Harry Potter with grandma

[Belle'sFan]

Going to WDW with my Mom who is 78. We are planning one day to see Harry Potter and I'm wondering if there are any rides she would enjoy. She doesn't do roller coasters or anything that could make her dizzy -for example, at Epcot she will do Spaceship Earth, but she will not do Soarin'. I know there is plenty to see, shops, restaurants, and the train -looks like the other rides are all thrill rides? Is there any ride her speed other than the train? I hear we can walk through the castle without riding -does that mean we stand in line and just don't get on the ride or can we literally walk through? Also, with this scenario, do I need to worry that we won't have early entry or FOTL?

 

[damo]

We took my 89 year old mother on Gringotts but it sounds like your mother probably wouldn't enjoy it.

 

[imprint]

Sounds like Hogwarts Express would indeed be the only ride she would enjoy. Forbidden Journey usually has a tour route, so you can ask the Team Member at the entrance. I'm not sure if Gringott's has a tour line.

 

[macraven]

Outdoor entertainment could work for her while the family does the potter rides

 

[imprint]

As to your question about no early entry or express pass, if you are intending to spend the whole day in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (both parks), then I think you'll be fine. If you decide to visit other areas, then yes, depending on crowd levels, not having early entry and/or express passes would limit your options. Since it sounds like you might be totally focused on Harry Potter, I want to make sure you know that outside Diagon Alley there is a small London area as well. If you start in Hogsmeade (Islands of Adventure) and take the Hogwarts Express to Diagon Alley (Universal Studios), you might not know to exit the area to see the London stuff. One last thing, be sure to ride Hogwarts Express both ways (from Hogsmeade to Diagon Alley and from Diagon Alley to Hogsmeade). The ride experience is different each way. Also, riding Hogwarts Express from Diagon Alley to Hogsmeade is the only way to fully see Kings Crossing and the 9 3/4 Platform. These things are important to wizards and muggles alike!

 

[keishashadow]

Going to WDW with my Mom who is 78. We are planning one day to see Harry Potter and I'm wondering if there are any rides she would enjoy. She doesn't do roller coasters or anything that could make her dizzy -for example, at Epcot she will do Spaceship Earth, but she will not do Soarin'. I know there is plenty to see, shops, restaurants, and the train -looks like the other rides are all thrill rides? Is there any ride her speed other than the train? I hear we can walk through the castle without riding -does that mean we stand in line and just don't get on the ride or can we literally walk through? Also, with this scenario, do I need to worry that we won't have early entry or FOTL?

Many 78 y.o. Grandmas are more active than 20-somethings lol. Since yours has an issue w/Soarin, it's likely she won't enjoy many of the headliner attractions @ U. There are shows & other attractions that would be just fine. You just need to do your homework so she has a great day too

I urge you to ask her if she'd enjoy a day on her own. If she says, no may just being polite. Ask her again lol. There are times when I've gone with my extended family and would have enjoyed a break

If staying @ WDW, transportation is plentiful. She could enjoy some shopping @ Disney Springs, an extra day strolling thru Epcot at her leisure or just lounging by the pool.

 

[tarak]

I took my 78-year-old mom last May because she's a huge HP fan. She doesn't like coasters, so I didn't bother trying anything other than the Hogwarts Express. She still loved it. But she's a big HP fan. She wasn't interested in much outside Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley.

 

[bumbershoot]

I hear we can walk through the castle without riding -does that mean we stand in line and just don't get on the ride or can we literally walk through?

There are two options for the castle (which is the line for Forbidden Journey). There's the castle tour line, which is separate from the line-line. In our experience, it has stairs, though. And it's not always open.

And the other option is just getting in the line and experiencing the line that way. At the Sorting Hat she'll exit the ride and you will go through to ride the ride. Meet up in the shop or she can go out of the shop and find a bench if she'd like.