A Must Do List for Seniors

[janette]

My sister will be taking a tour group to WDW soon. The average age on her tours is 72. Most have probably been there before but maybe not all and it will be for 3 days only. Wanted to work her up a list of must-dos for them. Rides with restrictions aren't eligible, they would be more familiar with the older Disney characters.

Please tell me what you'd add and why.

These are the lists I have in no particular order:

MK
Dumbo
Peter Pan
It's a Small World
Mickeys Philharmagic
Haunted Mansion
TomorrowLand Transit Authority
Buzz Lightyear
Wishes

Epcot
Soaring *I think most could do this since it doesn't jerk or move fast
Figment
Turtle Talk
American Adventure
Shows in WorldShowcase *As many as work into the schedule
IllumiNations

MGM
Great Movie Ride
Lights, Motor, Action
Muppets
Little Mermaid
Fantasmic

AK
*not sure how many will go here - they are staying at ALK so will get to see the animals and some of the experience there.
Safari
Lion King Show
Bugs Life
Jamming Jungle Parade

 

[mickeymom55]

I guess it will depend on how physically able the group is, but how about the Hall of Presidents in MK,the river boat ride around Tom Sawyer's island and the train around the perimeter of the park and how about It's a Small World. There's also the Country Bear Jamboree. These are all interesting, fun and low impact - so to speak. Don't forget to get a schedule of shows and performances around the World Showcase in Epcot, The British Invasion, Off Kilter and the Chinese acrobats are all great - the also allow for an entertaining break during the day. Sounds like you have lots of options for the group. Hope they have a wonderful visit to the World!

 

[dtaylor98]

We took my mom, 79 at the time, in 2004 and she wanted to do all the 3-D movies.

 

[dahirsh]

TTA and Mickeys Philharmagic

 

[janette]

Thanks, I've updated the list some. Can't believe I forgot TTA & Philharmagic, those are definate must do's and something they might not think to do.

 

[Pigletlover]

I think seniors would also enjoy these attractions:


MAGIC KINGDOM

Carousel of Progress (this would bring back some memories)
Enchanted Tiki Room
Jungle Cruise (Disney classic!)
Pirates of the Caribbean?? (I can't remember how big the drops are)
Snow White's Scary Adventures


EPCOT

Honey I Shrunk the Audience (warn them about the 4D effects)
Living with the Land boat ride (interesting fruit/vege growing)
The Living Seas
Spaceship Earth (this would bring back some memories too)
Universe of Energy
El Rio del Tiempo boat ride in Mexico
Impressions de France film (this is seated, not standing)


MGM STUDIOS

Beauty and the Beast show
Walt Disney: One Man's Dream (memorabilia and film about Walt)


ANIMAL KINGDOM

Pangani Exploration Trail (animals)
Maharajah Jungle Trek (animals)
Flights of Wonder bird show
Oasis trails and Discovery Island trails (more animals)


Disney does such a great job catering to all ages of people!

 

[dawgsgirl]

I took my mom, age 71 at the time, to WDW last year for her first visit. One thing to keep in mind is the moving sidewalks on rides like Peter Pan. She had so much trouble getting on Peter Pan that we did not try any more of those type of rides. Her faves were: Wishes and Spectro, Philharmagic, Country Bears, Hall of Presidents, Millionaire, Beauty and the Beast, Bird show at Ak, Lion King Show, Living with the Land, Soarin, and American Adventure. What she really enjoyed was the beauty of the parks and the flowers!! She especially enjoyed the vegetation at AK. So--she mostly enjoyed the shows and the MAGIC!! Good luck with the planning!!!

 

[disnut8]

Flights of Wonder at Animal Kingdom. If they are staying at the Lodge, they will probably love this show.

 

[jann1033]

you might want to add some calmer thrill rides and group some things by intensity...my almost 80 yr old parents love splash mountain( although you wouldn't think so from the looks of horror on their faces on the pics ) so some are thrill seekers even then! so maybe pirates ( didn't notice that), malestrom some with a little jolt but not a lot of tossing around

ditto on the moving sidewalk type rides..they are a nightmare if you have balance problems

 

[webmomom]

At the Ak Festival of the Lion King Show.

 

[sames1]

I got my 78 year old father on Aerosmith's Rock N Roll Rollercoaster twice. The first time he swore he wouldn't do it again. The second time he had forgotten about the first time. LOL.

 

[padisneylover]

I would remove Dumbo from your list since that can be difficult to get into for any age let alone someone with arthritic joints that can't lift and bend them like they used to.

 

[blueroses]

My 72-year-old father goes to WDW at least every other year. He is a big fan of AK and loves seeing DeVine when she's out and the detailing at the Tree of Life.

Four parks in 3 days is a lot to squeeze in even for people half that age.

 

[janette]

Thanks all, great input. I'm trying to do a general list that anyone can do, keeping in mind what I'd suggest for my 76yo mom and I know that anything fast or at all jerky would have to be off limits. Great tips about the moving load rides and Dumbo. I wouldn't have thought about it being hard to get into.

I love Devine, I'll have to add her to the list. The last time we were there I just asked the character handler right at the end of the bridge to Africa an they knew what time she'd be there so we had no problems catching up with her.

I'll also let her know to encourage wheelchair use for those that have trouble getting around or even those that can't sit on the ground. I know it would be a hard sell for my Mom but she'd enjoy things so much better and there is now way she'd be able to sit on a curb for parades, night time shows etc so I'd want her in a wheelchair for those things besides the fact that it would help keep her from becoming overtired.

 

[jennymouse]

I've taken my 80yo dad twice and last time we took my aunt & uncle who are in their late 70's. They enjoyed everything except I didn't take them on Space, Thunder, ToT & RnR. They even did Splash and loved it!

 

[Peepster]

I guess my family is the exception. Dad was in his 80's and still riding Space Mountain. I remember getting to the front of the line and the CM tried to politely steer my Dad toward the "exhibit"...Dad laughed and said "What are talking about? I have to take care of her (pointing at me, his middle aged "baby")"! And my Aunt loved Tower of Terror at 84. So I'm aiming to do RnR at 90. Having said that, I know firsthand how difficult it is to find riders my age right now.

Whatever is planned, I hope everyone has a great time!

 

[dreamscometrue47]

Just got back from a trip with 79 yr old Mom and she did everything except for the thrill rides, like Space Mtn, Mission Space. Definitely think about wheelchairs; I rented one for her for the length of stay. There is no way she could have gotten around the parks without it.

We had great CM's when it came to the moving walkways at rides like Peter Pan, Haunted Mansion, etc. They told her exactly what to do, what to expect, where to position her hands to get in and out. They really catered to her needs without embarrassing her.

One other thing I learned is if you stay in a wheelchair for a show, like Country Bear Jamboree, ask where the handicapped seating is. For example, in Country Bears, it's the first 2 rows, and if we had known that, Mom would have left her wheelchair and sat in a regular seat for a better view. Sort of the same thing for Philharmagic; handicapped is the last row, so you really can't see the great Donald ending!

 

[DianaPrincessofWales]

I think they would absolutely "adore" Carousel of Progress at the MK! That's the first that came to mind.

 

[disney1990]

I guess my family is the exception. Dad was in his 80's and still riding Space Mountain. I remember getting to the front of the line and the CM tried to politely steer my Dad toward the "exhibit"...Dad laughed and said "What are talking about? I have to take care of her (pointing at me, his middle aged "baby")"! And my Aunt loved Tower of Terror at 84. So I'm aiming to do RnR at 90. Having said that, I know firsthand how difficult it is to find riders my age right now.

Whatever is planned, I hope everyone has a great time!

If you Dad was an exception, my father-in-law is too. He went with us to DW in 2004 (when he was 82) and rode everything -- MS, ToT, the mountains of MK. He is looking forward to going with us this coming August -- he just turned 84 -- he wants to do it all over again!

 

[jann1033]

I guess my family is the exception. Dad was in his 80's and still riding Space Mountain. I remember getting to the front of the line and the CM tried to politely steer my Dad toward the "exhibit"...Dad laughed and said "What are talking about? I have to take care of her (pointing at me, his middle aged "baby")"! And my Aunt loved Tower of Terror at 84. So I'm aiming to do RnR at 90. Having said that, I know firsthand how difficult it is to find riders my age right now.

!

sounds like my family...course at almost 80 and 80+ they also complain about "those seniors" which must mean the 105 yr olds...

i figure as long as they want to try, why stop them!