Touring with Grandma - The DIS Discussion Forums

MermaidHair · 10-30-2012, 01:45 AM

It looks like my mom (late 70s but very spry) will be joining us on our next trip to DLR. She has not been to Disneyland in almost 35 years and is excited to experience it again. She will likely not tour with us all the time but I want to make sure she enjoys her time in the parks. Also on the trip will be DD 12 and DS 9 who LOVE Disneyland and are all about the rides. Here is my question, what rides, other than the mountains and spinning rides, would you steer clear of? I know not to even offer things like the tea cups (I dont think she even went on those when I was a kid) but are there any rides that seem benign but have snuck up and freaked your friends/family out? The one that most comes to mind is Pirates, because of the drops. I am thinking twice about Soarin too - she's not a fan of heights. What about RSR? Of course it is all up to her, but I just want to guide her the right way.

krispin41 · 10-30-2012, 01:54 AM

RSR has a fast race at the end with some hills and banked turns. It's very smooth though. Mater's is fun, but it whips you back and forth and you slide in the seats, sometimes slamming into the sides. Star Tours you might be wary of too.

Geemo · 10-30-2012, 02:01 AM

Look the various rides up on you tube. This will give you an idea of the ride. I have most of the rides on you tube in a folder for quick access. I mainly use it to show the grandkids to see how they feel about rides.

I took my son and his new family to DCA three years ago. My new granddaughter was 6 and she wanted to go on Tower of Terror. So my son had us all hopped in line. The picture of her on that ride is "PRICELESS"! It hangs on my Disneywall. She came unglued with panic. Now she laughs about the ride and is looking forward to riding it when we go next time. They grow up so fast...

When we were there last January, I was surprised to see a frail gray haired granny in a wheel chair in line to ride Indy!!!

I'm a granma myself and I like all of the rides! It will be a few years before I reach my 70's.... I'll keep going and riding the rides as long as I can.

Geemo

sweethannah · 10-30-2012, 02:02 AM

My mum is of similar age and does not really go for the rides. This time around we took her on the Jungle Cruise but other than that it was more about being at Disney with our family.

Monsters Inc, Ariels, Dumbo if she can get in the opening, Mickey's Fun Wheel - stationary cars would all be great choices for her. There will no doubt be many other suggestions.

DLRfan31 · 10-30-2012, 06:02 AM

My mom is 78 and LOVES Pirates, Haunted Mansion, and Its a Small World.

The drops on Pirates doesn't bother her at all.

nikkislaght · 10-30-2012, 09:25 AM

Funny because while reading I was thinking Pirates.. the drop is minimal hardly a drop at all.. I know its all about personal perspective. but the rest of the ride is so mellow and fun that the little drops are worth it..

calicat · 10-30-2012, 09:38 AM

My mom is in her 70's and Pirates is her favorite ride. When I first took her to Disneyland three years ago I was afraid that the drop would scare her but she loved it (and she does not do rollercoasters). Other rides that she enjoys are: The Train, Small World, Peter Pan, Mr. Lincoln, Jungle Cruise. We haven't been to the parks since Carsland opened but I have to warn you that she was really scared on Soarin. She also liked Muppets, Little Mermaid and Monsters. I have learned after five trips now with my mom to just take it easy. Stop and sit on benches throughout the day and go on mellow rides.

rmom · 10-30-2012, 12:02 PM

The last trip to DL was with my one daughter and 85 yr old mother. My mom loves the POC, HM, Soaring as well as a lot of the other ones. The ones she doesn't do are the roller coasters and the tea cups

(they happen to be my middle daughter favorite and one of the only ride she goes on). She also loves eating at the BB, which I do for her.

She might enjoy a tour in the park or at one of the hotels.

I hope you all have a wonderful time.

Pesky · 10-30-2012, 12:19 PM

Might want to ask her how she feels about bumpy or jerky rides -- Mr. Toad, Indiana Jones, etc. Those might be a bit too jarring for her. Heck, they are a bit too jarring for me sometimes!

Heymy · 10-30-2012, 01:35 PM

I agree, watch YouTube videos. It's funny my dad is almost 75 and will ride almost anything (never loved Space Mountain) and absolutely cannot wait to get on everything. He is really bummed Indy will be down. Yet my mom at 68 thinks Big Thunder Mountain (the only coaster she liked 25 years ago) is too much for her now and is wondering what she'll actually want to ride. Oh well. Good luck! It's a lot of fun for the kids to experience it with the grandfolks.

MermaidHair · 10-30-2012, 04:39 PM

Thanks all - Glad to hear that Pirates might work for her. This adds a whole other level to trip planning and it is fun! I really hope she does not flake out on the trip. Even though she is not a traditional theme park person I really think she would appreciate the details. Oh did I tell you this will be our first GCH stay too! Woot Woot!

LisaT91403 · 10-30-2012, 10:36 PM

You could get countless opinions here, and it really comes down to your mom's personal preferences. There's just no way to predict what she might like or not like (same when people ask what rides a 3 year old will like). Every person is different.

Having said that, my mom is 75 and does NOT like roller coasters. As an example of what a roller coaster wimp she is, she went on Gadget's, and didn't really like that. However, she loves Pirates, enjoyed RSR, and decided that Soarin' (a new one for her) is her favorite ride. She won't go on Indy, Space Mountain, or BTMRR. She tried Star Tours, and it wasn't her cup of tea. And she won't go on Splash because she doesn't want to get her hair wet

10-30-2012, 01:45 AM	#1
MermaidHair Mouseketeer Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 95	Touring with Grandma It looks like my mom (late 70s but very spry) will be joining us on our next trip to DLR. She has not been to Disneyland in almost 35 years and is excited to experience it again. She will likely not tour with us all the time but I want to make sure she enjoys her time in the parks. Also on the trip will be DD 12 and DS 9 who LOVE Disneyland and are all about the rides. Here is my question, what rides, other than the mountains and spinning rides, would you steer clear of? I know not to even offer things like the tea cups (I dont think she even went on those when I was a kid) but are there any rides that seem benign but have snuck up and freaked your friends/family out? The one that most comes to mind is Pirates, because of the drops. I am thinking twice about Soarin too - she's not a fan of heights. What about RSR? Of course it is all up to her, but I just want to guide her the right way.

10-30-2012, 01:54 AM	#2
krispin41 Mouseketeer Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Campbell, CA Posts: 484	RSR has a fast race at the end with some hills and banked turns. It's very smooth though. Mater's is fun, but it whips you back and forth and you slide in the seats, sometimes slamming into the sides. Star Tours you might be wary of too. __________________ Kristan in NorCal Our In-room Celebration at Disneyland! (October 2011) Our Disney Vacation Planning Gift Baskets at Disneyland! (July 2012)

10-30-2012, 02:01 AM	#3
Geemo DIS Veteran Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: pacific nw Posts: 702	Look the various rides up on you tube. This will give you an idea of the ride. I have most of the rides on you tube in a folder for quick access. I mainly use it to show the grandkids to see how they feel about rides. I took my son and his new family to DCA three years ago. My new granddaughter was 6 and she wanted to go on Tower of Terror. So my son had us all hopped in line. The picture of her on that ride is "PRICELESS"! It hangs on my Disneywall. She came unglued with panic. Now she laughs about the ride and is looking forward to riding it when we go next time. They grow up so fast... When we were there last January, I was surprised to see a frail gray haired granny in a wheel chair in line to ride Indy!!! I'm a granma myself and I like all of the rides! It will be a few years before I reach my 70's.... I'll keep going and riding the rides as long as I can. Geemo __________________ Magic happens on every trip. Last edited by Geemo; 10-30-2012 at 02:11 AM.

10-30-2012, 12:02 PM	#8
rmom Mouseketeer Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: West Coast Posts: 269	The last trip to DL was with my one daughter and 85 yr old mother. My mom loves the POC, HM, Soaring as well as a lot of the other ones. The ones she doesn't do are the roller coasters and the tea cups (they happen to be my middle daughter favorite and one of the only ride she goes on). She also loves eating at the BB, which I do for her. She might enjoy a tour in the park or at one of the hotels. I hope you all have a wonderful time. Last edited by rmom; 10-30-2012 at 12:10 PM.

10-30-2012, 12:19 PM	#9
Pesky "Who's the monkey?!" Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: CO Posts: 970	Might want to ask her how she feels about bumpy or jerky rides -- Mr. Toad, Indiana Jones, etc. Those might be a bit too jarring for her. Heck, they are a bit too jarring for me sometimes! __________________ DH, the Disney doubter Me DD5 DS3 WDW Plan: October 2016 (so very, very far away ) Their first Disney experience coming soon!

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10-30-2012, 02:02 AM	#4
sweethannah Rebel Spy, 3 times in a row! Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Pitt Meadows BC Posts: 357	My mum is of similar age and does not really go for the rides. This time around we took her on the Jungle Cruise but other than that it was more about being at Disney with our family. Monsters Inc, Ariels, Dumbo if she can get in the opening, Mickey's Fun Wheel - stationary cars would all be great choices for her. There will no doubt be many other suggestions.

10-30-2012, 06:02 AM	#5
DLRfan31 A Pirate's Life for Me! Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Seattle Posts: 261	My mom is 78 and LOVES Pirates, Haunted Mansion, and Its a Small World. The drops on Pirates doesn't bother her at all.

10-30-2012, 09:25 AM	#6
nikkislaght Mouseketeer Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 265	Funny because while reading I was thinking Pirates.. the drop is minimal hardly a drop at all.. I know its all about personal perspective. but the rest of the ride is so mellow and fun that the little drops are worth it..

10-30-2012, 09:38 AM	#7
calicat disneyland dreamer Join Date: May 2009 Location: Sacramento Posts: 30	My mom is in her 70's and Pirates is her favorite ride. When I first took her to Disneyland three years ago I was afraid that the drop would scare her but she loved it (and she does not do rollercoasters). Other rides that she enjoys are: The Train, Small World, Peter Pan, Mr. Lincoln, Jungle Cruise. We haven't been to the parks since Carsland opened but I have to warn you that she was really scared on Soarin. She also liked Muppets, Little Mermaid and Monsters. I have learned after five trips now with my mom to just take it easy. Stop and sit on benches throughout the day and go on mellow rides.

10-30-2012, 01:35 PM	#10
Heymy Mouseketeer Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Dublin, CA Posts: 305	I agree, watch YouTube videos. It's funny my dad is almost 75 and will ride almost anything (never loved Space Mountain) and absolutely cannot wait to get on everything. He is really bummed Indy will be down. Yet my mom at 68 thinks Big Thunder Mountain (the only coaster she liked 25 years ago) is too much for her now and is wondering what she'll actually want to ride. Oh well. Good luck! It's a lot of fun for the kids to experience it with the grandfolks. __________________ Me: DH: DD (8): DD (5):

10-30-2012, 04:39 PM	#11
MermaidHair Mouseketeer Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 95	Thanks all - Glad to hear that Pirates might work for her. This adds a whole other level to trip planning and it is fun! I really hope she does not flake out on the trip. Even though she is not a traditional theme park person I really think she would appreciate the details. Oh did I tell you this will be our first GCH stay too! Woot Woot!

10-30-2012, 10:36 PM	#12
LisaT91403 Mouseketeer Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 475	You could get countless opinions here, and it really comes down to your mom's personal preferences. There's just no way to predict what she might like or not like (same when people ask what rides a 3 year old will like). Every person is different. Having said that, my mom is 75 and does NOT like roller coasters. As an example of what a roller coaster wimp she is, she went on Gadget's, and didn't really like that. However, she loves Pirates, enjoyed RSR, and decided that Soarin' (a new one for her) is her favorite ride. She won't go on Indy, Space Mountain, or BTMRR. She tried Star Tours, and it wasn't her cup of tea. And she won't go on Splash because she doesn't want to get her hair wet

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