OK, you have your resort picked out, reservations are done, park tickets purchased, travel arrangements made, dining reservations put in and a host of other things that need to be done before making the magical trek . You have decided on you park visit strategy and are ready for a laid back relaxing time just soaking it all in. That’s all there is to it, right Grandpa. Well almost. As much as you want to admit it, or try to hide it, our bodies are not the same in our later years as they were when our kids (and us) were a lot younger. Keep reading to see what you need to do that may be different than when you were younger.

Aging it happens

I hope that it happens! Aging is a natural process. Things change. Your body is telling you to slow it down a bit. Ol’ Grandpa has put on a few extra pounds since his twenties and thirties. My joints don’t work the way they used to. Knees creak and get stiff, back aches, and the stamina is just not there. This is all part of life. So roll with it. These blog articles are to help you enjoy the parks to the fullest well into your later years. It’s not that you can’t do the parks the way you did in your twenties, thirties, etc. It’s that you have to do it different. And that’s OK. You are different now, embrace it, enjoy it.

Grandpa’s DOs and DON’Ts

As you know grandpa loves his dos and don’ts. These are simple guidelines and not hard and fast rules. Not all of the things listed will apply to everyone. Let me know in the comments if there are any others I should add.

• DO wear comfortable shoes. It is not a fashion show.
• DO stay hydrated. That means drinking water and not beer!
• DO know your limits. Be honest about what you can and cannot do.
• DO use mobility devices if needed. Again be honest.
• DO slow down. It is not a race.
• DO take breaks. It is good to nap in the afternoon.
• DO stay cool. Heat and Emotions
• DO use sunscreen. Sunburn can be very dangerous.

Not as many Don’t rules. I like to look towards the positive.

• DON’T try and keep up. you can’t
• DON’T get anxious when crowds pass you by. They will
• DON’T forget to eat. Seems silly but true.
• DON’T do rides you can no longer tolerate. Be honest here.
• DON’T push it. Listen to your body.

Lets break this down a bit.

Clothing

Shoes

DO wear comfortable shoes. I should also add and comfortable pants and shirt and hat! Your feet, as the rest of you, are different. You will be walking a lot! I mean A LOT A LOT. It is best if you prepare ahead of time by walking at home. During these walks you can experiment with what shoes feel best for you. I see people all the time wearing sandals, boots, and other foot ware that would just kill my feet by the end of the day. You can google: best shoes for Disney and get all kinds of recommendations. For me I have found shoes from https://www.orthofeet.com to be the best. (Note I do not get paid for any mention of products and services ever!) I wear them everyday and my feet and back thank me. My whole family is now a believer in their products. The even have water proof shoes that are handy surviving the afternoon rains. When your feet are happy, the rest of you is happy.

Weather: Dress for it

DO wear season appropriate clothing. WDW is in a swamp in central Florida. Any time of the year it can be HOT. When it is HOT it is HUMID. It can be Very Hot and Very Humid; enough to suck your breath and take the crease from your pants. Grandma and I live in a gentler climate and really can’t stand the heat as much as we used to. Fall and Spring also have afternoon thunder storms and rain. The sun can be oppressive. It is high overhead and intense. The weather is one reason Grandma and I love going in the “winter” months. The weather is nicer and not out to kill you.

Grandma and I tend to wear lose fitting clothes. This allows air to circulate and help cool you down. If going in the winter time, you need to plan on the mornings and evenings to be cool and the days warm. This means you should pack or wear a light jacket. Grandpa usually buys a zipup hoodie at the park and wears that. I know I dress like a teenager sometimes, but I have always worn a hoodie. Other times of the year you will need rain gear. Disposable ponchos can be purchased at the park, but I prefer to buy from Amazon ahead of time. Speaking of rain, please pack extra socks. It is miserable slogging through the parks in wet feet. Having dry socks makes you a pro!

Grandpa always wear a hat. I want to keep the sun of f of my balding head and off my face. I consider a good hat essential. A ball cap is fine, but it will not shield your ears. Having the tops of your ears sunburned is no picnic and can ruin an otherwise perfect trip. I like the kind of floppy hat I can roll up and stuff in a pocket or backpack. Bucket hats are great and fit the bill.

Stay Hydrated

DO Stay Hydrated. This can’t be stressed enough. It is hot, you will sweat, you will need to replenish. For those of use who do not live in the heat or work outside, heat exhaustion and in severe cases heat stroke is a real possibility. You may think that I am exaggerating, I am not. Grandma and I take refillable water bottles and use them. There are water refile stations around the park. You do not have to buy bottled water, which is expensive and bad for the environment.

Dodging a Bullet

On one of our last trips, our bottles were empty, but the line for Tower of Terror was pretty short, so we jumped in line. When we were in the basement section of the queue, the ride broke down. It was hot, crowded, and no air was moving. After about 30 min, I really started to feel light headed. I had to have a cast member escort me to the chicken exit. I was ok after sitting down and getting a good drink. It was sudden, surprising, and more than a little scary. Don’t let this be you. PS. Cast members are great!

Use Common Sense

I really hate to write what is obvious. Use your head. Weather is not your friend. You will be walking more that you expect. Rides are experienced different that you remember. To enjoy your vacation, just use a bit of common sense. Remember what you learned in Kindergarten: When it rains, take rain gear, stay out of the sun, take a nap when tired, drink when thirsty. That and Slow Down Relax and be like Crush. Just go with the flow.

Until Next Time