WDW for a 50yr old first timer?

My mother wishes to go to WDW for her 50th birthday in 2006 and I was wondering what everyone else would do in my situation. What would you do, where and when? I'm just looking for some good ideas for when we go.

I would suggest you get the 2005 Disney DVD and watch it together. Read posts here on Intercot together. Get a guidebook and look at it together. I guess what I'm saying is get her to learn a little bit about Disney World and ask her what looks good to her and go from there.

As for when to go... the Fall, especially September, is a really nice time. The weather is good (bit more chance of rain though) and the parks less crowded. It's also value season at the resorts.

[img]smile.gif[/img] We have been in Sept. and Oct. both are good months. I will agree to have your mom be acquainted with Disney with the books and tapes/cd's now available. Depends on how active she is and wants to be. She will enjoy it I am sure. [img]graemlins/mickey.gif[/img]

Sept and Oct. are both good, however the park is a little bit more crowded in Oct. (not like the summer however) because of Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween party. I suggest you go to this if you go in October, it's fun and cute to see the kids dressed up in costumes. [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]

International Food and Wine Festival might be something nice to catch at Epcot, can be crowded but I think it is one of the cooler, more adult oriented seasonal items at Disney world. This also falls into the fall time range, although I don't remember what the dates are off hand, they are floating around here somewhere at InterCOT.

Other than that I would think it would be up to the persons tastes, my parents are now in the age frame, and they still love to do everything basically everything at WDW.

Everyone is a kid at WDW [img]graemlins/mickey.gif[/img]

[ January 30, 2005, 03:02 PM: Message edited by: Figment! ]

I think that for a first-timer, it would be a good idea to get Birnbaum's Guide to Walt Disney World. It's an informative and nicely done guidebook that has lots of pictures and describes all the attractions. We've gotten one each year for the past 10 years or so. Will be going down for the 33rd time next week! But I envy your Mom - the first time is always super special if you've planned well.

Thank you everyone, my mother has read thru the birhnamn's book and saw last years vacation video. I'd love anymore info I can get

Maybe if you were more specific as to what you were looking for, it would be easier to help.

I just took my mother for her first trip ever last year (of course she's 63). We went in May, and she loved the flowers at Epcot, she loved spending Mother's Day with us, and she loved the peaceful and beautiful WL. Actually she loved everything. I found that every little thing was amazing to her because she had never been there, so it's not hard to make sure they have a fabulous time!

Seems like she is educating herself for the trip. You know your mother best - would she like the 'commando' attack or would she like to stop and smell the flowers, marvel at the eye candy? Hop on the monorail and tour the different resorts? Options are endless for a first timer. I was thinking about Keys to the Kingom Tour at MK but I wouldn't have like that my first trip but maybe there is another Park Tour for a first timer.
Have fun planning!

[ January 31, 2005, 07:37 AM: Message edited by: SallyP ]

I think you should take your mom on her birthday....we had a great time taking my mom for her 50th birthday, hers was in december so we got to check out the christmas decorations and mom loved the behind the seeds tour and you can also get boat rental packages with cakes and stuff, like a pontoon boat...this was my dad's plan so he knows more about it. we had planned on doing that but it rained.

Granted this was my mom's 50 or 60 trip to WDW but the magic is always there.

My mom's favorate things:
Exploring all the deluxe resorts.
Visiting the Wedding Pavillion.
Riding the train around MK.
Shopping and eating through the World Showcase.
The streetmosphere at MGM and the Chinese acrobats in Epcot.
Fireworks.

Just depends on what she's into.

Moving over to Vacation Planning Forum.


Hang on !!

Thanks for posting.

From one 50 year old to another, ask Mom, What took ya so long! :D

Give me a break! I'm 50+ and am planning my first trip to WDW in May. We'll be taking our 8 year old son, and we're really looking forward to it. Being over 50 is not the equivalent of being dead!! I have more stamina than my 26 year-old daughter!!

Did I miss something? :confused:

As a fifty-something myself I would caution not to assume that it's a magic number that means only the slow-paced attractions. I'm leader of the pack to get in line for Tower of Terror and Spash Mountain and ride them over and over, and love Test Track as well. Something I would suggest is to hit the parks at night when the mood in the parks becomes romantic and serene. Also, she'd probably find it fun to visit the various World Showcase restaurants and pick favorites for priority seating (keeping in mind the meals are less expensive for lunch which extends to late in the afternnon, for the same quality meals.) Have a wonderful time.

Sorry if I sounded defensive. I simply meant that age should not be considered a deterent to enjoying all that WDW has to offer. I've always enjoyed thrill rides, and my biggest concern is that my 8 year-old will be to fearful to ride with me! The Birnbaum book is excellent, and I agree that both mom and daughter/son should plan ahead to insure that both enjoy the trip.

Unless you are into the pool and waterparks, I think February and early March are great times to go (excluding President's week and Spring Break) - - you really appreciate the warm weather if you are coming from a colder climate, and it doesn't usually get too hot, making afternoons in the parks much more pleasant. The only downside is somewhat shorter nightime hours in the parks (and an occasional cold night), but having the new Extra Magic Hours at night will probably make up for that.

Thanks everyone!
I think my mom will be having us doing WDW commando style. She is really looking forward to riding all the rides so it looks like it will be a whorlwind of rides. [img]graemlins/crazy.gif[/img]
I'll try some of your ideas to slow her down. [img]graemlins/laughing.gif[/img]

September is a nice time to go. Weather is not to hot and the crowds are down. But if your mother loves Christmas time, you should go around the first of Dec. The parks are absolutely beautiful this time of year and they seem a little more magical. Sit down with her and look at the menus of the restaurants on the computer. Let her choose some that sound good and book priorty seating before you go. Chef Mickey's is wonderful for all ages and great food.(buffet with prime rib) It is a really nice walk to Magic Kingdom from there. They also take a family picture(which you have to purchase)when you come in. A nice keepsake. Anyway, have a great time, don't plan too much and think you have to be on a time schedule. Just enjoy being there together!

If anytime of the year is an option to you, I would take her during the week of her actual B-day (unless that is in the heart of summer season because it would probably be better to avoid the crowds). I think it would be really cool to celebrate your actual B-Day at Disney World no matter what your age. Let the cast know and I'm sure they'll make a big deal out of it. Take her to a really elagant or a really fun B-day dinner depending on what her preference would be. Maybe attend a dinner show like Hoop-de-doo. I've never seen it but her great things.

My other choice for time of year would be early December when the crowds are low and the X-mas Decs are up! Go to the MVMCP. This is the time I want to go most and am going to try to next year. Have a great time!