The more you tell us about your challenges the more we can help you
 
If you have a 30 year old son, you are no longer a spring chicken. I can say that as I am now 72. Add a disability to the age factor and what you are experiencing is totally normal. And by no means does it mean that WDW is not something you can do anymore.

I also remember the days in my 30s when I went for every hour the park was open. About 20 years ago I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue. That of course slowed me down a lot - but I just learned to adapt. I did use an ECV a couple of times when I was recovering from pneumonia. I now have a degenerative nerve disorder which coupled with old age has left me using a wheelchair and unable to transfer to several of the rides. I'll never be able to do Peter Pan or the People Mover again.

But I can still "do" WDW - but it's just different. I've learned to appreciate things I never once noticed before.
 
If WDW isn’t fun for you anymore you don’t need to do WDW for Disney magic. You could head to the original Disney, DLR in California. It is much less strenuous, with all the Disney touches. If you like DCL go with that. No one needs to suffer for Disney. They have lots of options to experience the magic that don’t require you hit their ginormous parks with lodes of walking and tons of planning.
 


You have to do Disney differently.

First, have good rest before you go. Be organized with your trip. Have your fastpasses booked in a logical order. Have meal reservations set if you are going to do table service.

Next, a scooter is key. Having a place to sit on the scooter really helps for parades, fireworks and shows. Obviously, a scooter is a tremendous help getting around and even waiting in ride queues. If you want to walk some you can park the scooter for a while.

Staying on property is a great help.

Mixing up rides and shows is a great help. You get to rest at a show. You're not constantly going in and out of a ride which can be hard.

Absolutely, use your advance fastpasses and go for more fastpasses.

Take a break and have a meal at the park. Get recharged and start again.

Try not to back track in the park. That wastes time and energy.

We find going to the extra magic morning hour is a great help. Then, we leave right after lunch and take a nap. Then, we come back late afternoon or early evening to finish our day.

We have done at least a dozen trips this way and it works for us.
 
Last edited:
  • An ECV is a life saver for stamina issues.
  • Use fastpasses
  • Plan a down day with nothing planned other than relaxing and doing what you want when you want, depending on your condition and length of stay you may want multiple of these days.
  • Make a plan to where you are taking each park in order and not back tracking
  • Do not do park hopping
  • You may find days that doing one of the after hours events makes it easier as well
 
We have been going to Disney since our kids were 2 and 5 and they are now 31 and 34. We also went from morning to night, but 21 years ago I got RA. The last 8 years I have been using an ecv and last year we bought one for me instead of renting. The ecv is a lifesaver, you should really rent one. I would not be able to go to Disney if I did not use one. I think we also have changed the way we visit parks not only because of my illness but as someone else said we are just getting older. We have been to Disney over 80 times so we don't feel the need to do so much. Our kids are both away, so we get together there and also just enjoy being with each other. Don't give up on going just do your trips differently and you will still enjoy yourself. In the past two years I've had three major surgeries, ankle fusion and back fusion, and thoughts of Disney trips with family has gotten me thru many tough days. Good luck and enjoy yourself.
 
I used to go to Disney twice a year. Between Disney and Universal I would go down for 9 days and do parks for 9 days. Never an issue. 2015 I had a kidney transplant and in 2016 a bad virus that almost killed me and took away my ability to walk to two years. I fought back and can walk moderate distances with little effort. Standing in place or long distances different story. Saturday I leave for my first trip in 3 1/2 years. I will be renting an ECV to get me around. I would look into that.
Oh wow that’s scary, what a long road you have been on, hope you have an amazing visit, thank you for your reply
 
If it's an issue with mobility or stamina, get an ECV or wheelchair to conserve energy. Stay onsite and take a break midday. Add a few days to your trip if you feel like you still have to do everything, but need more time.
Thanks! Some good ideas here
 
You have to do Disney differently.

First, have good rest before you go. Be organized with your trip. Have your fastpasses booked in a logical order. Have meal reservations set if you are going to do table service.

Next, a scooter is key. Having a place to sit on the scooter really helps for parades, fireworks and shows. Obviously, a scooter is a tremendous help getting around and even waiting in ride queues. If you want to walk some you can park the scooter for a while.

Staying on property is a great help.

Mixing up rides and shows is a great help. You get to rest at a show. You're not constantly going in and out of a ride which can be hard.

Absolutely, use your advance fastpasses and go for more fastpasses.

Take a break and have a meal at the park. Get recharged and start again.

Try not to back track in the park. That wastes time and energy.

We find going to the extra magic morning hour is a great help. Then, we leave right after lunch and take a nap. Then, we come back late afternoon or early evening to finish our day.

We have done at least a dozen trips this way and it works for us.

Wow ! Lots of great ideas thx!
 
  • An ECV is a life saver for stamina issues.
  • Use fastpasses
  • Plan a down day with nothing planned other than relaxing and doing what you want when you want, depending on your condition and length of stay you may want multiple of these days.
  • Make a plan to where you are taking each park in order and not back tracking
  • Do not do park hopping
  • You may find days that doing one of the after hours events makes it easier as well
Interesting on the park hopping, thx for the input
 
We have been going to Disney since our kids were 2 and 5 and they are now 31 and 34. We also went from morning to night, but 21 years ago I got RA. The last 8 years I have been using an ecv and last year we bought one for me instead of renting. The ecv is a lifesaver, you should really rent one. I would not be able to go to Disney if I did not use one. I think we also have changed the way we visit parks not only because of my illness but as someone else said we are just getting older. We have been to Disney over 80 times so we don't feel the need to do so much. Our kids are both away, so we get together there and also just enjoy being with each other. Don't give up on going just do your trips differently and you will still enjoy yourself. In the past two years I've had three major surgeries, ankle fusion and back fusion, and thoughts of Disney trips with family has gotten me thru many tough days. Good luck and enjoy yourself.
Wow you have been through a lot thx for sharing I appreciate itb
 
If you have a 30 year old son, you are no longer a spring chicken. I can say that as I am now 72. Add a disability to the age factor and what you are experiencing is totally normal. And by no means does it mean that WDW is not something you can do anymore.

I also remember the days in my 30s when I went for every hour the park was open. About 20 years ago I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue. That of course slowed me down a lot - but I just learned to adapt. I did use an ECV a couple of times when I was recovering from pneumonia. I now have a degenerative nerve disorder which coupled with old age has left me using a wheelchair and unable to transfer to several of the rides. I'll never be able to do Peter Pan or the People Mover again.

But I can still "do" WDW - but it's just different. I've learned to appreciate things I never once noticed before.
That was very sweet- thank you
 
Finding nap spots in the park helps too. I don't know what I am going to do now that Ellen's Energy Adventure is gone. :/
 
Interesting on the park hopping, thx for the input
Yeah, we realized on our last couple of trips how much park hopping can really take out of you. Since our tickets still had park hopping last time, we would occasionally start in one park and then after we were done at that park hop to one with extra magic hours if we still had the energy, but that was on a day by day basis and I wouldn't pay extra for park hopping at this point.
 

GET A DISNEY VACATION QUOTE

Dreams Unlimited Travel is committed to providing you with the very best vacation planning experience possible. Our Vacation Planners are experts and will share their honest advice to help you have a magical vacation.

Let us help you with your next Disney Vacation!






Top