Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Throughout this topic we mention the importance of good planning and touring.
For a single parent, this is an absolute must. In addition, make sure that every day you
set aside downtime back at the hotel.
Finally, don't try to spend every moment with your children on vacation. Instead,
plan some activities for your children with other children. Then take advantage of
your free time to do what you want to do: Read a book, have a massage, take a long
walk, or enjoy a catnap.
“He Who Hesitates Is Launched!”
TIPS
and
WARNINGS
for
GRANDPARENTS
SENIORS OFTEN GET INTO PREDICAMENTS
caused by touring with grandchildren. Run
ragged and pressured to endure a blistering pace, many seniors just concentrate on
surviving Disneyland rather than enjoying it. The theme parks have as much to offer
older visitors as they do children, and seniors must either set the pace or dispatch the
young folks to tour on their own.
An older reader writes:
Being a senior is not for wussies. At Disney [parks] particularly, it requires courage
and pluck. Things that used to be easy take a lot of effort, and sometimes your brain
hastowaitforyourbodytocatchup.Halfthetime,yourgrandchildrentreatyoulike
acrumblingruin,amdthenturnaroundandtrickyouintogettingonarollercoaster
in the dark. Seniors have to be alert and not trust anyone. Not their children or even
the Disney people, and especially not their grandchildren. When your grandchildren
want you to go on a ride, don't follow along blindly like a lamb to the slaughter.
Makesureyouknowwhattherideisallabout.Standyourgroundanddonotwaffle.
He who hesitates is launched!
If you don't get to see much of your grandchildren, you might think that Disney-
land is the perfect place for a little bonding and togetherness. Wrong! Disneyland can
potentially send children into system overload and precipitates behaviors that pose
a challenge even to adoring parents, never mind grandparents. You don't take your
grandchildren straight to Disneyland for the same reason you don't buy your 16-year-
old son a Ferrari: Handling it safely and well requires some experience.
Begin by spending time with your grandchildren in an environment that you can
control. Have them over one at a time for dinner and to spend the night. Check out
howtheyrespondtoyouroversightanddiscipline.Mostofall,zeroinonwhetheryou
are compatible, enjoy each other's company, and have fun together. Determine that
you can set limits and that they will accept those limits. When you reach this stage,
