Best rides/shows to do when you need to rest a bit

[Shagley]

I am heading to DW on September 17th, and this is the first time my Parents will be coming along. My Mom has RA, so I am trying to come up with a list of rides or shows that we can do whenever she needs to sit down and get out of the heat for a while. The RA mostly affects her upper body (arms & hands), so she won't need to rent an ECV, but I do want to try to alternate the standing and walking with more relaxing rides and shows so she doesn't get overtired or overheated.

 

[MaggieMollyMom]

Not sure how others feel about this, but one of my fave attractions is the Carousel of Progress! It's a nostalgic thing I guess! It's a great show to watch for anyone, any age. Even my 2 yr old twins loved it last year!

 

[SueM in MN]

I agree with Carousel of Progress. It's nice and cool in the theater and is a long attraction - about 15 minutes.

Others I would suggest for MK:

• Enchanted Tiki Room in Adventureland - an audioanimatronic musical show with birds.
• Pirates of the Caribbean in Adventureland - even though it is a ride, it is a long ride and the waiting area is inside and cool.
• Country Bear Jamboree in Frontierland - singing bears. Corny in a cute way.
• The Hall of Presidents in Liberty Square - a history lesson in about 20 minutes.
• The Haunted Mansion in Liberty Square - another ride, but a long one.
• Mickey's Philharmagic in Fantasyland - a really cute 3D movie with lots of music.
• Small World in Fantasyland - another long ride.
• Monsters, Inc Laugh Floor in Tomorrowland - this is a cute show with the characters from Monsters, Inc.
• Tomorrowland Transit Authority - this is outdoors, but there is usually a breeze. It's an elevated tram ride thru Tomorrowland.
• Stitch's Great Escape in Tomorrowland - this is indoors and you will be seated. Some people like it and others hate it. It is a show starring Stitch from the movie Lilo and Stitch. Except it's before the movie and he's not lovable Stitch, he is possibly dangerous Stitch. And since most of it takes place in complete darkness, you hear, smell and feel more than you see.

For Epcot, everything is fairly long and is inside, so you won't have a problem finding cool spots in Future World. Everything will be a good choice.
In World showcase, the pavilions with rides or shows are:

• Mexico - a boat ride thru Mexico, searching for Donald Duck.
• Norway - more of a thrill ride thru Norway's history.
• China - a very nice movie of the history if China shown on screens all around. There are no seats, but there are lean rails that you can use during the show.
• America - a really nice audioanimatronic show featuring American History from the first European settlers to the beginning of the 21st century.
• France - a movie showcasing the scenery of France. Beautiful music, beautiful scenery, comfy seats and air conditioning.
• Canada - another standing movie with lean rails
• each country also has shops- even though she would not be seated, they are a good way to get out of the heat.

For the Studio, most things are indoors and are fairly long, so there are many things to do there to get out of the heat. I'll just mention a few things:

• Walt Disney: One Man's Dream is a walk thru attraction with a short sit down movie. Well worth seeing since there are many interesting one of a kind pieces on display.
• Beauty and the Beast is a Broadway style show in a covered outdoor theater. Even though it is outside, there are fans on the ceiling and it does feel cool.
• Indiana Jones Stunt Show is also in an outdoor roofed theater. It also feels cooler than outside.
• lights, Motors, Action - this is an auto stunt show. While it is interesting, it is also noisy, smelly and many of the seats are in full sun.

Animal Kingdom is regarded as feeling quite hot. Not sure if it is all the vegetation, or if it just feels hot because of what you are looking at. Most attractions are outdoors. Lines are well shaded or roofed and even have fans to provide a breeze. Except for Discovery Island, there are not that many shops to go into to get out of the heat. So, we usually watch the weather reports and save Animal Kingdom for a cooler day.
Here are a few of the cooler shows:

• It's Tough to be a Bug in Discovery Island - a show combining 3D movie with audioanimatronics and effects that come at you including sprays of water and some things you can feel on your seat.
• Festival of the Lion King in Camp Mickey Minnie - an amazing show with singers, acrobats, a 'flying bird' dance, a fire twirler and more - one of our favorites. This is all performed inside an air conditioned theater.
• Kilimanjaro Safari in Africa is an open air tram ride thru the African Savannah. Even though it is outdoors, it usually doesn't feel that hot.
• Flights of Wonder in Asia is a bird show in an open air theater. Even though it is outdoors, it also doesn't usually feel very hot.
• Finding Nemo -the musical in Dinoland This is a Broadway type show, based on the movie Finding Nemo. An indoor air conditioned theater. We really like this one too.
• Dinosaur in Dinoland - indoor line and fairly long ride. It is a thrill ride, though, so be aware of the warnings for those with health problems. It us a very turbulent ride with periods of almost complete darkness.
• Kali River Rapids in Asia. This is a thrill raft ride, so there are some warnings for health conditions. Even though it is outdoors, you will get either sprinkled or completely soaked, so will probably not be hot after riding!

 

[cmesq61]

Ditto prior posts and add Turtle Talk with Crush!! It's marketed for kids but my DBF & I never miss it. So funny & cool & you can stay in your ECV.

 

[Bete]

In Epcot: Universe of Energy, Innoventions (East and West), Captain EO if it's still showing, and Living with the Land boat ride in the Land Pavillon. There are exhibits to see, too like in a museum at China and Mexico and U.S. in World Showcase.

In Hollywood Studios: Journey into Narnia (next to One Man's Dream), American Idol, The Great Movie Ride (your mom would love this one), Magic of Disney Animation, Muppet 3-D, and Voyage of the Little Mermaid.

You can always use the first aid centers to get out of the sun and rest for a while. Pick eating places that are sit down and air conditioned; there are quick service restaurants that are indoors, too, but not all of them. You can do this for snacks, too. Keeping hydrated helps a lot.

Keep in mind some rides can be jerky; I'm not sure how your mom will feel in her upper body after some rides. If you need a list; just ask.

Not sure how old your mom is but WDW is a lot of walking: anywhere from 6 to 12 miles a day depending on how long you will be in the parks each day. If you want longer days you may want to consider a scooter or wheelchair for mom anyway. I rather push a wheelchair all day and enjoy the parks more and save my mom from being exhausted which could cause other issues. With either one you can always walk some and park it, too. Some use a wheelchair like a walker; it's extra support.

 

[Shagley]

Wow - thanks for the great lists. I am going to print them all out so I have the list with me in each park. You are all SO helplful!!!!!

 

[Shagley]

Sue M - that is an awesome list Thanks so much!

Bete - to answer some of your questions, my Mom is 65, but a "young" 65. Other than the RA, she is very healthy and active. I don't think she will be very open to the idea of using a wheelchair or an ECV, but I will make it clear to her that it is always an option. Some of the things we have done to make sure this trip isn't hard on her is...

We have the DDP, and most of our TS meals are scheduled for lunch. That way we can sit and cool down for a while and if she gets tired early, we can go back to the resort and not worry about getting back out somewhere for an ADR.

Thanks for the reminder about jerky rides. She will have to avoid any rides that are too jerky or she will probably be in pain. She doesn't care for any of the more extreme rides anyway, so she will definately be avoiding all roller coasters, Dinosaur, any rides that spin, TOT, Test Track, etc. I do want to do the Safari at AK, but we will try to sit toward the front of the jeep to cut down on the jerkiness. Are there any others we need to avoid?

We have ordered bottled water to keep in the room and to take with us into the parks to stay hydrated.

Since we are staying on property and using Disney busses, if she starts feeling poorly, some of us can go back to the resorts while the others stay in the parks (my Dad and my Sister will both be there also).

Any other great tips on how to make her trip more comfortable for her?

 

[SueM in MN]

Sue M - that is an awesome list Thanks so much!

Bete - to answer some of your questions, my Mom is 65, but a "young" 65. Other than the RA, she is very healthy and active. I don't think she will be very open to the idea of using a wheelchair or an ECV, but I will make it clear to her that it is always an option. Some of the things we have done to make sure this trip isn't hard on her is...

We have the DDP, and most of our TS meals are scheduled for lunch. That way we can sit and cool down for a while and if she gets tired early, we can go back to the resort and not worry about getting back out somewhere for an ADR.

Thanks for the reminder about jerky rides. She will have to avoid any rides that are too jerky or she will probably be in pain. She doesn't care for any of the more extreme rides anyway, so she will definately be avoiding all roller coasters, Dinosaur, any rides that spin, TOT, Test Track, etc. I do want to do the Safari at AK, but we will try to sit toward the front of the jeep to cut down on the jerkiness. Are there any others we need to avoid?

We have ordered bottled water to keep in the room and to take with us into the parks to stay hydrated.

Since we are staying on property and using Disney busses, if she starts feeling poorly, some of us can go back to the resorts while the others stay in the parks (my Dad and my Sister will both be there also).

Any other great tips on how to make her trip more comfortable for her?

Follow the link in my signature to get to the disABILITIES FAQs thread.
Post 23 on page 2 of that thread has a list of attractions with warnings, along with some information about why each attraction has a warning.
There are also some attractions that don't have warnings, but still might cause a problem.